181
Exploration of the Big Bend and Pecos Corm.try
Castaiio de Sosa's expedition, 1590. 'While the richest and most powerful figures on the northern frontier of New Spain vied with each other in an effort to secure the right to conquer and settle the new lands discovered and explored by Rodriguez and Espejo, an ambitious and resourceful lieutenant governor of Nuevo Leon resolutely set out to establish a settlement in the fabled region of New Mexico. Gaspar Castano de Sosa had gone to the little mining town of Almaden, in the vicinity of present Monclova, in 1590. As in the case of the settlers of San Bartolome, the colonists of this outpost seem to have been in the habit of entering the land beyond as far as the Rio Grande and appear to have known of the Pecos River. Castano de Sosa had heard of the rich and populous towns of New Mexico and wanted to try his fortune there. In order to induce others to go with him he resorted to a stratagem. "He caused some Indians," says Doctor Hu11, "to bring him silver-bearing ores which were supposed to have been found in the distant regions to the north. These he proceeded to assay, but during the process he surreptitiously dropped into the refinery a tankard of silver, so that the result showed an ingot of silver more than half the size of the ores assayed. On beholding this marvel, the worthy Castano ejaculated : 'Is it possible that we are squandering our time here, when so great riches are to be had?' And the minds of a11 were so moved that they, who had little need, besought that they might go to colonize in the region whence the ores had been brought." 51 It was but a short time after this incident that one hundred and seventy men, women, and children were ready to start in search of the rich mines. Castano de Sosa graciously granted them the desired per- mission to establish a habitation in the newly discovered lands in com- pliance with the recent ordinances for the establishment of settlements of I 573, and offered to lead them himself. He provided a wagon train, oxen, supplies, plough shares, and even two brass cannons. Having dis- patched messengers to the viceroy to acquaint him with his plans and to ask his instructions, Castano de Sosa and his companions left Almaden on July 27, 1590. Fo1lowing a northern course, they camped on the Nadadores River, where they stayed until August 8. Continuing on their journey and traveling slowly on account of the cumbersome wagon train, they reached Rio Salinas, probably present Rio Aura in Coahuila, and then crossed the Sabinas and what appears to have been Rio San Diego,
51 Dorothy Hull, "Castano de Sosa's Expedition to New Mexico in 1 590," Old Santa Fe, III, No. 12, October, 1916.
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