Baltasar de Zúñiga, 1st Duke of Arión facts for kids
Baltasar de Zúñiga y Guzmán (born in Spain in 1658 – died in Madrid on December 26, 1727) was an important Spanish leader. He served as the viceroy of New Spain (which was a large part of North America, including modern-day Mexico) from 1716 to 1722. After that, he became the president of the Council of the Indies, a powerful group that managed Spain's colonies.
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Early Life and Adventures
Baltasar de Zúñiga y Guzmán was born into a noble family in Spain in 1658. He was the second son of Juan Manuel López de Zúñiga y Mendoza, which meant he had royal connections.
When he was younger, Baltasar joined his older brother to fight in the Great Turkish War. He even took part in a big battle called the Battle of Buda (1686). He was slightly hurt in the battle, but sadly, his brother was killed.
Later, he became the Viceroy of Navarre, another important role in Spain, from 1692 to 1697. When the Spanish Succession War began, he supported King Philip V. Because of his loyalty, he was made the Viceroy of Sardinia from 1704 to 1707.
Becoming Viceroy of New Spain
Baltasar de Zúñiga arrived in Mexico City on August 16, 1716, to officially start his job as viceroy. He was the first viceroy of New Spain who had never been married.
Helping the People
Soon after he started, he learned that people in Texas were suffering from a famine, which is when there isn't enough food. This was causing colonists to leave their homes. Viceroy Zúñiga quickly ordered the governor of Coahuila to send help to the area. He also made sure that Native Americans were taught how to farm and raise animals.
In 1717, some Native American chiefs from Florida traveled to Pensacola and asked to visit Mexico City. Viceroy Zúñiga sent a special ship to pick them up and bring them to Veracruz. From there, they traveled by stagecoach to the capital, where they were welcomed with great respect. They agreed to become Christian and promised to be friends with the Spanish, a promise they kept.
Important Changes and Events
In 1717, the Spanish King decided that only the government could sell tobacco in Cuba and New Spain. This meant private tobacco factories had to close. It also stopped tobacco from being sent to Peru. These changes brought a lot more money to the royal treasury.
In 1718, a group of Native Americans called the Lipanes, who had been rebelling, gave up in the Sierra Gorda region (Tamaulipas). Missionaries were sent to them, and they accepted Christianity. After this, valuable mines were found in the area.
The first big festival, or feria, organized by merchants in Jalapa happened in late 1720. In 1722, the first newspaper in Mexico City started being published by Juan Ignacio María de Castorena Ursúa y Goyeneche. Also in 1722, the Hospital Real burned down. A special ceremony was held in Mexico City where a main idol of some Native American groups was burned. A new convent, called Corpus Christi, was also started for noble Native American women.
On June 16, 1718, as the viceroy was leaving a religious parade, a man named Nicolás Camacho attacked him with a knife. Luckily, Zúñiga was not hurt. Camacho was arrested and found to be mentally ill, so he was sent to a hospital.
Protecting New Spain from Others
During his time as viceroy, Zúñiga y Guzmán worked hard to protect New Spain from other European countries.
Driving Out the English
He successfully forced the English out of Laguna de Términos (in modern-day Campeche). This area had been used by pirates and Englishmen since 1663 for illegally cutting down valuable wood. In just one year, 1714, the English sent 150 ships full of wood from this place. They even had 1,000 men, 16 forts, and many ships on the island of Tris in Laguna de Términos.
In 1716, the viceroy sent a Spanish fleet from Veracruz, led by Alonso Felipe de Andrade, to take back the island. They surprised the English and won! They found a lot of valuable wood and pirate treasures, which paid for the whole trip. A Spanish army base was set up on the island, and Andrade became its governor. The Spanish fought off an attack by 335 pirates on July 16, 1717, but Andrade died in the fight. His family was honored for his bravery.
Dealing with the French
Zúñiga also helped to settle Texas and set up four new outposts there to keep the French away. He also took control of Nayarit and rebuilt forts in Florida. On May 19, 1719, soon after France and Spain declared war, the French landed in Pensacola. They were easily defeated and had to surrender. However, Spanish missionaries and soldiers in Texas went back to Coahuila because they were afraid the French would attack again. The viceroy sent the Marquis of San Miguel de Aguayo with 500 soldiers to make the French leave the Bay of Espíritu Santo, where they had settled. Aguayo was then made governor of Florida and Texas.
Zúñiga also tried to get the French to leave Española and the Danish to leave the Virgin Islands, where they had strong bases.
On December 21, 1720, a new system was started to send goods and money to Spain. A group of merchant ships, protected by warships, sailed from Veracruz to the Canary Islands. From there, another group of warships escorted them to Seville.
Life After Being Viceroy
When the Prince of Asturias was getting married to the Princess of Orléans, Viceroy Zúñiga was chosen to be a special helper in the palace in Madrid. To take on this new role, he handed over his job as viceroy of New Spain to Juan de Acuña, marqués de Casafuerte.
When Zúñiga returned to Spain, he became the president of the Council of the Indies, which was a very important position. He passed away in Madrid in 1727. According to his wishes, his heart was sent to the Capuchin convent of Corpus Christi, which he had helped start in Mexico City, and it was kept there.
See also
In Spanish: Baltasar de Zúñiga y Guzmán para niños
