Governor of New Mexico
Diary of His Expedition to the Moquis in 1780, with an Introduction and Notes.
GREAT leaders, whether in war or in peace, have always been men endowed with some peculiar fitness, some quality of genius; but the countries they have governed, the armies they have commanded, or the movements they have sponsored or led, have been successful because the average leader, be he soldier or civilian, has always, in a lesser or greater degree, exhibited the simple qualities of loyalty, courage and patriotism.
These characteristics have been notably in evidence in the careers and accomplishments of some of the governors and captains-general of New Mexico.
The American of average education is more or less familiar with the exploits and achievements of French and English colonial executives. It is only in recent years, however, that much attention, other than that given to the most celebrated of the Spanish rulers in America, has been given to those representatives of old Spain, who guided the destinies of the areas now under American sovereignty.
During the 18th and 19th centuries we can not say that much was done in aid of the material prosperity of our section of Spanish America; but the Spanish government, through the courage and loyalty of its official representatives, did dig deep, preparing the foundations of the present great southwestern and far-western states of the American union.[1]
advertisement