Pedro de Alberní y Teixidor facts for kids

Pedro de Alberní y Teixidor, also known in Catalan as Pere d'Alberní i Teixidor (Eastern Catalan: [ˈpeɾə ðəlβəɾˈni j təʃiˈðo]), was a Spanish soldier. He was born in Tortosa, Spain, on January 30, 1747, and passed away in Monterey, New Spain, on March 11, 1802. He spent most of his life serving the King of Spain as a soldier. Much of his military career was in colonial Mexico, which was then called New Spain. He is famous for exploring the Pacific Northwest in the 1790s. He also served as the ninth Spanish governor of Alta California in 1800.

Pedro de Alberni's Life Story

His Early Years

Pedro de Alberni was born on January 30, 1747, in Tortosa, Catalonia, Spain. His family was well-off and respected. His father, Jaume d'Alberní i Antolí, was a public notary and an important citizen of Barcelona. Pedro was one of seven children. Because his older brother inherited the family's main wealth, Pedro and his other brothers joined the military.

Pedro joined Spain's Second Regiment of the Light Infantry on July 17, 1762. He was only fifteen years old. He fought as a cadet in the campaign in Portugal during the Seven Years' War. After five years, he joined a special military group called the Free Company of Volunteers of Catalonia. This group was made up of unique Catalan soldiers.

From Spain to New Spain

In 1767, Pedro's company was sent on a long journey across the ocean to the Spanish colony of New Spain (which is now Mexico). Their mission was to protect the northern parts of New Spain from attacks by native groups. These areas stretched from what is now Guanajuato to New Mexico, and from Sonora to Texas.

On May 2, 1767, the company sailed from Cádiz, Spain. They first went to Cuba, then to Veracruz in New Spain. There were 98 soldiers and four officers, including Pedro Alberni. They arrived in August 1767. From Veracruz, they traveled to Guaymas, Sonora, arriving in April 1768. The whole trip from Barcelona took almost a year.

In Sonora and California

Soon after reaching Guaymas, Pedro's company fought against the Pima and Seri native groups in a campaign called Cerro Prieto. After this successful mission, Alberni and his company moved to Mexico City and then Guadalajara. Alberni then served as a commander in the province of Nayarit for seven years.

In 1772, the company split into two parts. One part, led by Captain Callis, stayed together. The second part, led by Pedro Fages, went to Alta California in 1769 as part of the Portolá expedition. This group stayed in Alta California, at the Presidio of Monterey. Fages later became the military governor. When Captain Callis died in 1782, Pedro Alberni became the new Captain of the First Company.

Journey to the Pacific Northwest

Nootka Sound marked on Vancouver Island.

A drawing showing what Fort San Miguel might have looked like.

A view of the homes in Nootka Sound from a book published in 1790.

Friendly Cove in Nootka Sound. This picture is from a book by Captain George Vancouver.

In 1789, the Viceroy of New Spain, Manuel Antonio Flórez, ordered Alberni's company to prepare for a move to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island. They were to strengthen a fort built there by Esteban José Martínez. Martínez had asked for more soldiers, but he left Nootka Sound in October 1789. This happened because of problems after Martínez took some British and American ships and, later, killed a relative of the Nuu-chah-nulth chief Maquinna.

Even though Martínez had left, the King of Spain wanted the fort at Nootka to remain. So, in 1790, Nootka was reoccupied by an expedition led by Francisco de Eliza. Alberni's soldiers sailed with Eliza. At Nootka, they rebuilt and made the fort, called Fort San Miguel, even stronger.

The capture of the English ships led to the Nootka Controversy. This was a big disagreement that almost caused a war between Spain and England over who owned the Pacific Northwest. Spain had sent many expeditions to the area to show its claim to the entire west coast of North America.

In December 1789, the new Viceroy, Juan Vicente de Güemes, ordered Alberni's company to move to San Blas. The company had about 80 soldiers. They started their march on January 1, 1790. They sailed from San Blas with the Eliza expedition on February 3, 1790. The group of ships arrived at Nootka Sound on April 5.

During the journey to Nootka Sound, Alberni stood up for his soldiers. He demanded that they be properly clothed, armed, and paid.

When Alberni arrived at Nootka, he had to rebuild the fort. It was on a tall, rocky island. It was hard work, but they managed to set up many large cannons. Alberni also built living quarters for the soldiers and officers, ovens, and an infirmary (a place for the sick). He even started a vegetable garden to provide food for the fort. This made him the first European to grow vegetables in what is now British Columbia.

He also kept records of temperatures, created a dictionary of 630 native words, and made beer from tree bark to help prevent scurvy (a disease caused by lack of vitamin C). He worked hard to organize and manage the fort for everyone living there and for visitors. Many of his soldiers also joined Spanish explorers on trips to Alaska and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

All the information Alberni collected was later used by José Mariano Mociño, a naturalist from New Spain. Mociño wrote a book called Noticias de Nootka (News from Nootka). Mociño said that Alberni was well-liked and respected by everyone, including the native people. Alberni even wrote a poem for their chief, Maquinna, set to the tune of a popular Spanish song. The song's words were:

Macuina, Macuina, Macuina,
He's a great prince, friend of us
Spain, Spain, Spain
Is friend of Macuina and Nootka

This song became very popular in the area. Other explorers heard it sung by the native people. Alberni's time at Nootka was a busy period for explorers from Spain and other countries in the region.

Back to Mexico

After two years at the fort, Alberni finished his work. He was ordered to return with his company to San Blas. The Viceroy of New Spain gave him the title of Governor and Commander of Arms of Fort San Miguel in Nootka Island.

In July 1792, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel. After his time in Nootka, he spent eight months at the Castle of San Juan de Ulúa in Veracruz. He was the commander of the fort there. After that, Alberni was sent to Guadalajara for two years.

To California

In April 1796, the Viceroy of New Spain ordered Alberni and his company of 72 men to return to California. Their job was to take care of the Spanish military forts in Monterey, Santa Bárbara, San Diego, and San Francisco. In 1800, he was chosen to be the temporary Governor of California. He was also the commander of the four military forts in California until a new governor was appointed. He stayed in California until he passed away.

His Passing

Pedro de Alberni died from an illness at the age of 55 in Monterey, Alta California, on March 11, 1802. He was buried at the Royal Chapel of San Carlos in Monterey. Today, his burial place is likely under a highway built nearby, as his tomb has never been found. In his will, dated December 16, 1801, Alberni left everything to his wife, Juana Vélez. Their only daughter had passed away before him.

His Legacy

Pedro de Alberni was known for being strong, brave, and good at solving problems. Many places in both Canada and Spain are named after him:

• Alberni Inlet, British Columbia, named by Francisco de Eliza.
• Port Alberni, British Columbia, named by Captain Richards from HMS Hecate in 1861. Port Alberni is at the end of Alberni Inlet.
• Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, named after Port Alberni.
• Streets in cities like Vancouver, Canada, and Tortosa, Spain.

See also

In Spanish: Pedro Alberni para niños