Juan Manuel de Salcedo

Juan Manuel de Salcedo was the 11th and final governor of Spanish Louisiana, from 1801–1803. He was governor at the time of the cession of the Louisiana territory to France in fulfillment of the terms of the Treaty of San Ildefonso.

Early career

A native of Bilbao, Salcedo pursued a military career and served as an officer in the defense of the Lordship of Biscay in the Seven Years' War.^[1] By 1780, he was in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where he was to remain for twenty years, rising to the position of teniente del rey (lieutenant to the king).^[1]

Governor of Spanish Louisiana

Salcedo was appointed governor of Louisiana on October 24, 1799 to replace Governor Gayoso, who had died in office, but due to ill health he did not actually assume the position until July 15, 1801.^[2] During the interim, Sebastián Calvo de la Puerta y O'Farrill served as governor in his stead.^[3] His governorship was not well-regarded; he reportedly humiliated the members of the Cabildo and boycotted its meetings.^[2] He was quite hostile to the United States; one of his first official acts was to dispatch arms to Natchitoches, along with instructions to keep Americans out of the district, and he forbade the granting of land to American citizens.^[4]

Salcedo's tenure as governor ended with the return of Louisiana to France, shortly before the Louisiana Purchase. His predecessor, Casa-Calvo, assisted him in the transfer, after which Salcedo removed to the Canary Islands.^[2]

Family

Salcedo married Francisca de Quiroga y Manso in Malaga in 1775.^[1] Their son, Manuel María de Salcedo, later served as governor of Spanish Texas. His brother, Nemesio de Salcedo, was the Commandant General of the Interior Provinces.^[5]

References