Series of documents concerning military salaries; military appointments for presidios; protection of presidios under construction is requested; notice of missions and missionaries lists; deductions (montepios and Invalidos), of salaries of military officials; new presidios are built to facilitate connection to Monterrey. Gunpowder is delivered to presidios. Request for maps of the provincias. (M. Marroquin, sept.1988)

Various letters to and from viceroy, governor and various officers requesting promotions, explorations, sickness, other everyday occurrences in Sonora. Ethnography of disease described by doctor in letters in French and Spanish to Laporte. (A. Dell'acqua, October 1987)

Documents detailing exploration of California, foundation of San Diego and health problems with maritime personnel. Rolls of persons that died in expedition and survivors is given. Governor Portola decides to continue expedition to Monterrey by land due to poor condition of sailing personnel. (A. Dell'acqua, October 1987)

Report concerning present military situation in province of Nueva Vizcaya; includes notes on various Indian attacks; proposal for presidial reorganization; various enemy Indian inhabited areas; presidial activities; financing of defense; present economic decadence of region; unfortunate events at la junta. Mendoza's reflections on war provide additional insights and substantiation of those of Tamaron (J. Williams, may 1987)

Documents between Belena an viceroy regarding various issues in provinces of Sinaloa and Sonora of which inspecting of mines to control usage of gunpowder was primary issue. Also, establishment of official selling of gunpowder, tobacco and playing cards was achieved. Belena also established site for a Caja Marca due to discovery of gold in Sinaloa to assure royal fifth and usage of this monies to pay for expedition to California by visitador Galvez, purchasing and transportation of corn for presidios and families being established in such presidios. Also, documents regarding attacks by Pimas to towns and ranches, Belena gathers a small army to punish perpetrators. Curious documents regarding expedition to California of French scientists to study the Passage of venus and the sun (eclipse?). (A. Dell'acqua, may 1988)

Lengthy, detailed infome from Cabello to virrey re: granting of peace to Lipanes. Cabello provides historical background information about province beginning with discovery in 1630, description of boundaries, establishment of missions and presidios, colonization by Canary Islanders. Describes continual war between Cumanches and Apaches including accounts of Cumanche robberies and murders committed against Spanish and Apaches. Discussion of need for troops, placement; table listing personnel available at presidios de Bejar and Espiritu Santo; presidio line. Cabello makes plea for financing, stating that if money is not provided for war, region including Santander, Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Texas and part of Nueva Vizcaya will be lost; population will have to move to area that is safe for families. Letter follows nearly one year later again asking that peace be granted to Lipanes. (D. Uhlman, July 1988)

Series of concise letters between Nava and virrey covering granting of travel allowance to Garibay, inauguration of diputacion de Mineria, retirement of Arce, granting of military escort to Leon for conducting of botanical studies in Sonora, moving of bishopric of Nuevo Leon to Monterrey, establishment of presidio at San Fernando, collection of Alcavala, and transfer of Vial from Nueva Mexico to Luisiana. (A. Tukey, August 1988)

Nava sends promotion proposals for presidio de San Eleceario and San Fernando; those nominated for captain are Columna and pastor. Arce requests retirment from presidio de San Eleceario. Cuarta and tercera companias volantes are given six and four thousand pesos, respectively, for training. Letters concerning elaboration and detailing of map of provincias de Nueva Vizcaya. Notification concerning not transporting things which can delay the mail. (R. Gomez, January 1989)

Murgier received order to present company in Padilla for two month campaign against Indians beginning south of Tamaulipas. Purpose to eliminate rancherias on east ridge. Murgier divides troops and sends in different directions. Describes troop clothing. Attack on Rancheria results in murder of Suraques. Physical description of area, water, pines etc. And difficulties terrain presents for travel and locating water. Upon arrival at each stop, place given name and reported to conde. says Santa Maria Valley fertile, capable of producing 25 fanegas in addition to temporal harvests. Puga's detachment with 10 prisoners asked for horses to transport injured soldiers all of whom later lost in confrontation. says Indians angry and vindictive. Relates achievements and information gained with each campaign. Murgier gives command to Puga during his illness. Includes diary of activity under Puga. Informe sent to Castro. (M. Dannemiller October 1988)

Document presents daily account of troop movement and locations and activities of Indians in area. Ordered to enter from south, began exploration of area. Found underpopulated Rancheria. Provides description of area where Indians washed and collected water. Found other rancherias with extreme hunger due to limited squash and other vegetables to provide nutrients needed for the work and extensive walking done by Indians. At one Rancheria, Indian guard yells warning of advancing troops causing Indians and horses to flee. Describes bloody wars to take property from Indians outside San Marcos. says conditions calm in Iglesias. As troops arrived in new places they were named and reported to conde. This informe sent to Castro. (M. Dannemiller October 1988)