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Show The First Intruders: Explorers, Traders, and Slavers One of the first direct contacts between the Nuwuvi and Europeans occurred in 1776 with the Escalante-Dominguez exploration. These Spanish fathers, accompanied by ten men, traveled through Nuwuvi territory in hopes of finding a route connecting Santa Fe with the Spanish settlements at Monterey. They also hoped to begin missionary activities among new Indian peoples. Many of the Nuwuvi, especially those living southeast of the Colorado, had knowledge of the Spaniards prior to Escalante's expedition. This knowledge came from direct contact and from their correspondence and trade with other Indian nations. Some of the San Juan Nuwuvi living southeast of the Colorado adjacent to the Hopi had already contacted the Spanish. The governor of New Mexico in 1749, listed "Payuches" (Paiutes) as one of the Indian tribes who traded in New Mexico and stole from the Pueblos.1 Even the more isolated Nuwuvi who lived on the other side of the Colorado, knew something of the Spanish through their relations with other tribes. Escalante, when among the Nuwuvi, suspected them of conspiring with the Hopis to mislead him. However, even though many of the Nuwuvi knew of the Spanish, the Escalante-Dominguez party of armed and mounted men passing through their country seizing Nuwuvi men and women caused a good deal of alarm. Father Escalante's diary of the expedition contains valuable observations about Nuwuvi life-style prior to its disruption and also records information supplied to Escalante by the Nuwuvi themselves. Leaving Santa Fe in July of 1776, the Escalante-Dominguez expedition traveled north through Colorado to Utah Lake. After preaching to the Utes, the party turned south, passing through Pahvant territory. According to Escalante, on October 10th the party reached "Payuchis" territory, about 12 miles south of present-day Minersville, Utah. Nuwuvi territory actually extended somewhat further north. 22 |