Alberto del Canto

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Alberto del Canto (born Alberto do Canto on the Isle of Terceira, Azores, in 1547), was a military man, who, during the conquest of America, explored the northeastern zone of Mexico, and founded important cities, such as Saltillo, of which he was the first mayor (1575), and Monterrey. He changed his name to the Castilian form, del Canto while serving under Spanish rule in New Spain.

He was one of the main enemies of Chichimecas. He took numerous prisoners to work like slaves in the mines of Santa Lucia (Monterrey) and San Gregorio (Cerralvo). This resulted in his arrest under the Inquisition for slavery. He escaped and was able to live among the native Chichimeca Indians that he was charged with enslaving, until the charges were dropped.

Del Canto had been a lover to Diego de Montemayor's wife. Montemayor had killed his wife with his sword upon learning of the affair and vowed to kill del Canto.

In 1585, del Canto married Estefania, the daughter of his arch rival, Diego de Montemayor, and had three children, Diego, Miguel and Elvira. In 1596 Estefania and Del Canto separated. Don Diego had permanently established present day Monterrey. Estefania moved there with her father, and her children took the last name of Montemayor.

In 1611, Del Canto died at his Hacienda de Buena Vista, Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico.