Alberto Maynez


Alberto Maynez was a lieutenant colonel who served as Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo Mexico between 1807 and 1808 and between 1814 and 1816.

Career

Maynez joined the Spanish Army in his youth, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1807, Maynez was appointed as Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México. During his administration in New Mexico, he allowed the Neomexicanos to trade with pagans and the province of Nueva Vizcaya. This meant the merchants needed only government approval and passports to trade with them. In 1808, he was replaced by José Manrique.
Several years later, in 1815 he was appointed acting Governor of Santa Fe de Nuevo México and city councilman in Santa Fe. In addition, he served as protector of the Native Americans who lived in the province. During his administration, the settlers in the Pecos River continued hunting and trading with the Comanche people, establishing good relations with them. This occurred in the past regardless of government approval.
In 1816, the governor of Taos Pueblo sued the many settlers who had just settled in San Fernando de Taos and Arroyo Hondo, near San Fernando. However the mayor of Taos, Pedro Martinez, and the Friar of the Taos Mission, Jose Benito Pereyro, argued that lands that were not cultivated by Native Americans should belong to the Criollos, because they were descendants of Spaniards. In addition, Maynez ordered the settlers of San Fernando de Taos to abandon the lands which were propriety of the Pueblo Native Americans. In October 1815, Maynez issued a law that defended the Indigenous rights of New Mexico.
In 1816, during the final year of his government in New Mexico, 280 Spanish colonists protested the new 5% tax. The complaint was delivered to Maynez who represented them. Alcalde Mayor Pedro Martin resigned.
Maynez ended his term in New Mexico in 1816, being replaced by Pedro María de Allande in the province government.