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Matías Ramón Mella

Matías Ramón Mella Castillo (February 25, 1816 –June 4, 1864), who was most known by his middle name (Ramón), was a Dominican revolutionary, politician, and military general. Mella is regarded as a national hero in the Dominican Republic. Remembered as one of the three founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella is partially named in his honor.

Matías Ramón Mella
Portrait of Mella
4th Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic
In office
September 26, 1849 – April 8, 1850
PresidentBuenaventura Báez
Preceded byJacinto de la Concha
Succeeded byManuel Joaquín del Monte
7th Vice President of the Dominican Republic
In office
September 14, 1863 – June 4, 1864
PresidentJosé Antonio Salcedo
Preceded byBenigno Filomeno de Rojas
Succeeded byUlises Francisco Espaillat
Personal details
BornFebruary 25, 1816 (1816-02-25)
Santo Domingo, Captaincy General of Santo Domingo
(now Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)
DiedJune 4, 1864 (1864-06-05) (aged 48)
Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
Resting placeAltar de la Patria
NationalityDominican
Political partyCentral Government Junta
Other political
affiliations
La Trinitaria
Spouse
Josefa Brea
(m. 1836)
RelationsJulio Antonio Mella (grandson)
Children4
Parent(s)Antonio Mella Álvarez and Francisca Javier Castillo Álvarez
ProfessionPolitician, military officer, and revolutionary
Known forFounding father of the Dominican Republic
AwardsNational hero
NicknameRamón
Military service
Allegiance Dominican Republic
Branch/service Dominican Army
Years of service1838 – 1864
RankGeneral
Battles/warsDominican War of Independence

Cibaeño Revolution

Dominican Restoration War
HonorsOrder of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella

Through sheer determination and strategy, Mella would play a very crucial role into the successful independence from Haiti. But this success was short-lived, as Mella would find himself, along with his fellow patriots, having to engage in a series of political standoffs against the very same people who had previously fought alongside him, of which the most central person was none other than the wealthy General Pedro Santana. Ill and financially crippled, he watched as many of his fellow patriots faced the worst for their pro-Independent plans. Eventually, by 1861, Santana gave the country back to Spain, setting off another war. But despite this, Mella would continue serve his duties as a revolutionary leader until his tragic death on June 4, 1864.

Early life

Mella was born to Antonio Mella Álvarez (1794–1837) and Francisca Javier Castillo Álvarez (1790–1864), both of Canarian descent, on February 25, 1816, in Santo Domingo during the España Boba period. He had two other siblings named Idelfonso (1818-1910) and Manuela Mella Castillo (1827-1894).

Very little is known in regards to his school life, but perhaps due to the scarcity of public educational centers during his childhood and adolescence, its believed that his parents chose to send him to the few "private schools" that were secretly available during that era. It was there that the young Mella would receive proper education from respectable Dominican teachers.

From a young age, he had a latent talent in handling a sword and a sabor. Since his teenage years, he was known for being brave and fearless. He would spend his early life involving himself into productive work for his society.

In 1835, during the years of the Haitian occupation, he served as head of the community of San Cristóbal. He devoted himself to cutting wood for a business, a habit that he shared with future legendary military general, Antonio Duvergé, who took note of Mella's proficiency of skill using a sabor and a sword. This, along with their shared opposition to Haitian rule, established a friendship between the two, which would then transcend and prove crucial in later years to come.

His years of wood cutting and commercial work allowed him to engage with multiple social sectors, thus allowing him to understand the social dynamics and the intricacies. But of course this was not just limited to the exploiters, but to the exploitative sector as well.

 
Mella's elder son Ramón María Mella
 
Juan Antonio Mella, grandson of Mella

In 1836, a 20 year old Mella married Josefa Brea, the daughter of a wealthy family. Together, they produced 4 children: Ramón María, Dominga América María, Antonio Nicanor, and Ildefonso. Antonio Nicanor would go on to father Julio Antonio Mella, a Cuban activist who was later assassinated in Mexico City, Mexico. A will revealed that the marriage lacked contributions from both sides of the union. It is alleged that some of his assets in which Mella acquired during the marriage may have been due to the inheritance he received after the passing of his father.

Confusion about his name

In his baptism certificate, marriage certificate as well as in his will and official documents such as his appointment as Minister of War and later Vice President of the Dominican Republic during the restoration government, it is stated that his name was Ramón Mella Castillo and he cannot be found. any historical support, except for a few documents that he signed as MR Mella and M. Ramón Mella, that his name was Matías Ramón Mella.

In various letters that he shared with his relatives and collaborators of the independence cause, they never referred to him as Matías and in fact, they did not mention his middle name, so it is not known how or why in some history texts their first names have been exchanged. Because of this, it has led to historical confusion about his name. But in most cases, he is referred to as Matías Ramón Mella.

Revolutionary leader

First activities under Duarte

 
Juan Pablo Duarte

At some point in 1838, Mella would be introduced to the revolutionary leader Juan Pablo Duarte, who at this time was looking to recruit new members for the nationalistic movement, La Trinitaria, a secret organization that seeks to establish an independent nation by liberating the Dominican people from Haitian rule under the dictatorship of Jean-Pierre Boyer. Mella happily accepted this recruitment. He would also be introduced to other newly recruited members such as José María Serra de Castro, Feliz Maria Ruiz, and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. Mella and Sánchez would later make a revolutionary moment in Dominican history.

Over the next five years, the Trinitarios carried out various activities in order to propagate separatist and independence ideas to other Dominicans. However, when this movement was caught on by the Haitian authorities, it became necessary to create two other organizations, which were much more flexible than La Trinitaria - La Filantrópica and La Dramática, through which awareness-raising effortd were less compromising. Within these five years, Mella and Sánchez stood out from the rest of their companions, even earning Duarte's full confidence.

