I Iv [Blank] Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [Title page, unnumbered] Year of Number 1. Correspondence with the Senores Commandants General

Transcription

1 9 [Title page, unnumbered] Year of 1790 Number 1 Correspondence with the Senores Commandants General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava and Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro I Iv [Blank]

2 10 //1 No. 1...Senor Commandant General==I attach for Your Lordship in duplicate the summaries of the review passed on the officers and other individuals of the company under my charge on the first day of the current [month] as His Majesty instructs in the third article of Title Nine of the Royal Regulations for Presidios. Also enclosed are the strength reports and daily logs for the month of November last, in which are detailed the duties to which these troops are assigned and other occurences. Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo de Vgartte y Loyola, in an order of the 24 th of the afore-cited [month of] November, instructs me to send to Your Lordship these documents and other news that arises, which I report to Your Lordship for your intelligence==our Lord, etc. Bexar, December 2, 1790==Sr. Brig[adi]er Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 1 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 2 On November 10 last, I consulted Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo Vgartte y Loyola by sending him the documents corresponding to the department of Mesteiias and the [documents] that Colonel Don Domingo Cabello turned over to Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco, so that he might please to make a declaration regarding the doubts that have arisen for this government in view of in view of [sic] the decree that he issued in the capital of Arispe on September 21 of [17]87, accepting / /1v the rulings of the acesor of the Commandancy General and all the rest contained in the order that I sent to the lieutenant in command of the presidio of La Bahia for his compliance. When I thought I had received that declaration, and because the order was issued by His Lordship in order to avoid delay in receipt of the [matters] of my concern, I received the official letter that contains the attached copy, in which I am informed that [he?] forwarded the aforementioned documents to Your Lordship's hands. For this reason, and because I feel the declarations requested on that date to be indispensable, in order to finalize receipt of the documents created by the afore-cited Pacheco as well as to collect the debts which Cavello mentions in Document No.2, I point this out to Your Lordship so that, it being your pleasure, you might tell me what is proper so as not to delay fulfillment of that superior order and those that have been received lately from the most excellent senor viceroy.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, December 2, [C., I-Iv pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792]

3 11 3 Sr. Commandant General==In an official letter of November 21 last, number 14, which you tell me Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo Vgartte y Loyola, Your Lordship's successor, sent to your hands, I reported that with the goods that had been received on that same day I could proceed to [distribute] the Indian gifts, but that I could not do so with the provisions of beef, corn, and other victuals that it has been the custom to provide to them. [This is] because the account of the Grattificaci6n Fund has no balance whatsoever, and owes the debt shown / /2 by the documents that I have submitted with previous letters. For this reason, I asked the aforesaid Sr. Loyola to please declare where [I] should turn for the necessary [funds] to purchase the aforementioned provisions. Not having received a reply in the matter, I find myself forced to make a new petition to Your Lordship and beseech you to please to issue the most appropriate order to attend to the expenditure for the provisions indispensable to maintaining these Indians at the times that they appear at this capital in the practice of peace to receive the gifts that have been stipulated for them. At present there are at this garrison seventy-two Comanches, who at first insisted that they be provided with rifles, gunpowder, and bullets, as had been done by my predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco. This same pretention they have repeated up to yesterday, when they were convinced with the help of an Indian woman from the Yutta Nation, who told them that nothing of what they were requesting had come, even for the troops, because it was a long distance to where they were made. But even despite these arguments, they did not fail to ask how they were [expected] to come from their lands without having gunpowder to use in their hunts for food. Finally, they have been content with clothing for the three chiefs and having them give the peones with their own hands the tobacco and other items destined for their gift, all of which I report to Your Lordship for your awareness==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de / /2v Bexar, December 5, 1790==Sr. B[rigadi]er Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 1v-2v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 4 Sr. Commandant General==In an official letter of September 1 last, I reported to the most excellent viceroy and to Your Lordship's predecessor the request by the chieftans of the Lipana Nation through the Indian Daga, who came to me with six of his men on the proximate past 30 th of August, that they be given permission to come and talk peace and to present their complaints. To this [we] replied that they could come with the assurance that they would be heard.

4 12 Up to now, none of them has come except for the afore-cited Indian Daga with five gandules, and EI Tuertto ["One-Eyed"] Jacintto with three [gandules] and two women. When he was asked about the delay of his chiefs, he replied that they were far away on their hunts, but that they would come soon. On the 30 th of the past [month of] November, the sergeant of the company of the villa of San Fernando [de Austria], Juachin Guttierrez, left this garrison with a corporal and four privates from this company under my command in search of the chiefs Zapatto Sas and Josse at the Arroyo del Texocotte to inform them of the order sent to him by Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo Vgartte y Loyola in ac- / /3 cord with the one that His Lordship issued to me on the 24 th of the afore-mentioned [month of] November, to the effect that they should present themselves to him at the aforesaid villa to discuss the peace sought by other Indians of the same nation. Up to now we have had no word from the aforesaid sergeant, nor can I understand what is delaying him. It has me quite concerned, since Guttierrez was involved in the attacks made by Brigadier Don Juan Vgalde on the rancherias of the ones who are being sought, which I point out to Your Lordship for your information==our Lord, etc. San Antt[oni]o de Bexar, December 5, Sr. B[rigadi]er Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 2v-3 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 5 Sr. Commandant General==As soon as I received Your Lordship's official letter of November 28 last with the order from the most excellent senor viceroy, I gave recognition to Your Lordship as commandant general of all the Interior Provinces of New Spain. I am instructed to report to your superior authority all events that occur in this province under my command==our Lord, etc. Bahia del Espirittu Santto, December 28, 1790==Sr. Brigadier and Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 3 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 6 Sr. Commandant General==My coming to this presidio was for the purpose of inspecting the mission of Rosario pursuant to the orders of the Most Excellent Sr. Viceroy Conde de Revi- / /3v lla Gigedo as a result of receiving the visit of four Indians of the Cojana and Copan nations who were from the same [mission] and left its shelter in the past year of [17]79 and retreated to the islands of the coast. In the aforesaid mission I have identified forty-five Christian individuals [piezas] of all ages and fifteen heathens, who together amount to

5 13 sixty. Of the former there are twelve families (including those who went to the capital at Mexico) who promise to establish their presence at the aforesaid mission and ask for the return of the property that it had and that was gathered at the [mission] of Espfrittu Santto, with which particular I am currently dealing. It has been necessary to provide the heads of the aforesaid Indian families with waistcoats, trousers, and shirts, and thirty blankets for their women and children according to the indications of their little governor Santtiago. Some of them were left without this assistance because I was so advised by this individual, motivated by the doubts that he has. This expenditure can amount to very close to three hundred pesos, and so that [the Indians] might remain, it becomes indispensable to outlay more [money] for provisions, because otherwise their settlement is doubtful. And since the accounts of the Grattificaci6n Fund of this company and that of the presidio of Bexar have no money at all, it becomes necessary for Your Lordship to instruct this government to what funds it should turn in order to make these expenditures. Regarding [the expenditures] made at present I will inform Your Lordship with a detailed report that substantiates it, in the understanding that in view / /4 of the good treatment that is given these Indians, those from the same nations who are now on the aforesaid coast can congregate [here], and in that case, the expenditures would increase, all of which I report to Your Lordship for your intelligence==our Lord, etc. Presidio of La Bahia del Espfrittu Santto, December 28, 1790==Sr. Brigadier and Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 3-4 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 7 Sr. Commandant General==On the 28 th of December, I reported to Your Lordship on the Cojanes and Copanes Indians who returned from the coast to the mission of Rosario, and the measure I had taken to give them clothing, regarding which I would report on the expenditure made, with an account to substantiate it. In fulfillment of the above, I attach I attach [sic] to Your Lordship the account of the expenditure made in clothing for 15 Indian [men] and a like number of women, which amounts to the sum of 267 p[eso]s, four r[eale]s, which same has been borne by the account of the Grattificaci6n Fund of this company of La Bahia del Espfrittu Santto until Your Lordship shall please to declare the department that is to bear it. At present I am working with a copy of the inventory sent to me by the padre president of these missions, Fr[ay] Josse Francisco Lopez, of the

6 14 property that / /4v they collected from [the mission] of Rosario at the time that the aforesaid Indians abandoned it, and as soon as I am finished I will notify Your Lordship so that you might instruct this government whatever you might please==our Lord, etc. Bahia del Espirittu Santto, January 14, 1791==Sr. Brigadier and Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 4-4v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 8 Sr. Commandant General==Through the Indians from the Lipana Nation, Aga and Jacintto, who went to see Your Lordship with the corporal of the company that is under my command, Francisco de los Santtos, I reported to Your Lordship what I had understood from these Indians at that date. Since my arrival at this presidio I have been visited by the chieftan Josse Lombraiia with a party of gandules, after a previous [visit] by Casaquitta, and both of them promised me that Chief Zapato Sas would do likewise as soon as EI Canoso should arrive from the Colorado River. When the period they stated had expired, and in order to determine the situation at their rancheria, I decided that Sergeant Anttonio Trevino should travel there, after having instructed him on what he should say to them and observe, so as to be able to give a clear report to Your Lordship regarding what the aforesaid Indians might say. When the afore-mentioned Trevino returned, he deli- / /5 vered the report contained in the attached copy, by which one comes to understand the distrust that attends these Indians, who are awaiting those who went to the Commandancy General in order to learn about their reception and the reason why troops carne from the presidios in the west, as well as the withdrawal of Brigadier Don Juan de Vgalde. To be able to overcome such thoughts as theirs, I have arranged for Sergeant Trevino to return to the rancheria, which is at the confluence of the Guadalupe River-about fourteen leagues distant from this presidio of La Bahia, and from the [presidio?] of San Anttonio fifty (as those in the know report)-with the small gift that the chieftan Zapato Sas asked of me, in consideration that, since the latter is the principal [chief] and is recognized as the greatest hunter among them, he might be relieved of his suspicions and come to see me. In that case [I would] prepare him to go to Your Lordship's presence, if that is proper as a result of the instructions I receive through the afore-mentioned Corporal Francisco de los Santtos, or at least acquire other news that would be useful to report to Your Lordship. In an official letter of the 5 th of the current [monthl No.4, which same Your Lordship mentions in [yours] of December 24 last, I reported that at the Arroyo del Texocotte, twenty-five leagues distant from the

7 15 presidio of San Anttonio, were [encamped] the Lipanes, to whom Sergeant Juachfn Guttierrez went to inform about the peace by order of Your Lordship's predecessor, and this deed resulted in their packing up their rancheria and retiring to the place where they are staying [now]==our Lord, etc. Bahia del Espirittu Santto, January 14, 1791.===Sr. Bfrigadi]er and Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 4v-5v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 9 Sr. Commandant General==With the sergeant of the San Anttonio company, Mariano Rodriguez, the first lieutenant of the same [company], Don Bernardo Fernandez, sent four bodies that he recovered at the juncture of the San Marcos River and the Arroyo de Pefuttas, having found no information about one boy still missing, as appears in the report of the 12 th of the current [month] sent to me by Alferez Don Josse Xavier Menchaca. The aforesaid lieutenant is on the trail of the enemies that perpetrated the deaths, and it is thought that they may include the Vidays and others who are with EI Canoso, about which I speak in a letter of this date, although after the murders were committed two Giiichitas and one Tahuacan appeared. But until this officer returns, I cannot be sure of what nation were those who caused the harm, although they are all of the same color and of the same characteristics to cause suspicion about their promises and trustworthiness==our Lord, etc. Presidio de la Bahia del Espirittu Santto, January 14, 1791==Sr. Brigadier and Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 5v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] //6 No. 10 Texas reports with copies of the inventory of the property collected from the Rosario nusslon at [the mission] of Esp[iri]tu [Santo] and S[a]n Anttonio Valero, and orders and letters that he dictated to the p[adre} president, Sr. Commandant General==In an official letter of the14th of the current [month] I sent Your Lordship an account of the expenditures made on the Indians at the mission of Rosario, and in this one I attach in nine foxas vttiles a copy of the inventory of the chapel furnishings and other property that was collected at the time that the Indians abandoned it, along with copies of the orders and official letters sent to the missionary father of same, President Frfay] Josse Francisco Lopez. In the first are shown the assets belonging to that mission, and to what [missions] they were sent. It seems proper that they be restored to the former in the same form and quality that they were received, particularly the horse herds, because they are essential for rounding up mesteno cattle, for the sustenance of the newly congregated families, for working their lands, and for raising [horses] for their increase, without the necessity in the

8 16 Fr[ayJ Josse Fran [cisleo Lopez, missionary father of the former. He requests a declaration regarding 406 p[esojs destined for the [mission1 of EI Orcoquizac and S[aln Juan Capistrano. first instance for making more expenditures. For this reason, it seems to me that the 206 pesos that Padre Lopez charges for the mission of Rosario because it delivered same to P[adre] Fr[ay] Josse Mariano Reyes to found the [mission] of El Orcoquizac (which did not occur), and the two hundred pesos used by Fr[ay] Josse Rafael Oliva for the [mission] of S[a]n Juan Capistrano, should be reimbursed by the missions of Espiritu Santto and the afore-mentioned [mission] of S[a]n Juan, as is more clearly / /6v seen in the copy of the official letter that on the 12 th of the present [month] I sent to the p[adre] president, running on foxas five and its verso, and in the one following, from [toja] seven to eight, of the 20 th of the current [month]. And since this is a point that only Your Lordship can declare, I beseech you with the greatest respect that you please to order that the aforesaid documents be reviewed and instruct me according to your greatest pleasure, so as to do the right thing.==our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship many years. Presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, January 23, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 6-6v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 11 Texas encloses an account of the gift made to the Lipan Indians who came to him with Zapato Sas, which amounts to 18 p[esojs,3 r[eale)s, 4 1/2 granos. He reports what they said with regard to peace and attaches the report given to him by Sergeant Anttonio Treviflo and Corporal Fran[cisleo de los Santtos, both of which documents should be read, and an ear given to these / / 7 in- Sr. Commandant General==With an official letter of the 14 th of the current [month] (that should have gone with the designation of Number 8) I sent to your hands a copy of the report given to me by the sergeant of this company, Antonio Trevino, as a result of the visit he made to the village of the Lipan Indians attached to their chief Zapatto Sas, and I promised to report on the results of the second visit that I planned for Trevino to make with the small gift that the former requested of me. When this individual was at the village, or rancheria, of Zapatto Sas, I was visited by the corporal of the Bexar company, Francisco de los Santtos, along with the Indians Aga, Jacintto, and others who went to see Your Lordship. I decided that they should proceed without delay to rejoin their people and to tell them everything Your Lordship instructed. They did so, and as a result I was visited by Zapatto Sas, / /7 Josse Lombrana, Casaquitta, and the son of Roque, with thirty peones and five women, upon whom were spent 18 p[eso]s, 3 r[eale]s, 4 1/2 g[ranos] in gifts to the former and everything for the rest, as is shown in the attached account. The afore-mentioned Chief Zapatto Sas spoke with me through the interpreter who was accompanying him, Josse

9 17 dividuals. Anttonio Curbelo, from sunset until past midnight, telling me that they had not asked for peace, but rather the Spanish from San Anttonio, who were lying and deceitful, which he told me so that I would not trust them, but that they already had said that they would be at peace in this province, and [in] the new villar?] with Tavaco Sismane [Indian chief?], but that they could not account for other parts. Regarding these statements, I tried to convince them by saying that the peace was to be a general one, and that for this purpose they had been invited by Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo de Vgarte y Loyola, who dispatched Sergeant Juachin Guttierrez to explain it to him and so that the chiefs might gather to celebrate a treaty of [peace], beginning with the release of horses and captives that they had brought from the Rio Grande, and that my request was aimed at the same [purpose]: that they should listen to what Your Lordship sent Aga to tell them, and that they should do so because it was in their interest. To this whole statement they replied / /7v in this manner: 1 have already told you that we did not ask for peace. but once the Spanish asked for it we were insulted that you wrote to the commander at Nacodoches that he should not permit the Nations of the North to trade rifles, poweder, and bullets with the Lipanes, whom they were to consider always as their enemies. [He said] that they will go to see the Great Chief as soon as El Canoso comes, and insisted that I write to Your Lordship so that you might order all the Lipan captives gathered and brought to San Anttonio, where they would be together with those who hold Spanish [captives]. But his journey to the Rio Grande could not be until after two moons, since El Canoso was about to set out on campaign with the Vidays, Orcoquizas, Attacapas, and Cocos against the Tancahues and their allies, who stole their horses and killed the Indian Marzelo. With this argument they finished their harangue, and the afore-cited Trevino gave me the report that is attached, signed by him and by Corporal Francisco de los Santtos. It can instruct Your Lordship about what they perceived among the aforesaid Indians, and so that they might do so orally with greater clarity, I have decided they should go to Your Lordship's presence, in the knowledge that the report that Sergeant Trevino might give could be useful in adopting the measures that your superior authority deems best, although Your Lordship's presence in this province would be very help- / /8 ful because of its importance to the service of His Majesty. [Here you could] apprise yourself of the state of [the

10 18 province and of what was said by the Lipan Indians who doubtless would come to see you-our Lord, etc. Bahia del Espirittu Santto, January 24, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 6v-8 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 12 Texas reports that the chieftan Zapatto Sas offered on his departure to speak to his people and hand over captives, asking that he be escorted by Sgt. Treviflo and Corporal Santtos, who said that was not useful. After two privates went in their place for a period of three days indicated by the Indian, they returned before that time, saying they had been told to return because [the Indians] were not corning nor would they hand over the captives. Sr. Commandant General==I already told Your Lordship in an official letter of the 24 th of the current [month], Number 11, what was said in his visit by the Lipan chieftan called Zapatto Sas, who upon his departure promised me he would go to speak with his people in order to bring me their captives, and that if they resisted handing them over, he would return to report. For this purpose he requested Sergeant Anttonio Trevino and Corporal Francisco de los Santtos, who were present at the time he made his proposal, and they replied that this measure was excessive because [the Indians] were not going to accomplish what they were promising. Corporal Santtos repeated the words he had said to Zapatto Sas: "My horses are now fatigued from having gone with Aga to see the Great Chief and taking them to your village," to which Sergeant Trevino replied that in order to accomplish what was promised, two privates could go, to which [Zapato Sas] acceded and asked for three days' time. Before that time was up, the two privates returned to me with the report that they had been told by Zapatto Sas to return, because they were not coming nor would they hand over the captives. Seeing this resolution, I decided to head / /8v [back] to this presidio and bring along the afore-mentioned sergeant so that he might travel to Your Lordship's presence and make an oral report on these particulars, as well as on the beginning of the peace [process] under discussion, because it was he who escorted them at the orders of my predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco. I would be most glad, sir, were Your Lordship to approach this frontier so that you could learn [firsthand] about these same Indians and the land, so as to make unerring decisions in all matters. It is of no little use to the service to be familiar with your subjects and the state of their troops in order to operate against an enemy that is pleased to enjoy the devotion of other nations who provide it with the arms and munitions that we withhold from them. And these Indians do not even hesitate to say that among the Spanish of this community there are those who have passed them helpful information.

