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Home , British West Florida, Canary Islanders

’s Involvement in the American Revolutionary War by Judge Edward F. Butler, SR.

The following was overheard at a platoon roll River as far north as Natchez (now call during the American Revolutionary War: Mississippi). England and Spain were traditional enemies, since at least 1588 when “Cpl. Rios?” ...... “Presente!” Lord Nelson and Admiral Sir Robert Cross “Pvt. De la Garza?” ...... “Presente!” defeated the Spanish Armada; and the following “Pvt. Martinez?” ...... “Aqui!” year when Admiral Cross captured Cadiz. “Pvt. Hernandez?” ...... “Presente!” Spain had lost to England after a seven Possibly you think you are reading about a roll year war, which also cost Spain it’s valuable call in another revolutionary war. No mistake. colony in the Philippines. British Many Spanish soldiers were directly involved as included the southern part of what is now combatants in the American Revolutionary War. Mississippi and . It resulted from In fact, the list of Spanish patriots extends cessions by France and Spain by treaty in 1762. beyond the military personnel of Spain. Under the terms of that treaty, Spain regained Ranchers, vaqueros, the Franciscan priests, Havana, a city captured by the British, and members of the militia, privateers, Canary Britain obtained . Under a Islanders and American Indians living in that separate treaty, Spain received from part of New Spain now known as all France. Pensacola was the capital of British contributed to the victory of the American West Florida. colonists against the English crown. SPAIN’S GOALS: To better understand these developments, a look into the history and geography of New Spain is Spain sought the return of Florida and West beneficial. Florida, and to keep Louisiana. Spain also desired the return of and the island of HISTORY: Minorca in the Mediterranean. It was also to Spain’s interest to remove England from it’s In 1763 Spain occupied much of the . sphere of influence in the new world. Carlos, New Spain included Louisiana, and all of the III, king of Spain, wanted revenge against continental North America west of the England. As the rumblings of independence , “to the arctic snows”; and became louder in the American colonies, Spain what is now and Central America. The saw it’s opportunity. Spanish colony of Peru, included all of it’s colonies in South America. Additionally, Spain SPANISH ASSISTANCE: occupied Hispanola, and . The courts of Madrid and Paris had agreed, early England, in addition to the 13 American in the year 1776, upon a plan for giving secret colonies, owned parts of Canada, , The assistance to the revolting colonies. It was Bahamas, Jamaica, Florida and West Florida, agreed between them that in order to insure the including some forts on the east bank of the --

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secrecy of their support, all monies and supplies should be handled by a third party and appear as open business transactions.1 for their shipment to the colonies, contact American agents living in France, and account Sympathy for the Americans, when they began for the money spent2. Even before the signing open hostilities against the mother country, ran of the Declaration of Independence, Carlos, III high throughout Spain. At that time, however, began to supply the colonists with guns, Spain was not in a position to make her ammunition, supplies and money. sympathy openly known. She was engaged in a war with over possessions in South Thus, in June 1776, when the American America that was costing her vast amounts in Revolution had just begun, we find both Spain money and many men and ships. England, the and France acting officially, though under the open ally of Portugal, held the dangerous points seal of secrecy, as allies of the English colonies of Minorca, Mahan, and Gibraltar. Her navy against their mother country. Even before this was the most powerful on the seas, second in date, however, supplies had been going out on a numbers only to the Spanish fleet. haphazard basis through the ports of Spain, France, and Holland, as ship captains from Carlos, III was, at this time, diplomatically America picked up arms and ammunition in involved in peace negotiations with Portugal and personal trading ventures. Moreover, much could not afford to enter into any alliance that important trade of this nature had been going on might endanger those negotiations. To become through the Spanish ports in the West Indies. openly engaged in the struggle of the American Using these same ports as bases, American colonists against their mother country would captains had been able to prey upon British certainly lead to a declaration of war by merchant vessels during the first months of the England. It would invite an immediate blockade war. of all Spanish ports, which would end any possibility of signing the desired treaty with SPAIN SENDS SUPPLIES TO THE Portugal. This explains the reasons why Spain COLONIES UP THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER: decided to keep secret her aid to the revolting colonies. In August 1776, General Charles Henry Lee, second in command under George Washington The two Bourbon Courts would initially make sent Capt. George Gibson, a Virginian, with a an outright gift of two million “livres group of 16 American colonists, from Ft. Pitt to tournaises,” one million to come from each , to obtain supplies from Spain. country. One of the first moves consisted of Lee’s request included guns, gun powder, setting up a fictitious company to direct the aid blankets and medicine. New Orleans program, make purchases of supplies, arrange businessman, Oliver Pollock introduced Capt. Gibson to Spanish Unzaga, who agreed to supply the colonists. The following 1 Why was it feasible on 4 July 1776 for the month, Spain sent 9,000 pounds of gunpowder American Colonies to declare independence? One partial answer is that the framers knew that France and Spain were in support and would presumably be 2 trading partners for the future. Without such support, The dummy company was the famous it would not have made sense to declare “Rodrigue Hortalez and Company,” and its main independence from one’s lifeline, and the war would director was the French playwright and statesman have taken some other course. Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais.

