On the Catholic calendar day of Ascension, April 30, 1598, the exploration party assembled on the south bank of the Rio Grande. In an Ascension Day ceremony, Oñate led the party in prayer, as he claimed all of the territory across the river for the Spanish Empire. Oñate's original terms would have made this land a separate viceroyalty to the crown in New Spain; this move failed to stand after de Zúñiga reviewed the agreement.
O,n the Catholic calendar day of Ascension, April 30 1598, the exploration party assembled on the south bank of the Rio Grande. In an Ascension Day ceremony, Oñate led the party in prayer, as he claimed all of the territory across. the river for the Spanish Empire. Oñate's original terms would have made this land a separate viceroyalty to the crown in New .Spain; this move failed to stan?d after de Zúñiga reviewed the agreement.