The Insurrection of 1768 appeared to be successful until Alejandro O’Reilly arrived.
The French colonists had run the first Spanish governor of Louisiana out of town because of trade restrictions and poor leadership. Spain sent O’Reilly to settle the situation in August 1769.
“He wasted no time bringing to justice those who were accused of crimes against the crown,” the Historic New Orleans Collection states. “The five ringleaders were sentenced to death. Those considered accomplices received prison terms. Only those without whom the insurrection would not have occurred were executed.”
Those actions resulted in the second Spanish governor becoming – and continuing to be – known as “Bloody O’Reilly.”

An Irishman born in 1722, O’Reilly joined the Spanish Army when he was 10, according to 64 Parishes. During the Seven Years’ War, which began in 1756, he served as an officer in the Austrian, French, and Spanish armies.
In 1764, he returned to Spain and started an officer training academy, 64 Parishes states. O’Reilly was serving as the military governor of Madrid, when he and 2,000 men on 20 ships were ordered to “re-establish Spanish sovereignty” in New Orleans.
“O’Reilly instituted many worthwhile reforms in Louisiana during his six-month governorship,” 64 Parishes states. First, he created a city council, known as a cabildo in Spanish. Then he worked to improve the relationship with the area’s indigenous people. He also added a battalion of free men of color to the military.
“Perhaps his most enduring contribution was what many refer to as the Code O’Reilly,” the Historic New Orleans Collection states. He condensed a collection of laws, “establishing Spanish colonial law and creating stability in the colony.”
After completing his mission, O’Reilly was named a Conde (Count). He later became governor of Cadiz, Spain, retiring in 1788. He died in 1794.
For more tales from New Orleans history, visit the Back in the Day archives.