The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 29, July 1925 - April, 1926 Page: 297
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El Yllustre Sefior Xamuscado
who came along with him. There was serious dispute, and it all
turned on Chamuscado's assumption that he had been commis-
sioned by the viceroy to lead the expedition of discovery. The
missionaries denied that he possessed such authority. They had
come to preach the Gospel, and at the request of the viceroy they
had enlisted the men for their protection. Chamuscado, however,
had assumed control, it seems, as soon as the party had crossed
the Rio Grande. The friars bore with Chamuscado until they
reached the vicinity of Bernalillo, where they intended to set up
their headquarters. Here they agreed that Chamuscado's high-
handed conduct rendered missionary efforts fruitless, and that the
viceroy must be informed of the situation. Fr. Juan de Santa
Maria accordingly prepared to make the journey to Mexico.
Chamuscado must have suspected Fr. Santa Maria's errand. He
tried to prevent the missionary's departure. He failed, and then
had the first paper drawn up for the benefit of his mystified com-
panions. The assertion that Fr. Santa Maria went without his
superior's permission, served the purpose with the soldiers at the
time, but was too absurd to convince either the viceroy or the
religious in Mexico.
After the departure of the friar Chamuscado with his men made
an extensive exploring tour in search of mines. They discovered
some mine prospects, but by their inconsiderate conduct infuriated
the Indians all over the country. On one occasion Chamuscado
ordered three Indians, who had killed three horses, executed by
having their heads cut off. Only the determined attitude of the
two remaining friars saved the Indians. By the month of Jan-
uary, 1582, Chamuscado thought it time to retire; but he wanted
the two missionaries to come along. They declined. Their mis-
sion was not finished, for they had come to make Christ known
and served, although they must have foreseen that, owing to the
fury Chamuscado had aroused, their lives were in danger. Then
Chamuscado had the second paper drawn up. If two soldiers
refused to sign the first document, it is significant that this was
signed by only three of the eight men, Chamuscado being too ill
to sign, and Gallegos acting as secretary. In fact, Gallegos in
his own narrative says that some of the men wanted to stay with
the missionaries, but that Chamuscado would not permit it. The
three or four volunteers would have been sufficient to protect the297
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 29, July 1925 - April, 1926, periodical, 1926; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117141/m1/323/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.