Teodoro de Croix

Franz Theodor Freiherr de Croix (Spanish: Francisco Teodoro de Croix; * June 20, 1730 (according to other sources: 1717) at Castle PREVOTE in Lille, France, † April 8, 1791 (according to other sources: 1792) in Madrid) was a knight of the Teutonic Order, Commander in California and Texas and eventually the Spanish viceroy of Peru.

Youth and origin

De Croix was (according to other sources: 1717) in 1730 as the third child of Alexander Maximilian Franz de Croix, Marquis of Heuchin and his wife Isabel Clare Eugenia born. The family came from an old noble. At the age of 17 years, Theodore entered the service of the king of Spain.

Career in the Teutonic Order

In 1750 he was inducted into the Teutonic Order of Flanders. 1756 he received the Order of the Cross and was promoted to Knight. He belonged to the Bailiwick of Alden Biesen and had to wait until 1770 until he received his first Coming with Ramer village near Bonn in this one. In the years 1776-1778 he served as Commander of the German Order of St. Aegidius Coming in Aachen, a Coming of the bailiwick of Alden Biesen.

Career in Mexico

In 1766 he accompanied his uncle, the Viceroy of New Spain (read: Mexico), in the New World. They reached Vera Cruz on July 18 and Mexico City on August 25 in 1760., Where he was first governor of Acapulco, but there was only two and a half months a year to spend. In 1770 he was promoted to brigadier. In 1772, he went back to Spain via Cuba. King Charles III. Sonora, Sinaloa, Castilla La Mancha and California had separated as a distinct provinces of Mexico and transferred Croix, now with the rank of Field Marshal in command there. The good relations of Croix family to the Spanish Minister of India, José de Gálvez contributed probably to this designation.

As governor Croix was largely independent of the viceroy, Antonio María de Bucareli y Ursua, with whom he had an intense rivalry. He improved the military fortifications in the area of California and Texas. He held until February 13, 1783, when he was appointed lieutenant-general, viceroy, governor and captain-general of Peru office.

Term as Viceroy of Peru

On April 6, 1784, he arrived in Lima and took over the office from his predecessor Agustín de Jáuregui, who was already dying.

He held the post until 23 March 1790, when replaced him the new king Charles IV. About the circumstances is not known, but there Croix bye the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III. received and was provided with the post of colonel of the Royal Walloon Guards regiment, it can be assumed that he was not dishonorably.

Return to Europe and death

On April 17, 1790 Croix embarked to Europe. Less than a year later, on April 8, 1791, he died.