The following documents are taken from various Internet accessed documents.
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado Expedition
From 1540 to 1542, a list of 322 settlers served with the Captain Francisco Vazquez de Coronado. The expedition set out for New Mexico and Arizona but made it as far north as Kansas. They were known as "The Coronado Expedition".
Coronado Expedition to New Mexico 1540
Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, came from Salamanca, Spain. His parents were Juan Vazquez de Coronado and Isabel de Lujan. He came to New Spain (Mexico) with the Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza in 1535. After marrying Beatriz de Estrada the daughter of Alonso de Estrada and granddaughter of King Ferdinand II of Spain, they had 5 children.
The expedition set out for New Mexico and Arizona but made it as far north as Kansas from 1540 to 1542. The men who served with the Captain Francisco Vazquez de Coronado are listed below. These Spaniards and approximately 800 Indians made this historic exploration.
List of Men Who Were Part of the Coronado Expedition:
|
|
|
|
|
ALBA , Hernando de |
From Salamanca |
|
|
ALCANTARA , Francisco de |
|
|
|
ALCANTARA , Pedro de |
|
|
|
ALCARAZ , Diego de |
Settled in Culiacan, with his brother Juan de Alcaraz. Diego was killed by the Indians of San Geronimo, Sonora, while accompanying Coronado. |
|
|
ALONSO , Domingo |
|
|
|
ALVARADO , Hernando de |
Held the rank of Captain. From: Santander Parents:Juan SANCHEZ DE ALVARADO and Mencia de SALAZAR. Related to the Alvarado brothers. 23 years old. |
|
|
ALVAREZ , Alonso |
From: Villanueva de la Serena. Coronado's page. |
|
|
ALVAREZ , Antonio |
|
|
|
ALVAREZ , Gaspar |
From Portugal |
|
|
ALVAREZ , Lorenzo |
|
|
|
ALVAREZ , Pedro |
|
|
|
ALVAREZ , Roque |
|
|
|
ALVAREZ, DE ZAFRA , Rodrigo |
|
|
|
AORTA , ? |
From Portugal |
|
|
ARANDA , Alonso de |
|
|
|
ARCE , Juan de |
From: Buelna in Santander |
|
|
ARIAS DE SAABEDRA , Hernando |
Coronado appointed him Alcalde Mayor of Culiacan. |
|
|
ARJONA , Gonzalo de |
|
|
|
ASTORGA , Martin Alonso de |
|
|
|
AVILA , Pedro de |
A participant in the rebellion of San Geronimo and returned to Culiacan. |
|
|
AZEBEDO , Baltasar de |
|
|
|
BALDERREINA , Alonso de |
From: Astorga. |
|
|
BARAHONA , Hernando de |
|
|
|
BARBERO , Juan |
|
|
|
BARRIONUEVO , Francisco de |
|
|
|
BARRIONUEVO , Rodrigo de |
Brother of Velasco. |
|
|
BARRIONUEVO , Velasco de |
Brother of Rodrigo. From: Granada. Captain. |
|
|
BENAVENTE , Cristobal de |
|
|
|
BENAVIDES , Pedro de |
|
|
|
BENAVIDES , Juan de |
|
|
|
BENITEZ , ? |
Died in Tiguex |
|
|
BERMEJA , Pedro Martin de la |
|
|
|
BERMEJO , Hernando |
Coronado's note taker on the expedition. |
|
|
BERMEJO , Juan |
Had known Coronado since 1537. |
|
|
BERMUDEZ , Florian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BERNAL DE MOLINA , Pascual |
|
|
|
BERRUGO , Andres |
|
|
|
BERTAO , Cristobal |
From: Bernuel in the province of Rouen. |
|
|
BETETA , Juan de |
From: Beteta. 22 years old. |
|
|
BLAQUE , Tomas |
From: Escocia (Scotland). Married Francisca de Rivera. More on Tam Blake of Scotland |