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2 to the colonists up the Mississippi River, and an Desperate agents of the colonies were becoming additional 1,000 pounds by ship to Philadelphia. more and more indiscreet, announcing openly the sources of aid to America. By giving the On 25 November 1776, Carlos, III ordered strong impression that Spain and France were Bernardo Galvez to collect information about actually their open allies, they hoped to weaken the British colonies. Subsequently, he was England’s will to continue the war. ordered to render secret help to the colonists. In PATRICK HENRY WRITES TO GALVEZ: 1777, Governor Unzaga introduced Pollock to General Galvez. By July 1777, Spain sent In October 1777, Patrick Henry wrote two letters another 2,000 barrels of gun powder, lead and to General Galvez, and another in January 1778. clothing up the Mississippi to assist the colonists In each of those letters he requested more in their revolutionary cause. Carlos, III made supplies. Henry also suggested in those letters secret loans to the colonists of 1,000,000 livres. that the two that Spain lost to England Additional arms, ammunition and provisions in 1763 should revert back to Spain. were sent by the to George Rogers Clark’s Mississippi River posts and to George In March 1778, U.S. Captain left Washington’s continental army. Ft. Pitt with an expedition of 30 men. They raided and plundered British forts and property In 1777 Benjamin Franklin, American along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. They representative in France, arranged for the secret captured boats, barges, an armed British ship, transport from Spain to the colonies of 215 and slaves. When Willing arrived in New bronze cannons; 4,000 tents; 13,000 grenades; Orleans with his rag tag flotilla of boats, the 30,000 muskets, bayonetes, and uniforms; over expedition had grown to 150 men. Galvez 50,000 musket balls and 300,000 poiunds of welcomed Willing and his men. He provided gunpowder. A subsequent letter of thanks from them with quarters and gave them free reign of Franklin to the Count of Aranda for 12,000 the city. They auctioned off their British muskets sent to Boston from Spain was found. plunder. With the proceeds, they purchased military supplies for the Continental army from By September 1777, Spain had already furnished Galvez for their return trip. the American insurgents with 1,870,000 livres tournaises. Before long, it became apparent to George Rogers Clark received a considerable the court of Madrid that the funds which had amount of his supplies which he used in his been given equally by the two nations were victories over the British at Kaskaskia, Cahokia being credited, by the Americans, solely to the and Vincennes in 1778-1779, up the Mississippi Court River from Galvez. Again, Oliver Pollock was of France. instrumental in the transactions.

During the period 1776-1779, Spain further Galvez knew that a formal declaration of war provided a credit of about 8 million reales, was soon to come. Under the guise of recruiting which provided military and medical supplies of an army for the defense of New Orleans, he all kinds, and food to the colonists. prepared for formal war. Up until 21 June 1779, all of Spain’s support for the colonists was Nevertheless, Spain was still maintaining in secret. Much of the support was funneled 1777 the cloak of secrecy over its operations, a through the French government, which took secrecy believed to be vital to the security of its credit for these gifts and loans. On 21 June 1779 (Spain’s) American . In the fall of Spain formally declared war upon Great Britain. 1777, Washington, his army short of clothing and war supplies, was facing the winter that GALVEZ CAPTURES MANCHAC: might well decide the fate of his country.

