Documents relating to the massacre of the
Governor, Don Jose de Leon y Echales,
other officials and missionaries at
San Francisco de la Arena, by
Indians, on 1st December, 1699.
Collected and translated by
Father P. J. Buissink, P.P.,
San Rafael, and
published by the
Historical
Society
of
Trinidad and
Tobago, 1938
FOREWORD.
The following documents relate to the judicial proceedings
against
the Indians who murdered the Missionaries of San Francisco
de la
Arena, the Governor and members of his party. The proceedings
are
translated in extenso except where the legal formula and
signatures
are repeated with the examination of each witness or
prisoner, in
which instances the repetition is summarised and printed in
italics.
The Society previously issued, as Publication No. 193, a
report
of the massacre by Fr. Mateo de Anguiano, official historian
of the
Capuchins, written in 1704.
Testimony in the criminal case which the
Alcaldes-Governors of the Island of Trinidad-
Don Diego de Alaje Tenreiro and Don Tomas
de Lezama made together against the Indians
of Arena, in the rear 1700, to be transmitted
to the King Our Lord.
General Archives of the Indies. Sevilla.
Audience of Sto. Domingo, Bundle 582.
LETTER OF THE FATHER PREFECT.
SENORES, ALCALDES, GOVERNORS, JESUS, MARIA.
I
give advice that yesterday, the first day of the New Year,
the General Don Antonio readied the mission of Savanna
Grande with all his men very tired and exhausted, through
lack of provisions. He brings with him twenty-seven prisoners,
men of twelve years and more; thirty-two adult women;
twenty-five little ones less than twelve years old, and
states
that ten Indians with their wives went over to the Caribs of
the reefs, having with them ten women to give them to the
other Caribs in order to hide them or go elsewhere. I have
heard that General Don Antonio has ordered the Indians to
pursue those ten Indians with their wives and other single
women, and among them the old Chief and the Lieutenant
with all the members of his party who are on an Island in
the
marsh. And the General Don Antonio would not go there for,
lack of provisions, and because he had with him many
prisoners, he has decided not to take these prisoners with
him
to Savanna, until the return of those who have gone to seek
the Chief and his people. I have not approved of this
decision
which he has taken with the Second-Lieutenant Diego, and
have insisted that they should bring the prisoners to our
Lordship, and after that should go in search of the others,
and
they have answered that the prisoners were kept under good
watch, and that they wished to bring them all together.
That is all I have to tell your Lordship whom God guard
many years.
Naparima, the second of January, 1700.
Chaplain of your Lordship,
GABRIEL de BARCELONA.
ORDINANCE OF THE GENERAL MEETING.
In
the town of San Jose de Oruna, Island of Trinidad, on
the sixth day of the month of January, 1700, the Sergeant-
Major Don Diego de Alaje Tenreiro and the Second Lieutenant
Tomas de Lezama, alcaldes in ordinary, Governors because of
the death of the Camp-Master Don Jose de Leon, Governor
and Captain General of these provinces for His Majesty, for
the desired effect and decision of what must be done in
relation
to a paper which they had received from the Reverend Father
Gabriel de Barcelona, Prefect of the missions of this
province,
in which he advises them that General Antonio, who is at the
head of the missions of Naparima, and Second Lieutenant
Diego Martinez, Spaniard who assists the said Reverend
Father, after a march which they had made in pursuit of the
criminal Indians of the mission of Arena, had 82 prisoners
men, women and children, and that he expected a part of his
troops which he had sent to pursue some fugitive criminals.
They ordered him to put himself at the head of these
ordinances, and called a general meeting, in which were
present: -Alderman Captain Juan de Lezama, Martin
Alonso Guerrero, the Captain Don Francisco Coronado, and
the Captain Diego Perez de Leon, and the Camp-Master
Don Pedro Fernandez de la Vega, the Sergeant-Major Juan
Martinez de Vengoechea y Esponda, the Captain Diego
Onorato Orval, the Captain Don Vicente de Leon y Urriti,
the Captain Domingo Nieto de Sobrado, the Captain Don
Antonio de Bustamante, the Captain Juan Isidro de Mier,
the Captain Antonio de Robles, the Captain Don Francisco
de Zuniga, the Captain Gaspar Gutierrez de Sandoval. And
when they were assembled in the royal house of the Cabildo,
these men read the said paper, in order to propose what
ought to be done with the said Indians, because the
punishment
was executed for the first whom they had taken in the two
marches which they had made And it seemed good to all
members of this meeting that the same judgment should be
pronounced against them which was executed against the
other criminals for all the men of fourteen years of age or
above, because it was evident that they had taken part in
such
an atrocious crime and sacrilege, as they had committed, and
that the rest of the children and the women should be
distributed and put in the custody of some persons in this
town for their service, and these persons should take the
obligation to nourish them and to instruct thm in the
teaching
of our Holy Catholic faith, until in the meantime they would
give an account of this resolution to his Highness the
President
and the Judges of the Royal Audience and the Royal Chancery,
of Santa Fe in the new reign of Granada, so that in view of
this his Highness dispose what must be done with those
children and women. And when the said Alcaldes had heard
and understood this, they asked the Captain Don Antonio
de Bustamante, the general Protector of the Indians of this
province what he thought about this arrangement and
proposal. And he answered that everything was well arranged
and that he relied on his Highness who in view of all this
would order that which would be the most convenient to the
royal service, And the same alcaldes said that they approved
with all which was contained in the said meeting, and that
they would decree accordingly concerning the punishment
and its execution, and the sending of these ordinances to
his
Highness, so that in view of them he determine what must
be executed in this matter. And in conformity with this all
those present signed it on the said day, month and year.
The signatures follow.
ORDINANCE.
In
the town of San Jose de Oruna, Island of Trinidad, on
the tenth of the month of January, 1700, we the Sergeant-
Major Diego de Alaje Tenreiro and the Second Lieutenant
Tomas de Lezama, alcaides in ordinary, Governors of this
Island, in the vacancy of a government for the King our
Lord,
after the General Antonio had reached this town with the
Indian prisoners, indicated the general meeting which we
held on the sixth day of the present month, and which is
written at the head of these ordinances, for its fulfilment
and
the execution of what is resolved there, stop to examine the
judgment which was given and pronounced by the Alcaldes-
Governors our predecessors against the two Indians if the
mission of Arena, concerning their rebellion. And after
having seen and examined those ordinances, for more
justifica-
tion of the generality of the sedition, and to see, if all
of that
mission were accomplices and co-operators in the said crime,
as one of the accomplices declared during the said judgment,
in the first declaration of those ordinances, and in other
declarations concerning this matter, besides that of the
first
declaration, we order that the declarations and avowals be
taken from seven of the accomplices, who were brought here,
and that they be asked, if all the Indians of the said
mission
with common accord disposed themselves and resolved to
commit the crime, indicated in those ordinances. And their
oaths and avowals shall be taken with the assistance of the
Captain Antonio de Bustamante who is the Protector of those
Indians, and when this is done, measures shall be taken,
according to what has been resolved in the said general
meeting, against those who shall be found to have
co-operated
in this crime. So we dispose, order and sign with the
witnesses
with whom we act in the absence of a Notary Public, who
were :- The Captain Lorenzo Mendez de Sotomayor and the
Second Lieutenant Antonio de Montenegro residents of this
town. Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Lorenzo
Mendez de Sotomayor, Lorenzo Antonio de Montenegro.
