Gaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey facts for kids
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The Most Excellent
The Count of Monterrey
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| Viceroy of New Spain | |
| In office November 5, 1595 – October 26, 1603 |
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| Monarch | Philip II |
| Preceded by | Luis de Velasco |
| Succeeded by | Juan de Mendoza |
| 10th Viceroy of Peru | |
| In office January 18, 1604 – March 16, 1606 |
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| Monarch | Philip III |
| Preceded by | Luis de Velasco |
| Succeeded by | Diego Núñez de Avendaño |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1560 Monterrei, Spain |
| Died | March 16, 1606 Lima, Peru |
Gaspar de Zúñiga Acevedo y Fonseca, 5th Count of Monterrey (born 1560 – died March 16, 1606) was an important Spanish nobleman. He served as the ninth viceroy of New Spain (which is now Mexico). He was in charge from November 5, 1595, to October 26, 1603. Later, he became the viceroy of Peru, from January 18, 1604, until he passed away in 1606.
Contents
Early Life and Service
Gaspar de Zúñiga y Acevedo was born in 1560. He was the oldest son of the fourth Count of Monterrei. He grew up in Monterrei, Spain, and was taught by Jesuit priests.
In 1578, he began working for King Philip II. He helped in a war in Portugal, even paying his soldiers himself. He also helped defend the port of A Coruña in 1589. This was when the famous English pirate Francis Drake attacked it.
Viceroy of New Spain
On May 28, 1595, Gaspar de Zúñiga y Acevedo was chosen to be the viceroy of New Spain. He arrived in the colony in September, taking over from the previous viceroy. On November 5, 1595, he officially started his new role in Mexico City.
He worked to make sure local people were treated fairly, even though taxes were increased. He tried to stop them from being taken advantage of.
On September 20, 1596, a new city was founded by Diego de Montemayor. It was named Monterrey, Nuevo León, in honor of the viceroy's wife.
In 1597, pirates attacked the port of Campeche. They took over the town and scared the people. Viceroy de Zúñiga y Acevedo ordered stronger defenses for all the ports. He also moved the town of Veracruz to a safer place.
In 1598, King Philip II died, and his son Philip III became the new king. That same year, the viceroy approved an important trip led by Juan de Oñate. This trip explored what is now New Mexico, USA. In 1601, some local people in Topia rebelled. However, a bishop named Idefonso de la Mota helped calm things down. Later, Jesuit priests set up missions in that area.
Exploring New Lands
One of the first things Viceroy de Zúñiga did was to organize a trip to explore and settle the northern parts of New Spain. This was a continuation of a plan started by the previous viceroy.
The famous trip was led by Juan de Oñate. He became the governor of the new province and founded the old city of Santa Fe. Oñate's team searched for the legendary Seven Cities of Gold, but they did not find them.
The viceroy also sent two groups to explore the Pacific coast of Mexico.
- In 1596, Sebastián Vizcaíno sailed from Acapulco with three ships. On this trip, he founded La Paz, Baja California Sur. He named it "La Paz" (meaning "peace") because the local people welcomed them kindly. He also found Cape San Sebastián.
- Another trip by Vizcaíno started on May 5, 1602, with four ships. This trip was more successful. They founded Ensenada, Baja California, explored San Diego Bay, and named Catalina Island. The explorers went as far north as Monterey Bay, Alta California. Vizcaíno named this bay in honor of the viceroy. Later plans to settle California didn't happen because the next viceroy wasn't as interested.
Viceroy of Peru
On May 19, 1603, Gaspar de Zúñiga y Acevedo was chosen to be the viceroy of Peru. He stayed in New Spain until September, waiting for the new viceroy to arrive. When the new viceroy, Juan de Mendoza y Luna, marqués de Montesclaros, arrived, they met in Orizaba. Viceroy de Zúñiga y Acevedo held a week-long party to welcome him. It was said to have cost more than a year's salary for a viceroy!
The new viceroy took over New Spain in October. That same month, de Zúñiga y Acevedo sailed from Acapulco towards Lima, Peru.
He was delayed in Panama and Paita by personal matters. He finally arrived in Lima on November 28, 1604. There, he helped prepare a naval trip to the South Seas led by Pedro Fernandes de Queirós. This trip set sail on December 21, 1605. Shortly after, Gaspar de Zúñiga y Acevedo died while still in office. He passed away before he could make many changes in Peru.
Images for kids
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Gaspar de Zúñiga Acevedo y Fonseca, 5th Count of Monterrey.
See also
In Spanish: Gaspar de Zúñiga Acevedo y Velasco para niños