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On 27 August 1779 Galvez led his army 90 GALVEZ ATTACKS MOBILE: miles up the Mississippi to Ft. Bute at Manchac (in current Louisiana). He started with a force On 28 January 1780 Gen. Galvez led a flotilla of of 667 men, which included 170 veteran 12 ships and 754 men from New Orleans to soldiers; 330 recruits newly arrived from attack the English at Mobile. They arrived at Mexico and the , and an Mobile on 10 February. Also under his assortment of , Dominicans, Puerto command were an additional 1,412 men from Ricans, militiamen, free Blacks and Mulattoes, Havana, which arrived ten days later. By 9 and 7 American volunteers, including Oliver March he had forced the British to surrender. Pollock. Part of the force traveled in a flotilla of Galvez was promoted to Field Marshall and four boats, under the command of Juan Alvarez, given command of all Spanish operations in while the main body went by land. America.

Along the way Galvez enlisted an additional 600 Because of perceived foot dragging by Havana men from the German and Acadian coasts and officials in their preparations for an attack on 160 Indians. When he finally arrived to confront Pensacola, Galvez went to Havana to supervise the British, his army consisted of 1,427 men. the operation. By 16 October he was ready. On They attacked and seized Manchac on 7 that day he sailed from Havana with 7 warships, September, taking 20 prisoners. Nearby 5 frigates, 3 smaller war ships and 49 transport developed the town of Galveztown, which was ships. His force totaled 164 officers and 3,829 later settled by the Canary Islanders3. men. Two days out of Havana, this flotilla was hit by a hurricane, and many were lost. The GALVEZ CAPTURES BATON ROUGE survivors retreated to Havana. AND NATCHEZ: For fear that the English at Pensacola might try Unknown to Galvez at the time, Carlos, III had to retake Mobile before he could regroup for issued a proclamation on 29 August 1779, another attack on Pensacola, Galvez dispatched stating that the main objective of the Spanish two warships and 500 soldiers to reinforce troops in American was to drive the British out Mobile. It was not until 28 February 1781 that of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River. his second flotilla was prepared to set sail from Havana. This smaller force consisted of one On 20 September 1779 his army captured Baton man of war, three frigates, one packet and Rouge and negotiated the surrender of Natchez several smaller transports, with a force of only also. He took 375 prisoners from Baton Rouge 1,315 soldiers. He had previously sent word to and an additional 80 from Natchez. By clearing New Orleans and Mobile respectively to have the Mississippi, this allowed Capt. William troops from those posts to join in the attack. Pickles to bring an American schooner onto Lake Pontchartrain. Capt. Pickles boarded and SPANISH TAKES seized the English privateer, West Florida, TWO MONTHS: which had dominated the lake for two years. The Canary Islanders took other prize ships at The two month siege of Pensacola began on 9 Galveztown. For his efforts, Galvez was March 1781. Mobile sent 500 men to join promoted to Brigadier General. Galvez, while 1,400 arrived from New Orleans. His total force consisted of about 3,500 men. Some 1,600 reinforcements from Havana arrived on 19 April. About the same time, four French 3 Many Canary Islanders settled in and frigates joined in the battle, together with 725 around . French soldiers. By 23 April Galvez commanded a force of 7,800 men. On 8 May

