Count of Monterey, 1595 
257 
to pledge myself more than I have already. Because of the smallness of 
the means which everyone knows are at my command, I find myself so 
obstructed that I can assure your Majesty with all truth that I despair of 
being able to get ready for the journey in the time that your Majesty 
orders me to try to do so; this is another circumstance which causes me 
great pain and anxiety, for I live in the desire of punctually fulfilling what 
your Majesty orders me. Nevertheless I am continuing to prepare in the 
interval until I shall receive the warrants that are necessary to me for my 
provision and the practice of my office, and even though they and the 
favor that I expect from your Majesty do not come, I shall go as best I 
can, though it be with my cloak and sword, alone and by land, which I 
shall have to suffer if the Count does not give me some ship from those 
of your Majesty which are expected from the Philippines, and which it is 
necessary to await because there is no other on which I can go without 
danger to my health and that of those who will go with me. 
The pacification of New Mexico I have arranged for with Don Juan de 
Oñate, resident of the city of Nuestra Señora de los Zacatecas, and son 
of Cristóbal de Oñate, who was one of the principal and richest men in 
this kingdom. His age, fortune, and qualifications are such as the busi¬ 
ness demands, and more appropriate than those of the persons who have 
heretofore attempted it. He has accepted it with the conditions which 
your Majesty grants to those who make such discoveries in the ordi¬ 
nances 11 which treat of this, without claiming any more advantages than 
your Majesty may be pleased to grant him in conformity with what he 
may bring about, spend, and serve in the expedition, for all that has been 
granted to him besides this is of little moment, as I shall write to your 
Majesty in more detail by the first despatch-boat, which is preparing to 
sail soon. I trust in our Lord that everything will happen to His glory 
and honor and the service of your Majesty, whose Catholic person may 
our Lord guard. Mexico, October 14, 1595. 
Don Luis de Velasco. 
Letter from the Count of Monterey to his Majesty. [Mexico, 
December 20, 1595.] 
Sir: In regard to the entrance into New Mexico, Viceroy Don Luis 
de Velasco made a certain agreement with Don Juan de Oñate while I 
was on the road from the port to this place, and a little while before he 
made a certain concession to one Sebastián Vizcaino in regard to the 
entrance into the Californias, where he was to go by agreement to fish for 
pearls. I have seen the papers of this last affair as far as they touched 
upon the giving of orders for its execution; I have also seen the other 
papers, for the viceroy insisted that I should see them before the entrance 
[into New Mexico]. It is difficult for me to form an opinion at my leis¬ 
ure without filling my time with new deliberations, but, since I have to do 
it, it is necessary that it shall be done with attention and counsel, in order 
to take information on the matter. I have therefore not come to a deci- 
