Melchor de Talamantes

Melchor de Talamantes
Melchor de Talamantes

Melchor de Talamantes (in full, Melchor de Talamantes Salvador y Baeza) (January 10, 1765, Lima, Peru—May 9, 1809, Veracruz), was a Roman Catholic priest, a political liberal, and a leader in Mexico's movement for independence from Spain.

At the age of 14, he entered the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy, a religious order. He obtained his doctorate in theology from the University of San Marcos. Afterwards he was a high official in the diocese of Lima, and for two years an assistant to Peruvian Viceroy Francisco Gil de Taboada y Lemus. During this time he came to know Doctor Hipólito Unanue, a fighter for the independence of America.

In 1796 he asked for his release from the order, to become a secular priest. This was because his reading of forbidden books and his libertarian tendencies had led to difficulties with his superiors. He also asked to be transferred to Spain, by way of Mexico. The second request that was granted on September 20, 1798. He left from Guayaquil for New Spain, arriving at Acapulco on November 26, 1799.

Talamantes took up residence at the convent of his order in Mexico City, where he dedicated himself to reading and meditation. On October 15, 1802 he delivered the lecture Panegírico de la gloriosa Virgen y doctora Santa Teresa de Jesús, which was printed, with permission, in the same year. On November 18 in the church of the archbishop he delivered the Oración fúnebre en las exequias de los soldados españoles muertos en la guerra.

In 1806 Viceroy José de Iturrigaray commissioned him to report on the boundaries between Texas (New Spain) and Louisiana.

Talamantes began attending parties and meetings. He made friends of radical Criollos, played cards, contracted debts, and neglected his religious offices. He was named censor of the Diario de México, and came to have great influence in official circles, particularly in the Ayuntamiento (city government of Mexico City). He was now the intellectual leader of the Criollo party.

In 1808, after the French invasion of Spain, the Criollos and some of the Spanish living in New Spain wanted to proclaim the independence of the colony and establish a governing junta, similar to the anti-French juntas in the mother country. On September 1, 1808, Talamantes delivered two tracts to the Ayuntamiento, in favor of separation from Spain and of the convoking of a Mexican congress. His premises were that all ties to Spain had now been broken; that regional laws had to be made, independently of the mother country; that the Audiencia could not speak on behalf of the king; and that the king having disappeared, sovereignty was now vested in the people.

His proposed congress was to represent all the provinces of New Spain. It was to be invested with the legislative authority of the new government. The courts already established were to exercise the judicial power, and Viceroy Iturrigaray was to be captain general (commander of the military) and, provisionally, chief executive. This was the government of a republic; there was no provision for a king.

Viceroy Iturrigaray was perceived to have some sympathy for this path. On the night of September 15, 1808 a group of rich Spaniards who had no such sympathy arrested the viceroy, Talamantes, and members of the Ayuntamiento. An investigation of the papers of Talamantes revealed him to be a leader in the movement. Many radical political tracts written by him were found in his house. Also many books were found, including some banned ones (for instance the works of Montesquieu and Adam Smith).

The detention of the viceroy and the others was followed by charges and cruelties. Talamantes was brought before a biased court. He was denied a lawyer. His enemies, among whom were members of his religious order, accused him of "disloyalty to the king and adhesion to the doctrines of independence". His trial lasted more than six months. He was convicted and sentenced to death, then ordered transferred to Spain for the execution of the sentence.

Fray Talamantes died of yellow fever in San Juan de Ulúa, Veracruz as he was being transferred in chains and under guard to Spain. He was provided no medical assistance, and indeed his chains were not removed until the moment of his burial, in a common grave.

He is honored today in Mexico as one of the protomartyrs of independence.

References

  • (Spanish) "Talamantes Salvador y Baeza, Melchor", Enciclopedia de México, vol. 13. Mexico City: 1987.
  • (Spanish) Romero de Valle, Emilia, Fray Melchor Talamantes, precursor y protomértir, in Historia mexicana, 1961.

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Melchor de Talamantes — o Melchor de Talamantes Salvador y Baeza (Lima, Perú, 10 de enero de 1765 San Juan de Ulúa, Veracruz, 9 de mayo de 1809), fue un fraile mercedario peruano de pensamiento liberal. Participó en la Junta de Gobierno de México durante 1808, propusó… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Melchor Robledo — (h. 1510 – 1586) fue un músico y compositor español. Considerado el iniciador de la escuela aragonesa de música polifónica del siglo XVI. Nacido hacia 1510 en algún pueblo de la provincia de Segovia, llega en 1531 a la basílica de El Pilar de… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Independencia de México — Guerra de independencia de México Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, también conocido como Padre de la Patria en México. Fecha …   Wikipedia Español

  • Gabriel de Yermo — Gabriel J. de Yermo Nombre Gabriel Jo …   Wikipedia Español

  • Check Wikipedia — Wikiproyecto:Check Wikipedia Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Esta página contiene de forma consciente fallos ortográficos. Los bots no deben intentar corregirlos. Atajo PR:CWPR:CW …   Wikipedia Español

  • Juan Francisco Azcárate y Lezama — Para el ingeniero aeronáutico mexicano, véase Juan Francisco Azcárate. Juan Francisco Azcárate y Lezama (Ciudad de México, 11 de junio de 1767 Ibídem 31 de enero de 1831) fue un abogado novohispano, regidor del ayuntamiento de la Ciudad de México …   Wikipedia Español

  • José de Iturrigaray — Mandats Vice roi de Nouvelle Espagne 4 janvier 1803 – …   Wikipédia en Français

  • José de Iturrigaray — (in full, José Joaquín Vicente de Iturrigaray y Aróstegui ) (1742, Cádiz, Spain mdash;1815, Madrid) was a Spanish military officer and viceroy of New Spain, from January 4, 1803 to September 16, 1808, during a period of turbulence.Origins and… …   Wikipedia

  • Francisco Primo de Verdad y Ramos — (June 9, 1760, Ciénega del Rincón (Aguascalientes mdash;October 4, 1808, Mexico City) was a New Spain lawyer and politician and a proponent of independence from Spain. He was imprisoned by the Spanish authorities for his advocacy, and died in… …   Wikipedia

  • Jose de Iturrigaray — José de Iturrigaray José de Iturrigaray, Vice roi de Nouvelle Espagne (1803 08) José de Iturrigaray (José Joaquín de Iturrigaray y Aróstegui) (1742 à Cadix en Espagne 1815 à Madrid) était un officier de l armée espagnole et Vice roi de Nouvelle… …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”