Vélez de Escalante, Silvestre, -1792

Spanish Franciscan missionary priest who came to New Spain in 1769. He served in various missions, and was head of the Zuni mission. In 1776-77, he and Father Francisco Domínguez led an expedition to open an overland trail from Santa Fe to Monterey. Although they never reached Monterey, they explored the Utah Basin and succeeded in crossing the Colorado River near Glen Canyon, which today lies beneath Lake Powell.

From the description of Letters, 1775 Aug. 18-1776 July 29. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 32887968

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