Spain, particularly the Basque Country, played a crucial role in the creation of the United States of America. My Basque ancestors—Ibarra, Izaguirre, Orbea, Ortaneche, Artaza, Humaran, and Aguilera—were possibliy part of this history.
Before talking about the USA Founding Fathers. My ancestors:
In 1776, Bilbao was a significant hub for maritime trade, particularly in the Basque region of Spain. The Basque region of Spain itself was a significant military manufacturing hub in the 1700s. By the 1700s, the Basque Country was a military-industrial powerhouse, producing weapons, ships, and materials that shaped Spain’s global military engagements. Its role was critical in arming both Spanish forces and foreign allies, including the American revolutionaries.
Several families were prominent in the city's commercial activities during this period.
Ibarra Family:
Background: The Ibarra family was involved in various commercial enterprises in Bilbao during the 18th century. Their activities included trade in goods such as iron, wool, and other commodities typical of the region.
Izaguirre Family:
Background: The Izaguirre family had a presence in Bilbao's mercantile community. They were engaged in trade networks that extended to other parts of Spain and Europe, dealing in products like textiles and agricultural goods.
Orbea Family:
Background: The Orbea family was known for their involvement in the arms industry, particularly in the production of firearms. While their manufacturing activities were centered in Eibar, their commercial reach extended to Bilbao, where they traded their products.
Ortaneche Family:
Background: Records indicate that the Ortaneche family participated in maritime trade, focusing on the export of local Basque products such as fish and iron ore. Their operations contributed to Bilbao's economic landscape in the 18th century.
Artaza Family:
Background: The Artaza family was involved in shipbuilding and related maritime industries. Their expertise in constructing vessels supported Bilbao's trading capabilities, facilitating the transport of goods to various destinations.
Humaran Family:
Background: The Humaran family engaged in agricultural trade, dealing in products like wine and olive oil. Their commercial activities linked Bilbao with other regions, enhancing the city's role as a trading center.
Aguilera Family:
Background: The Aguilera family had interests in mining and metallurgy. They were involved in the extraction and processing of minerals, supplying materials essential for various industries in Bilbao and beyond.
In 1776, the Founding Fathers of the United States—extremely wealthy and intelligent businessmen—signed the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Would such intelligent men risk their lives, wealth, and land without prior assurance that their dangerous gamble would pay off? Of course not. Logically, it would have been more beneficial to continue paying high taxes to England than to face death, imprisonment, or financial ruin.
The Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence with some level of confidence because they had a massive financial and material backer. That backer was not France in 1776—it was Spain. Letters and communications from the time confirm this.
To wage war against England in support of the Declaration of Independence, the Americans needed to build an army—something impossible for the colonists, who had no established manufacturing base at their disposal.
The first Continental Army in 1776 was fully created and supplied with Spanish money, weapons, and material before France began supplying the Americans in 1777.
Money is a great source of historical truth and evidence too. Even Spain's currency created the US dollar and the first US financial system after independecen.
Spain provided millions of pesos (Spanish dollars) to support the war effort, some of which were used to pay Washington’s troops.
George Washington used Spanish dollars during his lifetime. The Spanish dollar, also known as the "piece of eight," was widely circulated in the American colonies and served as a de facto currency due to the scarcity of British coins. Its reliability and high silver content made it a trusted medium of exchange.
The Spanish dollar, also known as the piece of eight (Spanish: real de a ocho, dólar, peso duro, peso fuerte or peso), is a silver coin of approximately 38 mm (1.5 in) diameter worth eight Spanish reales. It was minted in the Spanish Empire following a monetary reform in 1497 with content 25.563 g (0.8219 ozt) fine silver. It was widely used as the first international currency because of its uniformity in standard and milling characteristics. Some countries countermarked the Spanish dollar so it could be used as their local currency.[1]
Because the Spanish dollar was widely used in Europe, the Americas, and the Far East, it became the first world currency by the 16th century.[2][3][4]
The Spanish dollar was the coin upon which the original United States dollar was based (at 0.7735 troy ounces or 24.06 grams), and it remained legal tender in the United States until the Coinage Act of 1857. Many other currencies around the world, such as the Japanese yen and the Chinese yuan, were initially based on the Spanish dollar and other 8-real coins.[5] Most theories trace the origin of the "$" symbol, which originally had two vertical bars, to the pillars of Hercules wrapped in ribbons that appear on the reverse side of the Spanish dollar.[6]
How This Ties to the Dollar Name
Since Spanish dollars were the most commonly used currency in North America, they influenced the decision to adopt the "dollar" as the name of the U.S. currency.
