Francisco Cruzat

Francisco Xavier Cruzat (also François Cruzat, Don Francisco Javier Cruzado Virto or Don Francisco Javier Cruzado Virto Y Ezpeleta) was a Spanish soldier who served as lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana in New Spain (also known as the "lieutenant governor of St. Louis") from 1775 to 1778 and again from 1780 to 1787. He served as Interim Governor of East Florida in 1789.

Biography Francisco Cruzat was the son of Balthazar Cruzat (also Bernardo Baltazar Cruzado Y Ardanáz) and Francesca Cruzat (née: Francisca Ygnacia Virto Y Ezpeleta). He joined the Spanish Army in his youth and eventually became captain of grenadiers. In 1769, he moved to Louisiana (New Spain) with the newly appointed governor of Louisiana Alejandro O'Reilly. Cruzat arrived at St. Louis on May 20, 1775.

Cruzat became the lieutenant governor of Upper Louisiana in 1775. He continued the same enforcement of Spanish policies as his predecessor, Pedro Piernas. During his tenure the first ferry was established in Maramec, by a man named John Baptiste Gamache.

In 1778, Cruzat was removed from office on the orders of Louisiana Governor Bernardo Galvez, and was replaced by Fernando de Leyba. The militia also included Ensign Charles Tayon and the interpreter Louis Chevalier.

On November 27, 1787, Cruzat left his office as lieutenant governor of St. Louis and was succeeded by Manuel Pérez.