11 19 All of this I report to Your Lordship in fulfillment of the duty to which I am bound==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, January 28, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 8-8v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 13 Texas says that he received on his journey to the presidio / /9 of Bexar the correspondence from the Commandancy, to which he will reply in the next mail. He replies to the orders of December 14 and the thirteenth of the current [month1 that deal with the costs of maintaining the Friendly Indians and the Mestenas Fund that should bear them, which he understands for their fulfillment. He explains his reason for charging the Grattificacion Fund for the [costs1of clothing the Indians of the Rosario mission... Senor Commandant General==At the same time, I received on my journey toward this presidio Your Lordship's orders dated at the villa of Saltillo on the 14 th and 15 th of December last, and at the / /9 Valle de Santta Rosa on the 4 th and 13 th of the current [month]. I shall reply to these in the next mail and shall do so [here] only for those that address which fund should bear the coasts for maintaining the Indians. In the [order] of the fore-mentioned [month of] December, Your Lordship informs me that Lieutenant Don Francisco Amangual has consulted you regarding what fund should bear the maintenance of the Friendly Indians that come down to this presidio, asking for your superior declaration. In view of the aforesaid petition, Your Lordship has seen fit to instruct this government that it should be the Mesteiias Fund that bears the cost of the provisions that are provided to [the Indians] and that we should strive for the greatest economy, such that they are maintained only for the minimum number of days possible. The gifts consigned [to the Indians] should be distributed prudentially, with the instruction that for no reason should the company fund bear any cost of this nature. And Your Lordship has seen fit to repeat this same instruction in the [order] of the 13 th of the afore-cited [month of] January. I am apprised of [both orders] for their observance and fulfillment. The reason I sent Your Lordship my official letter of December 28 without a number was that the ledger in which I keep the correspondence with the Commandancy General was left at this [villa] by natural mistake. The charge made to the Grattificacion Fund to / /9v to clothe the Cojanes and Copanes Indians settled at the mission of Rosario, that appears in the account that I sent to Your Lordship on the 14 th of the current [month], and for the small gift made to the Lipanes, was because [I lacked?] the declarations that will guide me henceforth, but if it pleases Your Lordship that it be reimbursed from the current holdings of the Mesteiias Fund, that will be done at the very instant I

12 20 receive your order==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, January 28, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 8v-9v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 14 Texas forwards the strength report and daily logs for La Bahia del Espirittu Santto corresponding to the month of November. Senor Commandant General==I forward to Your Lordship's hands the strength report and daily logs for the past month of November, corresponding to the company of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu S[an]to that its commander, Lieutenant Don Manuel de Espadas, had sent to Adjutant Inspector Don Juan Guttierrez, and the latter to me, in order to forward them to Your Lordship as has been instructed==our Lord, etc. Bexar, January 30, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 9v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 15 Texas says that after he sent an official letter enclosing an order to the lieutenant avilittado, he replied that he had paid the 70 p[eso]s to Don Juan Corttes. Senor Commandant General==After I sent an official letter to the avilittado of this company, Lieutenant Don Francisco Amangual, enclosing Your Lordship's order of December 14 last, he shows in his reply that he has repaid Don Juan Corttes the 70 pesos that he furnished to pay the shipping for the gift destined for the Indians at peace in this province [MS insert: "which sum has been charged to the Mesteiias Fund, as instructed"]. I inform Your Lordship of this for your intelligence.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, / /10 January 30, 1791==Between the lines=="which sum has been charged to the Mesteiias Fund, as instructed"==senor Commandant General==Manuel Munoz==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 9v-1O pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 16 Texas says he delivered the discharge that Your Lordship pleased to issue to Private Josse Melchor Yanze, who he told to use it as of the r t of February next. Senor Commandant General==Private Josse Melchor Yanze has received the discharge that Your Lordship has pleased to grant him and which accompanied your order of the proximate past 15 th of December. I notify Your Lordship of this for your intelligence, and I have instructed the interested [party] to begin using it as of the first day of February next.===our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, January 30, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 10 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792]

13 21 17 the provmce of Texas acknowledges receipt of an order of January 13 and copies No. 1 & 2, enclosed with it, of the report by Captain Don Domingo Diaz about the incident that befell the party of Mescaleros with the Comanches, and the reply given to it. He says that upon his arrival, he was visited by a Comanche who told of the deaths and cap- / /lov ives, and by another of the Tahuacan Nation, the son of Chief Quiscatte, who departed with information to report to his father and the Comanches, without specifying to him which Spanish were with the Apaches. He had already heard of this event from the Lipanes, and to avoid risk to our troops, he refused to provide the escort, as Senor. Loyola had ordered him to do. He knows the chieftans that Diaz mentions in his report, the lands they m- Senor Commandant General==With Your Lordship's order of the 13 th of the current [month] I received the copies number 1 and 2 reproducing the report given to your predecessor on December 19 last by Captain Don Domingo Diaz as a result of the incident that befell the party of our troops and Mescalero Indians that Lieutenant Don Venttura Monttes was leading on a buffalo hunt, and the measure that Your Lordship saw fit to dictate on the 11 th of the afore-cited [month of] January, to guard against offending the Comanche Nation. I am apprised of it for its fulfillment, and I will address it in the following paragraphs. Upon my arrival at this villa, I was visited by an Indian about twenty years old from the Comanche Nation who / /lov told me about the killing and the prisoners taken by the Mescalero Apache in the rancherias of the people of his nation. According to his story, the dead included three men called Tosaparua, Sohuiacantte, and Muragueacantte, and three women, and twenty-six captives, according to the count made at the rancheria where he was and from which he came because his father had reproached him. This Indian does not want to return to live among them, and from his statements he appears to be a captive. He affirms that his mother is [a captive] but does not know from where, because she herself has told him they would come to live among the Spanish as soon as he was bigger. There also appeared a gandul from the Tahuacan Nation, the son of Chief Quiscatte and an intimate friend of the Comanches, with whom they have been in league for a long time. Both he and the Comanche were spoken to by the interpreter, Private Francisco Chaves, who convinced the Tahuacan to set out with the knowledge of Your Lordship's aims to report to his father and the Comanches, without specifying to them which Spanish were the ones traveling with the Apaches. Even though they asked, they were told that they were unknown to Your Lordship, nor did I know that they any other than Apaches dressed in the clothes of the Spanish they had killed, and that they should not think that for our part troops would be permitted to accompany Apaches / /11 anywhere, least of all to their [Comanche] lands. With this, he departed quite pleased and with word that Your Lordship has ordered the captives rescued and taken to Santta Fee to be returned to their families. I had heard from the Lipanes about the blow that these Indians had suffered on the occasions that they visited me at the presidio of La Bahia del Espiritta Santto, boasting that the

14 22 habit, and where the Comanches were located, and all else, which should be read. Spanish had gone to destroy the rancherias of their foes. In view of these statements, and in order to avoid risk to our troops, I failed to carry out an order sent to me on December 14 by Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacobo de Vgartte y Loyola to provide twenty men to a party of Comanches for the duration of the hunt they wished to make. They were provided only nine men by the lieutenant of this company to escort them as far as the site of Las Lomas, about five leagues' distance from this presidio, [where] Chief Soxas departed with pleasure. I know the chieftans that Captain Don Domingo Diaz mentions in his report, as well as the land that they inhabit, where the Comanches were situated, and this officer cannot be unaware that in past times the Mescalero Apaches have sought escorts for their hunts for the purpose / /11v of punishing the Comanche, and he can see for himself that by escorting the former, under orders, to strike those of the Lipan Nation, he could not restrain them, even though a new order were issued to convince them to ignore the first one. The precautions of the Mescaleros and the Lipanes are inexplicable, but they do not escape the one who leads them. They know very well how to make friends in some territories in order to invade others, which is what I have comprehended in the conversations they have held with me at La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, about which I have reported to Your Lordship and dispatched Sergeant Anttonio Treviiio and Corporal Francisco de los Santtos to your presence so that Your Lordship might better learn what the aforesaid Lipanes are saying==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, January 30, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 10-11v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 18 Texas says he is informed by the letter of the twenty-fourth of December that the report on Meslenas was sent to Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco so that Senor Commandant General==By Your Lordship's official letter of December 24 last, I am informed that you sent to my predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco, the report that deals with the Mesteiias Fund, and that I [had] forwarded to the Commandancy General so that it might please to clarify the doubts that arise for this government for the receipt of the [documents] that the former is to hand over. Your Lordship tells me you will dictate these [instructions] as soon as / /12 Pacheco makes the observations that guide him in light of the documents that accompanied the aforementioned report.

15 23 he might determine the observations most / / 12 appropriate to him. Without declarations, it will not be possible to proceed to the collection of what was owed in the transfer from Cavello, and of what was produced during the time of Pacheco. If prompt measures are not taken then difficulties will arise with regard to the limited resources of the debtors and [the fact1that the cattle are becoming scarce, for which reason [the account1 will not produce noticeable revenue In the future. Without your superior declarations, it is not possible to proceed with the proper review for the collection of what was owed by these citizens and the mission of Espfrittu Santto at the time of the transfer from Colonel Don Domingo Cavello, and consequently the sums that the Mesteiias account has produced in the time of the afore-mentioned Pacheco and are owed by this citizemy. For this reason I beseech Your Lordship to keep these in mind, so as to instruct me whatever is to your liking. If prompt measures are not taken to collect [the debt] certainly many difficulties will arise with regard to the limited [resources] of the debtors and [the fact] that mesteiio cattle are becoming extremely scarce due to the disorders that have occurred in their roundups. For this reason this [Mesteiias] department will not produce any noticeable income, and that which exists will gradually be spent in maintaining the peaceful Indians who come down to this presidio, in accord with Your Lordship's orders, and in making other payments that the most excellent senor viceroy previously has instructed me [to make]. And the case will come where there is nothing on which to lay hands for these purposes, which I point out to Your Lordship for your information==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, / /12v January 30, 1791==Senor Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 11v-12v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 19 Texas acknowledges receipt of the order of the 4 th current and says he is informed of the manner in which the Indians of the Nations of the North should be treated. On this point he has sought to conduct himself with all possible prudence and tact, Senor Commandant General==By Your Lordship's order of the 4 th of the current [month] I am informed of the manner in which I should treat the Indians of the Friendly Nations who appear at this presidio, and the assistance in provisions that should be provided to them, distributing to them in equitable proportion the gifts destined for these tribes in the fashion that has been customary. On this point I have attempted to conduct myself with all possible prudence and tact, but in view of [the fact] that previously they were provided with rifles, powder, and bullets, and that by me they are denied these resources consequent to an order of the most excellent senor viceroy and the latest orders from Your Lordship, I will leave to your superior perception the impact that my denial will have on these Indians, even though they are given the gentlest excuses, particularly when the very one who was granting the [arms]

16 24 but previously they were provided rifles, powder, and bullets, and by his denying them these resources, consequent to an order of the senor viceroy and instructions of the Commandancy General, it is not easy to keep them happy [while] denying them the munitions they so desire. to them is still here, and keeps in his house the women captives who were rescued from the very same [Indians], for which reason it is not so easy to keep them happy [while] denying them the munitions they so desire. Nevertheless, for my part I will exercise all / /13 possible care so as not to disrupt their friendship. And so that this might be achieved without the inconvenience posed by the aforesaid captive women, it would be helpful were Your Lordship to order that they leave here without exception of any of them. With this, responsibility would fall on the interpreters who are employed in attending the Comanches and others from the Nations of the North.==Our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, January 30, Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C.,12v-13 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 20 Texas satisfies an order of December 14, enclosing the reply made by the trustee of Alms for Rescue, with the report of the ayunttamientto which show 11 p[esojs, 3 r[eale)s on hand. He mentions the name, country, and poverty of the relatives of the captive Maria Josefa Varela, who has a son as a private named Juan de la Cruz, who was also rescued, as appears in the note for the report that / /13v deals with the Mestenas Fund. Senor Commandant General==In view of Your Lordship's order of the proximate past 14 th of December, I sent an official letter to the trustee of Alms for the Rescue of Captives, Don Luis Menchaca, and below his reply I entered an order for the ayuntamiento of this villa to report on the points embraced in Menchaca's reply. From the original document, which I attach to Your Lordship, and from the afore-cited report from this ayuntamiento, there is shown the sum of 11 p[eso]s, 3 r[eale]s that this account holds on this date. The captive woman that cost 88 p[eso]s, 4 1/2 r[eale]s is called Maria Jossefa Varela, a native of the town of Tome, a dependency of New Mexico. She has no parents, but three poor brothers who sustained themselves through their labor at the time the Comanches captured her with two other brothers, of which / /13v they killed one. This woman was captured with a son named Juan de la Cruz, who is now a private in this company, and he is included in the notes on the report on the Mesteiias Fund that I sent to the Commandancy General and Your Lordship saw fit to send to my predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttfnez Pacheco, as you state in your official letter of the 24 th of the afore-cited [month of] December. And in the [notes] of the same category are listed the costs occasioned by the other captive women in their rescue==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, January 31, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C.,13-13v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792]

17 25 21 Texas, replying to an order of January 29 regarding what fund should bear the costs of clothing made for the Indians of the Rosario mission, says he sent his own [order] to the commander of the presidio of La Bahia so that the sum spent for that purpose might be reimbursed to the Grattificaci6n Fund and charged to the [fund] for Mestenas. Senor Commandant General==In view of the declaration that Your Lordship has given to this government by your order of January 29 last, that the expenditures made to clothe the Indians of the mission of Rosario [who had] returned from the coast, and which [costs] had been borne by the Grattificaci6n Fund of the presidial company of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, should be reimbursed by the Mesteiias [Fund], I ordered the lieutenant in command of the aforementioned presidio to do so, for which purpose I sent him the corresponding official letter enclosing that [order].==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 13v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 22 Texas, in reply to an order / /14 of January 29, explains the reason he had to send his letters without their corresponding numbers, and that he understands he is not to incur In that error. Senor Commandant General==Apprised of Your Lordship's order of January 29 last, I will say that my reason for sending to your hands the official letters / /14 without their corresponding numbers was because I left the ledger in which is kept the correspondence with your Commandancy General at this villa when I traveled to La Bahia del Espirittu Santto to observe the Indians of the mission of Rosario, as I have notified Your Lordship in an official letter of the 28 th of the same [ month], Number 13. I understand that I am not to incur in the error of failing to number and summarize [the letters]' and accompanying them with the corresponding index, as is ordered==our Lord, etc. San Antt[oni]o de Bexar, February 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 13v-14 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 23 Texas, in reply to an order of January 29, says it has not been Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship instructs me in your official letter of the proximate past 29 th of January, that I find out discreetly from what nation came the agressors who caused the four deaths at the Arroyo de Pefuttas, which I reported to Your Lordship in an official letter of the 14 th of the same [month], which should be number 9.

18 26 possible to determine from what nation came the agressors who caused the four deaths at the Arroyo de Pefuttas, and reports that the missing boy came to him. Having undertaken the most painstaking efforts up to now, it has not been possible to acquire any reliable news, because some think they were Comanches, others that [they were] Lipanes, or Tahauiases, and ultimately there is no one who can confirm the truth of the matter. This is further reinforced by the boy that went missing, who came to me on the seventh of the current [month] and gives no more evidence than that he heard a rifle shot when they were attacked by the / /14v the enemy, at which point his companions began to flee, as did he. Becoming entangled in some colcamecattes he fell face downward, for which reason, and it being dark, he says he could not see which Indians they were. The same doubt occurs to Lieutenant Don Bernardo Fernandez, since he did not find along the enemy's tracks that he followed anything at all by which they might be indentified. Our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 14-14v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 24 Texas remits the strength reports for the company under his command and daily logs corresponding to the past month of January. Senor Commandant General==I forward to Your Lordship's hands the strength reports for this company under my command and the daily logs corresponding to the proximate past month of January, one and the other listing the duties in which the troops have been employed, resources that they have for their subsistence, and the events that have occurred during the aforesaid month.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 14v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 25 Texas cites his official letters of January 24, 28, and 30, Numbers 11, 12, and 17, in which he reported on what he experienced and was told by the Lipan Indians at Senor Commandant General==In official letters of the 24'", 28 th, and 30 th of January last, Numbers 11, 12, and 17, I reported to Your Lordship in the first two about what I experienced and was told by the Lipan Indians at the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, including the report given to me by Sergeant Anttonio Trevino, and I decided that this individual should go with Corporal Francisco de los Santtos to Your Lordship's presence to better report on everything they ob- / /15 served at the former's village. In the last [letter, I reported] having received the report sent to your hands by Don Domingo Diaz, that deals with the clash that the Mescalero Indians had with those of the Comanche

19 27 the presidio of La Bahia. He says that on the 3cd the Co 1/15 manche Chief Soxas came to him with three gandules, full of anger and as if in mourning because his relatives had been killed by Mescaleros and soldiers. He reports on the reply he gave, with the purchase of the captive, who is the same one on whom he reported in the afore-cited official letter Number 17, which should be read. Nation, regarding which I will speak In the following paragraphs. On the 3 ed of the current [month] I was visited by the Comanche called Soxas with three gandules, deeply offended and as if in mourning, saying that his relatives had been killed by the Mescalero Apaches accompanied by [Spanish] soldiers, and that they had come to learn the whereabouts of a captive who had come in flight from their rancheria because those attacked had turned against him, and the Comanche acting as his father was killed. I told the aforesaid Soxas that it was not credible that soldiers would go with the Mescaleros to attack their rancherias, but rather that the latter, in order to hide their acts, would be wearing the uniforms of those they had killed in Spanish towns that were far distant. I added that the Lipanes had told me about the incident, and I [had told] Your Lordship, who had deeply regretted what had happened and ordered that all Comanche captives be gathered and sent to the villa of Santta Fee to be handed over to their relatives. At that moment I ordered that the Comanche captive that [Soxas] was seeking should appear, and when he had him in his sight he asked us to purchase him for four horses, I 115v which I ordered delivered to him right away. When he comprehended [our] response and the liberality with which the horses were delivered to him, and regaled with a requisition [of horses]' four loincloths (consisting altogether of 4112 v[ara}s of cloth), four mirrors, three manojos of tobacco, three ounces of vermilion, and a bridle, he was greatly pleased and convinced that our troops had not accompanied the Mescaleros. He departed saying that he was going to spread the word among his rancherias of everything he had been told, and that they would travel to the villa of Santta Fee to see if they had his relatives, as Your Lordship had commanded. And he asked me most particularly to write again to Your Lordship to oblige the Mescaleros to turn over those [captives], for thus all would be fine. He also told me that he had a large number of his peones in search of the Lipan Apaches who were at the Guadalupe and Colorado rivers, for which purpose he had sent out his spies, and that he would report on the results. He is trying to determine who caused the four deaths at the Arroyo de Pefuttas, and make return of four horses that a like number of Comanches stole from these citizens. The captive to whom I refer is the same one about whom I