The "$" symbol itself is believed to be derived from the Spanish peso, which had an "S"-like abbreviation for "pesos" (or from the Pillars of Hercules on Spanish coins).
In 1776, the year the Declaration of Independence was signed, George Washington wrote to his friend Colonel Joseph Reed that he had just received a very flattering letter from Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga, governor of Spanish Louisiana, who referred to Washington as "General de Los Estados Unidos Americanos" (General of the American United States).[3]
Luis de Unzaga was one of the driving forces behind the birth of the United States, for which he made use of a robust secret network of family contacts. Unzaga was informed of the arrival of British troops to America and made every effort to help George Washington.
Unzaga was noted for allowing open trade. During the summer of 1776, he secretly helped Patrick Henry and the Americans by privately delivering five tons of gunpowder from the king's stores to Captain George Gibson and Lieutenant Linn of the Virginia Council of Defense. The gunpowder was moved up the Mississippi under the protection of the flag of Spain, and was used to thwart British plans to capture Fort Pitt in Pennsylvania.
Unzaga was the first Spanish official to provide direct military aid to the Continental Army during the American Revolution. After repeated requests from New Orleans merchant Oliver Pollock, Unzaga approved the secret transfer of a load of gunpowder up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Fort Pitt, where it arrived in May 1777. Later, additional supplies were shipped from New Orleans to Philadelphia. Pollock provided the vessels for both shipments.[4]
The House of Gardoqui, a prominent Basque mercantile family from Bilbao, played a crucial role in supplying the American forces. They facilitated the shipment of substantial military resources, including 30,000 muskets, to the Continental Army. These muskets were primarily sourced from Basque manufacturers.
Correspondence with Diego de Gardoqui: Washington maintained communication with Gardoqui, who was instrumental in facilitating Spanish aid to the American revolutionaries. In a letter dated July 1, 1790, Washington acknowledged receiving Gardoqui's letters and expressed pleasure at his safe arrival in Bilbao.
Diego María de Gardoqui y Arriquibar was born in Bilbao in 1735. As a young boy of only 14, he began training to assume leadership of his father’s company, training that included five years in London as an apprentice to George Hayley, a director of the East India Company, where he learned English and made numerous personal contacts with Britain’s commercial leaders. Following the father’s death in 1765, his sons continued to expand the company. It became Spain’s leading importer of salted cod from Newfoundland and New England. Through these business ties, Gardoqui met colonial leaders such as Elbridge Gerry and Jeremiah Lee, who would become leading figures in the Revolutionary War. As war drew nearer, the Colony of Massachusetts organized the forces that would eventually become George Washington’s Continental Army. From the start, they realized that they would have to obtain the bulk of the military supplies, including rifles, pistols, and uniforms, from abroad. And they thought, naturally, of Gardoqui as the best person to obtain these goods and ship them to the colonies
Between 1771 and 1773, to counter the effects of the limits placed by Great Britain on colonial trade, John Cabot, a leading trader of Salem, Massachusetts, and Diego Gardoqui created a smuggling network to exchange milled wheat from Philadelphia and silk fabrics from Spain. In 1774, when Britain closed the port of Boston, the first committee of resistance was formed in Massachusetts, and began to arm itself. In November of that year, Jeremiah Lee asked Gardoqui to send arms and gunpowder to the colonial forces. Gardoqui responded in February 1775 with a shipment of 300 muskets with their bayonets, and 600 pairs of pistols, and in this way the arms shipments began. Gardoqui’s shipments were the first foreign aid received by the American colonists during the revolution.
