Manuel Basavilbaso Urtubia
Manuel de Basavilbaso Urtubia (1739-1794) was a Spanish nobleman, Knight of the Royal Spanish Order of Charles III. He served as Merchant, Alcalde, Regidor and Attorney General of the city of Buenos Aires. And was the second General Administrator of the Royal Post Office of Rio de la Plata.
Biography
Basavilbaso was born in Buenos Aires, son of Domingo de Basavilbaso and María Ignacia de Urtubia. He was married two times, first to Rosa Maciel, second to Francisca de Garfias y Giles (daughter of Agustín de Garfias and Antonia Giles) with whom he had two children, Manuel Basavilbaso Garfias and Justa Rufina Basavilbaso Garfias, who was married to her relative Miguel de Azcuénaga Basavilbaso.
The public life of Domingo Basavilbaso began in January 1767, to be elect alcalde in second vote by the Cabildo of Buenos Aires. During the years 1767, 1772 and 1773 he was reelected successively like Síndico Procurador (Procurator General) of Buenos Aires, position from which it developed an intense activity in the Río de la Plata. Among the main works in the position of Procurador, include the project of a public university in Buenos Aires, opposing to the transfer of the University of Córdova to the City. And the realization of the pavement (cobblestone) of the streets. He was also involved in the construction of a dock in the city of Buenos Aires.
On July 2, 1767, the Government of Buenos Aires received the secret order of Spain for the expulsion of the Jesuits. Domingo de Basavilbaso and Manuel Basavilbaso were in charge of a company of grenadiers, participating in the expulsion of the Jesuit fathers and in the confiscation of their property.
Basavilbaso's began his career in the Real Renta de Correos around mid-1767, appointed on an interim basis as administrator of the Correo Maritimo. By recommendation of his father to the Jerónimo Grimaldi, General Superintendent of Posts and Post Offices, Manuel Basavilbaso was appointed as Director of the Real Renta del Correo of Buenos Aires, in substitution of his father Domingo Basavilbaso.
Manuel de Basabilbaso was also dedicated himself to the commerce and administration of his farms in the San Isidro and the Banda Oriental. And was the owner of a soap factory and brewery in Retiro, Buenos Aires.