Arrillaga reports that in presidios of Santa Barbara and San Diego there are 25 unused sets of pistols. Asks whether they should be sent to armero in San Blas to be serviced and then used elsewhere or sold in California. Gives their value and requests reimbursement. Discusses problems with keeping arms usable. Gives background information on use in California. Instructed to send them to San Blas. (S. Fiederlein, 12-01-86)

Expediente concerning illegal importation by regular supply ships of Mescal into California. Report from Borica that importation increasing despite prohibition. Requests stricter orders against it to curtail problems (1798). Discusses sources of other liquor, wine production in California. Discusses law prohibiting importation (1787). contratista asserts he has right to make such shipments. Various memoranda concerning asiento de vinos Mescales de Tepic (1798-1800). Velarde granted asiento (1800). Background on Mescal business in Tepic. (S. Fiederlein, 11-30-86)

Series of documents about permitting sale of Mescal in California but with a tax levied on it. Discussion of merits of this and whether Alferez of Monterrey has right to take this action. Opinion of real tribunal de Cuentas. More information requested and supplied by guerra. Tax approved(1817).(S. Fiederlein, November 1986)

Series of documents discussing construction of a ship for use by presidio of San Diego to supply military outpost in California. Merits of constructing a new ship versus repairing old one commented on by various officials. Details of ship construction, size, and cost discussed. Reports of earlier repairs and costs. Construction approved by real hacienda officials (9/2/1803). Construction and delivery of ship acknowledged; old one destroyed and parts salvaged (1/1805). Other financial details discussed at later date (1816). Officials involved in discussions include Rodriguez, Saavedra, Arrillaga, virrey, fiscales. (S. Fiederlein, November 1986)

Lists of nautical equipment and supplies, ship's rations, and pay for shipwrights for refurbishing and ongoing maintenance of barge servicing port of San Diego and fort Guajirros. Includes prices for supplies, sworn testimonies that inventories are correct and other correspondence with real hacienda. (A. Tukey, June 1988)

Documents reiterating that duties will be paid on all cargos arriving in California from Spain and Spanish America. Specifically address cargos of cacao and cascarilla arriving from Callao and Guayaquil. (A. Tukey, June 1988)

Detailed accounts of introduction of hemp and flax into Nueva financing, incentives, and teaching of sowing techniques for cultivation of hemp and flax by local population. Also includes prices and range of uses for estimated grade of hemp produced in area; purchase and transport of product. (A. Tukey, June 1988)

(A. Tukey, June 1988)

Correspondence of administrative and financial matters consists of documents providing data on qualifications, salaries, appointments, health status and death notice (f. 475) of departmental personnel. Cargos and itineraries for fragata Santiago (Nueva Galicia), Goleta Sonora, Paquebot San Carlos carrying provisions to California. Ff. 471-472 discuss launching of new fragata la Princesa (N.S. del Rosario) and its role in colonization of California. Other documents continue Sonsonate and Realejo transferred to district of Guatemala, status of construction of new Paquebot and tools, supplies (ff. 453-455). Agricultural information on seeds and planting (ff. 451-452). Widow's pensions (f. 462) and salary deductions for payments to wives of officials (ff. 466-467). (J. M. Johnson, October 1988)

Correspondence is on administrative and financial matters in department of San Blas. Several documents deal with appointments, health and salaries of personnel; others with cargos and itineraries of Paquebot San Carlos and Goleta Sonora on voyages to California ports, supplying provisions to discuss damage to Paquebot in storm. Ff. 407 continues discussion of status in construction of Paquebot and why better suited to be fragata rather than Paquebot. Ff. 408-410, 414-419, 430-432, 434 deal with personnel problems of craftsmen on ship construction, delays due to illnesses. Ff. 411-413 on publication of new royal decrees lowering percentage of rights to gold, after royal fifth subtracted. Ff. 423-429 are list of workers contracted in Veracruz with salary information and deductions on salaries for officials for pensions to wives. (J. M. Johnson, October 1988)