To circumvent British blockades and maintain secrecy, these weapons were often shipped in disassembled form, concealed among other cargo. They were then reassembled at designated locations before being delivered to American forces.
In summary, the Basque Country was instrumental in producing and supplying a significant number of the muskets and other military supplies that sustained the American revolutionary forces.
June 1776, Roderigue Hortalez was setup as a French import-export company. Spanish in name only, it was headed by Beaumarchais and securing startup funding of one million livres loaned by the French government, one million livres loaned by the Spanish government, and one million livres raised from French merchants.
Roderigue Hortalez & Cie was officially set up in June 1776 as a covert French-Spanish arms smuggling operation to funnel weapons, gunpowder, and supplies to the American revolutionaries.
Funding Breakdown of Roderigue Hortalez & Co.
1 million livres – Loan from the French government
1 million livres – Loan from the Spanish government
1 million livres – Raised from French merchants
The company was French in operation but used a Spanish name to disguise its true purpose. It was led by Pierre Beaumarchais, a French playwright and secret agent who worked under Comte de Vergennes, France’s Foreign Minister.
Spain’s Role in Funding the Operation
Although Roderigue Hortalez & Co. was run by France, Spain contributed significant financial backing to the effort.
The Spanish government (under King Charles III) provided 1 million livres to the company.
Spain’s motivation was to weaken Britain while avoiding an open war at that stage.
Spain also provided additional weapons and supplies separately through the House of Gardoqui in Bilbao, which shipped 30,000 muskets, gunpowder, and uniforms to the Continental Army.
Conclusion
While Spain did not send weapons via Roderigue Hortalez & Co., it did provide direct funding (1 million livres) to the effort and independently supplied arms to the Americans. The weapons that flowed in 1776 primarily came from Spanish sources, while French arms shipments increased after 1777.
The House of Gardoqui, officially known as José de Gardoqui e Hijos, was a prominent Basque mercantile firm based in Bilbao, Spain, during the 18th century. Founded by José de Gardoqui, the company played a pivotal role in supporting the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
Key Contributions:
Supply of Military Resources: The firm provided the Continental Army with substantial military supplies, including:
215 bronze cannons
30,000 muskets
30,000 bayonets
512,314 musket balls
300,000 pounds of gunpowder
12,868 grenades
30,000 uniforms
4,000 field tents
These supplies were crucial in sustaining the American forces throughout the conflict.
Financial Intermediary: Commissioned by King Carlos III of Spain, the House of Gardoqui acted as the financial intermediary between the Spanish Crown and the American colonies, overseeing the delivery of funds and supplies to support the revolutionary cause.
Roderigue Hortalez & Co. – The Secret French-Spanish Bankrolling of the American Revolution
Roderigue Hortalez & Co. was a secret French and Spanish company created to covertly finance and supply the American Revolution (1775-1783). It was a front for funneling arms, ammunition, and money to the American rebels, disguising France and Spain's involvement before they officially entered the war.
Founders & Key Figures
Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–1799)
A French playwright, businessman, and secret agent.
Persuaded the French government to support the American cause.
Acted as the public face of the company, organizing shipments of arms and supplies.
Comte de Vergennes (1719–1787)
French Foreign Minister under King Louis XVI.
Architect of France’s covert support for the American Revolution.
Worked closely with Beaumarchais to channel resources without triggering British retaliation.
King Charles III of Spain
Co-financed the company with King Louis XVI.
Spain wanted to weaken Britain but remained officially neutral until 1779.
Provided money, gunpowder, and supplies through Havana, Cuba.
King Louis XVI of France
Approved and financed the secret aid through his treasury.
Feared direct war with Britain early on, so he used Hortalez & Co. as a cover.
How Roderigue Hortalez & Co. Worked
Front Company: Set up in Paris to disguise government-backed military aid as private trade.
Supplied Weapons & Money: Secretly provided guns, gunpowder, uniforms, and funds to the Continental Army.
