Pedro Ponce de León, 1596 
337 
provinces of New Mexico, and to make a division of the jurisdictions 
among the towns as may seem best. Done at San Lorenzo, October 19. 
Etc. 
The King. Inasmuch as you . . . have made a statement to me that, 
for the good government of the said provinces, and in order that those 
who may serve me in their pacification and settlement shall take part with 
better spirit and will, it would be well to order that the civil and military 
oifices that are to be filled there should be given to the sons and grandsons 
of the first and second settlers, and to no other persons, this having been 
approved by my department of the Indies, I have decided upon it favor¬ 
ably, and by the present writing I order that the said offices are not to be 
given to any one except the said persons and that no step whatever be 
taken against what is ordered here . . . The same date. Etc. 
The King. My governor of Nueva Vizcaya: As you have heard, I 
have ordered a contract to be made . . . and because it is my will that he 
be aided and favored, 1 command you to give him assistance in whatever 
he may need for the said exploration and settlement, as may be required 
and he may ask you upon his part. If any soldiers run away you will 
cause them to be returned to where he is and turned over to him . . . 
Same date. Etc. 
The King. Inamuch as you . . . have petitioned me that, in order 
that those who go with you may aid and serve me with better spirit and 
hopes in the said exploration, etc. of the said provinces, through the knowl¬ 
edge that they are to be rewarded for their services, and, after them, 
the second and third generations of the pacifiers and settlers, it should be 
granted to them that they shall not be removed from the civil and military 
offices that may be given to them in the said provinces by any person that 
may succeed you in the government of them, but that they shall be per¬ 
mitted to enjoy them during their lives, this having been approved by my 
Council of the Indies, I have, in view of the aforesaid, decided favorably 
upon it, and by the present writing I order that your said successor shall 
not change the appointments that you may make in the abovesaid manner, 
but that he shall retain in office those whom you have appointed, so that 
they may enjoy them during their lives. . . . The same date. Etc. 
The King. By the present writing I give permission to you, Don Pedro 
Ponce de León ... in case any rebellion or uprising may occur in those 
provinces against the service of God or myself, with the agreement of my 
officials of the said provinces or of the majority of them, to take out what 
may be necessary to suppress the said rebellion. And I order my said 
officials that whatever you shall take out under this agreement and for 
this purpose they shall pay for with any property belonging to me in the 
said provinces. . . . Done October 12. Etc. 
The King. By these presents I give permission to Don Pedro . . . 
that, in conformity with an article of the said contract, for all that the said 