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1781, the British surrendered. The British lost 105 men in the siege; 1,113 were taken prisoner Spain Engaged the British Elsewhere: and an additional 300 were allowed to return to Georgia, with their promise not to rejoin the During the American Revolutionary War, Spain British army. Spain’s losses were 74 killed and also engaged the British in other places around 198 wounded. the world. There were battles in the Philippines, Galapagos, Juan Fernandez Islands, Honduras, The activities of Spanish privateers were also an , Nicaragua, Jamaica, Minorca and important factor as they helped to cripple Gibraltar. English means of communication and transportation. Among these privateers was the THE TEXAS CONNECTION: Spaniard Jorge Farragut, father of David G. Farragut, famous for his capture of New It is well known that an army travels on its Orleans, during the War for Southern stomach. A well fed army is a good army. Independence, in April 1862. During the period 1779-1782, somewhere between 9,000 and 15,000 head of cattle were Carlos, III added to Galvez’ titles “Count of provided to Galvez’ army by ranchers living Galvez, Viscount of Galveztown, and Governor along the San Antonio River between San of West Florida and Louisiana”. He was also Antonio and Goliad. In addition, this area sent promoted to Lt. General. Following Gen. several hundred head of horses and many bulls Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown on 19 to perpetuate the herds. These herds of cattle October 1781, but before the was and horses were driven from Texas to Louisiana signed between the colonists and England in by soldiers, militiamen, Indians, and vaqueros 1783, Galvez continued in his attacks against the from San Antonio de Bexar, La Bahia (Goliad) English. He personally supervised the attack on and El Fuerte del Cibolo (a fort no longer the Bahamas and its surrender on 6 May 1782. standing, in what is now Karnes County). Some His army consisted on 274 regulars and 338 of these men stayed and fought with Galvez’ militiamen. They captured 12 privateer ships army. and 65 English merchant vessels. THE PRESIDIO, MISSIONS, PUEBLAS GALVEZ DEFEATS THE BRITISH AND RANCHEROS OF SOUTH TEXAS: IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI VALLEY: The area of our primary concern was called Galvez’ forces also secured the upper Nueva Espana (New Spain). It was divided into Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. He defeated the five provinces: La Provincia de Nuevo Mexico British at San Luis (St. Louis, Missouri), and (New Mexico), which included Santa Fe, the San Jose (St. Joseph, Michigan). Spanish forces capital of which was El Paso; La Provincia de also assisted General George Rogers Clark at Nueva Vizcaya (New Biscay, the capitol of Vicennes (Indiana), Kaskaskia and Cohokia which was Chihuahua, and which included the (Illinois). Big Bend area of present day Texas; La Provincia de Nueva Estremadura (Coahuila - Following his victory at Pensacola, Galvez gave which included Laredo, and north west along the the French flotilla that participated in the battle Rio Grande to the Big Bend; and La Provincia of Pensacola, some 500,000 pesos. The French de Nuevo Santander (New Santander); and the used this money to reprovision their ships. last, La Provincia de Texas o Las Nuevas Those ships were part of the French fleet which Filipinas (The Province of Texas or The New blockaded Yorktown, which led to the surrender Philippines), extended from the Nueces River on of the British on 19 October 1781. In 1782 the south and west to the Red River on the north Galvez forced the British out of the Bahamas.

