This is the first of two volumes tracing the history of Spanish presidios in New Spain’s northernmost frontier between 1570 and 1760. The project, sponsored by the Arizona State Museum, is a part of the Documentary Relations of the Southwest series. It is an investigation of the presidios’ gradual transformation from militia centers to bases for a professional army. This effort helps to fill the void in the documentary history of the Spanish colonial frontier during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Through careful selection of many documents stored in Mexican archives, the editors chose 30 that revealed the significant changes the presidial system endured, and these documents portray the strains and stresses Spanish frontiersmen experienced. The editors contend that the presidios, initially established as a response to a need for local policing, evolved into centers which launched full-scale military campaigns against the menace of marauding Indians—at times in the immediate area, and at other times far afield. In the transformation process, the presidios became the core for internal discord that pitted missionaries against civil authorities who eventually lashed out against military leaders. Numerous issues then became points of contention. When dissatisfaction with land distribution surfaced, and moral questions about unfair exploitation of Indian labor created anxiety and fear, the Spanish frontier policy faltered. As these stresses increased, the need for a professional military unit became evident, but as more soldiers were ordered to the frontier settlements, tensions grew, and conflicts were more prevalent and intense. The life of the frontier settlement was in jeopardy, since internal discords invited increased attacks from hostile Indians, plummeting the missions into even more confusion and anguish. Instability along the frontier remained commonplace.
The work is divided into sections according to chronology and occurrences. Part one deals with the Chichimeca War and Peace, 1576-1606. Part two describes the Sierra Madre Rebellion, 1601-18. Spain’s response to these challenges and ensuing realignment policies, 1640-60, are discussed in part three. The final metamorphosis is apparent in part four, 1681-95, when new rebellions in the northernmost part of the frontier dictated the need for additional presidios manned by an increased number of professional soldiers. Spain’s Indian policy thoroughly collapsed when the military became increasingly more aggressive, contrary to official strategy. Civil and ecclesiastical authorities contested with the military, and finally the Spanish court itself had to assert its power.
The documents included in this volume clearly substantiate Spain’s perilous position in the border area. Anxiety, frustration, and desperation are the main themes of the documents which include official correspondence, military campaign accounts, muster and provision audits, as well as urgent pleas for soldiers, supplies, and cash. Letters revealing insubordination, ineffectiveness, and belligerence passed regularly between the frontier, the viceroy, and the Spanish king.
The editors sought accuracy as well as readability. Each document is preceded by an introduction that identifies its location, conditions, personalities, and significance. These introductions are brief, direct, and effective. Each document is translated to English, and is followed by the original Spanish text. Thorough footnotes clarify the text and demonstrate the diligent scholarship of the editorial team. Latin American historians will profit by perusing this volume. Indeed, it will take its place as a standard reference in Spanish colonial history.
