By virtue of your official communication dated yesterday, I am informed that a fugitive Indian from Mission Santa Clara, named Secundino (according to what militiamen Buelna tells me) has been apprehended and that you have charged him with committing several robberies in that town at night. Find out from the wife of Joaquín Buelna whether this is the same person who tried to rape her and let me know. Immediately send the Indian with an inválido, a militiaman and a townsman. The latter can be the woman’s husband. Tell the inválido that upon his arrival at San Juan he should check with the wife of Vásquez to see if it is the same Indian who tried to rape her so that he can inform me. You shall send the attached letter to the Comandante of San Francisco straightaway. With regard to the care of the Indians who are taken prisoner in that town, I must insist that it is the responsibility of the Mission to provide for them. However, if the Mission does not do so, no one else will and they will be held prisoner without food until they die. God keep you many years.Monterey, May 3, 1809José MarÍa Estudillo