Early Exploration of the Coast of Texas
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view of these facts he asked, in the name of Cortes, that this area be placed officially under the jurisdiction of New Spain. The king acceded to the request and declared it was his royal will that the Panuco region be under the jurisdiction of Cortes until further orders. 76 But much confusion existed in Spain concerning the geographic knowl- edge of the lands discovered by the daring explorers of that day. The unscrupulous ambitions of the selfish petitioners for grants purposely misrepresented the facts and urged the need of dividing the established jurisdiction in order to secure a share in the spoliation of the unsuspecting natives. The same year that Cortes' jurisdiction over the Panuco region as far as Rio de las Palmas was confirmed, Albornoz, the royal treasurer sent to Mexico, deciared in a long report that it would be well to establish separate jurisdictions for such provinces as Temistlan (Mexico), Panuco, Guatemala, and Cuazacualco. "This may well be done and these juris- dictions defined," he affirmed, "as there are sufficient lands for all of them. There will be need for a judge, very fair and very conscientious, to determine and set the boundaries of each jurisdiction. Strict instructions from Your Majesty, likewise will be necessary, so that no one will exceed his jurisdiction or trespass on that of others.''. 77 Pam,co separated from New Spain. Before the report of Albornoz reached Spain, so many complaints had been presented by the enemies of Cortes during his absence in southwest Mexico, that the king, becoming apprehensive, suddenly decided to send a special officer to hold a residencia (investigation). The power and influence of the conqueror of Mexico was such that great caution was exercised to prevent a possible revolt. Consequently, after much deliberation, Luis Ponce de Leon, Cor- regidor of Toledo, was selected as lttez de Residencia, because of his great learning, his vast experience, and his judgment. Fearful of open resistance, the king decided furthermore that the Panuco region, which bordered on the lands of New Spain, should be placed under the com- mand of an independent officer who would be able to give assistance to the newly appointed ]uez de Residencia in case of stubborn opposition. The grant of jurisdiction over this contested area given to Cortes a few 76 Herrera, Historia General de /os hec/1os de /os Castellanos, Dec. iii, Lib. vii, Ca,;. iv, p. 213. 77 Carta del Contador Rodrigo de Albornoz a S. M. dando cuenta de los ultimos sucesos ocurridos en Nueva Espana, segun las noticias recibidas ... December 1 5, 1525, in Pacheco y Cardenas, Documenlos Jneditos, XIII, 74 .
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