Luis de Rosas

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Luis de Rosas was a Spanish soldier who served as the ninth Spanish Governor of New Mexico from 1637 to 1641. His time in power was troubled. He clashed with the Franciscans, who were the main religious group in the area, and he forced Indigenous people to work for him or sold some as slaves. This led to uprisings and a revolt against his rule. He was investigated after his term and was eventually imprisoned and killed in prison in January 1642.

Early years
Rosas joined the Spanish Army in his youth and did very well, rising to high ranks. He spent about 15 years in military service in Flanders before taking on the governorship in New Mexico.

Governor in New Mexico
The viceroy of New Spain appointed Rosas as governor in 1636. He initially opposed the appointment because the New Mexico government was unpopular and his own reputation could be damaged, but he was forced to accept. He arrived in New Spain with the viceroy and likely traveled to Santa Fe, New Mexico, to begin his duties. He helped defend Santa Fe by organizing a fort around Santo Domingo.

During his leadership, Rosas led expeditions, including a 1638 mission to Ipotlapiguas with five Franciscan missionaries and forty soldiers, aiming to convert Indigenous people to Christianity. He used Indigenous labor for his weaving workshops, plantations, and other enterprises, and conducted slave raids against groups such as the Apache and the Ute. He also allowed some trade with Plains tribes and let Pecos Indians practice their religion if they paid double the usual tribute.

Confrontations with the Franciscans
Rosas’ administration caused strong resistance from the Franciscans, who accused him of enslaving Indigenous people and forcing them to work in inhumane conditions. Rosas countered that the Franciscans refused to grant sacraments and excommunicated parishioners. Tensions grew, and revolts spread across New Mexico. In 1640, Rosas forced all ecclesiastics of Santa Fe to leave the city; when two priests returned a few months later, he struck them with a stick.

Death and aftermath
Rosas finished his term in spring 1641. The viceroy of New Spain ordered an investigation into his administration, and a new governor, Juan Flores Sierra y Valdés, led the inquiry. Rosas was excommunicated and imprisoned. The Pueblo peoples and other Indigenous communities began to lose faith in the Spanish government and church leaders. On January 25, 1642, while in his cell, Rosas was killed by a soldier named Nicolás Ortiz, who stabbed him. Ortiz later faced charges, and eight other soldiers were executed for his murder.