Pedro de Rivera y Villalón

Pedro de Rivera y Villalón was a brigadier general in the Spanish army, which was sent to New Mexico in 1724 to inspect the frontier defenses of New Spain.

Biography
Pedro de Rivera y Villalón was born between the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century. In his youth, he joined the Spanish army, in which, over time, he managed to ascend to the rank of general. In 1724, the Spanish crown sent him to New Mexico in order to inspect the defenses on the border of New Spain. The trip covered more than 8,000 miles. Rivera wrote in his travel diary in which he described the settlement areas of the settlers and their descendants, American Native Indians tribes and customs of the inhabitants. Thus, as the products of the earth. In 1727 the engineer Francisco Alvarez Barreyto made a map of Texas. This report was called for Rivera to the consolidation of the economy. He also proposed a policy for the suppression of the Apaches, and he recommended removing the presidio La Bahía to the River Medina to see the Apaches in the area. The trip lasted until June 29, 1728. Presidio La Bahía was not removed, but his report prompted to consider the transfer of three missions located in East Texas to San Antonio in 1731.