Summaries of petitions from Gonzalez del Castillo to Iturrigaray concerning sales of products of hacienda misions in California. Suggests products be exempt from pago de alCavala (taxes for crossing interprovincia borders). Sagarnaga's notification that he has inventoried hacienda missions of California. (R. Gomez, September 1989)

In response to viceroy's request, Verger makes suggestions in 22 parts for physical and spiritual development of missions. says new missions should be delayed until older ones are firmly established with sufficient arms and military protection. Must grow food for all mission and presidio residents. Storage and distribution should never be left to Indians. nor should be left to caudillos and capitans since after Jesuit expulsion California example shows they destroy missions. Under priests' control more churches built, more ornaments retained, larger harvests collected. says some form of punishment is necessary because Indians will abuse and steal property without it. Indians should be treated fairly and paid a salary. Describes daily masses and visits to sick and widowed. Discusses corn, bean, lentil crops, weekly rations and duties of women. Discusses also Indian jobs, products and locations of trade. Discusses differences between present conditions and those of Conquistadores. Relates difficulties with jefes who replace hardworkers with incompetents. References to decree by Valero ordering military protection for missions. Discusses power struggle between military and missionary. Verger claims arms are not needed for conversion, only evangelical preaching. (M. Dannemiller March 1988)

Concerns informes received by Araujo in Querataro. Marquis instructs that every Jesuit be replaced by catholic missionary and that there be 14 missionaries in every mission in Sonora. Regarding the need for synods in missions that are not self-sufficient. Demands that all Indians be treated fairly, be allowed to communicate and trade among themselves and be taught Castellano. Requests lists of all natives in Sonora and Sinaloa and separate lists of Spanish individuals and property. Letter from Galvez is response to inventory request. Complete lists of all items in missions and priests' homes including sacred goblets, ornaments, record books, bells, and baptismal baths. Also includes inventory of items in warehouse.

Concerns current mission practices and suggestions for more effective government. Regarding use of agricultural land for grazing. Governors request a list of all Indians and their property and that they be given land to cultivate near Spanish so to learn by example. Concerns establishment of towns with Plazas and proper missions where Indians must live to learn doctrine which will cure their faults and protect them from Apaches. Suggests that orders taking Indians away for more than month be prohibited, that missions provide agricultural teaching and that ecclesiastic and secular be kept separate to maintain Indian loyalty. Concerning commerce, should attempt to decrease distance to market, guarantee fair compensation and prohibit Spanish from controling Indian trade. Concerns methods to convince Indians of benefits of reduccion and to prohibit them from communicating with other tribes. Suggests that recently converted Indians should be given military jobs and that priests should accompany troops for moral and spiritual support. (M.dannemiller, October 1987)

Concerns an entire range of mission activities as described by Sonoran leaders to viceroy. Contains many suggestions for administration of missions, mostly on treatment of Indians. Quotes original purpose of conquest as stated by Alexandro VI. expresses need for schools, the teaching of Castellano, written permission for traveling Indians, static position of priests, appointment of two priests in case of illness and even distribution of Spanish population. Discusses the punishment of Indians, prohibiting them from liquor, gambling and salary advances. Describes Indian life and agriculture, their crops, cattle and weavings. Priests want them to establish in towns accessible to church in homes of stone or Adobe which resist fire. Relates difficulties and distances in reaching jobs and transporting goods. States that each Indian should have a horse to hunt Javali with their zaetas and harpoons. Hiaquis are hardworking but basically very lazy so must be given fruitful labor and compensate accordingly to men, women and children over 10. Spanish should not be permitted to buy Indian homes or land. Suggests jobs which benefit others such as in mines. Concerns Indian obligation to church in terms of tribute, priests salary and community building. Asks tithes from Durango be passed to Sonora. Describes gold and silver adornments and wine supplies of some churches and destruction of others due to Zeris and Pimas. Description of trip made by Ganzes to know and convert Indians. Finally, while Indian foreman should be chosen to give priests more freedom, governors should be appointed not elected by Indians. (M. Dannemiller, October 1987)

