Luis de la Torre
Encyclopedia
Luis de la Torre was one of the Spanish conquistadors who governed New Spain
while Hernán Cortés
was absent from the capital. There was much infighting during this period (1524-28). Nine men were involved in the government, not including Cortés himself, who made a very brief return in 1526. They usually formed a governing council of three, never more than five, and occasionally only one or two. This interval began with Cortés's expedition to Honduras
and ended with the arrival of the first Audiencia.
Not much is known about la Torre. He was in the government from March 2, 1527 to December 8, 1528, or about 1 year and 9 months. Alonso de Estrada
was also in the government for this period, and for the early part (until August 22, 1527), so was Gonzalo de Sandoval
. La Torre and Estrada were cousins.
On the latter date, a royal decree was received in Mexico City, ratifying the transfer of powers granted by Luis Ponce de León to Marcos de Aguilar
, but Aguilar had died on March 1. Before he died, Aguilar had named Estrada governor, and this decree from Spain solidified Estrada's position. Since Cortés was suspected of poisoning both Luis Ponce de León
and Aguilar, he was not in a position to challenge Estrada and la Torre.
A Luis de la Torre accompanied Columbus
to the New World on one of his voyages, and is credited with being the codiscoverer (among Europeans) of tobacco. However, that may have been the uncle of this man.
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
while Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
was absent from the capital. There was much infighting during this period (1524-28). Nine men were involved in the government, not including Cortés himself, who made a very brief return in 1526. They usually formed a governing council of three, never more than five, and occasionally only one or two. This interval began with Cortés's expedition to Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
and ended with the arrival of the first Audiencia.
Not much is known about la Torre. He was in the government from March 2, 1527 to December 8, 1528, or about 1 year and 9 months. Alonso de Estrada
Alonso de Estrada
Alonso de Estrada was a colonial official in New Spain during the period of Hernán Cortés's government, and before the appointment of the first viceroy...
was also in the government for this period, and for the early part (until August 22, 1527), so was Gonzalo de Sandoval
Gonzalo de Sandoval
Gonzalo de Sandoval was a Spanish conquistador in New Spain and briefly co-governor of the colony while Hernan Cortés was away from the capital .-Arrival in New Spain:Sandoval was the youngest of the lieutenants of Cortés. They arrived together in New Spain in 1519...
. La Torre and Estrada were cousins.
On the latter date, a royal decree was received in Mexico City, ratifying the transfer of powers granted by Luis Ponce de León to Marcos de Aguilar
Marcos de Aguilar
Marcos de Aguilar was briefly royal governor of New Spain .Marcos de Aguilar was a licenciado. He served in various judicial capacities in Seville...
, but Aguilar had died on March 1. Before he died, Aguilar had named Estrada governor, and this decree from Spain solidified Estrada's position. Since Cortés was suspected of poisoning both Luis Ponce de León
Luis Ponce de León
Fray Luis Ponce de León was a Spanish lyric poet, Augustinian friar and theologian and academic, active during the Spanish Golden Age.-Early life:...
and Aguilar, he was not in a position to challenge Estrada and la Torre.
A Luis de la Torre accompanied Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
to the New World on one of his voyages, and is credited with being the codiscoverer (among Europeans) of tobacco. However, that may have been the uncle of this man.