Narratives and Handbook Pertaining to 18th Century New Mexico Presidios
Collection
Identifier: MSS-658-BC
Scope and Content
The narratives in this collection are copies of diaries kept by Spanish explorers in the 1700s, as they traveled through what is now New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, and parts of northern Mexico. The original documents are housed in Madrid, Spain, in the Biblioteca Central Militar of the Servicio Histórico Militar.
The narratives include descriptions of the ecological environment, the conditions of roads, the ethnic groups encountered, political relations between Spaniards and Native American groups, and the status of the provinces and presidios along the way. Danger posed to Spanish settlers by the Apaches, Comanches, Hopi, and Utes is discussed in the narrative by Nicolás de Lafora. The "Expedición de Rivera" details two expeditions undertaken by Juan María Antonio Rivera in search of silver. He details environmental conditions along the route now known as the Old Spanish Trail, and includes population statistics for specific New Mexico pueblos. The "Expedición General Urrutia," by Mariano Alonso Baquer provides an account of the expedition of the Marquís de Rubí into New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, addressing various operational aspects of the presidios. "Viaje a los presidios Internos de la América septentrional" written by Juan María Antonia Rivera provides detailed descriptions of peoples and places in what is now the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
The collection also contains four maps depicting the territories occupied by assorted Native American groups and Spaniards. All materials are in Spanish.
The narratives include descriptions of the ecological environment, the conditions of roads, the ethnic groups encountered, political relations between Spaniards and Native American groups, and the status of the provinces and presidios along the way. Danger posed to Spanish settlers by the Apaches, Comanches, Hopi, and Utes is discussed in the narrative by Nicolás de Lafora. The "Expedición de Rivera" details two expeditions undertaken by Juan María Antonio Rivera in search of silver. He details environmental conditions along the route now known as the Old Spanish Trail, and includes population statistics for specific New Mexico pueblos. The "Expedición General Urrutia," by Mariano Alonso Baquer provides an account of the expedition of the Marquís de Rubí into New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, addressing various operational aspects of the presidios. "Viaje a los presidios Internos de la América septentrional" written by Juan María Antonia Rivera provides detailed descriptions of peoples and places in what is now the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
The collection also contains four maps depicting the territories occupied by assorted Native American groups and Spaniards. All materials are in Spanish.
Dates
- 1765-1990 (bulk 1765-1795)
Creator
- University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research (Organization)
Language of Materials
Spanish.
Access Restrictions
The collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Historical Information
To govern the territories of New Spain, Spain established the provincias internas -- political jurisdictions under military government in which military leadership was equal in power to the Viceroy of New Spain. Spain's rule over these provinces, however, was threatened by Native American tribes -- in particular, the Apaches -- whose skill in warfare surpassed the Spaniards'. The acquisition of horses and firearms by Native American tribes increased the threat they posed to Spanish domination. Because New Spain covered such a vast area, Spain was unable to send adequate numbers of military troops, and instead, established numerous military garrisons or presidios throughout this territory.
To measure the efficacy of these presidios and to determine if they were located in the most strategic spots, the Marquís de Rubí (the Marquis of Rubí), accompanied by Nicolás de Lafora (also known as de la Fora), Joseph (also known as José) Ramón de Urrutia y de las Casas, and Juan María Antonio Rivera (also known as Ribera) traveled to New Spain. Although one source identifies Nicolás Lafora as the soldier in charge of documenting the expedition, the records housed in this collection were written and signed by Juan María Antonio Rivera. Rivera's journal of the 1766-1768 inspection tour (as well as a journal of another expedition he undertook in 1765) sheds light upon the political, economic, and environmental conditions of this region at the time.
The Marquís de Rubí's tour resulted in the publication of a handbook for the proper operation of the presidios in 1772. This handbook delineated the assorted functions and duties of the presidios and established basic rules regarding salary, uniforms, etc. The Marquís de Rubí also proposed suggested moves for certain presidios, but many of these recommendations were not carried out.
To measure the efficacy of these presidios and to determine if they were located in the most strategic spots, the Marquís de Rubí (the Marquis of Rubí), accompanied by Nicolás de Lafora (also known as de la Fora), Joseph (also known as José) Ramón de Urrutia y de las Casas, and Juan María Antonio Rivera (also known as Ribera) traveled to New Spain. Although one source identifies Nicolás Lafora as the soldier in charge of documenting the expedition, the records housed in this collection were written and signed by Juan María Antonio Rivera. Rivera's journal of the 1766-1768 inspection tour (as well as a journal of another expedition he undertook in 1765) sheds light upon the political, economic, and environmental conditions of this region at the time.
The Marquís de Rubí's tour resulted in the publication of a handbook for the proper operation of the presidios in 1772. This handbook delineated the assorted functions and duties of the presidios and established basic rules regarding salary, uniforms, etc. The Marquís de Rubí also proposed suggested moves for certain presidios, but many of these recommendations were not carried out.
Extent
1 box (.45 cu. ft.)
Abstract
This collection is comprised of narratives written by Spanish military explorers in the 1700s, as well as a handbook based upon the aforementioned explorations for the presidios of what is now New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and parts of northern Mexico.
Location of Originals
The original documents are housed in Madrid, Spain, in the Biblioteca Central Militar of the Servicio Histórico Militar.
- Apache Indians -- History
- Arizona--History
- Comanche Indians--History
- Hopi Indians--History
- Mexico -- Description and travel
- Mexico -- History -- Spanish colony, 1540-1810
- Military bases--Mexico
- Military bases--Southwest, New
- Military bases--Spain--Colonies
- New Mexico -- History, Military
- New Mexico--Ethnic relations
- Provincias Internas (New Spain)
- Rubi Expedition, Tex., 1766-1768
- Southwest, New--Description and travel
- Southwest, New--History, Military
- Spain--History, Military
- Texas--Description and travel
- Texas--History, Military
- Ute Indians -- History
Creator
- University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research (Organization)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Narratives and Handbook Pertaining to 18th Century New Mexico Presidios, 1765-1990 (bulk 1765-1795)
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by K. Stocker
- Date
- ©2000
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 658 BC::Narratives and Handbook Pertaining to 18th Century New Mexico Presidios)//EN" "nmu1mss658bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu