Luis de Unzaga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luis de Unzaga le Conciliateur
4th Spanish governor of Louisiana
In office 1769–1777
Monarch	Charles III
Preceded by	Alejandro O'Reilly
Succeeded by	Bernardo de Gálvez
1st Captain General of Venezuela
In office 1777–1782
Monarch	Charles III
Succeeded by	Pedro de Nava
69th Governor of Cuba
In office 1782–1785
Monarch	Charles III
Preceded by	Juan Manuel de Cagigal y Monserrat
Succeeded by	Bernardo Troncoso Martínez del Rincón
Personal details
Born	Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga April 6 1717 Málaga, Spain
Died	June 21 1793 Málaga, Spain
Spouse	Marie Elizabeth de St. Maxent La Roche
Military service
Allegiance	Viceroyalty of New Spain  Kingdom of Spain
Branch/service	Spanish Army
Years of service	1732–1793
Rank	Captain General
Battles/wars	American Revolution, Seven Years' War, War of Jenkins' Ear, War of the Polish Succession, Spanish conquest of Oran (1732)

Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga (1717–1793) was an important Spanish leader. He was known by several names, including Louis Unzaga y Amezéga le Conciliateur. He served as the governor of Spanish Louisiana from 1769 to 1777. Later, he became the Captain General of Venezuela (1777–1782) and Cuba (1782–1785). Unzaga played a key role in helping the American colonists during the American Revolution.

Early Life and Military Career

Unzaga was born in Málaga, Spain. His family was well-known and came from the Basque region. He began his military career early. He fought in the Italian war in 1735.

In 1740, Unzaga moved to Havana, Cuba. There, he became the lieutenant governor of Puerto Príncipe, which is now Camagüey. He later held the same position in Santiago de Cuba. During the Seven Years' War in 1762, he helped defend Havana when the British tried to take it over.

Governor of Spanish Louisiana

In 1769, Unzaga traveled to New Orleans with Alejandro O'Reilly. Their mission was to stop the Rebellion of 1768. This rebellion was started by French and German colonists. They were upset because Louisiana had been given to Spain through the Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762).

After the local government, called the cabildo (council), was officially set up, Unzaga became governor on December 1, 1769. In 1775, he married Elizabeth St. Maxent. She was the daughter of Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent, who was the richest man in Louisiana at the time.

Supporting the American Revolution

Luis de Unzaga was a big supporter of the American colonists. He secretly helped them gain independence. In 1776, the same year the Declaration of Independence was signed, George Washington wrote about Unzaga. Washington mentioned receiving a kind letter from Unzaga. In the letter, Unzaga called Washington "General of the American United States."

Unzaga used a secret network of contacts to help the Americans. He knew when British troops were arriving in America. He worked hard to provide aid to George Washington.

Unzaga was known for allowing open trade. In the summer of 1776, he secretly helped Patrick Henry. He privately gave five tons of gunpowder from the king's supplies to American officers. This gunpowder was moved up the Mississippi under the Spanish flag. It was used to stop British plans to capture Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania.

Unzaga was the first Spanish official to give direct military help to the Continental Army. This happened during the American Revolution. After many requests from a merchant named Oliver Pollock, Unzaga approved a secret shipment of gunpowder. It went up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Fort Pitt. It arrived in May 1777. More supplies were later sent from New Orleans to Philadelphia. Pollock provided the ships for these deliveries.

Later Career and Retirement

From June 17, 1777, to December 10, 1782, Unzaga served as the Captain General of Venezuela. In 1783, he became the governor of Cuba. One of his first actions there was to stop the uncontrolled cutting of cedar trees.

As Governor of Cuba and Captain General of Havana, he held this position until 1785. In April 1783, he met Prince William of the United Kingdom. This prince later became King William IV. They discussed early agreements for the Treaty of Paris (1783). Unzaga continued to help George Washington and Robert Morris achieve American independence.

After he retired, Unzaga returned to his hometown of Málaga, Spain. There, he served as a Lieutenant General. He was in charge of the coasts of Granada. His homes later became the consular agency for the United States of America in Málaga. This happened after the port of Málaga started free trade with the United States.

See also

In Spanish: Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga para niños