Luis de Velasco, 2nd Viceroy of New Spain

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (August 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Luis de Velasco
Charles I of Spain
Preceded by	Antonio de Mendoza
Succeeded by	Francisco Ceinos
Personal details
Born	Luís de Velasco y Ruiz de Alarcón c. 1511 Viceroyalty of New Spain

Luis de Velasco y Ruiz de Alarcón (1511 – July 31, 1564) was the second viceroy of New Spain during the Spanish colonization of the Americas in the mid-sixteenth century.

Biography

Velasco was born in the town of Carrión de los Condes, in the province of Palencia, in 1511. The son of a wealthy nobleman, Velasco received formal education at a young age. By 1547, he had become viceroy and leader of Spain's armed forces in the Kingdom of Navarre.

Impressed with Velasco's achievements and loyalty to the Spanish crown, Emperor

.

Mendoza had been given his choice of the Viceroyalty of Mexico or of Peru, with Velasco to fill the other office. Velasco arrived at San Juan de Ulúa, New Spain on August 23, 1550. He spent the month of September in Puebla, while Mendoza was making his choice. Finally the two men decided to meet in Cholula, and there Mendoza chose Peru. On November 25, 1550, Velasco made his official entry into Mexico City, thus becoming Viceroy of New Spain. He served until his death there on July 31, 1564.

Velasco helped the natives defend themselves against the abuses of gold-mining slave owners, and released 15,000 Indian slaves.^[1] On January 25, 1553, Velasco inaugurated the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. He commissioned the founding of the towns of San Miguel el Grande (now San Miguel de Allende), Durango (1563), San Felipe de Ixtlahuaca, and Nombre de Dios. He also instituted public services such as hospitals and law enforcement for the natives.

In 1558, Mexico experienced its first large flood of the Spanish era, and afterwards an epidemic. The Viceroy did everything in his power to aid the many victims.

Up to 1560, Velasco governed with unlimited authority. Although he had committed no abuses, in that year the

and other powerful Spaniards attempted to influence the emperor to limit the authority of the Viceroy by requiring prior authorization of his actions by the Audiencia.

In his final years, Velasco focused his efforts on establishing settlements in Florida, exploring the Pacific Ocean and searching for more riches for the Empire. In 1559, Velasco sent a fleet of 13 ships under the command of Tristán de Luna y Arellano to establish settlements on the eastern coast of Florida. The expedition failed when the settlements were struck by hunger and quarrels with hostile native warriors. The Spaniards were forced to abandon them.

In early 1564, Velasco commissioned

as permanent viceroy in 1566.

References

• (in Spanish) "Velasco, Luis de," Enciclopedia de México, v. 14. Mexico City, 1988.
• (in Spanish) García Puron, Manuel, México y sus gobernantes. Mexico City: Joaquín Porrua, 1984.
• (in Spanish) Orozco Linares, Fernando, Gobernantes de México. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1985,
  ISBN 968-38-0260-5
  .