Duarte saw in Mella, a man of great discipline and leadership quantities, characteristics to which Duarte deemed perfect to substitute for candidate Juan Nepomuceno Ravelo, after the failure of his arrival, by the commission of Duarte. Mella, at the request of Duarte, was sent to the Haitian village of Les Cayes, with the mission of looking for allies to form a reform movement, with the purpose to overthrow Boyer's regime in January 1843. There, Mella stayed at the house of Jérôme-Maximilien Borgella, a Haitian general and politician, who was also a former commander of Santo Domingo. Meanwhile, Boyer's acceptance had begun to wane because of the excessive rise in taxes, the benefits of which did not revert to the population but to France, to which Boyer had promised compensation in exchange for recognizing independence. In this way, groups opposed to the Boyer regime arose in Haiti itself. By this time the island had become increasingly frustrated with Boyer's repressive dictatorship, combined with his negligent response following a sudden earthquake that had struck Haiti a year earlier, and were plotting to overthrow the government, a situation to which Duarte believed could be used as an advantage.[1]

 
Charles Rivière-Herard

Subsequently, Mella came into contact with the Haitian opposition leader Charles Hérard, who in turn led the reform movement, which came to be known as La Reforma, in March 1843. It only took Mella several days to reach agreements with the revolutionaries. Thanks to Mella's demonstration of diplomatic skills, the Trinitarios placed themselves in a solid position against the Haitian Reformists and were able to organize themselves in favor of the movement. Although, for Hérard, he was completely unaware of the Dominicans true purpose was to prepare for the definitive separation of the Haitian government. Together they managed to topple Boyer in May 1843, thus finally ending Boyer's reign of tyranny once and for all.

In June of that same year, Duarte, who considered necessary it for the next stage of the cause, entrusted Mella to return to Santo Domingo with the mission to disseminating the political ideas advocated by the revolutionaries. Thus, in July 1843, Mella departed from Les Ceyes, and moved to the Central Cibao to continue promoting his republican Ideals for independence. However, Hérard, who was now the president of Haiti, learned of the true motives of Mella and his companions, and traveled to the eastern part of the island to arrest the conspirators. He would imprison Mella in Port-au-Prince, where he remained for two months. However, in this very city a rebellion erupted against Hérard, who was only able to dominate with the help of Mella and the incarcerated veterans whom he freed. But with Duarte, who by now had been exiled, out of the picture, and with their revolutionary plans now made aware to the Haitians, some of his followers felt that their cover was blown, to which Mella immediately responds by shouting:

There is no time to go back, we will have to be free or die… Long live the Dominican Republic!

Seizing the moment, Mella and his followers marched up to Santo Domingo, captured the eastern part of the island, leading the storming of St. Giles Fort by Dominican forces and formally declared its independence from Haiti and the proclamation of the Dominican Republic in February 1844.

Declaration of Dominican independence

Sources vary on how the events of the "blundebuss" shot transpired. It is said that on the night of February 27, 1844, when he was reunited with other conspirators at Puerta de La Misericordia (Mercy Gate), Matías Ramón Mella fired a shot to end the hesitation that threatened to bring failure. He fired his blunderbuss and the Patriots marched toward the stronghold of San Gennaro (today Conde Gate), where another patrician, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, proclaimed to the world the birth of the Dominican Republic. A testimony, written by Eustache Juchereaux Saint Denys, a member of the French consul in Santo Domingo, who had heard the famous blunderbuss, writes:

The night of the 27th was the day set for that attempt. The authority was on guard, the general restlessness, it was hoped, however, that the order would not be disturbed. The Vicar General, the most influential people in the city made useless efforts to bring more reasonable sentiments to that youth. They were unbreakable, and as they announced, the signal was given at 11 at night by a rifle shot fired into the air.

José María Serra de Castro, one of the founders of La Trinitaria, who was an author of one of the main historical sources of the 1844 revolution, wrote that once Duartistas and Febreristas met at La Misercordia, they found that the number of attendees was less than expected. He explains:

"The situation is compromised," said Mella. "Lets play everything for everything," and he fired his blunderbuss into the air.

However, Don Manuel de Jesús Galván, a politician and author, narrates those events in these terms:

The solemn hour arrived: a group of patriots anxiously awaited the defaulters in the secluded and lonely end of the citu, called La Misericordia, at the foot of the Fort of San Gil. The exact ones to the appointment were counted with concern: the largest number of those committed to the company were missing. The conspirators always have to count these cowardly defections at the precise and critical moment of action. One of the faithful finally arrives, moved and painting: "I think everything is discovered," he says, "a patrol has chased me, and I've made a long detour to get here." These words spread suspicion among the few listeners; and someone full of fright talks about retiring home and giving up the glorious project: "NO," answers a robust and manly voice firmly, disturbing the nocturnal silence without any caution. "It is no longer given to back; Cowards as brave, we all have to go to the end. Long live the Dominican Republic!" He says, and a resounding detonation of the rock from him resoundingly accentuatesand the heroic cry. No one hesitates anymore: everyone makes a sacrifice of their lives and runs towards the classic Puerta del Conde. The bold shot made by the intrepaid Ramón Mella announced to the world the birth of the Dominican Republic.

Independent Republic

 
Painting of Mella

After the proclamation of the First Republic, Mella took part in the Central Government Board, with Sánchez serving as president. On March 2, Mella sent a letter to Duarte, Pérez and Pińa, all of whom were in Curaçao, informing them of the success of the revolt and of affairs of the Dominican Republic. A few days later, Mella had left for the Cibao in order to enlist José María Imbert, from Moca, as second in command of the newly constituted National Army, which would later become the Liberation Army. Mella would also assume the position of governor of Santiago and delegate of the Central Government Board, acting as chief political and general for the army.

But at that moment, Mella received news from Cap-Haïtien that the new Haitian president, Jean-Louis Pierrot, who did not accept the independence of the Dominican Republic, was approaching Santiago. With this sudden update, Mella heads out on tour throughout the region to not only warn his comrades, but to also enlist more soldiers, but not before giving instructions to Imbert, who was now the lieutenant, to combat the upcoming attack. This was a success, as Imbert's forces were able to repel off the attack and drive the Haitian army out of the country in the Battle of Santiago.

Events took a different turn following the victory in the Battle of Azua. With the independence of Dominican Republic now installed, and Duarte's return to the country, Mella voted to elect him as president of the Central Government Board with the purpose of preventing another annexation by any foreign power. He would address this in a letter to Sánchez:[2]

These towns had no more disturbances than the coming of the Delegation; This ended with the arrival of Juan Pablo, thank God! Finally, I conclude by telling you that my wish has arrived and I will return it, President of the Dominican Republic.

