Juan Vicente de Guemes Pacheco y Padilla, Conde de Revilla Gigedo II (right) was the Viceroy of New Spain from 1789 to 1794. Born in Havana, Cuba he became one of the finest administrators of the Spanish colonies in North America.

One unusual fact about Revilla Gigedo was that he only slept three to four hours per night.

He soon became known as the “Vindicator of Justice” after he took office as the  Viceroy of New Spain when a gang of outlaws murdered 11 people in one family. Revilla Gigedo located, tried and hung the gang in only 13 days.

He also fought against governmental corruption and implemented a new administrative system. He cleaned up Mexico City, installed streetlights and promoted the construction of new public buildings and aqueducts.

Jose Maria Narvaez, the first white man to see Padilla Bay in June 1791

Rivella Gigedo sent an expedition led by Jose Narvaez (left) to claim territory for Spain up the Pacific Coast and even into the Salish Sea. Because of this, several places still bear his name including the San Juan Islands, Guemes Island and, and Padilla Bay. Although he sponsored the exploration, he did not think it was worth the expense of an army to maintain Spanish claims in the area. This is part of the reason he only lasted five years as Viceroy.

Although Charles IV was the King of Spain at the time, it was his queen, Maria Luisa of Parma and her lover, Manuel de Godoy that held most of the power. Godoy did not agree with Rivella Gigedo's reforms and lack of territorial ambitions in the Pacific Northwest. Godoy replaced him as soon as he could.

The portrait at left shows Jose Narvaez as an old man. He was 26 at the time of the expedition.
Both portraits were provided by John Crosse, Marine Historian