5 and east; and from the Gulf Coast on the south d) Mission San Juan. It also was founded to the “Arctic snows” on the north. in East Texas. This 1716 church was also moved to San Antonio in 1731. It Although described as a large chunk of present is known for it’s distinctive bell towers day U.S. and Canada, the hostile Indians limited and a laminated, carved altar. Pataguilla, the land actually occupied by the Spanish, to was a ranch run by the Indians of this present day Texas and Louisiana. The attention mission. of this article will be directed to the Province of e) Mission Espada is the oldest of the Texas. five. Founded in 1690 in East Texas, it was the third of these missions to be moved Spain followed a very rigid order of settlement to San Antonio in 1731. This mission in New Spain. In each settlement there were owned and operated Las Cabras Ranch, four pillars: the presidio, the missions, the which was later owned by Manuel pueblos, and the rancheros. San Antonio de Barrera. The foundation walls, a Bexar became the capitol in 1773. At that time granary, a two story convent, workshops it contained five active missions, a pueblo and a and Indian apartments are still standing. presidio. There is now a small museum featuring ranching traditions. 1. The presidio, like a fort, is where the soldiers were garrisoned. On a typical day at the 3. The pueblos or villas are where the remaining presidio of San Antonio, which normally had a settlers and Indians lived. All men, including roster of between 81-106 men; 25% of the men Indians, over 16 years of age, were part of the were on duty at the presidio; 25% were guarding militia. They provided their own horse, saddle, the horse herd; while another 1/4 were out weapon and ammunition. They were called up looking for Indians. Of the remainder, about 20 as the need arose, primarily to fend off attacks were stationed at El Fuente del Cibolo, to guard by raiding Indians. The main town was San the ranchers; while between 4-7 were assigned Antonio. Other place names in the area were: guard duty for the mail and payroll. Las Islitas was a settlement of Canary Islanders who lived near “Sheep 2. The missions, with a small settlement of Crossing”, on the present road to Indians and those who worked the rancheros Elmendorf. owned and operated by the mission. San a) Paso de Maldonado was probably Antonio had five missions, all of which were named for the Maldonado family. It was located near present Graytown. built along the banks of the San Antonio River. b) Los Chayopines, near present day Floresville, was a ranch owned by They are listed in the order of their respective c) Fuerte del Santa Cruz de Cibilo. Don Andres Hernandez built the headquarters location along the river: d) Ojos de Santa Cruz “Holy Cross Springs”, now Sutherland Springs. a) The Alamo. Construction began in e) La Bahia (Goliad),which had two missions: Espiritu Santo and Rosario. These two missions had the largest herds 1724. It was nearest to the presidio and f) Nogales “walnuts”, which later became Walnut Springs; now, Seguin. near the governor’s mansion. b) Mission Conception was originally 4. The ranchos, where longhorn cattle were built in East Texas in 1716. It was moved to raised included the following: San Antonio in 1731. It boasts Moorish archways and intricately carved stone. de la Garza (on Leon Creek & the San Antonio c) Mission San Jose was founded in 1720, River). and is famous for it’s stone rose Delgado (on Leon Creek). window. There was a wheat mill on the Navarro (on Leon Creek). mission grounds. It is the only mission that has Ruiz (on Leon Creek). been fully restored, and is still operated Perez (on Leon Creek). as a Franciscan parish church.. San Lucas (on the Medina River) [owned by

