Letter by Ansa (Elder) concerning expedition to find suitable land route to California from Sonora. Discussion of whether or not California is Island. Mentions discovery of native silver in Pimeria Alta. Brief, detailed description of ruins 15 leagues from Janos toward Gila River, building materials, proportions, artifacts; likened to Palace of Madrid. In Margin is related letter by Civan concerning Jesuit missionaries in California, Pimeria. Mentions some English exploration of California (Drake). Mentions locations, with latitude, longitude, of Indian tribes of northern Nueva Mexico; conversion of some of these. (A. Dean, August 1989)

Esquivel should continue as administrador de justicia y minas de San Nicolas in spite of his mining activities and discoveries. Death of Esquivel; sostres named judge. Virrey responds that law prohibiting judges to own businesses within their jurisdiction. (L. L. Woodward, December 1988)

Correspondence from Mariscal de Campo to Croix concerning 'visitas' to various towns and business attended to therein, such as collection of taxes; several brief letters stating that visita had gone well, no details included; others concerning how Mariscal dealt with murder of Indian; regarding treatment of Indians at certain missions, importance of spiritual training, conversion to and marriage of Indians according to Christian faith, 'repartimiento' of clothing among Indians; concerning Mariscal's organization of compania volante and associated squadrons, appeals for financing from real hacienda, nomination of suitable officers, relacion indicating structure, salaries, 'destinos' of compania once officially formed; regarding visitas to all squadrons of province, requests for adjustments to captains' salaries; discussing problems incurred in navigating certain rivers due to winds, tidal shifts, effects on local economy, Mariscal incorporates information on issue collected from 'peritos'; concerning granting of permission to foreign vessels to dock at ports; regarding discovery of new passages in old mines, statement of ownership and description of deposits. (L. Kerr, October 1988)

Correspondence concerning: statements summarizing testimony on various subjects; re-establishment of mission; problems created when pacified Indians subjected to 'revistas', order passed halting 'revistas' due to violence engendered, otherwise smooth progression of pacification and reduction in province; state of Indians at missions, poor relations between neighboring Indian groups due to death of one chief, request for military assistance in order to secure peace; collection of taxes from various individuals; edict that soldiers enter churches with 'cabello suelto'; 'indice de cartas', with brief summary of topics discussed in expediente; lack of 'papel sellado'; establishment of 'pueblos' and need for military protection; desertion by soldiers in Coahuila; examination of 'cuadernos de autos' in order to determine reasons for 'excesos' committed by squadron at hacienda; military assistance need in Coahuila and Texas to defend against Apaches; discovery of mine, its effect upon growth of economy in area; discussion of metals, silver found in other mines, quality and quantity. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Letters concerning: cabo who deserted, where last seen; request that virrey fulfill 'recombencia de pago;' discovery of new mines, including silver and metals, establishment of operational infrastructure, discussion of production level, quantity of minerals remaining in established mines; payment of military salaries 'en dinero,' per decreto; how to manage Indians settled at missions, whether or not land given them is cultivatable; 'librettas,' 'revista de inspeccion' of esquadra de dragones. (L. Kerr, November 1988)

Correspondence between Pedro Fueros and virrey concerning mining operations at la Cieneguilla, Sonora. Includes routine documentation of quantities of gold produced and transported to Alamos, plus accounts of depredations suffered by Indians, settlers and miners at hands of Apache marauders. Also, account of discovery of silver deposits at San Marcial. (J. H. Ochs, August 1987)

Pertaining to discovery silver mine, request license to exploit. Indian unrest in mission Vizarron due to settlement of town on Indian lands. Includes map of area of dispute. Request soldiers to protect land, mine and town from Indian attacks. Rebellion, refusal to send soldiers by presidio's captains, fined by fiscal mayor. Dismisal of missionary for criticizing king. (A. Dell'acqua, March 1987)