Despite having successfully expelling the Haitians from the country, many sectors of the country felt that the new nation could not survive without being annexed to a colonial power. This caused a long-standing divide between the independent Trinitarians and the pro-annexation sectors within the country. This in turn resulted in public disputes, which at times turned for the worse.

For instance, Tomás Bobadilla, the conservative president of the Central Governing Board and advocate for the Trinitarios, attempted to annex the Dominican Republic to France, but was deposed in a joint coup led by Sánchez, and Mella. In response to the coup d'état, military general Pedro Santana, initiated a coup in return, and sent Duarte, Mella, and Sánchez into exile. These stand offs and many more, would continue to transpire, resulting in more of the Trinitarios being forced out of the country, even resulting into the deaths of many of the patriots, such as María Trinidad Sánchez, aunt of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, as well as the death of his trusted comrade and fellow war hero, Antonio Duvergé, along with his son. The deaths of his fellow collaborators caused Mella to be overwhelmed with guilt and sadness for the remainder of his life.

While in exile, Mella chose to settle in Puerto Rico, opting to remain close to his homeland. Eventually in 1848, Mella, along with Sánchez, was granted an amnesty decreed by president Manuel Jimenes to return to the country. Upon his return, he resettled in Puerto Plata, working in the wood cuts, away from political affaris. held many important positions. For instance, he rejoined the army once again, and participated in the Battle of Las Carreras, a renewed Haitian invasion, securing victory once again. But unfortunately, this victory allowed Santana to renew his political confidence, and would go on to overthrow Jimenes for the presidential seat. Jimenes was exiled twice before eventually settling in Haiti, where he did on December 22, 1854.

When Buenaventura Baez became president in September 1849, Mella was appointed Secretary of State for Commerce and the Treasury. He even briefly served as Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic from 1849 to 1850.

When Santana returns for a third term, Mella became a Secretary for his government. In addition, he was named Commander of Arms, Governor, and was even sent on special mission to the government of Spain to manage the recognition of Independence in 1854. This mission lasted for six months. During this mission, it has been argued that during negotiations, Spanish officials attempted to persuade Mella to instead propose a protectorate to the Dominican government, rather than recognize independence. Mella, still holding onto the morals of the Trinitarios, flatly rejected an offer he deemed as a despicable proposition. By May 1854, Mella decided to return to Dominican Republic, but not before addressing in a farewell letter to the Count of San Luis, who was the President of the Council of Ministers, the reluctance of the Spanish government to recognize the independence of the Dominican Republic. In that letter, he writes:[3]

Denied by Spain the recognition of the independence of the Republic; that is to say, having denied everything that today would surely make the Haitian invasion impossible or frustrating, it only remains for me to go to the point of danger to consecrate to my country and my family the services that I owe them as a citizen, as a soldier and as a father. The case is serious and urgent; There is no time to lose; and the days that I spend here outside of mine are long and eternal centuries for my just how painful impatience.

In July 1856, he was tasked to draft a bill with the purpose of organizing the army, once again demonstrating his skills as a combatant and military man.

During this time, however, the nation fell into a political and economic turmoil. Buenaventura Báez, the newly elected president following the resignation of Jimenes, failed to come to a mutual political agreement with Santana, and was ruling the country under a corrupt bureaucracy. He would bankrupt the national treasury for his profit, and propose that the country be annexed to United States. Santana, on the other hand, presided over the country with Báez, but ruled the nation under military dictatorship. He would eventually overthrow and send Báez into exile. From 1849 to 1861, Santana would continue to propose that the country be annexed with Spain, which Mella strongly rejected.

Also plunging the nation's economy were the constant Haitian invasions. Haiti had already made numerous attempts to reconquer the Dominican Republic, but each attempt was crushed by the Dominicans, who despite being greatly outnumbered, managed to successfully rebel off every invasion so far. These attempts would intensify as Haiti's new leader, Faustin Soulouque, having just declared himself emperor, made more drastic and desperate attempts to bring the island under his control. From 1849 to 1856, Soulouque made numerous attempts to reconquer the Dominican Republic, including one instant where Soulouque, at the head of a 30,000-man army, marched into the eastern side of the island, with the purpose of reinstalling Haitian rule. His efforts failed, his army retreated after suffering heavy losses, and Soulouque came close to falling into the hands of the Dominican army. His support eroded over the years, mostly from Haitian women, fearful of losing their sons, brothers, and husbands in these failed invasions. He would later be overthrown in a coup d'état, led by his former general Fabre Geffrard, in 1859, and sent into exile in Jamaica. He returned to Haiti at some point just in time to see Geffrard himself be overthrown in 1867, and died that same year at age 84.

Final years

Return to Spanish rule

 
General Pedro Santana

Despite the country's independence being secured, the nation was still in a crisis. Following the conclusion of the war, Santana had inherited a bankrupted government that was on the brink of collapse. His misrule of his power, as well as the aftermath of Baez's corrupt government, drastically exhausted the nation treasury. Faced with the economic turmoil, and fearful of another invasion from Haiti, Santana turned to a foreign power for protection. He eventually struck a deal with Queen Isabella II in 1861. In exchange for honorary privileges, military and economic intervention, Santana agreed to return the Dominican Republic back to colonial status. Spain, who by now was losing control of most of its former colonies, used this opportunity to reinsert its control in Latin America. The U.S., busy with its Civil War, was left unable to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. This decision caused a national uproar among the population. Mella, of course, did not accept this, and along with his fellow patriots, pledged their full opposition to the annexation. But because of this, he would be imprisoned by Santana, who confined him to the fearsome Tower of Homage, (present-day Ozama Fortress) for 72 days. He would later be deported to Saint Thomas.

Mella, despite the fact by now he was battling dysentery, didn't hesitate, and joined in on the cause. He traveled through numerous sectors of the south, with the task of rounding up restoration troops for general Pedro Florentino. For his contributions, he was appointed Minister of War, in which his first act in this position was to create a war manual for the soldiers, which he produced in January 1864.

