Most important documents will be referenced below by folio no. Most unusual document is letter to Pison signed and likely written by his wife regarding his importance to family (f. 308). Incredibly filthy swear words attributed to him, directed against priest during mass, quoted and underlined in ff. 244-245. Useful diagnosis of ailment (sinocat putrida) and simple treatment prescribed of better diet, sleep, exercise by surgeon (f. 316 ?) Traces processes of judicial procedure in determination of charges of other bad conduct on Pison's part, brought by teniente de gobernador Moreno in Loreto. Included is detailed service and conduct record and witnessed testimonies of Pison's past military service; and other biographical information. Accused of years of drunkenness, womanizing, thievery, setting bad examples for mission Indians. Jailed at mission; some witnesses testify that he reacted to provocation by others; Pison requests change of venue for unbiased trial and accessibility to witnesses for his defense who are themselves in prison in Guadalajara. Released by authorities on bail paid by Ramon Espinosa; although his mine personal effects are kept. At trial, jailed prisoners clear him of murder of Osio, by swearing latter died by drowning. Pison countercharges Moreno with beating and refusal to allow his case to go before Barri. Provides motive for Moreno's silencing him by citing evidence of Former's absconding with treasury funds and illegal trade in alcoholic beverages. Missionaries and Armona testify to his generally good character, despite drinking bouts. Final decision, however, by Valcarcel; approved by viceroy is that Pison must be punished by losing personal effects, mine, military title and lifetime banishment from Californias. Ff. 328-331, when punishment given, Pison petitions Bucareli to allow him for temporary stay in Loreto with family to make financial arrangements before his expulsion. (J. M. Johnson, July 1989)

Very useful analysis of conditions of Nueva California with details as to funds and costs to be incurred by military and include - economic benefits and improvements in cattle raising, improvements in agriculture techniques and crops grown. Role of missionaries and changes due to and since Jesuit expulsion. Provisions to be supplied to Indians, settlers, military and missionaries; militia formation; housing and choosing community leaders; required annual inspection of establishments; work habits, recreation and rewards to combat idleness. Salt supply and transportation. Appeal to be made to viceroy to enforce law should clergy refuse to oppose regulations. Relocation of include - establishment of towns, workshops, mills with suggestions on where to locate, what to produce, what to teach Indians. Military service for residents of Nueva California. Use of whale sperm and fat. Shipbuilding. Development and taxes. Investments and profits. Accounting procedures for agriculturalists and religious. Military, religious, Naval salaries. Better communication needed for cooperative trade between two Californias. Importance of further exploration of coast. (J. M. Johnson, may 1989)

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)

Reports of Apache raids against haciendas, ranches, mines, pueblos in Nueva Vizcaya. Each incident described in detail, listing livestock, Spaniards, Indians captured or killed. Mention of a Tarahumara Spy being killed in a mine raid. Hacienda administrators and deputies ask Diaz de Hortega for military assault against Indians. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Reports of Indian raids in Nueva Vizcaya, especially those on haciendas, ranches, and mines. Each incident described in detail, recording livestock (mules, horses, cattle) stolen or destroyed, Spaniards and Indians captured or killed. Gives good idea of Apache pattern of raiding. Lists deputies of each district and their attempts at defense. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Reports of Indian raids, especially against ranches, haciendas, and mines. Each incident described in detail, recording livestock (mostly mules, horses, cattle) stolen or destroyed, Spaniards and Indians captured or killed. Gives good idea of Apache pattern of raiding. Lists deputies of each district, attempts at defense. (A. Dean, March 1989)

Granillo Charged with injuring his woman by hitting her with a rock; prior crimes committed by Granillo recounted; testimony of injured woman Vega, describes history of beatings, jealosy is motive for crime; testimony of witnesses; confession of Granillo, denies injuring Vega, says he hit her with only a small rock, admits previous beatings; summary of charges and testimony; eventual release of Granillo June 20, 1820. (p. Coyle December 1989)

