Biography of Don Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
"As the governor of an arbitrary monarch, he was certainly entitled to great
merit. It appeared, in an eminent degree, to be his pride to render the
situation of those over whom he was appointed to preside as easy and comfortable
as possible; and in a particular manner he directed his attention to the
improvement of the country by opening roads, which he considered the arteries of
commerce. He was educated in Great Britain, and retained to a considerable
degree, until his death, the manners and customs of that nation, especially in
his style of living. in his conversation he was easy and affable, and his
politeness was of that superior cast which showed it to be the effect of early
habit, rather than an accomplishment merely intended to render him agreeable.
His passions were naturally so strong, and his temper so remarkably quick, that
they sometimes hurried him into difficulties from which he was not easily
extricated. It was frequently remarked of him, as a singularity, that he was
neither concerned in traffic, nor in the habit of accepting douceurs, which was
too frequently the case with other officers of His Catholic Majesty in
Louisiana. He was fond of show and parade, in which he indulged to the great
injury of his fortune, and not a little to his reputation as a good paymaster. .
. . He was a tender husband, an affectionate parent, and a good master."
(Ellicott's Journal.) Gayoso married a Miss Watts, of New Orleans, following the
example of Galvez, Miro and Piernas.
In July, 1792, then being lieutenant-colonel of the Louisiana regiment, he was
appointed commandant and governor of the Natchez district, a position he held
until promoted to Governor-general of the provinces of Louisiana and West
Florida, in which office he was installed August 1, 1797. During his
administration of Natchez and its dependencies, he was entrusted with the
important mission to New Madrid, in 1795, involving negotiations with the
Kentuckians supposed to be willing to separate from the United States. He made
treaties with the Chickasaws and Choctaws, and in general had extensive powers
over the region now known as Mississippi and East Tennessee. While yet governor
at Natchez he was promoted to the rank of brigadier-general in the royal armies.
He enjoyed the respect and esteem of a large number of the most intelligent
inhabitants, says Wailes. "He appears to have been just and upright in his
administration and to have advanced as far as in his power the interests of the
district. The city of Natchez, on the hill, was founded by him, the land being
purchased and the town laid off under his direction, and various public
improvements were executed or commenced under his orders." On his plantation,
two miles front the fort, he built the famous home known as Concord, much of the
material for which was imported front Spain. After his death the place was sold
to Stephen Minor. Only a few years ago (1900) the historic mansion was destroyed
by fire.
Gayoso died at New Orleans. July 18, 1799, in the forty-eighth year of his age.
"Ile died extremely poor, leaving nothing to his heirs but a large amount of
debts. He was a spendthrift in the full sense of the word." (Gayarre.) The same
historian of Louisiana intimates that the convivialities of his recent
entertainment of Gen. Wilkinson, predisposed him to the fatal disease. which
Intendant Morales reported to Madrid was "a malignant fever. of the nature of
those which prevail in this country during the summer, and the dangerous
character of which was known only a few hours before it terminated fatally." The
Intendant added, "the general had no time to lose in fulfilling the last duties
of a Christian, and making his testamentary dispositions, and joining with
himself in a reciprocal pardon for their fallings-out."
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