Luís de Velasco, 159 J 
421 
In fulfillment of which, I, Juan Pérez de Donis, clerk of our lord, the 
king, and secretary of the expedition to New Mexico and its kingdoms 
and provinces, caused to be drawn up and drew up the certified copy 
which is asked for in this petition, the tenor of which is as follows: 
Don Juan de Oñate, governor and captain-general, chief and pacifier 
of New Mexico and its kingdoms and provinces and its neighboring ter¬ 
ritories for our lord, the king : As to my departure, and that of my army, 
for the provinces of New Mexico, it is now in such a state of readiness 
that it only remains for the married and single people to come from the 
valley of Súchil, Apoana, Chalchuites, and Nombre de Dios, to leave this 
post. The most illustrious viceroy of New Spain orders me to urge and 
force, with all rigor, the aforesaid who have enlisted to go on the said 
expedition without any remission or delay; and for this he sent me an 
edict which he ordered to be issued in the City of Mexico on the eleventh 
of October, and of which a copy goes with this, so that it may be clear to 
all. And because I have information that my lieutenant, Francisco de 
Sosa Peñalosa, and other captains, married and single, cannot come so 
soon, which is contrary to what his Majesty orders and is a great injury 
and prejudice to this expedition, and in order that the aforesaid may be 
remedied and that which is required may be done, it is necessary to 
despatch a person of character and merit and ability and confidence. 
Believing this of the person of Captain Don Luis de Velasco, I give him 
power and authority, as my commissary, representing me personally to go 
to the valley of Súchil, La Apoana, Chalchuites, Nombre de Dios, and 
all other parts that he may see to be necessary, and cause to be proclaimed 
and proclaim the said order, and also, in addition to proclaiming it, notify 
to assemble all the captains and soldiers whom he may see. If he sees or 
learns that this diligencia is not sufficient for any one or more persons, he 
shall seize their persons and sequester their goods, and making them pris¬ 
oners, bring them before me; if there be any resistance to what is set down 
here he shall punish them according to the usage of war with all rigor, 
practising what is practised by the commissaries of war whom his Majesty 
names. Likewise I give the same commission and power to the said 
Captain Don Luis Velasco to inform, notify, and make known to Captain 
Francisco de Sosa Peñalosa, my lieutenant-governor and captain-general, 
an order of mine which he carries; and he shall make the said notification 
before a royal or public clerk, or, in the absence of any, he shall name a 
clerk with whom he may execute this proceeding. Of this he shall bring 
me a copy, with his answer, and if it be necessary for him to stop there 
to assist and bring out the said Francisco de Sosa, he may remain, and if 
he [Sosa] agrees to the aforesaid, he shall allow him to make use of his 
papers and vouchers. For all this I give him power and authority accord¬ 
ing and as I have it from his Majesty. Given at the camp and mines of 
El Casco, on the twelfth day of the month of November, 1596. Don Juan 
de Oñate, by order of his highness. Juan Belarde, secretary. 
I, Gabriel Ramirez, public clerk and [clerk] of the council of the town 
of Nombre de Dios and its district for the king, our lord, certify and 
attest that I know Captain Don Luis de Velasco and have seen him exer- 
