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Show EARLY curse SPANISH EXPLORATIONS 289 of his royal master, and stated that in anticipation of the future colonization or exploration of the countries he had visited, he had brought with him to New Biscay two Indians, one from Moqui and the other from Pecos, who might become useful as interpreters, if properly educated in the Spanish language. Espejo also wrote to the archbishop and stated that it was his intention to apply for a royal commission to explore and conquer the countries he had visited in company with Fray Beltran.?9% Don Antonio was a man of family, and his son-in-law, Don Pedro Gonzales de Mendoza, being about to start for Spain, was, in the month of April, 1584, duly empowered by Espejo to represent him at the court of Spain and obtain, if possible, the right to the ‘‘conquista y pacificacion y gobernacion’’ of the provinces of New Mexico or Nueva Andalucia, which Espejo had discovered and taken possession of the year before, in the name of the crown. Gonzales de Mendoza took with him a copy of Espejo’s Relacion, which was attached to the formal petition. The proposition advanced by Espejo was the organization of an expedition consisting of not less than four hundred men, the most of whom were to be brought from Spain, and one hundred of whom should be married and having children. The expedition was to be organized into four companies, and each well supplied with all necessaries, whether soldier or settler. A portion of the force was to consist of cavalry, and with them should be taken mares, cattle, and sheep. He declared that twenty-four Franciscans were neces- sary for the spiritual welfare of the new kingdom. Having been over both routes which he mentioned, he would take a portion of the expedition by way of the Rio del Norte and the other by way of the For Rio de Vacas, the Pecos. idea that the garrison should the Rock of Acoma, that being, military or other operations. the safety of the settlers, it was be stationed in the neighborhood in his judgment, the best center Espejo believed in carrying out his of for the Plan inaugurated by himself on his first trip to the north in the matter of the treatment conciliation and justice, of peaceful relations. Willing to expend more of the natives; his policy always looking forward to In the enterprise, Espejo than one hundred thousand **T Espejo, Relacion, in Pacheco, doe. xv, 151-191. would be one of the preservation declared himself ducats, in addi- |