Alonso Muñoz

Alonso Muñoz (sometimes Alonso de 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.

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 Seville. 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.

On September 19, 1562 he was named a member of the Council of the Indies in Madrid. 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.

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