A PAPER ON NEW MEXICO. 693 



journey was so full of romantic and yet perilous adventures, that I regret I can- 

 not within the limits of this article give an extended account of it. 



De Vaca accompanies Narvaez in his expedition, which sailed from Spain 

 June, 1527, the object of which was the discovery of new lands to be taken in 

 the name of the King of Spain, the subjugation of the natives, and principally 

 the discovery of gold and precious metals, the great aim of all the transatlantic 

 adventurers of that time. Of this expedition De Vaca was appointed treasurer. 

 When they arrived off the coast of Florida a number, including the Governor Nar- 

 vaez and De Vaca, landed and commencing an inland journey — contrary, how- 

 ever, to the wishes of the latter — in search of provisions, of which they were 

 growing scarce, and a better port of entrance for their ships, became separated 

 from the others of whom they never heard further. After experiencing every form 

 of privation, being reduced in numbers by death, and the separation consequent 

 upon the dispersement of different expeditions which were never more heard of, 

 De Vaca and two companions found themselves alone in a country of which they 

 knew neither breadth nor length, among a hostile people. For six years they 

 were held as slaves by the Indians, and subjected to every species of want and abuse.. 

 They had gradually wandered westward until at this stage they were probably in 

 what is now Texas. By their superior knowledge of medicine, however, they 

 were enabled to effect many cures among the Indians, and at length came to be 

 looked upon with respect and reverence. They had now been absent from Spain 

 over seven years. 



De Vaca, who was the leading spirit had constantly in view the escaping and 

 reaching the Spanish settlements in Mexico, which he presumed to be near. 

 Therefore they were constantly stealing away from one tribe to another. They 

 performed many cures, and did not neglect their religion, but baptized and 

 blessed those who came to them for treatment, and so left for themselves a name 

 among the Indians that Spaniards coming afterwards found held in high regard 

 among the aboriginal traditions. 



They traveled northwesterly, and it is comparatively easy to make out the 

 first point where they reached New Mexico, from the narrative given by De Vaca 

 himself to the Spanish king upon his return to his country. He speaks at this 

 place of entering, a country of "settled habitations," undoubtedly the pueblos, 

 which would at once strike the European as different from the tents of the no- 

 madic tribes. 



This was in 1535, which may be received as the date the first European 

 entered on New Mexican soil, 



De Vaca calls this the "cow nation," as they raised large herds of these 

 animals, and speaks in his chronicle not merely enthusiastically of their civilized 

 habits, and gives the minutiae of the structure of their dwellings, but of their finer 

 physical proportions and superior inteUigence to other Indians. 



De Vaca's history is so admirably accurate, and free from exaggeration that 

 his route may be traced without much difficulty, the rivers and ranges named, 

 even the very pueblos distinguished. 



