Addressing the why/how of hidden treasures and mines - first keep in mind that the Spanish authorities became alarmed on finding the Jesuits implicated in an open rebellion in Spain. Word of the Jesuits plotting with the English, and with less details the Dutch, was published in English journals of the 1760s; the Dutch were certainly a strong naval power at the time and remember that large bank accounts were held in Dutch banks for the Jesuits. The Jesuits in Spanish America may or may not have been "in" on this plotting, but if they were in the loop, it would help explain why they refused to teach their Indians the Spanish language, which is noted by the Franciscans who replaced them in 1768.
Certainly as Mike posted, they knew that trouble was coming well ahead of the expulsion. However one good reason for NOT moving to ship out the amassed treasures would be that they had a plan already in operation, the betrayal to the Dutch. We can never know what might have happened if the king had not expelled them in 1767; perhaps the plot would have been hatched, even a few months later or perhaps (pure speculation) the king moved when he did because he had information about the timing of the planned betrayal to the Dutch, so moved to expel them in time before this betrayal could occur? Had the king delayed, we might have a whole different chapter of southwestern history, involving Dutch rule!
As to who or whom actually did the hiding of the treasures, there are indications of two possible candidates. The padres themselves had hidden the "ornaments of the church" in times of crisis, so must have had ready hiding places they knew of. I am writing this part from memory but think we had posted the incident with father Keller (? correction welcome) and even one with father Kino. The other candidate responsible for hiding these treasures and the one I believe actually responsible are the Indians of the missions themselves. Remember what an English explorer recorded, about how the Indians were trained never to tell anyone of their mines except their confessors, which would be their Jesuits? Or that rather incriminating story from father Nentvig, in which he complains that an Indian will not show a mine to a Spaniard? In Pimeria Alta the padres were simply sent word to come in, and they came in. When the padres did not immediately return, these loyal Indians (whom would not be the entire population) had months of time to conceal the treasures, and the mines. To support this contention, we might note that the Indians of San Xavier had hidden their impressive silver until the Jesuits returned, then brought them out. During the Civil War these silver items were again hidden, and have not been seen since.
Without getting into another black-and-white argument about the Indians feelings toward their padres, based on what evidence we have, some loved them, some hated them. The loyal Indians, and the disaffected as well (For different reasons) would have good reasons to hide the treasures and plenty of opportunity. Look at what occurred in New Mexico in the 1680 revolt, in that case the Indians did a very good job of hiding mines.
Springfield wrote
That's why I asked. Well, good luck to you - I hope you will someday reward us with good news. I remain out of this boat, but I must admit that with recent input from Mike and others, I took a close look at the Pegleg Smith stories and now agree that those desert-varnised nuggets in the Lower Colorado desert would be a good reason to explore those groups of hills. It's out of my range, but it's on my 'Probably Authentic' list, along with a passel of little-known or proprietary stories (man, did I see a hair-raising tube of evidence and a great story from a pro geologist two weeks ago!).
I'm curious. What evidence encourages you to seek La Esmeralda, and why do you believe it?
Because I read a post about it on a forum! <haha>
As to why I am convinced about the mine La Esmeralda, first I would point out that it does not make a difference to me whether the mine was Jesuit, Franciscan or Spanish or Indian for that matter. Specifics - The green, horn silver shown to father Kino and captain Manje on their very first visit to Bac, and Kino's decision to found a mission there. The Jesuit church is not in the same spot as the Franciscan, it was closer to the river and appears to be mostly destroyed by floods over the centuries. There are quite a number of silver mines surrounding the area of the mission, proving that the mine COULD exist, which (to me) is important. You know, you hunt for a gold mine where there is gold, and silver where there is silver.
There is slag in the walls of San Xavier mission church; that same church which visitors reported seeing an estimated $40,000 worth of silver in the altar and ornaments. I believe this amounts to 2 + 2; and the mine would have been an excellent place to hide the wealth of the Mission. The fact that the mine has never been found (the emerald green ore being the giveaway and clincher for anyone whom wished to prove the mine found) and the still missing silver would support the theory that the treasures are hidden in the mine, and since local Indians have not "found" it, I don't think they know where it is now either.
This is not the "whole" case as there is some info I would rather not share, and I don't turn my nose up at Google Earth in hunting it (old trails might lead right to the mine, for example) I will say that finding an old trail which appears to be considerably older than the American trails/roads along with the presence of a number of other silver mines in the area are encouraging. Someone was doing some kind of work in that canyon a very long time ago.
Side point here but we have had several Jesuit members of our forums here, discussing these treasures and mines over the past years. That in itself could be nothing, or it could be proof that the Order still has a real interest in this. It is an interesting point however.
Oroblanco