20 28 reported to Your Lordship in the afore-cited official letter of January 30, Number / /16 17, whom I have at my home and whom I will send to Your Lordship as soon as you tell me to do so, because those of this category-regardless of their sex or age-should not remain at frontier posts, not only because of their proximity to the nations from which they are taken, but because when they learn the Spanish language they create situations that can lead to unrest, all of which I report to Your Lordship for your information==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 14v -16 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 26 Texas says they were paying 36 p esojs annually in rent for the room where in which Indian gifts were stored, and that to avoid this expense and other problems, he ordered a stone [room] built, costing 54 p esojs, which is the one where the goods are secured. He asks for a declaration whether this cost should be borne by the Mestenas Fund as pertaining to Indian expenditures. Sr. Commandant General==Since my arrival in this province province [sic] I learned that we were paying thirty-six pesos in annual rent for the room in which were stored the gifts destined for giving to the Indians, in addition to their not being in the governor's view. In order to avoid this expense and other problems, I ordered the construction of a stone room that would be sufficient to store the aforesaid goods at all times, with its corresponding window and door, and this is the one where they are secured at present. This has cost fifty-four pesos, which I have borne out of my pocket until Your Lordship shall declare whether this expense should be borne by the Mesteiias Fund / /16v as pertaining to expenditures on the Indians who come to receive the gift that is made to them from the aforesaid goods==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 16-16v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 27 Texas encloses the strength reports and daily logs for the presidio of La Senor Commandant General==I forward to Your Lordship's hands in duplicate the strength reports for the presidial company of La Bahia del Esp[iri]to Santto and daily logs corresponding to the proximate past month of January, sent to my [hands] by its commanding lieutenant, Don Manuel de Espadas, with an official letter of the 11 th of the current [month]==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 14,

21 29 Bahia correspond- 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de ing to the month of January. Nava. [C., 16v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 28 Texas says that Your Lordship's order of the 9 th of the current [month] has been published, and the officers instructed that [soldados] distinguidos not be employed in other service than that of arms, and says that he was unaware that they were employed in sweeping the plaza and barracks and other tasks. Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship's order of the 9 th of the current [month] has been published, and the officers have been instructed that [soldados] distinguidos are not to be employed in any other service than that of arms, as Your Lordship orders. That those men of this category might be assigned to sweeping the plaza and barracks and other tasks, I did not know until the day I received the afore-cited order==our Lord, etc. Bexar, February 26, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 16v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 29 Texas says that consequent to what Your Lordship instructed in an order of January 29 last, he told the commander of the presido of La Ba- / /17 hia to charge the 267 p[esojs, 4 r[eale)s spent in clothing the Indians of the mission of Rosario to the Mestenas Fund, and reimburse it to the Grattificaci6n [Fund] that had Senor Commandant General==On the 8 th of the current [month] I sent an official letter to the commander of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu S[an]tto enclosing Your Lordship's order of January 29 last so that he might make the charge of the 267 p[eso]s, 4 r[eale]s spent in clothing the Indians of / / 17 the mission of Rosario to the Mesteiias Fund, and it might be reimbursed to the Grattificaci6n [Fund], which is the same thing Your Lordship instructs in the [order] of the 9 th of the current [month].==our Lord, etc. Bexar, February 26, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava.

22 30 borne it. [C., 16v-17 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 30 Texas says that, informed by Your Lordship's order of the 9 th current and the copy of the agreement made with the Upper Lip[a]nes that accompanied it, he sent the corresponding [order] to the commander of the presidio of La Bahia that its troops be prepared with ready provisions, as those under his command have been since he took possession. As soon as the emissaries sent to the Lower [Lipanes] visit him, he will carry out Your Lordship's instructions such that they return to their old lands. He also says that if the emissary of Chief Chiquitto does not appear to report on what resulted with his kin, he beseeches Your Lordship to instruct him what he is to do in that case, mindful that all Indians are slow to deliberate. According to what he is told by eleven of them who have come to Senor Commandant General==Informed by Your Lordship's order of the 9 th of the current [month]-and by the certified copy of the order of the 8 th of the same [month] that it enclosed-of the agreement reached with the Indians of the Lipana Nation known as the Upper [Lipanes], I sent the corresponding [order] to the commander of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto so that ther troops under his command might be prepared with ready provisions, as have been these [troops] under my [command] since I took possession of [the post]. As soon as I am visited by the emissaries destined to persuade those called the Lower [Lipanes] to fulfill what was stipulated by the former, I shall proceed to carry out what Your Lordship instructs. Gathering the forces of the only two companies that this province has, along with its useful citizens, I will appear before [the Indians?] to tell them of the siuation they are in and that they should go to live in their old lands. If the emissary [who is] the brother of Chief Chi- / /17v quitto, to whom Your Lordship has granted a passport, fails to fulfill the charge he has been given to come to report to me on what resulted with his relatives, so as to act promptly, I beseech Your Lordship to please to instruct me on this particular whatever is to your liking, mindful of [the fact] that all Indians are slow in their deliberations, and even when they have [a resolution] they often fail to fulfill their promises, and although we make treaties through interpreters [who were] raised among them, we customarily misunderstand the true facts. This very thing has been experienced many times by your predecessors, and I am not the one who has dealt least with these matters, since I have lived and worked with the peaceful Indians. Therefore, I would not wish to omit the slightest part of what Your Lordship might command. The Lower Lipanes involved, who are the bands of Chiefs Canoso, Zapatto Sas, Josse Lombrana, and others, remain in the place they were when I reported, as I have been informed by eleven of them who have appeared at this villa, of whom five remain, with two women. In order to attack and oblige these Indians by force to withdraw to the lands that Your Lordship commands, and so that / /18 our arms might achieve appropriate honor, there

23 31 him---{)f whom five still remain at that villa with two women-the said Lower Lipanes have not changed / /17v the location that I reported. He points out that in order to force the latter to return to their lands, and that our arms achieve the appropriate honor, there is the problem that two of them are at the mission with their families, in addition to one or another not lacking in that villa, who will naturally notice any movement and give warning to their kin. To avoid this occurrence it would be useful to arrest them, though resentments could result, as he points out, regarding which point he beseeches Your Lordship to instruct him whatever is to your liking for the greatest success. is [still] the problem that there are two Indians with their family at the mission of S[a]n Anttonio and one or another not lacking in this vicinity who observe our movements directly, and since we cannot conceal the departure of the [troop] detachment from them, it is logical that they would send word to the rancherias of their kin. In order to overcome such difficulties it would be useful to apprehend [these Indians]' but since this act could result in the [same] resentments as in previous incidents, which give rise to their mistrust, I report this to Your Lordship so that you might instruct me what might be best on this point in order to proceed successfully in its light. With this I have replied to the first three paragraphs of the afore-cited order, and I will address the following ones separately in an official letter of this date==our Lord, etc. Bexar, February 26, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 31 Texas replies to the content of paragraphs 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the order Senor Commandant General==I have replied to Your Lordship's official letter of the 9 th of the current [month] in the attached [letter] of the 26 th of the same [month], Number 30, in which I state that under separate cover I would [reply] on the other paragraphs embraced in [your letter]. And / /18v in doing so, I will give a clear statement of the true facts.

24 32 of the 9 th current. He says that on his way / /18v to Revilla, he got word of the attack committed by the enemy on the Rancho de S[an] Ygnacio, and that the magistrate of that villa had gone to render aid with the party destined for his escort. His not having taken active measures was due to two causes: first, being without troops and having suffered an accident, and 2 nd, the troops of the 3 cd Company being on campaign and with the horse herd more than 40 leagues away, and the citizens of Laredo without mounts. About three months after this incident, it was reported to him that the Lipanes were at the Guadalupe River with what was stolen and captives, in view of which he had the troops and citizens supplied with provisions so as to attack them. But having gotten word from the commander of La Bahia that they had moved their location, his plan was not carried out. When I returned from the Laredo garrison to the villa of San Carlos to turn over the archives to the Conde de la Sierra Gorda, on my way to Revilla I received word that the enemy had attacked the Rancho de S[a]n Ygnacio, and that the magistrate at [Revilla?], with the small number of soldiers on hand there for my escort, had gone out to render aid, which he would do with the greatest vigor because he had been involved in the destruction wrought by those [enemies]. By this, Your Lordship will realize that the hostilities were not perpetrated during my coming to this government. My not having taken direct action was motivated by two causes: the first [being] what was stated in the preceding paragraph, in addition to being without troops and having suffered an accident, which is easily proved; and the second [being] that the [troops] of the 3 cd company of Lar[e]do were on campaign under the orders of Sr. B[rigadi]er Don Juan de Vgalde, and with the horse herd at the Messa de los Cartujanos more than 40 leagues away (according to reports) because there were no grazing pastures near Laredo, and those citizens [were] without mounts, as is well known. When I had been in this province more or less three months, I received a report on the harm that had befallen the 19// afore-cited [villa] of Revilla, and that the Lipanes had what was stolen, along with captives, at the Guadalupe River. Immediately this company and the citizens were supplied with provisions in order to set out and attack them at the place cited by the commander of the presidio of La Bahia, but this plan was not carried out because this officer replied to an official letter that I sent to him that the enemy had changed its location and traveled to another. For this reason, my decisions did not take effect. Proof that they were aimed at punishing the aforesaid Lipanes was the detaining of the troops that escorted me from S[a]n Carlos and Laredo, as Sergeant Euxenio de Leon of the Second Company can so declare, [as well as] the corporal of the 3 cd [Company], Martin Juarez, who were detained for this purpose. These reports and those that reported [the Lipanes] were at peace in this province-which document was sent to me by the most excellent senor viceroy, to whom my predecessor reported on June 6 of the proximate past year of [17]90 made me desist from my first decision and [realize] that carrying it out would result in disturbing the Nations of the North, who would already have been invited to come trade, according to the report sent to me on September 18 last by the

25 33 Proof that these [preparations] were aimed at punishing the enemy was the detention of the troops that had escorted him from the Colonia [de Nuevo Santander]. That news, in view of [the fact] that they were / /19 at peace in this province, on which his predecessor had reported to the most excellent senor viceroy, caused him to desist from his first determination and consider the results on the Nations of the North-mindful that they already are invited to come trade-which he tried to avoid, as he explains. It is true that he wrote the Conde de la Sierra Gorga [sic] reporting the news he thought important, but that this did not prevent him from acting on that frontier in defense of its towns. The reason the Lipanes have had to commit these attacks, as they have said, is having experienced the rigor of our arms in the expedition made by B[rigadiler Don Juan de Vgalde. commander at Nacodoches. In it / /19v he states that he had heard from the Friendly Indians that a strong force of Apaches had arrived at EI Orcoquizac with captives and horses and had sent word to the Attacapas to trade for them, in view of which I told him to send his letters again to the commanders of Opeluzas and Attacapas to prevent the communication and trade that [the Apaches] were seeking. It is true that I wrote to the Conde de Sierragorda reporting to him the news that I judged to be important, but this reason did not prevent [me?] from acting on the frontier in defense of our towns, especially when [I?] could consider that not all of the enemies that are offending us are gathered together, and that [I?] could achieve [his?] desires by reconnoitering the Nueces River, which I crossed after having been held up by its flood. And I found no tracks that looked suspicious, for which reason the cause would be [MS insert: "another contingent, or"] the [the Indians'] not having had the intention that is argued in the sixth paragraph of Your Lordship's official letter. Finally, sir, the reason the Lipanes have had to make trouble and leave their lands has been, as they report, their having experienced in their rancherias the full rigor of our arms in the expedition made by the aforesaid Sr. Brigadier Don Juan de Vgalde, since which time they have been living dispersed and full of rnis- / /20 trust, which is the same thing that they say openly. To seek out and punish these Indians with the arms under my command would not have been difficult for me, since even without being governor of any province I have been able to do so opportunely. But Your Lordship's great perception will realize that had I taken violent measureseven if we managed to restore what was stolen-it would be felt that I had broken the peace treaty upon which my aforesaid predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco, had reported; that [we were] lacking in hospitality; and that the Nations of the North, on whose lands they were living, had changed their [attitude]. Had these Indians stopped over for a few days at the place cited by the commander of La Bahia, there is no doubt that the governor of Texas would be to blame for his lack of decisiveness. But since the current [governor] has the basic reasons mentioned above, he is convinced that in Your Lordship's view [these reasons] will have their proper place, since the Conde de Sierragorda had none of them to [MS insert: "cease"] following their tracks to punish them.

26 34 He says it would not have been difficult for him to punish the aforesaid Lipanes, since without being governor of a province he has been able to do so opportunely, but that Your Lordship's great perception will understand the reasons he states, and he beseeches that they be read. And in this case the [Lipanes] would have no resentments on the part of / /2Ov those from this province, in which they had sought their peace, and the bases were being verified on which to grant it to them. This is the same thing with which [I?] was currently dealing when Your Lordship's predecessor, Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo de Vgartte y Loyola instructed me in an official letter of the proximate past 24 th of November that the Lower Lipan chieftans should come to see him, for which purpose he commissioned the interpreter, Sergeant Juachin Guttierrez, to explain [the peace] to them. All this 1 report to Your Lordship in reply to your afore-cited order.==our Lord, etc. Bexar, February 26, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 18-20v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 32 Texas, acting as commandant, remits the documents sent to him by the lieutenant of the presidio of La Bahia, Don Manuel de Espadas, who asks for permission to contract matrimony. He beseeches that this favor be granted to him, with attention to what he states. Senor Commandant General==1 forward to Your Lordship's hands the documents sent to my [hands] by the lieutenant of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, Don Manuel de Espadas, who asks that Your Lordship grant him permission to contract matrimony with D[on]a Maria Gerttrudis Casimira Carrasco, daughter of the present lieutenant of the [presidio] of San Juan Bapttistta del Rio Grande. 1 beseech Your Lordship with the greatest respect that you please to grant him this favor, mindful that on this frontier it is better that officers be married in order to avoid the problems that 1 will leave to your acute perception, and that they do not have / /21 anyone to help them, despite all their many expenses.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February 26, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 2Ov-21 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 33 Texas replies to an order of February 9, attaching documents Nos. 1 to 3 from Captain Don Rafael Mar[ti]n[e]z Pacheco. He includes a report that em- Senor Commandant General==ln view of Your Lordship's order of February 9 last, the report and documents designated by Numbers 1 to 3 that accompanied it (the same ones that Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco sent to your hands on the 22 nd and 24 th of January, which 1 return attached, as Your Lordship instructs), 1 have prepared the [report] about which 1 will speak, fulfilling the afore-cited order. 1 have ordered the latter [report] prepared with citations of the documents that show the funds that Pacheco received from his predecessor, Colonel Don Domingo Cabello in cash,

27 35 braces [those reports1 relating to money in the Mesteiias Fund in what was turned over by Cabello to Pacheco, and the latter sent to the present governor, designated Nos. 1 to 6. He mentions the scarcety of the aforesaid cattle, and that he has prohibited their export outside the province, which merited the approval of the most excellent senor viceroy and commandant general. He asks for a declaration about the doubts that are mentioned in the [notes1 for the aforesaid report, which is designated No.5 and those that were owed on January 22, 1787, by the citizens of this villa and of the mission of Espfrittu Santto, as is shown in the attached copy No.1, in four foxas. Also included are three documents designated by Nos. 2 to 4, in which it is seen that the sum collected during the time that the aforesaid Pacheco was governor amounts to 1782 p[eso]s, 51/2 r[eale]s, from which are deducted 90 p[eso]s, 4 r[eale]s, as is shown in the fifth entry of the afore-mentioned account Number 5, for the reasons that are stated in the ledger / /21v Number 1, which is also attached in a copy, consisting of four foxas. Also attached is report No.5, signed on October 18, [17]90 by the afore-mentioned Pacheco, in which is shown the sum of 4,224 p[eso]s generated br the Mesteiias department from the year [17]87 until the 14' of August of that year, the same [sum] owed by the individuals that are seen in it. Included finally is the account No.6 of the costs incurred in the rescue of the captives that are indicated in it, so that [when it is] viewed with the other documents they might be recognized and Your Lordship might instruct this government what is most fitting. The notes that appear in the aforesaid report express the doubts that arise and obliged [me] to ask for a declaration in an official letter of December 10 of the proximate past year, and these are the same [doubts] about which I beseech Your Lordship to please to declare whether receipt should be made in the same fashion that Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco is seeking to turn over these funds in the aforementioned documents, or in cash, so as to proceed in its light according to what is ordered and absolve myself henceforth of responsibility. If the account of the Mesteiias department had been kept in the ledger turned over by Colonel Don Domingo Cavello by my predecessor Captain Don / /22 Rafael Marttinez Pacheco, I would have avoided bothering Your Lordship's attention with a duplication of documents. But since there is no other charge or receipt in the aforesaid ledger than the one made for the 5 [thousand]904 p[eso]s, 6 1/2 r[eale]s that I have received in cash and a debenture from this avilittado, I thought it best to turn to the Commandancy General to explain the form in which it was being turned over to me, and so that they would know that the funds of principal importance of the Mesteiias department were in hands that made their collection difficult, in addition to the

