Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent facts for kids
Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent (1724 – 1794) was an important French businessman and army officer. He played a big part in shaping French and later Spanish Louisiana.
Gilbert was born in Longwy, Lorraine, France. In 1747, he moved to New Orleans, which was the main city of French Louisiana. He joined the French Army. In 1749, he married Elizabeth La Roche, who came from a rich family. They had nine children together. Some of his children married important people. For example, his daughter Felicite married Bernardo de Gálvez, who became a governor. Gilbert used his wife's dowry (money or property brought by a bride to her husband) to start a business. His company on Conti Street sold supplies to fur traders.
In 1753, Gilbert was promoted to colonel. He became the leader of the Louisiana Regiment. He fought bravely to protect Louisiana from the British and the Chickasaw people. These battles were part of the French and Indian War, which was also known as the Seven Years' War.
Founding the City of St. Louis
In 1755, Governor Kerlerec gave St. Maxent special rights. He was the only one allowed to trade with Native American tribes west of the Mississippi River.
St. Maxent started a big business called Maxent, Laclède & Company. He gave 25% of the company to Pierre Laclède. In 1763, Laclède chose a spot for a new settlement. It was on a high bank next to the Mississippi River. This spot was just south of where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet. This new place was named St. Louis. People say that work on the city began on Valentine's Day in 1764.
St. Louis was founded before people knew about the Treaty of Paris (1763). This treaty ended the French and Indian War. In the treaty, Spain took control of France's lands west of the Mississippi River. The British took control of the lands on the east side. After this news arrived, many French settlers moved from the east side to the west side, settling in St. Louis.
Louisiana Changes Hands: Spanish Rule
St. Maxent's wealth was connected to France. So, the change from French to Spanish rule was a big test for him.
He was one of the first Frenchmen to promise loyalty to the new Spanish governor, Antonio de Ulloa. Governor Ulloa even became the godfather of one of St. Maxent's daughters. St. Maxent also signed contracts to supply Spanish ships.
In 1768, some Creole and German settlers in New Orleans rebelled against Spanish rule. This was called the Louisiana Rebellion of 1768. During this time, they held St. Maxent at his plantation for a few days. They released him after Governor Ulloa was forced to leave the city and go back to Spain.
In January 1769, St. Maxent stopped the rebels from getting Native American tribes to join their fight. This helped prevent more resistance against Spain.
In May 1769, his business partnership with Laclède ended. Laclède bought the St. Louis properties for a large sum of money.
In August 1769, Alejandro O'Reilly came to New Orleans. He brought Spanish authority back and stopped the rebellion. He replaced the French laws with Spanish laws. O'Reilly gave St. Maxent a new permit for his fur business. This new company, St. Maxent and Ranson, became a rival to Laclède's business.
St. Maxent's daughter, Marie-Elizabeth, married the next Spanish governor, Luis de Unzaga, in 1775. His second daughter, Marie-Félicité, married Unzaga's replacement, Bernardo de Gálvez.
During this time, many believed St. Maxent was the richest man in the entire territory. He built several fancy homes. In the Great New Orleans Fire (1788), which destroyed most of the city, St. Maxent was praised. He opened his home to many people who lost theirs. He also sold supplies to the Spanish at fair prices, even after the fire.
St. Maxent and the American Revolution
During the American Revolutionary War, Spain joined France and the United States against the British. St. Maxent was put in charge of the local militia (citizen soldiers). His militia fought in several battles along the Gulf Coast. These included the Capture of Fort Bute, the Battle of Baton Rouge (1779), and the Siege of Pensacola in 1781.
For his brave actions, he received many important titles. He was named Commandant of the Militia of Louisiana. He also became Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and West Florida.
In 1782, he traveled to Spain to meet King Carlos III. He wanted special permission to bring slaves into Louisiana without paying a tax. As part of the deal, he agreed not to send gold bars out of the country.
On his way back to Louisiana in 1782, British ships captured his two ships and crew. St. Maxent was held under house arrest in Kingston, Jamaica. His men were put in prison. They got better treatment by paying bribes. The Revolutionary War ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783). After this, St. Maxent's luck changed. One of his British helpers was arrested. St. Maxent was accused of secretly sending gold out of the country. The Spanish government took away his titles and seized his property.
To make things worse, his New Orleans warehouse was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire (1788). In 1789, Governor Esteban Rodríguez Miró arrested him again. St. Maxent eventually proved his innocence. However, dealing with these problems took up the rest of his life.
The next Spanish governor, Francisco Luis Héctor de Carondelet, asked him to return to military duty. He helped build Fort St. Philip. Governor Carondelet suggested that St. Maxent be promoted to Brigadier general. However, St. Maxent died in 1794 before this could happen.
