Gabriel I of New Spain
Gabriel I of New Spain (12 May 1752 - 23 November 1808), known as "the Desired" (Spanish: El Deseado), was King of New Spain between the years 1788 and 1808. He was the fourth son of Charles III of Spain and María Amalia of Saxony, and was chosen by his father to lead the viceroyalty of New Spain after the Royal Decree of Independence of 1785. Gabriel was a dutiful monarch, and a proponent of enlightened absolutism.
Living a quiet early life, in 1759 his father ascended to the Spanish throne and moved together with his family to the Madrid court. As he was the fourth son of Charles III, he was not a prospect to become a ruler, dedicating his life instead to his studies, as a patron of the arts, and painting multiple pictures himself, many of which today sit in the Imperial Palace of Mejico City.
In 1785, at the age of 33, through a royal decree, Gabriel was selected among his siblings to become the new monarch of the viceroyalty of New Spain, in a plan which sought to grant greater autonomy to the viceroyalties, while perpetuating Bourbon dominance through their family lines. Arriving at the port of Veracruz on 12 December 1788, Gabriel was coronated by the Archbishop of Mejico on 29 December of the same year.
He ascended to the throne at a time when the ideals of the Enlightenment were sweeping across Europe, impacting the colonial landscape of the Americas. In line with these philosophies, Gabriel sought to modernize New Spain and implement a series of reforms aimed at improving the administrative efficiency, economy, and social welfare of the Kingdom. He prioritized infrastructure improvements in the capital, establishing a cleaning and garbage collection service, numbering the houses, introducing rental cars, organizing the police service, and enforcing strict measures against criminals, earning the capital the nickname "City of Palaces". These improvements extended to other cities in the Kingdom, benefitting places like Veracruz, Toluca, Guadalajara, San Blas, and Querétaro.
Gabriel's enhancement of the Intendencia system, which was an administrative reform introduced by his Bourbon predecessors, increased efficiency in provincial governance and strengthened royal control over fiscal management. He aimed to diversify the economy beyond its heavy reliance on silver mining and agriculture by encouraging the production of raw materials that were essential for the expanding manufacturing industries such as the textile mills his government began to establish. Recognizing the economic potential of cash crops, Gabriel promoted the cultivation of cotton, hemp, silk, and linen. He also constructed modern roads, including a vital route from Mejico City to Veracruz, overcoming geographical challenges. Furthermore, he established the General Directorate of Post and Telegraph and successfully implemented the first telegraph line between the two cities.
He had a strong interest in indigenous cultures and backed anthropological expeditions. In 1790, during excavations in the Plaza de Armas, the Aztec Calendar was found. Diplomatic tensions arose when Captain Alejandro Malaspina explored Osolután and San Francisco de Yerbabuena, leading to conflicts with Great Britain. Gabriel also supported the Mejican flora expedition led by Martín de Sessé. He prioritized education by providing exceptional teachers to the San Carlos Academy and establishing new chairs in various subjects. In 1793, he inaugurated the Museum of Natural History.
As the new King, Gabriel broke from the norm by holding audiences for all members of Mejican society, regardless of their social and ethnic status. This approach was a departure from the previous preference for Peninsulares over Criollos, Mestizos, and Amerindians. His rule prioritized the well-being of the population through various measures - he ordered the opening of multiple hospitals to provide medical care for the poor and the sick. Gabriel oversaw the expansion of Mejico City's market hall, which stimulated the local economy and supported small businesses. Public hygiene was also a concern, leading to the construction of the first public temazcales, benefiting both the rich and the poor. In 1808, Gabriel was succeeded by his son, Pedro.
Early life
Gabriel was the son of Charles of Bourbon, who at the time was king of Naples and Sicily (under the name Charles VII). Don Carlos was their presumptive of his half-brother, King Ferdinand VI of Spain, who had no children. Gabriel's mother was Maria Amalia of Saxony, daughter of Augustus III of Poland.
