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Colonial governors often found themselves pitted against Franciscan authorities in New Mexico due to land disputes between 1610 and 1670. These conflicts led to violence during the governorship of Pedro de Peralta and Luis de Rosas. From 1610-1670, three governors were excommunicated and four were arrested by the Franciscans. The stories of the following three governors provide important insight into church and state relationships.[|[1]]
 * Document B: Colonial Leaders **

** Pedro de Peralta **

Pedro de Peralta became the governor of New Mexico in 1610. Fray Isidro Ordoñez was the first Franciscan prelate. He often complained to Governor Peralta about the harsh treatment of Indians and the high amounts of tribute demanded in the encomienda system. After excommunicating Governor Peralta, he declared: “Let no one argue with vain words that I do not have the power and authority that the Pope in Rome has, or that if his holiness were [here}in New Mexico he could do more than I. Believe that I can arrest, cast into irons, and punish as seems fit to me any person without any exception who is not obedient to the commandments of the Church and mine.”[|[2]]

** Don Antonio de Otermin **

Governor Otermin, governor of New Mexico during the revolt of 1680, believed the rebellion was caused by the Pueblo Indians’ religious beliefs and superstitions to which “their stupid ignorance predisposes them, for they live blindly in their freedom and stupid vices.”[|[3]]

** Don Diego de Vargas Zapata Luján Ponce de León **

Don Diego de Vargas Zapata Luján Ponce de León became governor in 1696 and began the reconquest of New Mexico. The following proclamation was given during the re-establishment of missions in 1694-95: “General Don Diego de Vargas Zapata Luján Ponce de León, governor and captain general of this kingdom and provinces of New Mexico, its new restorer, conqueror, and reconqueror and castellan of its armed forces and presidio in the name of His Majesty.”[|[4]]

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[1]Knaut, A.L. (1964). The Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Norman and London: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 92. [2]   Gutiérrez, R.A. (1991). When Jesus came, the cornmothers went away: Marriage, sexuality, and poweri n New Mexico, 1500-1846. Stanford: Stanford University Press. Retrieved from ACLS Humanities E-Book. p.108. [3]   Gutiérrez,p. 136.      [4]    Espinosa, J.M. (Ed.). (1988). The Pueblo Indian revolt of 1696 and the Franciscan missions in  NewMexico. Norman & London: University of Oklahoma Press. p.110-111.