Melchor Portocarrero, 3rd Count of Monclova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Melchor Portocarrero Count of Monclova
23rd Viceroy of Peru
In office August 1689 – 1705
Monarch	Charles II
Preceded by	Melchor de Navarra
Succeeded by	Juan Peñalosa y Benavides
Personal details
Born	1636 Madrid
Died	September 15, 1705 Lima

Don Melchor Portocarrero y Lasso de la Vega, 3rd Count of Monclova (born in Madrid in 1636, died in Lima on September 15, 1705) was a very important Spanish leader. He served as a viceroy, which was like a governor, in two different parts of the Spanish Empire. First, he was the viceroy of New Spain (which is now Mexico) from 1686 to 1688. After that, he became the viceroy of Peru from 1689 until his death in 1705.

A Brave Military Leader

Melchor Portocarrero was a skilled soldier, a lieutenant general in the cavalry. He fought bravely in many battles across Europe. He served alongside a famous general named John of Austria the Younger in places like Sicily, Flanders, and Portugal.

The Silver Arm

In June 1658, during the Battle of the Dunes near Dunkirk, he lost his right arm. But that didn't stop him! He had a special arm made of silver to replace it. Because of this, his soldiers gave him a cool nickname: Brazo de Plata, which means "Arm of Silver."

After his military career, he also worked in important government groups. These included the Council of the Indies and the Royal War Council of the Indies. These councils helped manage Spain's colonies.

Viceroy of New Spain

In 1686, King Charles II of Spain chose Melchor Portocarrero to be the viceroy of New Spain. When he arrived, he immediately started looking for French settlers. Spain and France were at war, and he wanted to make sure the French weren't building bases on the coast.

Protecting the Coast

He sent two armed ships to explore the coast. They found a small fort and some ships in what is now Texas. The people building the fort had been attacked by Native Americans. This made Portocarrero even more worried about French threats. He also worked to remove English pirates who were cutting down valuable wood in the area.

Building the Chapultepec Aqueduct

One of his big projects in Mexico City was building a new aqueduct. An aqueduct is like a long bridge or channel that carries water from one place to another. This new aqueduct was very long, about 3,908 meters (2.4 miles), and had 904 stone arches. It helped bring fresh water to the city. He even paid for some of the construction himself! The aqueduct was finally finished much later, in 1779.

Founding Monclova

To protect New Spain from French attacks, Portocarrero helped settle the area of Coahuila. He appointed Captain Alonso de León as governor. On August 12, 1689, they founded a new city called Santiago de la Monclova. It was named after the viceroy! About 150 families and 270 armed men settled there to defend against any French invasions. He also ordered other forts to be built or fixed to keep the area safe.

Viceroy of Peru

In 1688, Melchor Portocarrero was chosen to be the viceroy of Peru. He was the last viceroy of New Spain to be transferred to Peru. He left New Spain in 1688 and sailed to Peru in 1689. He continued to serve as viceroy there until he died in Lima in 1705.

His Family Legacy

Melchor Portocarrero's daughter, Doña María Mercedes Portocarrero y Zamudio, married a nobleman named Don José Manuel Tagle y Isasaga. Their grandson, Don José Bernardo de Tagle y Portocarrero, became a very powerful person in Peru in the early 1800s. He even served as the president two times!

See also

In Spanish: Melchor Portocarrero Lasso de la Vega para niños