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Domingo Costelo]. Marcelina Creek) [owned by Luis Antonio Perez (on Leon Creek). Menchaca]. Laguna de las Animas “Lagoon of the Spirits” Pataguilla (on the San Antonio River) [owned (on the San Antonio River) [owned by Manuel by the mission Indians]. Delgado; then the Zambranos. San Bartolo (Between the San Antonio River & El Atascoso (on the Atascosa River) [owned by Cibolo Creek). Mission San Jose]. San Bartolome del Cerrito (west bank of the Montes de Oca (on the Salado Creek & San Cibolo Creek) [owned by Andres Hernandez, Antonio River). and wife, Juana de Ollos; but leased to 8 users]. de la Garza - north (on the east side of the San Rodriguez (on the Cibolo Creek). Antonio River). El Paistle (on the Cibolo Creek) [owned by Gertrudis Rodriguez (on the Salado Creek). Sebastian Monjaras in 1770's; then by the Rancho de las Hermanas (on the Salado Creek) Balmacedas family]. [owned by Courbier-Duran heirs]. Tarin (on the Cibolo Creek ). Gortari (between the San Antonio River & Flores (on the Cibolo Creek). Cibolo Creek). San Vicente de las Mulas (on the Cibolo Creek) Monjaras (between the San Antonio River & [owned by Vicente Alvarez Travieso & his sons, Cibolo Creek). Tomas & Francisco]. Seguin (on the San Antonio River). San Lorenzo de las Mulas (on the Cibolo Creek) Las Cayopines [Francisco Flores de Abrego] [owned by Maria Robaina de Betancourt, widow of (on the San Antonio River). Lorenzo de Armas]. San Yidefonso de Chayopin [owned by Joseph Leal (on the Cibolo Creek). Ygnacio de la Pena]. Guerra (on the Cibolo Creek). Nuestra Senora del Chayopin [in 1791 owned by Los Corralitos (on the Cibolo Creek) [in 1761 Dona Manuela Montes, widow of Juan de deeded to Mission Espiritu Santo by Don Arocha]. Bernabe Carvajal]. Paso de las Mujeres (on the San Antonio River) Pasture lands of Espiritu Santo (north east of the [owned by the Ignacio Calvillo heirs]. Cibolo Creek). Las Cabras (on the San Antonio River). Palo Quemado ( on the Ecleto Creek, east of the Rivas (on Leon Creek). Cibilo Creek) [owned by Lorenzo de Armas, La Mora “Mulberry Ranch” (on the San Antonio second husband of Maria Robaina de River)[owned by the Mission San Antonio de Betancourt]. Valero]. Manual Diaz was a vaquero on this San Antonio del Cibolo [owned by the Granado ranch in 1789. de Armas family]. de la Garza - south (on the west side of the San Burnt Wood Ranch [owned by the Granado de Antonio River). Armas family]. Senor San Jose (on the San Antonio River) San Jose de los Alamos {owned by Leonora [owned by Carlos Martinez, who was killed by Delgado, widow of Juan Jose Flores]. Indians in 1815]. Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria de las Calaveras Rancho de Capitan Piscina (on the San Antonio [owned by Macario Sambrano; by 1791, partly River) [the La Bahia captain]. owned by Salvador Rodriguez]. Pasture lands of Rosario (between the Aransas & Santa Cruz de la Laja [owned by Diego Yrineo San Antonio Rivers). Rodriguez]. San Rafael (on the San Antonio River in present San Cristobal de Espanta Perros [operated by day Wilson County) [owned by heirs of Simon Manual Delgado]. & Juan de Arocha]. San Antonio del Cibolo (on the Cibolo Creek) San Rafael de los Varais [owned in 1791 by Luis [owned br Maria Robaina de Betancourt, widow Antonio Menchaca]. of Lorenzo de Armas]. San Francisco (on the San Antonio River to San Miguel de Amoladeras (on the Cibolo

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Creek) [operated by Miguel Guerra]. their service in the army and/or the militia, each Senor San Jose (San Antonio River) [owned in Texan male over 18 most likely made a financial 1791 by Carlos Martinez]. contribution to the war, as requested by Carlos, Rancho del Diesmero [rented from Mission III in August 1781. Each Spanish male over 18 Rosario by Juan Barrera]. was expected to donate 2 pesos, while Indians Small ranch owners near San Antonio, whose and those of mixed blood were asked to donate 1 ranches had no distinctive names included: peso. Collections continued until 1784, when Joseph Martin del la Garza; Juachin de la Garza; news of the peace treaty finally arrived. No Miguel Gortari; Herrera family; Leal family; contributor lists survive, but there are census Micheli family; Navarro family; Juan Ignacio records. Perez; Luis Perez; Juan Manuel Perez; Francisco Xavier Rodriguez; and Juan Manuel Ruiz. The king’s declaration of war included a request Antonio Gil Ybarbo, Lt. Governor of the Texas for public prayer directed to all priests and Province, owned a ranch at Lobanillo, near church officials. The priests complied, praying Nacogdoches, which also supplied cattle to both in Spanish and in the local Indian dialects Galvez. on a regular basis. Thus, each of the mission priests and the church hierarchy in New Spain TEXAS WAS PRIME CATTLE COUNTRY: were also patriots.

