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Show 178 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN HISTORY purpose of counteracting the bad augury which followed from the loss of the first life. Just as the army was about to resume its march from Chiametla, Melchior Diaz and Juan de Salvidar returned from their trip to the north, having been sent thither by ARRIVAL OF MELCHIOR DIAZ AND Mendoza the year before to see if JUAN DE SALVIDAR AT CHIAMETLA the account which Friar Marcos brought back agreed with what they could observe. Leaving Culiacan on November 17th of the year previous, Diaz, with a command of fifteen horsemen, had traveled as far north as the wilderness, or desert, beyond which lay the farfamed Cibola. He had followed the route taken by the friar and had examined all the natives whom he met, questioning them with the greatest care. A great deal that Friar Marcos had stated was verified, but nowhere did he find any foundation for the tales of wealth, except in the descriptions given by the natives. This report was placed in the hands of Mendoza by Salvidar and, on the 17th of the following month, Mendoza, in his letter to the : sre lepe 1G ya on alg: Jr Me to 6 rape a Sd Nts Low : Los p02 1a YP ODI” king, makes use of this report and incorporates it in full. The captain-general was unwilling that Diaz communicate to the soldiers of his army the results of his reconnoissance, but rumor had it that the friar was guilty of gross exaggeration and that his report was visionary. The friar, however, was equal to the emergency, and the mutterings of discontent among the soldiers coming to his ears, he exhorted them in a special sermon and by his eloquence and position — he was now provincial of his order — succeeded in persuad- 196 Winship, George Parker, Coronado Expedition 384: <The town of San Miguel de Culiacan in the spring of 1540, was nto of the most prosperous in New Spain. Nufio de Guzman had founded the settlement some years before - had placed Melchior Diaz in charge of it. The appointment was a most Diaz was not of gentle birth, but he had established his right ew inebived ra * considerable power and responsibility : - * ¥ soon be repaid. by virtue of much nat- € was a hard worker and a skillful organizer and leader. his companions and followers, and always maintained the uence ofin diligence won and omSt of ft order among those who were under his charge. does mage on 7] — with a man whose record for every position and every duty g 0 him shows such uniform and thorough efficiency. ’’ om SALT Leaving Chiametla, the army resumed its march and a day or two before Easter, March 28, 1540, arrived before Culiacan.1** A little over a month had been consumed in this portion of the journey. aoa) oe ae bee gic gran fox Stafo fube Cok mecL pr de pete wits nines en ee and labors would atin ely. a 120. ne da Celta? AAPORIER: minnie ing them that all their hardships WINN) Courtesy of Bureau z of American : Fac-simile of , Page Ethnology of > the . > a Relacion 01 ? eo st; a Castaneda : YvVa |
