Concerns controversy over whether or not widow of captain Fermel, Manuela, legally able to collect yearly pension from Monte Pio militar; problem arises because although Fermel served in military for forty years and died gloriously in battle, his death predated 1761 establishment of Monte Pio by nine years, thereby eliminating Monte Pio's obligation to pay widow usual quarter-salary pension. Manuela argues in several letters that she knows of other widows collecting pensions whose husbands died less glorious deaths than her Husband; decreed December 1772 that she is eligible for pension; by 1778 has still received nothing, living in dire poverty with children; Galves establishes new fund for women widowed prior to 1761 established, for which Manuela eligible. January 1784 she signs document acknowledging rights to this pension. Issue closed. First third of expediente includes recommendations, service history of Fermel; second third includes curas' sworn statements that Manuela and Fermel legally married, children baptised, and that Manuela not remarried. Also, letter from Fermel concerning military service, conflicts with Indians at presidios where posted; last third includes correspondence among fiscales, others, creation of new fund. (L. Kerr, June 1989)