NOTIFICATION.
In
this said town, on the twelfth day of the month of
January of this year 1700, we the said alcaldes-Governors
made known the ordinance written above to the Captain
Don Antonio de Bustamante, Protector of the Indians, and
he said that he had heard it and signed it. Diego de Alaje,
Tomas de Lezama, Antonio de Bustamante.
AVOWAL OF GREGORIO.
And
immediately after we the said alcaldes, in order to
fulfil the ordinance given above, received the declaration
of
Gregorio, one of the principal Indians among the aggressors,
mentioned in the said ordinance, through the Captain Martin
de Mendoza, principal Indian of the settlement of the valley
of San Agustin de Arauca, who fulfilled the office of
interpreter,
because the said Gregorio did not know the Spanish language,
and to that effect the oath was taken of the said
interpreter.
And because he was ladino and knew the value of an oath,
he made it to God our Lord and with a sign of the cross in
due legal form, under the burden of which he promised to
speak the truth and with all faithfulness concerning that
which the said Gregorio would answer to that which would
be asked him. And he was asked, if he was with the others,
when they killed the Reverend Missionary Fathers who were
in the mission of Arena, he said, that he was not, that
Father Estevan had sent him to the ford of the river Aripo,
to bring over the Governor who would come to visit the said
mission. Asked, if he knew that they were resolved to kill
the said Fathers, he said that he knew it. Asked, if he was
present, when they killed the said Governor, he said that
he was present, and that it was he who finished off the
Governor, and helped the others to kill his companions.
Asked, if of the others caught by General Antonio, and
brought to this town, there is one who is not an accomplice,
or who did not have part in these murders, he said that all
were there and took part in these murders, except Ignacio
who was absent from this mission and knew nothing, until he
came back and everything was finished. And the said
interpreter added that all this is the truth, which the said
Gregorio had answered to all what was asked him, under the
weight of the oath which he had made, and which he maintains
and ratifies as a Christian. And he says that he has the age
of a little more or less than seventy years. And the said
Gregorio did not know his age; he seems to be a little more
or less than thirty years. And the said interpreter added
that
he had well and faithfully fulfilled his office, under the
burden
of his oath. And when this declaration was read to the said
Gregorio and was explained by the said interpreter, he
answered that it was the same which he had made, and
maintains and ratifies it. And the said interpreter did not
sign, because he did not know. We the said Alcaldes sign
with the Protector and the witnesses who were :- Captain
Diego de Torres and Ignacio Pimiento and the Second
Lieutenant Lorenzo Antonio de Montenegro, residents of this
town, Diego do Alaje, Tomas de Lezama, Antonio do
Bustamante, Diego de Torres Vadillo, Lorenzo Antonio
de Montenegro, Juan lgnacio Pimiento.
AVOWAL OF AGUSTIN.
Agustin,
an Indian, then gave the following evidence through the
interpreter : Asked if he took part with the others who killed
the said Reverend Fathers Missionaries, he said that he was
present, but that he did not help in the killing. Asked if
he
was present with the others, when they killed the Governor
and his companions at the Aripo river, he said that he was
present, but that likewise he killed no one, and wounded
only
one horse. Asked, if any one of those who were made prisoner
with him and caught by General Antonio, was not an
accomplice, or was not present at the related crime, he said
that all took part its these murders, except lgnacio who was
absent from the mission, and knew nothing, and when he
came back, everything was finished. Asked, what cause or
motive they had to commit such a crime, he said that,
because
the Father had reprimanded them, because they would not
work in the construction of a Church in the said mission,
and
that he threatened them with said Governor.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes and Protector in the
presence of
witnesses.
AVOWAL OF JOSE (Age 20).
Jose,
Christian Indian of the said mission who helped the said Fathers
in his office of Sacristan, and is one of the caught
criminals took the
oath: And asked if he was with the others in the murders of the
Reverend Fathers Missionaries, he said that he was with
them,
and that the night before they had had a meeting to decide
these
murders, and that they had invited him to it, but that he
killed no one. Asked, if he was present at the murder of the
Governor and of those who accompanied him, he said that
he was not present, that he had remained in the mission, and
that he had put a surplice to help to drag out the Fathers.
Asked if any of those caught by General Antonio was or was
not guilty of these murders, lie said that all were present
and
helped in these murders, and that those who descended to
the river Aripo to kill the Governor and his companions came
back to this mission, glorifying themselves, because of the
murders which they had committed, and that he heard that
Augustin who made his declaration in these ordinances said
that he alone had killed Father Juan Antonio Mazien, Priest
of the Order of Preachers, who was in the company of the
said Governor. Asked if the Indian Ignacio was present
whom the others declared absent, he said that he was not
there, that he knew nothing, because he was not in the said
mission. Asked if an Indian, called Evaristo, and another,
Juan Santos who are prisoners caught by the Spaniards, took
part in the murders, he answered that they took part in them
and that Evaristo descended to the river and glorified
himself
as having killed one, and that Juan Santos remained in the
mission. Asked, what cause or motive they had to commit
such an atrocious crime, he said that because they did not
assist at the obligatory devotions, and did not attend the
instruction of our Holy Catholic faith, the Father
reprimanded
them, and because they would not work in the construction
of the Church, he threatened them that the Governor would
be obliged to punish them. . . Jose then swore to the
truth of
the above statement which was signed by the Alcaldes,
Prolector
and witnesses.
AVOWAL OF MATHEO.
Matheo,
an Indian about 40 years old, then gave the following
evidence through the interpreter: Asked if he took part with the
others in the murders of the Reverend Fathers Missionaries,
he answered that he did not, because he had gone to the
river to wait for the Governor, and that he knew that they
had had a meeting to commit those murders the night before.
Asked if he took part with the others in the murder of the
Governor, he said that he did, and for more information he
added that he killed the Notary Public Mateo de Oso with
an arrow of agave and covered him with some leaves. Asked
if those who are prisoners with him, and were caught by
General Antonio, had not taken part in these murders, and
were not in the said mission, he answered that all took part
in them, except Ignacio who was absent and knew nothing,
and when he returned to the said mission, everything was
finished. Asked, if Juan Santos and Evaristo, Indians of the
said mission who are prisoners caught by the Spaniards, took
part in the said murders, he answered that they did, and
that
Juan Santos remained at the mission to help to drag the
Fathers out, and that Evaristo went to the river, and knows
who killed Pedro Pacheco, one of those who accompanied
the Governor. Asked what cause or motive they had to
commit such a crime, he said that the Fathers reprimanded
them and warned them, because they did not help in the
construction of the church that they were building, and
threatened them with the Governor, and they decided to
forestall everything.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes, Protector and witnesses.
AVOWAL OF PABLO.
Pablo,
an Indian about 40 years old, then gave the following
evidence through the interpreter : Asked if he took part in the
murders of the Reverend Fathers Missionaries, he said that
he did, and that he alone killed Father Raimundo de
Figuerola,
whom Juan Santos had locked up in a little room, and he
broke the door with an axe to commit the said murder,
which he did with a wooden tool, when he found the said
Father with a Holy Christ in the hand, and that he did not
go to the river and take part in the murder of the Governor,
because he remained in the mission with the others. who
dragged the said Fathers out. Asked, if his fellow prisoners
took part in the said murders, he answered that all took
part
in them, except Ignacio who was absent, and when he
returned to the mission, everything was finished. Asked if
the prisoners Evaristo and Juan Santos took part with the
others in these murders, he said that they did and that
Juan Santos remained in the mission with the others to drag
along the Fathers, and that Evaristo went in ambush to kill
the Govenor and his companions. Asked what cause or
motive they had to commit such a foul crime, he said that it
was out of fear that the Governor would punish them.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes, Protector and witnesses.
