Francisco de la Mora Ceballos
| Francisco de la Mora y Ceballos | |
|---|---|
| 7th Spanish Governor of New Mexico | |
|
In office 03 March 1632 – 1635 |
|
| Lieutenant | Alonso Varela |
| Preceded by | Francisco Manuel de Silva Nieto |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Martínez de Baeza |
| Personal details | |
| Born | unknown unknown |
| Died | unknown unknown |
| Profession | Governor of New Mexico |
Francisco de la Mora y Ceballos was a Spanish military officer and merchant who served as governor of colonial New Mexico between March 1632 and 1635.
Ceballos joined the Spanish Army in his youth, eventually becoming the Captain of the Army.
Ceballos was appointed Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México in 1632, while Alonso Varela was appointed as his lieutenant. In addition, Father Perea, a priest, worked on the affairs of the province, occupying positions such as Commissioner of the Inquisition and a member of the Definitory, the standing committee of the custody. Meanwhile, Fray Francisco de Porras was assigned to the post of Custodio, taking the place of Perea, because he (even though he was an agent of the Inquisition) decided to remain in Moqui Village to continue with the conversion to Christianity of the indigenous population of the place.
On his way to New Mexico, Ceballos tried to trade with the natives of some villages with Franciscan missions, using the monks as their agents. When the Franciscans refused to accept the trade with the Native Americans, Ceballos threatened them if they refused to agree to the maintenance of their business relationships.
Ceballos arrived in Sante Fe on 3 March 1632 after leaving Mexico City, and one of his first official acts was a sanction to avenge the death of two missionaries who had been killed on Zuni lands, Friars Letrado and Aivide. However, he tried to maintain his business, occupying the role of governor in order to enrich himself "by enlisting the assistance of the friars". Thus, Ceballos had numerous items that he had brought from Mexico City to sell to the Amerindians and the friars.
According to Elizabeth Ann Harper John, he plundered New Mexico, expropriating the belongings of settlers and Native Americans. In addition, he traded in Santa Barbara "nine wagons load of loot" and most of the New Mexican livestock. Three years later, the population of New Mexico suffered hunger and disease.
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