Around the same time, Mella would address in a manifesto:[2]

Dominicans: The Republic has called us to arms! And I, doing my duty, have come to take my place among you. I am a soldier of the February 27 column, you know me, and I come to call the few of my people, whom the lies and brute force of their oppressors still keep separated from their former ranks, Sandoval, Lluberes, Sosa, Maldonado, Juan Suero, Valera, Marcos Evangelista, Juan Rosa, Gatón, do not forget that the Republic that gave you glory and fame is tge place of honor where your companions await you: the Dominican Republic has never ceased to exist; neither betrayal nor galliwd coul annihilate her. The heroes of the Capitillo field are also the soldiers of March 30, 1844, their principles are the same today:

There he was the first martyr of Independence... There is his shadow calling to arms! And the Puellos, Duvergé and his son, Concha, Matías de Vargas, Pedro Ignancio Espaillat, Perdomo, Vidal, Batista and their companions, sacrificed for Santana, they rise beyond the sepulcher asking for Revenge! Revenge!

Dominicans! Hear that patriotic lament of so many martyrs of freedom! And you, Eusebio Puello, listen to the one who speaks to your conscience to tell you: "Leave the ranks of the murderer of your brothers... do not desecrate the blood that innocents shed to leave yoy a free homeland anymire!"

Seibanos, Duvergé and his son, Albert and Dalmau ask you for revenge...! And you, my friends from Santo Domingo, do not forget that Santana was the murderer of Trinidad Sánchez!

REVENGE asks the homeland!

DOMINICANS! I do not come as a disturber of order, armed with thevdaggwr if the treacherous murderer, nor with the torch of the wild arsonist: the mission that I have and the one that I have imposed on myself is that of a civilized and Christian soldier. It is not my purpose to excite you to a useless rebellion, but it is my duty as a free citizen to make us understand that insurrection is not a crime when it has become the only means to shake off oppression; but the indifferentism that sustains and feeds it is no small crime.

DOMINICANS: The days have already arrived in which Spain, the only nation that persists in keeping slaves, nust lose its colonies in the Antilles. America must belong to itself; that is how God arranged it, when between it and old Europe he placed the immensity of the Ocean. If the punishment of the fields of Carabobo, Boyacá and Junìn, nor the Genius of Bolívar, has not been enough to convince Spain of this truth, here is the saber of our soldiers and the climate of Santo Domingo.

Dominicans! Respect for rights and property.

Homeland, honor and humanity.

Such is the currency with which I want to see you reach the temple of fame.

-Santiago, January 16, 1864, R. Mella

At the time of the Capotillo Outcry (Grito de Capotillo) (16 August 1863), already very ill, Mella served as Vice President of the Dominican Republic in the government of the Restoration. He would continue to hold this place in office for the remainder of his life. Before he passed, Mella asked his followers that on the day of his death, his remains be wrapped around the Dominican flag. Living his final years in Santiago, Mella would continue to serve his duties and purposes.

Final visit from Duarte

 
Duarte at Mella's deathbed

On March 27, Mella was visited by Duarte, who had just arrived in the country during this time, at his home. Duarte had used this opportunity to greet his ailing comrade one last time.[4] The hero Manuel Rodríguez Objío described the visit of Juan Pablo Duarte to Mella with the following words:

He visited the illustrious Mella on March 7, a soldier of two great eras, who was prostrated on his deathbed in small house, one of the improvised ones after the fire and near Fort San Luis. Duarte hugged him there, after 20 years of separation, not without ceasing to express his indignation at the extreme poverty in which that man who became a great military leader and with the category of patriot and national hero found himself. Mella told Duarte that given the impossibility of living to see his homeland free of foreign hosts, he wanted to be buried in the grave wrapped in the national flag as a shroud. This request moved Duarte who could not help but shed some tears while giving him the last hug.

On June 4, 1864, just a year before the end of the war, Mella, the beloved founding father and honorable revolutionary, died in his small home near San Luis Fortress, at the young age of 48. He was accompanied by his wife, Josefa, family members and some neighbors. In accordance to his final wishes, his body was wrapped around the Dominican flag, and buried as he desired.

Legacy

 
Statue of Mella

Mella, a man of great military talent, served his purpose of being one of the greatest figures in the history of the Dominican Republic. Of the founding fathers of the Republic, Mella represented the militant and determined expression and the most adapted to the political activities of a pre-capitalist society. A man of respect and dignity, his loyalty to his comrades, as well as the nation remained a driving force in Mella. From the joining the Trinitarios, the battles fought with Haiti, internal disputes, and the restoration war against Spain, Mella stayed true to his word. Even despite of the dark period between the Dominican War of Independence and the Spanish occupation of the Dominican Republic, his vision and desire of an independent Dominican state always remained with him to the end. Before his death, during the occupation of Spain, Mella was quoted as saying:

There is still a homeland, long live the Dominican Republic.

In addition, Mella was awarded many honors for his revolutionary status.

  • He is entombed in a beautiful mausoleum, Altar de la Patria, at the Count's Gate (Puerta del Conde) alongside Duarte and Sánchez.
  • In the province of Independencia, the city of Mella is named in his honor.
  • Many streets in the Dominican Republic are named after him.
  • In the city of Santo Domingo, a statue has been made in his honor.
  • Mella is solely depicted on the 10 Dominican peso note and coin; he is also depicted on the 100 Dominican peso note alongside Duarte and Sánchez.
  • A Dominican anthem is dedicated to his legacy

Ancestry

See also

Sources

  • Historia Dominicana en Gráficas

References

  1. ^ "Biografia de Ramón Matías Mella". www.biografiasyvidas.com. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
  2. ^ a b Libre, Diario. "Testamento (1859)". Diario Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  3. ^ Libre, Diario. "Testamento (1859)". Diario Libre (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  4. ^ "Mella el prócer del trabucazo en la proclamación de República Dominicana". Vanguardia del Pueblo (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  5. ^ "Mella genealógico Julio Antonio Mella fundóhwihifekdjiwwdnifw el PCC y fue su primer secretario general". 5 March 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2018.