Gabriel was born in Portici in 1752, and was baptized with the names of Gabriel Antonio Francisco Javier Juan Nepomuceno José Serafín Pascual Salvador; from his earliest childhood he was the most intelligent and hard-working of the sons of King Charles, who would become a man of vast culture, renowned as an excellent translator of Sallust and a true enlightened patron of the arts. His music teacher was Fr. Antonio Soler, who composed several of his harpsichord sonatas expressly for his gifted disciple and the concertos for two organs to perform them in duet with him in the Basilica of the Monastery of El Escorial.
In 1759, Ferdinand VI, Gabriel's uncle, died in Villaviciosa de Odon and Charles ascended to the Spanish throne as Charles III. Gabriel, like most of his brothers, moved to the Madrid court. These included the Prince of Asturias, while in Naples remained the infante don Felipe (who had been born with a severe case of mental retardation, and was consequently removed from the succession) and the new king of Naples and Sicily, Ferdinand, born a year before Gabriel.
In Spain, Don Gabriel became Grand Prior of the Hospitaller Order of St. John in Castile and Leon. In, 1771 he commissioned Juan de Villanueva to build the Casita del Infante, built to the south of the Escorial monastery. There, he painted the painting La Vendimiadora, which he gave to his brother, Charles IV, to decorate the Casita del Príncipe at El Escorial.
Reign
Urban reform in Mejico City
During the early reign of Gabriel, a series of important urban reforms were carried out that transformed Mejico City into a more modern and prosperous place. His focus on revitalizing plazas, paving streets and building markets had a significant impact on the lives of the city's inhabitants. First, Gabriel was committed to the preservation and enhancement of Mejico City's historic heritage. He undertook a major revitalization of the plazas, the main one being the Plaza Mayor (today's Zócalo). During the renovation works, Aztec archaeological treasures were discovered, including the famous Sun Stone, which became a symbol of the country's rich cultural heritage, and was displayed in the plaza, next to the Cathedral, as a testimony of pre-Hispanic grandeur.
In addition, an ambitious street paving plan was implemented throughout the city. This not only improved the appearance of public roads, but also facilitated transportation and commerce, as streets were previously more difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season. Another important initiative was the construction of modern markets. Among them were the markets of El Volador, Santa Catarina, and El Factor, all of which are still standing today. These markets provided and orderly and clean space for commerce, allowing for a greater variety of products and a more pleasant experience for citizens.
Modernization efforts went beyond infrastructure and architecture; they encompassed essential public services like lighting and cleanliness, aiming to create a safer and more pleasant urban environment for the city's residents. The implementation of streetlights and lamps throughout the city had a transformative effect on safety. Previously, poorly lit streets were a breeding ground for criminal activity, with robberies and assaults being common occurrences afterdark. The installation of lights saw the decrease in criminal incidents, which made residents feel more secure, and bolstered the city's reputation. In addition to enhanced safety, the improved public lighting system extended the hours of activity for businesses and social establishments. With well-lit streets, commercial districts experienced increased foot traffic during evenings, and restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues could extend their hours. This, in turn, boosted economic activity and provided job opportunities in the hospitality and service sectors.
Gabriel recognized the importance of maintaining cleanliness in public spaces and took measures to ensure the streets and squares were well-maintained. Regular street cleaning and rudimentary waste management practices helped prevent the accumulation of trash and debris, reducing the risk of diseases and attracting pests. This contributed to improved hygiene and sanitation, leading to healthier living conditions for the citizens, as well as having a positive psychological effect.
A rental car service, also known as "de providencia", was implemented during the early years of his reign, and they were capable of carrying four passengers. In 1793, the rental car service made its debut with just four carriages available for public use. Despite their limited numbers, they were met with immense enthusiasm from the citizens. The public acceptance and demand for the service prompted the government to take swift action. Recognizing the potential of this new initiative, they promptly doubled the fleet of rental carriages, expanding the availability of this service to more areas of the city. As the rental car service continued to gain popularity, it became evident that its benefits could extend beyond city limits. The government introduced a monthly intercity service to Guadalajara, and a biweekly service to Perote.
