Pedro de Ybarra
| Pedro de Ibarra | |
|---|---|
| 8th Governor of la Florida | |
|
In office 20 October 1603 – 1609/10 |
|
| Preceded by | Gonzalo Méndez de Canço |
| Succeeded by | Juan Fernández de Olivera |
| Personal details | |
| Born | unknown Basque Country |
| Died | unknown |
| Spouse(s) | Ana de Unzueta |
| Profession | Military and Administrator (governor of Florida) |
Pedro de Ibarra was a Spanish soldier who served as Royal Governor of Spanish Florida between 1603 and 1610.
Originally from the Basque Country, Ibarra joined to Spanish Army in his youth, where excelled, becoming in General. In 1549 he explored the region in Zamora.
On 20 October 1603 he was appointed governor of Florida. Upon arrival in Florida he checked the disruption of society and the confrontation between natives and Spaniards, the first of which subjected to force and killed to some religious in the place.
This rebellion, caused by his predecessor in command, Gonzalo Méndez de Canço, also meant the death of many Spanish soldiers. Pedro de Ibarra managed to quell the fighting, with kindness and intelligence in dealing with the natives and he was able to consolidate peace and progress.
Later, on August 28, 1603, English pirates captured two Spanish ships along Cayo Romano, (Cuba), one of which was under command of Pedro de Ibarra. Pedro de Ibarra managed to escape captivity that night, and after 32 days arrived at Havana. He left the government of the province in 1609.
When Philip III of Spain ordered Ibarra to carry out a reconnaissance expedition to find Jamestown, Virginia, Ibarra decided assigned Capt. Francisco Fernandez de Ecija to lead the expedition. In addition, Ibarra told to Ecija that if he found that Jamestown settlement had been abandoned, he should go further north to determine what Champlain was doing in Canada.
On other hand, in 1605 Pedro de Ibarra moved the hospital created by Gonzalo Méndez de Canço to La Soledad.
Pedro de lbarra worked at establishing peace with the native cultures to the South of St. Augustine. An account is recorded of his meeting with great Indian caciques (chiefs).
On September 2, 1605 the elusive Captain Grande finally arrived in St. Augustine accompanied by his manadado, the chiefs of Surruque and Urabia, and 20 Indians of high status. Yabarra (Pedro de Ibarra) cordially welcomed and entertained them in his own home. The friendship of the Indians had been won. In the words of Ybarra, "Since then the Caciques come and go as they please, and our soldiers do the same, by sea as well as by land, with the greatest security."
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