External links

  Media related to Matías Ramón Mella at Wikimedia Commons

matías, ramón, mella, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, 2020,. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Matias Ramon Mella news newspapers books scholar JSTOR May 2020 Learn how and when to remove this template message Matias Ramon Mella Castillo February 25 1816 June 4 1864 who was most known by his middle name Ramon was a Dominican revolutionary politician and military general Mella is regarded as a national hero in the Dominican Republic Remembered as one of the three founding fathers of the Dominican Republic the Order of Merit of Duarte Sanchez and Mella is partially named in his honor Matias Ramon MellaPortrait of Mella4th Minister of Finance of the Dominican RepublicIn office September 26 1849 April 8 1850PresidentBuenaventura BaezPreceded byJacinto de la ConchaSucceeded byManuel Joaquin del Monte7th Vice President of the Dominican RepublicIn office September 14 1863 June 4 1864PresidentJose Antonio SalcedoPreceded byBenigno Filomeno de RojasSucceeded byUlises Francisco EspaillatPersonal detailsBornFebruary 25 1816 1816 02 25 Santo Domingo Captaincy General of Santo Domingo now Santo Domingo Dominican Republic DiedJune 4 1864 1864 06 05 aged 48 Santiago de los Caballeros Dominican RepublicResting placeAltar de la PatriaNationalityDominicanPolitical partyCentral Government JuntaOther politicalaffiliationsLa TrinitariaSpouseJosefa Brea m 1836 wbr RelationsJulio Antonio Mella grandson Children4Parent s Antonio Mella Alvarez and Francisca Javier Castillo AlvarezProfessionPolitician military officer and revolutionaryKnown forFounding father of the Dominican RepublicAwardsNational heroNicknameRamonMilitary serviceAllegiance Dominican RepublicBranch service Dominican ArmyYears of service1838 1864RankGeneralBattles warsDominican War of Independence Cibaeno Revolution Dominican Restoration WarHonorsOrder of Merit of Duarte Sanchez and MellaThrough sheer determination and strategy Mella would play a very crucial role into the successful independence from Haiti But this success was short lived as Mella would find himself along with his fellow patriots having to engage in a series of political standoffs against the very same people who had previously fought alongside him of which the most central person was none other than the wealthy General Pedro Santana Ill and financially crippled he watched as many of his fellow patriots faced the worst for their pro Independent plans Eventually by 1861 Santana gave the country back to Spain setting off another war But despite this Mella would continue serve his duties as a revolutionary leader until his tragic death on June 4 1864 Contents 1 Early life 1 1 Confusion about his name 2 Revolutionary leader 2 1 First activities under Duarte 3 Declaration of Dominican independence 4 Independent Republic 5 Final years 5 1 Return to Spanish rule 5 2 Final visit from Duarte 6 Legacy 7 Ancestry 8 See also 9 Sources 10 References 11 External linksEarly life EditMella was born to Antonio Mella Alvarez 1794 1837 and Francisca Javier Castillo Alvarez 1790 1864 both of Canarian descent on February 25 1816 in Santo Domingo during the Espana Boba period He had two other siblings named Idelfonso 1818 1910 and Manuela Mella Castillo 1827 1894 Very little is known in regards to his school life but perhaps due to the scarcity of public educational centers during his childhood and adolescence its believed that his parents chose to send him to the few private schools that were secretly available during that era It was there that the young Mella would receive proper education from respectable Dominican teachers From a young age he had a latent talent in handling a sword and a sabor Since his teenage years he was known for being brave and fearless He would spend his early life involving himself into productive work for his society In 1835 during the years of the Haitian occupation he served as head of the community of San Cristobal He devoted himself to cutting wood for a business a habit that he shared with future legendary military general Antonio Duverge who took note of Mella s proficiency of skill using a sabor and a sword This along with their shared opposition to Haitian rule established a friendship between the two which would then transcend and prove crucial in later years to come His years of wood cutting and commercial work allowed him to engage with multiple social sectors thus allowing him to understand the social dynamics and the intricacies But of course this was not just limited to the exploiters but to the exploitative sector as well Mella s elder son Ramon Maria Mella Juan Antonio Mella grandson of Mella In 1836 a 20 year old Mella married Josefa Brea the daughter of a wealthy family Together they produced 4 children Ramon Maria Dominga America Maria Antonio Nicanor and Ildefonso Antonio Nicanor would go on to father Julio Antonio Mella a Cuban activist who was later assassinated in Mexico City Mexico A will revealed that the marriage lacked contributions from both sides of the union It is alleged that some of his assets in which Mella acquired during the marriage may have been due to the inheritance he received after the passing of his father Confusion about his name Edit In his baptism certificate marriage certificate as well as in his will and official documents such as his appointment as Minister of War and later Vice President of the Dominican Republic during the restoration government it is stated that his name was Ramon Mella Castillo and he cannot be found any historical support except for a few documents that he signed as MR Mella and M Ramon Mella that his name was Matias Ramon Mella In various letters that he shared with his relatives and collaborators of the independence cause they never referred to him as Matias and in fact they did not mention his middle name so it is not known how or why in some history texts their first names have been exchanged Because of this it has led to historical confusion about his name But in most cases he is referred to as Matias Ramon Mella Revolutionary leader EditFirst activities under Duarte Edit Juan Pablo Duarte At some point in 1838 Mella would be introduced to the revolutionary leader Juan Pablo Duarte who at this time was looking to recruit new members for the nationalistic movement La Trinitaria a secret organization that seeks to establish an independent nation by liberating the Dominican people from Haitian rule under the dictatorship of Jean Pierre Boyer Mella happily accepted this recruitment He would also be introduced to other newly recruited members such as Jose Maria Serra de Castro Feliz Maria Ruiz and Francisco del Rosario Sanchez Mella and Sanchez would later make a revolutionary moment in Dominican history Over the next five years the Trinitarios carried out various activities in order to propagate separatist and independence ideas to other Dominicans However when this movement was caught on by the Haitian authorities it became necessary to create two other organizations which were much more flexible than La Trinitaria La Filantropica and La Dramatica through which awareness raising effortd were less compromising Within these five years Mella and Sanchez stood out from the rest of their companions even earning Duarte s full confidence Duarte saw in Mella a man of great discipline and leadership quantities characteristics to which Duarte deemed perfect to substitute for candidate Juan Nepomuceno Ravelo after the failure of his arrival by the commission of Duarte Mella at the request of Duarte was sent to the Haitian village of Les Cayes with the mission of