Fayni relates annual customary visit of trading people to presidio Paso del Norte; how these people were attacked by Indians who killed people and stole horses. Virrey(?) Acknowledges report, suggests that presidios escort traders for protection. (S. Gibbs, October 1987)

Fayni describes economy of Valle de San Bartholome as based on haciendas, land use, and cattle herds and how San Bartholome supplies Parral and Chiguagua with fruits of harvest. Reports Indian thefts and murders in San Bartholome due to lack of defense. Relates how war has wasted money, broken families, caused misery. Suggests military protection be provided for satellite pueblos of Parral. Oxinaga asserts that even if Oconor's efforts produce good results, if he does not follow orders he should not be paid for his rank. Oxinaga submits letter recounting Apache attacks repelled with limited success due to disadvantage of weapons, horses and provisions. Asks for military protection from Indian raids. Letter signed by many people. (S. Gibbs, October 1987)

Fayni refers to Bucareli's previous letter re: remittance of mined silver to casa de moneda. Asserts intention to promote commerce and mining for state interests. Includes mining figures. Announces intent to remit report of internal presidios in next mail. (S. Gibbs, October 1987)

(S. Gibbs, September 1987)

Documents outline concern for French trading arms to Indians, fear French discovered precious ores, presence of Frenchman at Taos fair. Good description of French settlements and forts, numbers of troops.

States that the Indians receive in exchange for six fanegas of Pinon only one cow, which is worth only three pesos in that area. This is unfair due to the great distances they must travel to gather Pinones (60 leagues) and also due to the great risk involved from the enemy. (R. Perez) (1977)

An account of contact between Spaniards and two tribes, Jumanes and Shulimes. These two live close by, are friendly to each other and Spaniards, trade with Spaniards, and wish to have Spaniards come and aid them in their war with Apache. A native account of arrival of Spaniards is given. The two tribes ask Spaniards, represented by 10 Jumanas captains, to return to their lands. A list of trade goods is given. Indians also wish some religious to accompany and baptize them. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Entry of two Frenchmen into Nueva Mexico to trade and explore territory. Detained and merchandise confiscated, sent to Santa Fe to governor who after investigation with aid of translator decided to send men to Mexico after auctioning their merchandise. from Chihuahua men were sent to viceroy in Mexico City where they ended in jail. Last document dated January 31, 1754 states that both Frenchmen still in jail and their declarations being translated into Spanish. (A. Dell'acqua. 4/17/87)

Describes geographical range Pimeria Alta missions. Speaks of continuing Apache menace. Notes depopulation of area due to diseases, Apache attacks. Discusses temporal affairs of missions, including livestock raising, planting communal fields maize, wheat, and vegetables, which feeds widows, sick, military escorts, mission Indians during lean months of April, May, and June, thereby inducing Indians to remain in pueblos instead of wild-food gathering. Notes sale of surplus to mines/presidios to purchase church supplies, barter goods. Notes decline of mission agriculture last 8 years due to lack of seeds, decline of Cieneguilla mines, and increased number of farmers. States mission business is conducted by Indian governors under missionaries' guidance. Describes architecture of Indian houses; agriculture, including cultivation of pomegranates, quinces, cotton, and sugar cane as well as shrubs of gomilla, jojoba, both of which used medicinally. Describes herbs used, including indigo (anil), gediondilla, zimarron, contra yerba. Claims 2 harvests pithaya per year in west. Notes presence gypsum, lime, piedra bezal found in deer, especially those killed near coast. Says province is covered with grama grass, thereby providing forage for much livestock. Describes climate, mineral wealth, including real of Cieneguilla, only settlement of Spaniards in Pimeria Alta. Describes settlements. Tiburones described as Seri groups. Describes excellent salt fields along coast. Describes port of Tepoca/pearl beds nearby. Notes presence of subterranean water. Says Papagos come to missions to sell young boys captured in slave raids carried out by interior nations; these slaves called Vijoras (Nixoras). No active commerce carried on by Indians. Describes uses of cotton. Says Pimas are good farmers, growing wheat, maize, squash, cotton. During harvests, many traders arrive to barter cloth, etc. for produce. Says Pimas stay in pueblos, not like Yaquis and many Opatas who wander (probably to work in mines). Discusses reasons why missions should not be secularized. Estimates Gila Pima population at 2,000. Compares Pimas favorably to Opatas, who no longer respect missionaries. Describes temporary nature of Spanish settlement of Sonora, Pimeria Alta. Says 8 leagues from Aconchi, the San Juan mine, full of water, is abandoned now. Discusses precautions necessary for populating Sonora. Encourages development of Tepoca, Guaymas to give Sonora easy access to sea, Tiburon Island as way station for transportation of livestock. Discusses need to develop educational facilities, including primary schools at Indian settlements. Notes belief among Opatas at Aconchi in Montezuma, who they claimed was their king and had risen and appeared in mountains. Describes his school, which taught girls as well as boys to read, write. (T. Sheridan) (1976)

Administrative correspondence re: sailing of paquebot San Carlos for Loreto; inventory of San Carlos; buying prices in San Blas and selling prices in Loreto; positions and food supplies for crew of San Carlos; discussion of salaries; travel expenses for Ramon Segurola; need for vino, aguardiente and aceite in California presidios; need for gunpowder in San Blas; San Blas is sending existing sailcloth to California presidios, but must have it replaced with next shipment from Spain. (D. Uhlman, December 1988)