French trespassing into the Tejas provinces by San Dionis under pretext of buying livestock for Luisiana. They are believed to be looking for more land to occupy and trade with the Indians. Translation of San Dionis observations and map from San Juan presidio to Diego Ramon's at the Rio Grande cause Audiencia general to approve the establishing of missions in the Tejas provinces in order to maintain control over the Indians there. Descriptions of fertile lands and friendly Indians. Trade is to be stopped with the French. Supply lists and salary expenses for military escort for missionaries. Ramon and Espinosa travel from Saltillo to the Tejas or Asinai provinces with 75 people comprising of soldiers, missionaries and civilian men, women and children. They travel from February to April and establish 4 missions. Heads of 4 missions declare supplies needed to equip Indian nations absorbed by missions listed. (E. Wilson, March 1990)

Escandon says extreme scarcity of grain a problem for all areas but makes planned campaign here impossible. Lack of grain has caused stagnation of growth in some areas. Mines in operation. Minerals abundant. Construction of well in progress. says Indians of Tamaulipa friendly. Indians of south go to Horcasitias to receive corn rations. In north, Indians engage in theft, murder and other hostile activities. (M. Dannemiller, March 1989)

Signed. Concerns defense of Escandon; begins with minimization of charges and a briefly history of Escandons' ascendant career, merits from king; Escandon was in arms and participating in the ejection of British in Laguna in 1720; 1728, was named by virrey as sargento mayor later virrey gave him the title of Coronel; November 15, 1741, Escandon was named as teniente general de la Sierra gorda he gave missions to Franciscanos religious from San Diego de pachuca and San Fernando; he founded and establish four villages with no cost to the royal hacienda; September 3, 1746 in a royal decree full of eulogys virrey gives to Escandon all responsibilities in the mission of pacification de los barbaros de la Sierra gorda and he is named lugar teniente de la Costa del Seno Mexicano; December 1748, founded the first village in area which by 1759 had 20 villages; on folio 182 details of population; in 1757 virrey sent comission to investigate colony; in 1765 virrey orders Escandon to found five new villages in strategic places to stop the continual Indians attacks; strongest defense allegation is envy of Resendi family against Escandon and their plan to get him out of the colony and appeal to the virrey for the titles for their family; in folio 229 is a Spaniards description of Indians; defense by Escandon who defends himself charge by charge; since Escandon was commissioned by the virrey y la junta real de hacienda, they knew that it was a project that was subject to failure, in other words he was not obligated to succeed in his attempt; in selecting captains Escandon never chose the most specialized but selected the ones that were dedicated to the well being of the village; all that the fiscal imputed to Escandon was never supported with real evidence only anonimous statements from someone who heard rumors but had no hard evidence; not even fray Garcia was found in his mission to testify against Escandon to the auditors Osorio and Palacio; in regard to the murder of Indians by Escandon's captains, the fiscal never found witnesses; some of the crimes were investigated by Escandon and he found that the actions benefited the pacification and well being of the village. Escandon repremanded the captain and notified the capitania general. The women and children were placed in missions when the men were murdered or sent to a presidio but never were they sold and sent to Querataro in a collera as the accusations assert; in treatment of criminals, Escandon always followed the royal laws which permitted pardons of criminals if they serve the king. These people were serving the king by risking their lifes in the establishment of the colony; in regard to his rejection of Apaches, he argues it is well known that Apaches don't want anything except trading, and that Spain suffers terribles consequences when it assumes Apaches will remain peaceful in missions. He argued that too often they will suddenly murder, rape and destroy a village. For this reason Escandon avoided Apaches. On March 29, 1763, the royal cedula expired which authorized captain trenda y el ingeniero de la Camara alta to make the first audit of Escandon and nothing wrong was found except for the plot of the Resendi family, 17800 question the official informe by saying that it was corrupted by la voz de oro y Plata de Escandon pudo mas; but in the second audit nobody knew about it, not even the fiscal o el auditor and the results were no different. Escandon is exonerated from all charges. Descendants of Escandon have the right to claim what Escandon left them. (D. Bautista, November 1989)