Indice of official documents concerning missions, presidios of Texas, 1719-1723. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Responding to charges of fray Gonzalez of widespread corruption, inefficiency in Texas presidios, including use of untrained boys as soldiers, use of soldiers as laborers in personal haciendas of presidial captains, exorbitantly high prices of goods sold to presidial soldiers, lack of support for missionary Apache reduccion program, etc., Almazan informs virrey some scandals exist but he's trying to correct them. Concerning Apache reduccion, both he and fray Gonzalez advocate formation of company of 60-70 soldiers taken from Bahia del Espiritu Santo, San Antonio, Coahuila, Rio Grande del Norte presidios, who would first try to continue peace negotiations by carrying gifts to Apaches. Adaes presidial company too occupied in affairs along French frontier to participate. Does not feel San Antonio presidio should be moved next to mission, because both soldiers, Indians need room for their cattle, fields and conflicts would result if they were next to each other. Notes difficulty in communicating with Adaes presidio because of rivers in flood. Good document for presidial information. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Fray Hidalgo takes testimony of fray Gonzalez concerning Apache peace negotiations and his dispute with capitan Flores. Fray Gonzalez emphasizes poor state of presidio, including lack of supplies, arms, horses, trained men, and notes widespread illness among presidial soldiers throughout Texas. For these reasons, he believed it necessary to deal with Apaches diplomatically. Capitan Flores deposition also included. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Apaches attack San Antonio presidial horseherd, steal 86 horses. 30 soldiers, Indian auxiliaries, plus eight soldiers from Espiritu Santo presidio equipped, sent to recover horses, leaving San Antonio area underdefended, many of remaining soldiers underequipped. 180 Head of livestock recovered, 20 Apache women, children taken prisoner. After much argument fray Gonzalez convinces capitan of presidio to send one woman prisoner to Apaches as emissary, offering prisoners in return for peace. 4, then 30 Apaches show up. Capitan refuses to negotiate for peace unless all Apache leaders present, antagonizes Apaches and almost precipitates a battle. Only fray Gonzalez' restraint and trust Apache prisoners had in him prevents fight soldiers feel they might have lost, being poorly armed, mounted. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Documents concerning loss of 4000 pesos worth of goods destined for Franciscan missions in Texas. Soldiers stated they hid goods in mountains when they couldn't cross River in flood, and Indians grabbed goods. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Review of colonization, missionization of Provincia de Texas from time of Alonso de Leon to 1716. Texas, Caodaches Indians described as mas politica in province, sowing many crops. Population of area estimated to be un million. Indian groups between Coahuila and the land of Texas Indians listed (See 201). Texas Indians belief in afterlife briefly described. Missionaries claimes that early soldiers set bad example for Texas Indians, mistreating them and stealing their women. Franciscan missionary efforts delineated. Texas disatisfaction with Spaniards, abandonment of missions in 1693 noted. French trade with Indians mentioned. Texas Indians had 11 pueblos, chocta (choctaw) Indians outside of Movila had 32, Nache Indians had 11. Flora, fauna, agriculture of eastern Texas described, where Indians caultibando la tierra con las quixadas de los benados. Indians live in wooden houses, sleep on raised beds and farm en Comun. Indian enemies of Texas- Apaches, Yojuanes, Cubipanes, Canas- noted. Absence of pulgue, otras bebidas, but presnece of Peyote among Texas Indians mentioned. Province continually described as very fertile. Indian use of wild fruits, walnuts, acorns noted. Lead mines near Texas Indians mentioned. Force of 60 soldiers needed for conquest, colonization of Texas, to be gathered from other presidios of Nueva Vizcaya. Apparently, fiscal doesn't think much of idea. Excellent summary of early Texas history, including Leon, Ramon entradas. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Franciscans discuss Texas Indian tribes they are attempting to missionize, including Texas Indians, who are described as ydolattras, tienen Casas de adoracion, y el Fuego Perpetuo en la Casa Principal del ydolo (pg. 189). Request detachment of 100 soldiers be stationed among them. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Documents concerning Ramon's entrada into Provincia de Texas to establish missions among Texas Indians. Included are both Ramon's diario and Franciscans' diario of expedition. Indians groups, agricultural products, geography, Flora, fauna of province noted. Numerous buffalo hunts mentioned. Ramon and Franciscans also both write informes to virrey concerning reasons for establishment of missions. Indian enemies as well as allies of Texas Indians mentioned. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Declaracion of officers concerning Asinay, Cadodacho Indians. Note Asinay rebellion, repeating information found in other declaraciones. State buffalo range infructuoso, range plants unsuitable to livestock. Describe various military endeavors to reconnoiter area, especially rivers. Note fatigue of soldiers, poor state of horseherd, lack of arms, clothing, other supplies. Briefly discuss Cododacho political organization, settlement pattens. Note abandonment of missions among Asinay, inability of Franciscans to convert them. Describe scattered settlement patterns of Asinay, making it hard for missionization, reduccion to take place. Mention custom of Asinay to call each other texa, meaning friend. Describe expedition under command of capitan Martinez, composed of 20 soldiers, 10 muleteers, 300 well-armed Jumano auxiliaries, although Jumanos act more or less independently. (T. Sheridan) (1977)

Series of declaraciones concerning Asinay (Texas) and Cadodacho Indians. Although Cadodachos fairly friendly with Spaniards, Asinays in revolt, rejecting missionaries, killing livestock. Many Indians leaving their fields, living on buffalo 11 months of year. Indians, Spaniards testify to impossibility of conquering those Indians with resources presently at Spaniards' disposal. Cadodachos described as mas crecido- Mas benigna than Asinays. Spaniards don't consider area favorable for livestock raising. (T. Sheridan) (1977)