Worked with American Agents: Coordinated shipments through Silas Deane, an American diplomat in France.
Operations Through Caribbean Ports: Supplies were shipped from France & Spain to neutral Caribbean islands (like Saint-Domingue, modern-day Haiti) before reaching American forces.
Roderigue Hortalez & Co. was a brilliant covert operation, helping fund and arm the American Revolution while keeping France and Spain's hands "clean" before they officially declared war on Britain. Without this secret financing, the American rebels would have struggled to sustain their fight, making it one of the most critical yet lesser-known financial engines behind U.S. independence.
Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga, born in Málaga, Spain, in 1717, was a Spanish military officer and colonial administrator who played a significant role during the American Revolutionary War. As the Governor of Spanish Louisiana from 1769 to 1777, Unzaga facilitated covert support to the American colonies in their struggle for independence.
In 1776, Unzaga corresponded with General George Washington, addressing him as "General de los Estados Unidos Americanos" ("General of the United States of America"). This salutation is notable as it reflects early recognition of the United States as a unified entity. Washington, in a letter to Colonel Joseph Reed dated November 30, 1776, mentioned receiving a "very flattering letter" from Unzaga, highlighting this acknowledgment.
Beyond formal recognition, Unzaga provided tangible assistance to the American cause. He authorized the secret transfer of five tons of gunpowder from New Orleans to the American forces, a critical contribution that bolstered the Continental Army's resources. This support was instrumental in sustaining the American fight against British forces.
Unzaga's actions exemplify the covert yet impactful support that Spanish officials extended to the American Revolution, underscoring the international dimensions of the struggle for American independence.
Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga, born in Málaga, Spain, in 1717, was a Spanish military officer and colonial administrator who played a pivotal role during the American Revolutionary War. As the Governor of Spanish Louisiana from 1769 to 1777, Unzaga implemented several initiatives that significantly impacted the region and the broader revolutionary efforts.
Support for the American Revolution:
Covert Aid: In response to requests from American revolutionaries, Unzaga authorized the clandestine transfer of substantial supplies, including uniforms, blankets, gunpowder, and medical provisions, to support the Continental Army. This assistance was crucial in bolstering the American forces during critical periods of the conflict.
Intelligence Sharing: Utilizing his extensive network, Unzaga provided General George Washington with vital intelligence regarding British troop movements. This information proved instrumental in strategic planning and military engagements.
Governance and Reforms in Louisiana:
Economic Policies: Unzaga adopted a pragmatic approach to governance by tolerating illegal British trade, ensuring that colonists had access to essential goods. This policy helped stabilize the local economy and eased the transition from French to Spanish rule.
Educational Initiatives: Demonstrating foresight, Unzaga established the first bilingual public education system in the world in 1771, offering instruction in both Spanish and French. This initiative promoted cultural integration and improved relations with the local Creole community.
Legacy:
Unzaga's contributions to the American Revolution and his progressive governance have been recognized in various ways. Notably, he is credited with being among the first to use the term "United States of America" in official correspondence, reflecting his early acknowledgment of the emerging nation.
In 2023, the Spanish postal service, Correos, issued a postage stamp in his honor, commemorating his significant yet often overlooked role in American and Spanish history.
Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga's actions exemplify the critical support provided by Spanish officials to the American revolutionary cause and highlight his innovative leadership in colonial administration.
The substantial military supplies, including muskets, cannons, and clothing for 30,000 men, that reached the American revolutionaries via the Dutch island of St. Eustatius in 1776, were primarily facilitated through Roderigue Hortalez & Co., a front company established by France and Spain to covertly support the American cause. This company was instrumental in channeling arms and supplies to the American colonies.
Additionally, Spain provided significant aid through various channels. The House of Gardoqui, a Spanish trading company, supplied the American forces with substantial military resources, including 30,000 muskets, 30,000 bayonets, and 30,000 uniforms. These supplies were crucial in sustaining the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Therefore, while the supplies that flowed through St. Eustatius were facilitated by both French and Spanish efforts, a significant portion of the muskets and other military necessities originated from Spain, underscoring Spain's vital role in supporting American independence.
