Juan Francisco Treviño

Juan Francisco Treviño was the Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México (New Mexico) from 1675 to 1679. As governor, he persecuted the Pueblo Native Americans, causing the Pueblo Revolt against the Spanish settlers.

Juan Francisco Treviño
25th Spanish Governor of New Mexico
In office
1675–1679
LieutenantTomé Domínguez de Mendoza
Preceded byJuan Durán de Miranda
Succeeded byAntonio de Otermin
Personal details
ProfessionPolitical

Biography

Treviño was appointed governor in 1675. Upon arriving in New Mexico, he took on the task of eliminating the native Pueblo religion. His knowledge of the religious practices was largely derived from Alonso de Posada's work, which detailed the aspects of shamanism.[1] He ordered his troops to burn the kivas and idols of the Pueblo,[2] and arrest 47 medicine men, who were accused of witchcraft[2][3] and the murder of several missionaries.[2] Three of them were hanged in Jemez, Nambé Pueblo, and San Felipe,[3] while another forty-three were flogged, sold as slaves, and publicly humiliated.[2]

When some of the Native American leaders heard of what had happened in the Pueblo villages, they sent their men to Santa Fe demanding the release of detainees. Taking advantage of the fact that most of the governor's soldiers were away fighting the Apaches,[1][4] about 70 Native American warriors surrounded the governor's palace and stormed inside, capturing Treviño. In exchange for his freedom, Treviño freed the imprisoned men. Among the Pueblos who were released was the religious leader, Popé, who after his release, began planning a revolt against the Spanish.[1] Upon receiving news that the Pueblos were again building kivas, Treviño ordered Franciscan missionaries to begin an investigation and destroy these rooms.[2]

On September 24, 1675, Treviño sent soldier Juan Dominguez de Mendoza to the Navajo lands leading a group of 40 Spanish men and 300 Pueblo auxiliaries. In the conflict, the troops killed and captured many Navajos, freed the Spanish and Pueblo prisoners, and destroyed other possessions. He renamed Zia Pueblo as "Plaza de Armas", and converted it to an assembly and mustering place for the Spanish troops.[5]

The New Mexican population also had troubles with the Apaches who destroyed agricultural lands and churches in New Mexico.[3] In June 1676, Lieutenant Governor Tomé Mendoza (who was brother of Juan Dominguez de Mendoza) was ordered to form an expedition against the Apaches who were attacking Socorro and Senecú. Juan de Mendoza was appointed as commander of these troops by Treviño.[5]

After two more years of governance in New Mexico, Treviño retired in 1679 and was replaced by Antonio de Otermin. In 1677, Treviño returned to the Capital of New Spain.[2]

References
  1. Martínez Laínez, Fernando and Canales Torres, Carlos. Banderas lejanas: La exploración, conquista y defensa por parte de España del Territorio de los actuales Estados Unidos (Flags far: The exploration, conquest and defense by Spain of the Territory of the present United States). Page 138-139. Fourth edition: September 2009.
  2. New Mexico Office of the State Historian: Juan Francisco Treviño. by Grace Meredith. Retrieved on January 1, 2012, to 21:59 pm.
  3. Etulain, Richard W. (editor; 2002). New Mexican Lives: Profiles and Historical Stories. University of New Mexico Press. Page 60.
  4. Cronología histórica.
  5. Simmons, Marc; Esquibel, José (2012). Juan Domínguez de Mendoza: Soldier and Frontiersman of the Spanish Southwest, 1627-1696. The University of New Mexico Press.
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