Francisco José de Ovando, 1st Marquis of Brindisi facts for kids

Francisco José de Ovando y Solís Rol de La Cerda, 1st Marquis of Brindisi (Spanish: Francisco José de Ovando y Solís Rol de La Cerda, primer Marqués de Brindisi) (born around 1693 – died December 9, 1755) was an important Spanish soldier. He served as a governor in different parts of the Spanish Empire. He was the Royal Governor of Chile and later the Governor-General of the Philippines.

Early Life and Military Career

Francisco José de Ovando was born in Caceres, a city in Spain. When he was 17, in 1710, he joined the Spanish Army. A few years later, in 1717, he moved to the naval infantry. These were soldiers who fought on ships and on land.

He took part in the capture of Sicily in 1718. This happened during a big conflict called the War of the Quadruple Alliance. After some time working in army administration, he returned to the navy in 1728. He became a lieutenant in charge of a small warship called a frigate, named Génova.

Two years later, he studied how to build ships in Cádiz, Spain. In 1731, he commanded another frigate, the Guipúzcoa. This ship was part of a fleet that attacked Livorno in Italy.

Capturing Brindisi

In 1733, Ovando was promoted to Captain. He took command of the frigate Galga. His ship helped capture Naples during the War of the Polish Succession. This was another major European conflict.

In 1734, he was sent to capture the castle of Brindisi in Italy. He personally led 300 men from his ship to attack the fortress. After a successful battle, he sailed back to Naples. There, Don Carlos, a Spanish prince, praised him for his bravery.

Ovando was rewarded with the title of Marquis of Brindisi. He was also promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He then took command of a large warship called a Man-of-war, named El León, which had seventy cannons.

In 1736, Ovando commanded the frigate San Cayetano. He sailed it to Veracruz in Mexico. There, he joined the Windward Fleet, which was a group of Spanish warships. Their job was to stop smugglers and traders from other European countries, like Britain and the Netherlands. These traders were breaking Spain's trade rules in the Spanish Main, which was the mainland coast of the Spanish Americas.

In 1740, he fought with his ship Dragón to defend Cartagena de Indias (in modern-day Colombia). This city was under attack by the British navy led by Admiral Vernon.

In 1743, the Spanish Prime Minister, Marquis of Ensenada, promoted Ovando again. He became a Fleet Commander. His new task was to inspect all the forts, harbors, and shipyards in the Viceroyalty of Peru. This was a huge Spanish territory in South America.

Serving as Governor of Chile

Francisco José de Ovando became the temporary Royal Governor of Chile in 1745. He took over from José Antonio Manso de Velasco. Ovando had traveled to Valparaíso to escort Manso de Velasco, who was promoted to Viceroy of Peru.

Ovando served as governor from July 28, 1745, until March 26, 1746. His successor, Domingo Ortiz de Rosas, then arrived. After his time as governor, Ovando returned to his fleet command. He sailed on the ship San Fermín to map the Juan Fernández Islands.

On October 26, 1746, he experienced a terrible earthquake in Lima and Callao, Peru. He and his family were among the few survivors.

During his time as governor, an important event happened. On March 11, 1747, the first university in colonial Chile was created. It was called the Royal University of San Felipe. This university later became today's University of Chile.

Serving as Governor-General of the Philippines

Ovando arrived in Manila, Philippines, on July 20, 1750. He soon faced challenges with the local court (Audiencia) and the archbishop. He also had to deal with conflicts with the Moros, who were Muslim groups in the southern Philippines.

His term as Governor-General ended in July 1754. He died at sea in 1755 while sailing back to Acapulco, Mexico. The town of Obando in the Philippines was named after him. He founded this town on May 14, 1753.

See also

• Diego Fernández de Cáceres y Ovando
• War of the Quadruple Alliance
• War of the Polish Succession
• Seven Years' War
• War of Jenkins' Ear
• Blas de Lezo
• Battle of Cartagena de Indias
• Spanish ship Santísima Trinidad (1751)