Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-02-03
(By Brother David OF santa Fo, IN q
Franciscan Ncws)

terestlng, 10 highly colored, that Gen
erai Francisco Nasqueg De Coronado,
thcn governor of New Galicia, went TO
Mendoza, the viceroy OF Mexico, and
got leave to organize an expedition 10
go and conquer that wonderful cuun-
lry. He made 40 his army OF 300
! Spanish soldiers and prominent men
OF all walks OF liic. and 500 Tlascala
Indians, the great allies OF COrtez
when he conquered Mexico. These
lndians were young and strong. made
\ good lighters and powerful carriers.
The army made It's way through Quer-
clago, Compostela ana Cullacan, along
the coast within 200 miles u the head
Of the gulf ami from that across the
country 20 the cibola cities now LunL
They all expected rich reward for the
trouble and trials they were about to
undergo. They had 10 fight Indians
and Wild animals. The desert and
broken country they traversed caused
them much suffering. Crossing rivers
and dangerous places were unavoid.
able diihcultlcs, so much so that but
few miles Roadway could be made
ldaily when travel was at all possible
sickness and accidents were incvila-
bic. Their comforts aud consultations
were few. but the Eve GOOD fathers
that came with them encouraged them
end helped them in their distress
We're Il not that there was q fascina-
lion in their undertaking they might
SFnslly have turned back Though
their purpose was not TO cOlonize the
icountry, yet many remained in the
country they came but 10 explore and
conquer
Mexico al that time was but sparse.
iy settled by the brave Spanlards
who came TO make the new world
their home. Their army was not q
large one but the soldiers were re-
spCcted and feared An the expcdi-
tom that were sent north from Mex
leo Ctty or from other towns to OK
plote New MeXic from about 1850 had
but few soldiers but they were con
quonrs. The Indians dreaded them
at once and Yielded 10 hem In 1892
the viceroy, the Condo de Galva, made
a permanent garrison az ~ Paso del
Norte. lie sent 3l5 soldiers there
with an increaee IN pay This post
was 10 serve as Il base Tor supplies
for al and as a protection for settlers
IN that part OF Mexico. II had been a
town since 1850 hut not q garrison.
Chamuscado's and Espeio's expedi.
tions all passed through N Paso del
Norte. Onate's also. Now that Cen
eral Diego de Vargas Zapata Luian.
Ponce de Leon had been appointed
governor OF New Mexico. he also,
made up his expedition there.
At the uprising OF the Indians in
New Mexico in 1850, there were 1900
Spanish settlers In New Mexico, 400
OF these were killed. including II
missionaries. 1000 escaped, getting
safely into Mexico proper Many OF
tho old settlers OF New Mexico wished
TO go back to their old homes. They
. understood the difficulties there would
be TO get back bat they were willing
to risk e. All were anxious 10 help
to Teconquer New Mexico De Vargas
az once got "a Spaniards and 100
friendly Indians TO form an expedi-
ton, and on the 18th OF August, 1892,
he started from III Paso, 30 more men
had been promised him but they were
slow In coming SO he pushed on with
those that he had The franciscan
fathers as usual, were on hand. they
were Fathers Coryera. Muniz and
Barrcso. After some days Of travel
J he formed a supply camp leaving IA
soldiers and 80 Indians 10 guard 1t,
and fastened on 10 Santa Fc
They soon reached a ruined chapel
near Santa Re, where mass was said
and ahsolution given to all The
fanos Indians had possession or the
town. but before night De Vargas oh.
liked them TO surrender On Septem-
her i4th, Father Corvera entered the
I town with De Vargas and six soldiers
1 A large cross had been erected in the
square. and there all assembled De
Vargas then Informed them hat the
King had sent 10 tell them that all the
crimcs that they had committed
against Spain would be forgiven them
II they would return 20 their duties
as Catholics, ana renew their allegi-
E ance to Spain They consented t.
I do so. and the Spanish flag was again
pulled to the top OF the pole erected
! Tor Il. The Indians were absOlycd
mass was said there, and many chill
dren were baptized The 80 men from
; parral arrived now Many OF IN,
PueblOs were recOnciled after sub.
hitting The vicerOy was Informed
OF all and Mexico City reiOiccd cole.
brated masses and sang te deums, etc
The prudence good Judgment anc
great courage Of DE Vargas had ac
, complished much for New Mexico, bu
an would De- lost unless settlers
would come at once 60 reOccupy H. Ds
Vargas returned 10 M paso del Norts
lby The end OF December 1892 Time
was rapidly passing. on October 18Th
} 1893. he began his return voyage q
New Mexico with 500 persons includ
Ing soldiers. settlers and Franciscan
Father Antonio and 70 others 90 hell
him He had. up 20 this time, l0st
80 persons by death Here the oh
+ stacles and dangers were as great a'
those Coronado had coming by way
of sonora, but The road was shorter
On December 10th 1898. ne reached
Santa ne. He found the Tanos still
Occupying the two towns There
were rumOrs of dissatisfaction anC
dlscontont everywhere Something hao
20 be done and that promptly The
! parish church had been completely
destroyed hut The walls OF NE San
Miguel church OF me Tloscalaus were
, only damaged and were capable oi
being repaired bnt The indians re-
fused TO do the work or even nelp
q Here We have from shea, the great
historian of The Catholic church ln