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Francisco del Moral y Sanchez ... Antonio de BenavidesFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Antonio de Benavides 35ºRoyal Governor of La Florida In office 1734-1737 Preceded by Antonio de Benavides Succeeded by Personal details Born Havana, Cuba Died Madrid, Spain Profession soldier and governor Franciso del Moral y Sanchez was a Captain in the Spanish Army, he held a leading position in the Americas as governor and captain general of Florida (1734-1737) Contents [hide] 1 Early years 2 Government in la Florida 3 References [edit] Early years Antonio Benavides Gonzales de Molina was born in La Matanza de Acentejo in Tenerife, (Canary Islands, Spain ) in 1678. Before his twentieth birthday, he joined the Spanish army as a volunteer in Havana, he fought in Flanders, Seville and Tortosa, and saved the life of King, in a war in Villaviciosa, Asturias. In that war Benavides gave his own horse to the king and he resisted to walk, and with serious wounds, the enemy attacks. Recovered from his injuries, he received the degree of Brigadier of Cavalry.[1]

[edit] Government in la FloridaSoon after, the King of Spain, Philip V, eager to use their services and reward their loyalty, made him governor and captain general of Florida in 1718, which was then a government of difficult and dangerous administration. In order to he could establish his rule in Florida as soon as possible, forgave him the oath before the Royal Council, a oath very common at that time, and told he should make the oath to the authority governing the Canary Islands. After, he should embark in the fleet of warships San Jose, San Francisco and San Antonio, that would do a stopover in Tenerife to go then to the island Cuba. Florida at that time was very poorly organized. Ruled by Juan de Ayala y Escobar, who was accused of smuggling, frequently attacked by the native tribes who occupied the border areas, and the English settlers of South Carolina who daily harass the colony for to hinder their trade and get the abandonment or the evacuation of the province, that they much coveted. The man was needed to come to curb these problems and maintain the Spanish domination should have great courage and perseverance to achieve their purposes. Antonio de Benavides had all that qualities and he had shown him in the military. After arriving in Florida, he studied and he visited the region, he was informed of their needs and their resources, he acknowledged the cause of his discomfort and he knew the name of the people who the originated. He wanted to stem the wrong, so he separated the employees embezzlers (inter alia people, to Ayala y Escobar who went arrested and he sent him to a Cuban prison (then ruled Cuba to Florida)), he withdrew to his accomplices, he rewarded to those who did their duty, and he called some people who had great knowledge for integrate them into his government. To avoid complaints of the disaffected and the twisted interpretation that may give these measures, he reported to the king of the status of the colony and he them explained at length that this needed reform and that he them had executed with hoping that his conduct was approved and for be allowed to he continue forever with the same functions and prudent management of the affairs of that colony. The king approved his policy and he continued the same office until the end of its mandate. He, on several occasions, defeated to the English who were trying to conquer Florida, on land and sea and he repressed the piracy. He also managed to set a peace treaty with Appalachian American Indians, who were the worst enemies of the colony, and with their affable and kind treatment, and with their offers religiously fulfilled, he managed that they respected to the Spanish subjects and exchange with they proofs of friendship and affection, which lasted without interruption while he was ruling the colony. Benavides also defended the rights of indigenous people. As a reward for these services, the king what ascended to the rank of Field Marshal and he increased his salary as a token of his appreciation of its high military skills, administrative and political. Thanks to the administration of his government, his great charity to the poor and the affability of his manner, which made no distinction between classes or persons, Benavides was highly respected and admired by all Floridians.[1]

[edit] Government in VeracruzIn 1734 the king had appointed to Antonio de Benavides governor of the province of Veracruz and the Castle of San Juan de Ulúa, Mexico. When the news reached Florida, arose was a general feeling of disgust in the province because all the inhabitants of the region did not believe back to have a governor like Benavides. In his new job he continued showing, the same conditions that he had as governor in Florida, however, he also show increasingly his charity in the new territories governed. However, over the years, he felt that he should leave politics, but before harm the interests of the colony, asked request their release and their headquarters. The king, who was then Ferdinand VI, refused to grant their wish, and because the war against England was about to begin again, was given the Captaincy General of Yucatán, and was given command of the expedition formed to defend the coast of Tabasco and Honduras, with the rank of Lieutenant General. He died in Tenerife in 1763. Today his remains lie in the parish of the Conception of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.[1]

[edit] The Battle of SaragossaOn August 20, 172O, at the Battle of Saragossa Antonio de Benavides also starred in a historic event because it in a surprise attack 'he managed to seize the enemy's artillery. Benavides organized a training, he managed put their men in the center of the military readiness of the aspirant to the Spanish throne, and after to neutralize the artillery, seized all pieces and came to use against its owners. However, the serious damage suffered by troops loyal to Bourbon and a disorderly retreat became futile the efforts of isleño military and the Spanish army was defeated (Despite that the action of Benavides is considered the most important of battle).[1]

[edit] References^ a b c d Francesca Hampton (23-09-2006).