looking for allies to form a reform movement with the purpose to overthrow Boyer s regime in January 1843 There Mella stayed at the house of Jerome Maximilien Borgella a Haitian general and politician who was also a former commander of Santo Domingo Meanwhile Boyer s acceptance had begun to wane because of the excessive rise in taxes the benefits of which did not revert to the population but to France to which Boyer had promised compensation in exchange for recognizing independence In this way groups opposed to the Boyer regime arose in Haiti itself By this time the island had become increasingly frustrated with Boyer s repressive dictatorship combined with his negligent response following a sudden earthquake that had struck Haiti a year earlier and were plotting to overthrow the government a situation to which Duarte believed could be used as an advantage 1 Charles Riviere Herard Subsequently Mella came into contact with the Haitian opposition leader Charles Herard who in turn led the reform movement which came to be known as La Reforma in March 1843 It only took Mella several days to reach agreements with the revolutionaries Thanks to Mella s demonstration of diplomatic skills the Trinitarios placed themselves in a solid position against the Haitian Reformists and were able to organize themselves in favor of the movement Although for Herard he was completely unaware of the Dominicans true purpose was to prepare for the definitive separation of the Haitian government Together they managed to topple Boyer in May 1843 thus finally ending Boyer s reign of tyranny once and for all In June of that same year Duarte who considered necessary it for the next stage of the cause entrusted Mella to return to Santo Domingo with the mission to disseminating the political ideas advocated by the revolutionaries Thus in July 1843 Mella departed from Les Ceyes and moved to the Central Cibao to continue promoting his republican Ideals for independence However Herard who was now the president of Haiti learned of the true motives of Mella and his companions and traveled to the eastern part of the island to arrest the conspirators He would imprison Mella in Port au Prince where he remained for two months However in this very city a rebellion erupted against Herard who was only able to dominate with the help of Mella and the incarcerated veterans whom he freed But with Duarte who by now had been exiled out of the picture and with their revolutionary plans now made aware to the Haitians some of his followers felt that their cover was blown to which Mella immediately responds by shouting There is no time to go back we will have to be free or die Long live the Dominican Republic Seizing the moment Mella and his followers marched up to Santo Domingo captured the eastern part of the island leading the storming of St Giles Fort by Dominican forces and formally declared its independence from Haiti and the proclamation of the Dominican Republic in February 1844 Declaration of Dominican independence EditSources vary on how the events of the blundebuss shot transpired It is said that on the night of February 27 1844 when he was reunited with other conspirators at Puerta de La Misericordia Mercy Gate Matias Ramon Mella fired a shot to end the hesitation that threatened to bring failure He fired his blunderbuss and the Patriots marched toward the stronghold of San Gennaro today Conde Gate where another patrician Francisco del Rosario Sanchez proclaimed to the world the birth of the Dominican Republic A testimony written by Eustache Juchereaux Saint Denys a member of the French consul in Santo Domingo who had heard the famous blunderbuss writes The night of the 27th was the day set for that attempt The authority was on guard the general restlessness it was hoped however that the order would not be disturbed The Vicar General the most influential people in the city made useless efforts to bring more reasonable sentiments to that youth They were unbreakable and as they announced the signal was given at 11 at night by a rifle shot fired into the air Jose Maria Serra de Castro one of the founders of La Trinitaria who was an author of one of the main historical sources of the 1844 revolution wrote that once Duartistas and Febreristas met at La Misercordia they found that the number of attendees was less than expected He explains The situation is compromised said Mella Lets play everything for everything and he fired his blunderbuss into the air However Don Manuel de Jesus Galvan a politician and author narrates those events in these terms The solemn hour arrived a group of patriots anxiously awaited the defaulters in the secluded and lonely end of the citu called La Misericordia at the foot of the Fort of San Gil The exact ones to the appointment were counted with concern the largest number of those committed to the company were missing The conspirators always have to count these cowardly defections at the precise and critical moment of action One of the faithful finally arrives moved and painting I think everything is discovered he says a patrol has chased me and I ve made a long detour to get here These words spread suspicion among the few listeners and someone full of fright talks about retiring home and giving up the glorious project NO answers a robust and manly voice firmly disturbing the nocturnal silence without any caution It is no longer given to back Cowards as brave we all have to go to the end Long live the Dominican Republic He says and a resounding detonation of the rock from him resoundingly accentuatesand the heroic cry No one hesitates anymore everyone makes a sacrifice of their lives and runs towards the classic Puerta del Conde The bold shot made by the intrepaid Ramon Mella announced to the world the birth of the Dominican Republic Independent Republic EditMain article Dominican War of Independence Painting of Mella After the proclamation of the First Republic Mella took part in the Central Government Board with Sanchez serving as president On March 2 Mella sent a letter to Duarte Perez and Pina all of whom were in Curacao informing them of the success of the revolt and of affairs of the Dominican Republic A few days later Mella had left for the Cibao in order to enlist Jose Maria Imbert from Moca as second in command of the newly constituted National Army which would later become the Liberation Army Mella would also assume the position of governor of Santiago and delegate of the Central Government Board acting as chief political and general for the army But at that moment Mella received news from Cap Haitien that the new Haitian president Jean Louis Pierrot who did not accept the independence of the Dominican Republic was approaching Santiago With this sudden update Mella heads out on tour throughout the region to not only warn his comrades but to also enlist more soldiers but not before giving instructions to Imbert who was now the lieutenant to combat the upcoming attack This was a success as Imbert s forces were able to repel off the attack and drive the Haitian army out of the country in the Battle of Santiago Events took a different turn following the victory in the Battle of Azua With the independence of Dominican Republic now installed and Duarte s return to the country Mella voted to elect him as president of the Central Government Board with the purpose of preventing another annexation by any foreign power He would address this in a letter to Sanchez 2 These towns had no more disturbances than the coming of the Delegation This ended with the arrival of Juan Pablo thank God Finally I conclude by telling you that my wish has arrived and I will return it President