Primarily copies of correspondence between Bonavia, Cordero, Salcedo and virrey regarding defense of Texas border with Louisiana and plans to increase military personnel, artillery, bestias, almacenes, cuarteles, arms, etc. To effectively defend against U.s. land encroachment; included are various letters, to ship military supplies, discussion of local economies and how they will withstand such a population increase (Soldados), discussion of mistakes made by expedition of troops in 1806 and need for better planning and supplies this time, a brief discussion of factories to be established to employ various Indians in region; reference to four packages of gazetas de Nuevo Orleans and fact that communication with Louisiana is prohibited; one letter describes tribes of Indians in region and their way of subsistence (brief but informative); of particular (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Peace is to be extended to western Apaches, but not to eastern Apaches, although there may some difficulty in distinguishing between two groups as languages are similar. Capitan de Lipanes was granted passport from Ugalde, and has been soliciting commerce in Pecos. (D. Marksz, November 1987)

instrucciones that have to be followed for the exploration of the land between Texas and Luisiana. The main purpose of such a reconnaissance is to find an adequate place to found a port for initiating trade with Luisiana. Revilla Gigedo recommends sending two persons for the mission, and asks for the funds to effect it. (A. Nielsen, January 1990)

Alarcon is assigned the post of governor and the command of the colonization of Texas. The aims of this enterprise are the elimination of foreign trade (mainly French) and expansion of the Spanish one. General instructions for the expedition, and later colonization of the area and reduccion of Indians are given. They emphasize the need to found two villages in the area to prevent the meddling of foreign traders in the coast of the seno Mexicano and the main navigable rivers. (A. Nielsen, November 1989)

Series of documents concerning the exploration of the rivers of the north and the problems of opening commerce with the north such as taxes and defense against Indians from the islands. (D. Bautista, June 1990)

Documents concerning a royal meeting ordered by virrey to determine the advantages of open commerce in the provincias of the north Texas, Luisiana and Nueva Orleans. The committee sends a letter to the virrey with all the pros and cons of open commerce with the provincias of the north. Letter from gobernador de Nuevo Santander to the virrey on the same subject including a proposal by Evia for new cities near the Mississippi. Includes discussion of maps but maps are not included. The whole project involves agricultural, maritime, military issues, relations with Indians, estimates of population and numbers of domestic animals in Texas. (D. Bautista, July 1990)

Concerns different jurisdictions in province of Texas, settlers, governments and enemy Indian tribes in region; contains descriptions of fertility of presidio and mission lands in region; fairly extensive information on Indian populations and lands inhabited by them; also concerns Demesieres' campaign in north and broadening of frontier boundaries encroaching further on Indian lands (Tavoayases); problem of Indian hostilities in Coahuila province addressed and its relationship with residents of Louisiana trading with hostile Indians discussed; contains letters from Demesieres to Galvez describing his trip north with detailed descriptions of lands around Colorado, Trinidad, and Brazos rivers; includes descriptions of Indian tribes of region (friendly and hostile), dress, agriculture and in particular deals with Tuacanas and Tancagues; Mesieres suggests founding settlement of Spaniards and Tlaxcaltecas as key to northern regions to open possibilities for trade and to better deal with hostile tribes (Comanches and Osages) and also to impede any further expansion of English into area. (K. Hubin, June, 1990)

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)

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)

Osorio and Palacio request payment from the virrey for the investigation they made of the establishment of Nuevo Santander and Escandon; virrey sends Escandon a letter requesting establishment of Tetillas Pueblo; Osorio and Palacio informe to virrey to divide Obispado. Need to establish a new Obispado with an interim visitor because distance to Guadalaxara is extremely far. Only four villages pay Diezmos, three to church of Valladolid and one to Guadalaxara. There should be an administrator to collect the diezmos from that fertile colony. Audit of hacienda results in it beginning to pay taxes and in a short period of time will produce enough for the troops and to fix the reales minas without using the Erario. Tampico is very convenient for opening the port to trade with Veracruz and Campeche and would change all the products that Nuevo Santander has and change transport time. In relation to the secret mission to investigate the behavior of Escandon it is suggested that for his admirable behavior in 1748, for the villages, and the commerce he opened and mantained in Santander, Soto la Marina, the size of his haciendas and his advanced age, it is recommended that his position as governor be given to someone Young, who is more able to travel and solve problems of the colony. folio 338,is an accounting of the compania volante Caballeria del Seno Mexicano. Last document a letter from the virrey to Soto la Marina, and others to protect missionaries. (D. Bautista, November 1989)