Rengel is urged by real audencia gobernadora to look into establishment of Franciscan missions in provinces according to orders of late virrey; asked for general review of presidios of may, 1784; advised to divide Sonora from Durango in branches of mission funding. (D. J. McClelland, October 1987)

Letters from viceroy to Croix in reference to various affairs within Provincias Internas. Most prominent letters regarding pearl fishing, percentages to be Charged as Alcavalas to gold mined in New Spain and when gold enters Spain. Formation of offices and tribunal de minerias, salaries for Franciscans to be capellanes of presidios in prov. Internas, promotions of military personnel, also, bankruptcy of heads of presidios and companias volantes as they have been paying out of their own pocket salaries for personnel and expenses for food supplies and arm supplies. Lists of arms in armerias in Mexico City to be distributed to different presidios in Provincias Internas. (A. Dell'acqua, March 1988)

Concerns military administration of Provincias Internas, such military official; permit given to accountant for one year to take care of personal business; notice of shipment of fire arms is given; passport given to government official; money refund is given to arm maker; appointment of sexton and mayordomo de fabrica; pardon is given to deserter, as part of general amnesty policy. Soldier seeks pardon from viceroy and asks to be sent to Sonora; convoy of dragones leave for Durango to relieve others; viceroy orders not to mistreat Indians; request is made for a chaplain. (j.m. Marroquin, October 1988)

Document contains some index form. Concerns military administration and reorganization of presidios in Provincias Internas. Indians are described as bold people who prefer to die before falling captive. Indians are described as dociles. Mention of connecting routes between Chihuahua and Paso del Norte. Also mention is made of fertility and gold and silver abundance of the Sonoran province. Reference is made of the relocation of Indians Tiburones to the area of Carrizal.(j.m. Marroquin, October 1988)

In response to request by viceroy, Barreyro (aid to Rivera) provides informe on Nueva Vizcaya; notes earlier letter of Jesuits (ff 135-154); description of inhabited places & natives; deployment of royal and hostile forces; undeniable reasons why presidio garrisons should each be reduced to 24 men; explanation of why Jesuit missionaries are resisting new regulation; notes on Jesuit and Franciscan establishments; lists Jesuits and their nationalities; reflects on how province can be maintained in peace; various missionized natives; hispanic settlements; some statistical information on population; mission church construction; general mission progress; instruction in Spanish; stresses peace of region; notes convoy escorts; many details on tactics (including night attacks); limited military insights of missionaries; Tarahumara labor for Spaniards; operations of Huydobno; Barreyro defends Rivera and regulation, stressing that they have been unfairly criticized. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Lengthy, detailed infome from Cabello to virrey re: granting of peace to Lipanes. Cabello provides historical background information about province beginning with discovery in 1630, description of boundaries, establishment of missions and presidios, colonization by Canary Islanders. Describes continual war between Cumanches and Apaches including accounts of Cumanche robberies and murders committed against Spanish and Apaches. Discussion of need for troops, placement; table listing personnel available at presidios de Bejar and Espiritu Santo; presidio line. Cabello makes plea for financing, stating that if money is not provided for war, region including Santander, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Texas and part of Nueva Vizcaya will be lost; population will have to move to area that is safe for families. Letter follows nearly one year later again asking that peace be granted to Lipanes. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Concerns various expenses of two Franciscan hospitals in Durango; with many details on; repairs; furnishings (beds and matresses); number of beds; an accusation that Franciscans are over-consuming provisions (including soap and Chocolate); women slaves; an quantity and quality of Franciscans clothing. (J. Williams, April 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)

Petition details needs and projected expenses required for maintenance of Santa Fee, primarily in response to Apache threat. Requested are arms, munitions, horses, cattle and miscellaneous goods totaling 25 wagon-loads. Also, some details concerning Apache depredations. Death of fray Ayala. (J. Carpenter, October 1987)

Documents presenting details of Suma revolt (1684) and related incidents. Burning of Casas Grandes and Janos. Deaths of Beltran and Arvisu. Discussion of moving location of El Paso due to threat of Indian depredations. Good discussion of problems of frontier defenses, supplies, logistics. (J. Carpenter, October 1987)