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Cartas de Silvestre Vélez de Escalante

出版	1775
URL	http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=RoNetwAACAAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api

註釋Photocopies of three letters written by Escalante between 1775-1776, concerning the difficulties of trying to convert the Moqui (Hopi) Indians and plans for an expedition to discover an overland route from New Mexico to Monterey. The first letter, dated November 7, 1775, is addressed to Father Fernando Gomez, secretary to the Franciscan provincial and includes a copy of Escalante's report to the governor on his June visit to the Hopis. He spent 8 days in the Hopi villages, inspecting their homes, cattle, crops, methods of irrigation, and defense, and seeking information that might be useful for the expedition to California. In addition to finding an overland route to Monterey, the party hopes to establish presidios and missions near the Gila and Colorado Rivers, to find out more about the Spaniards living across the Colorado, and to convert more Indians. Escalante proposes a party of 20 men, including the engineer and cartographer Bernardo de Miera, and plans to go along himself, to offer spiritual assistance and to keep a detailed and accurate journal of the trip. In his letter of April 6, 1776 to Father Isidro Murillo, provincial of the Franciscan order in Mexico, Escalante describes the past failures of other missionaries to convert the Hopis using gentle tactics and non-violent persuasion, and presents various arguments to justify using force. Escalante's third letter, dated April 30, 1776, is also addressed to Murillo, and includes a copy of the diary he kept during his visit to the Hopis from June 22-July 5, 1775. Although the Hopis are sullen and difficult to convert, Escalante smokes a cigar with a friendly Havasupai Indian who draws him a map with charcoal on a saddle blanket. Escalante learns much about the terrain and people of the area and decides that the best route to Monterey is not through Hopi territory but through the Utes, father north.