Gervasio Cruzat y Gongora
| Gervasio Cruzat y Góngora | |
|---|---|
| 43rd Spanish Governor of New Mexico | |
|
In office 1731–1736 |
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| Preceded by | Juan Domingo de Bustamante |
| Succeeded by | Enrique de Olivade y Michelena |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) |
| Died | Unknown |
Gervasio Cruzat y Góngora was Governor of New Mexico between 1731 and 1736 at a time when it was a province of New Spain, as well as governor of Presidio of Pensacola, in Florida, between 1740 and 1742. He assisted the bishop of Durango, taking evidence for him in his contest with the Franciscans.
Góngora was a native of Pamplona (in Navarre, Spain) son of Juan Cruzat y Góngora and doña Josefa de Góngora, both of Pamplona. His father was Marquis of Góngora. His grandfather, Fausto Cruzat y Góngora, was governor and captain general of the Philippines and president of its audience. Both Juan and Fausto Cruzat y Góngora were knights of the Order of Santiago. Gervasio Cruzat y Góngora became a Colonel in the army, and in the spring of 1730 was dispatched to America to take over the government of the Province of New Mexico.
Gervasio Cruzat y Gongora took office as Governor of New Mexico in 1731, succeeding Juan Domingo de Bustamante. The province at that time mostly consisted of a strip of irrigated land along the Rio Grande occupied by Pueblo Indians and Spanish settlers, surrounded by Plains Indians such as Navajo, Comanche and Apache.
Records from Cruzat's term as governor include many cases dealing with questions of cattle and land, indicating that the economy of New Mexico was prospering. Cruzat authorized construction of an acequia, or irrigation channel, through Albuquerque, overruling the objections of some landowners. Cruzat reluctantly permitted Fray José de Irigoyen of San Ildefonso to build a new church in Santa Cruz, using Indian laborers, as a public works project for the benefit of the colony. Cruzat followed the formal approach of writing to the viceroy in Mexico City. His letter of 14 July 1732 was answered by a letter dated 31 October 1732. The license to build was received in Santa Cruz in June 1733. He heard various cases against local officials involving abuses against the Pueblo Indians such as extortion and forced labor, generally ruling in favor of the Indians. Officials who were dismissed in 1733 included the alcalde of Bernalillo and the alcalde mayor of Laguna and Acoma. In 1735 the lieutenant alcalde of Chama was found guilty of trading illegally with the Comanches, dismissed and fined.
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