Juan María de Salvatierra en el Noroeste (1680-1693)

Abstract

Juan María Salvatierra is well known as founder of the Baja California missions in 1697, but his activity in the Sierra Madre Occidental Jesuit missions of Sonora, Sinaloa and Chínipas from 1680 to 1693 is practically ignored. This article provides documentary evidence of his work in those regions of the Northwest as rector and missions visitor. It also sheds light on his attitude toward the guerrilla and toward the indians considered faithful by him and those taken as enemies of God, Church and King.