the rank of captain-general, with ample powers,[1] and raised a large force, with which he was first to subdue the district of Jocotlan. From here he advanced further into the interior, and had several encounters with the natives.
It is unnecessary to follow the steps of this ill-conducted expedition. Suffice it to say that they visited several of the districts that afterward became famous for their mining wealth; but for one reason or another no mines were opened. They finally reached the ciénega de Sombrerete, where again they paid no attention to its precious deposits. One night, while encamped here without precautions, some Zain Indians fell upon them, slew some of the soldiers, and wounded others. Mercado himself was severely injured, having been saved from death by his servant, a Portuguese negro. This necessitated a delay till the wounded could be moved. Meanwhile the soldiers revolted, and, though convinced that with their support he could have subjugated the country, he was obliged to return to Jocotlan, where rich mines were expected to be found; but this hope proved disappointing. Thence Mercado marched to the Teul, or Tuich, a town belonging to Juan Delgado.[2]
The audiencia now abandoned the idea of conquest for the present, more particularly as the king at this time forbade all such expeditions without his special license.[3] Notwithstanding this, the audiencia of New
- ↑ He was a nephew of Bernardino Vazquez de Tapia, the noted captain at the conquest of Mexico. His wealth was great, for he was married to his cousin Doña Ana Vazquez de Tapia, who owned rich silver-mines in Tepic. Beaumont, Crón. Mich., v. 229.
- ↑ Mercado died in 1558, after the founding of Zacatecas; and his family was left unprotected and ruined; his remains were interred in the Franciscan convent at Juchipila. Beaumont, Crón. Mich., v. 233; Frejes, Hist. Breve, 212-15.
- ↑ The Franciscan custodio and definidores, in recommending, May 8, 1552, measures on behalf of the Indians of Michoacan and Nueva Galicia, complain of the cruelties inflicted by military captains, adding that it would be better to abandon all further attempts at conversion than to allow such tyranny to continue. The entire work of conversion should be left to the missionaries, they plead, and the military must confine themselves to affording protection. The oidores of the audiencias should attend to their duties and be held accountable for misconduct. Valencia et al., Carta al Emp., in Cartas de Indias, 103-18.