|
|
BOO , Pero |
|
|
|
BOTELLO , Hernando |
|
|
|
BRUJAS , Jaco de |
|
|
|
BUSTAMANTE , Juan de |
|
|
|
CABALLERO , Cristobal |
|
|
|
CABALLERO , Lope |
From: Lugo. Married an Indian woman he brought on the expedition. |
|
|
CADENA , Hernando de la |
From Medellin |
|
|
CADENA , Lope de la |
|
|
|
CALDERON , Francisco |
|
|
|
CAMPO , Andres do |
From: Portugal. Stayed in New Mexico with Fray Juan de Padilla. They went to Quivira. |
|
|
CAMPO , Bartolome del |
|
|
|
CANDIA , Diego de |
|
|
|
CANO , Pero |
|
|
|
CANSECO , Alonso de |
|
|
|
CARAVAJAL , Francisco de |
From: Utrera. Brother of Hernando de TREJO. Injured in the battle of the Rio Grande. |
|
|
CASO VERDE , Hernando de |
|
|
|
CASTANEDA , Alonso de |
From: Vizcaya. Came with the first settlers of villa Purificacion in 1536. Was injured in Tiguex. |
|
|
CASTANEDA , Martin de |
|
|
|
CASTILLA , Gonzalo de |
|
|
|
CASTILLA , Diego del |
|
|
|
CASTILLA , Garcia del |
From: Sevilla |
|
|
CASTRO , Francisco de |
|
|
|
CASTRO , Miguel de |
|
|
|
CELADA , Juan de |
|
|
|
CEPEDA , Juan de |
From: Toledo |
|
|
CERBATOS , Diego de |
|
|
|
CESPEDES , Bartolome de |
|
|
|
CESPEDES , Juan de |
|
|
|
CHICA , Luis de la |
|
|
|
COBARRUBIAS , Andres de |
|
|
|
CONTRERAS , Juan de |
|
|
|
CORDERO , Juan |
|
|
|
CORNEJO , Francisco de |
From: Salamanca. Parents: Alvaro Cornejo and Ana Maldonado. Settled in Guadalajara with a wife and 2 children. |
|
|
CUEVAS , Juan de |
From: Aranda de Duero Father: Alonso Cuevas. Married the daughter of Lic. Tellez. |
|
|
DELGADO , Anton |
|
|
|
DESTEPA , Martin |
Accused of crimes against the Indians. |
|
|
DIAZ , Diego |
From: Santo Domingo. |
|
|
DIAZ , Melchior |
Captain |
|
|
DUERO , Juan de |
|
|
|
ECIJA , Pedro de |
|
|
|
ENTRAMBAS AGUAS , Miguel de |
|
|
|
ESCOBAR , Cristobal de |
From: Aracena |
|
|
ESCOBAR , Rodrigo de |
|
|
|
ESCOBEDO , Luis de |
|
|
|
ESPINOSA , Francisco de |
An Espinoza died after eating a poisonous snake near Cibola. |
|
|
ESTRADA , Geronimo de |
|
|
|
FERNANDEZ , Domingo |
|
|
|
FIOZ , Juan |
From: Worms, Germany. 22 years old. |
|
|
FRANCES , Juan |
|
|
|
FRANCO DE MENTRE , Juan |
|
|
|
FRIAS , Rodrigo de |
From: Talavera de la Reina. 17 or 18 years old. |
|
|
FUENTE , Juan Martin de la |
Del Maestre |
|
|
FUENTE , Juan Martin de la |
Del Arco |
|
|
FUENTERRABIA , Miguel de |
|
|
|
GALERAS , Juan |
From: Almendralejo. Decended the Grand Canyon with Captain Melgosa. 22 years old. |
|
|
GALIVER , ? |
|
|
|
GALLEGO , Cristobal |
|
|
|
GALLEGO , Juan |
From: Coruna. Parents: Juan Hernandez de Artes and Mayor Rodriguez. A settler of Villa Purificacion in 1536. |
|
|
GALLEGO , Lope |
|
|
|
GAMEZ , Rodrigo de |
|
|
|
GARCIA , Anton |
|
|
|
GARCIA , Cristobal |
|
|
|
GARCIA , Simon |
|
|
|
GARCIA DE LLERENA , Hernan |
|
|
|
GARRIDO, Bartolome |
From: Moguer |
|
|
GAZTACA , Juan de |
|
|
|
GERONIMO , Pedro |
|
|
|
GENOVES , Lorenzo |
|
|
|
GODOY , Francisco de |
|
|
|
GOMEZ , Francisco |
|
|
|
GOMEZ DE LA PENA , Hernan |
A settler of San Miguel, Culiacan. |
|
|
GOMEZ DE PARADINAS , Juan |