Guifas wrote several letters to the viceroy complaining of Younger officers being promoted over him. Francisco Lazaya promoted to second alfarez. Guifas describes in detail the military careers of his Father, Jose Manuel Guifas, and his Brother. Guifas' Father was a leader in the conquest of Nueva Tamaulipas. Two sargents, with less experience, were promoted over Guifas. Guifas threatened to retire if no action was taken. Guifas wrote of same problems to gobernador Diego Savaga. Viceroy sends letter recommending that Guifas receive the next available promotion. Letters from fellow officers stating Guifas unworthy of promotion. Guifas writes several letters to viceroy explaining his recent illness. Detailed physical description of Guifas. Testimony from Manuel lornos concerning military conduct of Guifas and fellow soldiers. Guifas received bloodletting treatment for his illness. Guifas' captain Mungier reported that Guifas had stolen military livestock. Guifas suspicious that his captain and wife are having a liaison. Guifas wrote letter to viceroy accusing the captain of misconduct and denied the charges of extortion. Guifas wrote that captain had conspired to kill him. Guifas blinded due to illness. Wrote requesting overdue promotion and disability due to blindness. Requested permission to go to Mexico to be cured of illness. Wrote concerning financial problems. Guifas inherited land and five slaves upon mothers death. Juan de Sosaya gained control of Guifas' land. Land planted in Maguey. Sosaya producing Mezcal and selling for 20 pesos per barrel. Guifas wanted action taken to regain control of land. (K. Mccaston, September 1989)

Noriega requests rental of Nuevo Santander Salinas for 2 years offering 3,000 pesos per year. Description of locations of salt; salt commerce; price of salt. Llanos to continue renting Salinas; request accepted and money received. (L. L. Woodward, December 1988)

Documents dealing with possibility of constructing road from Arispe to Santa Fe in order to better facilitate commerce between both provinces. (J. Tapia, October, 1987)

Concerns publication (book ?), of administrative proceedures sent from conde de Galvez to Ugarte y Loyola regarding the governing of Provincias Internas del oriente and Occidente. Specificies the kind of events the commanders of each province muist report back. Document comprises gives a break down of the many characteristics that Spanish colonization implemented in the conquest of Indian territories. Strategies of the conquest are explained in this document, such as use of Indian controversies to facilitate their reduction. History of how the conquest began is given. Document explains trade Spaniards had with some Indian nations in order to subjugate them. Specific indications of what type of activities were allowed for Indians under Spaniard's domination is given. Characteristics of several Indian nations are provided, such as which one was friendly and/or hostile. (this document is a very important summary of almost all kind of activities the Spanish conqueror had to implement in their fight against tricks used, legislation among provinces, judicial organization, religious strategies etc. Etc.). (M. Marroquin, June 1989)

Detailed accounts of Apache, Taraumara and Mezcalero depredations around Durango oct-December 1788. Mostly copies of military reports from regional officials to Diaz de Hortega. Reports livestock thefts of burros, horses, mules, cattle and oxen, wasteful killing of livestock, maize seed and harvest theft (numerous times), general theft, highway assaults, murders of men, women, children, kidnappings, and flayings. Specific account of Indians who stole clothes from bathing women and later wounded or killed the women. Precise casualty and damage statistics in narrative form. Cites depressed mine commerce and Vecino hacienda abandonment as results of depredations. Repreated complaints about Vecino abandonment; observation made that abandonment encourages more attacks which in turn force abandonment. Virrey Flores responds, agreeing that Vecino abandonment fuels further depredations, but declares that without Vecino defense support, merely increasing military force will not reduce Indian incursions. Virrey encourages use of auxiliaries and vecinos for defense. Brief mention of Indian battle tactic wherein Indians outflank Spanish and then attack. (S. Gibbs, February 1988)