In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Military Service Records 175 Notes 1. BNE, Madrid, MSS 19258, photos 131–133. 2. See Doc. 35, supra, Commission as Lieutenant Captain General in Campaign , Santa Fe, October 28, 1678. Document 37 Title of Encomienda of the Pueblo of Isleta Santa Fe, November 26, 16781 Don Antonio de Otermín, governor and captain general of the kingdom and provinces of New Mexico for His Majesty, etc. Inasmuch as the death of Maestre de Campo Francisco de Valencia has left vacant the share of the encomienda which he enjoyed by favor of His Majesty, who makes such grants for three lives to those who continually serve him in this kingdom, giving them by way of salary and recompense the tributes which the settled Christian Indians owe His Majesty in recognition of vassalage; and since the said Maestre de Campo Francisco de Valencia died without leaving a legitimate son to succeed in the said encomienda, his share became vacant and may be conferred in the name of His Majesty on suitable and deserving persons who have rendered services, [and] who shall be obliged to occupy themselves in the royal service in the defense of this kingdom.2 Maestre de Campo don Juan Domínguez de Mendoza has performed many [services] for more than twenty-eight years in this region, serving in all the military operations which have been necessary, both as commander and subordinate, in which he has given a very good account of himself as a soldier of valor and experience. On account of his actions my predecessors have employed him in the posts of alférez, captain, sargento mayor, maestre de campo, commander of different troops, lieutenant of the governor and captain general in campaign, and as such he has executed two important reprisals on the infidel Apache enemies [who inhabit] the mountain ranges of Casa Fuerte, Navajo, Río Grande, and other jurisdictions. In the first engagement he inflicted upon them general destruction of their fields and grain, killed many of the said enemy, and captured a number of their women and children, not counting other damages they received. On the second occasion he also burned a large quantity of their maize, beans and other plants, and killed many of the said enemies, putting them to rout on a 176 Part One stronghold where they had prepared an ambush, and capturing some of their women and children; and he burned and demolished their settlements and houses, and restored some Christian captives whom the said enemies had carried off in the raids they are wont to make on the settled Christians. All these services are worthy of reward. In remuneration of which, and honoring the aforesaid, in the name of His Majesty, for the three lives which are conceded, I grant to you, the said Maestre de Campo don Juan Domínguez de Mendoza in perpetuity for the said three lives the tributes which the Christian Indians of the pueblo of Isleta must pay to His Majesty, which the said Francisco de Valencia, by whose death they remained vacant, held and enjoyed. In order that you may enjoy and possess them as is customary and under obligation of an encomendero to be equipped with all arms and horses, to defend the said natives from their enemies and [assist them] in their litigations and other matters I order them to hold and consider you as such encomendero and to bring you the tribute they must pay at the customary times and dates, informing them of this title and grant by which I give you authority so that by virtue of it you may take possession and hold the said encomienda. For all the purposes mentioned above I order the present writing issued to you, signed by my name and sealed with the seal of my arms, countersigned by the secretary of government and war. Given in this Villa of Santa Fe on the twenty-sixth day of the month of November of 1678. Don Antonio de Otermín (rubric). (Seal) By order of his lordship, Francisco Xavier, secretary of government and war (rubric). Notes 1. BNE, Madrid, MSS 19258, photos 137–138. 2. Francisco de Valencia was a native of the Villa de Santa Fe about age fiftyfour in 1665, indicating he was born around 1611, and held the position of teniente del capitán del Río Abajo (Lt. Captain of the Río Abajo jurisdiction). He married his comadre María López Millán, which caused scandal that...

Share