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96 Part One 4. Miguel de Noriega, born circa 1626, came to New Mexico in 1659 as the secretary of Governor don Bernardo López de Mendizábal. A native of Villa de San Vicente de la Varguera in the Montañas de Burgos, Spain, Noriega was a vecino of Mexico City, with a residence next to the church of Señor San José de Gracia (AGN, Inquisición, vol. 596, f. 43v, Testimony of Capitán Miguel de Noriega, April 17, 1663, Ciudad de México). On October 23, 1661, Captain Miguel de Noriega was a witness on behalf of Juan Domínguez de Mendoza (AGN, Real Audiencia, Concurso de Peñalosa, vol. 1, leg. 1, no. 3, f. 246r/387r, Witnesses on behalf of Juan Domínguez de Mendoza, October 23, 1661, Villa de Santa Fe). After Governor López de Mendizábal and his wife, doña Teresa de Aguilera y Rocha, were arrested by the officials of the Inquisition in 1662, Noriega was assigned to guard doña Teresa on the trip from New Mexico to Mexico City. (E & S) Document 11 Appointment as Alcalde Mayor of the Jurisdictions of Sandia and Isleta and as Lieutenant Captain General in the Río Abajo Santa Fe, November 19, 16591 Captain don Bernardo López de Mendizábal, governor and captain general of the kingdom of New Mexico for the king, our lord, etc. Whereas the administration of the royal justice and good government, for which it is necessary to provide, has been exercised by Captain Alonso García2 in the jurisdiction of Sandía, and in that of Isleta by Sargento Mayor Tomé Domínguez de Mendoza,3 alcalde mayor of [the said jurisdiction] and lieutenant general of the Río Abajo; [and whereas] they must cease to exercise the said offices because they must stand residencia for the time they have served; in order to continue the said administration in matters of justice as well as in those of war, it is therefore necessary to name a person of all experience, valor, and satisfaction so that with good order and accord he may defend the frontiers of all the Río Abajo and the Salinas [districts], aiding the Christian natives and protecting them against their enemies, waging against the [said enemies] all the war and punishment possible for the many killings and robberies they are so continually committing. Captain Juan Domínguez de Mendoza has these qualities because of his merits and the services which he has rendered His Majesty in this kingdom ever Military Service Records 97 since he has had the use of reason. He has taken part in many campaigns and reprisals against the infidel enemies of our Holy Catholic Faith with outstanding courage and valor, holding at various times the offices of alférez, commander, and captain of Spanish infantry. In such capacity, as soon as I reached this kingdom, he went out on campaign by my appointment with more than eight hundred men, Spaniards and Christian Indians, to reduce the forces of the said enemies and destroy their milpas [fields] and sowings, inflicting upon them the greatest reprisal possible. On this occasion the said captain conducted himself with great valor, commanding and encouraging his soldiers in such a way that as a result of good leadership and courage a brilliant victory was obtained against the aforesaid enemies. His father, Captain Tomé Domínguez the elder, has often served His Majesty in this kingdom on all occasions of peace and war which have occurred, procuring the greatest defense and increase of these said provinces. At his own cost and expense he brought to them ten families who are here today with their wives and children and he has held the civil offices of alcalde ordinario in this said villa and of lieutenant of the governor and captain general many times with the approval of my predecessors . . . [illegible] . . . as is shown by his certifications and papers presented before me. In consideration of the foregoing, in the name of His Majesty, I name and appoint the said Captain Juan Domínguez de Mendoza alcalde mayor of the jurisdiction of Sandia and pueblo of Isleta as far south as the house of Sargento Mayor Tomé Domínguez, his brother.4 [I also appoint him] my lieutenant captain general in order that as such he may exercise the said office in matters relating to war in the said jurisdiction of Sandia as well as those of Cochiti...

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