Francisco Rui Explained

Francisco Rui
Order:	1ª Commandants of Upper Louisiana
Term Start:	1767
Term End:	1768
Successor:	Pedro Piernas
Birth Date:	Unknown
Death Date:	1790
Profession:	Administrator (commander governor of Illinois, commander of St. Louis)

Francisco Rui (Ríos) y Morales^[1] was a Spanish soldier who served as Commandant Governor of Illinois (between 1767 and 1768).

Biography

Rui joined the Spanish Army in his youth, eventually reaching Commandant grade.

In 1767 Rui was appointed Commandant governor of Illinois, arriving in New Orleans the same year. He was official commandant of Missouri county.^[2] On January 7, 1767, Louisiana governor Antonio de Ulloa, gave secret instructions to Rui, about the construction of two forts at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.^[3] Spanish troops and workmen arrived with orders to build the forts.^[4] Fort Don Carlos el Senor Principe de Asturias was built on the south bank of the Missouri.^[2] Rui occupied the fort on the Missouri until August 4, 1767^[3] or in 1769.^[2] (according to the sources).

Rui left office of Lieutenant governor of Illinois in 1768 and was replaced by Colonel Pedro Piernas.

See also

• Louisiana Purchase
• History of Missouri (1673–1803)

Notes and References

1. Web site: The Spanish Regime in Missouri: The Spanish regime in Missouri; a collection of papers and documents relating to upper Louisiana principally within the present limits of Missouri during the dominion of Spain, from the Archives of the Indies at Seville, etc., translated from the original Spanish into English, and including also some papers concerning the supposed grant to Col. George Morgan at the mouth of the Ohio, found in the Congressional library. 18 October 2014.
2. Web site: Greater North County Chamber of Commerce: NORTH COUNTY. 18 October 2014.
3. Web site: MISSOURI CONNECTION. 18 October 2014.
4. Web site: History - Community of Spanish Lake: History of Spanish Lake Park. 18 October 2014.