AVOWAL OF VENTURA.
Ventura,
a Christian Indian of the mission of Arena, aged about
20 years, took the oath, and gave the following evidence
through the
interpreter : Asked if he was present at the murders of the
Reverend Fathers Missionaries, he said that he was present,
and that he was in the kitchen and saw the Fathers killed.
Asked if he went to the ford to wait for the Governor and
his
companions, he said that he went and that he took part with
the others in this second crime. Asked, if the other
prisoners,
and all the others of the said mission who are fugitives,
took
part in these murders and in the other crimes which they
committed, he said that all took part, except Ignacio who
was
absent, and when he returned to the mission, they had
already
committed the crime. Asked, for what cause or motive they
killed the Fathers, the Governor and the others, he answered
that it was out of fear that with the coming of the Governor
they would be punished for their sorceries and their
infrequent
attendance at religious instruction.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes, Protector and witnesses.
AVOWAL OF EVARISTO.
Evaristo,
Indian of the mission of Arena, gave the following
evidence through the interpreter : Asked if he was present at the
murders of the Reverend Fathers Missionaries, he answered
that he was present in the said mission at a meeting which
took place the night before to kill the Fathers and the
Governor,
and he saw them kill the Fathers, but he killed no one.
Asked, if he went to the river Aripo with the others to wait
for the Governor, he said that he did and that he finished
off
Pedro Pacheco, a soldier accompanying the said Governor.
Asked if all the Indians of the named mission were
accomplices
and took part in the related crime, he answered that all
took
part in it, except Ignacio who was absent and knew nothing
of what had happened, until everything was finished. Asked,
what cause or motive they had to commit such atrocities, he
said that they feared that the Governor would punish them
for their transgressions and their neglect to attend
religious
instruction.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes, Protector and witnesses.
AVOWAL OF CALIXTO.
Calixto,
an Indian, gave the following evidence through his
interpreter : Asked if he took part in the murders of the
Reverend Fathers Missionaries, he said that at that time he
was sick and could not walk, and therefore he was not
present
at the murders of the Fathers and of the Governor and his
companions. He said that he knew that they had had a
meeting for this purpose. Asked, whether he knew if all the
Indians of the said mission, as well as the prisoners and
those
still fugitives, were present to commit such an atrocious
crime,
he answer that all were present, except Ignacio who was
absent from the mission. Asked from whom and how he
knows that all the said Indians were present, he answered
that he had seen them from his house, Asked, if he knows for
what cause or motive they committed such an atrocious crime,
he said that they feared that the Governor would punish
them for their abuses and superstitions.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes, Protector and witnesses.
AVOWAL OF IGNACIO.
Ignacio,
an Indian, gave the following evidence through the
interpreter : Asked, if he was present in the mission of Arena
at the time that they murdered the Fathers Missionaries,
he answered that he was not present. Asked, if he was
present at the ford of the river Aripo, when they killed the
Governor and his companions, he said that he was not
present.
Asked, where he was, he answered that with the permission of
the Fathers he had contracted work in the Estates of the
Captain Juan de Lezama in the valley of Cumucarapo, and
that after having fulfilled the time of the contract, he
went
back so the said mission the same day that the other Indians
had committed the crime concerning which he was questioned,
and that in ignorance of what had happened and knowing
nothing, he had met the Sergeant-Major Don-Manuel Firmin
who went back to this town wounded, and immediately after
he met three Indians who followed him to finish him off, and
who were recognized by him, and were called Bernardo,
Barnabe and Hilario, who despairing to reach the said
Sergeant-Major, took him to the said mission where they
returned, and that he saw along the road the dead bodies,
and in the said mission he found that they had already
buried
the Fathers and committed other sacrileges. Asked, if he
knows whether all the Indians of the said mission took part
in this crime, he answered that he knows that all took part
in it, and that no one failed, because so he heard it said
by all,
and he heard it said by the aggressors at the time he was in
their company. Asked if he knows for what reason they
committed such an atrocious crime, he said that he did
not know.
The
above statement was sworn by the interpreter as being correct
and was signed by the Alcaldes, Protector and witnesses.
ORDINANCE.
In the named town, on the thirteenth day of the month of
January of the year indicated, we the said
Alcaldes-Governors,
in the absence of a Governor, for the justification of the
innocence of the, said Indian Ignacio, indicated in these
ordinances, order that a declaration be taken of the Captain
Juan de Lezama, and that the declaration of the said Indian
Ignacio be put under his eyes for his contestation. So we
dispose, order and sign, with the witnesses who were:-
The Captain Lorenzo Mendez and the Second Lieutenant
Lorenzo Antonio de Montenegro with whom we act in the
absence of a Notary Public. Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas
de Lezama, Lorenzo Mendez, Lorenzo Antonio de Montenegro.
AVOWAL OF THE CAPTAIN JUAN DE LEZAMA.
And
immediately after, for the conclusion of this case and
the justification of the declaration made by the Indian
Ignacio,
contained in these ordinances, we the said
Alcaldes-Governors
with the assistance of the Protector and the witnesses,
ordered
to appear before us the Captain Juan de Lezama, resident of
this town, to the effect that he swear and declare
concerning
the contents of the declaration which Ignacio made. And his
oath was received in due legal form, and when he had made
it well and completely, under the charge of which he offered
to speak the truth of what he knew and would be asked, and
when the declaration made by the said Ignacio was read to
him, and when he was asked on what day and at what hour the
said Ignacio left his house to return to the said mission,
and
how long he worked in his estate, he answered that on Tuesday
the first day of December which was the same day that the
said tragedy happened, the said Ignacio left the valley of
Cumucarapo and reached this town at twelve o'clock, from
where he followed the road to the settlement of Arauca,
where he possessed another estate, and was and spoke with
the family of his house, and when he left the said valley of
Arauca in order to go to the said mission, it was more than
three hours after the Governor and his companions had left
the said valley to go to that mission, and such is in accord
with his words ; and that he worked in his indicated estate
twenty days more or less.
Captain
Juan de Lezama signed this statement with the Alcaldes,
Protector and witnesses.
NOTIFICATION AND ORDINANCE.
And
immediately after, we the said Alcaldes-Governors,
after having seen the declaration made by the Captain Juan
de Lezama which accords with the avowal of the said lgnacio,
and that the other criminals have admitted their crime, we
order, for further proof and to fix without delay that their
avowals made with the assistance of the Protector be
ratified.
So we arrange, order and sign, being witnesses the Second
Lieutenant Juan Garcia de Miranda and Lorenzo Marcano,
residents of this town, Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas
de Lezama, Antonio de Bustamante, Juan Garcia de Miranda,
Lorenzo Marcano. And immediately after we the said
Alcaldes and Governors made known the above written
ordinance to the Captain Don Antonio de Bustamante, general
Protector of the Indians of this Island, and he said that he
had heard it and signed with us :- Diego de Alaje Tenreiro,
Tomas de Lezama, Antonio de Bustamante.
RATIFICATION OF GREGORIO.
