Fuero Militar
by Kenny Lacey
Pedro Arias de Ávila, also referred to Pedrarias, was
born in Segovia. Because of his marriage to Isabela de
Bobadilla, one of the ladies in waiting of Queen Isabela
la Católica, he had many higher connections. He served
in Spain's African war as a colonel with distinction. He
was appointed as the new governor of the province of
Nueva Andalusia and parts of Castilla del Oro on July
27, 1513. This new united province, was given the name
of Castilla Aurifica, also known as the Golden Castle,
which extended as far as Veraguas. He was sent to Santa
María la Antigua de Belén, to replace Balboa, after the
King found out about Balboa's actions against Nicuesa
and Enciso.
Pedrarias sailed from Lucar on April 11,
1514, with an army of eighteen ships and 1,500 men.
Hernando DeSoto, accompanied Pedrarias on this
expedition. They first arrived at Santa Marta, in
Colombia, then moving on to Antigua, to oversee the
changing of their government. They all participated in
the overthrow of Nicuesa and Enciso. Except with some convincing by Balboa that they should welcome the new
governor with open arms.
On June 30, 1514, Pedrarias arrived at Santa Maria la
Antigua de Darién, and formally took control of the
government. He asked Balboa to prepare a written report
on all of his experiences and events that had occurred
in the colony. Balboa prepared the document, giving
strict details of all that took place during his command
of the region. Soon as Pedrarias relieved the documents
he turned on Balboa. Balboa, defended by the bishop and
alcalde, was spared strict punishment.
During Pedrarias' first year, all sorts of problems
ensued. Many men died, over 700 during the first four
months, of disease. Famine became a problem, since most
of the food brought from Spain, spoiled in the humid
climate. Over a hundred colonist, abandoned Antigua and
returned to Cuba, for simply the fact that they feared
their life and also their health. King Ferdinand,
ordered that settlements be established at different
places in the new province of Castilla Aurifica and to
explore the Mar del Sur, causing Pedrarias to release
Balboa, and make use of his services. Pedrarias gave one
of his daughters to Balboa as a wife, just as a cover up
of his true hatred for him.
Pedrarias' forces had little luck, in establishing
settlements, because of their bad treatment from the
natives. This was due to the stealing of their gold. The
natives were always attacking their settlements. Even
the caciques that Balboa had peace treaties with, were
abused by the Spaniards.
In 1517, one of Pedrarias' commanders, Gaspar de
Espinosa, established the town of Panamá, at a
fisherman's hamlet the Indians called Panamá, as the
most southern station on the line of outposts that
crossed the Isthmus. Gabriel de Rojas, was left in
Panamá with a small force, with the job of building a
small fort and garrison. Pedrarias had written to the
Spanish Court in 1516: "Your Highnesses should know that
Panamá is a fishery on the coast of the South Sea and
the fishermen are called Panamá by the Indians."
By this time, all of Balboa's work was presented to the
King. The King than forgave Balboa, and appointed him as
Adelantado of the South Sea. When Balboa heard of his
appointment he immediately sent for the request for men
and supplies from Cuba. This was to let him start his
exploration of the South Sea. When Pedrarias heard of
this, he had Balboa arrested again. Again, the bishop
stepped in, and Balboa was released. Balboa, then
proceeded to make plans for this exploration of the
South Sea, and built four brigantines.
In 1515, reports were sent to the King about the
continuing battles between Pedrarias and Balboa, and all
of the obstructions Pedrarias was placing in front of
Balboa's attempts at exploring the South Sea, and all
the problems Pedrarias was having governing the new
province. The King decided to replace Pedrarias with a
new governor, but Pedrarias made an effort to get rid of
Balboa, before the new governor arrived. Unfortunately
for Balboa, his powerful friends in Santa Maria la
Antigua de Darien, were in Spain at the time, and could
not defend him. Balboa was charged, tried and quickly
executed on April 16, 1517, along with some of his
lieutenants and friends.
Pedrarias finally had his
way, as acting governor of the province. Antigua was
granted metropolitan status, with its own coat of arms,
making it the first European city on the American
continent. Pedrarias moved the seat of government from
Santa Maria la Antigua de Darien to Panamá, even though
Antigua had been granted metropolitan status. He took
all of the men that wanted to go with him, all of the
treasure he could, and the city counsel and
administrators. On January, 1519, they went back to
Panamá, and reestablished the post that had been abandon
back in 1517 Pedrarias arrived in Panamá on August 15,
1519, and officially founded the city of Nuestra Señora
de Asunción de Panamá in the name of Doña Juana, the
Queen of Castilla and Don Carlos.
In 1520, Lope de Sosa, the new governor arrived in
Antigua. Just as Sosa was preparing to disembark, to
assume his duties as the new governor, he died, and once
again, Pedrarias string of luck continued, he proposed,
for the second time, moving the capital to Panamá, but
was opposed by Oviedo, who was now the Perpetual Regent.
Pedrarias went to Panamá, and Oviedo stayed in Santa
Maria la Antigua de Darien.
Pedrarias, with time, got
rid of Oviedo. Antigua was eventually abandoned and the
people moved to Acla del Nombre de Dios and Panamá.
Panamá was given a coat of arms on September 15, 1521.
The Episcopal Sea was transferred from Antigua in 1524. Panamá had now become the capital of Tierra Firme
