A word for word copy of Bonilla's informe on Sonora on ff. 7-33 of this Tomo (88). (J. Williams, April 1987)

A very detailed report providing information about nature of defense and economy of province of Sonora, largely as it related to implementation of royal regulation of 1772; includes information about subjects such as; presidio relocations; site selection; campaigns of Vildosola; battles at Tecoripa; battles at Bisanic; mission Indian alliance with barbarians; Cerro Prieto campaigns; peace negotiations; hardship caused by wars; fertility of region; progress of missions; present ruin of missions due to wars; Mineral richness of province; commerce; presidio Inspections; combat capability of troops stationed in province; daily duties of presidials; scouts; raids on various missions; troop assignments; proposals of troop assignments; corrections to Lafora map; auxiliaries (Indians and civilian); opening of a route to California; proposals to found missions and presidios along northern frontier; Bonilla includes two tables of alternate troop assignments in new defensive line; many significant references to future Yuma settlements. Taken together a document of extreme importance to history of Sonora. (J. Williams, April 1987)

Discourse between the governor of Sonora and the viceroy concerning various matters of provincial administration as to absent viceregal proclamations concerning issuance of new coinage, mail franchises, and announcement of birth of Infante Carlos Clemente (ff. 309-315). Concerning gubernatorial visita Colonel of provincial militias of Pardos y Blancos of several jurisdictions to Juan Antonio Caneda, Vecino of Rosario; brief letter, written at Mazatlan stating that, Sastre, as governor, will protect and give assistance to missionaries, destroy abuses committed against Indians... etc. Letters written at Culiacan and Alamos discuss order to send viceroy intendente Corbalan's financial account of military expedition of Sonora; response to viceroy's order that said intendente make visita of mines of province; formation of flying company under command of O'Conor to put down Indian unrest in Chihuahua (See below); governor's suggestion that if Indian named Calixto does not mend his rebellious ways, then prison sentence be considered (315-335). Letters written at Horcasitas discuss governor's order stating that copy of letters from presidial commanders be sent directly to viceroy (336,337). Sastre suffers stroke effecting right arm and leg (339,340). Notice of departure of Mule train under military escort from Cieneguilla bound for Mexico City, route taken, instructions for military escort, etc. (341,342; 345-349; 361,362). Concerning presidial armaments supplies (343,344). Concerning establishment of mission among Seris at Carrizal; includes copy of letter from Gil de Bernabe; Sastre's suggestions concerning the mission (350-356). Concerning formation of flying company in Chihuahua; Sastre warns presidial commanders of possible incursions of hostile Indians from neighboring province; states he has had no reply to letters sent to O'Conor (356-360; 362-364). Papagos present tally stick to commander of Altar and give notice of action taken against captive (See below) (365,366). Gives notice of visita to Cieneguilla, Altar, Pitic and Caborca (See below) (367). Concerning Garces' entradas to Gila and Colorado rivers; includes approximate Pima Indian population along Gila, notes Papagos, Pimas Altos and Gilenos all speak the same language; suggests establishing missions along these waterways, land route between San Diego, Monterrey and Pimeria Alta (See below) (371-375).copy of letter sent to Vildosola, commander of Terrenate, ordering him in conjunction with Anza to reconnoiter Chihuahuan-Sonoran border area near Janos to stop any Indians that may flee due to O'Connor's intended campaign against Apache (375-380). Concerning new method of spiritual and temporal administration of missions (381,382). Thanking viceroy for assistance in procuring rank of teniente Coronel (383). Concerning visita to Buenavista; exhorts Indians to live as good christians, reports that Indians are pleased with new missionary (387-389). Concerning trouble with Piatos and Pimas at el Puerto, return of Seris vagos to Pitic, Apache depredations (horse theft) at Tubac (391-395). Letter from viceroy giving Anza permission to accompany Garces on journey to assess feasibility of establishing land route to Californias and Pimeria Alta (412). Sastre takes possession of real at Rosario (413). Formation of militia of Pardos y Blancos at jurisdicciones of Maloya, Copala, centinelas, San Pedro Chametla, Mazatlan (420,421). Letter from viceroy stating Indian Calixto must reduce himself, or be given prison sentence, either in Sonora or Mexico City (423). Viceroy requests copy of intendente Corbalan's financial record of expedition of Sonora (425). List of letters from Sastre received by viceroy (426-435). Viceroy receives notice of departure of wagon train from Cieneguilla (428,432). Viceroy orders movement of troops from Horcasitas to fortify Pitic (429). Viceroy's response regarding Sastre's stroke (430). Sastre sends deserters of flying company of Terrenate back to presidio, having pardoned them upon determining that crime did not appear to be premeditated; orders restructuring of flying company, removal of Vildosola as commander of presidio due to insubordination (436-443). Viceroy acknowledges arrival of letter describing entry of Gil de Bernabe among Seris at Carrizal. Orders mission be established with suitable land and water for agriculture, and that Sastre deliver tools, seeds and other supplies to the new settlement (447-449). Letter from Sastre in response to dictamen ordering mission reform (449- 460). Viceregal dictamen and circular asking Opata auxiliaries be sent to Chihuahua to assist O'Conor in suppressing Apache attacks (460-462). Viceroy acknowledges arrival of news of Garces' entradas, and requests details on intended entrada planned by Anza and said fray (463,464). Viceroy acknowledges arrival of informe about completion of Canal into Pitic (465). Viceroy acknowledges arrival of Sastre's letter stating that latter had fulfilled order requesting auxiliaries be sent to Chihuahua (460). Viceroy acknowledges arrival of letter telling of Papago victory over Apaches; adds Sastre must work to assure these 2 Indian nations never form alliance against Spanish (467). Acknowledges arrival of Sastre's informe concerning latter's visita to Caborca and Pitic, and exhorts him to maintain peace with reduced Indians of provinces. (468). Sastre asks permission to withdraw troops from border with Chihuahua in light of O'Connor's inaction in dealing with Apaches (469,470). Viceroy asks Sastre to have gold nugget in his possession weighed, appraised, and delivered to intendente Corbalan (471,472). Sastre reports more than 100 horses stolen from Tubac, and 264 from Terrenate, and again asks viceroy if pickets on border with Chihuahua may be withdrawn (472,473). Sastre acknowledges receiving8 copies of document pertaining to arrival of flotilla from Spain (474). Gives notice of Sastre's poor health (475). Document pertaining to rebuilding of damaged church at Charay (476). Viceroy orders Vildosola to withdraw from Chihuahuan border to combat Apaches in Sonora; that movement of Pimas and Piatos in southern Sonora be restricted, and gives notice of appointment of O'Connor as comandante inspector de los presidios internos (477-479). Viceroy orders Sastre to implement new method of controlling Apache incursions into Sonora (479,480). Viceroy urges care in treatment of Indians at Buenavista in order that they not regress to Former lawless ways (481,482). Viceroy acknowledges formation of militia at Cieneguilla, requests that governor keep tabs on situation at mines, giving viceroy timely notice of happenings (482). Carpetas on viceregal letters dealing with new method of administration of presidios of Buenavista, Horcasitas, Terrenate, Tubac, Altar, and fronteras (483-486). Letter to Sastre telling of imminent arrival of O'Connor at Horcasitas (487). Viceroy requests information regarding crimes committed by Pima Joseph Domingo to determine fitting sentence (488). Viceroy urges Sastre to control despoblacion of newly colonized area (489). Viceroy approves of Pitic Canal project, repartimiento de Tierras to Seris (490). Letters concerning acts of insubordination committed by Jose Vildosola (490-505). (J. H. Ochs, sept.1987)

