In 1793, bishop wrote a Monterrey Official, Garcia, requesting land for the construction of a new cathedral, offices, seminary, and palacio episcopal on the outskirts on Monterrey. In 1798, Herrera inserted this and another document into this volume, #196, as part of the investigation into why the bishop subsequently had halted that construction (permission had been granted). A third letter on October 1, 1793 from the bishop to Garcia refers to the construction of a convent for monjas Capuchinas. Ff. 149 is a map of Monterrey. (S. Langmack, April 1990)

(D. Marksz, December 1987)

Begins with review of previous testimonies and conclusions drawn. All witnesses believe Colorado River to be the boundary between the two territories. Barrio believes Misisipi (Sic) River to be boundary. Testimonies are considered hearsay and not conclusive. Governor of Texas deems necessary to establish boundary between territories and move French presidios from la Isleta to Nachitos. Questions discussed; engineer to survey boundaries, squadron of 20 soldiers and one official to observe the French, wine and aguardiente trade with French, 36 French companies each of 50 men and 100 swiss men, slaves fleeing French masters, Frenchman San Denis bestowing titles of rank on Indians in Spanish territory, French lenguarazes in Spanish territory. French are described as machinaciones, wanting to trade with anyone and that the only way to control them is by populating presidios with more Spaniards. Ff. 253 - 264 junta de guerra y hacienda discusses same as aforementioned including; one-third advance on pay to soldiers; governor of Texas to determine amount of land usurped by French, names of French towns and presidios established on Spanish territory. All witnesses believe the French occupied lands from 1734 - 36, no new towns have been built, French trade gunpowder, clothing, etc.., with Indians in Texas. Many Indian tribes ally with the Texas Indians and the French. These same Indians consider the Spanish the enemy. Ff. 264 - 275 junta de guerra y hacienda discuss and resolve the following eight points. The governor of Texas should inform commander of Nachitos to return to his Side of the Colorado River, the boundary. The governor will not be sent engineers to map and restore usurped land. A twenty-man squadron with one official will not be sent to the San Pedro River to observe the French. No decision yet as to whether the Texas squadron will be reinforced as the Nueva Veracruz squadron, only a break in relations could decide that. Wine and aguardiente trade with the French desired due to the cold winters is prohibited. Decree proclaiming black French slaves free is prohibited as provocation of the French. Spanish Indians in Texas are not prohibited to trade with the French as the Spanish want to keep the Indians happy and possibly sway the Indians to trade with the Spanish. The second part of this point decides to prohibit the French from bestowing titles of rank on Spanish Indians. The final point permits the French lenguarases to remain in Spanish territory so as not to provoke the French. (E. Wilson, January 90)

Documents concerning establishment of Hoyos. Discusses barbarious rebels who have raided, committed atrocities, scared away settlers of Llanos; only 9 Tlascaltecos left there. 70 families are to travel at own expense to resettle Llanos, take over Tanambres Valley to found Hoyos. Mentions land at Purificacion assigned to Tlascaltecos in 1717. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Transcribed documents concerning establishment of Revilla. List of 14 families (names, ages of children, ethnicity, weapons and livestock owned) to settle first, followed by list of 26 families to follow. Discussion of privileges, access to water, land, firewood equal to that held earlier. Instructions for assignment of land. Suggests placing Indians (now settled where Revilla will be) in separate mission, giving them land one league from Villa, seed, access to communal firewood supply, spiritual guidance. Last folio is map of Revilla, with locations, dimensions of church, capitan's house, rivers, land temporarily granted Indians. (A. Dean, may 1990)

Documents contain information resulting in formal establishment of Guemes. Describes well drilling and associated difficulties at various levels. Escandon and others conduct review of people, land, Indians, crops, rivers, timber. Contains complete lists of families and Escuadra including names, ages and property owned. Describes planting of crops. Abundant Mesquite and Nogales. Reports from others telling Escandon that more people coming to Guemes. He must allocate more corn and tools. Escandon says must plant wetter lands in sta. Anna because of difficulties in well construction. Also says have taken so much Cascara of Sabinos that have left them dry and dying. Practice will punished, must use palms for roofs. Instructions for Ciprian to direct residents and congregate residents. Escandon names location for mission. Includes city plan. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)

Documents contain information resulting formal establishment of Santa Maria. Provides good geographical description of area and distances to other Villas. Escandon went to recognize families joined by olarazan. Escandon and others conduct review of well and other conditions. Contains complete list of families and members of Escuadra including names, ages and property owned. Description of relations with Indians. says San Marcos has most abundant water. Contains description of possible drilling depths and composition of each level. Review of timber, minerals and land says all plentiful. Cold climate. Commerce with Llera possible for supplies and minerals. Need mission for Indians congregated in area. Escandon officially establishes sta. Maria close to San Marcos. Provides instructions for construction of homes, provision of more cattle and seed, and for administration of property and mines. Contains city plan. Last document contains list of Villas established in Nuevo Santander including captains, missions, Indians, families, soldiers and Patron saints. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)

Documents concern information resulting in formal establishment of Santa Barbara. Escandon and others conduct review of residents, Indians, mission, climate, crops and general advantages of area. Includes complete list of all residents and members of Escuadra including names, ages, marital status and property owned. Also, 10 families live around mission with same privileges as those in Villa. Mentions Indian groups in area. Reviewers say Santa Barbara one of most important establishments in Colonia as stop-over place and has most fertile lands and most abundant timber. Provides distances to other Villas. Discussion of moving mission to Alberca which Escandon later approves. Escandon gives instructions for construction of homes and a road to Llera. says gambling and liquor to be outlawed. Contains record of admission of one family to Villa. Provides instructions for administration of both Villa and mission. Contains map, city plan of town including surrounding rivers. (M. Dannemiller, April 1989)

Concerns ranches of San Isidrio. Albares says Paraje should be Villa under his command. Officials and spiritual leaders should be from same. Discusses use of water for crops and cattle. says Villa should be exempt from taxes and tithes for 10 years. Should be free to take fish and salt without limit. says will need military escort. Escandon agrees. States other conditions and approves establishment of Villa. Escandon includes letter from Albares placing Gregorio in command during his illness. Includes map of town. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Manuel de Escandon (the son of the colonizer of seno Mexicano) asks the king to intervene in Nuevo Santander, where the situation has become very unstable after the demise of his Father. He blames the jueces pesquisadores for the present situation. They retrieved from the soldiers the land his Father had given to them, provoking their migration and consequently abandonment of the frontier. In his answer, the king awards Manuel de Escandon the title of count (which his Father formerly had) and the government of Nuevo Santander. Finally, a full account of his career is attached. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)