Resources
Illustrations by José Cisneros (1910 - 2009)

Renowned artist José Cisneros was a world-class illustrator of U.S., Mexican, and Spanish history, and was especially known for his drawings of horses and horsemen. In 2002, President Bush, who collected Cisneros's work, awarded him the National Humanities Medal. King Juan Carlos of Spain knighted him in 1991 to honor his contributions to the understanding of history. In 1988, the Institute of Texan Cultures commissioned Cisneros to create these illustrations of Spanish Colonial Life.
Explore Archival Documents
These documents have been loaned to us from Our Lady of the Lake Center for Mexican American Studies & Research.  The files found below include scans of the original documents and any translation into English and/or transcription done of those documents.
Canary Islanders
Creator: Francisco Joseph de Arocha
Date: November 11, 1745
  1. Canary Islanders
  2. Canary Islanders Translation
Concern About Knowing Indian Languages
Creator: Joseph Antonio Bernard
  1. Concern about knowing Indian languages
  2. Concern about knowing Indian languages Transcript
  3. Concern about knowing Indian languages Translation
Families and Issues with Indians
Creator: Mariano de los Dolores
Date: 1747
  1. Families and Issues with Indians
  2. Families and Issues with Indians Transcript
Geographical Description of the Province of Texas
   
  1. Geographical Description of the Province of Texas
  2. Geographical Description of the Province of Texas Translation
Informe about Apaches - Response to Viceroy Regarding Apaches
Creator: Santa Ana
Date: September 7, 1745
  1. Informe about Apaches - Response to Viceroy Regarding Apaches
  2. Informe about Apaches - Response to Viceroy Regarding Apaches Transcript and Translation
Inventories from San Juan, San Abernardo, Espada
Creator: Fr. Mariano Francisco de los Dolores
Date: 1759
  1. Inventories from San Juan, San Abernardo, Espada
  2. Inventories from San Juan, San Abernardo, Espada Translation
Inventory of Mission San Antonio de Valero
Creator: Juan Maria Baron de Ripperda
Date: December 14, 1772 - March 6, 1773
  1. Inventory of Mission San Antonio de Valero
  2. Inventory of Mission San Antonio de Valero Transcript and Translation (41 MB)
Inventory of Mission San Jose
Creator: Fr. Jose Maria Salas
Date: 1785
  1. Inventory of Mission San Jose
  2. Inventory of Mission San Jose Translation
Memorial of Fr. Benito Fernandez Concerning Canary Islanders
Creator: Fr. Benito Fernandez
Date: December 3, 1740 - March 15, 1741
  1. Memorial of Fr. Benito Fernandez Concerning Canary Islanders
  2. Memorial of Fr. Benito Fernandez Concerning Canary Islanders Translation
Misiones en el seno Mexicano
Date: December 25, 1753
  1. Misiones en el seno Mexicano
  2. Misiones en el seno Mexicano Transcript
Missions of Provinces of Texas and Nueva Vizcaya; Letter to Viceroy Antonio Flores on the status of the missions
Date: October 12, 1787
  1. Missions of Provinces of TX & Nueva Vizcaya; Letter to Vic. Flores on Status of missions Translation
  2. Missions of Provinces of TX & Nueva Vizcaya; Letter to Viceroy Flores on the Status of the missions
Orcoquisa Indians for a mission
Creator: Joseph Mariano Reyes
Date: August 27, 1785
  1. Orcoquisa Indians for a mission
  2. Orcoquisa Indians for a mission Transcript and Translation
Tierras y aguas de la Concepcion, Espada, y San Juan Capostrano
Creator: Vergara
Date: 1731
  1. Tierras y aguas de la Concepcion, Espada, y San Juan Capostrano
  2. Tierras y aguas de la Concepcion, Espada, y San Juan Capostrano Transcript (incomplete)
Work and Concern for Indians and the Missionaries Efforts
Creator: Mariano de los Dolores
Date: 1754
  1. Work and Concern for Indians and the Missionaries Efforts
  2. Work and Concern for Indians and the Missionaries Efforts Transcription and Translation