Concerns payment for '55 carabinas de Seis recamaras' constructed by Vecino per commission by virrey, who Dies soon after; Cuenta of the 55 'carabinas' and other items submitted by Vecino; various letters stating that less than 55 received, that Vecino's Bill exorbitant, that other 'maestros' were to assist; sworn testimony from Vecino and 'maestro' Flores regarding legitimacy of deal, that virrey in fact commissioned 55 'carabinas' at 100 pesos each, etc.; determined after investigation that 55 ordered, but at 89 pesos each, agree to compensate Vecino but not full amount initially requested; experts testify to excellent quality of weapons; correspondence from 1791-2 in which location and condition of weapons sought, as they disappeared following transactions of 1787, 53 found, never used, plan formulated to contact Vecino about 2 missing 'carabinas', which are found, ending debate. (L. Kerr, February 1989)

Concerns 'recargo de armamentos' which virrey suspends per unenforced decree of 11-18-1789, orders Cajas reales to proceed with 'liquidacion' of inventory as formulated by real tribunal de Cuentas; includes itemized 'cargo y data' from 'fondo de recargo' to explain 'fondo'S' poor financial state; 'testimonio' explaining deposits and expenditures, also that 'fondo' not as effective tool for 'reintegro' of money as first thought, due to excessive expenditures; virrey restricts further withdrawals from 'fondo,' 'liquidacion' apparently not satisfactory, virrey demands explanation for discrepancy in Actual and projected profits. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Documents continue argument as to whether 'recargo de armamentos' should be suspended or not; table of itemized 'cargo y data' from various treasuries included, with particular attention to arms sales, providing information on type, quantity, cost of arms purchased, by whom purchased, and amount of 'recargo' earned from sales, which concerned officials state is reinvested into military funds; first table in sequence reveals 14 'escopetas' and 4 'pares de pistolas' sold to 'Cumanches'; real tribunal, virrey review economic rationale for 'recargo,' order its suspension, support 'liquidacion' of stock in order to cover debts and expenses. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Includes treasury reports (1779-81) from Chihuahua, San Luis Potosi, Alamos, and Arispe regarding purchase of weapons by presidios and companias; 'recargo de armamentos' discussed and profit from surcharge calculated, money from 'recargo' to be invested; includes 'Estados' of arms, quantity, type, amount of 'recargo' produced from sales. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning whether or not troops of Provincias Internas should continue to pay same or different 'recargo' on arms purchased at central 'almacen,' or if arms should be sold 'a costo y Costas'; Ugarte y Loyola argues to suspend 'recargo', as soldiers already burdened with many expenses, fiscal argues in favor of surcharge; copies of letters from 1779-1783 from Cavallero de Croix, initiator of 'recargo', explains that part of profit used in pacification of Apaches in Coahuila, part reinvested; table of 'cuenta' indicating profits since 1779. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerns arrival and distribution of arms shipment from Spain, including mention of 'navio de Guerra,' San Julian, in which transported; arms to be sent to 'cajas reales' where troops of 'Provincias Internas' will purchase them; problems incurred as sale price too high, 'real tribunal de Cuentas' formulates plan to sell arms at cost, eliminating 'recargo' placed on them, virrey mandates plan, discussion ensues regarding which arms, and how many of each, 'companias' and 'presidios' should receive, as well as how 'cost' should be determined. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Correspondence concerning shortage of arms in Nueva Vizcaya, shipment from Spain in response to companias', real Caja's, requests for assistance; discussion of arrival of shipment, transportation of arms overland to military destinations, costs incurred; includes table of quantity, type of arms in repuestos of companias and presidios, table of quantity, type of arms shipped from Spain, expenses incurred. (L. Kerr, January 1989)

Sagarzurrieta emphasizes that payment for 20 Cases of gunpowder should be in silver, not paper currency, despite danger in transport. Order that real hacienda be reimbursed in silver for all sales of gunpowder, nitrate, sulphur; some of previous payment in libranzas had insufficient funds. Order retroactive to 1811. (O. Velez, February 1990)

Vial is entrusted with the mission of discovering a more direct route between Santa Fe (New Mexico) and the fortress of Natchitoches (Luisiana). The commanders of the presidios along the route of Vial report in short letters about his arrival and the assistance they gave him in money and supplies. In one of them it is also recommended to found a presidio in the region of the Ozages Indians in order to facilitate the trade along the rivers of the area and to keep them free of English smugglers and arms traders. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Military personnel and civilians are sworn to testify in response to questions on; how they heard of the French trespassing the Colorado River into Spanish territory; when they first heard of it; how much land they believe the French have occupied; and what outposts or presidios the French may have built on said land (ff. 163 - 171). Ratifications (ff. 171 - 180). Indian interpreter relates French trade activity with the Indians. Spaniards describe black slave mistreatment by the French and consider their potential to become loyal Spanish subjects. Junta de guerra y hacienda considers weight of testimonies and action to be taken, if any (ff. 208 - 215). French crown has paid multilingual spies planted, which the Spaniards condemn. (E. Wilson, December 1989)