Pedro Ponce de León, 1596 
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2. That by the article of the powder, munitions, and artillery, it shall 
be declared that it shall be given to him wherever most convenient, and 
he begs that it be declared immediately so that the cédulas shall be issued, 
in view of the fact that there is now no artillery in Mexico. 
3. That a new cédula be issued for the viceroy to detain Don Juan de 
Oñate, declaring that the agreement is now concluded, for the former 
[cédula] only stated that it was then being arranged. 
4. That in regard to the five hundred tons that were granted to him 
for his transportation in two ships, let it be declared that on condition 
that they do not pass beyond the number [of tons] mentioned the ships 
may be more or less [in size] according to what is convenient. 
5. Let him not be denied the right to raise banners and beat drums in 
Seville, because there would be a delay in raising the men quietly and it 
would be detrimental to the speed of the embarkation. 
When I wrote to his Majesty offering for his royal service all that I 
am and have in the endeavor to explore New Mexico, I did not think to 
point out that my principal purpose has always been that the world shall 
know that no other interest would take me out of this kingdom except 
only to serve his Majesty, for in order to live in it honorably and with 
some comfort the estate of the Count of Bailén would be sufficient for me. 
With it my predecessors lived well and served your Majesty and their 
families better; and to outdo them I have resolved to make this long jour¬ 
ney, protesting that no rewards be stipulated for me, for I ask for none 
except those which a successful accomplishment will compel your Majesty 
to honor and advance me with, as is to be expected of such a great lord, 
whom may God keep for many happy years. Madrid, April 23, 1596. 
Don Pedro Ponce de León. 
[Decree.] 
May 2, 1596. To the president of the Council of the Indies. 
Let this memorial be joined with the rest that there may be on this 
matter. There is a rubric. 
The Council of the Indies. April 25, 1596. In the matter of Don Pedro 
Ponce de León, with respect to the exploration of New Mexico. 
Sir: In the answer returned here which deals with the claim of Don 
Pedro Ponce de León with respect to making the exploration and pacifi¬ 
cation of New Mexico, your Majesty was pleased to reply by ordering 
that you be informed of the character of the person with whom the contract 
was made and under what conditions it was done and what property he 
has to put it into execution, and what the Count of Monterey has written 
about it. 
As regards this, that which the Council has to say is that after infor¬ 
mation was received of this entrance great efforts were made to further it, 
