Facundo Melgares

Facundo Melgares
63rd Spanish Governor of New Mexico
In office 1818 – January 1822
Preceded by	Pedro María de Allande
Succeeded by	Position abolished
1st Mexican Governor of New Mexico
In office January 1822 – July 1822
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Francisco Xavier Chávez
Personal details
Born	1775 Caravaca, Murcia, Spain
Profession	Soldier and politician

Facundo Melgares (1775, Caravaca, Murcia, Spain - unknown) was a Spanish military officer who served as both the last Spanish Governor of New Mexico and the first Mexican Governor of New Mexico. Melgares was, like most of the officials of the Spanish crown in his time, a member of the Spanish upper class. He is described as a "portly man of military demeanour" and as "a gentleman and gallant soldier".

Melgares was born in 1775 in Caravaca, Murcia, Spain, to an family. A member of the family was a judge of the Audiencia of New Spain. Melgares received a good education and military training and reached the position of lieutenant.

With the assistance of his father-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Albert Maynez, a future governor of New Mexico and assistant to the commanding general of the Western Provinces, based in Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Melgares began his military career. He was stationed near the northern border of the Spanish territory and remained at that post for approximately ten years.

In 1803, Melgares enlisted at the Presidio of San Fernando de Carrizal, south of El Paso del Norte. He took part in battles against the Apaches, who raided the settlements along the Rio Grande. Melgares was tasked with suppressing the Pawnee, who had attacked a Spanish scouting party. Melgares arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a force of sixty well-equipped soldiers.

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Wikipedia