Francisco Marcó del Pont facts for kids

Quick facts for kids His Excellency Francisco Marcó del Pont KOS
Royal Governor of Chile
In office December 26, 1815 – February 12, 1817
Monarch	Ferdinand VII
Preceded by	Mariano Osorio
Succeeded by	José Ordóñez
Personal details
Born	(1770-06-25)25 June 1770 Vigo, Galicia, Spain
Died	19 May 1819(1819-05-19) (aged 48) Luján, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
Profession	Field marshal

Francisco Marcó del Pont (born June 25, 1770 – died May 19, 1819) was an important Spanish soldier. He became the very last Spanish Governor of Chile. He played a big role in the Chilean independence movement. He was the final Spaniard to rule Chile from 1815 to 1817. He was captured by the forces fighting for independence after the Battle of Chacabuco.

Early Life and Military Career

Francisco Marcó del Pont was born in Vigo, a city in Galicia, Spain. His parents were Buenaventura Marcó del Pont y Porí and Juana Ángel Díaz y Méndez. He started his military career by joining the Infantry Regiment of Zaragoza.

Fighting in the Peninsular War

He fought bravely during the Peninsular War. This war was against Napoleon and his French army. Marcó del Pont became a General during this time. In 1809, he was captured when the city of Valencia was taken.

He was put on trial by a French military court. They sentenced him to death. However, he could save his life if he promised loyalty to the French. He refused to do this. Because of his bravery, Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, changed his sentence to life in prison.

Freedom and New Role

In 1814, Marcó del Pont was set free. This happened because the French forces were leaving Spain. He was still quite young, under 45 years old. He was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He was also made military chief and governor of Tortosa.

In September 1815, he received another promotion. He became Captain General and Royal Governor of Chile. He arrived in Chile to start his new job on December 26 of that same year.

Governor of Chile

In 1815, Francisco Marcó del Pont became the Governor of Chile. At that time, Chile was a Spanish colony. He arrived in Valparaíso at the end of the year. Once he took charge, he began to rule the country during a period known as the "Reconquista." This was when Spain tried to regain full control after a period of Chilean self-rule.

Dealing with Independence Movements

He sent spies to Cuyo to gather information. This region is in Argentina. He wanted to learn about the Army of the Andes. This army was being put together by leaders who wanted independence, like Bernardo O'Higgins. They were in the Argentine province of Mendoza.

This army, led by José de San Martín, would later cross the Andes mountains. Their goal was to free Chile from Spanish rule. Inside Chile, Marcó del Pont tried to make Spanish control stronger. He treated people who supported the independence movement very harshly.

Many important people were sent away to the Juan Fernández Islands. These islands are barren and far away. Other people suffered because of a group of soldiers led by Captain Vicente San Bruno.

End of His Rule

Marcó del Pont's time as governor ended on February 12, 1817. This was when the Spanish forces were defeated in the Battle of Chacabuco. The patriot forces, fighting for independence, were then able to enter the capital city.

Governor Marcó del Pont tried to escape to Valparaíso. He wanted to catch a ship leaving for Peru. But he was stopped by a group of patriot soldiers. This happened at a farm called "Las Tablas" near El Quisco.

After he was captured, he was interviewed by San Martín. San Martín sent him to Mendoza and later to San Luis. He spent his last days at a farm near Renca, in Luján. This city is close to Buenos Aires. He died in prison in 1819.

Additional Information

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