Early Exploration of Big Bend Country, I68J-I7JI
327
The following day, Mendoza called the governors and chiefs together and all their followers. When they had assembled, he asked them if they knew or had heard of any other Spanish soldiers or officers who had visited them before, who had taken formal possession of the land in the name of the king and had asked them to swear allegiance to His Majesty. To this they all replied that they knew of no one who had come to their country before and had taken formal possession of the land. They explained, however, that they had been visited by two missionaries on two different occasions. They said that the first one who came to see them was the Reverend Father Fray Garcia de San Francisco, who had said Mass for them and had left them after a short while with the promise that he would return soon. After a time, they declared, another missionary, named Fray Juan de Sumesta, another Franciscan, had come to the first of their pueblos, but went away after his arrival without visiting the other villages. Since then, they had seen no other Spaniards or missionaries than those who were with Mendoza. In view of the cir- cumstances the leader of the expedition felt it his duty to take formal possession of this area in the name of the king as a part of the Province of New Mexico, which he did with all formality. 24 At the request of the Indians congregated at the time, he appointed four Capita11es, or nati,·e governors, for the missions which were to be established and gave them the insignia of their office, which was a short cane. Return march to El Paso. On June 14, Mendoza and his men started back to Presidio del Paso del Norte. Although it had been their intention to follow the eastern side of the Rio Grande on the return march, it was decided, after a consultation was held, to follow the Conchos to the Sac- ramento, and proceed thence to El Paso del Norte. It had been pointed out in the council that it was approximately one hundred leagues from the Junta de los Rios to Presidio del Norte, along the Rio Grande, but that the river had to be crossed four times. This was dangerous at this season qf the year because of the frequent floods. The route lay along country which was difficult to traverse because of the steep mountains and the rough and narrow canyons that had to be followed. Furthermore, news had been received that most of the Indian nations that inhabited this region were in rebellion, particularly the Zumas. It was beliewd that these Indians and their allies were actually waiting in ambush for the 24 Certificaciones del Capitan Juan Dominguez de l\'[endoza. Junta de los Rios, June 12-1 3, 1 684. A. G. N., Provi11cias l11tt1r11as, Vol. 37, Pt. 2.
Powered by FlippingBook