Joaquin de Montserrat, Marquis of Cruillas:

Joaquin de Montserrat, the Marquis of Cruillas, was a Spanish nobleman who served as the 44th Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) from 1760-1766. Montserrat’s time as Viceroy was marked by natural disasters, conflicts in the Caribbean with Great Britain and the need to create a royal army in Mexico.

The Viceroyalty of New Spain:

During the colonial era, Mexico was referred to as “New Spain” and was ruled by a Viceroy.


The viceroy was a man who acted in the colony with the authority of the King of Spain. The viceroy – generally a Spanish nobleman, although bishops and other religious men did occasionally serve – had his instructions from the King and was expected to carry them out, but once he arrived in the colony his rule on most matters was nearly absolute. Joaquín de Montserrat, Marquis of Cruillas, (born 1700) was selected to be Viceroy in 1760 and arrived in Mexico City the same year, replacing interim Viceroy Francisco Cajigal de la Vega, who had briefly assumed the position upon the 1760 death of Agustín de Ahumada y Villalón. Montserrat had served as Governor of Badajoz and military commander of Aragon and had experience as a senior officer in wars in Italy, France and Northern Africa.

The Smallpox Epidemic of 1761:

The Marquis of Cruillas filled his position in October of 1760 and before long he was forced to face his first crisis: a massive smallpox epidemic. The native population was greatly affected by this outbreak: it is estimated that some 15,000 died in Mexico City and another 80,000 in the region of Puebla alone.

Viceroy Montserrat took an active role in relief efforts for the outbreak. He used state funds to help fight the infection, and when he ran out of money he ordered back taxes to be collected. He also punished those who hoarded food.

War with Great Britain:

In 1761, Spain and Great Britain went to war. English privateering attacks in the Caribbean increased and culminated with the capture of the city of Havana in 1762. Montserrat embarked upon a concerted campaign to make sure that New Spain could defend itself against an invasion. He organized militia forces, mainly composed of blacks and mixed-blood soldiers (native Mexicans were rarely pressed into such service). In Veracruz, always vulnerable to a naval attack, local merchants organized a defense force which they paid for themselves. All over Mexico, regional militias were organized: Mexico had its first army. The war eventually ended in 1763: Great Britain relinquished Havana and Spain handed over Belize and Florida to the British.

Troubles in Guanajuato:

The mining town of Guanajuato was hit by a series of calamities during Montserrat’s administration. First, the town was devastated by a severe flood in 1762, which forced the mines to close: this disaster was followed by a feverish illness which caused many deaths in the local population. The miners, already unhappy with the harsh conditions, staged an uprising: Montserrat was forced to make concessions to them.

A Modern Military:

Even though the war with England officially ended in 1763, Montserrat believed that Mexico was still vulnerable. He continued to beef up Mexico’s defenses. After a royal commission found the northern regions of Mexico to be unsafe, Montserrat ordered forts built and improved. Seeing that he had recruits but no weapons or trainers, he sent requests back to Spain. Arms were sent, and in 1765 Lieutenant General Juan de Villalba and a handful of other officers arrived in Mexico to take command of and train the local armies that had been organized during the war.

Return to Spain and Legacy of Joaquin de Montserrat:

In 1765, Juan de Gálvez, a royal inspector, arrived in New Spain and toured the interior of the viceroyalty. After finding some things not to his liking, Gálvez began making direct inquiries about Viceroy Montserrat and his administration. Montserrat, offended, resigned and returned to Spain in 1766. He died in Valencia in 1771.

Montserrat was a typical viceroy of New Spain during his time. He lasted about as long as most viceroys and his was one of many administrations which ended darkened by allegations of corruption. Also like many of his fellow viceroys, Montserrat's term was marked by natural calamities, international conflicts, frequent uprisings and insufficient funds to accomplish much of anything.

Nevertheless, he is remembered for his humanitarian response to the disasters which plagued his term and his dedication to Mexico's security.

Sources:

Orozco Linares, Fernando. Gobernantes de Mexico. Mexico City: Panorama Editorial, 1985 (2008)

Joaquin de Montserrat. Texas Historical Association.