Alberto del Canto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Capt.
Alberto del Canto
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| Born |
Alberto Vieira do Canto
c. 1547 |
| Died | December 10 1611 |
| Spouse(s) | Estefanía de Montemayor (married 1586–?) |
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| Parent(s) | Sebastião Martins do Canto and Maria Dias de Vieira |
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Alberto del Canto (born around 1547, died 1611) was a brave Portuguese explorer and soldier. He is famous for exploring northern Mexico and founding many cities there.
Contents
Who Was Alberto del Canto?
Early Life and Family
Alberto del Canto was born in Praia on the Azores Islands in 1547. His parents were Sebastião Martins do Canto and Maria Dias de Vieira. His family likely came from Portugal around 1350.
A Natural Leader
From a young age, Alberto del Canto was an adventurer. He was confident and a natural leader. By age 30, he was already a captain. He discovered mines and founded new towns. People respected him, and he often became the founding mayor of places like Saltillo. He was also known for his adventurous spirit and skill with horses.
Exploring North America
Journey to New Spain
It's not fully clear when Alberto del Canto arrived in New Spain (which is now Mexico). Some say he sailed from the Islands of Castile in 1562. We know for sure he was in Zacatecas in 1562. He was recruited by Francisco de Ibarra to explore the new region of Nueva Vizcaya.
Searching for Riches
In December 1562, at just sixteen years old, Alberto del Canto joined 170 soldiers. They were recruited in Zacatecas to explore and settle the northeast of New Spain. They hoped to find valuable mines.
Discovering New Lands
Alberto del Canto joined other explorers, including Diego de Montemayor and Gaspar Castaño de Sosa. They discovered the Extremadura valley in 1572. They loved the valley and planned to settle it later.
Del Canto traveled through many areas, including Chiametla, Copala, Sinaloa, and Mazapil. He made friends with other Portuguese explorers like Diego de Montemayor, Gaspar Castaño de Sosa, and Luis de Carvajal y de la Cueva.
Founding New Cities
By 1577, a large part of the northeast of New Spain had been explored. This area included much of what is now Nuevo León and Coahuila. Alberto del Canto played a key role in founding several important towns.
Cerralvo
In 1577, Del Canto discovered and settled the San Gregorio Magno mines. This area is now Cerralvo. On March 12, 1577, he was named mayor of these mines and the Extremadura Valley. Later, Luis Carvajal re-founded it as the city of León in 1582. After settling his royal duties, Del Canto traveled to Saltillo with 25 soldiers.
Monclova
On May 29, 1577, Alberto del Canto founded "Minas de la Trinidad." This town was important because of its silver mines. He was also named mayor here. This gave Diego de Montemayor the power to settle and bring peace to the area. The date of foundation likely matches the feast day of the Holy Trinity, which was May 29, 1577. Luis Carvajal later re-established the town as Nueva Almadén in 1582.
Saltillo
The Saltillo valley was first explored by Francisco Cano in 1568. Later, Martín López de Ibarra also explored the area. But it was Captain Alberto del Canto who founded the Villa de Santiago (James the Great) de Saltillo in 1577. The exact date is not known, but it is thought to be July 25, the day of James the Great.
During the founding, Del Canto and his men dismounted their horses. They formed a circle and knelt. They declared, "In the name of Philip II our king, the Villa de Santiago del Saltillo is founded." Del Canto then drove his sword into the ground, claiming the land for his king. He was also appointed mayor of Saltillo.
Monterrey
Monterrey was officially founded in 1596. However, records show that Alberto del Canto had already settled the Extremadura Valley. He called it Ojos de Santa Lucia, which is now the city of Monterrey. This likely happened on December 13, 1577, the feast day of Saint Lucy of Syracuse. He was mayor of the San Gregorio mines and the Extremadura valley.
Del Canto is also credited with naming Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Hill) because it looked like a horse's saddle. He also named Cerro de las Mitras, Cerro del Topo Chico, and the Santa Catarina River.
Five years later, in 1582, Luis Carvajal founded the town of San Luis near the Ojo de Agua Grande. This was part of his agreement with King Philip II to colonize new lands. However, Carvajal faced problems and was later arrested. The area became less populated. It was not until September 1596 that Diego de Montemayor successfully re-established the city as the Metropolitan City of Our Lady of Monterrey.
Potosí
Records also state that Alberto del Canto "pacified the town of Potosí and the Couyla valley." It is not clear which specific town of Potosí this refers to. It might be the town at the foot of Cerro El Potosí in Galeana.
Bringing Peace to the Region
Working for Peace
Alberto del Canto worked to bring peace to the Chichimeca people. He took many prisoners to work in the mines he owned in Santa Lucía (Monterrey) and San Gregorio (Cerralvo).
On January 29, 1580, Martín López de Ibarra confirmed the land given out by Alberto del Canto in the Saltillo region. He also appointed Diego de Montemayor as mayor of the San Gregorio mines, Saltillo, and the Extremadura valley.
In 1582, Alberto del Canto welcomed Luis Carvajal to America. Carvajal had permission from King Phillip II to colonize lands north of New Spain. This new territory was called the New Kingdom of León. Its borders were very large, which caused some conflicts with existing areas like Nueva Vizcaya, where Saltillo was located.
Del Canto continued his explorations under Carvajal's influence. To resolve a conflict between Del Canto and Diego de Montemayor, Carvajal arranged for Alberto del Canto to marry Estefanía de Montemayor, Diego's daughter.
Facing Challenges
In 1578, Alberto del Canto was ordered to be arrested. This was because he had entered the Nueva Galicia district and taken some peaceful native people as slaves. He was captured but escaped to Nueva Vizcaya. There, Governor Martín López de Ibarra protected him and sent him back to Saltillo with soldiers.
It is also said that Del Canto lived among native people in Nuevo León from 1579 to 1581 while avoiding authorities.
Father Baldo Cortés, an early chaplain in Saltillo, spoke out against the Spanish soldiers. He defended the native people and challenged Alberto del Canto. He also reported Del Canto to the Inquisition. In 1588, Del Canto helped Diego de Montemayor arrest Luis Carvajal.
Alberto del Canto was later imprisoned by the Holy Office due to suspicions. However, he escaped and lived among the natives until he was found innocent.
Family Life
Alberto del Canto married Estefanía de Montemayor. They had three children. Their first son, Miguel de Montemayor, was born in 1587. Their second son, Diego de Montemayor, was born in 1589. Their only daughter, Elvira, was born in 1593.
Later Life and Death
Alberto del Canto died at his Buena Vista hacienda near Saltillo in 1611. At the time of his death, he was a city councilor.
Images for kids
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Alberto del Canto's sculpture at Saltillo, Coah.
See also
In Spanish: Alberto del Canto para niños
