Francisco Cruzat
| Francisco Cruzat François Cruzat Don Francisco Cruzat |
|
|---|---|
| 2ª Lieutenant Governors of Upper Louisiana | |
|
In office 1775–1778 |
|
| Preceded by | Pedro Piernas |
| Succeeded by | Fernando de Leyba |
| 4ª Lieutenant Governors of Upper Louisiana | |
|
In office September 24, 1780 – 1787 |
|
| Preceded by | Fernando de Leyba |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Pérez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 10, 1739 Taffala, Navarra, Spain |
| Died | 1790 Pensacola, Florida |
| Spouse(s) |
Doña Nicanora Ramos |
| Children | Antonio and José |
| Profession | Soldier, Lieutenant Governor of Upper Louisiana and Interim Governor of Florida |
Doña Nicanora Ramos
Francisco Zavier Cruzat (also François Cruzat or Don Francisco Cruzat) was a Spanish soldier who served as lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana in New Spain (also known as the "lieutenant governor of St. Louis") from 1775-1778 and again from 1780-1787. He served as Interim Governor of East Florida in 1789.
Francisco Cruzat was the son of Balthazar and Francesca Cruzat. He joined the Spanish Army in his youth and came to Louisiana (New Spain) with Lieutenant Gen Alejandro O'Reilly in 1769 as a captain of grenadiers. Cruzat arrived at St. Louis on May 20, 1775.
Cruzat became the lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana in 1775. He continued the same enforcement of Spanish policies as his predecessor, Pedro Piernas. During his tenure the first ferry was established in Maramec, by a man named John Baptiste Gamache.
In 1778, Cruzat was removed from office on the orders of Louisiana Governor Bernardo Galvez, and was replaced by Fernando de Leyba.
In 1779, Cruzat took part in the conquest of Baton Rouge, and in early 1780 he gained the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In September 1780, Francisco Cruzat was reappointed lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana after the death of Fernando de Leyba in June earlier that year. Only a few months later in January 1781, Cruzat dispatched an attack on Fort St. Joseph near Lake Michigan in response to rumors of a spring attack on St. Louis by the British. His force was commanded by Captain Eugenio Pourré and included about 140 Spanish soldiers and 60 Native American volunteers. The militia also included Ensign Charles Tayon and the interpreter Louis Chevalier. Cruzat and his forces successfully captured Fort St. Joseph on February 12, 1781.
On November 27, 1787, Cruzat left his office of lieutenant governor of St. Louis and was succeeded by Manuel Pérez.
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