JUAN DE OÑATE (1574)

Conquistador who established the colony of New Mexico for Spain.

During his despotic governorship he vainly sought the mythical riches of North America and succeeded instead in unlocking the geographical secrets of the southwestern U.S.

Son of wealthy parents in Zacatecas, New Spain, he gained added status when he married a granddaughter of Hernán Cortés.

His request to conquer and govern New Mexico was approved in 1591 but it was not until three years later (January 1598) that his expedition of 400 settlers finally began its northern journey. Crossing the Rio Grande at El Paso in July 1598 he established headquarters at that river´s confluence with the Chama at San Juan. From there he sent out small parties in all directions to search for treasure -which did not exist. Disillusioned, many settlers wanted to return to New Spain but Oñate refused to let them go and executed several of the leading malcontents. His treatment of the Indians was even more brutal.

To please his followers and to mollify the crown Oñate set out in June 1601 to find the legendary treasure of quivira (in what is now central Kansas) but returned in November empty-handed and found moreover that most of his colony had departed during his absence.

In a last attempt to recover his prestige he led (Oct. 7, 1604) 30 soldiers on an expedition west to the Colorado River and south to the Gulf of California. Though he gained a great deal of information he still found no gold.

He resigned in 1607 and later stood trial for his crimes while governor. Found guilty of cruelty, immorality and false reporting he was exiled form the colony, heavily fined, and deprived of his titles.

Appeals brought a reversal of his sentence (1624) but not restoration to office.