Alonso Muñoz
Encyclopedia
Alonso Muñoz (ca. 1512, Caravaca
, Spain
—December 19, 1568) was a high-ranking administrator in Spain and, from November 1567 to about July 1568, royal commissioner with Luis Carrillo
for the inspection of the government of New Spain
for King Philip II
.
. In 1553 in Seville he married Catalina de Otálora, daughter of Licenciado Sancho López de Otálora, a member of the Council of the Indies. At the time, Seville was one of the most important cities in Spain, being a major port for trade with the Indies.
On March 22, 1559, Muñoz was named oidor
in the Chancellery of Valladolid
. He took office on April 20 and remained there for three years.
. The Council was the powerful overseer of Spain's colonial empire, being responsible for government, administration, justice, taxes, war and religion. It had the responsibility to nominate for the king's consideration, individuals for the highest offices in the colonial government. It directed the colonial administrations, and could propose new laws and abrogate old ones, under the king's authority.
In 1564 the Council of the Indies took steps to protect shipping between New Spain and Spain, which was under attack from pirates and from Spain's colonial rivals. Warships were assigned to protect merchant ships on the route. This increased the travel time, typically to two or three months, when a fast ship, unescorted, could make the trip in three weeks.
In 1565, while Muñoz was still serving on the Council of the Indies, the Second Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca
and Luis Cortés, both sons of Hernán Cortés
, led a conspiracy to declare the independence of New Spain (the Conspiracy of 1565). The conspiracy was suppressed and some of the conspirators, including the sons of Cortés, were arrested. Before the arrival of the new viceroy, Gastón de Peralta, marqués de Falces
, the Audiencia had had two conspirators executed, and had sentenced Martín and Luis to death. Upon his arrival, Peralta reviewed the cases and suspended the death sentences given the sons of Cortés. They were sent back to Spain to be dealt with by the Council of the Indies. The Audiencia denounced the new viceroy for his friendship with the rebels.
Philip gave written instructions to the commissioners. They were to order Viceroy Peralta to return to Spain at the first opportunity. The government of the colony was to be turned over to Licenciado Jarava, the oldest of the three commissioners, and in his absence, to Licenciado Muñoz. Sentences of death were not to be given without the unanimous approval of the commissioners.
Commissioner Jarava died on the voyage, on July 18, 1567, one day after reaching Grand Canary. Muñoz and Carrillo arrived in Veracruz
on October 29, 1567. They began their work in Mexico City early in November. By this time the Audiencia had already freed Martín Cortés on condition that he leave Mexico. The first decision of the commission was to construct a jail, "in the manner of those of the Santo Officio [Inquisition]", to imprison the principle accused, including Baltasar de Aguilar Cervantes and Luis Cortés.
Aguilar was the principal accuser of Martín Cortes, Marquess del Valle, but upon recognizing Viceroy Peralta's sympathy with the marquess, Aguilar had withdrawn his accusations. He was arrested now and subjected to torture to determine which of his accounts was the true one. Under torture he admitted that the second version, favorable to Cortés, was meant to persuade the viceroy. He was condemned to ten years in the galleys, forfeiture of his property, and perpetual exile from the Indies. Also tried were the brothers Pedro and Baltazar de Quesada.
Carrillo died on the voyage from Veracruz to Havana
. The Audiencia of Mexico City under its president Francisco Ceinos
continued to govern there until November. In that month the new viceroy, Martín Enríquez de Almanza
, arrived and took over the administration.
Muñoz gave the formal report of his mission to the king in late August, 1568. He died on December 19, 1568.
Muñoz has been accused of dealing too harshly with the conspirators, and indeed King Philip II was said to be displeased with his severity. However, according to Schäfer, his cruelty was enormously exaggerated. Besides the two brothers Cortés, who were sent to Spain, only 64 people were tried. Eight of these were condemned to death (but only seven were executed), and nine were acquitted. The majority of the others were sentenced only to exile or monetary fines.
Caravaca de la Cruz
Caravaca de la Cruz is a town and municipality of southeastern Spain in the province of Murcia, near the left bank of the River Argos, a tributary of the Segura. This city is the capital of the northwest Region of Murcia. It has a population of 26,449 as of 2010...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
—December 19, 1568) was a high-ranking administrator in Spain and, from November 1567 to about July 1568, royal commissioner with Luis Carrillo
Luis Carrillo
Luis Carrillo was, from November 1567 to about July 1568, royal commissioner with Alonso Muñoz for the inspection of the viceregal government of New Spain for King Philip II.-The Conspiracy of 1565:...
for the inspection of the government of New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
for King Philip II
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
.
Origins and early career
A descendant of successful ranchers involved in the production and sale of wool, Muñoz studied to become a lawyer. He was oidor (judge) in the Audiencia de Grados in SevilleSeville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
. In 1553 in Seville he married Catalina de Otálora, daughter of Licenciado Sancho López de Otálora, a member of the Council of the Indies. At the time, Seville was one of the most important cities in Spain, being a major port for trade with the Indies.
On March 22, 1559, Muñoz was named oidor
Oidor
Oidor is the Spanish name of the member judge of the Royal Audiencias and Chancillerías, originally courts of Kingdom of Castile, which became the highest organs of justice within the Spanish Empire...
in the Chancellery of Valladolid
Royal Audiencia and Chancillería of Valladolid
The Royal Audiencia and Chancellería of Valladolid was a Spanish judicial institution set up in Valladolid in 1371, with jurisdiction over all of the territories of the Crown of Castile. It was the first Spanish audiencia to be established...
. He took office on April 20 and remained there for three years.
