Colonial Governors 1625–1641 By José García he governors cited here served during formal trial by the Inquisition. the period 1625 to 1641, all appointed by Historians believe that hostility among the Viceroy Rodrigo Pacheco de Osorio with citizenry caused Ossorio financial ruin and Tthe exception of Francisco Martínez de reduced him to the ignoble job of watering Baeza, who was appointed by Viceroy Lope his own horse. Gov. Antonio de Otermín Diego de Armendariz, and Luis de Rosas, who would later state that the soldier–citizens had was appointed by Viceroy Marques de Cadereita. always been unfriendly, even hostile, to They all served King Felipe IV. Governors were governors who opposed their wishes. Ossorio normally appointed by the viceroy in Mexico. left office in 1629, relinquishing the reins of The term of an appointment was in most cases government to his successor, Francisco three to four years, while some governors served Manuel de Silva Nieto. longer and others were appointed more than Francisco Manuel de Silva Nieto, 1630–1632 once. Some governors served with honorable Not much is known about Francisco distinction, while others were less respected. Manuel de Silva Nieto other than that he Some were military men, while others were served during this period. However, as career bureaucrats. In most cases they were research continues, it is hoped that some dispatched out of Mexico City and could return information will turn up. when their successor arrived in Santa Fe. Francisco de la Mora y Ceballos, 1632–1635 Admiral Felipe Sotelo Ossorio, 1625-1630 France V. Scholes wrote in his book Church Gov. Juan de Eulate transferred the office to and State in New Mexico that “Mora y his successor, Adm. Felipe Sotelo Ossorio, on Ceballos soon earned the ill will of many Illustration by Arturo de Agüero. Dec. 21, 1625. After 12 years of service in Italy persons, both clerical and lay, by his eager and on the Barbary Coast as a soldier and desire to use his official position as a means of supply caravan. He was obliged to curb his ensign, Ossorio traveled from Naples to Spain personal profit.” restlessness, however, and wait for the caravan and then to New Spain. The viceroy appointed There is probably no doubt that Mora tried that left later in the year. He arrived in New him sargento mayor (sergeant major) of the to squeeze a large profit out of his term of Mexico in the spring of 1637, and on April 19 troops of the presidio of San Juan de Ulua, and in office. But apparently he was able to present took over the province from his predecessor, 1623 he was promoted to comisario of the adequate justification of his record to the Francisco Martínez de Baeza. infantry, and then to admiral of ships assigned authorities in Mexico City, for he was later Rosas’ first important duty as governor was to the Philippines. Later, while in Spain, Ossorio appointed as commander of the garrison and to take residencia of his predecessor (here, requested a royal recommendation from the alcalde mayor of Acapulco. residencia means to perform a complete viceroy of New Spain. His petition was heard, Francisco Martínez de Baeza, 1635–1637 investigation of all official acts taken by the and in 1625 Ossorio was appointed governor of There isn’t much information available on person in question). The clergy confidently New Mexico, while retaining his title of admiral. Martínez de Baeza; Scholes dedicated a number expected that he would submit Baeza to severe Ossorio’s tenure as governor was filled with of pages to him, and most of the information is rebuke and punishment, but to their the same rancor as that of his predecessor. The related to differences between the governor and amazement he refused to permit himself to be two also shared similar personality traits. the clergy. This seemed to be an ongoing made their instrument of vengeance. It was Inquisition papers indicate that Ossorio was a situation with the governors in the 1600s. charged several years later (1641) by the anti- braggart who lacked a sense of humor and had Luis de Rosas, 1637–1641 Rosas faction that he had accepted a bribe an exaggerated opinion of his own importance, With the exception of Diego de Peñalosa, from Baeza, in return for which he made no a description also applied to Eulate. Ossorio’s who was governor from 1661 to 1664, Luis de strict investigation of the latter’s official overbearing personality made him unpopular, Rosas was the most interesting of all the men conduct. This was not unlikely, as bribery was not only with the clergy but also with who ruled New Mexico prior to the Pueblo a common means of escaping a strict residencia. soldier–citizens and Santa Fe frontiersmen. The Revolt. He was an outspoken, hard-hitting It is evident in any case that Rosas refused to schism between civil authority and the church soldier, fearless in action. He made his take the side of the Roman Catholic Church continued throughout the four-year decisions quickly and executed them with regard to the recent difficulties with administration of Ossorio. Numerous reported ruthlessly. He had the qualities useful in a Baeza, and his independent action, whether it incidents illustrate Ossorio’s attitude toward the leader of a faction but unsuited to the civil involved the acceptance of a bribe or not, clergy and ecclesiastical privilege and immunity. administration of a province where passions brought him criticism. Charges that Ossorio was immoral, profane, had already been deeply aroused. Men either Luis de Rosas was assassinated by a group blasphemous, disrespectful of the clergy and admired him or hated him, for his character of men led by Nicolás Ortiz to avenge the church ceremonies and suspect in the faith may was of that direct and positive sort that leaves seduction of Ortiz’s wife, María de Bustillos, or may not have been true. An atmosphere of no room for neutral ground. by Rosas. personal animosity certainly existed among Rosas was appointed governor of New some of the soldiers, the clergy and many of the Mexico by Viceroy Marques de Cadereita, and Sources: The New Mexico State Historian Web citizens of Santa Fe, but there is no evidence that the clergy of New Mexico later charged that he site at www.newmexicohistory.org. Church and the charges made against Ossorio resulted in a was merely Caldereita’s servant. The first State in New Mexico by France V. Scholes. glimpse of Rosas in the spring of 1636 soon after his appointment shows him José García was born in SPONSORED BY eager to set out for his Rowe, N.M. He currently province, for he had lives in Santa Fe and has a The 400th Anniversary petitioned the viceregal great interest in the colonial authorities for permission to history of northern New © 2008 Santa Fe 400th Anniversary, Inc. leave for New Mexico in Mexico. advance of the regular 46 La Herencia / Fall 2008.