Concerns descriptions of province of Texas for recommendation as sight of new port and further expansion of settlers due to abundance of land, water and fertile soils; new settlements desired to establish trade with Louisiana and also to keep French and English from expanding further into region; contains descriptions of Flora and fauna and geographic and climatic descriptions; contains eloquent statement by Mesieres against French, English and hostile Indian tribes in region. (K. Hubin, June 1990)

Concerns different jurisdictions in province of Texas, settlers, governments and enemy Indian tribes in region; contains descriptions of fertility of presidio and mission lands in region; fairly extensive information on Indian populations and lands inhabited by them; also concerns Demesieres' campaign in north and broadening of frontier boundaries encroaching further on Indian lands (Tavoayases); problem of Indian hostilities in Coahuila province addressed and its relationship with residents of Louisiana trading with hostile Indians discussed; contains letters from Demesieres to Galvez describing his trip north with detailed descriptions of lands around Colorado, Trinidad, and Brazos rivers; includes descriptions of Indian tribes of region (friendly and hostile), dress, agriculture and in particular deals with Tuacanas and Tancagues; Mesieres suggests founding settlement of Spaniards and Tlaxcaltecas as key to northern regions to open possibilities for trade and to better deal with hostile tribes (Comanches and Osages) and also to impede any further expansion of English into area. (K. Hubin, June, 1990)

Reiteration of the six questions in Vol. 181 seq. B. Between 1750 and 1751 French troops and families arrived in new Orleans presumed to fortify population of Nachitos, puente Cupe and Caudachos. The Indians in the area are presumed to like the French as they are generous with guns, bullets, etc... In endless quantities. The Spanish are uneasy about the French trading with the Indians and trespassing the boundary dividing the two territories established in 1720, the Colorado River. The Spanish view the Mississippi River as a natural boundary. Past autos and documents are consulted to determine how past governors settled the question of trespassing. Sandoval is found to have permitted illegal trading between French and Indians in Spanish territory. The French should definitely abandon any presidios built within Spanish territory and return to Nachitos, talk of war with the French if they donot do so peacefully. Aguardiente and wine trade with the French is questioned. English are found to be trading with the apachilinos and the Samases on Santa Rosa Island. Ff. 146 - 147 is a relacion that orders meeting of guerra and hacienda to resolve whether; Escolta is needed on San Pedro River to observe French activities; a mapping engineer is needed to assist governor in defining boundaries; peaceful or forceful removal of French is needed; Spanish troops should be moved to Adais presidio in case of forceful removal; 1/3 advance on pay be approved for soldiers to equip themselves with rations; French aguardiente and wine be allowed in moderation due to extreme Weather temperatures in region; all documents on this subject should be collected so as not to contradict any royal warrants concerning the French and Spanish boundaries; the governor of Texas should execute said relaciones. On ff. 150 the junta de guerra y hacienda is begun to resolve the aforementioned problems. (E. Wilson, November 1989)

Letters from Indians complaining to virrey about how they are suffering from the continuous attacks of Escandon's soldiers. The Indians also mention that the only person that is helping them is Dona Resendi. The Indians want to stop the policia economica y christiana. They also provide examples of how they have been fighting in favor of the king of Spain when they, the Indians, attacked English ships. (D. Bautista, April 1990)

Peramas' copy of documents concerning division of Californias between Franciscans and Dominicans. Includes real cedula ordering division; document giving names, ages, towns of origin of 24 Spanish Dominicans to be sent to new world, and salaries to be payed to prelates. Also, order that 5 missions be established along Lower Gila, Colorado rivers; Corbalan's of description Garces' entradas into Papagueria, Yumeria. Various documents from visitador Galvez to virrey concerning division of province. (J. H. Ochs, October 1897)

Correspondence between Concha, Tristan, Ugarte y Loyola, virrey and others concerning various issues relating to New Mexico of writing to serve growing population, proposal considered to to support missionaries, resulting in practices of charging Indians too much for religious services, and making Indians work off debts to padres for services that should cost far less; establishment of temporary aranceles discussed in depth; proposed, establishment of mission at Belen, also; of particular interest are tables (ff. 80-83, 104, 142) and letters (ff. 84-99 108-114, 117-126, 143-160); very informative documents, mostly concerned with Diezmos, economics and ethics. (D. J. McClelland, January 1989)

Croix proposes establishment of comandancia general with Durango as headquarters due to great distance and inefficiency of governing Provincias Internas from Mexico City; reasoning includes efficient control of rich natural resources, necessity for outpost on borders to guard against foreign conquest of territories; suggests establishment include Casa de Moneda and Silla episcopal to convert Indians and minister to settlers effectively; also need for troops and comandante general for effective protection. (D. J. McClelland, January 1988)

Quimper informs virrey that original of letter from cornett is misplaced, so Spanish copy will be sent. F.249 is original letter in English, dated April 2, 1791, Argonaut; concerns sloop princess royal (of south sea company, London) being taken to Manilla by Spanish sailors, contrary to the law of all nations and particularly contrary to the constitution of Great Britain. F.252 about Quimper in port of San Blas with Frigata san Jose Al Ancla, concerns composition of ship's mast. F.253 concerns crew members of San Joseph y las Animas in Hospital in Acapulco, awaiting their recovery and cargo of livestock before shipping out. F.261 lists crew of san Joseph de las Animas. (A. Dean, June 1990)

Documents concern lack of gun powder in Nuevo Santander. Figure given on the limited supply given to the colony. Argued that if the English attack, they will have no defense. Director is asked to provide more rations to the colony. (P. Lenz, September 1989)

Documents concern the death of the conde de Sierra Gorda. Gives lengthy biography of his services to the crown, of his settling and establishing of villages and repelling Indians attacks. A detailed account of his early military career in Querataro is given. His various promotions and especially of his successful campaigns against the Indians. A good account is given of his establishing of numerous towns and missions and of his pacification of the Indians and of their conversion to catholicism. Conde de Sierra Gorde decorated with the titulo de Castillo, thus freeing him of payment of Media Annata. Account of 1742 battle with English nation and of their attack on Veracruz. Later documents concern charges brought against him by citizens of his province for his over-aggressive style. royal commission sent to investigate. Conde de Sierra Dies before case completed. His son's role in defending his deceased Father against the charges. Commission's finding of no substance to charges. Additional letters concern the request that the governorship become a hereditary post and that the deceased's son, Manuel, shall be named as governor. His son's biography is extensively listed-military campaigns, settlement of towns, and pacification of Indians. A further request is made that assistance be given to the entire family. Names of family members given and their newly-granted offices and titles listed. Governorship granted to Manuel. Throughout the volume are good descriptions of founding of towns and resulting battle with the Indians. Folios 145-149 are especially strong in describing la Campana en Tamaulipas, including number of deaths, injured and prisoners taken. Also detailed are Indian banditry and the attempt to convert them through education and the missions. (P. Lenz, September 1989)