Francisco Aguilar y Leal facts for kids

Francisco Aguilar y Leal (born 1776, died 1840) was a Spanish soldier and a successful merchant. He became an important leader in the fight for Uruguay's independence.

Early Life and Moving to Uruguay

Francisco Aguilar y Leal was born in 1776 in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which is in the Canary Islands of Spain. He later moved to Arrecife on the island of Lanzarote.

In the early 1800s, he organized a trip for 200 people from Lanzarote to Montevideo, Uruguay. This marked the start of many people from the eastern Canary Islands moving to Uruguay. This migration continued until around 1900, with over 10,000 people making the journey.

Aguilar y Leal worked as a merchant in the Canary Islands. He then moved to Maldonado, Uruguay, bringing a lot of money with him.

Building a Business in Uruguay

In Uruguay, Francisco Aguilar y Leal continued his work as a trader. He built a large fortune through farming, business, and industry. His ships carried goods for import and export. He traded with places like London, Brazil, and the United States.

He also won a special agreement to hunt seals and whales. Seal leather and whale oils were in high demand in other countries. He held this important job for twelve years.

Fighting for Independence

Francisco Aguilar y Leal was one of the strongest supporters of Uruguay's freedom. He helped the country gain its independence from other powers.

He supported the Revolution of 1811. In 1812, he stood up against the rule of Portugal and Brazil. He also helped pay for the "Treinta y Tres" (Thirty-Three) expedition, a group of patriots who fought for freedom. He even led an army that took part in this struggle.

Later, from 1835 to 1840, he served as the Minister of Finance for the new Republic of Uruguay. During this time, he worked hard to improve Maldonado. He helped develop its port, farming, and industries. Francisco Aguilar y Leal passed away in Montevideo in 1840.

His Contributions to Industry and Farming

Francisco Aguilar y Leal was very active in business in Uruguay. He created a factory that made tiles and ceramics. He also brought new types of crops to Maldonado.

He owned factories that produced salt and bricks for building. On his large properties, he grew grains, vegetables, and grapevines. He also had farms with cows, horses, and merino sheep.