Juan Pérez de Zurita

Zurita relieved Juan Gregorio Bazán the chief of the few soldiers or colonists who remained in the province, that was torn by discord and afflicted by crime continuing a precarious existence after the departure of the previous governor.

With a new immigration from Chile and Peru, Zurita at the head of the government was able to bring the settlers a larger measure of prosperity than they had previously enjoyed and treated all parties with equal justice.

In honour of the union of Philip II and Queen Mary, Zurita changed the name of the province to Nueva Inglaterra (New England).

This proposed change provoked a revolt on the part of those who wished to maintain the connection with Chile.

The uprising was suppressed, but opposition aroused by Zurita finally persuaded the Governor of Chile that it was desirable to transfer the affairs of the province of Tucuman to other hands.