And
immediately after we the said Alcaldes-Governors,
with the assistance of the said Protector and the witnesses,
with whom we act in the absence of a Notary Public, ordered
to bring in our presence the Indian Gregorio, one of the
aggressors who gave his declaration in these ordinances, to
the effect that he ratify his declaration. And therefore we
ordered to call the Captain Martin de Mendoza, interpreter
named in these ordinances, so that by his office may be made
understood by the said criminal that which he has declared.
And therefore he made an oath in due legal form, because he
was a Christian and understood its value. After having made
it well and completely, he offered under the weight of it to
ask and to answer, as he would be ordered and the said
criminal would answer. And in conformity to this, the
declaration of the said criminal was read to the said
interpreter,
and he was ordered to declare it, and the said criminal
answered that it was the same which he had made, and he
maintains and ratifies it, and he adds that an Indian of
those
who where with him, called Calixto, at the time when they
committed the avowed crime, was sick and it was impossible
for him to go out, and therefore he was not present at any
of
the crimes with the others ; that he knew however what they
had resolved in the meeting, and that at the time, that all
the
Indians escaped from the said mission, the wife of the said
Catixto, carried him away, because he could not walk, and
that he recalls nothing else other than what he has
answered.
Asked it the other Indians of the said mission who are
fugitives
took part in the said crimes, he said that all took part in
them,
and that is according to the declaration. And the said
interpreter added that he had well and faithfully fulfilled
his
office, according to his faithful knowledge and
understanding.
And he says that he is of the age indicated, and he does not
sign, because he cannot. We sign with the named Protector
and the witnesses who were:- the Second Lieutenant Juan
Garcia de Miranda and Lorenzo Marcano, residents of this
town. Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Antonio
de Bustamante, Juan Garcia de Miranda, Lorenzo Marcano.
RATIFICATION OF AGUSTIN.
The Indian
Agustin similarly ratified his statement, adding :
That he remembers that an Indian among the prisoners with
him, called Calixto, at the time when they committed the
Crimes mentioned in these ordinances was sick and was not
with them, and when they escaped from the said mission
his wife carried him away. Asked if the other Indians who
are fugitives took part in these crimes, he answered that
all
were accomplices.
RATIFICATION OF JOSE.
The
Christian Indian, Jose, then ratified his statement on oath,
adding : That he remembered that Calixto, an Indian, and
prisoner in his company, was not present at any of the
murders,
and when they took to flight from the said mission, his wife
carried him away, and he knows nothing else. Asked, if the
Indians who escaped took part in the committed crimes, he
said that they did, that all were present.
RATIFICATION OF PABLO.
The Indian
Pablo then ratified his statement through an
interpreter, adding : That he remembered that Calixto, Indian,
prisoner with him, was sick at the time that they committed
the indicated crimes, and was not present at them. Asked, if
the other Indians who are fugitives took part in these
crimes,
he answered that all took part in them.
RATIFICATION OF VENTURA.
The Indian
Ventura then ratified his statement through the
interpreter, adding: That Calixto, an Indian made prisoner
with him, was sick at the time they committed the crimes,
and was not present. Asked if the other Indians who are
fugitives took part in those crimes, he answered that all
took
part in them.
RATIFICATION OF EVARISTO, CALIXTO, AND lGNACIO.
The Indians
Evaristo, Calixto and Ignacio then ratified their
statements through the interpreter.
EXAMINATION OF THE ORDINANCES BY THE PROTECTOR.
In this same
town, on the day indicated, month and year,
we the said Alcaldes-Governors, having seen in these
ordinances a criminal case against the Indians of the
mission
of Arena, order to give them over to the Captain Don Antonio
de Bustamante, Protector, in order that he quote what he
finds in justice, with the provision that he answer within
three hours, because what must be determined, in justice
must
be executed urgently, and for this effect those ordinances
must be handed over to the said Protector. So we dispose,
order and sign with the witnesses present with whom we act
in the absence of a Notary Public and who were :- The
Second Lieutenant Juan Garcia de Miranda and Silvestre
Ernandez, residents of this town, Diego de Alaje Tenreiro,
Tomas de Lezama, Juan Garcia de Miranda, Silvestre
Ernandez.
NOTIFICATION.
And
immediately after we the said Alcaldes-Governors
made known the ordinance contained in the preceding sheet
to the Captain Antonio de Bustamante, general Protector of
the Indians of this Island who said that he had heard and
understood it, and that he would answer within the limit of
time given him, and therefore he received the said
ordinances
and signed with us :- Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas
de Lezama, Antonio de Bustamante.
PETITION.
I, the Captain
Antonio de Bustamante, general Protector
of the Indians of this province, after having taken all the
necessary care, appear before your Honour in the criminal
case that by the office of the royal justice has been
instituted
against the Indians of the mission of San Francisco de la
Arena,
caught and made prisoners by the Second Lieutenant Diego
Martinez de Arrieta, Spaniard, and the General Don Antonio
de la Cruz, Indian of the Naparima tribe, and say that I
have
examined the said ordinances and criminal case, and l find
that your Honour in justice must declare free lgnacio and
Calixto, Indians named in these ordinances who gave their
declaration in this case, because no guilt can be found in
these ordinances against them among the guilty charged in
them, because their declarations set them free, and show
that
they have not co-operated in the crimes. And for all the
others involved in the said case I entreat your Honours that
their chastisement be exercised with the greatest mercy that
can be found in justice, paying attention to their
incapacity
and ignorance, and above all to the royal laws which are in
their favour as such. I ask and entreat your Honours to act
as I have asked and to pronounce the judgment. And in the
necessary case I renounce to whatsoever proof which might
be allowed me, because I find none to the contrary to what
I find in justice. I ask justice. Antonio de Bustamante.
DECREE.
The
petition was added to the ordinances, and that they
be presented to us in order to minister justice. So it was
arranged by us the Alcaldes-Governors and the witnesses
present with whom we act in the absence of a Notary Public.
And the witnesses were :- The Captain Juan de Lezama and
the Second Lieutenant Juan Garcia de Miranda, residents of
this town, who signed with us in this town of San Jose de
Oruna
on the thirteenth of the month of January of the year 1700.
Diego de Alaje, Tomas de Lezama, Juan Garcia de Miranda
and Juan de Lezama.
ORDINANCE.
On
the day indicated, month and year, we the said
Alcaldes-Governors, having seen these ordinances, order that
the said Protector be cited to-morrow at eight o'clock to
hear
the sentence concerning those Indians. So we dispose, order
and sign with the witnesses present who were :- The Second
Lieutenant Juan Garcia de Miranda and Silvestre Ernandez,
residents of this town, Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas
de Lezama, Juan Garcia de Miranda, Silvestre Ernandez.
NOTIFICATION.
And
immediately after we the said Alcaldes-Governors
made known the ordinance above to the Captain Don Antonio
de Bustamante, Protector of the Indians who said that he had
heard and understood it, and signed with us :- Diego de
Alaje
Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Antonio de Bustamante.
SENTENCE.
In
the criminal case that by the office of the royal justice
has been proclaimed against the Naparima Indians of the
mission of San Francisco de la Arena, because they have
committed the crime of lesse-Majesty and sacrilege, for having
rebelled and killed the Religious Apostolic Missionaries and
the Father Instructor and the Governor and Captain General
of these Provinces, in the name of the King our Lord, and
other persons, as it is shown in the first ordinances, and
outrage of the holy and consecrated things and images,
which crime all the Indians of the said mission in common
have committed (except the Indians Ignacio and Calixto), as
appears its these ordinances, notorious crime and which as
such must be chastised summarily according to the rules of
the royal justice, after having seen these first ordinances,
these
of the general meeting which are at the head of the others,
and the importance of this case.
