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69 Document 1 Proof of Lineage of Elena de la Cruz Mother of Juan Domínguez de Mendoza 16251 [Summary]2 On August 8, 1625, Tomé Domínguez, “merchant [and] citizen of the City of Mexico,” and his wife, Elena de la Cruz, gave power of attorney to Francisco Franco authorizing him to go to Vera Cruz to obtain legal proof of the lineage of the said Elena de la Cruz. In Vera Cruz, August 30– September 10, a formal inquiry was made in the usual form. Six witnesses were examined who testified: (1) that Elena de la Cruz was the daughter of Benito París and Leonor Francisca, deceased citizens of Vera Cruz; (2) that her paternal grandparents were Juan Gonzáles and Isabel Gallega, former residents of Vera Cruz; (3) that her maternal grandparents were Francisco de Mendoza and Leonor de Grimaldos, citizens of Puerto de Santa María in Spain; and (4) that the said parents and grandparents were “old Christians,” unstained by any mixture of blood with Moors, Jews, conversos, or persons who had been tried and punished by the Holy Office of the Inquisition.3 Notes 1. BibliotecaNacionaldeEspaña,Madrid(BNE),MSS19258,photos106–12. The original probanza consists of eight unnumbered leaves. All the essential facts are given in this summary. 2. See part 3 of this book, “In Service to the Crown: The Family of Juan Domínguez de Mendoza,” for details extracted from this proof-of-lineage document . (E & S) 3. The name of the maternal grandfather helps explain the fact that Elena de la Cruz was also known as Elena Ramírez de Mendoza. In testimony before the tribunal of the Holy Office, April 27, 1663, Cristóbal de Anaya Almazán testified his wife was Leonor Ramírez de Mendoza, daughter of Tomé Domínguez and Elena Ramírez de Mendoza. Archivo General de la Nación, México (AGN), Inquisición, vol. 582, exp. 2, Proceso y causa criminal contra Christobal de Anaya, 70 Part One por proposiciones hereticas. Elena Ramírez de Mendoza had a sister named Juana de la Cruz y Mendoza who was in the service of don Dionisio de Peñalosa y Briceño, Governor of New Mexico, 1661–1664, and her son, Luís de Ulloa, was a page in Peñalosa y Briceño’s service. Chávez, Origins of New Mexico Families, 24–25. (E & S) Document 2 Commission as Alférez Real Santa Fe, October 12, 16431 Captain Alonso Pacheco de Heredia,2 governor, chief magistrate, and captain general of these provinces of New Mexico and the others adjacent to them for the king, our lord, etc.3 Because of the person, quality and merits of Alférez don Juan Domínguez de Mendoza, I have complete confidence that he is a faithful, diligent, and honorable soldier. He has serviced His Majesty in these provinces more than three years with his arms and horses at his own expense, taking part, with great personal expense and hardship, in many expeditions which have been the most important which have offered themselves in this pacification during the said time, as is proved by his attestations and certifications, to which I refer.4 In all the military operations which have taken place he has conducted himself as an honorable and outstanding soldier. Therefore, in consideration of this and his merits, I have decided to name and appoint the said Alférez don Juan Domínguez de Mendoza as alférez of the royal standard. As such alférez real of this conquest and pacification he may raise the said royal standard on all occasions which may arise in the service of His Majesty, and enjoy the preeminences, places, due honors, and plenary authority exercised by the alféreces reales of the royal armies; provided that first, before using the office, he shall make oath and homage in my hands according to the fuero [body of privileges] of the hidalgos of Castile to guard the said royal standard and not to lower it before any prince of the world except to His Majesty and me in his name, or my successor, and to die rather than do the contrary, and to fulfill the orders that I and the higher officials of the army may give him; and for all of this I give him power and authority as I hold it from the king, our lord. Therefore, I order you [the secretary of government and war] to issue his title...

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