Antonio Valverde y Cosío facts for kids

Antonio Valverde y Cosío (1670–1737) was an important Spanish leader and soldier. He served as governor of New Mexico twice. First, he was acting governor in 1716. Later, he was interim governor from 1718 to 1721. He was known for trying to stop the French from expanding into New Mexico. He also helped plan the Villasur expedition, which was a difficult journey where a famous scout named José Naranjo died.

Biography

Early life and career

Antonio Valverde y Cosío was born around 1670 in Villapresente, a town in Cantabria, Spain. He moved to New Spain (which included parts of modern-day Mexico and the southwestern United States) because his family had business interests there. He started working in Sombrerete, Mexico, where minerals had been found. He and his partners built a successful business over 24 years.

In 1693, Diego de Vargas, the governor of New Mexico, asked people from Sombrerete to join him as settlers and soldiers. Valverde decided to go with them. He eventually became Vargas's secretary. From 1694 to 1697, Valverde was a soldier in New Mexico. He helped the Spanish government take control of the region again.

He fought in wars against the Puebloan peoples from 1694 to 1696. These groups had rebelled against Spanish rule. In 1695, Valverde was promoted to captain of the local presidio, which was a military fort. He took part in many battles in 1696, including an attack on the mesa at Acoma. He also led a military campaign against the Tewa people and other Native American groups who had revolted.

Valverde became very sick in 1696. Governor Vargas allowed him to travel to Mexico City for treatment. In 1697, a new governor, Pedro Rodríguez Cubero, replaced Vargas. Cubero made complaints against Vargas, who was put in prison. However, Valverde was not affected because he was in Spain at the time.

Valverde later became a captain of the presidio in El Paso, a position he held for the rest of his life. In 1699, he was made alcalde (a type of mayor or judge) of El Paso. He owned a large farm and controlled much of the economy in El Paso. He also managed trade in other parts of New Mexico. In 1705, he became a lieutenant general under Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdés. Two years later, he was named a councilman for Santa Fe. In 1710, he became a general. He fought against the Suma Indians and Apaches in 1712 and 1714. In 1715, Valverde served as interim governor of New Mexico for a short time.

Governorship and expeditions

Valverde was appointed acting governor of New Mexico in 1716. He took over from Félix Martínez. He was replaced by Juan Paez Hurtado later that year. However, he became governor again in 1718.

The viceroy (a high-ranking official) asked Valverde to set up a mission in the Jicarilla land. This was to teach the Jicarilla people about Christianity. The viceroy also wanted a fort in the Apache settlement of El Cuartelejo in Kansas. Valverde decided to first organize a military trip to find the Comanches. The Comanches were attacking Spanish and Pueblo settlements in New Mexico. His group included 60 Spanish soldiers, 45 Spanish settlers, and 630 Native American allies. However, they did not find the Comanches.

In September 1719, Valverde led another group to Jicarilla and El Cuartelejo. This group had 100 Spanish soldiers and about 500 Pueblo Native Americans. When they reached the Arkansas River in Colorado, an Apache told them that the French had built five settlements on Pawnee lands. The Apache also said the French were giving weapons to Native Americans to fight the Spanish. Valverde did not meet any Comanche or Ute people on this trip. When he returned to Santa Fe, he told the viceroy that the French were planning to enter New Mexico. He reported that they were giving gifts, including firearms, to Native American tribes.

In January 1720, the viceroy ordered Valverde to build a fort in El Cuartelejo. This was to stop the French from expanding. However, Valverde suggested that Jicarilla land would be a better choice. It was only 40 miles from Santa Fe and had farms. He explained that the Apaches of El Cuartelejo were too far away and had no supplies. He argued that the Spanish should help defend them. So, in June 1720, Valverde sent the Villasur expedition to check on the French. The expedition of 100 men, including many Pueblo Native Americans, traveled to what is now Nebraska. There, several hundred Pawnee and Otoe Native Americans attacked them with firearms. Many of the explorers were killed.

Valverde's term as governor ended in 1721. Juan Estrada de Austria was appointed as the new governor.

Later life

Valverde faced consequences for the outcome of the Villasur expedition. After seven years of investigation, he was fined 200 pesos. During this time, Valverde had returned to being a rancher in El Paso. He lived there until he died in 1737. He was buried at the mission in Guadalupe del Paso.

Personal life

Valverde was married to Maria de Esparza. They had several children, including Antonia and Juana. He was also the uncle of Juan Domingo Bustamante, who later became governor of Spanish New Mexico. Valverde was one of the wealthiest men in New Mexico. He owned a large farm, or hacienda, with wheat fields, a flour mill, and a vineyard. He also had many animals, including sheep, cattle, horses, mules, hogs, and goats. He employed more than 30 farm laborers.

See also

In Spanish: Antonio Valverde y Cosío para niños