28 36 circumstances of their origin, which can be seen clearly from the documents that I have mentioned. Mesteno cattle are becoming scarce because of the disorder that has existed in their export to different places, for which [reason] I have prohibited it and given notice to the most excellent senor viceroy and [to] Your Lordship's predecessor, who saw fit to approve this measure, and had it not been taken the situation would arise where these citizens would have nothing with which to sustain themselves, and the Fund of this department [of Mestenas] would be depleted of money with which to address the objectives that it has today, especially if what they are owing up to the present should not be collected from them, since during the period of almost six months that the reins of this government have been under my charge there has been generated only the sum of 225 p[eso]s. All of this I report to Your Lordship / /22v for your intelligence.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 21-22v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 34# Texas acknowledges receipt of an order of February 26, which enclosed that of His Majesty of Odober 23 of [17]85, which deals with the insignia on uniforms of lower rank. Senor Commandant General==The royal order of October 23 of the past year of [17]85 that Your Lordship enclosed in an official letter of February 26 last has been made known. It deals with the insignia that should be worn on the small uniforms [i.e., of lower rank?] of those who are mentioned in it.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, March 10, 1791==Sr. B[rigadi]er Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 22v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 35# Texas reports that he was visited by 29 Indians of the Tahuacan and Tancahue Nations with Chief Quiscatte, the father of the one he dispatched to give Senor Commandant General==On the 8 th of the current [month] I was visited by 29 Indians [MS insert: "including 4 women"] of the Tahuacan and Tancahue Nations with Chief Quiscatte, the father of the one I dispatched to give news of the measure that Your Lordship had taken to gather all the captives of the Comanches and have them turned over to their kin at the villa of Santa Fee in New Mexico, as I reported in an official letter of January 30, No. 17. The afore-mentioned Quiscatte tells me that he said this to the Comanches at the time they were dancing [with] the

29 37 news to the Comanches that their captives had been ordered brought together. He says that the afore-mentioned Quiscatte told the Comanches the news that his son took, at the time they were dancing [with] the scalps [MS insert: "of those they killed at the Pefutas"] which they suspended, and regretted the aforesaid deaths, though there was nothing to be done. / / 23 He tells of the gift they made in the presence of the officers, and that he told [the Indians] what they were to tell the aforesaid Comanches consequent to the order of February 26, and that he will send the captive ransomed from Soxas to the governor of Coahuila, as he is instructed. scalps of the four citizens they killed at the Arroyo de Pefutas. They gave as their excuse that they were / /23 convinced that the Spanish had caused the deaths and captivity of their people with the Apaches, but in view of the message brought by his son, they suspended the aforesaid dance and regretted having caused those deaths, though now there was nothing to be done. I have given clothes to the afore-mentioned Quiscatte, who still remains at this garrison, as well as to another chieftan who came to visit me, and the rest were given what is customary by his[?] own hand in my presence [and] that of the officers of the company, the interpreter Francisco Chaves, and the storekeeper of these goods, Don Josseph Anttonio Bustillos. Following that, I told him, consequent to Your Lordship's instructions in an order of the proximate past 26 th of February, to give this [news] to the Comanches so that they might know the good faith with which they are treated, and that for our part we will not allow any harm to be done to them. The captive who was ransomed from Chief Soxas of the Comanche Nation I will dispatch to Lieutenant Colonel Don Miguel Josse de Emparan, governor of Coahuila, with the party that is assigned to conduct the gunpowder from the villa of Monclova, by which / /23v fulfillment will be given to Your Lordship's afore-cited order.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, March 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 22v-23v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 36 Texas replies to an order of February 15 and discusses his reasons in [the case of] Josse Melchor Yanze. He explains the Senor Commandant General==Replying to Your Lordship's order of February 15, I will state the reasons that motivated the retirement of the former private in this company, Josse Melchor Yanze, the first being that Your Lordship, in an official letter of December 15, enclosed the discharge that had been granted to him, instructing me to deliver it to him without delay and to report having done so. When this individual appeared, he discussed with me his wish to suspend its use while he continued to draw [the

30 38 reasons for keeping an orderly, with all else that he has felt useful to state in view of the former. salary] he should, [and he said] that he had requested the aforesaid discharge because there was no advantage to him to continue his [military] career, and he did not know my intentions as to whether I would employ him in the office. To the first, I replied to him that there was no problem as long as he stated it in writing to satisfy Your Lordship, because otherwise it would be thought that in me lay the failure to comply with your superior order. And to the second, I replied that I did not show my intentions and thoughts so easily as he might think, and that / /24 therefore I had kept from him the matters of my commission. He decided to retire, which was the best for him to do, as I was told by one who has known him since he arrived at this capital This latter report, and Yanze's having told me that my predecessor used to call upon him to do his writing, which he did not wish to do [MS insert: "along with other previous statements"] filled me with doubts with regard to [the fact] that the commission conferred upon me by the most excellent senor viceroy concerning the affairs of my aforesaid predecessor was a delicate one, and that [Martinez Pacheco] had brought him along to employ him as secretary, I felt that [Yanze] had little loyalty to him, and that this would serve to prejudice the clarification of the true facts. The afore-mentioned Yanze told me that my predecessor had attached him against his will and made him a private without his being apt for such [service]. Not having had the time to find out about the latter, I asked the first lieutenant of the company, who said it would be better for [Yanze] to use his discharge and retire, even though he had told the latter that if he remained as secretary he would earn 500 p[eso]s. If this is true, I do not know it, because in slightly less than six months I have not seen the office earn one real / /24v while in the posts to which I have been assigned I have received no payments, nor have I permitted those who work with me to receive them. And for the same reason, I have remained everywhere with just one clerk to write for me, and he is paid out of my pocket, as is being done with the one I brought from Mexico [City] without the necessity of requisitioning privates, and less could I do so with Yanze, since I do not know him, without this depriving him of his probity. To this must be added the fact that I did not employ privates as orderlies while I was acting commandant of arms in [Nueva] Vizcaya and interim [commandant] of the [Interior]

31 39 Provinces, much less as governor of the former [province] and of the Colonia de Nuevo Santander. Nor did I have such in this [province] until I took delivery of the coffer of money of the Mesteiias Fund, except for the days when parties of Indians from the Nations of the North were visiting. And since this is so, I could hardly propose that Yanze [write] the documents about which he has reported, besides which my short experience [in this post] would not incline me toward his way of thinking, since those that he put to paper during the time of my predecessor have not been acceptable to the superior authorities. Thus, it was not advisable for him to remain / /25 here until the points with which I am charged have been cleared up. With this he would avoid all suspicion that might result and be free of the subordination and obedience of a soldier. My having sent him with the lieutenant avilittado (who had no intention of taking him) was because, after he had informed me about the matters of the department of mesteiio cattle and participated in creating the report that I sent to the hands of Your Lordship's predecessor, no one better than he could provide information and clear up the doubts that might arise to Your Lordship. [It was] not because I had knowledge of his background and fidelity, although I perceived that it was not complete, since in the very act of giving me information that I did not seek to know from him, he showed me how little gratitude [he had] for the one who brought him and kept him at his side. My not having sought the discharge for Yanze and other individuals in the company, as I did for the [soldado] distinguido, Don Felix Pacheco, was for two reasons: the first deriving from the motives already discussed, and [the fact] that I was awaiting Your Lordship's presence in order to act and resolve it; and the second, because the afore-mentioned Yanze was the one who was writing for my predecessor and with the latter was turning over the papers that he had handled, and it was not right that I should do this while it was being completed; and finally, because [I should] not forego the information that [Yanze] was providing, which resulted in the creation / /25v of the report that I gave to Your Lordship's predecessor, and that he [then] should go with the lieutenant avilittado. But not for this reason was it my intention to employ him at my side nor in any office under my charge, even though he might be reputed as a man of trust. At present, I employ a private as orderly to keep the money of the account in the Mesteiias Fund, and for this reason he is

32 40 usually employed in writing, but if it is not to Your Lordship's liking that he continue in this duty, I will order him to withdraw. The latter was one of those included among those who performed no service and who had been issued no mounts, and when I took possession I ordered him to work in the guard. He is called Vizentte de la Cuestta, of European birth, very trustworthy and quiet, but I feel that he cannot bear the rigors of the field, nor has he had any other duties in this company than writing with Yanze in the office of my predecessor, Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco. All of this I report to Your Lordship for your information, and so that in its light you might instruct me whatever is to your liking.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 10, 1791==Sr. B[rigadi]er and Commandant General Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 23v-25v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 37 Texas attaches the / /26 strength reports and daily logs for the company under his command corresponding to the month of February last. Senor Commandant General==I attach to Your Lordship the strength reports for this company under my command, and / /26 the daily logs corresponding to the month of February last, the latter detailing the events that occurred and the former the duties in which the troops have been employed.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 25v-26 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 38 Texas reports that the Lipan Indians have been coming to the presidio and mission of S[a]n Antt[oni]o and to the [presidio] of La Bahia in the parties and numbers that he states. They have moved to the site of Los Arroyos next Senor Commandant General==The Lipan Indians have been coming to this presidio and the mission of S[a]n Anttonio, as well as to the [presidio] of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto according to reports from the lieutenant in command there. He affirms that parties of the former visited him on six occasions, five of them [involving] twenty or less Indians, and on the 9 th of the current [month] the other [visit], numbering a hundred of both sexes, and that they were moving to the site of Los Arroyos. The corporal of the company of the aforesaid presidio, Thomas de la Garza, has just told me that this is next to the Nueces River and places where they have lived in the past. This individual has brought me a captive who was with the aforesaid Indians and who managed to join another Spanish

33 41 to the Nueces River, according to the report of Corporal Tomas de la Garza, who delivered to him a captive from Revilla named Juan Josse Nolasco Rodriguez, whom he has at his house until an occasion arises to send him to his relatives. And he reports that the Comanches and Tancahues attacked the Lipanes, killing two peones and taking their horses, with a loss of one gandul on the part of / /26v the former. boy and come to the mission of Rosario. He is from the town of Revilla, is named Juan Josse Nolasco Rodriguez, aged from 10 to 12 years, and served as a goatherd for Don Jacintto Pena. He is staying at my house until the occasion arises to send him to / /26v his relatives. And the aforesaid corporal reports that the Comanches and Tancahues attacked the Lipanes, killing two peones and taking their horses, while the former lost one gandul, which I report to Your Lordship for your information.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Antt[oni]o de Bexar, March 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 26-26v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 39 Texas reports that because of the rainstorm Chief Quiscatte was detained, and in his latest meeting said that the Comanches had withdrawn to Santta Fee to receive their captives, which they had decided to do after they attacked the Lipanes. With this development it is not easy to invite them to force the former to return to their old lands. He discusses what is important Senor Commandant General==Because we have experienced a rainstorm, Chief Quiscatte and the other Indians whom I mention in an official letter of the 10 th of the current [month], No. 35, have been detained until now. For this reason they have continued their visits, and in the latest one [Quiscate] told me that the Comanches had withdrawn toward the villa of Santta Fee in New Mexico for the purpose of receiving their captives, but that they had decided to do that after they had attacked the Lipanes. In view of this development, it is not easy to invite them to join our arms to force the former [i.e., the Lipanes] to return to their old lands. Thus, as long as these Indians do not accept the agreements made by the upper group, it becomes necessary-as soon as the emissaries to whom Your Lordship issued a passport shall appear-to give fulfillment to your superior order. In this case, it would be useful for Your Lordship to order reinforcements for this expedition [MS insert: "with troops from your province and from the Colonia (de Nuevo Santander) because"] they are assigned to various duties, such as the horse herd, escorts, and the mails, and because I believe it necessary to continue with those [duties] since, once the Indians are aware of the movement of

34 42 in these particulars so that he might be given aid in the case of proceeding to carry out your order. our / /27 forces, they will continue with their piratry and refuse to submit to keeping their word, as we desire. In this case I believe it best to pursue them doggedly with no respite until we subject them to the just domination of His Majesty. All of this I report to Your Lordship in my desire for success.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, March 14, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 26v-27 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 40 Texas, in reply to an order of the 4 th of the current [month], reports what is important regarding the aims of Ygnacio Perez. He reports the scarcity of cattle and his reason for having prohibited their export, and attaches a copy of the official letter of the senor bishop of the Nuevo Reyno de Leon. Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship informs me by your official letter of the 4 th of the current [month], which I have received today from soldiers from the presidio of Rio Grande, that Ygnacio Perez, a citizen of this villa, came to you exhibiting the credit that he has pending in the villa of Salttillo, which he cannot cover until he is repaid about 400 head of cattle that are owed him by several individuals of this community. You instruct me to permit them to go out and round them up, and that [Perez] can export them, paying the duties as stipulated. The afore-mentioned Perez failed to mention to Your Lordship that the prohibition against the export of breeding cows is due to the scarcety that has been noted among them, as I have told Your Lordship in an official letter of the 10 th of the current [month], Number 33, and in other previous ones to the most excellent senor viceroy and the prede- 27v cessor of Your Lordship. Their approval was earned by my action, based on [the fact] that these settlers were losing the cattle necessary for their sustenance. Those indebted to Perez have no other cattle than the orexanas, and they are not raisers who might be able to claim some right to round them up. In addition to that (according to my understanding), Perez has had all the bovine cattle he might own seized by one of the magistrates of this place, and even the list of his debtors, as I have been informed by Don Josseph Anttonio Saucedo, to whom all auttos are directed. The obligations that Perez might have created in Saltillo were with the satisfaction and confidence that he would make their payment with the cattle that he rounded up, convinced that he would enjoy the same freedom as before, without reflecting that the disorder with which they had operated was to create the need for a new rule. His debtors are in these same circumstances, since neither

35 43 they nor the former have any other known asset than that of catching cattle, and do not expend any other labors that might bring them advantages for their subsistence. But not for this have they been prohibited from exporting bulls / /28 and yearlings, much less have they been denied permits to round up and slaughter for their subsistence, although whenever I have had doubts or justifiable suspicions I have asked for information from the members of the ayunttamientto of this villa, and from what they said I have made my rulings. I did not know of the petition of Ygnacio Perez, but since they [i. e., the townspeople?] withhold the truth in their statements, and I told them publicly that I desired for Your Lordship to be present to become aware of the sad condition in which this province exists, and of the state of the aforesaid cattle, they could well have been convinced that I was motivated by no other interest than their very welfare, to preserve what they need [by] eliminating abuses and disorder. I have discussed with Your Lordship the proper duties of my post, but any time Your Lordship tells me to lift the aforementioned prohibition and allow Perez and other individuals of these communities the freedom to round up mestena cattle and export them, I will carry out your superior order, and be free of any charge that might result against me. Finally, the attached copy will in- / /28v form Your Lordship of the complaint of the most illustrious diocesan bishop, who it seems had foreseen the very thing that is happening now.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 16, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 27-28v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 41 Texas acknowledges receipt of an official letter of the 11 th of the current [month] of March and the packet that it encloses, which he says he forwarded to the Senor Commandant General==On today's date I have received Your Lordship's official letter of the 11 th of the current [month], with the packet to which it refers. I forwarded it to the lieutenant at the presidio of La Bahia, Don Manuel de Espadas, as Your Lordship instructs, so that he might be aware of the results of his request to marry D[on]a Maria Gerttrudes Carrasco.==Our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 16, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava.

36 44 commander of the presidio of La Bahia, as Your Lordship instructs. [C., 28v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 42 Texas replies to an order of March 11 and makes reference to official letters of the 10 th and 14 th of the same [month], Nos. 38 and 29. He reports his thoughts on the matter of the relocation of the / /29 Lipan Indians, and their having withdrawn to the site of Los Arroyos, and other [matters] to which he refers according to the report of Corporal Garza and of the captive, so that in their light he might be given the appropriate instructions. Senor Commandant General==In reply to Your Lordship's order of the 11 th of the current [month] I must first point out to your superior authority that in an official letter of the 10 th of the same [month], No. 38, I reported to Your Lordship on the visits made by the Lipan Indians to this presidio and that of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, without omitting the report made by Corporal Tomas de la Garza with his delivery of the captive Juan Josse Nolasco Rodriguez, who came from among the Lipanes, and the [news] / /29 that the latter had withdrawn from the place they were staying to that of Los Arroyos, next to the Nueces River, and places where they made their residence in previous times. This news makes us believe that these Indians have made their withdrawal because they were visited by the brother of Chief Chiquitto, who told them of the peace treaty celebrated by the Upper [Lipanes]. On top [of that] the captive says that the aforesaid Indians had decided to go to S[a]n Saba to join the people of Xabielillo. In view of the above, and even though I lack the resources that I discussed with Your Lordship in an official letter of the 14 th of the current [month], No. 39, I would prepare to set out with whatever detachment I might possibly [muster] to carry out your order. But since these Indians have done no harm since before my arrival at this capital, I would not wish to fail in hospitality, but rather that success should hang on the wise decisions of Your Lordship. My own [resolution] stands ready to act, whether it be with the troops that I can put together in this province / /29v under my command, or joined with the aid of those [troops] that Your Lordship might please to order provided to me. Until this arrives in Your Lordship's hands, I shall devote myself to telling the Indians who are at the mission of S[a]n Anttonio whatever is necessary in accord with your instructions so as to have no obstacle to setting out, although recently another five have been added, including the Indian Rivera. Thus, it will be necessary to give a little time so as not to risk our success.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 16, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava.

