Concerns implementation of preceeding acta (ff. 444-471) and related aspects of new regulation of presidios (1772); includes notes on provisioning of gunpowder; presidio relocations; provisioning of new weapons; nature of war with Indians; recruitment; requirements for new presidio sites; construction plan for new presidios; special grants for construction; other issues of arms and equipment (carabinas, escopetas, Piedras de chispa, balas) taken from royal warehouses (much of this material has been lifted from acta). (J. Williams, June 1987)

Concerns solutions to military crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; provides extensive instructions to O'Conor for implementation of new regulation of presidios; includes notes on presidio transfers to Rio Grande; specific raids on various locals; losses in population and animals; commerce and industry affected by war; O'Conor's expeditionary forces; new issues of arms and equipment; reflections on Indian warfare; soldier's ability as part of fighting force; logistics of new posts; church construction; reiterates building instructions for presidios given in regulation of 1772; financial provisions for building new presidios; security for money shipments; stationing of Catalans at Tonati; introductory letter by Bucareli notes that O'Conor has been granted title of comandante general. (J. Williams, June 1987)

Concerns strength and character of force serving under Galvez; special corp of soldado de Cueras; table includes notes on pay; number of men; weapons; horses; readiness; criticism of Cuellar. (J. Williams, June 1987)

Correspondence of various officials concerning dire situation in Chihuahua city and steps being taken to counteract Apache menace; includes Bucareli's reflections on nature of the war; use of auxiliaries; and various suggestions on defense (J. Williams, June 1987)

Concerns present military crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; describes settlements; enemy raids; economic decline (in cattle and in mining); reflection on nature of war, emphasizing its cruelty, death and destruction; goods taken by Apaches (clothing livestock and tobacco); actions of Galvez in defense of province; shortage of charcoal, water in mines; Apaches strategy and tactics; many advantages enemy enjoys; their clothing, crops, campaign logistics and weapons (bow, lance, Shields, Cueras and use of guns); comments on Apache scalp dance; describes Chihuahua garrison; prospects of new campaign; need for recruits; notes many non-Indian fighting duties of presidios; reflects consequences of relocations; proposes new presidio sites; considers hard life of soldado de Cuera; his equipment; problems of pay; revenue from tobacco monopoly; Bucareli sends word that he has called council of war to evaluate situation in detail (J. Williams, may 1987)

Rivera defends regulation of 1729 against accusations of Jesuit missionaries of Tarahumara Alta (See ff. 134-255); includes comments on utility of smaller garrisons; nature of war fought there; limited escort services; his inspection of Nayari and other frontier regions; comments on recent attacks in Nueva Vizcaya and at other places in provinces; explains duty of 6 presidio forces stationed in province; questions ability of Jesuits to understand situation; reflects on progress of missionization; describes routes of highway patrols; Inspections of Retana; battle at quagisole; reflects on campaigns dating back to 1650; praises Tarahumaras; notes their construction of fine churches; summary of 1729 events in Sonora; comments on arms and equipment, state of supply; explains convoy system; cites need to be frugal with king's limited resources; emphasizes demilitarized character of Texas frontier; notes use of canary islanders in Texas. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Concerns Jesuit missionaries' strong arguments against new regulation of presidios with various explanations on why it is in error; notes on weakness of Rivera inspection; character of settlement system; problem of banditry that is destroying provincial commerce; wants increase in road patrols; problems of civil government; crosses of dead along highways; expenses of defense; distractions of visiting officials to area; advocates increase in presidial strength; reflects on character of Indian wars, missionization and enemy; comments on opinions of capitan-inspector Retanas; use of la Mal yerva; current quiet of Indians; system used to govern Indians; abuses of Indian labor (and consequences of fugitivism and banditry); tactical limitations of mounted troops in Sierra; contrasts of european and new world military theaters; retarded social and economic character of region; virrey acknowledges receipt of letter. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Gallardo reflects on nature of Indian wars and present crisis of Nueva Vizcaya; comments on return of Yaquis from Valle de San Buenaventura; reorganization or re-activation of various presidios on Camino real to Chihuahua city; deployment of militia and presidial forces; proposals and comments of Mendoza, Tamaron and Carta; reviews arguments made by those authors; describes frontier military life in harsh terms; problems inherent in military administration; threat of banditry, measures that need to be taken to bring it under control; Indian attacks; places inhabited; dispersal of settlements is major defense problem; areas actually protected by various presidios; possible expenses of reforms; comments on Tamaron's infantry proposal as absurd, claiming they are producto de un celo Santo, y de un concepto in greso Por informes de personas poco instruida en la guerra de los indios; demonstrates Tamaron's calculations in error; describes in detail arms and equipment (Cueras, sables, escopetas), nature of war (unsuited to infantry), advantages of lightly equipped enemy warriors; describes why guns are Inferior to bows and arrows; many details on battle tactics; enemy's lack of formations in battle; stresses war is unconventional struggle de duender; draws comparisons with war in north Africa; praises frontier soldiers; notes present threat of French; notes French weapons trade on south plains; refers to various legal codes; contrasts northern New Spain with other areas being subjected to colonization; emphasizes many shortcomings of New Spain venture; notes use of canary islanders in Texas; lack of plans used in establishing many important settlements; use of Tlaxcaltecans as settlers; many interesting biblical and historical allusions; emphasizes that Spain does not have resources to erect barrier like great Wall of China. Gallardo notes information he is presenting here is based in part on inspection of Nueva Vizcaya, Sinaloa, Sonora of ca. 1750. Document is of great historic merit to any who are interested in later Rubi/Lafora expedition and regulation of 1772. Many of Gallardo's fresh insights have been echoed by later historians such as Thomas and moorhead. (J. Williams, may 1987)

Stinging response to Mendoza's suggestions; notes problems that will grow out of stationing men in Chihuahua city; Apache infested areas; possible benefit of presidio transfer to Santa Clara; limited value of Taraumares as auxiliaries (whom he calls a nation of cowards); Mendoza's administration of civil government, Indian affairs is sharply criticized; his failure to discipline Indians; use of forced labor; and lack of mission schools are offered as examples of Mendoza's incompetence. (j.williams, may 1987)

Report concerning retiring governor Mendoza's reflections on Indian wars fought in Nueva Vizcaya; includes comments on presidio deployment; Indian depredations at Chihuahua city and elsewhere; need for permanent guard at that city; great dangers of bandits who threaten supply and bullion convoys; convoys to Nueva Mexico and Sonora; relative weakness of presidial locations; strengthes and weaknesses of each presidio; calls for supplemental forces composed of thirty auxiliary Tarahumara archers for each post; value of auxiliaries as spies in broken terrain; relative cost of financing auxiliary forces; progress of missions in province; customs of mission Indians; describes education of mission Indians; schools; their virtues, livestock and crops. (J. Williams, may 1987)