Pedro De Alvarado, one of the conquerors of Spanish America, born at Badajoz toward the end of the 15th century, died in 1541. In 1518 he sailed with his four brothers for Cuba, whence he accompanied Grijalva in his exploring expedition along the coast of the American continent. Grijalva was so delighted with the aspect of the country that he called it New Spain, and sent Alvarado back to Cuba to report to Governor Velasquez what they had seen and what they had heard, for the first time, about the immense empire of Montezuma. In February, 1519, he accompanied Cortes in his expedition, and took an active and remarkable part in all the incidents of the conquest of Mexico. Cortes, while engaged in the battle against Narvaez, left the city of Mexico under charge of Alvarado, but by his cruelty and rapacity the latter caused an insurrection, and narrowly escaped with his life. In the famous retreat of the night of July 1, 1520 (la noche triste), Alvarado distinguished himself by his gallant exploits, and to commemorate his bravery an enormous ditch over which he leaped to escape from the hands of the enemy is called to this day "el salto de Alvarado.1' On his return to Spain he was received with great honor by Charles V., and appointed governor of Guatemala, which he had conquered in 1523. He married a daughter of the illus-trious house of Cueva, from which the dukes of Albuquerque are descended, and returned to America, accompanied by a host of adventurers.

Guatemala became highly prosperous under his government. Having authority to extend his conquests, he embarked on the Pacific an expedition of 500 men to effect the capture of Quito, and landed near Cape San Francisco, whence he marched into the interior; but among the Andes he met the forces of Pizarro, prepared to resist his advance. Disclaiming any intention to interfere with his countryman's rights, he received 120,000 pieces of eight as an indemnification for his outlay and losses, and, after a friendly meeting with the conquerors of Peru, returned to Guatemala. Visiting Spain soon afterward, he appeased the emperor's displeasure at this affair, obtained in addition to his former command the governorship of Honduras, and then fitted out from Guatemala a new expedition of discovery, consisting of 12 large ships, two galleys, 800 soldiers, 150 horses, and a large retinue of Indians. Sailing W. and N. W. along the Mexican coast, he was driven by stress of weather into the port of Los Pueblos de Avalos, in Michoacan. Here a messenger from the Spaniards of the interior asked his assistance in putting down a revolt of the Chichimecas of New Galicia. He landed with a part of his force, made a rapid march to the encampment of his countrymen, and with them attacked the Indians, who were strongly posted among the mountains.

The Spaniards were defeated and put to flight, and Alvarado was killed by his horse falling upon him at the crossing of a river. The expedition was then abandoned.