In the Texas census of 1783, there were 1,248 Because of hostile Indians, the cattle were men, women and children living in the presidio driven to New Orleans by way of Nacogdoches. and adjacent San Antonio de Bexar area. The militia leader there was on Antonio Gil Another 554 lived in the missions. The total Ybarbo, who held the title of Lt. Governor. population of Texas in 1783 was 2,819. This Cattle from his ranch were added to the herd census labeled each resident by name, age driven to Galvez. From there the herds went group, sex, and heritage. The heritage through Nachitoches and Opelousas to New categories included Spaniard, Frenchmen, Orleans. mestizo, mulatto, lobo (Indian and mulatto cross), coyote (Indian and mestizo cross), Indian CURRENT DESCENDANTS OF SPANISH and slave. The San Antonio population PATRIOTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR included immigrants from the Canary Islands, MEMBERSHIP IN PATRIOTIC LINEAGE who began immigrating in 1731. Six of the 23 SOCIETIES: towns in New Spain between the Nueces River and Laredo were on the San Antonio River. An exhaustive list of known soldiers garrisoned in Texas; the priests and citizens of the pueblos; The prime cattle raising areas of Texas in those the ranchers who sold the cattle and vaqueros days were in a rough diamond shaped area with who drove the cattle to Louisiana; the mission San Antonio in the north; Brownsville in the Indians, including those who served as scouts south; Laredo on the west; and Old Indianola in and interpreters, and other patriots of the the east. The nucleus of the best land was American Revolution are contained in Spain’s between San Antonio and Goliad, along the San Texas Patriots in its 1779-1783 War with Antonio, Cibolo and Guadalupe Rivers. England During the American Revolution by Granville W. and N.C. Hough, which also The ranchers who sold beef to Galvez and the contains the names of many of their wives. drovers were all patriots. Additionally, all the men who were members of the Spanish army Names of many of these patriots are also found and the local militia during the time in question, in The Texas Connection With The American qualify as patriots within the definition of the Revolution, by Robert H. Thonhoff, Eakin Press, Sons of the American Revolution. In addition to Burnett, TX, 1981), including the names and

8 positions of the “Cavalry Company of the Royal Presidio of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo”. The descendants of Carlos, III, King of Spain, during the American Revolution, are eligible for It should be noted that at the present time the membership in patriotic lineage organizations. National Society, Daughters of the American His Royal Highness, Juan Carlos I, current King Revolution (DAR) accepts descendants of king of Spain, was inducted into the Sons of the Carlos, III; General Bernardo Galvez and American Revolution (SAR) in 2000. His members of his army in Louisiana, which are cousin, His Highness, Don Francisco Enrique de referred to as “Louisiana Patriots”. Those who Borbon y Escasny, Duke of Seville, was served as early as 1776 are accepted by the DAR inducted into the SAR in May 2001. based on Spain’s covert support of the colonists. They also accept the descendants of those SUMMARY OF SPAIN’S ASSISTANCE TO ranchers who provided cattle to Gen. Galvez’ THE COLONISTS: army. Galvez and his troops were successful in their To date however, it is not believed that the DAR attempt to remove England from the Gulf of has accepted as patriots, those members of the Mexico and the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. Spanish army and/or militia who served during Their actions prevented the British from creating the period after Spain’s declaration of war; those a second front with the American colonists, and non military colonists who answered king removed the British soldiers involved from the Carlos’ call for contributions; or those who war with the colonists. Spain’s military attacks served as drovers on the cattle drive to in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere, actually Louisiana. Perhaps no one has applied for caused England to divert ships and men which membership in the DAR using one of these men could have been used against the colonists. It as their patriot. Mr. Hough’s comprehensive left the Mississippi (and the Ohio) River open as studies of the Spanish involvement in Texas, a vital life line to the colonists. Spain also California, Arizona and New Mexico have been provided both directly (through Galvez and the donated to the libraries of both the DAR and the dummy corporation) and indirectly (through the SAR. French) loans, gifts and much needed supplies.

It is certain that many of these early Spanish Spain’s entry into the War came at a time that patriot’s descendants still reside in Texas. was highly critical for the colonists, who were Hopefully many of them will take the time to trying to fight the strongest nation in apply for membership in the Sons of the almost barehanded. In 1778, the center of American Revolution4 and the Daughters of the gravity of the war had been transferred from the American Revolution. It will be up to the North to the South and there the fortunes of war membership chairman of each chapter to were not exactly favoring the colonists. That encourage this group of descendants to apply for year the English took Savannah and Charleston, membership. as well as other towns, causing severe setbacks for the American forces which had lost some Descendants of Spanish Royalty Are Eligible 5,000 men. For Membership in Patriotic Organizations: It was then that the British hastened to implement their plans for the capture of New 4 Any man interested in joining the Sons of Orleans. There is little doubt that their success the American Revolution can obtain information would have given them permanent command of from the author at 210-698-8964 or by e-mail at the Mississippi Basin, from Canada to the Gulf. [email protected] This would have been tragic for the colonists. With the British already controlling all the east

