American School, 19th c., "Portrait of Don Bernardo de Galvez, Governor of Spanish Louisiana 1777-1785", pastel on parchment, 17.5in x 13.5in. E7000/10000 Provenance: Don Manuel Vincent Gonzales Moro (d. New Orleans 1820) and thence by descent to the present owner. Manuel Vincent Gonzales Moro was born in Spain and served in the army in Spanish Louisiana under Galvez. He fought in the Florida campaign with Manuel Perez (1735-1819) and accompanied him to St. Louis when Perez became Lieutenant Governor. In the late 1790's Moro took the position of Civil store keeper for the royal Spanish holdings in upperLouisiana, a post he held until the final turn-over of jurisdiction for the Louisiana Purchase was finally completed at the "Day-of-the- Three Flags" in St. Louis on March 9, 1804. In January, 1805 Moro returned to New Orleans where he settled for the rest of his life. He died in 1820 and his funeral was held in St. Louis Cathedral. Don Bernardo de Galvez (1746-1785) was born in Malaga, Spain. He had a distinguished military career and in 1777 succeeded Luis de Unzaga as governor of the Spanish Colony of Louisiana at the age of 29. He defeated the British at Natchez, Manchac, Baton Rouge, Mobile and Pensacola. A staunch ally of the American Revolutionary cause, his contribution toward ultimate victory was immeasurable, freeing up immense resources of both men and material that otherwise the revolutionary commanders would have had to commit to the Southern theatre. More importantly, the control of the Mississippi River and the Gulf seaports denied the British vital supplies and ensured the reverse for the Americans.