By now, royal authorities knew that Oñate’s
venture was an economic and religious disas-
ter. “I cannot help but to inform your majesty
that this conquest is becoming a fairy tale,”
New Spain’s viceroy, the marquis de Mon-
tesclaros, reported to King Philip III. Oñate
was recalled to Mexico. He was later convicted
on charges of abusing colonists and Indians
New Mexico and the Gulf Coast B 137