From the town of Paradinas. He was a tailor. he brought his wife Maria Maldonado who helped attend to the injured. |
|
|
GONZALEZ , Alonso |
|
|
|
GONZALEZ , Alonso |
|
|
|
GONZALEZ , Fernand |
From the Island of Santo Domingo. |
|
|
GONZALEZ , Francisco |
|
|
|
GONZALEZ , Pedro |
|
|
|
From: Villanueva del Fresno. Came to Mexico with Panfilo Narvaez. |
|
|
|
GORBALAN , Francisco |
From: Guadalajara Spain. 19 years old. |
|
|
GORES , Francisco |
|
|
|
GUADALUPE , Gaspar de |
|
|
|
GUEVARA , Diego de |
Alcalde mayor of Nueva Galicia in 1547. |
|
|
GUTIERREZ , Cristobal |
|
|
|
GUTIERREZ , Diego |
Captain |
|
|
GUTIERREZ , Francisco |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Alonso |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Andres |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Diego |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Gabriel |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Geronimo |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Juan |
From: Selorio, Asturias. |
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Luis |
Died in San Geronimo. |
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Manuel |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Martin |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Miguel |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Nofre |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ , Pero |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ CALVO , Pero |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ CHILLON , Martin |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ DE GUADALAJARA , Pero |
|
|
|
HERNANDEZ MORENO , Cristobal |
|
|
|
HOROSCO , Geronimo de |
|
|
|
HOZ , Cristobal de la |
|
|
|
HUERTA , Francisco de |
From: Badajoz |
|
|
ISLA , Rodrigo de |
|
|
|
JARAMIILLO , Juan |
|
|
|
JIMENEZ , Alonso |
|
|
|
JIMENEZ , Juan |
|
|
|
LAREDO , Antonio de |
|
|
|
LAZARO , ? |
|
|
|
LEDEZMA , Pedro de |
From: Zamora. Married the daughter of Melchor Perez. Knew Coronado since 1528. 22 years old. |
|
|
LINARES , Pedro |
|
|
|
LOPEZ , Alonso |
From: Cordoba |
|
|
Captain and served with Nuno de Guzman. |
|
|
|
LOPEZ , Francisco |
|
|
|
LOPEZ , Gabriel |
|
|
|
LOPEZ , Gonzalo |
From: Medellin |
|
|
LOPEZ , Juan |
|
|
|
LOPEZ , Pedro |
From: Cuidad Real. |
|
|
LOPEZ DE CARDENAS , Garcia |
Captain |
|
|
LOPEZ DE SAYAGO , Juan |
|
|
|
LUNA Y ARELLANO , Tristan de |
Captain. In 1558 he was sent to Florida. More on TRISTÁN DE LUNA Y ARELLANO |
|
|
MADRID AVENDANO , Diego de |
From: Toledo. 28 years old. |
|
|
MALDONADO , Alonso |
|
|
|
From: Burgos. Served with Nuno de Guzman in the conquest of Jalisco. |
|
|
|
MALDONADO , Rodrigo |
Captain. From: Guadalajara, Spain |
|
|
MANRIQUE , Alonso |
From: Valladolid. Parents: Antonio Manrique and Catalina de Aragon. |
|
|
MARQUEZ , Pedro |
|
|
|
MARTIN , Andres |
|
|
|
MARTIN , Andres |
From: Portugal. |
|
|
MARTIN , Anton |
|
|
|
MARTIN , Domingo |
From: Brozas in Castilla. 37 years old. |
|
|
MARTIN , Esteban |
|
|
|
MARTIN , Francisco |
|
|
|
MARTIN PARRA , Alonso |
|
|
|
MATA , Diego de |
|
|
|
MAYORAL , Pedro |
|
|
|
