Chronicle of the Narvaez Expedition

Even though Cabeza de Vaca learns the names of many peoples, for many reasons he simply refers to any Indigenous peoples as “Indians,” a term derived from the earlier European belief that the Americas were part of the Orient (i.e., the Indies).

Cabeza de Vaca uses the title adelantado, a colonial governor in the Spanish Empire. The term literally means “advanced” and was granted exclusively by the monarch. The adelantado was granted control of a specific region and was expected to conquer and govern the area. The term dates to the Middle Ages.

The original word used by Cabeza de Vaca was alcalde, which can also translate to “mayor.” Not only was a magistrate under the command of a viceroy, but in the earliest years of conquest an adelantado could appoint alcaldes in their areas.