Juan de la Cruz Mourgeón
Encyclopedia
Juan de la Cruz Mourgeón y Achet (d. April 1822, Quito
) was a Spanish general and colonial administrator. He fought in the Spanish War of Independence against the French, and in the Viceroyalty of New Granada
against rebels supporting independence. From 1819 to 1821 he was viceroy of New Granada — the last Spanish viceroy of the colony.
Cruz Mourgeón fought gallantly in the Peninsular War
(Spanish War of Independence). He participated in the battles of Baylen
(1808) and Bornos (1812). He was highly decorated for his services, becoming a knight of the military orders of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, and Benemérito de la Patria (heroic grade), as well as receiving many medals.
He became the last (titular) viceroy of New Granada in 1819, serving until 1821, but the colony was in widespread, open revolt. He was also governor of Panama
(August-October 1821). From there he organized an expedition to reconquer Quito, where he arrived in December. He proposed to free the slaves who would fight for the royalist forces. In early 1822 he wrote to Simon Bolívar
, admitting the failure of Spain to reconquer its former colonies.
He died in Quito in April 1822.
Quito
San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito , is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains...
) was a Spanish general and colonial administrator. He fought in the Spanish War of Independence against the French, and in the Viceroyalty of New Granada
Viceroyalty of New Granada
The Viceroyalty of New Granada was the name given on 27 May 1717, to a Spanish colonial jurisdiction in northern South America, corresponding mainly to modern Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. The territory corresponding to Panama was incorporated later in 1739...
against rebels supporting independence. From 1819 to 1821 he was viceroy of New Granada — the last Spanish viceroy of the colony.
Cruz Mourgeón fought gallantly in the Peninsular War
Peninsular War
The Peninsular War was a war between France and the allied powers of Spain, the United Kingdom, and Portugal for control of the Iberian Peninsula during the Napoleonic Wars. The war began when French and Spanish armies crossed Spain and invaded Portugal in 1807. Then, in 1808, France turned on its...
(Spanish War of Independence). He participated in the battles of Baylen
Battle of Bailén
The Battle of Bailén was contested in 1808 between the Spanish Army of Andalusia, led by Generals Francisco Castaños and Theodor von Reding, and the Imperial French Army's II corps d'observation de la Gironde under General Pierre Dupont de l'Étang...
(1808) and Bornos (1812). He was highly decorated for his services, becoming a knight of the military orders of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, and Benemérito de la Patria (heroic grade), as well as receiving many medals.
He became the last (titular) viceroy of New Granada in 1819, serving until 1821, but the colony was in widespread, open revolt. He was also governor of Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
(August-October 1821). From there he organized an expedition to reconquer Quito, where he arrived in December. He proposed to free the slaves who would fight for the royalist forces. In early 1822 he wrote to Simon Bolívar
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Yeiter, commonly known as Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader...
, admitting the failure of Spain to reconquer its former colonies.
He died in Quito in April 1822.