Pedro Ponce de León, 1596 
329 
whom you banish of the cause of his banishment; and if it seems best to 
you that it should be secret, you will give it to him closed and sealed and 
send me a copy by two roads, so that I may be informed of it; but you 
must take warning that if you banish anyone it must be for very great 
cause. For all that has been stated I give you full power, with its inci¬ 
dents, accessories, relations, and connections, and no one shall do anything 
in opposition to it. Given at San Lorenzo, October 26, 1596. I the 
King. Countersigned by Juan de Ybarra and signed by the president 
and the delegates. 
[Copies or extracts of thirty-four royal cédulas relative to the contract 
zvhich was made with Don Pedro Ponce de León. October 12, 1596, 
to April 2, 1597.] 
The King. My president and official judges of the Casa de Contrata¬ 
ción of Seville: By one of the articles of the contract which I ordered to 
be made with Don Pedro Ponce de León concerning the exploration, paci¬ 
fication, and settlement of the provinces of New Mexico, I agreed that he 
should be given four pieces of artillery, forty quintals of powder, and 
one hundred and thirty of lead, to take to the provinces. But because he 
has petitioned that he be given in addition sixty quintals of fuse, with 
the approval of my department of the Indies I have decided upon it favor¬ 
ably; therefore I command you to buy from whatever funds of mine that 
you may have all the above-said and deliver it to the said Don Pedro for 
him to take to the said provinces, and that you cause my arms to be placed 
on the said pieces, for they are to remain and be mine. Done at San 
Lorenzo, October 16, 1596. I the King. Countersigned by Juan de 
Ybarra. Etc. 
The King. By these presents I give power to you, Don Pedro Ponce 
de León, whom I have appointed as my governor and captain-general of 
the provinces of New Mexico, in conformity with one of the articles of 
the contract which I ordered made with you concerning the exploration, 
pacification, etc. of the said provinces, to divide them into districts of 
alcaldías mayores and corregimientos, for which I give you power and 
authority, provided that it be not to the prejudice of the Indians but 
rather to their benefit. You are to send me a statement of the division to 
my royal department of the Indies, so that it may be approved or altered. 
Done at San Lorenzo, October 16, 1596. I the King. Etc. 
The King. Don Pedro Ponce de León, whom I have appointed as my 
governor and captain-general of the provinces of New Mexico: In con¬ 
formity with the contract that I have ordered made with you concerning 
the said exploration ... I give you permission and authority to name 
