Tomás Vélez Cachupin
| Tomás Vélez Cachupín | |
|---|---|
| 47th Spanish Governor of New Mexico | |
|
In office 1749–1754 |
|
| Preceded by | Joaquín Codallos |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Antonio Marín del Valle |
| 52nd Spanish Governor of New Mexico | |
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In office 1762–1767 |
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| Preceded by | Manuel Portilla Urrisola |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Fermín de Mendinueta |
| Personal details | |
| Profession | Judge and governor of colonial New Mexico |
| Signature |  |
Tomás Vélez Cachupín was a colonial judge, and the Spanish colonial governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México province (present day New Mexico), located in the northern Viceroyalty of New Spain (colonial México), from 1749 to 1754 and 1762 to 1767.
Cachupín's courage and compassion during the War of San Diego Pond won him great respect among the Comanches, Utes, and Apaches. Because of this, he was able to maintain peaceful relations with nomadic tribes in the province. He created practical solutions for keeping the peace between the Amerindians and the Spanish. He also protected the right to the possession of lands by the people of New Mexico, including the Amerindians, fining and imprisoning those who occupied the lands of others under the theory that these lands were property of their inhabitants.
Vélez Cachupín was appointed governor of New Mexico in early 1749 and assumed the office in May of that year. After settling in New Mexico as governor, he noticed the frequent attacks the Comanches launched against the province's Spanish settlements. These attacks were not only dangerous because they resulted in kidnappings and the killing of settlers and their descendants in the province, they also impeded economic growth. The Indian population was higher than that of white people. To remedy this situation, Vélez Cachupin decided to improve the quality of life of the indigenous people, hoping that they would respect him. In addition, he hoped that peaceful trade with the nomadic tribes would help the economy of New Mexico.
As a result, in July 1750, a group of approximately 130 Comanches came to New Mexico and settled there temporarily in tents. Forty of them settled in Taos to trade hides and slaves with white traders. Although the governor agreed to the trade, he threatened to declare the war if, after trading with them, the Comanches attacked Pecos and Galisteo. This mistrust was normal because the Spanish of the province considered the Comanches of the southwestern United States to be their main enemy. The Comanches' chiefs agreed to this, but another group of Comanche armed with bows, spears, and guns, attacked Pecos in November.
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