of the Dominican Republic Despite having successfully expelling the Haitians from the country many sectors of the country felt that the new nation could not survive without being annexed to a colonial power This caused a long standing divide between the independent Trinitarians and the pro annexation sectors within the country This in turn resulted in public disputes which at times turned for the worse For instance Tomas Bobadilla the conservative president of the Central Governing Board and advocate for the Trinitarios attempted to annex the Dominican Republic to France but was deposed in a joint coup led by Sanchez and Mella In response to the coup d etat military general Pedro Santana initiated a coup in return and sent Duarte Mella and Sanchez into exile These stand offs and many more would continue to transpire resulting in more of the Trinitarios being forced out of the country even resulting into the deaths of many of the patriots such as Maria Trinidad Sanchez aunt of Francisco del Rosario Sanchez as well as the death of his trusted comrade and fellow war hero Antonio Duverge along with his son The deaths of his fellow collaborators caused Mella to be overwhelmed with guilt and sadness for the remainder of his life While in exile Mella chose to settle in Puerto Rico opting to remain close to his homeland Eventually in 1848 Mella along with Sanchez was granted an amnesty decreed by president Manuel Jimenes to return to the country Upon his return he resettled in Puerto Plata working in the wood cuts away from political affaris held many important positions For instance he rejoined the army once again and participated in the Battle of Las Carreras a renewed Haitian invasion securing victory once again But unfortunately this victory allowed Santana to renew his political confidence and would go on to overthrow Jimenes for the presidential seat Jimenes was exiled twice before eventually settling in Haiti where he did on December 22 1854 When Buenaventura Baez became president in September 1849 Mella was appointed Secretary of State for Commerce and the Treasury He even briefly served as Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic from 1849 to 1850 When Santana returns for a third term Mella became a Secretary for his government In addition he was named Commander of Arms Governor and was even sent on special mission to the government of Spain to manage the recognition of Independence in 1854 This mission lasted for six months During this mission it has been argued that during negotiations Spanish officials attempted to persuade Mella to instead propose a protectorate to the Dominican government rather than recognize independence Mella still holding onto the morals of the Trinitarios flatly rejected an offer he deemed as a despicable proposition By May 1854 Mella decided to return to Dominican Republic but not before addressing in a farewell letter to the Count of San Luis who was the President of the Council of Ministers the reluctance of the Spanish government to recognize the independence of the Dominican Republic In that letter he writes 3 Denied by Spain the recognition of the independence of the Republic that is to say having denied everything that today would surely make the Haitian invasion impossible or frustrating it only remains for me to go to the point of danger to consecrate to my country and my family the services that I owe them as a citizen as a soldier and as a father The case is serious and urgent There is no time to lose and the days that I spend here outside of mine are long and eternal centuries for my just how painful impatience In July 1856 he was tasked to draft a bill with the purpose of organizing the army once again demonstrating his skills as a combatant and military man During this time however the nation fell into a political and economic turmoil Buenaventura Baez the newly elected president following the resignation of Jimenes failed to come to a mutual political agreement with Santana and was ruling the country under a corrupt bureaucracy He would bankrupt the national treasury for his profit and propose that the country be annexed to United States Santana on the other hand presided over the country with Baez but ruled the nation under military dictatorship He would eventually overthrow and send Baez into exile From 1849 to 1861 Santana would continue to propose that the country be annexed with Spain which Mella strongly rejected Also plunging the nation s economy were the constant Haitian invasions Haiti had already made numerous attempts to reconquer the Dominican Republic but each attempt was crushed by the Dominicans who despite being greatly outnumbered managed to successfully rebel off every invasion so far These attempts would intensify as Haiti s new leader Faustin Soulouque having just declared himself emperor made more drastic and desperate attempts to bring the island under his control From 1849 to 1856 Soulouque made numerous attempts to reconquer the Dominican Republic including one instant where Soulouque at the head of a 30 000 man army marched into the eastern side of the island with the purpose of reinstalling Haitian rule His efforts failed his army retreated after suffering heavy losses and Soulouque came close to falling into the hands of the Dominican army His support eroded over the years mostly from Haitian women fearful of losing their sons brothers and husbands in these failed invasions He would later be overthrown in a coup d etat led by his former general Fabre Geffrard in 1859 and sent into exile in Jamaica He returned to Haiti at some point just in time to see Geffrard himself be overthrown in 1867 and died that same year at age 84 Final years EditReturn to Spanish rule Edit Main articles Spanish occupation of the Dominican Republic and Dominican Restoration War General Pedro Santana Despite the country s independence being secured the nation was still in a crisis Following the conclusion of the war Santana had inherited a bankrupted government that was on the brink of collapse His misrule of his power as well as the aftermath of Baez s corrupt government drastically exhausted the nation treasury Faced with the economic turmoil and fearful of another invasion from Haiti Santana turned to a foreign power for protection He eventually struck a deal with Queen Isabella II in 1861 In exchange for honorary privileges military and economic intervention Santana agreed to return the Dominican Republic back to colonial status Spain who by now was losing control of most of its former colonies used this opportunity to reinsert its control in Latin America The U S busy with its Civil War was left unable to enforce the Monroe Doctrine This decision caused a national uproar among the population Mella of course did not accept this and along with his fellow patriots pledged their full opposition to the annexation But because of this he would be imprisoned by Santana who confined him to the fearsome Tower of Homage present day Ozama Fortress for 72 days He would later be deported to Saint Thomas Mella despite the fact by now he was battling dysentery didn t hesitate and joined in on the cause He traveled through numerous sectors of the south with the task of rounding up restoration troops for general Pedro Florentino For his contributions he was appointed Minister of War in which his first act in this position was to create a war manual for the soldiers which he produced in January 1864 Around the same time Mella would address in a manifesto 2 Dominicans The Republic has called us to arms And I doing my duty have come to take my place among you I am a soldier of the February 27 column you know