Correspondence between Mendibil and others regarding exemption of mailing charges of missionary communication. Exemption applies to ports where correspondence was received -originating either within or outside of provincia. Decree effective may 6, 1773. Accounts importance of correspondence to mission's sustenance. Correspondence mainly amongst missionaries and with San Fernando college; often deals with marriages of individuals of troop. Requests that teniente of Loreto and mail carriers be made aware of exemption. Informe to administrator of mail of Mexico mandating that presidios use funds from real hacienda to pay port charges, not missions. Request that copies of degree be sent to postal administrator. Informes from fiscal de real hacienda and the real tribunal de Cuentas to mail Assesor. (J. Hiller, February 1989)

Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)

58 oficios from Vaamonde, governor of Nuevo Leon, to Castro, comandante general de Provincias Internas sent in response to fija sobre sueldos a oficiales (f. 365); Acuna granted gobierno of use of military uniform by civilians (f. 369); Vaamonde recognizes nomination of Castro as comandante general de for transfer of captain Tovar and family to Rio Grande presidio fugitive Indian from Bejar apprehended in Nuevo Leon (f. 386); collection of limosna for rescate de cautivos per viceregal marques de Bajamar (f. 392); Vaamonde promulgates order concerning general amnesty for contrabandistas (f. 401, 406); (ff. 402, 417); copy of letter from Ramon, teniente at Lampazos, concerning theft of horses from Rio Grande (f. 403); disposition of correspondence to Castro during comandante general's visita to Texas (ff. 408, 413, 415); Vaamonde resulting in injury suffered by tlaxcalan, death of Arriero, plus request that presidios abandoned on Rio Grande be re Borrados from San Cristobal (f. 414); Vaamonde received order stating that conductores de valijas are forbidden to carry descuento de Invalidos y Monte Pio (f. 412); received copies of brief informe from virreyes, presidentes, etc. Of state of agriculture, population, roads, etc. In indias (f. 420); mass sung and 3 nights of veneration done in honor of birth of prince (f. 421); Vaamonde orders publication of circular order virrey's peace proposal with Lipanes (ff. 423, 431); Vaamonde acknowledges receipt of royal decree conceeding to Gordoqui Gracia y facultad of putting media firma on all avisos, oficios, and Ordenes concerning Spain and Indies (f. 424); Vaamonde transfers two salvaguardias from Purificacion to gualahuices to contain fugas E inquietudes of Indians present there (f. 425); sends testimonio of Gonzalez Huerta for nomination as Habilitado of Lampazos (ff. 426, 432); received copy of Bando concerning foundation of colegio in Granada for instruccion y adelanto of nobles americanos (f. 427); received copy of order stipulating that no military person may contract marriage without permission of padres, abuelos, tutores o curadores (f. 428); received order freeing governors of Provincias Internas (except Sonora, Nueva Vizcaya) from Media anata (f. 430). (J. H. Ochs, October 1988)

Concerns Indian raids near Cerro Gordo and hacienda of Zarca; notes problems of communications; O'Conor explains his preoccupation with northern problems. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns recent Indian raids and rebellions in province; financing provincial administration; activity of O'Conor on frontier; forwarding of information by various Alcaldes of province to O'Conor; forwarding of other military reports to same. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns Indian raids around Parras, including those that took place at estates of marques de Aguayo; notes worsening situation of region; Bucareli aknowledges and stresses need to cooperate with O'Conor; notes problems of communication between headquarters and field units; increased effect of larger distances on presidio response time; testimony on attacks provided by Fernandez de Peralta. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns case of Castro, who is believed to have murdered Dominguez; Fayni explains steps taken to collect evidence; also notes communications difficulty between settlements in north. (J. Williams, March 1987)

Concerns circular letters (not included) relating to caesarean operation promoted by padre Rodriguez; notes distant character of missionary assignments in province and consequent problems of communication. (J. Williams, March 1987)