88 A HISTORY OF AMERICA IN 100 MAPS
July 1776 is enshrined as a moment of unrivaled
importance in American history, when the Declaration
of Independence announced emancipation from the
British Crown. It was also when, 3,000 miles to the
west of Philadelphia, a band of Spanish missionaries
and explorers left Santa Fe on a reconnaissance
mission through what is now northern New
Mexico, western Colorado, eastern Utah, and
northern Arizona.
The explorers had two goals: first, to find an
overland passage to the missions of Alta California,
thereby solidifying Spain’s northern frontier; second,
to demystify the area now known as the Four Corners,
a region that had remained largely unexplored
by Europeans. The Spanish faced a host of hostile
neighbors to their north: Russians and British bent
on settling the northern Pacific coast, French
exerting pressure from the east, and native tribes
such as the Pueblo who had historically resisted
Spanish control.
The expedition of Francisco Atanasio Dominguez
and Silvestre Vélez de Escalante included the skilled
cartographer and artist Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco.
But no sooner had they set off than they began to
encounter problems. Traversing some of the most
complex and difficult terrain of the Southern Rockies,
they became lost, and several members fell ill. If not
for the aid of a young Ute Indian guide, the entire
expedition might very well have perished. Upon their
successful return in January 1777, Miera y Pacheco
produced one of the most comprehensive maps of the
Southwest yet made. This gave Spanish missionaries
their first comprehensive profile of the region based
on actual observation.
The symbolism of the map is hard to miss: a papal
chariot in the upper right corner marks the power
of the Church over Spanish North America. The very
sight would have confirmed British fears of popery. To
extend Spanish influence, Miera y Pacheco advocated
settlements near Salt Lake, on the San Juan River, and
at the confluence of the Gila and Colorado rivers. His
advice was not taken, and Spain’s control over the
region weakened in subsequent decades.
A close look at the map also reveals Spanish
priorities and perspectives. The depiction of “bearded
Indians” at the center of the map testifies to Miera’s
SPANISH GEOGRAPHICAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE SOUTHWEST
Don Bernardo de Miera y Pacheco,
“Plano geographico de la tierra
descubierta y demarcada,” 1778