Page:Vol 2 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/510

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CHAPTER XXIV.

THE MIXTON WAR.

1541-1542.

Rule of Oñate in Nueva Galicia — His Difficult Position — Rebellion Rife — Departure of Coronado — Causes of Dissatisfaction — Beginning of Hostilities — Defeat of Ibarra — Alvarado Arrives at Navidad — And is Appealed to for Aid — He Receives a Summons from Mendoza, and Departs for Tiripitío — Agreement between Them — Alvarado Returns to Oñate's Relief — Precipitous Attack on Nochistlan — Defeat of the Spaniards — And Death of Alvarado — Arrival of Mendoza with Reënforcements — His Successful Campaign — End of the Mixton War — Expeditions of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and Ruy Lopez de Villalobos — The Survivors of Soto's Florida Expedition Arrive at Pánuco.

By the departure of Francisco Vazquez de Coronado from Nueva Galicia, Cristóbal de Oñate, as lieutenant-governor, occupied no enviable position; nevertheless he behaved with prudence and circumspection. He was respected without being hated, and he united justice with clemency as far as he was able. In war he seldom shared in the reckless confidence of his fellow-conquerors, and never appeared over-hasty to attack; but once engaged, he was wanting in neither skill nor bravery.

From the revolt of 1538, in which Governor Torre lost his life, to the departure of Coronado, there seems to have been no open hostilities on the part of the natives. Yet there was observed a growing spirit of discontent, and of disregard for the authority of the encomenderos which foreboded trouble; and here and there outrages began to be committed, until finally open insurrection was at hand. Certain ruling spirits among the conquered race were plotting mischief, and

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