José Artigas

HIGHLIGHTING the Wars of Independence in Latin America are the personalities and exploits of the great patriot leaders who took up arms in the cause of freedom. Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín are known throughout the world, for they were outstanding liberators whose efforts were crowned with success. But there were other leaders in the Spanish colonies who are almost equally deserving of fame for their contributions to the revolution, and among such men was 'José Gervasio Artigas, leader of the rebels in the Banda Oriental. His biography is a story of adherence to ideals and tenacity of purpose in the face of dismaying opposition. Chroniclers of his life, however, are not in agreement as to his possible faults and virtues. As one observer has aptly said, "Perhaps never did the memory of a man meet with more honor in his own country and with less favor without it."¹

José Artigas was born in Montevideo on June 19, 1764. He was of a leading family in the Banda Oriental, one which traced its American beginnings to the small group of settlers who established the original colony at Montevideo in 1724. His ancestor in this group was his grandfather, Juan Antonio Artigas, formerly an officer in the army of His Catholic Majesty, Philip V. Jose's father, Martín José Artigas, was also a soldier, in the family tradition, bringing upon himself considerable renown for his service against the Portuguese in the north of the Banda Oriental. His means of livelihood, however, was not the profession of arms, but rather that of ranching, since he possessed two extensive estancias in the Uruguayan countryside. Therefore, José Gervasio was born into a family with strong American traditions, as well as strong military traditions. "Few personalities of the era were more completely American than Artigas."²

At the time of Artigas' birth, Montevideo was a settlement of some three thousand persons. Among these were five hundred negroes, but very few Indians, inasmuch as the wild Charrúas refused to adopt the white man's mode of life. They had retreated to the hinterland, from which they dashed forth to make sporadic raids on the Spanish settlers and their stock. Fighting was still common fare to the colonists, and this atmosphere was to make its mark on the temperament of the young Artigas.³

During his childhood and adolescence, José lived in Montevideo except during the summers, when he worked on his father's ranches at Sauce and Casupá. He was educated in the only school available, the Franciscan convent. It is to be surmised that here he learned a little reading, arithmetic and writing, and much catechism. Little is known of his early life, although one may imagine, using the general character of the country and the time as a guide, that he was interested in the pampa, and more especially in the people who inhabited it, the gauchos.⁴ While he worked on his father's estancias, he engaged in occasional skirmishes against Portuguese raiders and smugglers, and earned an enviable reputation as a leader of great prowess and ability.⁵

In 1797, Viceroy Melo organized a company of Blandengues, or lancers, to be stationed at Maldonado, and to run a patrol of the border in order to combat the extensive smuggling activities then going on. Artigas was solicited to join this organization and received a commission as a lieutenant. In the Blandengues he achieved an admirable record, receiving numerous commendations and awards. Twice, however, in 1803 and 1805, he asked to be retired from the service because of illness. Some writers claim it was love that dictated his requests, and this may well be so, for in 1805 he married Rafaela Rosalia Villagrán. The marriage was not a happy one, for just after the birth of their only son, José María, Sra. Artigas became insane and was never completely cured.⁶

Despite his requests to be retired, Artigas was still in the Blandengues when Sir Home Popham led the English to the capture of Buenos Aires in June, 1806. The people of the...