Carlos de Grand Pré

Biography

Born in Acadia in 1746, Grand Pré arrived in Louisiana during the second of two waves of Acadian immigrants, between 1765 and 1785. These arrivals were by invitation from the Spanish, who appreciated the Acadians' efficiency in irrigation and dam construction (which was based on the technique known as the aboiteau). 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 in 1800, and then to the United States in 1803.

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) and as lieutenant governor of the Red River District, stationed at Avoyelles, under the Spanish regime. Pré was also commandant of Natchez District between 1786 and 1792. During this "", Pré built two parishes here in an attempt to convert inhabitants to Catholicism; however, the venture was unsuccessful. In 1789, he established the “Concord” mansion in Natchez. After leaving Natchez, he received land around the Avoyelles Post.

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.

In 1804, Boucher de Grand Pré was appointed governor of West Florida. The same year, the new governor proposed that the Spanish settlers from the Canary Islands 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. Carlos de Lassus Hault, who succeeded him as governor of the district of Baton Rouge, was much criticized for accused corruption and taken prisoner during the West Florida revolt in 1810.