Francisco de Bobadilla

Francisco de Bobadilla was a Spanish conquistador and colonial administrator.

Biography

As a member of the Order of Calatrava, in 1499, de Bobadilla was appointed to succeed Christopher Columbus as the second Governor of the Indies, Spain's new territories in America, by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

Upon his arrival in the Colony of Santo Domingo on Hispaniola in August 1500, de Bobadilla upheld accusations of mismanagement made against Columbus, and had Columbus sent back to Spain in chains.^[1]

Bobadilla also pardoned Francisco Roldán, who had revolted against the rule of Columbus's brother Bartholomew Columbus.^[2]

During his short term as governor, he canceled mining taxes in a successful attempt to stimulate gold production. But this action may have offended the crown and possibly lead to his recall to Spain. ^[3]

In 1502, he was replaced as Governor of the Indes by Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres.

He died on 11 July [O.S. 1 July] 1502 during a hurricane that wrecked 20 vessels of the 31-ship convoy, including the flagship, El Dorado, in the Mona Passage returning to Spain. Among the surviving ships was the Aguja, the weakest ship of the convoy and which carried the gold Columbus was owed—spurring accusations that Columbus magically invoked the storm out of vengeance.^[4]

See also

• Colonial governors of Santo Domingo
• Pre-1600 Atlantic hurricane seasons
• Spanish West Indies
• Viceroyalty of New Spain

References