From: Benavente. Served with Nuno de Guzman |
|
|
|
MAZUELA , Florian de |
|
|
|
MEDINA , Alonso de |
|
|
|
MEDINA , Diego de |
|
|
|
MELGOSA , Pablo de |
Captain of the infantry. From: Burgos where he later returned. 24 years old. |
|
|
MENDEZ , Cristobal |
|
|
|
MENDEZ DE SOTOMAYOR , Pero |
|
|
|
MERCADO DE SOTOMAYOR , Geronimo |
From: Carmona. 17 or 18 years old. |
|
|
MERIDA , Alonso Esteban de |
|
|
|
MESA , ? |
Injured by a poisoned arrow. |
|
|
MIGUEL , ? |
|
|
|
MIGUEL , Anton |
|
|
|
MILLERO , Alonso |
|
|
|
MIRANDA , Andres de |
|
|
|
MONDRAGON , ? |
Conducted an exploration of Tiguex. |
|
|
MORAL , Alonso del |
|
|
|
MORILLA , Diego de |
|
|
|
MORILLA , Juan |
|
|
|
MUNOZ , Juan |
Juan took Miguel de Santiago's place on the expedition when Santiago became ill before leaving. Munoz died on the expedition. |
|
|
MUNOZ , Francisco |
From: La Granja |
|
|
NAJERA , Pedro de |
Had nine children. From Guadalajara in Nueva Galicia. May have been the father of Diego de Najara (also from Guadalajara) who’s son Andres took part in the Onate expedition. |
|
|
NAPOLITANO , Bartolome |
|
|
|
From: Aragon. Came to Mexico with Cortes. |
|
|
|
NAVARRO , Pedro |
From: Estela in Navarra. 30 years old. |
|
|
NIETO , Pedro |
|
|
|
NUNEZ DE GARBENA , Diego |
|
|
|
NUNEZ DE MIRANDILLA , Diego |
|
|
|
OCAMPO , Andres do |
From: Portugal. Stayed in New Mexico with Padre Fray Juan de Padella. |
|
|
OLIVARES , Francisco de |
From: Bejar. A Conquistador of Guatamala. Settled in Mexico City with his wife the daughter of Cristobal Romero. |
|
|
ORDONEZ , Sancho |
From: Alhanje, Extremadura. One of the early settlers of Puebla. |
|
|
ORDUNA , Hernando de |
From: Burgos |
|
|
ORDUNA , Juan de |
From: Toledo. Lost an eye during the expedition and returned to Culiacan. |
|
|
OREJON , Andres |
From: Avila |
|
|
ORTEGA , Pedro de |
|
|
|
OVANDO , Francisco de |
Died in Mohi |
|
|
PADILLA , Francisco de |
|
|
|
PAEZ , Fernan |
From: Villafranca in Portugal. 25 years old. |
|
|
PAEZ , Jorge |
|
|
|
PANIAGUA , Juan |
From: Ecija. Injured in battle on the Rio Grande. Returned to Culiacan. |
|
|
PARADA , Francisco de |
|
|
|
PARADINAS , Alonso |
|
|
|
PASCUAL , Pedro |
|
|
|
PASTOR , Juan |
Resident of San Miguel Culiacan in 1552. |
|
|
PAZ , Rodrigo de |
|
|
|
PENA , Juan de |
|
|
|
PEREA , Garcia de |
|
|
|
PEREZ , Alonso |
Oldest son of Alonso Perez who came to Mexico with Panfilo de Narvaez. Alonso married the daughter of the Captain Diego Gutierrez. |
|
|
PEREZ , Andres |
|
|
|
PEREZ , Juan |
From: Aragon. |
|
|
PEREZ BUSCAVIDA , Anton |
|
|
|
PEREZ DAVILA , Cristobal |
|
|
|
PEREZ DE LA TORRE , Melchor |
From: Estremadura. Father: Lic. Diego de la Torre (the first govenor of Nueva Galicia). A founder of Guadalajara where he settled with a wife and 3 children. His sister married another founder of Guadalajara, Hernando Flores. |
|
|
PEREZ DE VERGARA , Juan |
|
|
|
PIGREDO , Luis de |
|
|
|
PLASENCIA , Juan de |
|
|
|
PONARES , Francisco de |
Died in Mohi. |
|
|
PUELLES , Diego de |
From: Miranda de Ebro |
|
|
QUESADA , Cristobal de |
|
|
|
RAMOS , Geronimo |
|
|
|
RAMOS , Juan de |
