DON JOSEPH

Don Joseph de Payba Basconzelos, a council member paid for expelled council (cabildo) members to return to Sante Fe from Mexico City after a 3 1/2 year banishment by New Mexico's governor. During his return trip he stopped here for some cool water and to leave his mark upon the sandstone. The translation of this writing is "The Ensign Don Joseph de payba Basconzelos passed through here on the 18th of February, 1726,  the year he returned, at his own expense, the menbers of the cabildo to the kingdom.{New Mexico}