Yes, a significant portion of the military supplies, including muskets, provided to the American revolutionaries during the Revolutionary War were manufactured in the Basque Country of Spain. The Basque region, particularly the province of Guipúzcoa, was renowned for its arms production, with towns like Placencia (Soraluze) and Eibar serving as key centers for firearm manufacturing. The Royal Arms Factory of Placencia was a notable establishment in this regard.
By 1776, the American revolutionaries were receiving significant military supplies from both France and Spain, facilitated through covert operations and neutral territories like the Dutch island of St. Eustatius. The exact proportion of weapons originating from each country during this period is challenging to determine due to the clandestine nature of these operations.
French Contributions:
Early Support: France began covertly supplying the American colonies with arms and ammunition as early as 1776. The French government, through agents like Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, established channels to provide military aid to the revolutionaries.
Significant Impact: French-supplied arms played a crucial role in sustaining the Continental Army, especially in the early years of the conflict. By 1777, over five million livres of aid had been sent to the American rebels.
Spanish Contributions:
Covert Assistance: Spain, while not officially at war with Britain until 1779, provided substantial covert support to the American cause. Through the House of Gardoqui, a Spanish trading company, Spain supplied the American forces with significant military resources, including 30,000 muskets, 30,000 bayonets, and 30,000 uniforms.
Manufacturing Centers: Many of these weapons were manufactured in the Basque Country of Spain, particularly in regions renowned for arms production.
Spain played a major role in supplying weapons to the American revolutionaries in 1776, while French military aid ramped up later in 1777 and 1778, particularly after the Battle of Saratoga.
Spain’s Weapons Supply to America in 1776
The House of Gardoqui, a powerful Basque trading family from Bilbao, was the primary supplier of Spanish weapons to the Americans.
Spain sent 30,000 muskets, 30,000 bayonets, uniforms, gunpowder, and other military supplies to the Continental Army in 1776.
Most of these weapons were manufactured in the Basque Country, particularly in Eibar and Placencia (Soraluze), which were major arms production centers.
Spanish supplies were sent via Havana, Cuba, and New Orleans, then moved north to the American revolutionaries.
Some shipments were also routed through the Dutch island of St. Eustatius, a major smuggling hub.
French Aid in 1776?
France was not yet openly at war with Britain in 1776, and their support for the Americans was still covert.
Pierre Beaumarchais, under orders from French Foreign Minister Comte de Vergennes, started Roderigue Hortalez & Co., a secret arms-smuggling operation.
While some French supplies may have reached the Americans in 1776, most documented French military aid didn’t arrive in significant quantities until 1777.
Conclusion
In 1776, nearly all documented military supplies for the American revolutionaries came from Spain.
French military aid increased later, from 1777 onward, as France became more actively involved.
Spain’s early support was critical in keeping the Continental Army supplied with weapons before France fully committed.
During the American Revolutionary War, both France and Spain provided substantial support to the American colonies in their fight against Great Britain. While they often coordinated their efforts, each nation contributed resources independently rather than one financing the other's contributions.
France's Involvement:
Roderigue Hortalez & Co.: In 1775, French playwright and agent Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais established this fictitious trading company to covertly supply the American revolutionaries with arms and supplies. The operation was backed by the French government, which provided significant funding for the endeavor.
Spain's Involvement:
Direct Support: Spain, while initially maintaining a stance of neutrality, began providing covert assistance to the American cause. Starting in 1776, Spain supplied the revolutionaries with arms, blankets, shoes, and currency, recognizing the strategic advantage of weakening Britain.
Treaty of Aranjuez (1779): On April 12, 1779, France and Spain signed this treaty, forming a mutual military alliance. Spain agreed to support France in the American War of Independence in return for French assistance in Spain's goal to reclaim territories such as Gibraltar, Minorca, and Florida from Britain. Following this treaty, Spain officially declared war on Great Britain on June 21, 1779, aligning its military efforts with those of France.
