Francisco Cabello y Mesa facts for kids

Francisco Antonio de Cabello y Mesa (1764–1814) was a Spanish soldier and a talented writer. He is famous for helping to start the very first newspapers in what are now the countries of Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay. He also founded a newspaper called El telégrafo Mercantil in Buenos Aires in 1801. Sometimes, he wrote under a different name, Jaime Bausate y Meza.

Early Life and Adventures

Francisco Cabello y Mesa was born in a region of Spain called Extremadura. He joined the army even though he hadn't finished his law studies at the University of Salamanca.

Journey to Peru

In 1790, Cabello y Mesa was sent to the Viceroyalty of Peru. A "Viceroyalty" was a large area ruled by a "Viceroy," who was like a governor representing the King of Spain. His job there was to defend the border of the Jauja province, which was located in the Amazon jungle. He held the rank of colonel.

Starting Newspapers in Lima

After his duty in the jungle, he returned to Lima, the capital of Peru. There, he helped edit the first newspaper ever published in South America. It was called The Curious Journal, Scholar and Trade.

He also helped create a group called the Patriotic Society of Friends of the Country. This kind of group was common during the "Age of Enlightenment." The Enlightenment was a time when people focused on new ideas about science, reason, and human rights. Cabello y Mesa was also a lawyer for the Audiencia of Lima, which was a high court.

Life in Buenos Aires

In 1798, Cabello y Mesa planned to go back to Spain. However, his journey ended in Buenos Aires, which was the capital of the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata. He stopped there because of health reasons and difficulty finding a ship.

Meeting Important People

In Buenos Aires, he met other people who were interested in Enlightenment ideas. One important person he met was Manuel Belgrano, who was a secretary for the local government. Belgrano later became a very important leader in Argentina's fight for independence.

Founding a Newspaper in Argentina

Cabello y Mesa tried to start another Society of Friends of the Country in Buenos Aires, but it didn't last long. However, this society was important because it helped publish the first newspaper in what is now Argentina. This newspaper was called El Telegraph Commercial, Rural, Political, Economic and historiography. Most people just called it El Telegraph Commercial.

The first issue of this newspaper came out in April 1801. Cabello y Mesa worked on it with Manuel Belgrano and José de Lavardén. The newspaper stopped publishing in October 1802, after about a year and a half. It closed because not many people were buying it.

Troubles and Arrests

Cabello y Mesa was part of a secret group called the "Lodge Independence" in Buenos Aires. This group started in 1805 and was led by Juan José Castelli. They wanted to get help from the British to make the Spanish territories independent from Spain.

British Invasions

During the British invasions of Buenos Aires, many local people secretly helped the British. Cabello y Mesa openly took a job in the government set up by the British governor, William Carr Beresford.

When the local people and Spanish forces fought back and won, this was called the "Reconquista." After the Reconquista, Cabello y Mesa was arrested for helping the British. He was taken as a prisoner to Montevideo.

More Arrests and Escape

In 1807, Cabello y Mesa was arrested again in Montevideo during the second British invasion. He was set free when the British took control of the city. The British general, John Whitelocke, put him in charge of a newspaper called the Southern Star. This newspaper was for British propaganda, meaning it tried to make the British look good to the local people. It was printed in two languages.

After a big battle in Buenos Aires, the British were forced to leave both Buenos Aires and Montevideo. When they left, they refused to take Cabello y Mesa with them.

He was then arrested by order of the Viceroy Liniers. A "Viceroy" was the highest Spanish official in the colonies. Cabello y Mesa was sent as a prisoner to Spain. He expected to face very serious consequences there.

Final Years

Luckily for him, the French army invaded Spain, which saved his life for a few years. He was released and joined a political group called the Liberal Party in Seville. He found safety in Cadiz, protected by the English navy.

However, when King Ferdinand VII returned to power in Spain, Cabello y Mesa could no longer escape. He passed away in Seville in 1814.

See also

In Spanish: Francisco Cabello y Mesa para niños