37 45 [C., 28v-29v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 43 Texas attaches a copy of the letter of the most excellent senor viceroy that deals with the inventory of the property of the Rosario mission, and asks for a declaration on the matter consulted in a letter of January 23. Senor Commandant General==I attach to Your Lordship a copy of the reply that the most excellent senor viceroy saw fit to dictate in view of the official letter that I sent to him on January 14 last, Number 42, with a copy of the inventory of the property of the mission of Nuesttra Senora del Rosario, the same that I forwarded to Your Lordship's hands with a letter of the 23'd of the same [month], Number 10. Since we are awaiting the declarations that I consider to be conducive to / /30 proceeding with success, I will be grateful if Your Lordship instructs me what is best so as, in its light, to put into action whatever is your greatest pleasure==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 28, 1791==Senor Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 29v-30 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 44 Texas reports that the Lipan Indians are at the N ueces River, and that he was told that four other chiefs were camped on the meadow of the aforesaid river. Four of the Upper Lipanes were at the rancheria, or village, of Zapata Sas. He says he has ordered the greatest vigilance to observe their movements, despite the fact that they have done no harm since they agreed to peace with his predecessor, and that it would be good to observe the same / /30v [practice1 on the frontier. Senor Commandant General==In an official letter of the 16'h of the current [month], Number 42, I reported to Your Lordship on the development that occurred with the Lipan Indians because they had changed their location and moved to the places that I mentioned to Your Lordship. Since that date there has only been a report that they are now located at the Nueces River and that camped on the meadow by this river were four chiefs who likely are from the Upper [Lipanes] and traveling to hold their gatherings. The same understanding was given by two Indians who appeared on the 21" and even / / 30v added that at that rancheria there had been another four [chiefs] of the village of Xavielillo. It can be inferred that this was the reason for their having moved to the Nueces. In trying to verify the truth of this report, I took the measure of asking the commander of the presidio of La Bahia, who reconnoitered this capital for the purpose of familiarizing himself for the planned expedition, if Your Lordship sees fit, and he replied to me that it is true that four of the Upper Lipanes had been at the rancheria, or village, of Zapatto Sas, and that he had sent [men] to observe their movements in accord with my instructions in order to be aware of the current location of the aforesaid Lipanes, thus to be able to act knowledgeably at the first order we might receive. It is not possible to determine the purpose of these Indians in changing their territory, much less the reason that leads them to join together, and there- / /31 fore I have instructed

38 46 [everyone] to be on the highest alert and to observe their movements, even though they may not have caused any harm since they made the peace agreement with my predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco. It would be good to observe this same precaution in the garrisons and towns of the frontier, to be prepared against whatever cunning they might wish to attempt as a result of their gatherings. All of this I report to Your Lordship for your information and so that you might make the judgment that serves your greatest pleasure.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, March 28, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 45 Texas reports that on the night of the 22 0d of the current [month], an escape was attempted with the Indian of the Tahuacan Nation by the captive ransomed from the Comanche Chief Soxas, for which reason, and what was told him by the aforesaid Tahua- / /31 can, he ordered him held at the jail with feet in the stocks until he can be sent to Lt. Col. Don Miguel de Emparan. Senor Commandant General==On the 22nd of the current [month] in the evening, I was informed by the [soldado] distinguido, Don Andres Courbiere, and the interpreter of the Comanche tongue, Private Francisco Chaves, / /31v that the captive ransomed from the chief of the same [nation] called Soxas, was trying to escape with another Indian of the Tahuacan Nation, and that they had taken from the house of the former a lance and other things that he had hidden. In view of this report, I told them not to lose sight of [the two Indians]' and a short time later the afore-cited Chaves said that the captive could not be found, but that he had a young man at his house taking care of the Tahuacan. [The latter] offered to go indicate the place where they had agreed to meet in order to flee, which he did, and [the captive] was found in a corner where a pig was kept. He was sent under guard and put with feet in the stocks to guard against his aforesaid flight, which was confirmed by the Tahuacan himself saying that they were going to steal some horses, and that as long as the captive was free he would try to flee. There is no doubt of this, given his disagreeable nature, which it has no been possible / /32 for the afore-mentioned Chaves to subdue, despite the great efforts he has made to keep him content until he was sent to Lieutenant Colonel Don Miguel Josseph de Emparan. This will be done as soon as the detachments of troops are gathered, so as to avoid any contingencies.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, February [i.e., March?] 28, 1791==Senor Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792]

39 47 46 Texas remits the strength reports and daily logs for La Bahia corresponding to the month of February. Senor Commandant General==After having put the correspondence in the mail, I received the strength reports and daily logs for the month of February corresponding to the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, which I am forwarding to your hands with the letter that also accompanied them. In them are shown the duties in which the troops were employed and the events that occurred in the past month of of February.==Our Lord, etc. S[a]n Ant[oni]o de Bexar, March 28, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 32 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] / /32v 47 Texas reports being visited by the Lipan Indian called "El del Balazo" with one gandul, who handed him the passport and letter from Your Lordship, with all else that he reports. Senor Commandant General==I have just been visited at this moment by the Lipan Indian called "El del Balazo" [Wounded by Gunshot] with another gandul. He handed me Your Lordship's official letter of the 6 th of the current [month] and showed the passport from Your Lordship. He says that although the people of the Lower Lipanes have moved from the place where they were living, he is going directly after Zapatto Sas and the other chiefs to discuss with them what you told Chief Josse Anttonio, so that they should go to speak with him and proceed to the places Your Lordship has designated for them. For this purpose they have asked me for two soldiers to accompany them, which I will provide to them in case they do not agree to go alone. They say through the interpreter that they already have spoken with some, who have promised to do no harm anywhere, and that they will return to report to me on what results with the other Lipanes with whom ["El del Balazo"] is going to speak at the Nueces River. I report this to Your Lordship for your information, and will be / /33 sure to report all else that they might produce.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, March 28 at seven in the evening, 1791==P.S.==These Indians have asked me for two bridles and two hats, which were given to them, and they want to have handed over to them a little Indian girl whom my predecessor, Captain Don Rafael Marttinez Pacheco, had ordered placed at the Espada mission. They are seeking this perhaps because her mother is present at the mission of S[a]n Anttonio, and I am inclined to order her handed over in case I cannot convince them through my arguments, such that they might not have any reason that might serve them as an

40 48 evasion to fail to carry out what Your Lordship has told them. I inform you of this for your information and so that you might instruct me whatever is your pleasure, and excuse the expression of this [letter] since everything has been done piecemeal because these Indians are present. [C., 32v-33 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 48 The governor / /33v of the province of Texas reports that on March 29 departure was made from that presidio for the rancheria of the chief of the Lipan Nation, Zapatto Sas, by two Indians of the same [nationl, one of them named "El del Balazo," and the brother of Chief Chiquitto, who visited him on the 28 th with a passport from Your Lordship, on which he reported in a letter of that date. He says that the alferez at the presidio of La Bahia, Don Fran [cislco Vazq[uelz, told him that Corporal Fran[cislco Galan [sic1 returning from the villa of Laredo, at the site of Arroyo Blanco, recognized the track of about 90 Indians on horseback, and at the [place1 called El Sacram[enlto another one of Senor Commandant General==In an official letter of March 28 / /33v last, Number 47, I reported to Your Lordship that I had been visited, with your passport, by the Lipan Indian known as "EI del Balazo" and another gandul, who said he was going after Zapatto Sas and the other chiefs of the Lower Lipanes to tell them what Your Lordship told Chief Josse Anttonio and that they should go to the places that have been designated for them. For this purpose they asked me for two soldiers, and on the same night of the afore-cited day they were given two bridles and two hats, which I reported to Your Lordship in the afore-mentioned official letter. On the 29 th of the same [month] they prepared to set out for the Nueces River without any soldiers, asking that they be given provisions and cigars. After ["EI del Balazo"] took his leave, the gandul who was accompanying him sought to separate himself from "EI del Balazo," and when he was alone with me he presented me another passport from Your Lordship, in which this Indian is called the brother of Chief Chiquitto. In view of this news, I asked him if he were the brother of the aforesaid chief, and what mission did he have, and he answered-in the Spanish language-yes to the first question, and to the second, that they had told me already that they were going to speak with Zapatto Sas, that there was no longer any wrong thinking [malas cabezas]' and that they would return to see me. If they were not able to do so, they would go to advise Chief Josse Anttonio so that he might go with them to see Your Lordship, as they had been ordered [to do]. Alferez Don Fran[cis]co Vazquez, who was left in com- / /34 mand at the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, says in his message that Corporal Francisco Galban, who returned from Laredo [after] escorting the p[adr}e director of missions, reported to him that at the Arroyo Blanco he recognized a scattered track of about 90 individuals on horseback, and at the place called EI Sacramentto, another [track] of more than a hundred Indians, and finally on this side of the Nueces

41 49 more than a hundred, and that finally near the Nueces River he encountered about 200 Lipanes, with whom was Chief Josse Ant[oni]o, who told him that downriver four chiefs were encamped. He reports that two Indians have fled the mission of S[a]n Josse and taken two horses, and that he was visited by eleven Comanches, who departed on this date after receiving their gift. River he encountered two hundred Lipanes, more or less. With them was the afore-mentioned Josse Anttonio, who told the aforesaid corporal that camped downriver were four chiefs. I report this news to Your Lordship so that in its knowledge you might please to instruct me whatever is to your greatest pleasure. In the district of this province and of this capital, I have received no other news than that of the flight of two individuals from the mission of S[a]n Josse, who took two horses from the citizen Julian de Arocha, and having been visited on the 2 nd and 3'd of the current [month] by eleven Indians of the Comanche Nation. After receiving their gift they withdrew on today's date, accompanied by a party of soldiers until they were out of this vicinity, in order to guard against trouble as much as possible.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 49 The governor / /34v of the province of Texas attaches a copy of the report made to him by the ayunttamientto of the villa of S[a]n Fern[ an] do that shows the condition of the mesteno cattle, in case it should be added to the expe [dienjte that he cites in official letters of March 10 and 16, Nos. 33 and 40. Senor Commandant General==In order to determine the condition of the mesteno cattle of the district of this capital, and not limit / /34v the permits that the citizens seek continuously from this government to round them up, I thought it wise to ask for a report from the ayunttam[ien]to of this villa, so as to increase or restrict them in its view. And in its view resulted what can be seen following the aforesaid order, as shown in the attached copy. I am sending the latter to Your Lordship's hands in case it needs to be added to the expedientte to which I refer in an official letter of March 10, No. 33, which indicates the report and documents contained in it relating to amounts in the Mestenas Fund-and to what I pointed out to Your Lordship in a letter of the 16 th of the afore-mentioned [month of] March, No. 40-because it seemed to me important that Your Lordship be aware of all these particulars and bring them to the attention of the senor accesor of the commandancy general, as you instructed me in an order of February 9 last, and order this government what method it is to observe henceforth regarding the export of mesteno cattle from the province, the crediting of permits to the citizens of this villa, and the collection of the duty assigned for each head [of cattle] according to its category, along with what they owed in the time of Colonel Don Domingo Cavello, and what they

42 50 owe from the [time] of Captain Don Rafael Martt[ine]z Pacheco. These declarations reflect the thoughts of the current governor to avoid impertinent petitions that molest the superior authority of Your Lordship, and to proceed in the proper manner.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. / /35 Commandant General B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 50 Texas reports having received a copy of a royal order from Sr. Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro, named commandant general of the Eastern Provinces, to whom he says he gave recognition and sent reports. / / 35v [Blank] Senor Commandant General==Sr. Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro, in an official letter of March 19 last, has sent me a copy of the royal cedula of the proximate past 30 th of June, in which His Majesty confers upon him the post of commandant general of the Eastern Provinces and subinspector of their troops. {Castro] instructs me to give him recognition to the officers, troops, and whoever else it may concern in this jurisdiction under my command, which I did, issuing my orders as of the 1" of the current [month]. For this purpose, I am forwarding to this new commander the strength reports with the daily logs for the afore-cited month of March, and am notifying him of the flight of the two Indians from the mission of S[a]n Josse, the departure of the nine Comanches, and the location of the Lipanes. All of this I report to Your Lordship for your intelligence.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava. [C., 35 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] //36 Year of 1791 Continuation of Correspondence with the Senor Commandant General of the Eastern Provinces Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. No.1 Senor Commandant General==On the 1" of the current [month] I received Your Lordship's official letter of March 19 last with the certified copy of the royal cedula of the Texas acknowled- proximate past 30 th of June, in which His Majesty deigned to ges receipt of Your confer upon Your Lordship the post of commandant general Lordship's order of March 19 that of the Eastern Provinces and sub-inspector of their troops.

43 51 includes a copy of the royal cedula of the proximate past 30 th of June, which he published at that presidio and that of La Bahia, so that they might recognize Your Lordship as commandant general of the Eastern Provinces, which will also be done at the town of Nacodoches. This royal decision has been made public at this capital and at the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto so that it might come to everyone's attention and they might recognize Your Lordship as such commandant general and obey your orders. This will be done as well at the town of Nacodoches when I send the captain in command there the respective [order]. This I report to Your Lordship in fulfillment of your order..==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 36 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No.2 Texas reports the flight of two Indians from the mission of S[a]n Jose, taking two horses from the citizen Julian de Arocha, and that on today's date nine Comanches departed of the eleven that came to / /36v visit him on the 2 nd and 3 ed and who were escorted by 8 troops to avoid trouble. On this news and the situation of the Lipanes he has reported to Sf. B rigadijer Don Pedro de Nava, to whom he sent a copy of the report on the state of mesteno cattle for the purposes he states. Senor Commandant General==In the area of the jurisdiction of this capital there has occurred no other event than the flight of two Indians from the mission of S[a]n Josse, who took with them two horses from the citizen Julian de Arocha, and the departure of nine Comanche Indians of the eleven who visited at this garrison on the second and third of the current [month] and who came for the purpose of receiving their / /36v gifts. They departed with an escort of eight troops for a distance of more than twelve leagues, for the justified purpose of guarding against any trouble. Regarding this news, the situation of the Lipan Indians, and my having been visited by two of the latter with a passport, I have made a report on today's date to Sr. Brig[adi]er Don Pedro de Nava because they relate to the messages I have sent to his hands consequent to the replies I have given to his orders. In addition, I have sent him a certified copy of the report on mesteno cattle in case it should be added to the previous ones for this department, so as to dictate the decisions that I feel necessary to proceed properly in their export and in the collection of what [the citizens] owe this account from the time of my predecessors. I do not attach copies of them [here] because I feel that Your Lordship is aware of them all through the aforesaid superior commander.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 36-36v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792]

44 52 No.3 Texas attaches the strength reports,.. review sununanes, and daily logs for the company under his command corresponding to the proximate past month of March Senor Commandant General==I attach to Your Lordship in duplicate the summaries of the review passed on the officers and other individuals of this company under my command on the first day of the current [month], as His Majesty prescribes in the Regulations for Presidios. Also attached are the strength reports / /37 and daily logs for the past month of March, in which are detailed the duties in which these troops have been employed and the events that have occurred, so that in light of both documents you might please to instruct me whatever is to your greatest pleasure.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 36v-37 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 4 Texas attaches a petition from Don Anttonio Demesieres, in which he seeks to join the company of S[a]n Antonio de Bexar, even if it be with the status of [so/dado] distnguido. Senor Commandant General==Don Anttonio Demesieres has sent me, with a letter of March 29 last, the attached petition that I am forwarding to Your Lordship's hands, with the certification that attests to his conduct. This individual has come to me affirming his good intentions to continue in the service, and mindful of the good reputation that the petitioner earned from the Most Excellent Sr. Cavallero de Croix and his late father, Lieutenant Colonel Don Attanasio Demesieres, I sought to learn about his circumstances. It turns out that I was informed that he was [a man] of great spirit and of valuable background for war because he had learned it during the time he served at the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto. This cause leads [me] to turn to Your Lordship so that, if you so please, you might grant the afore-mentioned Don Anttonio / /37v Demesieres the favor that he seeks, it remaining my responsibility to oversee his conduct and to report to Your Lordship whatever may result contrary to what he proposes.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Senor Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 37-37v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 5 Senor Commandant General==When I was at the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto carrying out an order of the most excellent senor viceroy of this New Spain, I was Texas reports hav- informed by the first lieutenant of this company, Don

45 53 ing commissioned the first lieutenant of the company to file charges for tobacco smuggling. He says that because Agusttin Ramon was involved in transporting, hiding, and stealing [tobacco?], he was secured with a pair of manacles and a shackle at the garrison, from which he escaped, leaving the manacles, while Corporal Xavier de Sosa was on guard and Private Pedro Hern[ande]z was sentinel. They were arrested, and an order was sent to the aforesaid lieutenant to gather the information. As soon as [the case] is finalized, he will send it to Your Lordship's hands so that in its view you might decide what is to your liking. Bernardo Fern[ande]z, that he had arrested one of the citizens involved in smuggling tobacco-from whom they had obtained twenty-eight manojos-and that the informer whom the alcalde de primer votto had imprisoned for another reason had escaped from the jail of this villa. In view of this, I gave him the necessary powers to pursue an indictment to its definitive [resolution]. From that, it turned out that Agusttin Ramon, of this community, was involved in the transport, hiding, and theft [of tobacco?]. I ordered the aforesaid lieutenant to imprison him in the garrison with a pair of manacles and a shackle both for the offense that I have mentioned and because he violated his sacred oaths in all his depositions, for which reason it has been necessary to multiply our efforts and to dispatch letters of justice, investing a great deal / /38 of time without being able to finalize the proceedings in order to report to the superior authorities, which is not possible to do until we receive the responses from the justices to whom those [letters] were dispatched. In this situation, it happened that on the seventh in the evening, when Squad Corporal Xavier de Sosa was on guard duty and Private Pedro Hernandez was sentinel, the aforementioned Agusttin Ramon made his escape, leaving the manacles and carrying the shackle, which they reported to me on today's date. In view of this event, the aforesaid corporal and private were ordered arrested, and I sent an order to the afore-mentioned lieutenant to gather the corresponding information. I also gave him separate instructions regarding the charge resulting against the same corporal, that the prisoner Francisco Guerra had left the jail to be with his concubine when [the corporal] also was on guard. The very moment that this case is finalized, I will forward it to Your Lordship's hands so that in view of it you might decide what is most to your liking. In the meantime, the aforesaid corporal and private will remain under arrest in the jail of the aforesaid garrison under the watch of the prison guard..==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, April 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. //39 [C., 37v-38 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No.6 Senor Commandant General==I am forwarding to Your

46 54 Texas encloses the strength report and daily logs for the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu S[an]to corresponding to the proximate past month of March. Lordship's superior hands the strength report and daily logs corresponding to the past month of March that has been sent to mine by the lieutenant commanding the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto, Don Manuel de Espadas, with an official letter of the 8 th of the current [month].==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 9, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 38v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No.7 Texas refers to official letter No. 2 that he sent to Your Lordship on the 8 th of the current [month], and says that on the proximate past 28 th of March he was visited by the two emissaries sent by Sf. Commandant General Brig adijer Don Pedro de Nava. On the 29 th, after receiving their gifts, [the latter] set out for the rancherias of Zapatto Sas and the others called Lower [Lipanes]. The citizen Don Simon de Arocha reported to him that on the night of the 11 th of the current [month] eight horses had been stolen from his ranch. Having sent a party under the command of AIJerez Don Manuel de / /39 Vrruttia, the latter returned on the Senor Commandant General==In an official letter of the 8 th of the current [month], Number 2, I reported to Your Lordship that I had sent to Sr. Brigadier Don Pedro de Nava on the same date the news of events occurring in the district of this capital, and the situation of the Indians of the Lipan Nation, as well as [the news] that I had been visited by the two emissaries of the same nation with letter and passports from this superior commander. They said they were going to explain the peace agreement that the Upper Lipanes had made. On the 28 th the aforesaid emissaries appeared, and on the 29 t ", after regaling them as I had been ordered, they set out for the rancherias of the chieftans Zapatto Sas and the others who were at the Nueces River. From that day to the present, nothing more has occurred than the report by the citizen Don Simon / /39 de Arocha that on the night of the 11 th of the current [month] eight of his horses had been stolen. After I dispatched a party of twenty-five under the command of AIJerez Don Manuel de Vrruttia, this officer returned on the sixteenth and gave me a report in which he says that according to the indications of the tracks, it seemed to him that the thieves weretancahues. On the 13 th, Chief Zapatto Sas appeared with two gandules named Aga and the brother of Rivera for the purposes contained in the attached copy. When he learned the news of the theft, [Zapato Sas?] said he was not leaving this presidio until the troops returned, in order to learn who the hostiles were who had committed the robbery. This he did until the 16 th, when Alferez Don Manuel de Vrruttia appeared and made the report referred to [above]. The afore-mentioned Zapatto Sas, at the time of his departure, promised that within the time of eight days he would bring me the two captives that were at his rancheria, and that