In the Council of the Indies
On September 19, 1562 he was named a member of the Council of the Indies in MadridMadrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
. The Council was the powerful overseer of Spain's colonial empire, being responsible for government, administration, justice, taxes, war and religion. It had the responsibility to nominate for the king's consideration, individuals for the highest offices in the colonial government. It directed the colonial administrations, and could propose new laws and abrogate old ones, under the king's authority.
In 1564 the Council of the Indies took steps to protect shipping between New Spain and Spain, which was under attack from pirates and from Spain's colonial rivals. Warships were assigned to protect merchant ships on the route. This increased the travel time, typically to two or three months, when a fast ship, unescorted, could make the trip in three weeks.
In 1565, while Muñoz was still serving on the Council of the Indies, the Second Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca
Martín Cortés, 2nd Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca
Don Martín Cortés y Zúñiga, 2nd Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was the son of Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés by his second wife, Juana de Zúñiga, and was Cortés' designated heir. Don Martín shared his name with an elder half-brother, whose mother was doña Marina....
and Luis Cortés, both sons of Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
, led a conspiracy to declare the independence of New Spain (the Conspiracy of 1565). The conspiracy was suppressed and some of the conspirators, including the sons of Cortés, were arrested. Before the arrival of the new viceroy, Gastón de Peralta, marqués de Falces
Gastón de Peralta, marqués de Falces
Gastón Carrillo de Peralta y Bosquete, 3rd Marquis of Falces was a Spanish nobleman who was viceroy of New Spain from October 16, 1566 to March 10, 1568.-Biography:...
, the Audiencia had had two conspirators executed, and had sentenced Martín and Luis to death. Upon his arrival, Peralta reviewed the cases and suspended the death sentences given the sons of Cortés. They were sent back to Spain to be dealt with by the Council of the Indies. The Audiencia denounced the new viceroy for his friendship with the rebels.
As royal commissioner in New Spain
Conflicting reports sent back to Spain led to confusion in the Council of the Indies. The Council proposed to the king that he send a special commission to the colony to investigate the situation and bring actions against guilty parties, up to and including the removal of the viceroy. By a royal edict dated June 16, 1567, Philip II named a commission consisting of Licenciado Gaspar de Jarava, Licenciado Alonso Muñoz and Doctor Luis Carrillo. The first two were from the Council of the Indies; Doctor Carrillo was an official in the Court.Philip gave written instructions to the commissioners. They were to order Viceroy Peralta to return to Spain at the first opportunity. The government of the colony was to be turned over to Licenciado Jarava, the oldest of the three commissioners, and in his absence, to Licenciado Muñoz. Sentences of death were not to be given without the unanimous approval of the commissioners.
Commissioner Jarava died on the voyage, on July 18, 1567, one day after reaching Grand Canary. Muñoz and Carrillo arrived in Veracruz
Veracruz
Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave , is one of the 31 states that, along with the Federal District, comprise the 32 federative entities of Mexico. It is divided in 212 municipalities and its capital city is...
on October 29, 1567. They began their work in Mexico City early in November. By this time the Audiencia had already freed Martín Cortés on condition that he leave Mexico. The first decision of the commission was to construct a jail, "in the manner of those of the Santo Officio [Inquisition]", to imprison the principle accused, including Baltasar de Aguilar Cervantes and Luis Cortés.
Aguilar was the principal accuser of Martín Cortes, Marquess del Valle, but upon recognizing Viceroy Peralta's sympathy with the marquess, Aguilar had withdrawn his accusations. He was arrested now and subjected to torture to determine which of his accounts was the true one. Under torture he admitted that the second version, favorable to Cortés, was meant to persuade the viceroy. He was condemned to ten years in the galleys, forfeiture of his property, and perpetual exile from the Indies. Also tried were the brothers Pedro and Baltazar de Quesada.
Return to Spain
Doctor Carrillo left to return to Spain, accompanied by some of the prisoners being transferred there. Muñoz remained in Mexico City in accordance with his instructions from the king, to continue as interim governor of the colony until the arrival of a new viceroy. Before Carrillo embarked from the port of Veracruz, however, a ship arrived carrying instructions ordering both commissioners to return to Spain and leaving the government in charge of the Audiencia. Muñoz, who was not anxious to leave, nevertheless went to Veracruz and embarked with Carrillo, ex-Viceroy Peralta, and the prisoners.Carrillo died on the voyage from Veracruz to Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
. The Audiencia of Mexico City under its president Francisco Ceinos
Francisco Ceinos
Francisco Ceinos was one of five oidores of the second Audiencia of New Spain. This group governed the colony from January 10, 1531 to April 16, 1535. Ceinos was also in the Audiencias that served as interim governments of New Spain from 1564 to 1566 and from approximately July 1568 to November...
continued to govern there until November. In that month the new viceroy, Martín Enríquez de Almanza
Martín Enríquez de Almanza
Don Martín Enríquez de Almanza was the fourth viceroy of New Spain, who ruled from November 5, 1568 until October 3, 1580. He was subsequently viceroy of Peru, from September 23, 1581 until his death in 1583. His birthplace and origins are uncertain...
, arrived and took over the administration.
Muñoz gave the formal report of his mission to the king in late August, 1568. He died on December 19, 1568.
Muñoz has been accused of dealing too harshly with the conspirators, and indeed King Philip II was said to be displeased with his severity. However, according to Schäfer, his cruelty was enormously exaggerated. Besides the two brothers Cortés, who were sent to Spain, only 64 people were tried. Eight of these were condemned to death (but only seven were executed), and nine were acquitted. The majority of the others were sentenced only to exile or monetary fines.