A Journey with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado

A Journey with Francisco Vázquez de Coronado — page 1
INTRODUCTION THE SEARCH FOR GOLD In 1540 Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado was the governor of New Galicia a province in northern Mexico Coronado's friend Antonio de Mendoza ruled all of Mexico then called New Spain Mendoza and Coronado had heard rumors about the Seven Cities of Cibola The mythical cities of Cibola were said to be filled with silver gold and jewels And they were supposed to be somewhere in New Spain In April 1540 Coronado put together an expedition to find the Seven Cities of Cibola But after months of travel Coronado found only deserts and Native villages Scyplientstandente Ses Among those who were literate letter writing was a main form of communication in the sixteenth century This letter was addressed to Coronado on June 21 1540 It is a primary source