47 55 16 th saying that from the indications of the track, he thought the thieves were Tancahues. On the 13 th, Chief Zapatto Sas appeared with two gandules for the purposes contained in the attached copy, and he promised to bring two captives that were at his rancheria. if he did not come, he would send them. Considering that it is important that this news should reach Your Lordship's ears, I have thought it best to send it along to your hands.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 17, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 38v-39 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No.8 Texas acknowledges receipt of / /39v Your Lordship's order of March 29 last, and explains the reasons he had to suspend the sortie that Sf. B[rigadiler Don Pedro de Nava told him to undertake against the Lower Lipanes. Senor Commandant General==By You Lordship's order of March 29 last I am informed that Sr. Brigadier Don / /39v Don Pedro de Nava sent to Your Lordship the ten official letters that I sent to him-numbered 33 to 42, in which I reported on the events occurring with reference to the Lipanes consequent to the orders that he had sent to me-for no other object than that he might instruct me whatever he might please with regard to the sortie against the former. In the aforesaid order, I am told to allow time to go for the emissaries who were being sent to the Lower Lipanes so that those who favored the side of peace might separate themselves [from the others] and that [you?] had ordered them to present themselves to me to report on what resulted from the mission they were undertaking, so that we might proceed immediately to act in that knowledge. This reason, [the fact] that the Lower Lipanes had visited me frequently, and that they had withdrawn from the location where they were situated to the lands that I have reported, held me back from setting out and obliged [me] to make the reports on everything that was taking place. But in view of Your Lordship's [order] I will suspend that [sortie] and will keep the troops ready to undertake it as soon as I receive your orders.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 17, 1791==Senor Commandant General [MS: "Brigadier" deleted] Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 39-39v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No.9 Senor Commandant General==In view of Your Lordship's

48 56 Texas, in reply to Your Lordship's confidential order of the 2 nd of the current [month], says that he has prepared / /40 the entire company under his command with ready provisions for two months, and with two hundred catridges per man, as well as four horses for each and the corresponding mules to transport those supplies, with an extra horse remaining as backup for each soldier, since they lack mules. He says that when he gave the corresponding instructions to the commander at La Bahia, he replied that his captain had already sent him the original order, and that he had prepared all his troops, along with twenty citizens and ten Indians from the mission of Espirittu Santto, and that due to the lack of mules, he would add one more horse [each]. He says that few citizens can be armed due to the lack of weapons and because they confidential order of the 2 nd of the current [month], this entire company under my command has been supplied with ready provisions for two months and with two hundred cartridges per man, in accord with the instructions / /40 of Your Lordship, as well as four ready mounts for each one and the corresponding mules to carry those supplies. There is also an additional mount in reserve for each soldier, with regard to [the fact] that they lack mules, because even though the lieutenant avilittado went to seek them when he went to get the remounts, he could not obtain them for any amount of money. I gave the commander of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto the orders corresponding to what Your Lordship instructs in your afore-cited order, and in reply this officer tells me that his captain, Don Juan Cortes, had sent him Your Lordship's original order, and [that he has] prepared all of his troops, along with twenty citizens and ten Indians from the mission of Espirittu Santto, but that they lack the mule for each man as ordered and [asks] whether in its place he can add one more horse. I told him I thought it good to add one horse per man, since it was not possible to remedy the lack of mules, which is consequent to the measure I have taken for the individuals of the company under my command. In this community, only a few citizens can be armed, first, because of the lack of weapons, and second, because they are working their lands and planting corn. Thus, we can count on just thirty, while the rest remain to defend the area, although I have tried to act / /40v with the greatest reserve toward the people of this villa until the greatest need should arise, because otherwise we could not stop them from giving word to our adversaries. The Comanches are at the salt pit [salina] near to the villa of Santa Fee in New Mexico for the purpose of receiving their captives, according to what is reported by the two [Indians] from the same nation who were at this presidio on the day that I received the afore-mentioned order from Your Lordship. They set out for their rancherias with instructions to ask their chiefs if they could join our expedition against the Lipan Apaches, as soon as Your Lordship might decide to do it, and if [the chiefs] agreed to the offer, to notify me as soon as possible. They replied that they would do this, but that it would take them a few days because of the long distance to where they were.

49 57 are working their lands, for which reason only thirty are available, and that he has sought to act with reserve until a great need should arise. He says that the Comanches are at the salt pit near / /40v to [the capital of] New Mexico, along with all else that he states. In view of the above, and of [the fact] that the troops are prepared as has been stated, I see no problem in being able to act on whatever day Your Lordship sees fit to send me your esteemed orders.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, April 18, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 39v-40v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 10 Texas attaches the case brought against Corporal / /41 Fran[cis]co Xavier de Sosa and Private Pedro H[e]rn[ande]z for having let the prisoner Agustin Ramon escape from the garrison jail. Senor Commandant General==I attach to Your Lordship, in four foxas vtiles, the indictment that has been brought against the corporal of this company, Fran[cis]co Xavier de Sosa, and Private Pedro Hernandez for having / /41 made possible the escape of the prisoner Agustin Ramon, who was imprisoned at the garrison of this company for the crime of transporting, concealing, and stealing a contraband load of tobacco, which I reported to Your Lordship in a letter of the 8 th of the current [month], No.5. In them Your Lordship will note some mistakes occasioned by lack of practice, but in essence one learns that the squad corporal is to blame for the escape made by Agustin Ramon, which [blame] can be overcome if Your Lordship were to please to order that his squad [ranking?] be take from him, so as to serve as an example to the other corporals in the company. With respect to the private, it would be best to give him a discharge, as he was given during the time of Colonel Don Domingo Cavello, for the many infractions that he committed without having mended his ways, even though I am informed that he was mortified with punishments. After the afore-cited Cavello had retired from this capital, the afore-mentioned Pedro Hernandez was readmitted by his successor, Captain Don Raphael Mar[ti]n[e]z Pacheco, which I report to Your Lordship for your intelligence. Our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship many years==s[a]n Antt[oni]o de Bexar, April 19, 1791==Manuel Munoz==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Castro.

50 58 [C., 4Ov-41 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 11 Texas replies to an order of the 19 th of / /41v April, No. 4, and attaches the copy of the banda that accompanied it, with proof that it has been published. Senor Commandant General==With Your Lordship's order of April 19 last, Number 4, 1 received the copy of the / /41v vando ordered published in the capital of Mexico by the most excellent senor viceroy on the proximate past 5 th of March. 1 attach it to Your Lordship with proof that your order has been carried out, even though since the 16 th of the aforementioned [month of] April it had been published at this capital, and [I have] sent one of the two copies that His Excellency sent me to the presidio of La Bahia with an order of March 8.==Our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship many years. San Anttonio de Bexar, May 2, 1791==Senor Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 41-41v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 12 Texas replies to an order of April 22 and proves with original documents that he carried out the [order] of the r t of the same [month], giving recognition to Your Lordship as commandant general of the Eastern Provinces in light of the royal dispatch of His Majesty. He says that he sent word to Don Anttonio Demesieres of the favor granted to him to be admitted into that company as a so/dado distinguido. Senor Commandant General==ln reply to Your Lordship's order of April 22 last, 1will say: That my having sent to your hands the strength reports, daily logs, and review rosters corresponding to the month of March, and not to the adjutant inspector, was [due to] belief that with the retirement of Sr. Brigadier Don Juan de Vgalde, his order of August 12, [17]89 might have changed, but since Your Lordship orders that [the order] be observed in all its parts, 1 shall know to give it prompt fulfillment. So that there might remain no doubt that 1 have given Your Lordship recognition in this capital and at the presidio of La Bahia de Espirittu Santto as commandant general in accord / /42 with the royal statute, 1 am forwarding to Your Lordship's hands the copy that you saw fit to send to me with an official letter of the proximate past 19 th of March. By the entry made below it by the first lieutenant of this company, Don Bernardo Fernandez, one sees that it was published according to its tenor on April 1 last, and that on the same day the original was sent to the commander of the presidio of La Bahia so that he might proceed for his part to [carry out] what Your Lordship instructed on that [prior] date. This truth is proven by the original official letter of reply given to me by the afore-mentioned lieutenant in command, Don Manuel de Espadas, on the afore-mentioned 4 th of April. Thus will Your Lordship learn that, mindful of the royal statute, you were given recognition at this capital and at the

51 59 presidio of La Bahia as commandant general of the Eastern Interior Provinces, with all the other requisites and powers that His Majesty ordains. The same will be done at the town of Nacodoches when the corporal and three privates return whom I sent to its commander with the superior instructions that had come to this government. The reason for providing Your Lordship with this proof by sending the original [documents], was because I / /42v found no other [means] of fulfilling the charges that Your Lordship is pleased to give me, perhaps informed that I had not carried out in every part what was commanded in your superior order of the 19 th of the afore-cited [month of] March. I sent notification to Don Anttonio Demesieres of the favor that Your Lordship has pleased to grant him so that he might be admitted into this company with the rank of [soldado] distinguido, since there is none at present.==our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship many years. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 4, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 41v-42v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 13 Texas replies to an order of April 19 dealing with His Majesty's prohibition against anyone other than his troops wearing a uniform, and with the favor that Your Lordship dispenses to every citizen to wear it without the collar, if they have a horse and the armaments that are mentioned. He says he sent it to the alcaldes ordinarios of that capital, who made a copy so as to see / /43 to its fulfill- Senor Commandant General==On April 29 last I received Your Lordship's order of the 19 th of the same [month], indicated with number 5, dealing with His Majesty's prohibition against anyone other than his troops being able to wear the uniform. I made this known to the alcaldes ordinarios of this capital on the 30 th of the same [month], so that in the understanding of the favor that Your Lordship dispenses to every citizen in the use of the uniform of a presidial soldier without the coat collar, they might do so if they prove that they have horse, musket, shield [adarga], and lance at the least, with all else that Your Lordship commands. The aforesaid alcaldes made a copy in order to see to its / /43 fulfillment, and I sent it to the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu Santto so that its commander may be informed of it and make it known to the citizens of that place==our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship many years. San Anttonio de Bexar, May 4, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro.

52 60 ment, and to the presidio of La Bahia. [C., 42v-43 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 14 Texas replies to an order of April 19 and proves with documents that show he has given prompt fulfillment on the 8 th of the same [month] to the [order] of the 19 th of the previous month. He also proves with letters from the commander of the presidio of La Bahia and copies which prove that he has carried out a confidential order of the 2 nd of the afore-cited [month of] April, and that he answered it on the 18 th He asks that they be read and ordered returned if it is Your Lordship's pleasure. Senor Commandant General==In an order of the proximate past 19 th of April, Your Lordship informs me that you have been most disappointed to see my culpable omission in acknowledging to you my receipt of an order of the 19 th of the previous month, regarding the giving of recognition to Your Lordship as military, political, and economic commandant general of the four Eastern [Interior Provinces]. To this superior order, which I received on the first of the afore-mentioned [month of] April, I gave prompt fulfillment and replied that I had done so on the 8 th of the same [month], as is shown by the documents that I have sent to Your Lordship's hands with an official letter of the 4 th of the current [month], No. 12. Your Lordship also reminds of your confidential order of the 2 nd of the afore-cited [month of] April, to the effect that all the troops of the company under my command be provisioned for two months and armed with two hundred cartridges for each soldier, having ready four horses and one / /43v mule. This order did not come to me by relays [cordillera], but was delivered to me at this post office on the 15 th of the same [month of] April, and on the 18 th I replied to Your Lordship in official letter No.9. I dispatched [it] with a corporal and private from this company to the presidio of Rio Grande, and it can be seen by the first copy and the second that it arrived in the hands of the captain of that presidio, Don Josse Maria Tovar, which I attach for Your Lordship so that you might please to do me the honor of forming the proper judgment in view of them. As proof that my reply was in accord with the one given to me by the lieutenant in command at La Bahia, Don Manuel de Espadas, I attach to Your Lordship the original official letter Number 1 with the copy of its reply. The former shows that on the very 15 th that I received Your Lordship's confidential order, I sent an official letter to the aforementioned Espadas. This officer replied to me on the 17 th and on the 18 th of the afore-cited [month of] April, and after [I] had reported to Your Lordship, he sent me the official letter that I attach under Number 2, and to which followed the reply that I

53 61 thought most appropriate to quieting the umest / /44 of those citizens. In it, I instructed him to report as needed about what resulted, and since he made no reports at all, I must believe that my warnings silenced all the umest. For this reason, I did not report that news immediately to Your Lordship, but if you consider that I have erred in this as well as in suppressing in those citizens the spirit of Your Lordship's confidential order, I declare that I have had no other aim than that [the public] should not know about the expedition that had been planned, and that word should not reach our enemies. In these matters, little loyalty is maintained, and for this reason I sent the official letter contained in copy Number 3, which is the one to which the afore-mentioned Espadas made reply on the 17 t ", as Your Lordship will see in the aforesaid official letter Number 1. I might have failed to make some reply, but this is likely due to the holdup of the mails-as happened to me with an order from the most excellent senor viceroy of January 19 last, which was delivered to me by the postmaster on the proximate past 29 th of April, which is shown by the certification that [the postmaster] gave me in evidence-or because I am hindered by the grave matters in which / /44v I am dealing by order of His Excellency. But not for this reason have I failed to send timely reports and reply to the orders that are sent to me.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 5, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 43-44v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 15 Texas replies to a letter of April 23, and explains why the request accompanying the report on gunpowder consumption had no number. He says that he has decided that the troops who are to escort Captain Pacheco should condud the afore- Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship tells me in your official letter of April 23 last that my [letters] Numbers 7, 8, and 9 of the 17 th and 18 th of the same [month] have arrived in your hands, as well as the one that was attached in duplicate to the report on on consumption of gunpowder and the corresponding request seeking the order of payment to complete what should be in stock for this company. The lack of a number comes from [the fact] that it was in triplicate, because the first one went to the adjutant inspector, Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueva, to whom was sent the request in accord with a form [used] by my predecessor. He returned it to me, saying it had to be addressed to the senor commandant general, which I did in the return mail. And having merited no response whatsoever, I was forced to send Your Lordship another [copy] of the one of the 18 th of the

54 62 said ingredients, and if there is a delay with this officer, he will dispatch a party for that purpose. same [month]. In this regard, and having been told by / /45 Your Lordship that you will send an order at the first opportunity to the governor of Coahuila to make the delivery of gunpowder to the corporal whom I commissioned to receive it, I have decided that the troops who are to escort Captain Don Rafael Mar[ti]n[e]z Pacheco-as ordered by the most excellent senor viceroy (at whose order I have sent my own to him on the 2 nd of the current [month] so that he might begin his journey to the capital of Mexico)-should transport the aforesaid ingredients, and should there be a delay with this officer I will try to dispatch a sufficient party for that purpose.==our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship many years. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 6, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 44v-45 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 16 Texas encloses the petition of Josse Ygnacio de Cuellar, having completed the report as ordered in a decree of April 16. Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship having ordered me in a decree of the proximate past 16 th of April that I familiarize myself with what Josse Ygnacio de Cuellar states in his petition, I thought it wise to ask the members of the ayunttamientto of this villa on the 2 nd of the current [month], because I had no knowledge of the afore-cited Cuellar. As a consequence they produced what appears as their report following my order, which I forward to Your Lordship's hands so that in view of it you might know that / /45v your superior order has been carried out, and you might instruct me whatever is your pleasure.==our Lord, etc. San Antt[oni]o de Bexar, May 6, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 45-45v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] Copy The King==Don Ramon de Casttro, colonel in my royal armies and thenientte de rey of the garrison of S[an]to Domingo on the Island of Hispaniola: Given the departure of Brigadier Don Juan de Vgalde, commandant general of the Eastern Interior Provinces in New Spain, I have decided, in light of the merits, services, and intelligence that attend you, to appoint you as such commandant general of the [Provinces] and sub-inspector of their troops, with strict subordination to the instructions and orders issued to you by the viceroy of the same kingdom in the military as well as political and economic matters of that command, without

55 63 making any innovations. I trust [that] in your zeal and devotion to my service you will know how to carry out this important duty, which by its constitution requires an experienced officer such as yourself. Therefore, I order all present governors, military officers, soldiers, and inhabitants in all the afore-mentioned Interior Provinces, and all other persons whom it might concern to hold, recognize, and obey as such commander general of them by virtue of this, my royal cedula, or a copy of it, which you should send, as soon as you take possession of the afore-cited command, to all the governors of your jurisdiction / /46 and other officials and persons employed in the royal service as proper, such that without the slightest duplication or contradiction, they might follow your orders and have them carried out punctually in their respective districts, for this is my will And so that there may be no obstacle whatsoever because of the lack of one of the principal requisites for the authorization of the afore-mentioned post, I wish for you to take the oath that you will execute it well and faithfully under the authority of my viceroy of the aforesaid kingdom of New Spain. And I order the intendant of the province that it might concern to see that you are paid promptly the salary of eight thousand pesos that with regard to the same post you should begin to enjoy from the day of the cumplase for this, my royal cedula, because by virtue of your receipts or letters of payment there will be entered into account what is paid to you for this purpose, without the need for another intrument for its legitimate entry. And [the entry] will be registered in my General Accounting Office for the Indies and in those [offices] in New Spain that it concerns. Given at Aranjuez on the thirtieth of June of seventeen hundred ninety.==i, the King==Manuel de Negrette y de la Torre.==His Majesty confers the commandancy general of the Eastern Interior Provinces of New Spain upon Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro.==An entry was made at the / /46v General Accounting Office for the Indies== Madrid, July 2, 1790==Because the senor general accountant is indisposed==lorenzo de Vsoz [?]==Mexico, November 1, 1790==Let fulfillment be given to [cumplase] what His Majesty orders in this royal document and when it has been registered at the Royal Tribunal of Accounts and by the officials of the royal treasury in [San Luis] Potosi, it will be returned to the interested [party] for the use and practice of his duties==ei Conde de Revilla Gigedo==An entry has been made in one of the official ledgers of the supreme government and War [ministry] under my charge, to which I refer==mexico, February 4, 1791==Orizaba==Royal Tribunal of the Superior Accounting Office and Audiencia of Accounts, February 1, 1791==Let it be registered==signed with a rubric==a copy of the preceding royal dispatch has been

