Here's some not very useful info from the site, that could be copied and translated.
Letter from the President
It's a great satisfaction for me as president of the Cultural Association "Bernardo de Gálvez. Gálvez "welcome to our website.
As known, the Count of Galvez was a major figure in the reign of HM Carlos III, Lieutenant General of his Armies and Viceroy of New Spain, was part of a large family of politicians, soldiers and diplomats born in the village of Macharaviaya Malaga.
No apparent reason, the aura of notoriety of the Gálvez family became extinct with his death and continues to this day practically. This motif, forgetfulness, has been the trigger for a group of Malaga try to change that ostracism and intends to reach the Spanish Malaga society and the importance of the person whose work, courage, generosity and love for their homeland and King was able to conquer vast territories for Spain in America.
His work in Louisiana, with victories over the English army, and material aid to the American colonists allowed the United States of America have the option of independence from the British crown.
Interestingly, the same figure, known and admired by the American people, is a perfect stranger among the Spanish.
Therefore, the Association, whose founding charter was signed in Malaga on May 1, 2008 is aimed at the dissemination, study and investigation of any historical event on the figure on which it is named, and their time and the transcendence that had its prominent involvement in the fields of military, political and social issues, in order to regain his memory and transmit it to the present and future generations.
I invite you to know the content of our website and contact us with any questions or suggestions you want to send us.
Sincerely
Miguel Angel Galvez Toro. President
In memory and tribute to this extraordinary figure is in Malaga on 1 May, two thousand eight, under the name CULTURAL ASSOCIATION BERNARDO de Gálvez, Bernardo de Galvez, an organization of associative nature and non-profit, under the provisions of Article 22 of the Spanish Constitution, the Organic Law 1 / 2002 of 22 March regulating the right of association, Decree 152/2002, of 21 May, which approves the Regulation Organization and operation of the Register of Associations of Andalusia and other existing provisions given in developing and implementing this, and consistent regulatory provisions. It is therefore entered in the Register of Associations of the Ministry of Justice of Andalusia and in the Municipal Register of Associations of the City of Malaga.
The aims of this association are research, study and dissemination of any historical event on the figure from which it takes its name and of his time, and also the importance that was his outstanding involvement in the fields of military, political and social issues, with the aim of recovering the illustrious memory of Bernardo de Galvez and transmit it to the present and future generations.
BOARD OF THE ASSOCIATION
Chairman: D. Miguel Angel Galvez Toro
Vice President: D. Manuel Olmedo Czech
Secretary: Ms. Araceli Gonzalez Rodriguez
Treasurer: D. Francisco Cabrera Pablos
Vocal: Ms. María Dolores Casermeiro
Vocal: Ms. Haya Mirentxu Galvez
Vocal: D. Illa Rafael Peche
Vocal: D. Manuel Perez Villanúa
Vocal: D. Villas Siro Tinoco
Bernardo de Galvez The British Period 1763 - 1784
In 1763, Britain finally gained possession of St. Augustine and all of Florida, but not by taking St. Augustine. As a provision of the Treaty of Paris that ended the Seven Years War (The French and Indian War), Britain gained the Florida Territory in exchange for Havana and the Philippines, which the British had captured during the war. The British split Florida into an East Florida and a West Florida with St. Augustine the capital of East Florida and Pensacola the capital of West Florida. On July 21, 1763, the Spanish governor turned the Castillo over to the troops of King George III, and nearly all the Spanish citizens of the town moved to Cuba.
The British would make a number of small changes to the Castillo, including its name, which would now be Fort St. Mark. With the departure of the Spanish from Florida, the British felt no great need to maintain the Fort in first rate condition because they held the all of eastern North America. This outlook changed greatly with signs of rebellion being seen in the Thirteen Colonies to the north.
With the start of the American Revolution, St. Augustine enjoyed new importance as the capital of King George's loyal colony of East Florida. In early 1775, the changes in view of the Fort's new status could be seen. Repairs were made to the gates and the well, and housing in the Fort was increased by adding second floors in some of the rooms because it became regimental headquarters for the area. The British also improved the defenses of the city and its approaches. At this time, the old Spanish monastery on St. Francis Street was also turned into a barracks to house the influx of British soldiers. Today, this building is still in the hands of the military as the headquarters of the Florida National Guard.
As a foreshadowing of later activities, the Fort and St. Augustine also served as a prison for a few patriots who had been captured in Charleston, including Christopher Gadsen, the Lieutenant-governor of North Carolina, and three signers of the Declaration of Independence--Edward Rutledge, Thomas Hayward, and Charles Pinckney.
As the Revolution raged on, Spain came to the unofficial aid of the American colonies by sending money, weapons, medicine, and military supplies. When Spain declared war on Britain in 1779, Bernardo de Gálvez, the governor of Spanish Louisiana, immediately attacked and captured the British forts along the southern Mississippi River. Then he moved against Mobile in British West Florida and captured it as well. The next target was Pensacola, and in two months of heavy fighting, it too fell. By keeping the British occupied in the Gulf of Mexico, the Spanish kept the British from sending troops and supplies to support their efforts against the thirteen colonies, and thus they played an enormous part in the success of the Americans in their war for independence.
Bernardo de Gálvez was the only officer on any side in the Revolution who came out undefeated. The Battle of Pensacola was among the longest and hardest battles of the American Revolution. Yet, this remarkable general is relatively unknown. Only a statue in Washington, DC and one in New Orleans, and a city in Texas (Galveston) stand in tribute to this man who helped win the American Revolution.
At the end of the war, the Second Treaty of Paris returned Florida to Spain. On July 12, 1784, Spanish troops returned to St. Augustine.