Diego de Gardoqui:
Diego María de Gardoqui y Arriquibar (1735–1798), one of José de Gardoqui's sons, was instrumental in these efforts. Following the war, he became Spain's first ambassador to the United States, arriving in New York in 1785. During his tenure, he worked closely with American officials, including John Jay, to negotiate treaties and strengthen Spanish-American relations. Notably, he laid the cornerstone of St. Peter's Church in New York City, the first permanent Catholic church in the state, in October 1785.
Legacy:
The House of Gardoqui's contributions were vital to the success of the American Revolution. Their support not only provided essential military supplies but also fostered diplomatic relations between Spain and the newly formed United States. Diego de Gardoqui's subsequent diplomatic service further solidified these ties, marking the beginning of formal Spanish-American diplomatic relations.
:
In 1776, Bilbao was a significant hub for maritime trade, particularly in the Basque region of Spain. Several families were prominent in the city's commercial activities during this period.
Ibarra Family:
Background: The Ibarra family was involved in various commercial enterprises in Bilbao during the 18th century. Their activities included trade in goods such as iron, wool, and other commodities typical of the region.
Izaguirre Family:
Background: The Izaguirre family had a presence in Bilbao's mercantile community. They were engaged in trade networks that extended to other parts of Spain and Europe, dealing in products like textiles and agricultural goods.
Orbea Family:
Background: The Orbea family was known for their involvement in the arms industry, particularly in the production of firearms. While their manufacturing activities were centered in Eibar, their commercial reach extended to Bilbao, where they traded their products.
Ortaneche Family:
Background: Records indicate that the Ortaneche family participated in maritime trade, focusing on the export of local Basque products such as fish and iron ore. Their operations contributed to Bilbao's economic landscape in the 18th century.
Artaza Family:
Background: The Artaza family was involved in shipbuilding and related maritime industries. Their expertise in constructing vessels supported Bilbao's trading capabilities, facilitating the transport of goods to various destinations.
Humaran Family:
Background: The Humaran family engaged in agricultural trade, dealing in products like wine and olive oil. Their commercial activities linked Bilbao with other regions, enhancing the city's role as a trading center.
Aguilera Family:
Background: The Aguilera family had interests in mining and metallurgy. They were involved in the extraction and processing of minerals, supplying materials essential for various industries in Bilbao and beyond.
The House of Gardoqui, officially known as José de Gardoqui e Hijos, was a prominent mercantile firm based in Bilbao, Spain, during the 18th century. They were deeply involved in international trade, particularly with the American colonies during the Revolutionary War. Given Bilbao's status as a major port city and the interconnected nature of mercantile activities at the time, it is plausible that the Gardoqui family engaged in trade with other prominent local families.
While specific records detailing business transactions between the Gardoqui family and families bearing the surnames Ibarra, Izaguirre, Orbea, Ortaneche, Artaza, Humaran, and Aguilera are not readily available, it's important to note that these surnames are of Basque origin and were associated with various commercial enterprises in the region. The Basque Country, and Bilbao in particular, had a vibrant mercantile community, and leading families often collaborated or conducted business with one another.
Therefore, while direct evidence of trade between the Gardoqui family and the mentioned families is not currently accessible, the interconnected nature of Bilbao's mercantile society during the 18th century makes it plausible that such interactions occurred. Further research into specific business records or archival materials would be necessary to confirm any direct trading relationships.
The Orbea family has a long history in firearms manufacturing, with records indicating involvement in the industry as early as 1538. The company Orbea Hermanos was officially founded in 1859 in Eibar, Spain, a city renowned for its arms industry. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Orbea had become one of the largest and most reputable Spanish handgun manufacturers.
Given that Orbea Hermanos was established in 1859, there is no direct evidence of the Orbea family's involvement in weapons manufacturing during 1776. However, considering their early association with firearms production dating back to the 16th century, it is plausible that the Orbea family or related entities were engaged in arms manufacturing during the 18th century. Specific details about their operations in 1776 are scarce, and further research into historical records would be necessary to provide a more definitive answer.
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