56 64 entered in the Portfolio for Troops Number 4 [of the] Desk of Statements and Balances of the Superior Accounting Office and Audiencia of Accounts, February 1, 1791==Pedro Maria de Montterde==Don Juan Mar[ti]n[e]ez de Soria, of His Majesty's Council, Honorary Secretary, Chief Oerk for Administration and War of this New Spain==I certify that Sr. Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro, upon whom His Majesty has conferred the post of commandant general of the Eastern Interior Provinces in the royal appointment in the preceding foxas, appearing in person in the presence of the Most Excellent Senor Viceroy, Governor and Captain General, etc., placing his hand on the sword according to his privilege [fueroj, he took the oath that I received from him in all formality to serve the aforesaid post well and faithfully, to be at the orders of His Excellency, and to defend the mystery of the / /47 Immaculate Conception of Our Lady the Virgin Mary. In proof of it, I give the present [certification] in Mexico, February 1, 1791==Juan Josse Mar[ti]n[e]z de Soria==At the General Accounting Office of the Royal Treasury under our charge, an entry has been made for the preceding royal cedula. San Luis Pottos!, March 7, 1791==Juan Banfi==Christoval CorbaI<in==This is a copy: Saltillo, March 19, 1791==Casttro==This was made known by order of the senor governor of this province of Los Texas, and in evidence thereof I signed it at this royal presidio of S[a]n Ant[oni]o de Bexar on April 1, 1791==Bernardo Fernandez==Since the foregoing royal order has been published, let it be sent on this day to the lieutenant in command of the presidio of La Bahia, Don Manuel de Espadas, with an official letter so that he might proceed to give recongnition to Sr. Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro es commandant general of these provinces as His Majesty commands. Let him retain a copy and return the original so that it may be filed with this government. Bexar, April 1, 1791==Munoz==File this: Bexar, April 6, 1791==Rubric. [CO c., 45v-47 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] These are copies of the originals, which I certify, as well as [the fact that] I have sent them to the senor commandant general with an official letter of May 4, Number 12, enclosing the original from Don Manuel de Espadas of April 4. Bexar, May 4, 1791, which is the same date as the afore-cited [letter] No. 12. Munoz [Rubric] [D. S., 47 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792]

57 65 / /47v No. 17 Senor Commandant General==On today's date I have received Your Lordship's order of April 30 last, devoted to the method that is to be observed to secure all military plazas. I will make it known to the officers of this company and forward it to those of the presidio of La Bahia so that in its knowledge they give it prompt fulfillment. Nevertheless, the citizens of one town and the other have the obstacle of being unable to maintain a horse because there is a short supply of serviceable ones, and they are forced to suffer the scarcities that have not been experiencd in other provinces. Until my arrival at this [capital] they had not even learned to care for their horses, and thus the troops had performed this work. [Note: Letter ends here without the usual formalities] [C., 47v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] [Ch. in h.] No. 18 Texas attaches the strength reports and daily logs for his company for the month of April. I attach to Your Lordship the strength reports and daily logs corresponding to the month of April, by which Your Lordship will note the duties in which these troops have been employed and the events that have occurred during the same month. Our Lord keep the important life of Your Lordship the many years that I pray. S[a]n Antt[oni]o de Bexar, May 8, Sr. Commandant General. [C., 47v p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 19 [Ch. in h.] The governor of Texas attaches to Your Lordship the strength report and duplicate daily logs for the presidio of La Bahia for the month of April. I forward to Your Lordship's hands the strength report / /48 [MS: Ch. in h. at this point] for the company of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu S[an]to, and in duplicate, the daily logs corresponding to the month of April that have been sent to my own [hands] by the lieutenant in command, Don Manuel de Espadas==Our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 9, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 47v-48 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 20 Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship tells me in an

58 66 Texas, responding to an order of April 19 last, explains the reasons for the arrest of the citizen Fran[cislco Guerra, and the [reasons1 he had not to file the appropriate charges, and encloses the original of the bail issued by Don Tomas Travieso in order to set him free. order of April 19 last that I should remit the originals of the proofs or justifications that I might have made regarding Fran[cis]co Guerra's having said he wanted to take my life, and that I should explain why he has been made to suffer such a long imprisonment. In compliance, let me make reference to the cause that led to the arrest of Fran[cis]co Guerra, for which purpose I shall summarize it in the following paragraphs. The arrest of the latter carne at the request of his mother, Jossepha Flores de Abrego, because he abused his brother Mariano and tried to kill him with a horse. While he was in prison, it was reported to me on October 3 by the corporal of the prison guard, Josseph Manuel de Casttro, that because Fran[cis]co Guerra was trying to escape / /48v he had been ordered put in a fetter, in which he remained until the twenty-second of the same [month]. At seven in the evening, his wife Theresa Mireles carne to me saying that her husband had left the prison and been with his concubine Encarnacion, the wife of Vizentte Cavrera, in the carriage house of retired Captain Don Luis Menchaca, and that to prove this was true I should call the servant of Don Juachin Flores, Josse Vizentte Rodriguez, and Josse Luis Flores (alias "EI Boludo" [Dimwit]) who also were being held in the aforesaid guardhouse. And when I called the latter, they said that what Theresa Mireles had said was true, the first one adding that Guerra was saying that he would go the [Indian] nations and that he had a belduque knife under his bed. The second one [said] that he had remained in bed in the [prison], not wishing to go seek the afore-cited Guerra as he was ordered by Private Francisco Anttonio Vrruttia. For this reason, when Guerra returned to the prison I ordered him secured with two pairs of manacles because the guardhouse had no door, and we recovered the afore-cited belduque that had been reported by Josse Vizentte / /49 Rodriguez. On December 6, the wife of the afore-mentioned Guerra came to me again to complain that the latter had dragged and beaten her, torn her shoes, and broken the silver buckles on them inside the prison, to which she had been improperly admitted to groom her husband. This deed was proven by her arriving barefoot and disheveled in my presence, where I observed the signs of the beating. Without this woman leaving, I ordered the officer of the guard called, and Alferez Don Manuel de Vrruttia came right

59 67 away. I blamed him, after having heard from the aforementioned [woman] about the mistake he had made in allowing her to enter, since orders had been issued to the contrary. I sent him to recover the aforesaid buckles, which he brought and handed over to the plaintiff in my presence. These are the events that have occurred previously with Francisco Guerra, and not my supposedly having / /49v said that he wanted to take my life. And although based on those accusations I could have filed charges, I did not do so for two reasons: First, because Guerra's mother, Jossefa Flores de Abrego, came to this government with her daughter-in-law Theresa Mireles, and after the latter had stated her complaints and suspicions, to which the former had nothing to answer even though they were against her son, both of the women descended into a discussion of his faults. I ordered them to stop because it was unbecoming to their [?] honor and contrary to Guerra's [legal] procedures, and second, because of the results that it might have for his aforesaid wife, besides [the fact] that I was heavily occupied with the matters entrusted to me by the most excellent senor viceroy, and that this country lacks individuals who can be commissioned for such a purpose. So that [Guerra] might leave prison, Don Tomas Travieso came to me to post bail, as is seen in the original obligation that he issued on March 21 and which I forward to Your Lordship's hands for your information. The same Travieso / /50 reported to me on Guerra's having gone absent, and with whom the latter had met on two occasions, who doubtlessly would play the major role in his petition, which I will not discuss for now. This is all that I have to say in fulfillment of the aforesaid superior order.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 21 Texas acknowledges receipt of the order of instruction of April 30 last, which he says Senor Commandant General==Your Lordship's order of instruction of April 30 last, which I have just received, has been made known to troops and citizens of this capital, so that prompt observance may be given to everything that Your Lordship orders for the defense of every military plaza, and they may be freed from the misfortunes presented by those [plazas] open to our enemies on the frontier.

60 68 he ordered published at that capital, sending a copy to the commander at La Bahia, as he will do with the one at Nacodoches, so that prompt observance may be given to its fulfillment. I also sent a copy of [the order] to the commander of the presidio of La Bahia del Espirittu S[an]to, and will do the same to the [commander] of the town of Nacodoches, so that in its knowledge they might observe its prompt fulfiliment.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, / /50v May 8, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 50-50v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 22 Texas reports the measures taken with regard to the Indians of the North, about whom he reported on the 8 th to Adjutant Inspector Don Juan Guttierrez in reply to the order that he sent him on the 2 nd consequent to Your Lordship's [order]. He reports the events occurring with the Lipanes and encloses a copy of the report given him by the company's r t lieutenant. Senor Commandant General==Through Adjutant Inspector Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueva I replied on the 8 th of the current [month] to an order that he sent to me on the 2 nd of the same [month] consequent to Your Lordship's [order], reporting on the decisions I had made with regard to the Indians of the North, and that I had been informed in the act of replying that thirty Lipan Indians of all sexes and ages had arrived at the mission of Espada, and I ordered the first lieutenant to go there to observe their movements. When this officer had done so, he gave me the report contained in the attached copy, and before the aforementioned lieutenant had left my presence, five gandules and three women came to me and said that they had sent word to their rancherias that the Tahuayases and other nations were at the presidio of La Bahia, according to what they had heard from some Spaniards. The rest of the Lipanes were staying at the mission[s] of San Josse, Concep- / /51 cion, and San Anttonio, according to what they told me. I could see that they were somewhat suspicious, and when I read the report from the afore-cited lieutenant I found that they had also asked him whether it were true that the Spanish had fought with the Lipanes at the Rio Grande, according to what was said by the soldiers who came with the letters in which the afore-mentioned Guttierrez gave the news. And during the rest of the day that the eight of them spent at this presidio nothing occurred, until the arrival of Alferez Don Manuel de Vrruttia returning from the sweep to which he was assigned after the citizen Don Ygnacio Calvillo reported that horses had been stolen from his ranch. This news proved false, because the aforesaid horses were found, and when [Urrutia] went by the missions, the Lipan Indians who were there told him the same thing that they did to the lieutenant, and that they had sent word to their kin to withdraw from the Frio River to the Attascoso, where the

61 69 others were. In view of this news, and [of the fact] that / /51v the loads of provisions for the Indians of the North were headed for the site on the Attascoso, I sought to halt them and to send spies to reconnoiter the area around the indicated spot and notify Sergeant Treviiio so that he might inform the chiefs how they should conduct their hunting parties with awareness of the places occupied by the rancherias of the Lipanes. I also ordered mail service suspended up to now in order to avoid putting correspondence at a risk, and to see if some news might come that I could send Your Lordship regarding the whereabouts of the Indians of the North, as well as whatever observations were made by the spies I have sent for that purpose. But in case there is nothing new, tonight the mail pouch will go out, and I will report to Your Lordship on events as they occur, dispatching soldiers at all speed. In these particulars, I have sought to act with the greatest caution despite the many movements of these Indians, so as not to put at risk the advantages offered by those of the North according to their disposition, / /52 for if we achieve [success]' we could declare once and for all one [tribe] and another to be enemies, and we could, without harm to these citizens, manage to punish the Lipanes until Your Lordship might take the measures that will suffice to exterminate them.==our Lord, etc Bexar, May 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro. [C., 5Ov-52 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] No. 23 the provmce of Texas reports with the original message sent to him by the commander of the presidio of La Bahia, providing information on the true spot to which the Indians of the North were headmg. Sr. Commandant General==After the correspondence was delivered, the two privates arrived whom I had dispatched to the presidio of La Bahia so that that commander might provide information about the site of S[an]ta Rosa, it being unknown, and all else that he might observe of the Indians of the North, with a request for twenty-five men, as I have reported. In reply to all of this, the aforesaid commander has sent me the original official letter that I attach to Your Lordship so that in its light you might please to instruct me according to your liking==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 10, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro.

62 70 P.5.==I have just been visited by Josse Leonardo / /52v Sanches, a citizen of this villa, who departed from Laredo on the 6 th of the current [month of] May after having learned at that garrison about the event that occurred at S[an]ta Rosa with the Lipanes, which he confirms with a document from Don Pedro Felix Campuzano, for whom he went on service to the afore-cited [villa of] Laredo. He says that before arriving at [the] Frio River he encountered four Lipanes who made no sign at all, and that he continued his journey to the Attascoso without having seen any tracks. In view of this news, and reports to me about the withdrawal to the Arroyo de Borrego of those who had recognized the missions and this presidio, I have decided that the six loads of provisions should set out under the care of Corporal Facundo Manzolo, who tells me there is no risk. I report all this to Your Lordship for your information. This is the 10 th of May, 1791, at nine in the evening. [C., 52-52v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] [Ch. in h.] No. 24 Senor Commandant General==Yesterday, being the 11 th of the current [month], I was visited by the Comanche chief called Ojos Azules [Blue Eyes], with 13 gan- / /53 dules and 4 women, saying that they had come to learn what was ordered to be said to them by the two Indians who were at this capital until April 18, which I reported to Your Lordship in official letter No.9 of the same day. And when told that it was to punish the Apaches, [OJos Azules] replied that it was good, but that it was necessary to go do it with strong men, in consideration that the ones he had with him were boys, as I could see. Nevertheless, he [said he] would rest and decide either to go in person to call his people or to dispatch a peon, and that if he did the latter he would remain at this garrison until they came. On today's date, while awaiting the decision of the aforecited chief, it happened that I was visited by 36 Indians from the Taguacana, Yscani, Giiichita, and Quitsei Nations from [among] the spies who came scouring the countryside from south to north. They were sent by Chief Quiscate, who left for the site of S[an]ta Rita to reconnoiter the Atascoso, the Frio River, and the Nueces, as they explained through an Indian called Marcos, who says he is the brother of the aforecited Quiscate [and who was] raised in Natchitoches, and speaks the Spanish language very well

63 71 The Indians continued their harangue in the presence of the officers and said, "Weare now here at your call, now decide what is to be done. But it is necessary for you to give us a little gunpowder, because we are running short of it, to fight against the Apaches. And, look, how many soldiers will you provide us?" To this [we] replied that we already had sent Chief Quiscate tobacco, a few provisions, and other things, keeping from them the matter of the gunpowder to see if they would resolve [to help] without that supply. [When they] understood this reply, they withdrew to the xacal6n where they are lodged, and handed over 45 horses for the soldiers to take out to the countryside. After I had received the duplicates of Your Lordship's orders of the 2 nd and 4 th of the current [month], I was visited by the six [Indians] / /53v acting as leaders. They said they were of the opinion that Quiscate had already hit the Apaches at the Frio River, but that if this had not happened, then it was necessary that they be given the gunpowder that they had requested and soldiers in order to set out as soon as word carne from the afore-mentioned Quiscate or from the soldiers who took him the tobacco. To this request I replied that I would see what could be done in my desire to content them with part of what I said in an official letter of the 8 th of the current [month], which I sent to Don Juan Gutt[ie]rr[e]z de la Cueva in reply to his letter of the 2 nd of the same [month]. I showed them samples of how the rest [of the powder] had gotten soaked at the Medina River because the mule carrying the aforesaid powder had fallen, and with regard to soldiers, I told them a few would go in disguise among them. To this they replied that this was fine and that they should await word from their people who were away. Up to now I have discussed events just as they occurred for Your Lordship's intelligence, as I also report to your superior authority that the Comanche chief Ojos Azules has decided nothing at all about going himself or sending for his people to come, but he is satisfied with the 36 [Indians] who have been mentioned. At this capital and surrounding settlements no Lipan Indians have remained or been seen again, except the Indian Mariano and his wife, who are at the [mission] of S[a]n Josse, and another whom they call La Yuta, who is at the [mission] of S[a]n Anttonio, and no incidents have been experienced. I report all this to Your Lordship for your information.