JUDGMENT.
We
judge that we must condemn and we condemn the
twenty-two Indians whom the General Antonio de la Cruz
and the Second Lieutenant Diego Martinez de Arrieta have
caught arid brought to this town, with all the other Indians
of the said mission of Arena, accomplices and co-operators
in
the said crimes, to death, with the exception of the two
Indians
Ignacio who knew nothing of the tragedy and was not present
in the said mission when it happened, and the Indian
Calixto,
who was sick and thereby prevented from taking part in them.
And that these twenty-two above indicated criminals and all
the others of the said mission who might be caught be
dragged
along the public streets of this town, with a crier before
them,
publishing their crimes, and after that be hung, until they
necessarily die, and after their death their hands and heads
shall be cut off and exposed and nailed in the places where
they committed and executed their crime, and their bodies
shall be cut in pieces and put along the roads for their
punishment, and good example for the public vengeance,
because so orders the King our Lord by his royal laws. And
for the other children and women who are caught or may be
caught of the said mission must be executed what has been
convened and resolved by the said general meeting which can
be found at the head of these ordinances. And the Indian
Ignacio, because he did not come back and give information
and followed and accompanied the said criminals, we condemn
to two years of personal service in the convent of our
Serafic
Father San Francisco in this town, and we order that he
shall
be set free and given over, after this judgment shall have
been
executed, to the Reverend Preacher Fray Francisco de
Riveros,
Guardian of the said convent, and we charge his conscience
to
teach and instruct him during these two years in the things
of our Holy Catholic faith and the Christian religion. And
the Indian Calixto we condemn to four years of exile in the
royal fortress of Araia to work out his rehabilitation and
all
that may be convenient to the royal service of His Majesty,
and he shall be sent to hand him over to the master of the
fortress at the first occasion that presents itself, and in
the
meantime he shall be prisoner in the public jail of this
town.
And to the said General Don Antonio de Ia Cruz who is the
General of all the Naparima Indians of this Island and its
missions, as a good minister and a faithful vassal of the
King
our Lord whom God may guard, and in his royal name, we
give thanks, because he has well and courageously worked in
the case and in the pursuits he has made, and we confirm,
approve and revalidate for him in the said royal name the
title and honour of General of the whole Naparima-tribe of
this Island and its missions, and we recommend him to
continue
in the future his good and faithful work in the said
missions,
promising him that by all this his Majesty will be well
served,
and will remember him for all that. And all the others who
in
his company have worked and worked well shall be rewarded
in the fulfilment of the royal laws of his Majesty. And to
the said Lieutenant Don Diego Martinez de Arrieta
thanks are also given, because he has been the principal
agent
of that which the said General has done in his company, and
the reward is given to him that is due to such good deeds,
so that be continue them in the future and an authorized
testimony of this our opinion will be given to the said
General.
And it is recommended to him not to fail in the continuation
of the marches and trips and that he bring to this town
those
of said criminals whom he will catch during these marches,
in
order that the punishment contained in this our sentence may
he meted out to them. And judging so, we pronounce,
declare, order and sign this judgment definitely. Diego
de Alaje Tenreiro. Tomas de Lezania.
PUBLICATION.
The
judgment contained in this and the anterior sheet
was given and pronounced by us, the Sergeant-Major Diego
de Alaje Tenreiro and the Second Lieutenant Tomas
de Lezama, Alcaldes--Governors of this Island, in the
vacancy
of a government through the death of the Camp-Master
Don Jose de Leon y Echales, Governor and Captain General
of these provinces for the King our Lord, being witnesses
the
Captain Juan de Lezama and the Second Lieutenant Juan
Garcia de Miranda and Silvestre Ernandez, residents of this
town with whom we act in the absence of a Notary Public.
And this judgment is given in this town of San Jose de
Oruna,
Isle of Trinidad, on the fourteenth day of the month of
January of 1700, for which we testify. Diego de Alaje
Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Juan de Lezama, Juan Garcia
de Miranda, Silvestre Ernandez.
NOTIFICATION.
On
the said day, before us the said Alcaldes-Governors,
was read in the public jail of this town, in the presence of
all
the criminals named in our judgment, and of the Captain
Don Antonio the Bustamante as their Protector, this our
sentence, and when they had heard it and when it was
translated by the Captain Martin de Mendoza, interpreter
who knew their dialect, they said that they had heard it,
and
the said Protector answered the same for them. And he was
cited and advised that a term of twelve hours was given to
them, for the case that they would entreat or appeal, with
the
understanding that after this time they would proceed to the
confirmation and execution of it, because it was very
convenient
that the execution be short. Were witnesses :- The Captain
Juan de Lezama and the Second Lieutenant Juan Gaicia
de Miranda and Silvestre Ernandez who with us and with
the said Protector sign, and this we testify. Diego de Alaje
Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Juan de Lezama, Antonio
de Bustamante, Juan Garcia de Miranda, Silvestre Ernandez
ORDINANCE.
In
the town of San Jose de Oruna, Island of Trinidad, on
the fifteenth day of the month of January, 1700, we the said
Sergeant-Major Don Diego de Alaje Tenreiro and the Second
Lieutenant Tomas de Lezania, Alcaldes-Governors, during
the vacancy of the Government, and the witnesses with whom
we act at the death of the Notary Public, because the term
of
twelve hours which we gave yesterday for the appeal against
the judgment contained in these ordinances has passed, and
nothing has been brought in against it, we confirm and
approve it and order that it shall be executed to-day at
eleven o'clock according to its wording and form, and we
give
convenient orders for its execution. And of those ordinances
two authorized copies shall be taken, one to be sent to the
King our Lord in his royal and supreme council of these
Indies, and the other to be sent to the Royal Audience, and
Chancery of Santa Fe in the new Kingdom of Granada, so
that with the document before them they may dispose of
what is most convenient for the royal service. So we
dispose,
order and sign with the said witnesses (and that this be
made
known to the said Protector) who were :- The Sergeant-
Major Don Cristobal de la Riva and the Captains Juan
de Lezama and Lorenzo Mendez de Sototmayer, residents of
and present in this said town. Diego de Alaje Tenreiro,
Tomas de Lezama, Lorenzo Mendez de Sotomaver, Juan
de Lezama, Don Cristobal de la Riva.
NOTIFICATION.
And
immediately after we the said Alcaldes-Governors
made known this ordinance to the Captain Don Antonio
de Bustamante, Protector of the said Indians, who answered
that he heard and understood it, and signed it with us,
Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Antonio
de Bustamante.
DISTRIBUTION.
