Responding to virrey's order (7/27/1747) to send 9 soldiers from San Antonio presidio, 13 soldiers from Bahia presidio to establish themselves along Rio San Xavier and protect new missions there, Capitan Orobio Bastherra points out poor state of Bahia presidial force. Notes that due to many duties, as well as needs of own families, few soldiers present at Bahia presidio itself. Proposes instead that 10 soldiers from Adaes presidio be stationed among new missions. Mentions many Apache raids on Bahia horseherd, livestock. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Capitan Orobio y Bastherra informs virrey of request by Horcoquiza Indians to be reduced, missionized. States Horcoquizas consist of 5 pueblos, o rancherias, totaling 300 families. Notes their location along Rios Trinidad, Naeches, Sabinas. States these Indians trade on annual Basis with French. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerning Franciscan request that Sacramento presidio be moved from Coahuila to Rio San Xavier in Texas, fiscal agrees that Indians (See 201) should be reduced, especially since they Volunteered for missionization, but that Sacramento presidio should not be moved. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerning Franciscan request to have Sacramento presidio moved from present location in Coahuila to Rio San Xavier in Texas, 190 leagues away, marques de Altamira replies that such an action would- 1) disturb present presidial line of defense; 2) leave new but prospering settlements in Valle de Santa Rosa (location of Sacramento presidio) defenseless against Apache attack; 3) would not contribute to defense against Apache since Indians in San Xavier area not Apaches, require round trip journeys of more than 400 leagues. Mentions foundation of new missions in provincia de navajoos. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Appears to be identical but incomplete copy of Altamira's lengthy description of Texas- its history, state of presidios, French-Spanish relations, etc. Precised already from Nacogdoches archives- See DRSW serial 4685. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Rivera recommends closing of Texas presidio, and virrey marques de Casafuerte heeds his advice (4/26/1729). Franciscans (8/20-1729) eloquently defend need for presidio, however, arguing that San Francisco, Concepcion and San Joseph missions would be lost without it. Missionaries state Rivera made inspection of Texas presidios during driest season in 13 years and so was misled about ease of travel. They ask that it be reestablished with 50 men instead of 25. Gobernador Mediavilla y Ascona (8/31/1729) supports missionaries, noting that Rivera's recommendations had reduced Texas military by 75 plazas- 40 from Aldaes presidio, 25 from Texas presidio, 10 from San Antonio presidio. Gobernador argues that distances too great, Indians too well armed with French guns, powder for presidios of San Antonio and Bahia de Espiritu Santo to be sufficient. Paredes gathers all above documents together, summarizes Franciscan position and sends representacion to comisario general. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerns conditions of San Antonio presidio, surrounding missions, including- controversy between Franciscans and capitan Flores; Apache raids, campaigns, peace negotiations; investigations of murder of Antonio Gonzalez (Correo) by Indians; construction of acequia to irrigate mission orchards, fields of cotton maiz; mission Indian weaving industry of cotton, wool; murder of capitan Ramon by Indians in Espiritu Santo area. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Responding to charges of fray Gonzalez of widespread corruption, inefficiency in Texas presidios, including use of untrained boys as soldiers, use of soldiers as laborers in personal haciendas of presidial captains, exorbitantly high prices of goods sold to presidial soldiers, lack of support for missionary Apache reduccion program, etc., Almazan informs virrey some scandals exist but he's trying to correct them. Concerning Apache reduccion, both he and fray Gonzalez advocate formation of company of 60-70 soldiers taken from Bahia del Espiritu Santo, San Antonio, Coahuila, Rio Grande del Norte presidios, who would first try to continue peace negotiations by carrying gifts to Apaches. Adaes presidial company too occupied in affairs along French frontier to participate. Does not feel San Antonio presidio should be moved next to mission, because both soldiers, Indians need room for their cattle, fields and conflicts would result if they were next to each other. Notes difficulty in communicating with Adaes presidio because of rivers in flood. Good document for presidial information. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Gobernador Almazan notes shortage of arms, clothing, supplies at Espiritu Santo presidio and blames it on lack of military discipline maintained by capitan Romero and his son Diego. States that soldiers gamble away their military equipment, fail to clean their weapons. Describes outbreak of hostilities between Indians camped next to presidio and soldiers. After fight, Indians fled. About half tracked down and taken prisoner by capitan Ramon, but they escaped jacal where they were held. Capitan Ramon received wound that killed him 8 days later. Almazan notes isolation of presidio, difficulty of fortifying it because humidity makes Adobe-making difficult. Advises that presidio be moved como Dos tiros de fusil to peninsula formed by River. Mentions Apache hostilities, including theft of livestock from Espiritu Santo, Rio Grande presidios. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Concerns need for Spanish soldiers at Adaes presidio to trade with French for food supplies. (T. Sheridan) (1977)