The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 117
330 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Antonio De Espejo and His Journey to New Mexico 117
various streets and houses of Aguas Calientes without success.
Then they went to a nearby estancia where Hernandez was re-
leased on condition that he would tell his sister, the widow of
Marcos Ramos, that Antonio de Espejo would give her one hundred
pesos if she made no complaint against him. Whether or not
Hernandez delivered the message, and what was the widow's re-
action, we do not know. But at any rate Hernandez hastened to
the nearest magistrate, the lieutenant-alcalde mayor of Queretaro.
That official took a complete attested statement from IHernandez,
and early the following morning went to Aguas Calientes. There
a complete investigation was made and the testimony of several
witnesses was taken.
On June 3, 1581, in Mexico City, a formal charge was brought
against the Espejo brothers. On the same date the alcaldes del
crimen assigned the time of trial as fifty days from date. When
the charge was made, Antonio de Espejo was not present.' The
circumstances of the first trial, in which the Espejos were found
guilty, are not known to the writer. The case, however, seems
to have been expedited, for a retrial took place before the same
court in May, 1582. The new trial was granted because of the
ability of the defense to present new evidence. A mitigation of
the first sentence was secured, but still the defendants were ad-
judged guilty. The more severe sentence was meted to Pedro
Mufioz de Espejo, for he was the actual murderer, whereas Antonio
was merely his accomplice. He was condemned to ten years' exile
from Mexico City and from the "Province of the Chichimecos."
He was also sentenced to five years' penal servitude in the fortress
of San Juan de Ulloa. Furthermore, he was condemned to forfeit
one-half of his estate, and pay all costs of the trial. As for
Antonio de Espejo, his sentence consisted, so far as we know, of a
heavy fine. Antonio, however, absented himself from Mexico and
made no effort to pay his fine. It was a customary practice to
evade punishment for crime by remaining on the frontiers.
In January, 1583, the fiscal, Eugenio de Salazar, complained
that "the pronounced sentence against the said Antonio de Espejo
for the crime which he committed, with respect to the condemna-
tion of his property, has become a plaything, for a year has passed
without the said Antonio de Espejo presenting himself . .
'Sentencia de prueba, Mexico, 3 de junio de 1581 (A. G. I., 58-6-23).
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927, periodical, 1927; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117142/m1/131/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.