Pedro de Rivera y Villalón

Pedro de Rivera y Villalón was a brigadier general in the Spanish army, which was sent to New Mexico in 1724 to inspect the frontier defenses of New Spain.

Biography

Pedro de Rivera y Villalón was born between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. In his youth, he joined the Spanish army, in which, over time, he managed to ascend to the rank of general. In 1724, the Spanish crown sent him to New Mexico in order to inspect the defenses on the border of New Spain. The trip covered more than 8,000 miles. Rivera wrote in his travel diary in which he described the settlement areas of the settlers and their descendants, American Native Indians tribes and customs of the inhabitants. Thus, as the products of the earth. In 1727 the engineer Francisco Alvarez Barreyto made a map of Texas. This report was called for Rivera to the consolidation of the economy. He also proposed a policy for the suppression of the Apaches, and he recommended removing the presidio La Bahía, in Texas, to the River Medina to see the Apaches in the area. The trip lasted until June 29, 1728. Presidio La Bahía was not removed, but his report prompted to consider the transfer of three missions located in East Texas to San Antonio in 1731.^[1]

While the government of Melchor de Mediavilla y Azcona (1727 and 1731) was taking place, Rivera y Villalón revised political management of Mediavilla and he found certain errors in his administration of presidio. This meant that the province (in this time Texas was a province) needed more officials than those had until this date, and this is what he said to Viceroy. So, were appointed new officers for the province. After the nomination, they needed to sell at expensive prices the supplies, which, however, were previously used by the officers.^[2] Villalón also indicated that the Presidio de Nuestra Señora de los Dolores should be removed and that the number of people who formed the garrison of Nuestra Señora del Pilar should be reduced to 60 men. These recommendations were done. ^[3]

Villalón inspected the presidios of Texas and he got rid of some Aguayo work which involves the presidios near Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, closing Acuña Mission in East Texas and the three missions near Querétaro. It also closed its call transfer to the Colorado River in 1730, and subsequent restoration in the San Antonio River in 1731. ^[4]

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