Diario las Américas Newspaper, March 21, 1954, Page 24

_——e Re neg hc) nepeds lem bs Bernardo O/higgins NATIONAL HERO OF CHILE IT WAS a warm April day in 1799. A small boat moved slowly way from the pier at Falmouth, ngland. Against the rail a dark- haired young man leaned, reading a letter. Day after day during the Voyage passengers saw him take it from his pocket and read. it slow- ly as if he were memorizing it. On the last day of the journey, as the ship was nosing into the port of Cadiz, Spain, he drew the letter Once more from his pocket, re-read it, then tore it into fine bits and Scattered them to the wind. He Bernardo was four years old when one day a messenger sent by his father arrived to take him away. This man took the boy on his horse and galloped off. Three days later they arrived in Talca, north of Chillan, where Bernardo was to live in the home of Juan Albano, a friend of his father. The Albano children and Bernardo played to- gether happily as brothers and sisters. When Bernardo was ten years old, Juan Albano received a message from Ambrosio O'Higgins, who had just been appointed Gov- Bernardo O'Higgins, a great American who worked and fought for freedom. well knew that should Spanish officials find the letter, it would ean imprisonment, perhaps even Heath. The young man was Bernardo O'Higgins, honored today as the nation hero of Chile. The letter he had read so often was written by Francisco Miranda, a leader of the indepedence movement in South America, and in it were instruc- tions which young O'Higgins was to follow to help overthrow Spain’s rule in America. The words made * @ deep impression on him, and so well did he carry out these com- mands that, like George Washing- ton, he is known as the father of his country. “Bernardo O’Higgins was born on August 20, 1778 in Chillan, Chile, the home of his mother, Isabel Riquelme. His father, Ambrosio O'Higgins, a cavalry commander at a frontier post, was born in Ire- ernor of Chile. He would pass through Talca on his, way to San- tiago to assume office, he said, and would stop to pay them a visit. There was excitement in the household as everyone bustled about making ready to entertain this important official. Little Ber- nardo may not have known that the guest was his father. However, the Governor had a good oppor- tunity to become acquainted with his son. Perhaps he found out that - the boy knew little more than to recite his prayers and stumble his reading. For soon after his visit, Juan Albano. received word that Bernardo was to leave Talca and attend a school in Chillan that Ambrosio O’Higgins had founded for the education of the sons of Araucanian Indian chiefs. Bernardo got along well in school, and both his teachers and the pupils were fond of him. Al- 3 O'Higgins addresses the first Chilean congress io had gone to Spain to live with n uncle, and there he heard won- erful tales of the riches of the ew World. He set out for Amer- ea as a traveling merchant to ake his fortune, and in time rose a goverment position. But Spain ad many strict regulations con- olling the men who held posi- ions in its American colonies. One f these rules forbade them to arry women in the district that ey governed. Don Ambrosio uld not say that Bernardo was lis child, for fear of losing his Hosition. Ho As a young boy Don Ambro- oS t Pag. 12 though the father never visited his son, he paid his expenses and kept himself informed of the boy’s pro- gress. When he had been in the school two years, his father sent him to the San Carlos school in Lima, Peru. He remained there for four years, and made friends with some of Peru’s prominent families and important officials. Sons of well-to-do colonists usu- ally went to Europe to finish their education, and Bernardo’s father wanted him to have the same op- portunity. So at the age of sixteen he sailed from Callao, Peru, for London by way of Cadiz. With him he carried a letter of introduction to Nicolas de la Cruz, a Cadiz mer- chant who had spent many years in Chile, where he had become very wealthy. De la Cruz was a relative of Juan Albano and during his stay in Chile Bernardo’s father had shown him many favors. It was natural, then, to think that he would care for the young boy alone in a strange country. But de la Cruz was busy enjoy- ing his fortune, and he showed lit- tle interest in Bernardo’s welfare, except to arrange for his trip to London and his meeting with a firny of watchmakers named Spen- cer and Perkins who were to be his guardians. They, too, had little interest in his comfort and happi- ness, yet they were very much in- terested in the 1500 pesos which his father sent each year for his support. They saw to it that as little as possible was spent on. Ber- nardo, although they were careful that the accounts they sent to Am- brosio O’Higgins did not show this. Meanwhile Bernardo’s* father had been made Viceroy of Peru, the highest postion in the Spanish colonial government in South America. From his studies Bernar- do gained a fair knowledge of science, an excellent command of both English and French, skill in drawing, a good background in music, and a love for reading. The fact that mathematics was dif- ficult for him had a great deal to do with the rest of his life. For when he fell behind his class and had to be tutored, it so happened that Francisco Miranda of Vene- zuela was in London in need of money. Miranda became O’Higgins’ teacher. From the time he was a young man Miranda had made plans to help his country gain its independ- ence. He had visited the United States and Europe, talked with leaders of independence, and sought the assistance of the gov- ernments in shaking off Spanish rule in America. Wherever he was he talked of independence, and as he and his pupil became better ac- quainted the lessons were less of mathematics and more of