|
|
|
RAMOS , Pedro |
|
|
|
RIBADENEYRA , Juan de |
|
|
|
RIBERA , Antonio de |
|
|
|
REBEROS , ? |
|
|
|
ROBLES , Melchior |
From: Almazan |
|
|
RODRIGUEZ , Francisco |
|
|
|
RODRIGUEZ , Garcia |
From: Alcaraz |
|
|
RODRIGUEZ , Gaspar |
|
|
|
RODRIGUEZ , Sancho |
|
|
|
RODRIGUEZ DE ALANJE , Juan |
From: Alanje in Estremadura |
|
|
RODRIGUEZ DE AVALOS , Juan |
|
|
|
RODRIGUEZ PARRA , Alonso |
From: Coria |
|
|
ROMAN , Gomez |
|
|
|
ROMANO , Marco |
|
|
|
ROMERO , Domingo |
|
|
|
From: Sicily. Settled in Compostela. He had an encomienda which included the town of Cora. Was a conquistador of Central America with Gil Gonzalez de Avila in 1523. |
|
|
|
RUIZ , Anton |
|
|
|
RUIZ , Domingo |
|
|
|
RUIZ , Juan |
From: Agudo, Toledo. |
|
|
RUIZ , Juan |
From the Island of Espanola. Father: Juan Ruiz of Carmona Spain. Married the daughter of Bartolome Sanchez another soldier on this expedition. |
|
|
SALAMANCA , Diego de |
|
|
|
SALAMANCA , Juan de |
|
|
|
SALDANA , Gaspar de |
From: Guadalajara, Spain. 17 or 18 years old. |
|
|
SALINAS , ? |
Son of Andres de SALINAS, residents of Mexico City |
|
|
SAMANIEGO , Lope de |
Killed by an arrow near Chiametla. Buried in the field then his body was transferred to the church of Compostela. |
|
|
SAMANO , Julian de |
|
|
|
SAN VITORES , Juan Batista de |
|
|
|
SANCHEZ , Alonso |
Brought his wife Francisca de Hoces and a young son. |
|
|
SANCHEZ , Bartolome |
Took part in the conquest of Nueva Galicia. |
|
|
SANCHEZ , Leonardo |
|
|
|
SANCHEZ , Martin |
|
|
|
SANCHEZ , Miguel |
|
|
|
SANCHEZ , Rodrigo |
From: Azuaga |
|
|
SANCHEZ DE FROMISTA , Diego |
|
|
|
SANCHEZ DE PLASENCIA , Miguel |
|
|
|
SANCHEZ DEL BARCO DAVILA , Pedro |
|
|
|
SANTILLAN , Francisco de |
|
|
|
SANTOVAYA , Juan de |
From: Galicia |
|
|
SAYAVEDRA , Alonso de |
|
|
|
SERRANO , Bartolome |
|
|
|
SIMANCAS , Francisco de |
|
|
|
SIMON , Diego |
From: Moguer. |
|
|
SIMON , Rodrigo |
From: Moguer. |
|
|
SOLIS FARFAN , Juan de |
|
|
|
SOTO , Sebastian de |
|
|
|
SOTOMAYOR , Juan de |
|
|
|
TALAVERA , Pedro de |
|
|
|
TAMARAN , Rodrigo de |
From: Castaneda. |
|
|
TEMINO , Francisco de |
A Hidalgo, he married in 1551 the daughter of the Conquistador Gonzalo Hernandez Mosquera. Francisco's brother was Baltazar Banuelos. |
|
|
TORO , Alonso de |
From: Alcala de Henares. Resident of Villa Purificacion. |
|
|
TORQUEMADA , Juan de |
|
|
|
TORRES , Francisco de |
From: Trujillo |
|
|
TORRES , Miguel de |
|
|
|
He was dispatched ahead with 20 others. They were the first white men to see the Hopi towns of northeastern Arizona. Brother to don Sancho de Tovar. Pedro was a Conquistador with Nuno de Guzman in 1531. Had a son, don Hernando de Tobar. |
|
|
|
TROYANO , Juan |
|
|
|
TRUJILLO , Pedro de |
|
|
|
TRUJILLO , Rodrigo de |
|
|
|
URREA , Lope de |
|
|
|
URREL , Pedro de |
|
|
|
VACA , Juan de |
There were 4 recorded Juan de Vaca's that came to the New World from 1520-1539. Of these, one from Mayorga is recorded as settling in Mexico in 1538. His parents were Nuño de Vaca and Beatriz de Quiñones. Possibly the father of Cristobal de Vaca |
|
|
