New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-06-09

land lin which the same Nisa took part)
under command of the Governor of New
Galicia (Jalisco), Don Francisco Vasquez
Coronado, and the other by sea, COM
manded by Don Fernando de Alcaran.
Both chiefs carried orders to commu-
nicate with and aid each other. The
feet took the Pacific coast of California.
sailing as far as the forty-fourth degree,
and it not being possible to get news OF
the land expedition, tackled about the
coast and cast anchor at the port of Aca-
pulco, nearly at the close of the same
year.
Vasquez Coronado ventured with his
force as far as the thirtieth degree, and,
proceeding thence northwest with the di-
recion of the coast as far as the thirty
second degree, found a town which the
natives called Figuer, place in which he
remained some time in hopes, no doubt,
of getting news of the feet.
After some days the natives of Figuer,
to prevent his settlement in the place,
informed the Spaniard that beyond some
high mountains not far distant might be
dimly seen vast populated landss Infu-
enced by this information, he consulted
with some of his followers, assembled the
mountains and satisfied himself of its
truth. Then lie dispatched able spies to-
ward the new lande, who informed him
on their return that it contained houses
of two and three stories, many warriors,
laborers and men Of property.
Upon this report he sent, under guard,
commission, by the way of New CALI
cia, TO the Viceroy, Don Antonio de Men
doza, to whom he represented the rich
ness and fertility of the territory be had
just discovered, begging him to increase
his armed force in order to accomplish
its conquest. For long time he awaited
the solicited aid, suffering all kinds of
hardships, privations and risks, then dis
patched second message, again without
success, and fnally, after. innumerable
difficulties and almost at the moment
when Alvarado ought to be on the spot, he
succeeded in extricating himself from his
perilous position. But Alyarado had per-
ished as we shall see afterward, and Vas
quez Coronado reached New Gallicia,
without having obtained any advantage
from an expedition which had cost the
royal treasury 100000, the Viceroy
$50, 600, private individuals $4,000 and
the adventurer himself over $50, 900;
total of over $650,0OO.
V. On hearing the account Of the two
messengers sent by Vasquez, confirming
that of Eisa, without his exaggerations,
which accounts were sustained by those
of Juan Nunez Cabeza de Vaca and others,
missing soldiers Of the expedition of
Parifilo de Narvaez who had traversed the
country from Florida to Sonora and
Sinaloa, the news OF the astonishing
riches of the territory spread throughout
and beyond the vice royalty to such an
extent that the enterprising Governor of
Guatemala, Don Pedro Alvarado, solicited
and obtained from the Emperor Charles v.
of Germany, of Spain Il }, letters patent to
arm an expedition for discovery and con-
quest.
Alvarado prepared twelve vessels, em-
barked in them 800 Spanish foot soldiers,
$50 horses, some artillery, munitions and
provisions, and put to sea from Realeio,
on the coast of Guatemala, toward New
| Gallicia. BE disembarked at the port of
Navidad, and Don Juan Fernandez de
Haro, who was in authority in the town
of Publication informed the yiceroy and
the Governor Of Guadalsjara of his ar
rival. In an interview that followed be-
tween the latter and Alvarado, conditions
were agreed upon, among which was the
aiding of Vasquez Coronado, after which
Alvarado returned to the squadron. Justas
he was on the point of starting he learned
of the formidable instruction of New
GalIicia, and received official dispatches
from the acting Governor Don Cristobal
de 0nate, demanding assistance in the
kings name. Alvarado disembarked with
all his people, left 300 men in care Of the
feet, and departed for Guadalajara which
was besieged by the insurgents.
In one of the sorties of the Tesolute
conqueror in pursuit of the rebels, in the
attack which be made on the Mission de
Noehitlan, where they had fortified them
selves, it became necessary to undertake
retreat. Alvarado was one Of those who
protected the rear guard. He was riding
beside BAltazar de Montoya, notary ae-
companying the expedition, when tho
horse Of the latter lost its footing and fell
to the foot Of the precipice, dragging in
its fall the conqueror, bruised and
mangled. His people took him up and
carried him to Guadalajara, where he
made his will before the notary public,
Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, and died on
the fourth Of July, 1861. Thus ended, I'M
successfully the second expedition against
Sonora, and for the relief Of Vasquez
Coronado, costing TO the royal treasury
$500, 900, to The Yiceroy Mendoza
$40, 900, and to AlvaEado $500, 900, IN all
$50. 600. Vssquez Coronado arrived Al
New Galicia in November and went
thence 10 Mexico.
/ VI II 1856 Don Francisco Iba1fa vas
Commissioned BY She viceroy, Don Louis
de Ve1aaeo. for The ennouaat Of Sonora