Cabello issues ordenance requiring passports due to increased crime resulting from an increase in farinerosos y malhechores. (D. Coates) (1980)

Documents concern interrogation of two Anglo-Americans caught trespassing on Spanish territory on Galveston Island. Austin, of catholic religion, claims to be naturalized subject of Spain, for which he has passport. Residing as a lead Miner in San Luis, Austin was migrating to Texas once that city became part of U.s. territory. Kirkham came to Texas in search of his four escaped slaves, and has English letter from U.s. Governor of Louisiana requesting his safe Passage. Both prisoners testify that general long no longer in command of troops previously concentrated along Texas Louisiana border, and that pirate Lafitte has fled Galveston for south America. (A. Tukey, March 1989)

Ff.450-451 Genebriera asks six months' leave with pay to go to Havana. Ff.452-452 (See misc. Notes) Perez returns to post after two-month leave. F.454-455 Menchaca is retired as invalid. Ff.456-466 Hoz seems to be requesting reimbursement for salary interfered with (stolen?) By Echevarria; recounts being threatened at gunpoint. F.457 is transcript of total wages received by Hoz. Ff.458-490 are court transcripts, copies, of case between Hoz and military treasury (apparently) over missing wages. (A. Dean, December 1989)

Ff.435-436 Vega disputes accusation of insubordination. F.437 Pardo asks for authorization to tally votes in election of Alcalde (no location given). F.438 Pardo complains of lack of funds to supply company of Aguaverde. F.439 is description of Indian attack on Gigedo; Pardo begs for better defense. Ff.440-449 concern Perez' request for two months' leave to go to Mexico City to restore his health. (A. Dean, December 1989)

Ff. 393-396 are letters from Mataflorida arranging for lump retirement payment for loranzo y Torres, his secretary, whose health is failing. Ff.398-400 are copy of informe from the king discussing need to crack down on vice in New Spain; include list of all crimes that must cease, especially insurgence. Ff.401-407 are request by Puertas for two months leave, pass to Ciudad Mexico. (A. Dean, December 1989)

In ff. 328-329 Alencaster requests pass to Toluca. Ff. 330-335 are viceroyal notes of approval for several military appointments, promotions. Ff. 336-341 concern Sandoval's request for supplementary wages; includes certification of convalescence by pages. Ff. 342-353 concern Alencaster's unwillingness to marry Doz y Sahum to legitimize their child, equal reluctance to pay child support for child's education; he was incarcerated for four years, but still apparently refuses either recourse.(A. Dean, December 1989)

Letters approving travel out of Veracruz for various people. F.315 mentions merchant frigate cinco hermanos on which Villamil will sail. Ff.316-320 are citations, detailed service records for retirement of Barrera. 320-323 concern financial transactions of Gutierrez (vague; apparently he is buying political favors). (A. Dean, December 1989)

Letters to viceroy by settlers from canary islands to lift restrictions to travel to sell their produce and seek medical aid in Saltillo and/or Mexico City. As founders of San Fernando village settlers were promised their crops would be bought by presidios. Due to failure settlers are requesting license to travel outside of province to do so. Also, signed petitions of villagers protesting governor for not to allowing Travieso to seek medical aid. (A. Dell'acqua, January 1988)

Arredondo replaces Juanicotena with Lopez as governor of the Colonia de Nuebo Santander because of Juanicotena's illness; index of letters in this sequence; Calleja approves personnel change; questions put forth on issue of Lopez being entitled to property pertaining to his post since he will be acting as an interim governor only, and similar question pertaining to salary; administrative letter from Lopez to Arredondo dealing with shipment of tobacco received from factory in Veracruz; Cisneros relates to Arredondo incident in which he had travel restrictions placed upon his person in connection wit goods belonging to him that were seized, names Lopez and alcalde of Marina as responsible; Lopez responds in detail to accusation that he treated Cisneros unjustly in matter of the seizure of his goods, noncompliance with directive sent through Aguado, and travel restriction declared by alcalde of Marina; letter from Lopez to Arredondo protesting Guerra's involvement in this matter insofar as he is a military official and he should not have involved himself in a purely civil matter; gobernador can only use a person of sargent rank or lower to be his scribe on military matters and Guerra as military officer receiving salary from the king should not be involved in civil matters - should be sent immediately to Aguayo where he is needed in the secretaria'; Arredondo threatens Lopez if he does not promptly comply with order to send Guerra, mentions possible judicial proceedings against Lopez by Cisneros in matter of seizure of goods and detention; letter from Arredondo giving Juanicotena leave from his duties as governor of Nuebo Santander; Lopez interprets Arredonda's sending him suddenly to Texas as an affront and asks the virrey that he be allowed to go to San Luis Potosi. (O. Velez, September 1989)

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)