In
the town of San Jose de Oruna, isle of Trinidad, on the
sixteenth day of the month of January of 1700, the Alcaldes-
Governors Don Diego de Alaje Tenreiro and the Second
Lieutenant Don Tomas de Lezama and witnesses with whom
we act in the absence of a Notary Public, in order to fulfil
the
sentence pronounced by us, which is contained in these
ordinances and already executed, and that which has been
resolved in the general meeting which is put at the head of
these ordinances, in order to make the distribution of the
women and children, as it is ordered, we made it in the
following form and manner :- Be delivered to the Captain
Jose Fernandez Palomeque, one ; another, to Pedro Angulo ;
another, to Maria Gertrudes ; another, to Juan Felipe
Fernandez another, to Dona Maria de Mendoza ; another,
to the Second Lieutenant Juan de Canas ; another, to Tomas
Randon ; another, to Dona Lucia Guerrero ; another, to
Dona Catalina Guerrero ; another, to Dona Maria de la Riva ;
another, to Dona Manuela de Leon ; another, to Diego Perez
de Leon ; another, to Juan Estanislao ; another, to
Francisco
Ravelo ; another, to Felice de Lezama ; another, to the
Captain Antonio de Bustamante; another, to the Captain
Antonio de Robles ; another, to the Second Lieutenant
Jose Gonzales ; another, to Dona Sabina de Gongora ;
another, to Geronimo de Leon ; another, to Juan Antonio
Jaimes ; another, to Manuel Calderon ; another, to Don Juan
Emerio ; another, to the Captain Diego Oval ; another, to
Carlos Vocon ; another, to Andres de Arevelo ; another, to
Bartolome Sanchez ; another, to Juan Caraballo ; another,
to Michael Antunez ; another, to Manuel de Canas ;
another, to Simon de Lezama ; another, to the Comisario of
the Holy Office Don Alonso de Lerna ; another, to the
Licenciado Don Francisco Candido ; another, to Dona
Catalina de Orval ; another,
to Dona Isabela Quen ;
another, to Dona Maria de Orval ; another, to the Captain
Don Francisco Coronado ; another, to Manuel Perez ;
another, to the Captain Juan de Lezama ; another, to
Dona Catalina Quen ; another, to Ignacio Pimiento ;
another, to Don Andres Garcia ; two, to the Second
Lieutenant
Martinez de Arrieta ; four, to the General Don Antonio
de la Cruz.
And
to all those it was recommended and ordered to feed
them and instruct them in our Holy Catholic faith and
Christian religion, in the meantime that the President and
the Judges of the Royal Audience and Chancery of the new
Kingdom of Granada dispose and order otherwise ; and we
order that a testimony be made of the criminal case which
the AIcaldes-Governors our predecessors instituted against
site two Indians whom they executed, and be added to these
ordinances, and the original be returned, and two copies be
made of all those, as is ordered by our judgment, to
transmit
them as and how it is ordered in our judgment. So we
dispose, order and sign with the said witnesses who were-
The Captain Don Vicente de Leon, Don Lorenzo Mendez,
and Don Juan Eusebio, residents of and present in this town,
Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, Tomas de Lezama, Vincente de
Leon y Urreti, Lorenzo Mendez de Sotomayor, Don Juan
Eusebio Pacheco.
FOOTNOTE OF THIS TESTIMONY.
This
copy agrees with the two originals from which I have
copied them and I have given one copy to the Captain
Don Antonio Robles and the other to the Sergeant-Major
Don Diego de Alaje Tenreiro, because they were judges in
this cause, and by verbal order of the said Sergeant-Major,
AIcalde-Governor in the absence of a government, for the
King our Lord, I the Captain Don Juan Eusebio Pacheco,
resident of this town appointed Notary Public, ordered to
extract and extracted the contents in fifty-eight sheets of
ordinary paper, because this Government has no sealed paper,
and in testimony of this I subscribe and sign, as it is
customary,
in this town of San Jose de Oruna, Island of Trinidad, the
twentieth of April of this year 1700. Accustomed fees.
In testimony of the truth.
JUAN EUSEBIO PACHECO,
Votary Public.
Letter of the Alcaldes-Governers of the
Island of Trinidad to His Majesty, giving an
account of the sedition of the Indians of the
Naparima nation of the mission of San
Francisco de la Arena, and of their murder
of the Governor of that Island, the Camp-
Master Don Jose de Leon and his companions,
to which they add the testimony of the ordinances
which contain all that has been done for the
chastisement of the rebellious.
Source : General Archives of the Indies,
Sevilla, 1700. Audience of Santa Domingo,
Sec. 5, Bundle 582.
SIR,
Because
we the Sergeant-Major Diego de Alaje Tenreiro
and the Second Lieutenant Tomas de Lezama, Alcaldes in
ordinary of this present year, are governing this Island,
because there is no Lieutenant appointed by the Governor,
give an account to your Royal Majesty, how on the first day
of December of last year '99 the Governor arid Captain
General of these Provinces Don Jose de Leon went to visit
the
mission of San Francisco de la Arena of the Indians of the
Naparima nation, situated at the East of this town, at the
distance of a half-days march, having with him a Father of
the Order of Preachers who was a religious instructor for
the two settlements of this Island : the Sergeant-Major
Don Manuel Fermin de Urresti ; the Treasurer of the Royal
Treasury of this Island Don NicoIas de Salas ; the Notary
Public Mateo de Oso y Aponte ; the Captain Don Francisco
de Mier ; Jose Morales ; Pedro Pacheco and two negro-slaves
of the said persons. And the Indians of the said mission
knew
this, and the same morning they rebelled and killed these
Reverend Capuchin Fathers who at that moment were there
and the Second Lieutenant Tomas de Luna, resident of this
town who had gone there to help in the construction of a
Church which they were building in that mission. And after
having executed their crime, and destroyed the ornaments,
chalices, altars and images and all that the said Fathers
possessed in the Church and in the houses, they all came
with
their weapons to wait for the said Governor half a mile from
the mission. And after they had crossed the river in a
canoe,
and had brought them over, immediately they reached the
place where they were hiding for them in ambush, they sent
them such a charge of arrows and so suddenly, that without
being able to offer the least resistance, they fell dead
from
their horses, and so they killed them all, except the said
Sergeant-Major who was the last and had a good horse and
escaped with seven wounds of arrows, and the same night he
gave an advice and died three days after. The day after
messengers were sent to verify the event and to bring over
the body of the Governor which was not found, because they
had dragged it to the river, and thrown it in. Measures were
immediately taken to inflict chastisement, and to this
effect
seven searching marches have been made, during which by
the power of the weapons many criminals have been caught,
and the greatest part of them died, because of the
resistance
which they so barbarously offered. And for those who were
taken prisoner the sentence (which with the justification of
their cause was given to them) was executed for all the men,
and concerning the punishment of the women and of the boys
under the age of fourteen years, we held a general meeting
and
there it was resolved that their fate would be decided by
the
Royal Justice of Santa Fe in the new Kingdom, and that in
the meantime that His Highness would give his decision, they
would be distributed among the residents of this town, and
all this is more evident by the testimony of the ordinances
which are sent with this Ietter, so that after having seen
them
Your Majesty may dispose of what is most convenient for
his royal service.
God
our Lord guard your catholic and royal Person the
many years that we his humble vassals desire and Christianity
needs.
Trinidad de Barlovento,
May 16 of 1700.
DIEGO DE ALAJE TENREIRO,
TOMAS DE LEZAMA,
1700.
Letter of the Alcaldes-Governors
of the Island of Trinidad, having relation to the
sedition of the Indians which took the lives of
the Capuchin Fathers and that of the Governor
Leon y Eschales.