VALDIVIESO , Francisco de |
|
|
|
VALENCIA , Alonso de |
|
|
|
VALLARA , Juan de |
|
|
|
VALLE , Cristobal del |
From: Aranda de Duero. Parents: Antonio del Valle and Ana de Leiva |
|
|
VALLE , Hernando del |
From: Olmedo. Resident of Villa Purificacion. |
|
|
VARGAS , Francisco de |
|
|
|
VARGAS , Luis de |
17 or 18 years old. |
|
|
VARGAS , Pedro de |
|
|
|
VAZQUEZ , Gonzalo |
|
|
|
VAZQUEZ DE GARABEL , Rosele |
|
|
|
VELASCO , ? |
|
|
|
VELASCO , Alonso de |
|
|
|
VERA , Rodrigo de |
|
|
|
VILLAFRANCA , Francisco de |
|
|
|
VILLAROYA , Martin de |
|
|
|
From: Agudo. Alcalde of Guadalajara in 1544 where he settled with his wife. Son of Rodrigo de Villareal and Beatriz Alonso. Member of the order of Calatrava http://chivalricorders.org/orders/spanish/calatrav.htm |
|
|
|
VILLEGAS , Juan de |
Brother of Pedro de VELLEGAS of Mexico City. |
|
|
VITORIA , Juan de |
From: Burgos. 26 years old. |
|
|
VIZCAINO , Juan |
|
|
|
VOZ DE RIVADEO , Alonso |
|
|
|
XIMENEZ , Alonso |
|
|
|
XUAREZ DE FIGUEROA , Gomez |
|
|
|
YANEZ , Gonzalo |
|
|
|
From: Guadalajara in Spain. Nephew of Cristobal de Onate. Conquistador of Nueva Galicia. |
|
|
|
ZAMORA , Baltasar de |
|
|
* Source of the above names:
Guillermo Garmendia Leal. FUNDADORES DE NUEVA GALICIA, GUADALAJARA, TOMO I
* Supporting info. Coronado Knight of the Pueblos and Plains
RESOURCES Archives of THE WEST
The Journey of Coronado - An account of the expedition to Cibola which took place in the year 1540, in which all those settlements, their ceremonies & customs, are described. Written by Pedro de Castaneda, of Najara.
One record of the Expedition: PREFACE
TO ME it seems very certain, my very noble lord, that it is a worthy ambition for great men to desire to know and wish to preserve for posterity correct information concerning the things that have happened in distant parts, about which little is known. I do not blame those inquisitive persons who, perchance with good intentions, have many times troubled me not a little with their requests that I clear up for them some doubts which they have had about different things that have been commonly related concerning the events and occurrences that took place during the expedition to Cibola, or the New Land, which the good viceroy - may he be with God in His glory - Don Antonio de Mendoza, ordered and arranged, and on which he sent Francisco Vazquez de Coronado as captain-general.
In truth, they have reason for wishing to know the truth, because most people very often make things of which they have heard, and about which they have perchance no knowledge, appear either greater or less than they are. They make nothing of those things that amount to something, and those that do not they make so remarkable that they appear to be something impossible to believe. This may very well have been caused by the fact that, as the country was not permanently occupied, there has not been anyone who was willing to spend his time in writing about its peculiarities, because all knowledge was lost of that which it was not the pleasure of God -- He alone knows the reason -- that they should enjoy.
