Gaspar de Zúñiga, 5th Count of Monterrey

Gaspar de Zúñiga y Acevedo, Count of Monterrey 5 (Spanish: Conde de Monterrey) (* around 1560 (according to other sources: 1540 ) in Monterrey, Ourense, Spain, † February 10, 1606 in Lima, Peru) was a Spanish officer who held office from 1595 to 1603 as viceroy of New Spain and from 1604 to 1606 as viceroy of Peru.

Origin and career in Europe

He came from a wealthy Spanish aristocracy. 1578 he joined the court of King Philip. II in the service of the Spanish crown. With a militia, which he paid from his own pocket, he took part in the campaign in Portugal and defended La Coruña against the attack of the English under Francis Drake.

Viceroy of New Spain

In May 1595 he was appointed Philip II as viceroy of New Spain. He reached the port of Veracruz in September and arrived in November 1595 to Mexico City. He sent an expedition led by Sebastián Vizcaíno, who explored the waters in California. In honor of the Viceroy named this the Monterey Bay. However, none of the studied ports appeared advantageous for colonization of Mexico. Zuñiga ordered another expedition under Lope de Ulloa y Lemos in search of the fabled seven cities of gold (Spanish: siete ciudades de Oro ). In 1600 he moved to the city of Veracruz from its original, very unhealthy location to a new location to which still exists today.

The Viceroy campaigned against using the native Indians in forced labor in the mines and estates of the Spaniards.

Viceroy of Peru

After the death of Philip II in 1598 Philip III followed him. to the throne. This offset Zuñiga with certificate of May 1603 in Peru, to take over the local viceroyalty. Features the usual delays of communication and travel, he joined in December 1604 from his office in Lima.

His main task in 1605 was to set up a fleet to explore the South Seas, which stood out in December 1605 Pedro Fernández de Quirós in the lake. Zuñiga died in office in Lima in February 1606.

Sources and links

  • Biography (in Spanish ) - accessed 25 March 2012
  • Biography (English) - Access 25 March 2012
  • Viceroy of Peru
  • Viceroy of New Spain
  • Spaniard
  • Born in the 16th century
  • Died in 1606
  • Man
  • Military person (Spain )
Luis de Velasco, marqués de Salinas Juan de Mendoza, 3rd Marquis of Montesclaros
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