Tejano History

Salinas Varona, Gregorio De

Tejanos |

       SALINAS VARONA, GREGORIO DE (ca. 1650–?). Gregorio de Salinas Varona, Spanish official, was born about 1650, entered royal service as a private soldier, and rose through the ranks. Having served nineteen years in Flanders, he was promoted in the spring of 1687 to infantry captain and ordered to recruit a company for Presidio de la Florida. He completed the task by the following June and embarked for New Spain, in company with his son Alonso, to serve the viceroy Conde de Monclova. On arrival in October 1687 Salinas was sent to Tehuántepec to oust a band of pirates who had seized control of the Pacific coast and was thrice wounded in the effort. Back in Mexico City, he was ordered by the new viceroy, Conde de Galve, to join Alonso De León's 1690 Texas expedition. 

 

Full article on the Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas Online

   Courtesy of the Texas State Historical Association.