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)

Concerns different jurisdictions in province of Texas, settlers, governments and enemy Indian tribes in region; contains descriptions of fertility of presidio and mission lands in region; fairly extensive information on Indian populations and lands inhabited by them; also concerns Demesieres' campaign in north and broadening of frontier boundaries encroaching further on Indian lands (Tavoayases); problem of Indian hostilities in Coahuila province addressed and its relationship with residents of Louisiana trading with hostile Indians discussed; contains letters from Demesieres to Galvez describing his trip north with detailed descriptions of lands around Colorado, Trinidad, and Brazos rivers; includes descriptions of Indian tribes of region (friendly and hostile), dress, agriculture and in particular deals with Tuacanas and Tancagues; Mesieres suggests founding settlement of Spaniards and Tlaxcaltecas as key to northern regions to open possibilities for trade and to better deal with hostile tribes (Comanches and Osages) and also to impede any further expansion of English into area. (K. Hubin, June, 1990)

Dionis went to Diego Ramon's presidio to present the map of the summary of autos written in 1688 and 1689 on the Asinay and Tejas Indians, their lifestyle, descriptions of the presidio called Espiritu Santo or San Luis or San Bernardo, its need to be populated by Spanish settlers rather than French and the measures taken to convert the Indians, establish security and trade. Leon sets off from Coahuila in 1684 to investigate a French settlement near the Rio Grande del Norte. Its location in degrees and minutes is given. Boat wreckage from French settlers is found. Leon suggests that presidios into the Tejas provinces be established for at least 1 million Indians could be converted and land is very fertile for farming. Very little progress made until after 1693 (reasons listed on ff. 440-445). Details of the Indians lifestyle and the settling of the Tejas provinces continues through ff. 451. Continuance of hearing of French spies trespassing into Tejas provinces (See Vol. 181.iii) in front of tribunal from ff. 452 - 471. Equiping of presidios and missions is covered in detail. List of those living at the San Antonio Paraje is on ff. 508. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Notice on incursions of Spaniard soldiers into Indian territory when relocating Sacramento presidio. Series of reports given on Indian workers in missions, water Canal being dug, military supplies needed for each soldier, weapons in existence in presidios, salaries paid to workers in the Canal, presidios in area and neighboring rancherias. Indian cloth, salaries for soldiers. Report about Indians not coming to church due to misery of missions. Clergymen ask for two soldiers to protect their missions. Report on visitas to missions and presidios. Inspection and statistical report on population, number of houses (Adobe houses) and weapons (M. Marroquin, February 1989)

Copied and original informes which provide excellent source of description of missionaries and christianization of Indians. Establishment of new bishopric in Nuevo Santander and administration of bishorpric (Obispado) in Provincias Internas. Vassels, tribute paying towns, missions, and tithes listed in detail as well as Indians populations that inhabit adjacent regions. Establishment of new bishopric serves regions of Santander, Nueva Estremadura, Coaguila, Texas, and Nueva Philipinas. Mission details consist of dotacion, mission goods, land owned, horses and cattle owned, lists of finances and expenses. Establishment of Indian and Ladino towns, Indian gender, work distribution of Indians, many other rich details are present. (J. Acheson, March 1988)

Includes Escandon's 14 point informe detailing colonization in and around Burgos 1750. Peace established in Padilla, Reynosa, Aguayo, Guemes, evidenced by planting and military control. Includes details of Indian movements around Nuevo Santander. Describes passivity of Indians under mission Cabezon de la Sal, and excellence of Rancheria in Burgos. Burgos further described as well-irrigated, easy to execute (saca de agua, and having sufficient timber and other building materials. Notes that despite loss of corn, Indians were still faithful to farms. Altamira recounts attempt to segregate Apostate Indians in Burgos; Indian Villanueva pledges to further colonization process. (S. Gibbs, October 1989)

Series of documents regarding Indian robberies in presidio of Tucson and other presidios and towns of the provincias del norte; letters reporting on the recovery of animals stolen by Indians, confrontation between Indians and soldiers left a number of casualties on both sides; raids against Indians in rancherias of Bigotes, Cuernoverde and Bermejo; letter giving some details such as Indians of Nueva Mexico are behaving. Negotiations with Indians held in order to convince them to work in Spanish communities and presidios; letter discribing the natural distrust of Indians when they are offered work with Spaniards; raid against Indians results in some being killed and others taken prisoners; statistical chart summarizing actions against Indians in provincias del Norte. Chart contains figures on Indians and soldiers killed, prisoners and animals recaptured from the Indians. (M. Marroquin, December 1988)

Letters concerning urgent need to pacify Indians whose hostilities are getting out of hand; four muleteers killed at Piedras Azules. F. 471 gives locations of several Mezcalero camps. F. 474 mentions Mezcaleros' corn fields. (A. Dean, October 1989)