Introduction 
203 
pointed out, by Don Pedro reimbursing Don Juan for all of his expenses. 42 
The king’s reply is significant and at the same time beautifully illustrates 
the character of Philip II. It was: “ Since it is understood that Don Pedro 
Ponce de León is not so well prepared nor in such state of health as would 
be necessary for this undertaking, nor with the fortune that is required for 
it, it will be well to keep him waiting with good hopes, and in the mean¬ 
time to write, secretly and soon, to the viceroy, telling him that if it is 
learned that Don Juan has the people and the necessary things in readiness 
for the expedition he shall proceed with it, and, if not, let information 
of it be sent promptly, so that, being informed of it, I can then make the 
decision that may seem best.” 43 
The Council, in its reply of March 7, 1597, advised the king that since 
Don Pedro, who was but waiting authorization to proceed, was at great 
and constant expense “ in entertaining people, and in bringing arms, pro¬ 
visions, and munitions, it would be better to undeceive him immediately 
. . . or at least to tell him that a decision cannot be made for a year or a 
year and a half, rather than to hold him with hopes of an early deter¬ 
mination ”. 44 The king’s reply was laconic: “Let him be told that the 
decision cannot be made for a year.” 45 
On April 2, 1597, the viceroy of New Spain was instructed to order 
Don Juan to proceed, in case the latter was ready; if this was not the 
case the king was to be advised immediately. 46 
In the meanwhile the officials of New Spain and Oñate in particular 
had been very deeply disturbed because of the proposed change of leaders 
for the expedition. 
It was the latter part of July, 1596, when Viceroy Monterey received 
the king’s cédula of May 8, of that year, in which he was ordered not to 
“ permit or give opportunity to the said Don Juan de Oñate to make the 
entrance or to continue it if he had commenced it ”. At once the viceroy 
sent rigorous orders to Don Lope de Ulloa so to notify Oñate, as was done 
early in September, just as Oñate was preparing to cross the Rio de las 
Nazas. 47 By that time Oñate had spent 100,000 ducats in equipping his 
expedition, while the captains and soldiers who were to accompany him 
had spent an additional 200,000 ducats. It is not surprising then that 
when a copy of the king’s cédula, together with the viceroy’s order call¬ 
ing a halt in the expedition, were received by Oñate he was shocked. 
Nevertheless he showed a willingness to conform to the order and 
expressed confidence that the king, in view of certain reports and recom¬ 
mendations which he should have received from the viceroy after the 
cédula of May 8 had been issued, would authorize him to proceed. 
Should he be disappointed in this, Don Juan expressed his intention of 
42 Council of the Indies to the king, Feb. 18, 1597- This volume, p. 347. 
43 Royal decree. This volume, p. 349. 
44 Council of the Indies to the king, March 7, 1597. 
45 Royal decree. Ibid. 
46 Royal cédula, Apr. 2, 1597. This volume, p. 345. 
47 Letter from the Count of Monterey to the king, Mexico, Nov. 15, 1596, this 
volume, p. 379; copy of the letter of Oñate to the Count of Monterey, dated at the Rio 
de las Nazas, Sept. 13, 1596, this volume, pp. 353-367. 
