349 
Pedro Ponce de León, 1597 
[Royal Decree.] 
Since it is understood that Don Pedro Ponce is not so well prepared 
nor in such a state of health as would be necessary for this undertaking, 
nor with the fortune that is required for it, it will be well to keep him 
waiting with good hopes, and in the meantime to write, secretly and soon, 
to the viceroy, telling him that if it is learned that Don Juan de Oñate 
has the people and the necessary things in readiness for the expedition 
that he shall proceed with it, and if not, let information of it be sent 
promptly so that, being informed of it, I can then make the decision that 
may seem best. [ Rubric .] 
The Council of the Indies. March 7,1597. Opinion as to the answer that 
should he given to Don Pedro Ponce de León so that he shall not he 
kept in hopes and he spending money here and in Seville . 
Sir: In the matter of Don Pedro Ponce de León, in regard to which 
the Council recently advised your Majesty, telling you the reasons why 
it held the opinion that no change ought to be made in the agreement made 
with him about the exploration of New Mexico, your Majesty was pleased 
to reply and order [as follows:] 
Since it is understood that Don Pedro Ponce de León is not so well 
prepared nor in such a state of health as would be necessary for this 
undertaking, nor with the fortune that is required for it, it will be well 
to keep him waiting with good hopes, and in the meantime to write, 
secretly and soon, to the viceroy, telling him that if it is learned that 
Don Juan de Oñate has the people and other things ready for the expedi¬ 
tion that he shall proceed with it, and if not, let information of it be sent 
promptly, so that, being informed, I can then make the decision that may 
seem best. 
[This reply of your Majesty] having been considered in the Council, 
it is the opinion that, since Don Pedro is urgently pressing for an answer 
and is constantly applying to me, the president, and saying that he waits 
for nothing else, and that he is spending money, and his brother is doing 
the same at Seville, where he is assisting in the preparation of the ships, 
in entertaining the people, and in buying arms, provisions, and munitions, 
it would be better to undeceive him immediately, so that he will not go 
on with the expenses and preparations, or at least to tell him that a deci¬ 
sion cannot be made for a year or a year and a half, rather than to hold 
him with hopes of an early determination, so that he will not go on mort¬ 
gaging and consuming his property. Your Majesty will order according 
to your pleasure. Madrid, March, 1597. 
[Royal Decree.] 
Let him be told that the decision cannot be made for a year. 
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