freedom. He was impressed with Bernardo’s character—his frankness, his hon- esty, and above all his patriotism— and finally when he had complete confidence in him, he told him of his daring plans to lead the revolu- tion in South America. He appoint- ed Bernardo his agent to work for independence in Chile, and when the young man sailed he carried with him his tutor’s letter of in- structions. It was a great secret to entrust to a young man, but. one he guarded well. In Cadiz, de la Cruz received him even more coolly than he had five years before. Bernardo was home- sick and eager to set sail as soon as possible. But it was a long time before he would see Chile. Eng- land and Spain were at war, and it was impossible to get passage for America. For six miserable months Bernardo worked as a clerk for de la Cruz, who neither paid him nor showed any appreciation to his help. During that time Ber- nardo met and made friends with other young Latin Americans study- ing in Cadiz. They talked and plan- ned for independence. Among the young men whom Bernardo came to know was José de San Martin. Together they were to play an im- portant part in winning independ- ence in South America. Finally, after half a year of waiting, Bernardo got passage on the -frigate Confianza, bound for home, at last. The vessel was but a few days on its way, however, when a British man-of-war stopped it and took all on board prisoner. Bernardo was the only passenger who knew English and he was forc- ed to interpret for the enemy. Be- fore putting him ashore in Gibral- tar, they repaid his services by tak- ing all his baggage and the litile money he had, leaving him with HEMISFERIO only the clothes he wore, and no food. Half starved and faint from fatigue and exposure, he returned to home of de la Cruz, who treated him even worse than before. To add to his loneliness he had no answer to the many letters he wrote to his father and mother. When an epidemic of cholera swept through Cadiz, Bernardo fell desperately ill. For days it seemed he could not possibly live, and the priest had given him the last sec- raments in preparation for death. Slowly, however, he began to im- prove. Yet bad luck still followed him. One day de la Cruz called him into his office and showed him a let- ter which he had received from his father. Ambrosio O’Higgins had been dismissed from the office of Viceroy through the intrigue of his enemies. Yet there was still worse news, for he added that be- cause of his dissatisfaction with Bernardo’s conduct he would no longer recognize him as his son. De la Cruz also told the young man to leave his house. Bernardo had suffered poverty, neglect, ship- by Delia Goetz of medium height, with broad shoulders and high chest. His deep blue eyes and dark hain were like his mother’s. He had a frank, open countenance which inspired confi- dence, and his experience and suf- fering had given him wisdom and understanding. After he had arranged his busi- ness affairs, he went on to Chillan, eager to see his mother and _ his half-sister Rosa, who received him with great affection. Later the three went to live at Canteras, the farm that he had inherited from his father. O’Higgins found life in the country very pleasant, and set to work at once to improve his es- tate. Many of the improvements that he made in farming were adopted by others in the region. His own hardships had given him sympathy for people, and unlike others he treated the Indians on his farm well. Instead of herding them together like so many cattle, he provided separate shelters for families and gave them little plots of ground to cultivate, as well as pigs and chickens to raise for food, His servants in the home he treat- In Santiago, a beautiful parkway, Avenida Bernardo O’Higgins, honors the fighter for freedom. wreck, and illness, but his father’s displeasure was the hardest blow of all to bear. From the miserable room in which he found shelter he wrote a long letter begging his fa- ther to tell him what he had done to be so treated. But Ambrosio O'Higgins never read the letter, for before it reached Peru he had died. Years later Bernardo learned that enemies of his father had spied on him and learned of his efforts in the cause of*independence, then spread the news-in Peru to make trouble for the Viceroy. Things changed suddenly for the lonely, penniles young man in Ca- diz when news came of his father’s death. For although he had disown- ed Bernardo earlier, he had left him a considerable estate. The same month that Ambroisio O’Hig- gins died, Britain and Spain made peace, and a few weeks later, in 1802, young O'Higgins sailed on the first boat that left Cadiz for Chile. The young man who returned to America contrasted sharply with the lad who had left eight years before. Now he was _ twenty-i -four, ed as if they were members of the family. The small daughter of one of his mother’s maids was a favor- ite of his, and she ate her meals seated between O’Higgins and his mother. Although O’Higgins liked farm- ing and made a success at Can- teras, he had not forgotten his long discussions with Miranda and the instructions Miranda had given him. He took an interest in ‘the affairs of his community and held several different offices. By talking” with people as well as by inform- ing himself through letters from friends in other countries, he had a good idea of affairs in Chile and the world. He liked to entertain, and his home was a favorite meet- ing place for people who came to discuss the affairs to Chile. From among his acquaintances O’Higgins carefully selected a few whom he felt he could trust and to them he whispered something of his long talks with Miranda. By this time the English colon- ists in North America had won their independence, purchased Upiilens, and elected their oe fourth DOMINGO, 1 DE MARZO DE 1954. ta7