March 27, 1651. · Madrid
by [California]: Philip IV of Spain
Madrid, March 27, 1651.. [2]pp. Folio. Minimal edge toning, else fine. An important letter from the King of Spain, Philip IV, regarding Indian revolts on the California border in the mid-17th century. The King is also asking the Viceroy's opinion as to whether it would be advisable to place the government of Sinaloa under that of Nueva Vizcaya or to agree to its complete separation. Little is known of the thirty- year period in California before the arrival of Kino, making this letter of special interest to historians of the Golden State. The letter reads, in part and in translation:
"...In a letter from Don Diego Guardo Faxardo, my Governor and Captain General of the provinces of New Vizcaya, dated 14th June, 1649, he gives an account of the intended rising of the Taraumares Indians who live in the midst of those provinces and that of Sinaloa; and, foreseeing the danger that might arise should the Indians retire towards that part, he decided - the officer commanding the garrison having set out for the Californias - to send a responsible person to command the troops and to catch the enemy in the midst of their preparations and make them my subjects...that he found the Captain of the Garrison showed much resistance because the said province was always under the Government of Nueva Vizcaya and their predecessors had refrained from nominating a commanding officer of the Garrison merely to please my Viceroys of New Spain, which had led to much inconvenience, for, not being under their command in military matters, the good effect gained in the other way was lost; because they do not wish to come under the rule of the Governors of the provinces of New Vizcaya....I therefore request you to make full investigations and notify me, together with your own opinion on the subject."
Previously offered as item 4293 in Maggs Brothers' BIBLIOTHECA AMERICANA V (1926). (Inventory #: WRCAM50706)
"...In a letter from Don Diego Guardo Faxardo, my Governor and Captain General of the provinces of New Vizcaya, dated 14th June, 1649, he gives an account of the intended rising of the Taraumares Indians who live in the midst of those provinces and that of Sinaloa; and, foreseeing the danger that might arise should the Indians retire towards that part, he decided - the officer commanding the garrison having set out for the Californias - to send a responsible person to command the troops and to catch the enemy in the midst of their preparations and make them my subjects...that he found the Captain of the Garrison showed much resistance because the said province was always under the Government of Nueva Vizcaya and their predecessors had refrained from nominating a commanding officer of the Garrison merely to please my Viceroys of New Spain, which had led to much inconvenience, for, not being under their command in military matters, the good effect gained in the other way was lost; because they do not wish to come under the rule of the Governors of the provinces of New Vizcaya....I therefore request you to make full investigations and notify me, together with your own opinion on the subject."
Previously offered as item 4293 in Maggs Brothers' BIBLIOTHECA AMERICANA V (1926). (Inventory #: WRCAM50706)