Infrastructure development
Gabriel's commitment to infrastructure development extended beyond the capital's boundaries, as he recognized the strategic importance of key roads and water supply systems for the prosperity of the entire New Spain. He focused on improving the main entrance and exit route of the kingdom, which connected Mejico City with Veracruz, a vital port for trade and communication with the outside world. Additionally, he prioritized the road linking the capital with Toluca, a city crucial for supplying cattle, corn, wheat, and gunpowder to the royal mines and interior provinces.
The road between Mexico and Veracruz was of utmost significance as it facilitated the movement of goods and people between the interior of New Spain and the port city. Gabriel understood that maintaining and upgrading this vital artery would boost trade, strengthen the economy, and foster ties with other regions and countries. Investments in road infrastructure not only made transportation more efficient but also contributed to the overall development of the kingdom. The capital's connection to Toluca was equally vital, as Toluca served as an essential supplier for the needs of Mejico City. The transportation of cattle, corn, wheat, and gunpowder from Toluca was crucial for the capital's wellbeing and the function of the royal mines and provinces.Gabriel's attention to this road ensured the smooth flow of goods and resources, benefiting both cities and the regions they represented.
In addition to his focus on roads, Gabriel showed great concern for the drainage of the Valley of Mejico. As a region prone to flooding due to its geographical layout, proper drainage was essential to prevent disasters and maintain the city's habitability. In 1790, he personally inspected the drainage system, starting with the Huehuetoca pit, which was under the Consulate's supervision. His careful oversight and support led to the successful completion of the drainage work in 1795, significantly reducing the risk of floods and ensuring the safety and well-being of the city's inhabitants. Water supply was another critical aspect of urban development that Gabriel addressed. In his efforts to enhance the water supply to Veracruz, he focused on the Jamapa River as a potential source. By completing this project in 1798, Gabriel improved the living conditions of Veracruz and supported its growth as a strategic port city.
Gabriel's concern for public health and hygiene is evident in his decision to build a cemetery on the outskirts of Veracruz. Previously, burials inside churches were a common practice, but this could lead to unsanitary conditions and health hazards. By providing a separate cemetery, Gabriel aimed to put an end to this tradition and promote better public health practices. While there was resistance from some residents who wished to continue with the old burial practices, the establishment of the new cemetery ultimately contributed to improved hygiene and sanitation in the city.
Gabriel and the Intendencia system
The system of intendencias was an innovative form of territorial administration that sought to decentralize power and improve governmental efficiency. Gabriel was a strong supporter of this system, as he recognized that the vast territorial extension of New Spain required restructuring for more effective management. Instead of maintaining the old colonial structure based on audiencias and corregimientos, Gabriel pushed for the creation of intendencias, which were smaller and better defined administrative divisions. Each intendencia was organized by an intendende, an official appointed by the monarch, who had both political and economic authority over the region. This intendente was responsible for implementing government policies, overseeing the administration of justice, and promoting the economic and social development of his or her area.
The implementation of the system of intendancies allowed for greater agility and efficiency in decision making and the application of local policies. In addition, by eliminating some bureaucratic barriers, corruption was reduced and the central government's control and supervision of the regions was facilitated. Gabriel actively promoted the professionalization of the intendants to ensure that they were competent officials committed to the welfare of the kingdom. He also encouraged citizen participation and dialogue between the intendants and local citizens, seeking a fairer administration.
As part of his ambitious plan to reorganize the system of government, Gabriel proposed the introduction of four new intendancies in the viceroyalty. His goal was to improve administrative efficiency and strengthen governmental control over the peripheral regions. These new intendancies were to be strategically located to cover geographic areas of economic and social importance. Most of the intendancies would be located in the northern part of the country, the first of which would encompass the territories of the current provinces of Arizona and New Mexico, the second would be centered in the Texas region, the third would be located in the Fulgencinas, and the fourth and last new intendancy would be centered around the Sea of Tizapá.