Francisco Bouligny facts for kids
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Francisco Bouligny
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Portrait by unknown artist
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| 9th Spanish Governor of Louisiana | |
| In office 1799–1799 Serving with Nicolás María Vidal
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| Monarch | Charles IV |
| Preceded by | Manuel Gayoso de Lemos |
| Succeeded by | Sebastián Calvo de la Puerta |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Francisco Domingo Joseph Bouligny y Paret
September 4, 1736 Alicante, Spain |
| Died | November 25, 1800 (aged 64) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Resting place | St. Louis Cathedral |
| Spouse |
Marie-Louise Le Sénéchal d'Auberville
(m. 1770) |
| Known for | Founder of New Iberia, Louisiana |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Viceroyalty of New Spain Kingdom of Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1758–1800 |
| Rank | Brigadier general |
| Battles/wars | |
Francisco Domingo Joseph Bouligny y Paret (September 4, 1736 – November 25, 1800) was an important Spanish military leader and politician. He played a big role in Spanish Louisiana. Because he spoke French, he helped connect the French-speaking people of Louisiana with the Spanish government. Bouligny was a lieutenant governor, founded the city of New Iberia in 1779, and was even acting military governor for a short time in 1799.
Contents
Growing Up
Francisco Bouligny, often called "Frasquito" by his family, was born in 1736. His hometown was Alicante, Spain. His father, Jean (Juan) Bouligny, was a successful French merchant. His mother, Marie Paret, was from Alicante.
When he was 10, Francisco went to a special school. He finished school in 1750. After that, he joined his family's business. They traded many things like textiles, spices, and wines. Their business reached across the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Early Military Career
In 1758, Bouligny joined the Spanish army. A year later, he moved to the Royal Regiment of Spanish Guards. He became a lieutenant in the infantry. In 1762, he was sent to Havana, Cuba.
At that time, Spain was fighting in the Seven Years' War. While Bouligny was traveling, the British captured Havana. So, Bouligny had to wait out the war in the Canary Islands. In 1763, he finally arrived in Havana. He stayed there until 1769.
He then joined Alejandro O'Reilly on an important trip. Their goal was to stop the Louisiana Rebellion. Since Bouligny spoke French very well, he helped a lot. He delivered messages from the Spanish government to the French-speaking people. He also acted as an interpreter during the trials of the rebellion's leaders.
Bouligny was promoted to captain in the new Fixed Louisiana Infantry Battalion. In 1772, Governor Luis de Unzaga made him a full captain. However, a year later, Bouligny had a problem. He gave some soldiers who ran away a longer prison sentence than the king's rules allowed. Governor Unzaga removed him from his command. But O'Reilly helped Bouligny, and he got his job back with a warning.
In 1775, Bouligny went back to Europe for family matters. While in Spain, he wrote an important document. It was called Memoria histórica y política sobre la Luisiana. This document explained how important Louisiana was to Spain. It showed how the land could be used for farming and trade. It also stressed the need for good relationships with Native American groups. Bouligny also suggested ways to make the territory's defenses stronger. This would protect it from British North America. The Spanish court liked his ideas. His Memoria helped guide how Spanish Louisiana would grow in the future.
Return to Louisiana
In 1777, Bouligny came back to Louisiana. Governor Bernardo de Gálvez named him lieutenant governor. One of his jobs was to manage trade and relations with Native American tribes. He also helped start new settlements. In his Memoria, Bouligny had suggested that Spanish and other Catholic immigrants should settle in Louisiana. This would help Spain keep control of the area.
Following this plan, in April 1779, Bouligny led about 500 colonists. These colonists were from Málaga, Spain, and the Canary Islands. They traveled up Bayou Teche to start the city of New Iberia.
However, Bouligny and Governor Gálvez often disagreed. They argued about trade and where new settlements should be. For example, they disagreed about the location of New Iberia. Gálvez also questioned Bouligny's actions and finances. He audited Bouligny's expenses for the New Iberia settlement very closely.
In late 1779, during the American Revolutionary War, Spain attacked British areas in West Florida. Bouligny took part in battles like the capture of Fort Bute and the Battle of Baton Rouge. In 1780, he led an attack against the British at Mobile. He also helped in the Siege of Pensacola.
In 1783, Bouligny was ordered to deal with a group of people who had escaped slavery. These cimarrones (maroons) had formed a community downriver from New Orleans. By June 1784, his expedition captured 60 people. This included their leader, Jean Saint Malo.
In 1784, Governor Esteban Rodríguez Miró traveled to West Florida. He went to meet with the Muscogee, Chickasaw, and Choctaw nations. While he was away, Bouligny served as acting governor of Louisiana. The next year, Miró sent Bouligny to Natchez. His job was to make sure Spanish rule was followed there. He also had to stop Americans from moving into the area. In March 1791, Bouligny became a colonel. He was put in charge of the Fixed Louisiana Infantry Regiment. He held this important position until he died in 1800.
After Governor Manuel Gayoso de Lemos died in July 1799, Francisco Bouligny became the military governor of Louisiana. Nicolás María Vidal was the civil governor. They served until the new governor general, Sebastián Calvo de la Puerta y O'Farrill, arrived in December 1799.
Later Life and Honors
Bouligny died in New Orleans on November 25, 1800, after a long illness. He was given a special honor by being buried in St. Louis Cathedral. In September 1800, the Spanish King made Bouligny a brigadier general. However, the official document did not reach Louisiana until after he had passed away.
Bouligny left behind a large library of 148 books. He also had a wine cellar with about 500 bottles of wine.
In 1977, some of Bouligny's descendants started the Bouligny Foundation. This foundation helped people study Spanish Louisiana. It supported research and an annual lecture series. After the foundation closed, The Historic New Orleans Collection continued the annual Bouligny Lecture program.
Family Life
People described Bouligny as "rather tall and slight." He had a noble military way about him. He was easygoing and dignified in his manners, and a warm friend. Throughout his life, Bouligny wrote many letters. He corresponded in both French and Spanish with his family and officials around the world. His first name is sometimes written as "Francisco" and sometimes as "François," depending on the language used.
On December 29, 1770, Bouligny married Marie-Louise Le Sénéchal d'Auberville (1750–1834). She came from a well-known French Louisiana family. This marriage was good for both families. Bouligny's political connections helped settle a debt owed to Marie-Louise's mother. It also helped him start buying property in the city.
The couple had four children. One son, Charles Dominique Joseph Bouligny, was elected to the U.S. Senate in the 1820s. Another son, Louis Bouligny, had a neighborhood in New Orleans named after him. This area is called Faubourg Bouligny. His grandson, John Edward Bouligny, was elected to Congress in 1859.
Bouligny's older brother, Juan de Bouligny, was the first Spanish ambassador to the Ottoman Empire. He served from 1779 to 1793.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Bouligny para niños
