Introduction 
205 
to show that Spain was not the logical base for organizing and equipping 
such an expedition, but rather New Spain. 50 
The contents of the king’s cédula of May 8, 1596, were not made pub¬ 
lic by the viceroy, or by his lieutenant, Don Lope de Ulloa, then with 
Oñate’s expedition in the north. On the contrary the viceroy, by vague 
statements in public, “ endeavored to counteract the rumor that was going 
about the city, through letters from individuals in Madrid, about the 
coming of Don Pedro Ulloa did likewise at Oñate’s camp “ and with 
great skill and dissimulation he managed it in such a way that if the fleet 
or despatches should arrive at the accustomed time, or any time in October, 
what had been gathered together there would be found still in existence 
and intact ”. 51 
Finally after deep consideration, and being greatly perturbed over the 
serious confusion with regard to the whole affair, and especially the danger 
that the people under Oñate might scatter or become altogether unruly, 
the viceroy laid the king’s orders before the Audiencia and asked advice 
in the matter. The Audiencia recommended that later instructions from 
the king should be awaited, and, in the meantime, that Oñate should be 
encouraged to hold together his forces, without, at the same time, acting- 
contrary to the king’s orders. This suggestion was followed by the 
viceroy; on November 15, 1596, he notified the king of all these matters 
and at the same time expressed confidence that Oñate would strictly adhere 
to the orders, adding, “ although it has seemed to me and to the Audiencia 
that in a man of less integrity, fewer ties in this land, and more rashness, 
such an event might be feared ”. 
From unofficial reports received from Spain in Mexico during the early 
part of November, 1596, the Count of Monterey was in doubt as to 
whether the contract with Don Pedro had been let, and, if so, as to 
whether he had left Spain by November I. 52 Under such circumstances, 
and realizing the possibility of such a report reaching Spain before Don 
Pedro could set out from there, the viceroy stated that “ it is clearly objec¬ 
tionable to all persons of good judgment for the contract to be changed and 
a person sent from Spain ” to take charge of the expedition. But more 
significant was the following: “ It has occurred to me . . . that there is 
good reason for doubt on the decision of this case and that perhaps I 
would be choosing the right course if I should give permission to Don 
Juan to continue and carry out what has cost so much labor up to now and 
has been so long desired.” 
Unable to conclude that such was the best course, the viceroy again laid 
the matter before the Audiencia. By it the same objections to dismantling 
the expedition and to having a leader come from Spain were pointed out, 
but the members of the Audiencia hesitated to recommend that the viceroy 
50 Letter from Doctor Santiago del Riego to the king, Mexico, Nov. 10, 1596. This 
volume, pp. 369 - 375 . 
61 Letter from the Count of Monterey to the king, Mexico, Nov. 15, 1596. This 
volume, pp. 377-383. 
52 The king signed Don Pedro Ponce de Leon’s contract on Sept. 25, 1596. 
15 
