PEDRO DE

ALVARADO (1495-1541)  , one of the Spanish leaders in the discovery and conquest of America, was born at Badajoz about 1495 . He held a command in the expedition sent from Cuba against Yucatan in the spring of 1518, and returned in a few months, bearing reports of the wealth and splendour of Montezuma's empire . In February 1519 he accompanied Hernando Cortes in the expedition for the conquest of Mexico, being appointed to the command of one of the eleven vessels of the fleet . He acted as Cortes's principal officer, and on the first occupation of the city of Mexico was left there in charge . When the Spaniards had temporarily to retire before the Mexican uprising, Alvarado led the rear-guard (1st of July 1520), and the Salto de Alvarado—a long leap with the use. of his spear, by which he saved his life—became famous . He was engaged (1523-24) in the conquest of Guatemala, of which he was subsequently appointed governor by Charles V . In 1534 he attempted to bring the province of Quito under his power, but had to content himself with the exaction of a pecuniary indemnity for the expenses of the expedition . During a visit to Spain, three years later, he had the governorship of Honduras conferred upon him in addition to that of Guatemala . He died in Guatemala in 1541 .