me and I come to call the few of my people whom the lies and brute force of their oppressors still keep separated from their former ranks Sandoval Lluberes Sosa Maldonado Juan Suero Valera Marcos Evangelista Juan Rosa Gaton do not forget that the Republic that gave you glory and fame is tge place of honor where your companions await you the Dominican Republic has never ceased to exist neither betrayal nor galliwd coul annihilate her The heroes of the Capitillo field are also the soldiers of March 30 1844 their principles are the same today There he was the first martyr of Independence There is his shadow calling to arms And the Puellos Duverge and his son Concha Matias de Vargas Pedro Ignancio Espaillat Perdomo Vidal Batista and their companions sacrificed for Santana they rise beyond the sepulcher asking for Revenge Revenge Dominicans Hear that patriotic lament of so many martyrs of freedom And you Eusebio Puello listen to the one who speaks to your conscience to tell you Leave the ranks of the murderer of your brothers do not desecrate the blood that innocents shed to leave yoy a free homeland anymire Seibanos Duverge and his son Albert and Dalmau ask you for revenge And you my friends from Santo Domingo do not forget that Santana was the murderer of Trinidad Sanchez REVENGE asks the homeland DOMINICANS I do not come as a disturber of order armed with thevdaggwr if the treacherous murderer nor with the torch of the wild arsonist the mission that I have and the one that I have imposed on myself is that of a civilized and Christian soldier It is not my purpose to excite you to a useless rebellion but it is my duty as a free citizen to make us understand that insurrection is not a crime when it has become the only means to shake off oppression but the indifferentism that sustains and feeds it is no small crime DOMINICANS The days have already arrived in which Spain the only nation that persists in keeping slaves nust lose its colonies in the Antilles America must belong to itself that is how God arranged it when between it and old Europe he placed the immensity of the Ocean If the punishment of the fields of Carabobo Boyaca and Junin nor the Genius of Bolivar has not been enough to convince Spain of this truth here is the saber of our soldiers and the climate of Santo Domingo Dominicans Respect for rights and property Homeland honor and humanity Such is the currency with which I want to see you reach the temple of fame Santiago January 16 1864 R Mella At the time of the Capotillo Outcry Grito de Capotillo 16 August 1863 already very ill Mella served as Vice President of the Dominican Republic in the government of the Restoration He would continue to hold this place in office for the remainder of his life Before he passed Mella asked his followers that on the day of his death his remains be wrapped around the Dominican flag Living his final years in Santiago Mella would continue to serve his duties and purposes Final visit from Duarte Edit Duarte at Mella s deathbed On March 27 Mella was visited by Duarte who had just arrived in the country during this time at his home Duarte had used this opportunity to greet his ailing comrade one last time 4 The hero Manuel Rodriguez Objio described the visit of Juan Pablo Duarte to Mella with the following words He visited the illustrious Mella on March 7 a soldier of two great eras who was prostrated on his deathbed in small house one of the improvised ones after the fire and near Fort San Luis Duarte hugged him there after 20 years of separation not without ceasing to express his indignation at the extreme poverty in which that man who became a great military leader and with the category of patriot and national hero found himself Mella told Duarte that given the impossibility of living to see his homeland free of foreign hosts he wanted to be buried in the grave wrapped in the national flag as a shroud This request moved Duarte who could not help but shed some tears while giving him the last hug On June 4 1864 just a year before the end of the war Mella the beloved founding father and honorable revolutionary died in his small home near San Luis Fortress at the young age of 48 He was accompanied by his wife Josefa family members and some neighbors In accordance to his final wishes his body was wrapped around the Dominican flag and buried as he desired Legacy Edit Statue of Mella Mella a man of great military talent served his purpose of being one of the greatest figures in the history of the Dominican Republic Of the founding fathers of the Republic Mella represented the militant and determined expression and the most adapted to the political activities of a pre capitalist society A man of respect and dignity his loyalty to his comrades as well as the nation remained a driving force in Mella From the joining the Trinitarios the battles fought with Haiti internal disputes and the restoration war against Spain Mella stayed true to his word Even despite of the dark period between the Dominican War of Independence and the Spanish occupation of the Dominican Republic his vision and desire of an independent Dominican state always remained with him to the end Before his death during the occupation of Spain Mella was quoted as saying There is still a homeland long live the Dominican Republic In addition Mella was awarded many honors for his revolutionary status He is entombed in a beautiful mausoleum Altar de la Patria at the Count s Gate Puerta del Conde alongside Duarte and Sanchez In the province of Independencia the city of Mella is named in his honor Many streets in the Dominican Republic are named after him In the city of Santo Domingo a statue has been made in his honor Mella is solely depicted on the 10 Dominican peso note and coin he is also depicted on the 100 Dominican peso note alongside Duarte and Sanchez A Dominican anthem is dedicated to his legacyAncestry EditAncestors of Matias Ramon Mella 5 8 Bernardo Mella4 Manuel Mella Sanchez 1829 Santo Domingo Colony of Santo Domingo9 Juana Sanchez Maldonado 1801 2 Antonio Mella Alvarez 1794 1837 Santo Domingo Colony of Santo Domingo10 Manuel Alvarez 1794 San Carlos de Tenerife Colony of Santo Domingo5 Juana Alvarez Pereyra 1819 San Carlos de Tenerife Colony of Santo Domingo11 Isabel Pereyra 1786 San Carlos de Tenerife Colony of Santo Domingo1 Matias Ramon Mella Castillo 1816 1864 Santo Domingo Colony of Santo Domingo6 Jose Castillo 1811 3 Francisca Javier Castillo Alvarez 1790 1864 Santo Domingo Colony of Santo Domingo7 Ursula Alvarez 1830 See also EditHistory of the Dominican Republic Espana Boba Dominican War of Independence Dominican Restoration War Military of the Dominican Republic Dominican Army Juan Pablo Duarte Francisco del Rosario Sanchez Antonio Duverge Jose Maria ImbertSources EditHistorical website of the Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in New York Historia Dominicana en GraficasReferences Edit Biografia de Ramon Matias Mella www biografiasyvidas com Retrieved 2022 11 04 a b Libre Diario Testamento 1859 Diario Libre in Spanish Retrieved 2022 12 19 Libre Diario Testamento 1859 Diario Libre in Spanish Retrieved 2022 12 19 Mella el procer del trabucazo en la proclamacion de Republica Dominicana Vanguardia del Pueblo in Spanish Retrieved 2022 11 05 Mella genealogico Julio Antonio Mella fundohwihifekdjiwwdnifw el PCC y fue su primer secretario general 5 March 2016 Retrieved 10 May 2018 External links Edit Media related to Matias Ramon Mella at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Matias Ramon Mella amp oldid 1139828187, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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