In truth, he who wishes to employ himself thus in writing out the things that happened on the expedition, and the things that were seen in those lands, and the ceremonies and customs of the natives, will have matter enough to test his judgment, & I believe that the result can not fail to be an account which, describing only the truth, will be so remarkable that it will seem incredible.
And besides, I think that the twenty years and more since that expedition took place have been the cause of some stories which are related. For example, some make it an uninhabitable country, others have it bordering on Florida, and still others on Greater India, which does not appear to be a slight difference. They are unable to give any basis upon which to found their statements. There are those who tell about some very peculiar animals, who are contradicted by others who were on the expedition, declaring that there was nothing of the sort seen. Others differ as to the limits of the provinces and even in regard to the ceremonies and customs, attributing what pertains to one people to others. All this has had a large part, my very noble lord, in making me wish to give now, although somewhat late, a short general account for all those who pride themselves on this noble curiosity, and to save myself the time taken up by these solicitations. Things enough will certainly be found here which are hard to believe. All or most of these were seen with my own eyes, and the rest is from reliable information obtained by inquiry of the natives themselves.
Understanding as I do that this little work would be nothing in itself, lacking authority, unless it were favored and protected by a person whose authority would protect it from the boldness of those who, without reverence, give their murmuring tongues liberty, and knowing as I do how great are the obligations under which I have always been, & am, to Your Grace, I humbly beg to submit this work to your protection. May it be received as from a faithful retainer and servant.
It will be divided into three parts, that it may be better understood. The first will tell of the discovery and armament or army that was made ready, and of the whole journey, with the captains who were there; the second, of the villages and provinces which were found, their limits, and ceremonies and customs, the animals, fruits, vegetation, and in what parts of the country these are; the third, of the return of the army and the reasons for abandoning the country, although these were insufficient, because this is the best place there is for discoveries -- the marrow of the land in these western parts, as will be seen. And after this has been made plain, some remarkable things which were seen will be described at the end, and the way by which one might more easily return to discover that better land which we did not see, since it would be no small advantage to enter the country through the land which the Marquis of the Valley, Don Fernando Cortes, went in search of under the Western Star, and which cost him no small sea armament.
May it please our lord to so favor me that with my slight knowledge and small abilities I may be able, by relating the truth, to make my little work pleasing to the learned and wise readers, when it has been accepted by Your Grace. For my intention is not to gain the fame of a good composer or rhetorician, but I desire to give a faithful account and to do this slight service to Your Grace, who will, I hope, receive it as from a faithful servant and soldier who took part in it. Although not in a polished style, I write that which happened -- that which I heard, experienced, saw, and did.
I always notice, and it is a fact, that for the most part when we have something valuable in our hands, and deal with it without hindrance, we do not value or prize it as highly as if we understood how much we would miss it after we had lost it, and the longer we continue to have it the less we value it; but after we have lost it and miss the advantages of it, we have a great pain in the heart, and we are all the time imagining and trying to find ways and means by which to get back again. It seems to me that this has happened to all or most of those who went on the expedition which, in the year of our Savior Jesus Christ 1540, Francisco Vazquez de Coronado led in search of the Seven Cities.
Granted that they did not find the riches of which they had been told, they found a place in which to search for them and the beginning of a good country to settle in, so as to go on farther from there. Since they came back from the country which they conquered and abandoned, time has given them a chance to understand the direction and locality in which they were, and the borders of the good country they had in their hands, and their hearts weep for having lost so favorable an opportunity. Just as men see more at the bullfight when they are upon the seats than when they are around in the ring, now when they know and understand the direction and situation in which they were, and see, indeed, that they can not enjoy it nor recover it, now when it is too late they enjoy telling about what they saw, and even of what they realize that they lost, especially those who are now as poor as when they went there. They have never ceased their labors and have spent their time to no advantage. I say this because I have known several of those who came back from there who amuse themselves now by talking of how it would be to go back and proceed to recover that which is lost, while others enjoy trying to find the reason why it was discovered at all. And now I will proceed to relate all that happened from the beginning.