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Show 374 LEADING FACTS OF NEW MEXICAN PUEBLO HISTORY guilty of the destruction of the buildings, but said it was owing to the commands of the leaders of the rebellion who had come with the Indians from the north who had compelled them to cast aside everything pertaining to the Christians and return to their ancient Indian customs and rites. The Indians were directed to deliver up everything which had belonged to the Christians and to the church, their dwellings being searched to see that nothing was concealed, The Spaniards found concealed the box in which the host was kept, a belt worn by the priest, five small bells used in saying mass, four candlesticks, three large bells, and a large number of other articles. The church property was delivered to Fr. Ayeta, and the remainder to the owners. While the fight was in progress at Isleta two Indians made their escape, and it is believed that these had been sent out to notify the pueblos in all directions of the approach of the Spaniards. Otermin immediately sent out others notifying the Indians of his friendly © intentions provided they would return to their allegiance to the Spanish authority. On the 8th of December, the lieutenant-general Dominguez was despatched with seventy men to reconnoiter the pueblos in the north, and a few days afterwards the governor and the army followed up the Rio Grande, camping in sight of the pueblos of Alameda, Puara, and Sandia. All of these pueblos had been abandoned, except in each the Spaniards found large quantities of corn, all of which and REBELLION AND INDEPENDENCE 375 lages he had visited, for his failure to send reports, and for various other short-comings. Otermin was desirous of gaining information as to the cause of the rebellion of the previous year and at once organized a tribunal for the examination of prisoners. The governor presided at this court, being assisted by Fr. Francisco Ayeta. Two soldiers, named Juan Lucero de Godoy and Juan Ruiz de Casares, who had knowledge of the Indian languages, acted as interpreters. The prisoners were brought before the tribunal but as they were heathens and could not be sworn until they had been first absolved, these rites were administered, whereupon they took the oath and gave their testimony. Among the witnesses were two half-breeds, who claimed to have been forced into the rebellion and who had voluntarily surrendered to the Spaniards. The record of the testimony taken by Otermin is very voluminous. Governor Otermin now summoned a council of war for the pur- pose of determining upon the course to be pursued. Every officer in the army was requested to hand in his OTERMIN DECIDES TO views in writing, and there was a great diRETURN TO EL PASO versity of opinion. Some were in favor of advancing at all hazards, while others favored an immediate retreat. The majority favored falling back as far as Isleta, that pueblo having asked for protection. Friar Francisco Ayeta was asked to join in the council but declined, but gave his the villages were burned by order of the governor. opinion Indians parley. great consideration. It was his judgment that the expedition be immediately abandoned, and that the army return to San Lorenzo, inasmuch as the Indians were not disposed to make peace, and the force was entirely too small to compel them to do so. The time of year was not propitious for a campaign, as it was very cold and the men, owing to the severe exposures, were hardly able to perform their duties, and the horses and other animals were too much broken On the 18th Dominguez returned, having visited San Felipe, Santo Domingo, and Cochiti, all of which he found abandoned but no one of which did he destroy. At Cochiti he met a large force of who approached in battle array, but finally The chief professed the deepest penitence consented for his to sins, Shedding tears and promising to bring in all the Indians of these pueblos for purposes of receiving pardon and giving their allegiance. The chief did not keep his agreement, and the hostages which Dominguez held were permitted by him to depart. It afterwards developed that the penitence shown by the chief of Cochiti was only a ruse to gain time so that other tribes might join the Indians at Cieneguilla for a combined attack upon the Spaniards. Otermin severely upbraided Dominguez for having failed to destroy the vil- at some length in writing, his advice being received with down to proceed further. Otermin finally resolved to fall *82'Vetaneurt, Cronica, p. 302, says: llegaron al convento de San Antonio de todio, algunos cinquenta Xumanas del Evangelio.’? Fray Juan de Salas is believed back ‘‘En Isleta, upon Isleta.?8? 22 de Julio, donde estaba His de- el ano de 629, entonces el cus- 4 pedir religiosos que les ensenasen la ley to have built the convent at Isleta, as ap- |
