Instructions from padre Estrada on how superiors in Guadalajara should best handle a case involving restitution of Indian lands to mission of Satebo (Tarahumara Baja). Mentions collusion between Juez de Tierras and Alcalde de Primer Voto in Villa de Chiguagua. (D. Deeds) (1977)

Armesto instructs Landazuri, Aguilar and Barajas to put up boundary posts (mojones) for defining taxable lands belonging to California missions. Bermudez had usurped land for cattle, sheep and horse haciendas. Ladron de Guevara carefully chronologically traces ownership of parcels in question from original grants by viceroy in 1613. Detailed information on surveying geography, and inheritance, land use, rents and improvements through 1765 to disprove Bermudez' claim of possession. Bermudez ordered to effects, etc. Found acting in bad faith; ordered to return all property illegally obtained and fined 3000 pesos. Moctezuma provided costs of damage incurred to lands by Bermudez' misuse. Interesting primarily because of prominence of several major women heirs and for extracts of 17th century land documents. (J. M. Johnson, August 1989)

Padres address auto to capitan comandante Rivera that Osio took cattle belonging to mission, killed and sold them. Money should be recovered and returned to them. Osio says cattle were on disputed land, geographical boundaries in error and were his. Osio ordered for further testimony before justicia mayor Rivera. Determines number of cattle owned by mission since 1734 and concludes Osio guilty. Traces sale of cattle by Osio and fines him 1000 pesos. Osio appeals claiming can determine his family's right of ownership. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Document gives figures for total amount of revenue produced in salt industry in this area. Mentions role played by Barlovento River in economic development of area. Mentions bad effect of salt in water supply on agriculture. Some settlements in area have expanded to degree that they are exposed to Apache attacks, no troops for protection. Proposal for compania de sugetos along coast from Veracruz to Balisa, or else have real hacienda fund development of fishing industry; also wants more Naval activity. Detailed accounts of economic potential of fish species in these waters. Area between interior and costal settlements must be populated to contain Apaches; details best ports along coast for bringing Spanish settlers in to populate said area. Attention must be paid to northern frontier as U.s. is gaining strength in world trade, makes good use of Indian relations to conquer new territory. Only important trade with northern Indians is in fur, but american mining ventures will tend to result in permanent villages, to detriment of Spanish. Examples of situations in which use of fuero militar has helped establish successful settlements. author favors paid milicias provinciales only when fighting to help populate areas. Government help to settlements will depend on productivity of areas. Noriega favors putting Escandon in charge of these projects. (O. Velez, March 1990)

Documents concern reopening of case against Ramon. Charges brought against Ramon are stated, witnesses testify against him. Libertine life of troops under Ramon's command; gambling among troops and with Ramon; drinking to excess; Ramon employs soldiers illegally in his personal services; and steals cattle from neighboring lands; Ramon's releasing of youth in company Charged with rape; and Ramon's arbitrary use of power to imprison others are all cited against him by the witnesses. Later documents concern Ramon's background and Superior record. Ramon denies all charges against him and gives his reasons for his actions. Ramon describes in detail the soldiers in his service and of their work in his mines and household. He also denies excessive gambling and drinking. (P. Lenz, October 1989)

Series of correspondence regarding necessity of stepping up military on border with Luisiana due to U.s. aggression; artillery and infantry crucial to border defense plan offered by Bonavia; plan for troop mobilization and military supply routes climate, economy, population, terrain, cost of troop upkeep; question of what to do with anglos living on Spanish land as foreigners (deport them? Leave them alone?); interesting Series of documents. (D. J. McClelland, July 1989)

Primarily copies of correspondence between Bonavia, Cordero, Salcedo and virrey regarding defense of Texas border with Louisiana and plans to increase military personnel, artillery, bestias, almacenes, cuarteles, arms, etc. To effectively defend against U.s. land encroachment; included are various letters, to ship military supplies, discussion of local economies and how they will withstand such a population increase (Soldados), discussion of mistakes made by expedition of troops in 1806 and need for better planning and supplies this time, a brief discussion of factories to be established to employ various Indians in region; reference to four packages of gazetas de Nuevo Orleans and fact that communication with Louisiana is prohibited; one letter describes tribes of Indians in region and their way of subsistence (brief but informative); of particular (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)

Very interesting copies of correspondence between Salcedo and Bonavia regarding defense of land bordering with U.s. And much discussion of U.s. Military potential and mention of some U.s. aggression; at core of correspondence is concern that Spanish military not powerful or well organized enough to defend north provinces against americans; discussion of fidelity of Indians shifting to americans due to corruption by merchants; much discussion of logistics, statistics, hypothetical situations; it is agreed that artilleria volante desperately needed among 154, 158, 160-163. (D. J. McClelland, may 1989)