Vasco Porcallo DE Figueroa

PORCALLO DE FIGUEROA, Vasco (por-cal'-yo), Spanish soldier, born in Caceres, Spain, in 1494; died in Puerto Principe, Cuba, in 1550. He went to Cuba when very young and served under Diego Velasquez, the conqueror and first governor of the island. He was the founder of several cities, among others Remedios and Puerto Principe. Velasquez selected him to command the expedition that he intended to send against Cortes, but Porcallo declined. In 1539 he accompanied Fernando de Soto in his expedition to Florida, but he soon returned to Cuba, and afterward resided in Puerto Principe.