|
|
|
 |
Juan de Oņate
Spanish Explorer & Conquistador
 Born in New Spain
(Mexico) to wealthy parents, Oņate married the daughter of Herman
Cortes.He dreamed of conquering the region north of New Spain, and his plan to
conquer and govern the area was granted to him in 1595, although he did
not begin his expedition into the area until 1598. The expedition
crossed the Rio Grande at El Paso in 1598 and Oņate established a
headquarters at that rivers junction with the Chama, naming the area
New Mexico.Oņate sent exploratory parties into Kansas in 1601, and then west of the
Colorado river in to the Gulf of California in 1605, both times looking
for gold. After those unsuccessful (and difficult; Full of serious
hardships and danger) expeditions, many settlers wanted to return to New
Spain. Oņate, however, refused to allow them to return home. He was not
a diplomat with either his own people, or the native Americans he
encountered, as he was renowned for his mistreatment of the Native
American savages he encountered.Oņate resigned from his governorship in 1607. Seven years after his
resignation, he was tried and convicted on charges of cruelty,
immorality, false reporting during his governorship. Exiled and deprived
of his titles, he died in disgrace and never succeeded in clearing his
name. |
Click on the Piece of Eight to return to the Main Page
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
