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144 Part One Document 24 Commission as Maestre de Campo General of the Kingdom Santa Fe, July 27, 16711 Captain don Juan de Miranda, regidor perpetuo of the Concejo de Tineo in the principality of Asturias, governor and captain general of these provinces of New Mexico for His Majesty, etc.2 As a result of the unremitting wars which the Apache nation, common enemies of our Holy Catholic Faith, continually wage in all this kingdom and its districts and environs, going forth from ambush to [attack] the royal roads and paths, Christian pueblos, and estancias of the Spanish citizens, there is nothing in all these provinces secure from their treasons and artfulness . They atrociously kill Spaniards and natives, profanely destroy the holy temples and sacred things, at which they have scoffed, making a mock of them with excessive insolence and shamelessness; and they steal the herds of horses and livestock belonging to the citizens and natives of these provinces. For the remedy of this and in consideration of what His Majesty orders in the defense, security, and aid of these provinces and their inhabitants , it is necessary that there be a number of military officials to execute and transmit in settlements, on campaigns, and other places the military orders which are necessary and emanate from me in the service of His Majesty. For execution of this, it is necessary to appoint a person as maestre de campo general of all this kingdom and its territories and that such a person have the necessary qualities of experience and sufficiency, loyalty, rank, merits, and services, and ability in military and civil matters. These and many other qualities are found and concur in the person of General don Juan Domínguez de Mendoza, who has rendered personal service to His Majesty during thirty years in this place, being present in the campaigns and cruel wars of this kingdom. He occupied the post of alférez in campaign during the government of General don Fernando de Argüello, of which he gave a good account, fighting with the enemy. During the government of General don Luis de Guzmán y Figueroa he continued in the royal service in the campaigns of the Río Grande, Navajo, and Casa Fuerte, where he went at his own expense, and in the actions fought at dawn and other encounters he distinguished his person as an honorable soldier. Continuing this [service] during the government of general Hernando de Ugarte y la Concha, when there was a conspiracy between Christian Military Service Records 145 Indians and enemies, he was present at the punishment of the [Indians of the] jurisdiction of Casa Fuerte, Navajo and Matanassa, where heavy punishments were inflicted until treason and confederation of the Christian Indians and the Apaches were discovered, being present at the execution of those who were hanged in different jurisdictions.3 During the government of General don Juan de Samaniego he went on the expedition to the east, the said maestre de campo being one of those who took part in the war of the Cutoas, which lasted a whole day, in which more than five hundred souls were captured and killed, during which he won great reputation with friends and enemies. He also assisted personally in other punitive expeditions and just wars that were waged during that time. He also took part in those that were undertaken during the government of General don Juan Manso, the punishment which was inflicted on Salineros Indians of the Zuñi range being of great importance. For these services General don Bernardo [López] de Mendizábal, when he arrived in the province, appointed him captain of the military force which went forth to the campaign of the Río Grande, where severe punishment was again meted out to the Apache enemies, many of whom were captured and killed.4 And he appointed him lieutenant general of the jurisdictions and territories of the Río Abajo and Salinas, and commander and chief of different expeditions, which he carried through with valor. During the government of don Diego de Peñalosa he exercised the said post of lieutenant general, not counting other orders which he (Peñalosa) committed to him for execution. Also, on the [first] occasion that I was governor and captain general, he attended to my orders and commands, and he was alcalde ordinario of this villa. And upon entering the province, don Fernando de Villanueva continued him in the office of lieutenant general inspector...

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