Was Juan Larrea just a name etched on a monument? Juan Larrea was more than that. He was a merchant. He was a soldier. He was a politician. He helped shape Argentina.
Let me tell you about Juan Larrea. He was born in Spain in 1782. Young Juan studied mathematics and navigation. He focused on a career in commerce. His father died in 1793. Juan became the family’s patriarch.
The family then moved to Buenos Aires. Here, Juan established a warehouse. He traded wines, leather, and sugar. He traded with Peru. He also traded with Upper Peru, Paraguay, Chile, and colonial Brazil. By 1806, he was a respected businessman. He became a syndic of the Royal Consulate.
But Buenos Aires faced a threat. The British invaded the Río de la Plata. Viceroy Santiago de Liniers called everyone to arms. Juan Larrea formed the Legion of Catalan Volunteers. He became their captain. The defense was successful. The British surrendered.
Larrea’s business thrived. In 1808, the Buenos Aires Cabildo gave him a task. He would oversee naval patrols. He would suppress contraband shipments. He joined secret meetings of patriots. They promoted political change. He joined the 1809 Mutiny of Álzaga. This attempted to depose the viceroy. It failed, but the patriots persisted.
In 1810, the May Revolution succeeded. The new viceroy was deposed. Larrea did not speak at the open cabildo. Yet, he was appointed to the Primera Junta. He was one of only two Spanish-born members.
Larrea supported Mariano Moreno. Moreno was a secretary within the Junta. When the Morenists were removed, Larrea was sent away. He was moved to San Juan.
However, Larrea returned to politics. In 1812, the Revolution of October returned the Morenists to power. Larrea became a deputy for Córdoba. He joined the Assembly of Year XIII.
In the assembly, he crafted a customs law. This taxed most imports. But it exempted machines, scientific tools, books, and weapons. He helped organize a local mint. He ensured supplies for the Army of the North. He outlawed torture. He repealed noble titles. He also selected the Argentine National Anthem.
Larrea then served in the Second Triumvirate. He replaced José Julián Pérez as finance minister. The Assembly replaced the Triumvirate. They created the Supreme Director. Gervasio Antonio de Posadas became the first. Posadas worried about Montevideo. It was a royalist stronghold. It threatened Buenos Aires. Carlos María de Alvear blockaded Montevideo by sea. Larrea’s expertise proved vital. Alvear created the military strategy. Larrea managed the finances. He planned with the American William White. He appointed William Brown to lead the attack. In June 1814, Montevideo fell.
Larrea clashed with Brown. Brown blamed him for shortages. Due to the war, Larrea sold captured ships. He decommissioned the navy. Sailors complained about unpaid wages. Larrea resigned.
Accusations followed. He was charged with abuse of power. He was accused of stealing from the treasury. His property was seized. He was exiled.
Larrea moved to Bordeaux, France. He did business with old friends. He corresponded with Bernardino Rivadavia. In 1822, he returned to Buenos Aires.
He avoided politics. He focused on business. He started a mailing service to France. It failed. He worked in animal husbandry. He became consul of the United Provinces. He strengthened trade with France.
In 1830, he resigned as consul. He returned to business. His business faltered. He lived in Montevideo, Colonia del Sacramento, and Bordeaux. He eventually returned to Buenos Aires. On June 20, 1847, he took his own life. He was the last survivor of the Primera Junta.
So, as you stand here, remember Juan Larrea. He was a man of commerce. He was a man of war. He was a founding father. His story is forever etched in Argentina’s history.