Letter of Gallardo to virrey Cruillas

Serial Number
041-01657
Title
Letter of Gallardo to virrey Cruillas
Author(s)
Gallardo, Josef Rafael (Licenciado)
Date
10-21-1761
Documentation
Mexico. October 21, 1761. 41p. Letter. Copy
Summary
Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)
Persons
Gallardo, Josef Rafael (Licenciado)
Cruillas (Marques)
Berroteran, Jose (Capitan)
Ybarogoyen (Capitan)
Lazarga, Lucas
San Miguel de Aguayo (Marques)
Rubin de Celis, Alonso Victorio
Ribera, Pedro (Brigadier)
David
Saul
Chio (Emperador)
Places
San Buenaventura (Valle)
Nueva Vizcaya
Mapimi (Presidio)
China
Chiguagua (Villa)
Guexuquillas
Cerro Gordo (Presidio)
Gallo (Presidio)
Conchos (Presidio)
Parras (Pueblo)
Mapimi (Mineral)
Lazarga, Lucas de (Hacienda)
Coahuila (Presidio)
Santa Rosa (Presidio)
Zonora
Agua Nueva
Santa Clara
Topia (Pueblo)
Tepeguana (Pueblo)
Taraumara (Pueblo)
Nuebo Mexico
Durango
Coahuila
Monclova (Presidio)
San Marcos (Paraje)
Tora (Puerta de)
Saltillo (Villa)
Paso (Presidio)
Janos (Presidio)
Junta (Missiones)
Casas Grandes (Paraje)
San Diego (Paraje)
Pilares (Paraje)
Fronteras (Presidio)
Carrizal (Poblacion)
Grande, San Miguel El
San Luis Potosi
San Felipe
San Fernando (Villa)
Guadalaxara
Junta (Presidio)
Carreso (Paraje)
Herran (Rancho)
Texas
Adaes, Pilar de los (Presidio)
Nachitos (Paraje)
San Saba (Presidio)
America Septentrional
California
Sinaloa
Sonora
Nuevo Santander (Colonia)
Santa Fee (Presidio)
Nuevo Leon
Africa
Trinidad (Rio)
Atlantico (Oceano)
Pacifico del Sur (Oceano)
Matape (Pueblo)(Mision)
Horcasitas, San Miguel
Gila (Rio)
Yucatan
Guatemala
Nueva Galicia
San Pedro (Rio)
Conchos (Rio)
Florido (Rio)
Puebla
Queretaro
Nazas (Rio)
Nuevo Mexico
Nayarit
Chihuahua
Ethnic Groups
Hiaquis
Acodames
Cocoyomes
Terocodames
Cicimbres
Tripas Blancas
Apaches
Mansos
Taraumaras
Tepeguanes
Francesas
Naciones del norte
Moros
Tartaos
Seris
Pimas
Tlaxcaltecos
Polisones
Canariases Guexuquillas, Compania Volante De
Military Groups
Compania Volante de Guexuquillas
First Location
AZTM, AGN, Vol. 069 ff. 091-130
Original Location
AGN, Mexico City, Provincias Internas Vol. 069 ff. 091-130
Language
Spanish
Notes
Last in series of documents (ff. 41-130) copied by Antonio Bonilla on June 16, 1793, see related comments on ff. 41-49
Reference Number
6900010
Rights
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