9 coast, Canada and Florida, and the Bahamas, their possession of the Mississippi River valley Thonhoff, Robert H., The Texas Connection would have strangled the rebellion to death. With The American Revolution, Eakin Press, Burnet, TX., 1981. Spain’s declaration of war on England forced the British to fight on several fronts at the same Thonhoff, Robert H., The Vital Contribution Of time, having to oppose the combined Franco- Spain In the Winning of The American Spanish fleet of 90 vessels which was laying Revolution, Self, Karnes City, TX, 2000 siege to Gibraltar, and (which) had even [available in both English and Spanish]. threatened to invade England itself. In this way, they tied up a sizeable percentage of the British University of Texas Archives. fleet from the Indian Ocean to the Caribbean, making it impossible for England to effect a Van Hyning, Thomas E, “Galvez - An Unsung blockade on the American Coast, and so Patriot”, Sons of The American Revolution facilitating the operation of an ever-growing Magazine, Fall 1996, pp. 12-18. fleet of American and foreign privateers. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Upon his father’s death in 1785, Governor Galvez was named Viceroy of New Spain. He Judge Edward F. Butler, Sr. is a retired U.S. died in Mexico City on 30 November 1786 at 40 Administrative Law Judge, before which years of age. position he served as Presiding Municipal Judge for South Padre Island, Texas. He is an honor OFFICIAL THANKS TO SPAIN FROM graduate of Vanderbilt University School of THE : Law, and was a board certified civil trial lawyer before assuming full time duties on the bench. On 8 November 1779 Thomas Jefferson wrote to He is the author of six books, three of which are General Galvez, expressing his thanks for on family history. Spain’s assistance to the revolutionary cause. In George Washington’s farewell to his officers, he Judge Butler is a frequent seminar and after toasted Spain for it’s assistance during the dinner speaker on historical and genealogical revolutionary war. In 1784 the U.S. Congress topics, and is a regular contributor to national cited General Galvez and the Spanish and state historical and genealogical society government for their aid during the Revolution. journals and magazines.

Bibliography Since his retirement in 1997, he has devoted a considerable amount of his time and energy to Bexar Archives. the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, where he served as Caughey, John W., Bernardo de Galvez in President General, and Chairman of the Board of Louisiana, Univ. of California Press, 1934. the SAR Foundation.

Hough, Granville W. and N.C., Spain’s Texas In March 2001, SAR President-General Larry D. Patriots in its 1779-1783 War With England McClanahan, appointed Judge Butler as During the American Revolution, Part V, Ambassador to Mexico and Central America. Spanish Borderland Studies, Soc. of Hispanic & Judge Butler’s interest in Spain’s assistance to Ancestral Search Press, Midway City, CA the colonists in the American Revolutionary War stems from his participation with the SAR. Jackson, Jack, Los Mestenos, Spanish Ranching in Texas , 1721-1821, Texas A & M Press, 1986.

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Judge Butler is an active member of the National Genealogical Society; the Texas Genealogical Society; and the San Antonio Historical and Genealogical Society; as well as numerous other state and local genealogical societies.

Judge Butler, previously served as Genealogist General of the national SAR before which he served as Genealogist for the Texas Society, SAR. He served for seven years as a member of the National SAR genealogy committee. He served for two years as genealogical editor of The Texas Compatriot, magazine of the Texas Society of SAR. He also published a monthly column for SAR chapter newsletters, entitled “The Genealogy Corner”. He was the current author of the monthly historical column, “Remembering Yesterday”, carried in many Texas newspapers.

In July 2011 he was made an Honorary Member of the Order of the Granaderos Y Damas de Bernardo de Galvez. In July 2012 he was the founder and Charter Grand Viscount General of the Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692.

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