Newberry Library - Letter San Phelipe el Real de Chiguagua San Felipe del Real, Mexico, to Charles III, 1777 Oct. 26

Letter San Phelipe el Real de Chiguagua San Felipe del Real, Mexico, to Charles III, 1777 Oct. 26

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Open book Letter San Phelipe el Real de Chiguagua San Felipe del Real, Mexico, to Charles III, 1777 Oct. 26

Title Letter San Phelipe el Real de Chiguagua San Felipe del Real, Mexico, to Charles III, 1777 Oct. 26

Creator Miera y Pacheco, Bernardo, b. 1713

Date 1777

Place Mexico--San Felipe del Real, New Mexico, New Southwest, North America--Colorado River, United States--Gila River

Language Spanish

Subjects Domínguez-Escalante Expedition, Indians of North America, Apache Indians, Evangelistic work

Summary Contemporary signed copy of a letter of October 26, 1777 to the king of Spain, Charles III, from Bernardo Miera y Pacheco in New Mexico, dealing with the pacification, settlement, and evangelization of the area around the Colorado and Gila Rivers, between New Mexico and the California coast. Miera offers his advice to the king based on his experience with the Domínguez-Escalante Expedition of 1776, for which he served as engineer and cartographer. The expedition, led by Fathers Atanasio Domínguez and Silvestre de Escalante, followed a northwest route from New Mexico to 42 degrees latitude in an unsuccessful attempt to reach the port of Monterey, which Miera sees as the key to the control and development of the region. To address the ongoing Apache hostilities, one of the most difficult obstacles to settling the area, Miera recommends stationing well-armed troops in the dangerous Gila province. The great expanses of territory can be unified through a system of presidios and settlements. By establishing three presidios along the Colorado River, Spain can extend its power and control by linking New Mexico with the California coast; bring Christianity to many willing Indian tribes; and replenish the royal treasury by developing the great mineral wealth of the region. Bound with Ayer Mss. 1165 and 1166.

Extent [3] leaves, bound ; 31 cm

Format Sources, Manuscripts, Early works, Correspondence

Archival Collection Title Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number VAULT box Ayer MS 1164

BibID 991250168805867

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

IIIF Resource Type Canvas

Size 2472px × 3582px 25.35 MB

File Created 02/11/2026

Filename 991250168805867_Ayer_MS_1164-66_00008-1.tif

Unique Identifier NL12Z975

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