This Series of documents originates in January 1682. A review of the Indian wars of 1653 under then governor Diego Guajardo Fajardo, and of the situation concerning the dispute over the assignment of br. Juan del Candano to run the doctrinas is being investigated by lt. Gov. Juan Hurtado de Castilla. In the first segment of 1653 documents br. Juan del Candano presents his case. He claims his appointment as rector of Parral; San Diego and all doctrinas is valid, backed by a royal cedula and the bishop of Nueva Vizcaya. Another document shows payment of 4,000 pesos to governor Guajardo Fajardo for administrative purposes in conjunction with Candano's work. Candano claims however, that Jesuit padre Gabriel Villar, and Jesuit padre Joseph Pasqual would not relinquish the doctrinas of Huejotitlan and San Philipe and instead encouraged the Indian chief Don Geronimo to oppose the new padres and Spanish authority. This is in Tarahumara areas. Next is a jump back to 1682 and padre Bernardo Pardo provincial of the Jesuits tells Juan Hurtado that the situation was different and the following documents will attest to it. There follows a long Series of military accounts, narrations autos and autos from the gov. Guajardo Fajardo over the period April 8, 1653 thru October 7, 1653 - all dealing with the Indian wars. In these we See that the governor was paying the Salinero Indians of Tizonazo to go out and defeat the Tarahumares, the Cabezas, the Tepehuanes and other Indian groups. The leader of the Salineros ^Amigos^ was Don Geronimo Moranta. The Indians speak of drought, of the Mesquite not producing food and are constantly requesting flour and corn. The peso payments to the Indians totaled 219 pesos in one month and 328 pesos in another case. Persons- Juan Hurtado de Castilla, lt. Governor of Nueva Vizcaya (1682); padre Francisco de Valdez (SJ), archivest? (1682); br. Juan del Candano, rector of Parral and San Diego and doctrinas (1653); padre Gabriel Villar (SJ); padre Joseph Pasqual (SJ); governor Diego Guajardo Fajardo; padre Bernardo Pardo, provincial of the society of Jesus of Nueva Espana; general Juan de Barrazas; capt. Gonzalo Messia de Mosana, Alcalde of San Bartolome; capt. Geronimo de Leyva; alfarez Don Luis de Valdez; capt. Esteban de Evasio; Geronimo Moranta, Salinero Indian capitan; Francisco Mama, Salinero capitan; Santiago, Toboso Indian capitan. (R. Davis) (1975)

Describes effect of the drought on crops and livestock. (R. Perez) (1976)

In addition to an extended drought, an epidemic of great proportion has arrived. Padre Blas refers to it as measles, saying that it has not only killed many people, but also cattle and other animals. (R. Perez) (1977)

Ff.289-294 is letter by Escandon describing failure of most of corn crop during two-month drought, followed by severe flooding (trees falling, Xacales washing away, etc). Describes first his own household's experience, servants and slaves (Mulattos) ill, dying in March to higher ground; second part is survey of damage to each Pueblo around colony. Good detail. Ff.295-303 concern gunpowder supply to troops of Nuevo Santander. (A. Dean, March 1990)

Correspondence concerning hunger suffered by Indians at mission due to drought in region; request for assistance in constructing 'presa' to store water for agricultural use, particularly cultivation of corn; governor explains that situation causing Indians to 'vaguear en el Campo,' compromising religious education; subsequent letters address details of 'presa,' amount of materials needed, cost, location selected; no one contracts to construct 'presa,' governor requests that necessary amount instead be sent directly to 'presidente' of mission; funds approved, almost two years after original request. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Correspondence spanning several years concerning establishment of new mission for mistreated Pinto Indians, entailing selection of 'ministro,' lengthy discussion of costs, problems involved; cost of 'ministro'S' transportation to Palmitos covered by government, he and other fray express need for generous financial assistance to establish mission, Argue that hungry Indians not receptive to religious education, also request 'vasos sagrados y ornamentos'; discussion of need for sacred objects continues throughout correspondence, speculation that objects from previous mission still at Helguera, 'ministro' permitted to remain at colegio Apostolico until matter solved; action stymied for year or so until found that sacred objects no longer at Helguera, purchase of new objects ordered, Pintos move to mission and substitute 'ministro' assigned, governor requests that Pintos receive supplies of corn, rice, several Head of cattle, etc., in order to establish and sustain themselves until harvest; list of 'utensilios de Campo' (folio 97), itemized list, including costs, of 'utensilios' and sacred objects (folios 100-101); drought in region (1795) threatening crops planted by Indians, request by governor for additional cattle, staples to sustain Pintos till harvest. (L. Kerr, December 1988)

Chrisanto goes to Tiburon, returns with mulato Cavesilla bien malo,5 families- 25 people. Accompanied by 5 Tiburones seeking pardon and permission to remain on Island. All rebel Seris have taken refuge on Tiburon, fearing Piato attack, except Marcos, 4 families, who returned to mainland because of lack of meat on Island. After 2 aguazerus, Anza leaves in pursuit of Piatos. Another detachment pursuing Piatos lose 5 horses who die of thirst while 8 men suffer heat prostration. Water carried in botas. 23 families of suaquis o sibubapas reduced in Belem- only 6 left and they're ready to surrender because of lack of water, death of Thomas, Paderon campaign against Piatos first priority including possible invasion of Cerro Prieto in October. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Anza, Vildosola, 120 troops pursue rebels probably Seris, to Marismas. Tracks at Tastiota but no water at Pozo Salado. Men, horses, 24 hours without water. Troops have to turn back. All Aguajes except Cajon de corsari dry. Bergosa, 60 troops dispatched to pursue Suaqui rebels 6 Suaqui warriors killed, as well as 3 women, 2 kids, including 2 cavesillas los Mas obstinados, one-paderon- a gentile, the other- Thomas-former gobernador of Suaqui and autor de la sublevacion de su su nacion. 17 Suaqui families-62 people-reduced at Belen only 43 Piato families remain in rebellion. (T. Sheridan) (1980)

Vague but interesting correspondence of Bonavia regarding necessity of defense along border with Louisiana due to possible U.s. hostility and land encroachment; Bonavia expresses dismay that borders not defended better, problems and costs of defense mentioned, but its importance stressed; problem of drought as impediment to troop movement discussed; slight description of U.s. forces in Louisiana mentioned; population in border region discussed. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Documents concern naming of officials for new presidios in Janos, San Carlos and San Buenaventura. Details discussed appointments to fill vacated posts; transportation arrangements, including delays due to travel difficulties caused by drought and deserts; replies of receipt of travel orders by officials and granting of passport. Other documents concern supplies for soldiers, need for recruiting volunteers to transfer to California, instructions to presidio habilitados (paymasters) and new regulations in effect. (J. M. Johnson, February 1989)