Concerns granting of Moreno venturas request for military transfer and appointment as Coahuila presidio capitan. Marfi returns to capital due to ill health. Adjustment of Rocha's salary. Concerns shipment of arms for Faxes' compania de Voluntarios and reimbursement. Acknowledgement of receipt of letter on costs and necessary gun powder supplies and cost per pound given at regulated price of three reales. Concerns return of documents of inspection of Piquetes de los regimientos de dragones de Espana y Mexico and request for remission of arms. Refers to king's awareness of Croix's earlier illness and desire not to let Croix fall behind in his duties. Concerns payment for mission synods. Discussion of paper work concerning salary adjustments made under Rubion; discussion of Peon salaries at missions. Concerns transport of canons for Santa Barbara defense. Shipment of religious paraphernalia for California mission chapel decoration and mention that priests have been named for mission administration. Discusses investments of Goya in Santa Barbara factoria. Concerns funds for Rivera's recruitment of troops and expedition with families to Californias. Request for documents on positions for official scribes. Concerns Morfi's employment in Convento San Francisco. Concerns placement of subordinates of Milicia and administrative problems of personnel placed in two divergent jobs. Concerns documents about merits of Barrio Junca y Espriella. (L. L. Woodward, June 1988)

Documents treat military, administrative, fiscal matters of gobernador of Nueva Viscaya. Orders from real tribunal de Mineria on operations and administration. Shipment of five deer to Spain. Military pay, personnel, passports and provisions. Miners and merchants of Alamos petition transfer from Rosario of fiscal operations to establish Casa in Alamos. Petition by Ugarte y Loyola for transfer to Guadalajara or Mexico. Military escort of Seri prisoners for theft, murder and rebellion to Guadalajara (emotional and strong prejudice displayed). Guns for the compania de Opatas. Detailed accounting for approved expenses of payment office. Ff. 361-362 chart of expenditures for firearms in comandancia general, itemized by military group and rank with totals for each and summaries. Request and receipt of reglamentos de California written by Neve. Ff. 363-366 include long direct quote of Croix from 1782 explaining why urgently needed firearms from Spain have not left Chihuahua for distribution where needed (cf. Original, folios 137-192). (J. M. Johnson, August 1988)

Documents deal with following topics: Urgency of need for supplying frontier presidios with firearms and causes of delays in shipment from Spain. Military and religious salaries and monte pio for California. Promotions, commissions, assignments and transfers requested because of hardship on frontier for personnel. Request for passport for transfer of recruit to another province. Need for reprinting reglamentos. Alcabala on tobacco, playing cards, gunpowder. Neve named as gobernador of California. Administrative matters concerning postal service, aduana at Chihuahua, supply of mercury for mines and salary and duties of assayer at rosario. (J. M. Johnson, July 1988)

Documents concern actions by the junta de arbitros for expenses of militia of Parras for common defense and testimony of vecinos regarding inventory of ex-Jesuit colegio to be used for this purpose. (J. M. Johnson, July 1988)

Documents relate attacks by Apaches in various posts and towns in Sonora; military campaigns and tactics to combat, capture and defend against rebels by various military captains; killings and capture of women and children by rebels. Governor is given rank of Colonel by viceroy. Letter notifying viceroy of death of governor's assistant. (A. Dell'acqua, October 1987)

Correspondence of various officials concerning dire situation in Chihuahua city and steps being taken to counteract Apache menace; includes Bucareli's reflections on nature of the war; use of auxiliaries; and various suggestions on defense (J. Williams, June 1987)

Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)