SIR,
In
the first letter of this day we have given an account to
your Royal Majesty of the unfortunate incident of the death
of the Governor, the Captain General of this Province and
the
chastisement that was executed by seven searching marches
which were made. And in this letter we give an account of
how these marches were made by the residents of this Island
helped by the Indians of the two settlements of this town,
and
one the General Don Antonio de a Cruz made who is the
General of the Indians of the Naparima nation, helped and
accompanied by the Captain Diego Martin de Arrieta, a man
who helps the Fathers in the said mission, and the Naparima
Indians of the three missions who have shown themselves your
faithful vassals, as Your Majesty will recognize by the
ordinances mentioned in the first letter and for these
reasons
in the royal name of Your Majesty (whom God may guard),
we have given them thanks for the good and faithful service,
and we hope that they will act in the future in the same
manner on such occasions as may present themselves. And
this has been the greatest motive of such a success, because
we found ourselves with so little protection to be able to
dominate and submit them to our will, because we are so few
residents in this Island who help in all the necessary
expenses
for its defence. And although your Royal Majesty has
ordered his royal decree to the Governor and to the Captain
General of this Province to bring from the garrison of Guiana
twenty-five soldiers for the punishment and the help which
the Missionary Fathers needed and asked, they have not
brought them and cannot bring them, because only a few
days previously a hundred youths had been sent from your
castle to that fortress to receive military training. And
therefore they have come to take some residents of this
Island
to serve as sentries in the said castle which is a great
damage
and prejudice of this Island, because the greatest number of
those who go never come back to their town. And this has
reached such an extreme that to go to the help of the said
fortress the Captain Juan de Aguilar resident of Guaiana had
gone to Santa Fe this last year of ninety-nine, was given
for
his guard and escort residents of this Island although
against
his will, because those who go to that fortress, when they
come
back (who can do that, because most of them die) have lost
their poor earnings, and are not able to sustain themselves.
And all this we have represented and made known to the
Royal Audience of Santa Fe in a letter which we have sent
by the Governors of the coast of Cumana and Caracas the
twenty-fourth of last January to whom we gave an account of
all that happened, and we sent them at the same time the
ordinances, asking that his Highness would provide the
remedy for such necessities. And therefore we have not
asked this until now of your Majesty from lack of sailings
and
now we do it, asking very humbly that your Royal Majesty
may consider this matter with the accustomed charity and to
provide what is most convenient for his royal service.
God
our Lord guard the catholic and royal Person of
your Majesty the many years that we his humble vassals
desire and that Christianity needs.
Trinidad, the 16th May, 1700.
DIEGO DE ALAJE TENREIRO.
TOMAS DE LEZAMA.
1700. Letter of the Alcaldes-Governors
of Trinidad, to His Majesty, exposing the great
need of weapons and ammunition of which it
suffers, for the defence of this Island, for the
reasons which it gives. Trinidad, 16th May,
1700.
SIR,
After
having given an account to your Royal Majesty in
the two preceding letters of this day of all that happened
concerning the death of the Captain General of these
Provinces, we pass now to bring to the knowledge of your
sovereign Majesty the need which we have in this Island for
weapons and ammunition for its defence, because the few
which we had have been worn out in the marches which have
been made and during which many of the weapons of the
residents were also worn out. And we have had none of your
Majesty, and the Governor who died left none neither,
because those which your Majesty ordered to send to this
Island, and which reached the Governors Don Sebastian
de Roteta and Don Francisco de Meneses who were those who
received them ordered the Treasurer of the Royal Treasury
to sell them among the residents, as he did, without leaving
some in stock for those who, when the occasion presents
itself are without weapons, or are broken on some occasions,
as it happened, when the enemy entered this Island last year
of 90. And to the best residents who were fighting to defend
the entrance the weapons failed, and many burst, and for
lack of good weapons they had to abandon the fight and
retire in the mountains, and this was, Sir, the greatest
cause
that they did not resist the entrance of the enemy in the
town.
And therefore we entreat very humbly your Majesty to order
to provide this Island with a hundred fire-arms which will
go off with a spark, because the others cannot be handled in
this Island, because of the thick forests and the great
water,
and the matches become wet and cannot be kept burning for
the occasion. And that they be sent, Sir, with the order
that
they must not be sold, but that they are reserved for the
above
mentioned occasions, for besides what has happened, it
happens that on the occasion of the marches and disputes
which are frequent enough. in this Island, that many
residents
have bad weapons from lack of one who can repair them,
and many strangers have not, and if there were in stock,
this
Island could be defended with the glory of our triumph which
we must obtain by the royal arms of your Majesty. And we
entreat your Majesty to order to provide powder and bullets
for the said guns, and that they be sent by the first
occasion
for this Island, because of that which has been exposed, and
because it finds itself exposed to the fatalities of
rebellions of
Indians as well as to the attacks of the enemies of the
Royal
Crown. And all that we put before the Sovereign for the
consideration of your Royal Majesty, in order that in view
of that your Royal Majesty may protide that which is most
convenient for his royal service. And God our Lord guard
.your catholic royal Person the many years that we his
humble
vassals desire, and his Monarchy needs.
Trinidad de Barlovento, May 16, 1700.
DIEGO DE ALAJE TENREIRO
TOMAS DE LEZAMA.
Judicial
proceedings in the Island of Trini-
dad against the Indians of the Mission of San
Francisco de la Arena containing the judgement
given against some of the guilty of the murder
of the Missionary Fathers and of the Governor
of the Island.
1699.
General Archives of the Indies,
Seville, Audience of Sto. Domingo. Sect. 6
Bundle 582.
DECREE AND ORDER TO CAPTURE THE INDIANS GUILTY OF THE
HERE INDICATED CRIME.
In
the town of San Jose de Oruna, Isle of Trinidad, orb
the first day of the month of December, 1699, the alcaldes
in
ordinary state, as it seems the best to the right and the
laws of
his Majesty, that the Governor and Captain General Don Jose
de Leon y Echales left this town yesterday, the last day of
November of this year, accompanied by the Sergeant-Major,
Don Manuel Fermin, and other inhabitants, in order to visit
two settlements of Indians that exist in this island, and
after
having visited that of Dona Geronima de Urrestiqui, they
went to that of the Captain Fabian de Mier, where they
resolved to visit the holy mission of San Francisco de la
Arena.
In carrying out this plan, close to that mission, and at the
passage of the river Aripo, some Indians killed the said
Governor and companions. The Sergeant-Major was badly
wounded by several arrows, and brought to this town where
he received the last sacraments, and public rumour says that
all the others were killed. The Governor did not return,
and in order to know whether he is alive or dead, we order
the
Camp-Master, Don Pedro Fernandez de la Vega, inhabitant
of this town, as first chief, and file Captain Juan de
Lezama,
as second, to leave this town without delay, with a guard of
thirty armed men to seek for the Governor and his
companions, and bring them to this town dead or alive.
And to fulfil this order that he take with him some Indians,
as he sees fit, and search the country as far as the
mission,
and cheek the rumour of the Indians concerning the
happenings, and order what is good for the general welfare
of this country, and the safety of its inhabitants, and
bring us
the necessary information. This was fixed on the said day,
at three o'clock in the morning of the said month and year,
with the following witnesses, in the absence of the notary
Public Matheo de Oso y Aponte who was in the company of
the said Governor-Juan Martinez de Vengoechea y Esponda,
Antonio de Robles, Antonio de Bustamante, Juan de Mendoza,
Martin Alonso Guerrero.
NOTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE.
