Juan Domínguez de Mendoza facts for kids

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Juan Domínguez de Mendoza (born 1631) was a Spanish soldier and explorer. He was important in stopping the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. He also led two big trips from New Mexico into what is now Texas.

Early Life and Military Career

Juan Domínguez de Mendoza was born in 1631. His family was one of the richest in New Mexico. He had at least two siblings, including Tomé Dominguez de Mendoza, who became the governor of New Mexico. When Juan was twelve, he moved to New Mexico. He later joined several trips into the area we now call Texas.

In 1654, he was part of the Diego de Guadalajara expedition. This trip went from Santa Fe to what is now San Angelo, Texas. This is where three rivers, branches of the Concho River, meet.

Juan Domínguez de Mendoza became a high-ranking officer. He was named Maestro de Campo in New Mexico. This meant he was the second-in-command to the Governor. He was a skilled leader. By 1680, when the Pueblo Revolt began, he was one of the most experienced military leaders in New Mexico.

The Pueblo Revolt and Retreat

When the Pueblo Revolt started, Domínguez moved north from Isleta Pueblo. He went towards Cochiti, southwest of Santa Fe. However, he had to retreat to El Paso del Norte (now Ciudad Juarez). Some people later criticized him for not being aggressive enough against the Pueblo people.

The Second Texas Expedition

In 1680, a major uprising of Native American tribes happened. This event is known as the Pueblo Revolt. It forced most Spanish settlers to leave the New Mexico region. The Europeans had to go back to what is now El Paso, Texas. There, they received more supplies and soldiers.

Instead of fighting back right away, the New Mexican governor, Antonio de Otermin, decided to build a fort. He wanted to gather more strength for a bigger military campaign later.

Challenges for the Spanish

Between 1681 and 1683, Governor Otermin tried several times to attack the Native American forces. These attacks were not successful. By the end of summer 1683, Otermin was sick and had failed in his military efforts. So, the Spanish government chose a new governor.

On August 28, 1683, Jironza Petriz de Cruzate became the new governor of New Mexico. He faced a very difficult situation. He needed to win back New Mexico. He also had to prevent problems in the newer Spanish settlements along the Rio Grande. The Spanish colonists wanted their old homes back, or they wanted new ones to be found.

A New Hope from the Jumano Tribe

Governor Cruzate was very busy in the autumn of 1683. But on October 20, a possible solution arrived in El Paso. A group from the Jumano tribe came to visit. The Jumanos had been close allies with the Spanish since the 1520s.

The leader of the Jumano group was a man named Juan Sabeata. He strongly supported the Catholic faith. He could speak several languages, including Spanish and many Native languages from Texas.

Juan Sabeata asked to meet Governor Cruzate. He offered help for the Spanish colonists. In return, he asked for a permanent mission to be built for the Jumanos. This mission would be near the La Junta de los Rios region (which is now Presidio, Texas).

Sabeata offered to guide a Spanish expedition into the eastern lands of the Jumanos. He said the Spanish could find a lot of help from smaller Native tribes there. This help would allow them to build a new settlement.

Divine Stories and Exploration Plans

To make his offer even more appealing, Sabeata shared stories of divine experiences. He said he had seen God's help while fighting the Apache tribe. In one story, he said the Jumanos were about to lose a battle against the Apaches. Then, a cross appeared in the sky, became real, and fell into his hands. Sabeata claimed that holding the cross, he led the Jumanos to a great victory.

He also said that a colorful cross had appeared above La Junta de los Ríos. This was where the Rio Conchos and Rio Grande rivers meet, near modern-day Presidio, Texas. (See La Junta Indians). Sabeata also spoke of wooden houses floating on the sea. The Spanish thought this meant French ships. Three priests quickly went to La Junta and started missionary work.

Governor Domingo Jironza Petriz de Cruzate was inspired by Sabeata's stories. He also thought Spain might gain a whole new kingdom. So, he agreed to build the mission for the Jumanos. He also decided to organize a major exploration of the eastern Jumano lands.

On November 29, 1683, Governor Cruzate chose Juan Domínguez de Mendoza to lead this trip. It became known as the Mendoza-López Expedition of 1683–84.

Mendoza's Expedition Duties

Mendoza was given a long list of duties and expectations. He had to make sure these were always followed:

• He had to ensure that the priests on the trip were treated with respect and kindness by everyone.
• He needed to write down how many miles they traveled each day. He also had to record the route, the natural resources they found, and any trails they followed.
• At every camp or village, the Spanish had to stay separate from the Native people. Any Spaniard caught spending time with local Native women or trading with Native craftsmen would be punished publicly.
• He was to explore the Rio de los Nueces (now the Concho River in San Angelo, Texas). He had to document and bring back examples of the natural things found there.

Journey into Texas

The expedition, often called the Mendoza Expedition, started from El Paso on December 15, 1683. They traveled down the Rio Grande to La Junta. Fray Antonio de Acevedo stayed there to manage the new missions.

The rest of the expedition, joined by many Native Americans, followed Native trails north. They went to the Pecos River, then followed the Concho River downstream. This led them to where it joins the Colorado River.

They stayed for six weeks on what Domínguez called the "glorious San Clemente" river. They built a fort there, probably near where Ballinger, Texas is today. This fort was for defense against the Apaches. They also hunted buffalo for hides and food. They fed and baptized many friendly local people who visited their camp.

Disagreements and Return

Juan Domínguez de Mendoza and the Jumano leader, Juan Sabeata, had problems early in the expedition. Domínguez said Sabeata was not truthful. He claimed Sabeata spread false rumors about hostile Apaches to stop the trip. Sabeata seemed to believe the Spanish cared more about hunting buffalo than fighting Apaches.

Sabeata left the expedition, and so did most of the Native Americans. A large meeting of Native tribes that the Spanish had hoped for never happened. The Spanish returned to El Paso. They brought back 5,000 valuable buffalo hides.

Later Years

When Domínguez returned to La Junta de los Ríos, he claimed the north bank of the Rio Grande for Spain. Domínguez and López went back to El Paso. Then, in 1685, they traveled to Mexico City. There, they strongly argued for sending soldiers and missionaries to the Jumano country.

Domínguez and López were hopeful about setting up missions among the Jumanos. However, Governor Jironza could not help them. His soldiers were busy fighting local uprisings by the Suma and the Manso Native Americans.

Another problem was the arrival of the Frenchman René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in eastern Texas in 1685. This caused a distraction. So, there was no immediate follow-up to Domínguez de Mendoza's expedition.

See also

In Spanish: Juan Domínguez de Mendoza para niños