Name Bernardo y | ||
Preceded by Domingo Cabello y Robles Succeeded by Rafael Martinez Pacheco Died December 2, 1812
Unknown Profession Governor of Texas (1786), Governor - Intendant of Durango (in the modern Mexico, 1796 - 1809), corregidor in Mexico and military commander of Texas (1809 - 1812). | ||
Bernardo Bonavía y Zapata (died December 2, 1812) was a Spanish soldier and political figure who was in a variety of political positions in New Spain. The positions included Corregidor of a Mexican province (1789), Governor-Intendant of Durango (Appointed by the Spanish monarchy; 1796-1809), and Military Commander of Texas (1809-1812). He was also a Caballero de Alcántara. He was appointed the Governor of Texas in 1786, but he did not accept the position because he was busy in administrative roles in other places. During his political administration in New Spain, Bonavía promoted the liberalization of trade and commerce under the orders of Charles III, King of Spain.
Biography
Bernardo Bonavía y Zapata was born in Toro, in the province of Zamora (Castile and León, Spain), to Bonifacio María Bonavía, a field Marshal, and Ramona Zapata. He had one sister, called Margarita Bonavia. Following in his father's footsteps, he became a "Mariscal de Campo de los Reales Ejércitos," a field Marshal in Spain's Royal Army. In 1758, he began his political career under the King of Spain. In August 25, 1789, Bonavía was appointed Corregidor and Intendant "of a Mexican province". Later, in 1796, he was appointed as Governor by the King of Spain - Intendant of Durango (in modern Mexico). He maintained that position until 1809, when he was appointed military commander of Texas. Upon arrival in Texas he asked all senior officials to submit writings showing their own views about the protection and development of Texas.
Bonavía recommended to the Commanding General of the Provincias Internas (Interior Provinces), Nemesio Salcedo y Salcedo, that the government should immediately strengthen the border defenses of Texas. In addition, he called a meeting with the governors of several New Spain provinces (made of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Texas) to develop measures for development of Texas. The governors presented the measures to Salcedo y Salcedo on June 28, and advocated free trade and immigration in the province. He also established liberal reforms on the orders of Charles III of Spain in the commerce sector, especially in Texas.
On July 20, 1809, Bonavía called another meeting to discuss the establishment of a direct line of communication between the rivers of Texas and Veracruz and to open a free trade port. In addition, based on the decree of May 30, 1804, he also proposed that the provincial Presidios should be defended through its reorganization in provincial regiments. However, this proposal was rejected. In late 1810, he returned to Durango to face an armed revolt demanding the independence of New Spain. Later, he led royalist troops in Oaxaca in 1812 to face off against the rebel troops of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla but he was defeated and captured on December 2, 1812. His death is disputed and he may have died on 18 April 1833 at the approximate age of 93.