F.j.

Acknowledges royal orders re: change Indians' tribute status at age 18; governor's control over estate (inheritance) tax and sail cloth sales tax; promoting hemp, flax cultivation. Discussion of new converts at misiones: Concepcion, Purificacion, and San Chrystoval, San Miguel--latter having few neophytes and low subsistence thus relieved of tribute. San Miguel defended against depredations by Tlaxcalteco cavalry and archers. Discussion of nitrate mine reestablishment in valle de Guaxuco (no other in province), royal orders concerning benefits and nitrate valuation as per assayed and costs of extraction-transport. Correspondence concerning officers posted to Santianez's command: Echeagaray (teniente), Cayetano de Tixerina (alferez al capitan), Urresti (segundo alferez). (J. Higgins, January 1989)

April correspondence: Ships sent to supply presidios and missions of Loreto, San Diego, San Francisco, and Monterrey; Ruiz received bando re: development of hemp and flax agriculture in area; inquiry about Segurola's salary; naming of Diaz as capellan of fragata La Favorita and salary; more about salaries of various personnel and withholding part of salary to pay debts; leave granted to Choquete to recuperate; purchase of polvora for armament of ships; poor bean crop in Tepic and surrounding areas; construction on fragata Nuestra Senora del Rosario nearly completed, but need more workers. Unrelated monthly correspondence. (D. Uhlman, December 1988)

Detailed accounts of introduction of hemp and flax into Nueva financing, incentives, and teaching of sowing techniques for cultivation of hemp and flax by local population. Also includes prices and range of uses for estimated grade of hemp produced in area; purchase and transport of product. (A. Tukey, June 1988)