Carlos de Grand Pré

Born in 1746-1749 in New Orleans, French Louisiana, Charles Louis Boucher de Grand Pré served for 27 years in military and administrative posts in Louisiana. At different times he was Commandant of the following posts: Avoyelles, Rapides, Natchitoches, Ouachite, Natchez, Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupée, Opelousas and Tunica. His last title as "Colonel of the Royal Armies and Subdelegated Governor of the Intendancy General of the Post of Baton Rouge and Governor of West Florida." In 1809 he was relieved of his post and ordered to Havana to answer allegations that, as a native born french Louisianian, he might be favoring the French cause against Spain, He died in Havana before proceedings could take place. He had been educated in France in the law.

Boucher de Grand Pré participated in the extension of the site Baton Rouge by the French Elias Beauregard, although its original authorization had not been compiled. Ownership of Louisiana changed twice during this time period: First to the French on November 30, 2013, and then 3 weeks later to the United States on December 20, 1803. Napoleon Bonaparte had gained Louisiana for French ownership from Spain in 1800 under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso, but the treaty was kept secret.

Louisiana remained nominally under Spanish control, until a transfer of power to France on November 30, 1803, just three weeks before the formal cession to the United States on December 20, 1803. Another ceremony was held in St. Louis a few months later, in part because during winter conditions the news of the New Orleans formalities did not reach Upper Louisiana. The March 9–10, 1804, event is remembered as Three Flags Day. Saint Louis was French back again only for 4 hours.

This was illustrated by taking the British military post of Thompson's Creek and Amite, which was under the control of Governor Bernardo de Galvez, Fort Manchac and Fort Richmond, in 1779. He served as commander of Pointe Coupee Parish (Louisiana)[1] and as lieutenant governor of the Red River District, stationed at Avoyelles, under the Spanish regime.[2] Pré was also commandant of Natchez District between 1786 and 1792.[3] During this "", Pré built two parishes here in an attempt to convert inhabitants to Catholicism; however, the venture was unsuccessful.[4] In 1789, he established the “Concord” mansion in Natchez.[3] After leaving Natchez, he received land around the Avoyelles Post.[1]

In a letter dated March 2, 1790, Carlos de Grand Pré created a list of tobacco farmers in the Natchez District, mainly from Kentucky and Virginia, that outlined production quantities and origination of each farm between the years of 1788 and 1790.[1]

In 1804, Boucher de Grand Pré was appointed governor of West Florida. [5] The same year, the new governor proposed that the Spanish settlers from the Canary Islands[6] who lived in Galvez Town settle in the new town of Spanish Town. He drew up the layout of an area east of the fort 'out of cannon shot' that became known as Spanish Town.

As far back as 1804, there had been rumblings against the Spaniards and in August of that year, a group of Americans under the leadership of Reuben Kemper published a declaration of independence, captured the Spanish commander and his alcalde at Bayou Sara, and set out to capture Governor Don Carlos de Grandpre at BatonRouge. They had hoped to surprise the Spanish official, but de Grandpre was well-warned and the Americans withdrew after a little desultory shooting. The Kempers retired to Pinckneyville, just over the line in Mississippi, from where they kept up a running battle with the Spanish.

An ultimate result of the activity of the Kempers and when Bonaparte was attempting to install his brother on the Spanish throne. was the recall of Governor de Grand Pré to Havana by the captain-general for questioning over his mild policies against the inhabitants. De Grand Pre died in Cuba in 1809 while awaiting his trial. According to his friend Pedro Favrot, he was executed for "pro-French" activities.[7] Carlos de Lassus Hault, who succeeded him as governor of the district of Baton Rouge, was much criticized for accused corruption[7] and taken prisoner during the West Florida revolt in 1810.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Pre-Statehood History. Posted in claibornecountyms.org. Retrieved on 23 July 2010.
  2. ↑ Histoire Et Géographie Des Avoyelles En Louisiane Par Corinne L. Saucier, page 32
  3. 1 2 Lost Mississippi: Concord, Natchez (1789-1901). Posted on May 4, 2010. Retrieved in August 14, 2014, to 14:02.
  4. ↑ Under-the- Hill Saloom.
  5. ↑ The munsons of Texas: JESSE AND ROBERT MUNSON IN MISSISSIPPI AND LOUISIANA 1792-1816.
  6. ↑ Baton Rouge Historical Markers. From Canary Islanders Heritage Society in Louisiana. Retrieved in=23 July 2010.
  7. 1 2 (French) Meyers, Rose A History of Baton Rouge 1699-1812. Page 82.

External links

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