And
immediately after we the said alcaldes made this
order known to the said Camp-Master Don Pedro Fernandez
de la Vega for its execution, he said that he had understood
and was ready to execute the order, as it was given, and
signed. Accordingly thirty soldiers were put at his
disposal.
And we order that in the meantime the doors be closed, and
guards be put in the royal houses where the Governor lived,
in addition to those already there, because it is desirable
to
protect his possessions, until his death is certain, and
take in
due time further convenient steps-Juan Martinez
de Vengoechea y Esponda, Antonio de Robles, Pedro
Fernandez de Ia Vega.
EXECUTION OF THE ORDER AND DECLARATION OF WHAT
WAS EXECUTED.
Signed
statement given on oath by the Camp-Master Don Pedro
Fernandez de la Vega at St. Joseph de Oruna, 3rd
December, 1699 :
He reported that he left this town on the indicated day,
about
four o'clock in the morning, with thirty soldiers, armed
with
fire-weapons, and that he reached the river called Aripo,
which is about four or five hours from this town, and about
half an hour from the mission of Arena, where he stopped
with the said soldiers, because he found dead bodies on the
bank of a bend in the river. These bodies were identified by
the Camp-Master and the Infantry, one being that of the
Purser of the royal estate, Don Nicholas de Salas, and
another
that of the Notary Public, Matheo de Ozo y Aponte, killed
apparently by arrows.
And
when they crossed the river near the mission in a
boat, because the river was much swollen, and could not be
passed in any other way, they found dead there the Rev.
Father Juan Mazien de Sotomayer of the Order of Preachers,
and Parish-Priest of the settlement of San Agustin de Arouca
and of that of San Pablo de Carigua ; Joseph de Morales,
surgeon of this town, and a negro-slave of the Governor,
called José, and another of Captain Francisco de Mier,
agent-
of the settlement of San Agustin de Arouca, called Pedro,
and
another body in the river which was thought to be that of
the
Governor. And we could not find the body of Don Francisco
de Mier, nor that of Pedro Pacheco, nor that of another
negro
of the Sergeant-Major Don Manuel Fermin de Urresti,
because the river was much swollen by the continuous rains.
And because it was about six o'clock in the evening, and we
could not reach the mission of Arena during the day, and we
had no shelter for the infantry during the night, we went
back to the valley of San Agustin de Arouca, from where a
message was sent to this town, giving a special account of
the
above, which can he supplemented by the declaration which
the other soldiers may make, as being the truth, given under
oath in due form, which he maintains and ratifies. And he
said that he had a little more or less than fifty years, and
signs with the witnesses present Captain Juan de Lezama,
Captain Domingo Nieto de Soberado, and Captain Don
Antonio de Bustamante, inhabitants of this town-Juan
Martinez de Vengoechea y Esponda-Antonio de Robles,
Juan de Lezama, Pedro Fernandez de Ia Vega, Antonio
de Bustamante, Domingo Nieto de Soberado.
DECLARATIONS OF (i) DON FRANCISO CORONADO (AGED 30),
(ii)
JUAN DE MIER (AGED 32), AND (iii) CIPRIAN DE MIER
(AGED
24).
The
above witnesses, on oath, substantiated the statement of the
Camp-Master, Don Pedro Fernandez, and supplemented his
evidence
with the following information :-
(i)
Captain Don Francisco Coronado : that they found
close
to the river, where the treacherous attack
was
made, numerous arrows which were believed
to
have been directed at the Sergeant-Major of
this
island, Don Manuel Fermin, whom they
brought
to this town, where he received the last
Sacraments,
and died of wounds, caused by
five
arrows.
(ii) Captain Juan de Mier : he had found
in the road
some
arrows, and that these were supposed to have
been
directed at Don-Manuel Fermin, Sergeant-
Major
of this island, who received the last
Sacraments
in this town, being badly wounded
by
five arrows, from which he died;
(iii) Ciprian de Mier : if the march had been continued
to
the mission of Arena after crossing the river,
they
would have put themselves in evident danger
of
life, because of the great number of Indians, and
the
bad roads, and the rainy weather, with the
suspicion
of ambushes, and that in this other part
of
the road they found some arrows, and that they
said
that those were shot at the Sergeant-Major of
this
island Don Manuel Fermin, when they retired.
He
died in this town of five wounds from arrows.
These witnesses signed their statements in the presence
of :-
Alfarez Juan Garcia de Miranda, Alfarez Silvestre Ernandez
and Lorenzo Marcano, inhabitants of this town, Antonio
de Robles, Juan Martinez de Vengoechea y Esponda.
ORDINANCE TO MAKE THE INVENTORY.
In
this said town, on the fourth day of the said month of
December, 1699, we the said Sergeant-Major Juan Martinez
de Vengoechea y Esponda and Antonio Robles, alcaldes in
ordinary of this town, in the name of the King for whom we
govern, because of the death of the Camp-Master Don José
de Leon y Echales, Governor and Captain General of this
said town, and because two Indians were brought to this
town prisoners, as guilty of these murders the one called
Pedro who says that he is a Christian, and the other called
Luis, who says that he is not baptized, we gave order to
Captain Calixto of the mission of Savaneta, and also to the
said Captain Don Vicente de Urrestigui and Don Juan
Pacheco, and infantry, to seek, make prisoner and bring to
town the other Indians guilty of said crime, and we order
that in the
meantime the two said Indians be put in jail
under the watch of the Guard which is placed in the royal
houses of this town, and that the inventory be made of the
goods of the said Governor which are there, and that the
Trustees of his residence, the Camp-Master Don Pedro
Fernandez de la Vega and others be notified, as is written
in
the town-book, to be present at this inventory and to take
further all the other convenient steps. So we arrange, order
and sign in the presence of witnesses.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY THE CAMP-MASTER.
And
immediately after we the said alcaldes notify and
make known this ordinance to the Camp-Master Pedro
Fernandez, as Trustee of the Governor Don José de Leon to
be present at the inventory of his goods, as he had been
ordered,
and he says that he had heard and understood, and that he is
present for himself and for Don Vicente de Leon y Urrestigui
who is also Trustee, and whom he legally represents at said
inventory, because he is absent from the town to execute the
order which was given to him to go with, infantry to the
mission of Arena, and for the third Trustee of said Governor
Sergeant-Major Don Manuel de Urrestigui, deceased.
Signed
by Pedro Fernandez in the presence of witnesses.
INVENTORY.
Captain
Don Antonio de Robles in the absence of the other alcalde,
Sergeant-Major Don Juan Martin de Vengoecher y Esponda,
who was
sick in bed, and with the assistance of the Camp-Master
Don Pedro
Fernandez de la Vega, Trustee of the murdered Governor,
thereupon
made an inventory of the Governor's possessions. The list
of vestments,
furniture and papers occupy 11 1/2 pages of the
typewritten copy of the
original documents. Mention is made in the inventory of
two horses
which were found on 5th December in the mission of Arena
where
they had strayed without saddles. The papers record that
the negro,
Jose Gabriel, died by the side of the Governor. The inventory
was
begun on 4th December and completed on the 5th, while the
list of
papers was compiled between the 6th and 13th December.
CUSTODY OF THE INVENTORIED GOODS.
The
Alcalde, Don Antonio de Robles duly transmitted all the
goods and papers mentioned in the inventory to the
custody of the
Camp-Master Pedro Fernandez de la Vega and Captain
Vicente de Leon
in due and legal form on the 14th December, 1699, in the
town of
St. Joseph.
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