The viceroy penned his reply and sent it along with three Royal Orders, one of which originated from the King. The viceroy sent the royal packet to Martínez de Montoya, not Oñate. So Martínez de Montoya was the first to learn that Oñate’s resignation had been accepted and that the governor was ordered to remain in NM until replaced or instructed otherwise. The biggest surprise was that the viceroy named Martínez de Montoya the interim governor of NM.

Historians have surmised that the cabildo or colony’s council, heavily influenced by Oñate, met and refused the viceroy’s choice. They then named the governor’s son, Cristóbal, the interim governor. The Martínez de Montoya documents hint at the acquiescence of Martínez de Montoya himself, for he remained on good terms with Oñate and was preparing, maybe desired, to leave NM.

Soon thereafter Cristóbal de Oñate, in his capacity as the new acting governor, witnesses and certified a second testimonial given by Martínez de Montoya. Signed on 8 August 1608, Oñate’s son verified the almost two years of the captain’s activities since his earlier testimony. Along with the aforementioned activities, Martínez de Montoya noted that he “populated” and “made a plaza in Santa Fe.” Within a few months Cristóbal de Oñate granted Martínez de Montoya permission to leave NM. He traveled as an officer in a small escort of Fray Lázaro Ximínez and Fray Isidro Ordóñez, who carried some letters for the viceroy. One of those letters mentioned that plans were underway to establish a new town and capitol. The unnamed town can only be a reference to the new plaza of Santa Fe established by Martínez de Montoya. No doubt the captain’s presence in Mexico City was an additional source about NM for the viceroy.