Antonio Ruiz de Castañeda’s Trial in the Conspiracy of 1566 (Part 2)
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On 6 December 1567, the jailers led Antonio Ruiz de Castañeda from his cell to appear for his first hearing before judges Alonso Muñoz and Luis Carrillo. They asked him a series of questions about his background and his involvement in the conspiracy. Antonio stated he was a native of this land, the son of Juan Ruiz de Alanís and Leonor de Castañeda. He was not employed because his encomienda of half of the pueblo of Tehuacán provided him an annual income of 2,000 pesos. He also owned mines in Guanajuato along with twelve slaves and other ranches near Mexico City. He denied any involvement or knowledge whatsoever in the conspiracy to rebel against the king, having only learned of it after the marqués and Alonso de Ávila and his brother had been apprehended. He did not consider Alonso de Ávila to be a close friend but acknowledged he was close with Gil González de Ávila because Gil had been married to his cousin.
Questioned about his reaction when Gil was beheaded, he pointed out that many others had publicly stated they had executed Gil out of hatred toward his brother and without cause. Antonio had reacted in that manner because a friar who had been assisting Gil in his final moments cried out that Gil was about to die innocently and was going to enjoy the presence of God. Hearing this, Antonio raised his eyes to heaven, grasped his beard, and declared: “Even if I were to spend all my fortune, I shall avenge the death of Gil González through the courts, even if I must go begging from door to door, and even if I must go to petition before the Royal Person of His Majesty so that he dispatch persons to verify the truth of this matter.” Pressed as to why he would need to avenge the death of someone who had been sentenced to death through a judicial process, he reiterated how he had heard the words of the friar and of the public regarding Gil’s innocence and felt compelled to speak those words.
Asked why he did not present himself in service of His Majesty upon hearing the news of the rebellion, he countered that he had indeed done so. Upon returning to the city from Guanajuato, he had gone to the residence of Doctor Francisco de Ceynos, who at the time was the president of the audiencia real, and offered his arms and horses in service of His Majesty. Ceynos referred him to don Francisco de Velasco, who had been named captain general. Velasco accepted Antonio’s offer but advised him to rest for a few days, knowing that he was tired from having served in the campaign against the Chichimecas in Guanajuato. Having completed the interrogation, the judges ordered the parties to proceed with the case and to call witnesses.
On December 9th, Antonio’s attorney Juan de Salazar presented his defense. He contended the words Antonio had spoken when Gil González had been executed were not directed at anyone in particular. Rather, he had offered only to expend his entire fortune to entreat His Majesty to have the case thoroughly investigated, and to have inquiries made regarding the informers and witnesses who, in such a suspicious manner—both in writing and using the very same words—had testified against Gil. Doing so was fully in accordance with the law, following the pronouncement of judgment, as it was generally permissible (provided there were valid judicial grounds) to challenge the credibility of witnesses.
Furthermore, for eight years, Antonio had lived very quietly and peacefully outside of the city overseeing his haciendas and had spent very little time in Mexico City. Antonio was known to be a good Christian, God-fearing and conscientious, and of noble lineage. He had done and continued to do everything in His Majesty’s royal service with the utmost diligence and care. In doing so, he emulated the example of Juan Ruiz de Alanís, his father—one of the discoverers and conquerors of New Spain—who had served very loyally during its conquest and pacification. Upon learning of the plight of the marqués and the others, Antonio had come to this city and offered himself with his arms and horses for royal service. In conclusion, the defense attorney asked for the judges to absolve him of all charges and free him from prison.
From December 11th-17th, Juan de Salazar presented fourteen witnesses to bolster his case. They included:
Bernardino de Albornoz, regidor and Antonio’s godfather as well as nephew of the infamous Rodrigo de Albornoz who had been the first contador of New Spain;
Conquistadors Alonso Ortiz de Zúñiga, Antonio de Oliver and Francisco Montaño;
Doctor Francisco de Ceynos, oidor of the audiencia real;
Francisco de Velasco, captain general and half-brother of the former viceroy Luis de Velasco;
Gerónimo de Medina, who along with his wife had served as padrino for the marriage of Antonio and his wife Antonia; and
Fray Domingo de Salazar who had allegedly made such a public display of Gil González’s innocence on the day of his execution.
A future blog post will continue with the trial of Antonio Ruiz de Castañeda. Subscribe to the blog to receive email updates.
Source:
Archivo General de Indias
Proceso de Antonio Ruiz de Castañeda: rebelión Nueva España
Patronato, 219, R. 6
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