Died Unknown
Unknown | ||
Preceded by Carlos Benites Franquis de Lugo Succeeded by Tomás Felipe de Winthuisen Profession Merchant, soldier and Governor of Texas (1737 - 1740/41) | ||
Prudencio de Orobio Y Basterra (–?) was a Spanish merchant, soldier and government official. He was a native of Saltillo (modern Mexico) and served as the Interim Governor of Texas between 1737 and 1740/41 and Mayor of Parras de la Fuente, in Coahuila (in modern Mexico).
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Early life
Initially, Orobio was a merchant of Saltillo (in present Mexico). He was the owner of the Haciendas (estates) de Santa María y Mesillas, which were given in 1707 to Captain Juan de Tameo, with ten small livestock sites, two major cattle herds and ten of Cavalry. He joined the Spanish Army during his youth, where he was promoted to Coronel.
Official
He left the military when the governor of Nueva Vizcaya appointed him Alcalde Mayor (mayor) of Parras de la Fuente, Coahuila (modern Mexico). In 1737 he was appointed Governor of the province of Texas by the governor of Nuevo Leon José Fernández de Jáuregui y Urrutia, who had investigated the mismanagement of Governor Carlos B. Franquis de Lugo.
Little is known about his administration. Osorio reportedly tried to fix all the damage that Franquis de Lugo, had done to the missions of San Antonio. After surviving a virulent epidemic in 1739, the missions grew and built the first stone buildings in these locations.
After April 1738, the governor devised military campaigns against the Apache settlements. However, even after signing peace agreements with the Apaches, assaults and "depredations" of this people around San Antonio continued between June 1738 and September 1739.
He traded with the French, but the settlers complained about it. When he heard that the French were trading at lower Trinity or that perhaps they were tried to settle there, in Spanish territory, he sent expeditions to find them, but these failed. Later, he pursued them until he understood that they merely were trying to earn a few pesos in the forest like any other civilization that was there.
In 1739, Governor Orobio y Basterra named modern Port Aransas as "Aránzazu Pass" on his map, because it served Aránzazu fort.
Orobio left office between 1740 and 1741, replaced by Tomás Felipe de Winthuisen.