The Indian Uprising at Santa Fe
In 1680, owing to the tyrannical rule of the Spaniards, the Pueblo Indians, under the leadership of Pope, chief of the San Juan tribe, resolved to rebel and drive their oppressors out of New Spain (New Mexico). Jaca, one of the chiefs consorting with Pope, secretly sympathized with the Spaniards and sent his daughter, Maria, a converted squaw, to warn the governor, Otermin, at Santa Fe, of the proposed revolt. Captain Gomez was sent by Governor Otermin on a reconnaissance with a small troop of soldiers, and was driven back by the hostile Indians. Chief Pope offered Governor Otermin his choice of peace or war by sending him two crosses, one black and one white; the choice of the white cross to mean that the Spaniards would be allowed to march out of the country without being molested; the choice of the black cross to indicate war. Governor Otermin returned both crosses and the Indians promptly attacked the Spaniards. After withstanding a short siege, the Spaniards succeeded in driving off the Indians, but Governor Otermin was compelled to evacuate Santa Fe and retire to El Paso. In 1692, the Indians again became restless and decided to go on the warpath a second time. Maria journeyed to El Paso to acquaint Governor De Vargas of the determination of the Indians and De Vargas at once organized an expedition to re-conquer Santa Fe. He dispatched Maria ahead to prepare the way for a peaceful conquest and followed with his troops. The Indians, still in warlike mood, at first refused to accede peacefully and sent a spy to detect the movements and number of the Spanish forces. The Indian spy was captured but treated kindly by De Vargas, who sent him back to entreat the Indians to surrender. While the Spanish forces drew up in battle array before Santa Fe, with cannon in position, the Indians began to weaken. A few of them dropped over the walls and begged mercy of Governor De Vargas. He received them kindly and the rest of the Indians, observing this, abandoned their hostilities. The Spaniards marched into Santa Fe in triumph and Governor De Vargas wrote a proclamation forgiving the rebels.
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