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Catholicism in Argentina as Viewed by Early Nineteenth-Century British Travelers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2015

S. Samuel Trifilo*
Affiliation:
Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Extract

British interest in the region of the River Plate developed relatively early, but, due to Spain's monopolistic trade policies regarding her American possessions, few Englishmen were allowed to visit that area during the colonial period. It was not until after 1810, with the declaration of independence of Argentina, that trade barriers were lifted, and countless Englishmen sailed to the port of Buenos Aires with adventure and profit in mind. This little known part of the globe attracted the most diverse personalities—unemployed soldiers, tradesmen, mining engineers, scientists, missionaries, diplomats, and just plain adventurers. The great majority seemed to have one characteristic in common, however—the English mania for keeping extensive diaries and journals.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Academy of American Franciscan History 1963

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References

1 Andrews, Joseph, Journey from Buenos Ayres, through the Provinces of Cordova, Tucuman, and Salta, to Potosi … Undertaken on Behalf of the Chilian and Peruvian Association in the Years 1825–1826, 2 vols. (London, 1827).Google Scholar

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9 The first British invasion of Buenos Aires took place in June 1806, when the British, under the command of Sir Home Popham, successfully occupied the capital city with a force of only 1560 men. The Argentines recaptured the city one month later, under the leadership of Santiago Liniers. Another attempt to occupy Buenos Aires was made by the British in July 1807. However, though the British commander, General John Whitelocke, had vast superiority in men and materials, he was soundly defeated, and surrendered unconditionally to the Argentine commander, General Santiago Liniers. Whitelocke subsequently was court-martialed and cashiered out of the British army as “totally unworthy to serve his Majesty in any military capacity whatever.” Cf. The Trial at Large of Lieut. Gen. Whitelocke (London, 1808).

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32 MacCann, op. cit., II, 51.

33 Ibid.

34 Parish, op. cit., p. 280. Parish adds: “Here also they had a celebrated library, rich in manuscript records of the Missions and labours amongst the Indians, which upon their expulsion was sent to Buenos Ayres. The printed books formed a nucleus of the present library in the city. … Out of their confiscated property the University of Buenos Ayres was subsequently founded; and being more conveniently situated for the rising generation, it has in proportion diminished the importance of that of Cordova, which, though still kept up, has dwindled to the scale of a provincial school.” Ibid., pp. 280–281.

35 MacCann, op. cit., II, 51.

36 Caldcleugh, op. cit., II, 153.

37 Andrews, op. cit., I, 102–103.

38 Parish, op. cit., p. 281.

39 Caldcleugh, op. cit., I, 192.

40 Ibid., I, 193.

41 Andrews, op. cit., I, 77.

42 Ibid.

43 Ibid., I, 78–84.

44 Robertson, op. cit., III, 129.

45 Ibid.

46 Ibid., III, 131.

47 Temple, op. cit., I, 162.

48 De Bonelli, op. cit., II, 234.

49 A Five Years’ Residence in Buenos Ayres, During the Years 1820 to 1825. By an Englishman (London, 1827), p. 8. This book is generally attributed to Thomas George Love, a business agent and bookkeeper for various British enterprises in Buenos Ayres.

50 MacCann, op. cit., I, 244–246.

51 Ibid., I, 246.

52 Ibid., 1, 248.

53 Ibid., I, 252.

54 Ibid.

55 Robertson, op. cit., I, 76.

56 Vidal, op. cit., pp. 28–30.