Early Explorers The Spanish Explore Texas p

The Quest for Texas Gold When Cabeza de Vaca arrived to Mexico City he recounted tales of herds of huge “cows” with small horns. What he had seen were buffalo, the first reported sighting of the animal by a European. He announced that he saw no gold, but heard about cities with magnificent houses and lands rich with copper, emeralds, and turquoise. Inspired by visions of gold and glory, conquistadors throughout New Spain volunteered for expeditions to Texas.

Fray Marcos Leads a new Expedition Priest Fray Marcos de Niza, was chosen by the viceroy of New Spain to head an expedition. The expedition was looking for a land called Cibola. Within Cibola were seven cities, rich in gold, silver, and precious gems.

Fray Marcos Leads a new Expedition Fray Marcos continued northward until he saw Cibola from a distance and returned to Mexico to report. Cibola was actually a pueblo, a series of connected flat-roofed buildings. Fray Marcos, who may have seen Cibola at sunset, claimed he got a glimpse of a golden city filled with treasures.

Coronado is Disappointed The viceroy then sent Francisco Vazquez de Coronado in search of Cibola. After 5 months of travel Coronado found Cibola – a disappointment. Instead of golden treasures, the expedition found only mud, stone, and angry Zuni warriors ready to defend their village. Rather than go back to New Spain empty handed, Coronado, believing treasure must lie somewhere in the vast wilderness, decided to stay and explore.

Coronado is Disappointed On his journey, Coronado met a Native American whom they called the Turk. He told of a fabulous place called Quivira said to be filled with riches. With the Turk leading the way, they found Quivira. It was a Native American settlement built of sticks and skins, but no treasure. Angry and frustrated, Coronado put the Turk to death. After claiming the entire Wichita country for the King of Spain, Coronado began the long journey back to Mexico.

Moscoso explores East Texas The explorers met many Native Americans, but found no riches. Spain’s interest in Texas decreased because little riches were found.