Letter by Tarahumara missionaries to virrey Casafuerte; response of virrey

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