This document consists of a letter from the marques de Montesclaros to the king, the Former advising the latter of the state of the conquest in New Mexico and his views concerning the value of the enterprise and his assessment of the moral obligations to the new converts. The ethnohistorical meat consists of a letter from Juan de Onate to the marquez where the Former describes the province and the state of affairs. (C. Briggs) (1975.

An account of Onate's exploration and missionization journey to the north of the new settlements of New Mexico in 1601. Direction appears to be easterly as well. Friendly meeting with Apaches. Special mention is made of the character of the landscape, plums and other fruit eaten along the way and the habits and appearance of the buffalo. The population and ^disposition^ of the native inhabitants are mentioned as well. A well written and colorful as well as informative document of early plains contact. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Juan Bautista de Ureta, under orders of the conde de Monterrey, questions various persons returning from New Mexico regarding the state of the province and the governorship of D. Juan de Onate. Witnesses - P. Francisco Valverde y Mercado, Marcelo de Espinoza, bachiller xines de Herrera Hortal, Juan de Ortega. Questions regard the disposition of the native peoples, their dress, food, and agriculture, minerals in the province, the native religion, the number of Spaniards, livestock, the assigning of encomiendas, the state of conversions. (C. Briggs) (1975)

A journal of the Francisco Sanchez Chamuscado journey to New Mexico in 1581, copied by thesorus Juan (Sic) de Aranda from a relacion that he found in the papers of the archbishop of Mexico, this copy being copied by Martin de Pedroza. Description includes mention of the tribes (linguistically) and the areas found. Presents were given to the Indians as a sign of good will, and crosses were left as a sign to future Spaniards that the recipients were friendly. Very rich ethnographically. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Mendoza's report on his journey with Diego de Cubia, fray Francisco de San Miguel and others to the ^plains of the buffalo^, leaving September 15 and returning November 8, 1598. The account includes an extensive description of the appearance and habits of buffalo, an account of the means and technology used by the natives in taking the buffalo and utilizing its products, the natives sign of peace, and the means of which their tents (teepees) are carried by dogs. (C. Briggs) (1975)

Description of trip made by capitan Francisco de Ortega to California in 1630's. Excellent maritime account. (T. Barnes) (1979)

Here Sosa provides a report in his expedition to New Mexico submitted in compliance with the concessions granted by the king. He describes the entire journey, up until the point at which the document ends in what seems to be a state of incompleteness. The document is not particularly rich ethnographically until the end, when a brief sketch is given of one Pueblo where three soldiers separated from the main lost much gear. Later as larger party spent some time there and made observations. Some of the processes of grinding corn and building houses are given. (C. Briggs) (1975)

An account of ^ancient and modern discoveries in New Spain and New Mexico^ submitted by Obregon to the king in order to propose his appointment as maestro de campo on the next journey to New Mexico. He begins with the record of events provided by the aztec writings, and continues through the account of the Conquistadores. Discussion is mainly on New Mexico and Culiacan. The natives of the regions involved are given certain weight in the description, which is largely historical. (C. Briggs) (1975)

An affidavit of Vargas' request to the king for permission to proceed to New Mexico. The part of interest is in the front where a summary of previous explorations in New Mexico is given. This focuses on the character and economy of the native peoples. Although two and three story pueblos with governors were found, the Indians are characterized as being of such a state of barbary that only a few men should go and at de Vargas' expense. (C. Briggs) (1975)