Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-06-11

The easy conquests Of Mexico
and Peru in the Sixteenth cen
fury made of Spain for the time
being the richest nation Of that
remarkable period Of the
worlds history following the
discovery of America. Galleon-
loads of gold, the accumulation
of centuries of operation Of the
mines there by the natives,
were sent to fill the treasures
of the Spaniards. The idea pre-
valent in Spain at the time was
that this was just the begin
ming, and it was believed that
the two Americas were filled
with many rich nations, which
in due time and at the pleasure
of the conquering Spaniard
would come under the mailed
rule of Spain and contribute to
the flood of gold that was
flowing from the new world to
Europe. A few Spaniards had
ventured into the hinterland
north of Aztec, Mexico and had
brought back to the Mexican
capital stories of the existence
of other rich nations, ripe for
the plucking.
In 1879 a story was current
In Spain that Drake, the Eng
lish seaman, had found the
long sought for strait of Anian,
a supposed passageway in
North America which was nom
existent. This determined the
Spanish king to push his Mex
lean boundaries further north.
The viceroy of Mexico was or
dered to arrange for the north
ern conquest.
Don Juan de Onate was chos-
en- to lead the expedition.
Onate, then one of the striking
figures at the vice-regal court,
was possessed of wealth and
came of a family which had
given many distinguished sons
to the service of CASTLE. He
was married to Isabel Cortez
Montezuma, a beautiful wom-
an, descendant of Montezuma
II, last Of the Azetc emperors,
and Cortez, his conqueror.
Onate was made governor of
the New Mexican country and
comandant Of the forces. He
was to conquer, convert and
colonize.. Priests of zeal and
ability were assigned to his ex-
petition. He was to take colo
nists an dtheir families with
him and establish permanent
settlements, and his colonists,
even though of humble birth,
were promised the rank of
hidalgo with hereditary rights.
The best blood of Mexico flocked to
his standard. His arrangement with
the viceroy was that he was to bear
the expedition, and he selected from
among the numerous applicants tor
posts with hin captains who had cash.
and who could contribute substantially
to the wal chest. Many men of note
risked their entire fortunes in this ven
ture, which developed a fever similar
to that which swept over Mexico when
l.. Coronado was organizing his expedi-
ton. He had with him 400 soldiers,
most of them in armor, and finely &C
coutered for that time. His force was
amply provisioned and he was to take
with him 1000 head of cattle for stock
ing the northern ranges, and 1000
slaves to assist the colonists in devel-
oping agriculture.
Captain veIasco's Apparel
To indicate the magnificence with
which the expedition was equipped the
official chronicler writes that Captain
Velasco, one of Onate's commanders,
carried with him a suit of blue tall
an velvet trimmed with gold passe-
menterie, suits Of rose colOred satin,
straw colored satin. purple Castillian
cloth, chestnut colored cloth. Chinese
lowered silk, II pairs of linen
breeches, 40 pairs Of boots, three hats
trimmed with OStrlcn featners ana I'D
bons, three suits of armor for man and
horse, a markee with bedstead and
furniture, all requiring a small herd
of horses and many servants to trans
port" Velasco was the dandy of the
expedition, but many other mobiles went
out in brave attire.
This grand cavalcade reached the
Rio Grande in April. Onate went into
camp near the modern Ell Paso. There
on April 80. with much pomp and
ceremony, he took possession of all the
Kingdoms and Provinces of New Mex
ico, in the name Of lord, King
Phillip" The event was celebrated by
a classic play, written by one Of Onate's
captains.
Moving North
Then Onate moved north to COM
mence his conquest. Sixty days later
his army stood in battle array before
an Indian pueblo. near the modern town
pf Santa Domingo. But the Indians
were of no stomach for fighting. The
town surrendered, and a few days later
Onate received the submission of seven
chieftains of Importance, representing
81 pueblos. He established his head-l
ura rfops ar Caypa a nIoh1o which hal