Rodriguez, Caudillo of Nuestra Senora de la Soledad de las Canoas, asks for a priest to be sent to preach to the Chichimecas. He also wants to resign his post because he is afraid of being murdered by the Indians. Authorities order him to stay, telling him they will send soldiers to reinforce his position. These documents are included as a proof related to the report that follows, which analyzes in detail Escandon's settlement proposal for the seno Mexicano, including his plan of reoccupying las Canoas (also called San Jose Tanguanchin). Special attention is given to the possibility of exploiting several resources in the area, as salt (describing a method for its extraction), wood (for boat-making), minerals, etc. The strategic advantages of the enterprise, its impact upon the communications network, and its financial cost for the real hacienda, are all carefully analyzed. In the final part, the concrete steps that are necessary to take for the execution of the project are considered. (A. Nielsen, November 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)

Concerns relocation of presidio located at Junta de los Rios del norte y Conchos to the area of loma pintada and Ayacacho. Reasons for the relocation is said to be security of families in the latter places and also the need to stop and block the path of Indians who commit hostilities against the people of the provinces. Review of documents on the relocation of Sacramento presidio. Details of how military and economic policies were made at the time of the relocation of presidio del sacramento. List of presidios from which military personnel will be cut is included. (M. Marroquin, February 1989)

Concerns campaigns against Indians; presidio of Sacramento; Indians negotiate surrender but others refuse. Petition to relocate presidio of Sacramento to Santa Rosa Valley because of better strategic location to fight the Indians. Cura Flores gives accounts of events with Indians to viceroy; report is also given about the charity from missions toward Indians (items given to the Indians include cloth and food). Cura Flores argues that Santa Rosa Valley would be a better place for new presidio. Protection is asked for missions, specially for Nadadores, Santiago de Xalisco and San Buenaventura. Mention is given about the abundant Mineral and water resources in Santa Rosa de Coahuila. (M. Marroquin, February 1989)

Concerns the beginning of the populating of new presidio of Sacramento. Soldiers and families are sent to the new presidio. Distribution of land begins, but irrigation problems resulted due to site of presidio being higher than the level of the River. Falcon reports on the events and activities in the new presidio. Patrols and reconnaissance operations are made in the presidio's surroundings. Reasons for the selection of San Diego as place for new presidio are give. This place is said to be more strategic for defense of provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Texas and Rio Grande. Difficulties in agricultural work are encountered due to the position of the presidio with respect to the River. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Concern dispute on prices for food and other supplies in new presidio. Also conflict about salaries paid to soldiers. Confusion about the jurisdiction under which new presidio will be placed with respect to the other presidios. Conflict is held about which would be the best place for construction of new presidio. Some government officials advocate paraje of Santa Rosa and others the site of Junta de los Rios del norte. Santa Rosa is said to be a better place for its strategic position to fight the Indians and also because of its abundant natural resources. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Concerns construction of military facility named presidio del Santisimo sacramento in Junta de los Rios Grandes del norte. Purpose of this presidio is to protect people and property from continuous attacks made by Indians. Documents are descriptive of the area chosen for the construction of such facility. Construction of presidio is also important to control Indian population in the area in case they are not converted to be christians. Military personnel are appointed. Salaries are established for commanders and soldiers. Place for construction of presidio is said to be abundant of natural resources and minerals. Soldiers for the new presidio are going to be transferred from other presidios so it will not be costly to the crown. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Concerns inspection of construction place for Sacramento presidio; food supplies are sent from Coahuila to Sacramento; notice is given about diario derrotero written by Garza Falcon, Musquiz and other officials on inspection of place for presidio construction; account on the various inspection trips is given; supplies sent from San Juan Bautista to Sacramento; one expedition is attacked by Indians; area with abundant turkeys and fish is found in one expedition to the San Diego River and other areas, geographic characteristics of these areas are given, also atmospheric conditions are reported. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Concerns civil and military administration and organization; gubernatorial correspondence between the governor Garza Falcon and the viceroy about details on every issue being dealt with by the Indians, robberies, pensions, military activities to defend presidios and people, military expeditions, Indians settled in the presidios and other places, military supplies in the presidios. Report stresses need for construction of a presidio called Sacramento, the presidio is said to be needed to defend the area from the frequent attacks from Indians. Discovery of minerals and fertile lands are reported. (M. Marroquin, January 1989)

Towns need be established to support troops in presidios in order to counter Indian hostility; areas sought with water, farmland and nearby woodland; line of frontier towns proposed for depopulated Conchos regions; 200 people of 41 families established; some irrigation undertaken, but lack of rain caused poor harvests; re-establishment at Pilar de Conchos advised for ease of reconstruction of dam and plentiful irrigable land; notice of establishment of population received; includes unrelated claim by Apache Indian (Manuel) concerning civil case; repetitive and superficial. (p. Coyle, November 1989)