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Show SPANISH RULE, 1700 TO 1822 433 was made against the alcalde mayor of Cochiti, Miguel de Vaca, charging him with maltreating and otherwise abusing the Indians of that pueblo. An investigation was had and Governor Valverde issued an order upon the subject of treatment of the natives by the Spanish officials.*° About this time a dispute arose between the bishop of Durango and the archbishop of Mexico on the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of New Mexico. This fact appears in an order of February 11, 1719.*4* Governor Valverde made a tour of inspection of every pueblo and Spanish settlement in the province during the last two years of his tenure of office, and also received a royal order commanding an investigation of the management of Captain Félix Martinez and other commanders of the presidios in New Mexago, **7 Some historians name Don Juan de Estrada y Austria as a gov- ernor of New Mexico. ‘‘It is perhaps true,’’ says Mr. Bancroft, but that historian failed to find any original DON JUAN DE ESTRADA Y record of his presence and acting in AUSTRIA ACTING GOVERNOR that capacity. He came to New Mexico in 1721 for the purpose of investigating the charges and counter-charges in the controversies which had existed between Governors Mogollon and Martinez. He came as juez de residencia, and it is possible that, in that capacity, he may have held, as well, the position of acting governor, although the officers of the garrison at Santa Fé signed a memorial of praise in favor of Governor Valverde ‘#8 and delivered the same to his successor, Don 48 New Mexico Cédulas, Ms., 42-4. #46 N. Mexico Cédulas, Ms., 44-5. fbn ‘47 Bancroft, H. H., History of Arizona and New Mexico, note, p. 237, says: ‘‘In a letter of Feb., 1886, Dr. J. F. Snyder, of Virginia, Cass Co., Ill., informs me that a massacre of Spaniards by the Missouris, mistaken for Pawnees by the victims, in 1720, is mentioned in all the early histories of the region. It would seem that the expedition must have been that of Villasur, or one sent out after Valverde’s return, and in consequence of his reports about the French.’’ It is possible that Villasur, says Mr. Bancroft, reached the Missouri; but it is strange that such a disaster has left no definite trace in the archives. The Missouris belonged to the Siouan family. eighteenth oe century near 0. 448In Governor the this the French mouth of memorial Valverde seems found Grand there to is no have them river. They reference enjoyed the on the About the beginning left bank dwelt here made to Don confidence of until of Juan all the about the de of the Missouri the year Estrada. settlers and officers and soldiers, as well. He is accredited with all kinds of good conduct. € built, at his own cost, a church and chapel at the capital, and a chapel at San Ildefonso. After relinquishing his office, he returned to El Paso. |