Discovering America Podcast

Juan de Onate, Vicente de Saldivar, two religious men, Fray Francisco de Velasco, and Fray Pedro de Vergara along with 70 hand-picked soldiers, and let's not forget the 700 horses would set off in June 1601 to explore the country to the east or to see Coronado's Quivira first hand. Along the way the group would come in contact with the Apache, Escanjaques and the Quivira Indian tribes. Far to the east around the Arkansas River, the friendly atmosphere was no longer, the Spaniards would have to fight to stay alive. It's best to know who your true friends are before the sun sets.

While Saldivar was off playing with the buffalo, Onate decided to visit the surrounding pueblos and pay a visit to the Salinas and Xumanas tribes. They headed westward to Zuni and onto Moqui or Hopi villages and also discovered some salt marshes. Onate's journey among the many pueblos went well, not so with Juan Zaldivar and his group at the pueblo of Acoma. So many people so little time to say hello.

Onate's group builds the settlement of San Juan while he ventures and visits the outlying communities. In his travels the natives respond in a friendly manner towards the Spanish. Although trouble does rear its head among the settlers at San Juan, they were expecting riches that did not abound. With a tree and a rope this matter was soon taken care of. And then Saldivar was sent east to capture some buffalo, that didn't go so well. We call them "wild" animals for a reason. Seen any prairie dogs lately? I think you could catch one of those.

The next Spanish Explorer on the scene with approval from the crown would be Juan de Onate, who had the means and drive to make this expedition to New Mexico a reality. The new viceroy, Gaspar de Zuniga, 5th count of Monterrey had a different agenda. Inspection after inspection was ordered by the viceroy, two years would pass. When can I leave?

So many men of means wanted to throw their hat into the arena to become the governor of the New Mexican region. You would think that would be Don Antonio Espejo but, that was not to be, politics. A changing of the viceroys may have added to the indecisions. A man by the name of Gasper Castano de Sosa acting as Lieutenant Governor of Nuevo Leon thought he could pack up and head out, without written permission. Ok, I was wrong, may I keep my head?

It wasn't the big names we have all hear about in books that were now exploring, or re-exploring the country, no it would be miners looking for that next bonanza of silver or religious figures expiring to convert the natives. Ibarra's uncle had already made in big, now it would be his turn. Exploring northern Mexico he would establish a new region, Nueva Vizcaya along with new mines, as well as creating new towns. Next onto the scene came Fray Agustin Rodriquez, Juan de Santa Maria and Francisco Lopez. They would give their lives for what they believed in. Don Antonio Espejo and Padre Bernardino Beltran along with soldiers and native servants headed out to follow in their footsteps. Their journey, for the most part, crossed the path of many friendly Indian tribes and witnessed many established pueblos. The Spanish were introducing themselves to the natives of Arizona and New Mexico.

It seems the Luna expedition was on a downward spiral. Everybody was tired and hungry; the necessary supplies were not inward bound as needed. When Major Suaz arrived in Mobile Bay, the group was all together once again. Settling the Gulf Coast was secondary, the king's top priority was now colonizing Santa Elena, so heading home was a good idea, start anew I say.

With all the planning that went into this quest to colonize Florida, hard work was still ahead of the Luna party. Mother Nature put a huge damper on their progress; it was now, survival mode.

Luna would have his hands full sailing off in 13 ships to the coast of Florida with over 1500 people and 140 horses aboard. A voyage this size took careful planning. The Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) Luis de Velasco and King Phillip of Spain were eager to establish a foothold in la Florida. Once this was complete an overland route could be established to Santa Elena on the eastern coast of North America. So does anyone know where we are going? Wait! I'll Google it.

The Spanish explored the states of the Carolinas and Tennessee. Juan Pedro and his company would build and man many forts along the way, although they didn't last long. The Indian villages that existed near these forts were expected to supply the Spaniards with food. Is there anything on the menu other than maize?