64 72 Our Lord keep Your Lordship many years. S[a]n Antt[oni]o de Bexar, May 12, 1791==Senor Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Castro. [C., 52v-53v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] / /54 [Ch. in h.] Copy My Most Venerated Senor: On the 11 th of the current [month] I overtook the Tahuacan chief at the Nueces River so far down that I thought he was heading for the Colonias [i.e., Colonia del Nuevo Santander?]. He told me that he was greatly pleased to see me because he was traveling blind since a guide that the senor commander at La Bahia had provided to him on the second day of his departure had gone back, which caused all the people who were with him [the guide] to go back. But, in order to carry out the promise he made to Your Lordship, he continued on with seventy-six, including three women and two boys, and the rest, which are seventy-one Indian gandules, forty-two of them with rifles. With them he waits at this site for Your Lordship's orders. In the journey I made in search of them, I encountered at the Loma del Gordillo a Lipan who told me that his rancheria was nearby at the Attascoso. I told him that I could not go to his house because I was in search of horses that we had lost. Giving him some biscuits and cigars, I left him without malice, but as misfortune willed that these people should go astray, my intent to attack them the next day was not achieved, because when we returned those who were at your presidio had already arrived, and they broke their camp, as is seen by their tracks heading for the Frio River. I have tried / /54v with every possible skill to follow them, but I have not been able to do it, and only managed for [the Indians] to wait here to see whether Your Lordship will provide them some troops to search for them. This chief asks me to tell Your Lordship that he has covered so much territory that he would not like to return without catching up to the Lipanes; that he hopes that you will aid him to overtake them wherever they may be or may go; that since he has covered so much territory, and his horses are worn out, [he hopes] you will loan him some in order to remove the most exhausted ones; that the good horse he was riding went lame on him at La Bahia and that he exchanged it for another that has gone bad on him, [and thus he hopes] that Your Lordship will send him a separate one which these [Indians] will return to Your Lordship when they return. He is also in need of gunpowder, which he hopes you will send to him even if it is [just] four charges each. And [he hopes]

65 73 Your Lordship will see how to convince the Indians who are at your [presidio] to come with the people that Your Lordship might send. He knows that at that presidio are some Comanches, and that [you should] invite them on his behalf, because his reason for coming to pursue the [Lipan] Indians was because he had promised Your Lordship to do so. Having fulfilled his word, [he hopes] you will not let him down. The son of Chief Quiscatte who is accompanying the chief of the Tahuayases says that for his part he has come for the same / /55 purpose of fulfilling to Your Lordship the promise he gave you to seek out the Apaches and kill them. [He hopes] that you will provide them with people to assist them, and that you will not delay your actions, because they have lost much time in the wandering they have done since the departure of their guide from La Bahia. The same thing that these chiefs have told me through the interpreter is what I am writing to Your Lordship in the same words. Your Lordship will forgive so much repetition, but it is necessary so that these people might be satisfied. Private Tomas de Luna can inform Your Lordship of the effort we have exerted, and the Indians are very determined to pursue [the Lipanes], which I report to Your Lordship. Private Manuel Galban has just arrived at this place looking for me and remains with my company. With nothing else to report, I remain with the prayer that the Almighty will keep the important life of Your Lordship many years. Attascoso, at the Passo de Laredo, May 15, 1791==1 remain Your Lordship's most attentive and humble servant==anttonio Trevino==Sr. Governor of the Province, Don Manuel Munoz. [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] By your letter of the 15 th, I am informed of the ill effects created by the guide that the commander at La Bahia, Don Manuel de Espadas, provided to Chief Quiscatte and the others from the Nations of the North who were accompanying him, for which reason the / /55v people departed [with the guide] and the Tahuacan chief and his people became lost, along with the son of Chief Quiscatte, and they traveled much territory without finding the Apaches. You tell me send you the Indians who carne to this presidio and the Comanches, since they wish to go in pursuit of [the

66 74 Lipanes]. To this end, I have spoken with the thirty-six Tahuacanes [and] Yscanis and the eighteen Comanches, including four women, who were here, and immediately after I proposed it to them, they asked to be given four privates to accompany them. We have decided to do this, and they are leaving with Tomas de Luna. These soldiers are going with instructions to disguise themselves with those whom you have and to accompany [the Indians] as they intend. Thus, you are to devote full attention to forestalling the attempts of the Lipanes [to go] toward Coahuila and other provinces, so as to keep those [provinces] from harm while the senor commandant general takes other actions. [The soldiers] are carrying four charges of gunpowder for each rifleman. But if you manage for these Indians to destroy some Lipan rancherias, you will perform a service to His Majesty and to the provinces that will give reason to achieve the protection of the superior authorities to ob- / /56 tain your promotions. Ultimately, I trust in your zeal which will know how to fulfill the confidence that I have placed in your care, and because the aforesaid Luna and Borrego are fully instructed. I close asking God to keep you many years. Bexar, May 17, 1791==Manuel Munoz==Sr. Sergeant Ant[oni]o Trevino [C., pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 25 Texas attaches copies of the reports made to him by the commander of the town of Nacodoches, Don Antt[oni]o Gil Ybarvo, about the requests of the Apache called El Canoso, as well as the replies he made to the former. He says this news has given Senor Commandant General==The copies numbers 1 through 4 that I attach to Your Lordship tell about the reports sent to me by the commander of the town of Nacodoches, Don Anttonio Gil Ybarvo, dated the 26 th and 28 th of April last-as can be seen by the 1,t and 3'd [copy]-regarding the request of the Apache named EI Canoso to settle on the Trinity River and to invite the Indians of those tribes [in the area] to make war on the Tancahue Nation and others of the North, and to establish trade. In view of this news, I replied to the afore-cited Don Anttonio Gil Ybarvo what is contained in [copy] numbers 2 and four, in consideration of the great harm that would result in case the former were to make friends with the latter and were they permitted to / /56v trade, because this would involve arms and munitions. This news has given me caution, by virtue of [the fact] that

67 75 him caution, because the families of the Indians who are in search of the Lipanes have remained alone, according to what he was told by the chief of the Tahuacanes. the Tancahues, Tahuayases, Yscanis, and Giiichitas are the ones out seeking the Apaches, as I have reported to Your Lordship in an official letter of May 10, No. 22, and in those [letters] of reply that I sent on the 8 th of the same [month] to Adjutant Inspector Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueba upon receipt of the orders of the 2 nd and 4 th Against them, EI Canosos's people sought to make war because the families of the former were without Indian [warriors] to defend them, according to what I am told by the chief of the Tahuacanes, who is here with thirty-five gandules awaiting news of the whereabouts of Chief Quiscatte in order to go and join him and continue his campaign, while some of them go back to take care of their villages. I inform Your Lordship of this so that in its light you might please to instruct me whatever is to your liking.==our Lord, etc. Bexar, May 16, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 56-56v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 26 the / /57 province of Texas informs with the original report sent to him by Sergeant Anttonio Trevifio in order to learn of the results up to that date of the expedition of Chief Quiscatte. [He reports] that at evening prayer on the 17', the 50 Indians and four women, to whom he refers in the reply he made to the aforesaid Treviflo, departed and that they are pleased, [to judge] by the words they speak through the interpreter. They assure that they will make every effort to punish the Apaches, for Senor Commandant General==On today's date / /57 two privates of this company, Thomas de Luna and Marzelo Borrego, came to with the report that was sent to me on the 15 th of the current [month] by the sergeant of the presidio de la Bahia, Anttonio Trevino. I am sending the original to Your Lordship's hands along with the reply I made so that you may better learn of the results obtained up to that date by the expedition of Chief Quiscatte and the others from the Nations of the North, on which I reported to Your Lordship on the 8 th and 10 th of the current [month]. Last night at [evening] prayer the fifty Indians with the four women to whom I refer in the reply given to Sergeant Ant[oni]o Trevino departed from this presidio escorted by four privates in order to join those who are waiting at the Arroyo de Atascoso and continue seeking the Apaches, satisfied that now others have returned to take care of their villages, which was the only concern that they had according to their explanation. These Indians are pleased, [to judge] by the words they speak through their interpreter, and they assure that they will / /57v make every effort to punish the Apaches, for which purpose the Comanches asked for permission to trade their horses with the citizenry because [the horses] had been overworked, and those of the North were provided with eight, and four charges of gunpowder for each one of the riflemen, which total amounts to the eight pounds that I have reported to Your Lordship on the afore-cited dates. All of this I report

68 76 which [purpose1 the Comanches traded their useless horses with the citizemy, and the others were provided eight, and a like number of pounds of gunpowder. to Your Lordship so that you might know what has occurred up to now, for which purpose two privates are traveling to carry this [letter] to the presidio of Rio Grande.==Our Lord, etc. Bexar, May 17, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 56v-57v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 27 Texas attaches a copy of the letter sent to him by the commander at Natchitoches, Don Luis Deblanc, which should be read, and instructions given him regarding the reply which should be made. Senor Commandant General==The commander at Natchitoches, Don Luis Deblanc, sent me on the proximate past 20 th of December the official letter contained in the attached copy that [MS insert: "I have just received from"] the corporal [MS insert: "of this company"] Juan Anttonio Vrruttia. In it, he reports the intentions of the Indians of the nations of this province, and that they come continually to that post asking him for / /58 traders and gifts. This being a matter that could arise from some origin that I do not understand, I think it wise to send the aforesaid copy to Your Lordship's hands so that you can tell me what reply I should make to the afore-cited Deblanc.==Our Lord, etc. Bexar, May 17, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 57v-58 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 28# Texas r t Replies to the order of the 15 th curent and explains the reason the Lipanes were not apprehended, and that he has solicited the Comanches, whom he will assist with our forces as he is instructed. 3'd. Says [the Indians1ask him for gunpowder and Senor Commandant General==Apprised of everything I am instructed at Your Lordship's orders by Adjutant Inspector Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueva in an official letter of the 15 th of the current [month], in reply to the one I sent to Your Lordship on the 10 th of the same [month], Number 23, I shall proceed to make the [reply] contained in the following paragraphs: What appears in the postscript to my official letter No. 23 was with respect to a message sent to me by the p[adre] minister of the mission of La Espada, saying that thirty Lipanes, including women and children, had arrived there. This is the same thing I reported in a letter of May 8, in reply to an order of Your Lordship sent to me on the 2 nd of the same [month] by the aforesaid adjutant inspector. When I received this news I was in the process of replying, and I also received a letter from the priest / /58v of the [mission] of

69 77 bullets when they appear, which he has denied them consequent to an order of the most excellent senor viceroy. 8 th {Says] that there has been no other news than what is stated in the original report that is attached. S[a]n Josse, Fr[ay] Josse Manuel Pedrajo, in which he says these words: "There are three Lipan Indians here, which I report to you, because it seems I should do so because of the events that are occurring and that can continue if these [Indians] come in bad faith." Immediately, I sent my order at the bottom of the aforesaid letter to the lieutenant of this company so that he might approach S[a]n Josse cautiously and quietly to see which Indians they were. From this came the report contained in the c0/i:y I attached to Your Lordship with an official letter of the lot of the current [month], Number 22. Despite what I have stated, I would have proceeded to arrest the aforesaid Indians according to my first intention did I not have in view Your Lordship's orders, in which you just instruct me to make the greatest and most effective effort to bring in as many Comanches [as possible] for the purpose of turning back the attempts of the Lipanes [to go] toward your province-as a bulwark for the [provinces] of La Colonia and Nuebo R[ey]no de Leon-while Your Lordship could combine and regroup the troops that are now scattered. This order and that of the determination of the Nations of the North were the reason that I did not / /59 put into practice the measures that I had planned with regard to the aforesaid Lipanes, but rather pushed for their punishment and deterrence at the hands of the [Indians] of the North. To substantiate my first intention, there are twenty-five men from the presidio of La Bahia lying in ambush at the place called the Passo de los Cavallos. With these and the eighty [men] from this company, I would have accomplished the very thing that I proposed had there not developed with the Indians of the North what is stated in the messages that I have reported to Your Lordship, and [we] settled for providing the seventeen troops to accompany them in disguise. From the 17 th to today's date, I have had no other news than that stated in the copy of the report sent to me on the 18 th by Sergeant Anttonio Trevino, nor have we experienced any misfortune throught this territory. Nor [do I know] the whereabouts of the aforesaid Lipanes, who could again recognize this presidio and missions [in peace], and in this case Your Lordship will instruct me how best to deal with them, so as to proceed with success without failing to carry out your orders.

70 78 I have sought the Comanches through an Indian from among those who were accompanying the / /59v chief of the same nation called Ojos Azules. Upon the latter's return from the expedition he is on with those from the North, I will again charge him to enlist his kin to make continuous expeditions against the Lipanes. I will assist him with our forces in the manner that Your Lordship prescribes, and I will likewise with the Nations of the North. The latter and the former [both] ask for gunpowder and bullets at the times they appear at this garrison, which has been denied to them consequent to an order of the most excellent senor viceroy and of Your Lordship's predecessor, Sr. Field Marshal Don Jacovo Vgarte y Loyola. I will continue to deny it to them until Your Lordship tells me what is best regarding this point==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 22, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 58-59v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 29 Texas attaches a certified copy of an order from the most excellent senor viceroy, in which he leaves to Your Lordship's discretion whether to provide or deny supplies of arms and munitions to the Friendly Indians of the North / /60 and Comanches. He begs to be told what he should on this point, with all else that he discusses. Sr. Commandant General==In an official letter of this date I report to Your Lordship on the reason I had to deny munitions to the Friendly Indians, regarding which I have discussed what I think best with the most excellent senor viceroy, who has deigned to send me the order contained in the attached copy. In it he leaves to Your Lordship's discretion / /60 whether to provide or deny supplies of arms and munitions to the Friendly Indians of the North and the Comanches. For this reason I beseech you most humbly to please to instruct me what I should do on this point. Up to now we have denied them [arms], convincing them with gentle words and honest excuses, but we cannot fail to notice some resentment, and since this could have bad results, I took care to report [this] at the corresponding times, all of which I make known to Your Lordship for your intelligence.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 22, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 59v-60 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 30 Senor Commandant General==On the 21" of the current [month] Captain Don Rafael Marttmez Pacheco left this

71 79 Texas reports that on the 21 d Captain Don Rafael Pacheco left that capital for that of Mexico [City1consequent to an order of the most excellent senor viceroy. He was given an escort of 17 troops from that presidio and that of La Bahia, who are instructed on their return to conduct the gunpowder needed to replenish the stores of both companies. He says he is not / /60v sending the Comanche ransomed from Chief Soxas, considering the difficulties he discusses, but will do so at a more opportune time. capital for that of Mexico [City] at the order of the most excellent senor viceroy. I provided him an escort of 17 men, twelve of them from this company under my command, and five from the [company] of the presidio of La Bahia, with three more privates from the presidio of Rio Grande who had come with the duplicates of Your Lordship's [letters] of the 2 nd and 4 th of the same [month]. These troops have been instructed on their return / /6Ov to conduct the gunpowder that is needed to replenish the stores of both companies, for which purpose their avilittados have issued their commissions [nombramientos] to Sergeant Andres del Valle of this [company] of Bexar, and to Corporal Ylario Maldonado of the [company] of La Bahia. They were to escort the Comanche who was ransomed from Chief Soxas to deliver him to Lieutenant Colonel Don Miguel Josse de Emparan, according to an order from Sr. B[rigadi]er Don Pedro de Nava. But since I was warned repeatedly by of one of the women captives traveling with the afore-cited Pacheco that this was risky, I have suspended the handover until a more opportune occasion and charged the corporals of the guardhouse to keep [the Comanche] under careful guard, with a foot in the stocks, and to trust no one who is not one of the troops of the guard, so as to avoid contingencies. All of this I report to Your Lordship for your information.==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, May 22, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 60-60v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] To Guttierrez... I attach to Your Lordship the summaries of the commissary review that I passed on the officers and other individuals of this company on the first day of the / /61 current [month].==god, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, June 3, 1791==Sr. Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueva [C., 6Ov-61 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] To the same... You tell me in your official letter of May 19 last that you have received the review summaries for the same month and the preceding ones for April, and that the strength report did not correspond to this latter [month]. I sent these documents to Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro with an official letter of the Sth of the afore-cited [month] of May, No. IS.

72 80 In view of your reminder, I have thought it wise to send to your hands in duplicate the strength report corresponding to the afore-mentioned [month of] May, by which measure, if [you see] fit, you will put them in the hands of the aforesaid senor commandant general, or will give instructions on what should be done in the submittal of these documents in order to avoid any mistakes.==god, etc. San Antt[oni]o de Bexar, June 3, 1791==Sr. Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueba [C., 61 p., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 31 / /61v The governor of the province of Texas reports that on the 3 cd of the current month recognition was given to that garrison by the Indians of the Nations of the North and Comanches who were in pursuit of the Lipanes, and he encloses the daily log of what occurred on this expedition. Senor Commandant General==On the 3 cd of the / /61v current [month] recognition was given to this garrison by the Indians of the Nations of the North and the Comanches who were in pursuit of the Lipanes, as I reported to Your Lordship in a letter of May 17 last, Number 26. And so that Your Lordship might learn of the results produced by the expedition of these Indians, I send to your hands the daily log kept by the sergeant from the presidio of La Bahia, Anttonio Trevino, in which he enters everything that happened on their travels and encounters with the enemy.==our Lord, etc. San Anttonio de Bexar, June 4, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon de Casttro [C., 61-61v pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 32 Texas reports that on the 25 th of the proximate past [month] he was visited by five Comanches and two Tahuacanes, and that on the 28 th the former departed with one of the latter, promlsmg that they would call upon their kinfolk to pursue the Lipanes. Senor Commandant General==On the 25 th of May last I was visited by five Comanche Indians and two Tahuacanes, and on the 28 th of the same [month] the former departed with one of the latter for their rancherias after having received their gifts. They were told to call upon their kinfolk to come and pursue the Lipanes, and promised that they would be [back] on this frontier when the present moon was full. In the jurisdiction of this province no other incident has occurred than some missing horses at the rancho of the Menchacas and the departure from the / /62 missions of San Anttonio and San Juan of four Christian Indians. They were sought by Corporal Josse Manuel de Casttro and [some] privates, who could not find their tracks. And to investigate the aforesaid missing horses, an order was sent to Sergeant Francisco de los Rios, who is at the edge of the aforesaid rancho with a party of twenty-five men and who has sent no

73 81 No other incident has occurred than the departure of four Christian Indians from the missions of S[a]n Juan and S[a]n Antt[oni]o and some missing horses, with / /62 all else that he mentions. word of the results. This news is detailed in the events of the proximate past month, copies of which at the foot of the strength reports I am sending to Adjutant Inspector Don Juan Guttierrez de la Cueba with an official letter of the 3 ed of the current [month] so that he might put them in Your Lordship's hands if you have so instructed him==our Lord, etc. S[a]n Anttonio de Bexar, June 4, 1791==Sr. Commandant General Colonel Don Ramon d e Casttro [C., 61v-62 pp., in E. 12/2/1790-6/30/1792] 33 Texas reports that on the r t he was visited by the son of Chief Cavezon of the Tancahue Nation with twenty Indians and one woman, saying he was sent by his father to follow the trail of Quiscatte and the rest who were on / /62v campaign, while he and the other Indians stayed to reconnoiter the hill country and the Canon de S[a]n Sava. This idea was not carried out because those who were on expedition returned to that plaza on the 3 ed, the same [day the others] were to have set out, for which reason they decided to return to seek the aforesaid Cavez6n, accompanied by three [warriors] Senor Commandant General==On the first day of the current [month] acknowledgment was given to this garrison by twenty Tancahue Indians and one woman led by the son of Chief Cavezon, who said he came at the order of his father to follow the trail of those who were on campaign with Quiscatte and Vocon, the same ones with whom Ser- / /62v geant Anttonio Trevino was traveling, and that his aforesaid father was with the rest of the Indians reconnoitering the hill country [lomeria] and the Canon de San Saba. This seemed very good to me, since we would more easily manage to cut off and punish the Lipanes. This idea was not carried out because the Tahuacanos and Comanches returned from their campaign to this plaza on the 3 ed, which was the [day] planned for [the others] to travel with two trusted guides. After they had spoken with one another they decided to go back in search of the aforesaid Cabezon, accompanied by three [warriors] and a woman from those who were traveling with Trevmo. On the 5 th, the [remaining] twenty-four with the women decided to make their departure for the purpose of making their sweep [mariscada] against the Lipanes, seeking to go as quickly as possible so as to return when the present moon is full, as the five Comanches promised, to join the campaign. These Indians (according to what they say) are disposed to participate with their resources to pursue the Lipanes, but since they are weak in their thinking and their promises short-lived, it is not / /63 possible to speak with certainty in the matter. In case they do fulfill what they have promised, I beseech Your Lordship to please to tell me if I can provide them troops that are not disguised so that they might operate with