by overwhelming numbers. Ibarra was defeated and put to flight; ten Spaniards were killed, including Captain Francisco de la Mota, and over two hundred of the native allies.[1] It was through the valor of Captain Diego Vazquez that Ibarra's party escaped utter destruction.
When the first among the wounded arrived at Guadalajara, Oñate set out with his force, except twelve whom he left to guard the city. He had not gone a league before he learned that the most gallant of Ibarra's companions were killed or captured, and that the whole province was in arms; whereupon he deemed it more prudent to return and defend the town. Fifteen days later friendly Indians confirmed the alarming news of a general uprising in the regions of Culiacan, Compostela, and Purificacion, where the small Spanish garrisons were continually harassed; it was also said that the enemy intended to march against Guadalajara. Oñate immediately sent Diego Vazguez to the city of Mexico with urgent appeals for aid.
During the month of August 1540, Pedro de Alvarado had put into the port of Navidad, for water and provisions, with the formidable fleet prepared in Guatemala to discover the Spice Islands,[2] though now diverted to explore the newly found regions of Cíbola, for which were so many claimants. While
- ↑ In the Mendoza, Visita, in Icazbalceta, Col. Doc., ii. 106-8, it is stated that Ibarra was sent out with the friar Coruña, who heard of the revolt at Purificacion and came in person to Guadalajara. The same document mentions an expedition prior to that of Alvarado, in which Oñate with 50 Spaniards was defeated after a battle of four hours. Herrera, dec. vii. lib. ii. cap. x., also makes Oñate command the defeated party, consisting of 40 horse and as many foot, and a few Indian allies. A note by Muñoz in Pacheco and Cárdenas, Col. Doc., iii. 377, also states that Mendoza was in Guadalajara in the early part of 1541.
- ↑ According to a contract made with the crown. See Hist. Cent. Am., ii. this series. Alvarado landed at Navidad for water and provisions, Tello, Hist. N. Gal., 382; Remesal, Hist. Chyapa., 161; Torquemada, i. 323. At Purificacion. Bernal Diaz, Hist. Verdad., 236; Vazquez, Chron. Gvat., i. 159. Most authors agree that he came to Navidad direct, though it appears he touched at several ports south before his arrival at this place.
