José Bernardo de Tagle y Portocarrero, Marquis of Torre Tagle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids 4th Marquis of Torre Tagle
Portrait by José Gil de Castro
2nd President of Peru
In office 17 July 1823 – 17 February 1824
Vice President	Diego de Aliaga
Preceded by	Antonio José de Sucre Francisco Valdivieso y Prada
Succeeded by	Simón Bolívar
Personal details
Born	21 March 1779 Lima, Peru
Died	26 September 1825(1825-09-26) (aged 46) El Callao, Peru
Profession	Soldier

José Bernardo de Tagle y Portocarrero (born March 21, 1779 – died September 26, 1825) was an important Peruvian soldier and politician. He was also known as the 4th Marquis of Torre Tagle. He served as the Interim President of Peru in 1823. Later, he became the second official President of Peru from 1823 to 1824.

Early Life and Military Career

José Bernardo de Tagle was born on March 21, 1779, in Lima, Peru. His family was very important and belonged to the Spanish nobility. His father, José Manuel de Tagle, was a high-ranking military officer. His mother, Josefa Portocarrero, also came from a noble family. When his grandfather passed away in 1794, his father became the 3rd Marquis of Torre Tagle.

José Bernardo received a private education at home. He started his military career in 1790 as an ensign, a junior officer, in the Regiment of Dragoons of Lima. In 1800, he married Juana García de la Plata. The next year, he became the Marquis of Torre Tagle, just like his father. He also took over the important job of War and Navy Commissioner for the Callao Fortress.

Rising Through the Ranks

In 1811, the Viceroy of Peru, José Fernando de Abascal, promoted Tagle to sergeant-major. A viceroy was like a governor who ruled a colony in the name of the king. The next year, Tagle quickly became a lieutenant colonel and then a colonel. He led a new army unit called the Regiment of Distinguished Volunteers of the Spanish Concord. He even used his own money to help fund this unit.

At the same time, Tagle was elected as the Mayor of Lima for 1811–1812. During this period, he met other important people in Lima who wanted changes and even planned against the viceroy's rule. Because of this, Viceroy Abascal arranged for Tagle to be sent to Spain. He became a representative for Lima at the Cortes of Cadiz in March 1813. The Cortes of Cadiz was a kind of parliament in Spain.

Defending American Independence

While in Cadiz, Spain, Tagle strongly supported the idea of America becoming independent. He asked the king to give him an important job back in Peru. He wanted to be an Intendant in a city like Tarma or Trujillo. An Intendant was a high-ranking official who managed a region. However, he only got a similar job in La Paz, which is why he stayed in Spain for a few more years. In 1815, he was honored as a knight and promoted to brigadier in the Army.

Return to Peru and Independence Movement

Tagle returned to Peru in 1819. The new Viceroy, La Pezuela, did not let him take his job in La Paz. Instead, the viceroy made him his helper and then the temporary Intendant of Lima. Tagle married again, this time to Mariana Echevarría.

In 1820, he was appointed Intendant of Trujillo. This was a very important moment. When José de San Martín, a famous leader fighting for independence, arrived in Peru, Tagle was the first Peruvian officer to raise the new Peruvian flag in northern Peru. On December 24, 1820, he bravely declared Trujillo independent from Spanish rule.

Working with San Martín

After San Martín officially declared Peru's independence in July 1821, Tagle was given important roles. He became the General Inspector of the Civic Guard and the Commander-in-Chief of the Peruvian Legion. He was a close friend and ally of San Martín. Tagle was also made a member of the Council of State and a founder of the Order of the Sun, a special award. He was even the vice president of its Grand Council.

On July 26, 1822, San Martín made Tagle the provisional president. This happened when San Martín left to meet Simón Bolívar in Guayaquil. After San Martín left Peru for Chile on September 20, Tagle was chosen as a member of a three-person government called a triumvirate, led by José de La Mar.

Becoming President

In January 1823, the Peruvian Congress officially appointed Tagle as president. However, a military uprising soon removed him from power. José de la Riva Agüero was then declared president on February 28. After Riva Agüero was removed and went to Trujillo, Tagle was again appointed president by Antonio José de Sucre on July 20. The Congress then elected him on August 16. When Simón Bolívar arrived on September 1 and was declared dictator (a leader with full power), he allowed Tagle to remain in charge of the government.

During his time as president, the Peruvian flag was changed. The original flag, created by San Martín, was difficult to make. Tagle suggested a new design: a flag with three vertical stripes. The outer stripes were red, and the middle stripe was white with a sun in the center.

Challenges and Final Days

On February 5, 1824, the soldiers in Callao revolted because they had not been paid. Tagle could not find the money to pay them, and the soldiers then declared their loyalty to Spain. Bolívar sent General Mariano Necochea to arrest Tagle. The Congress removed Tagle from his position on February 10.

Fearing he would be punished by a military court, Tagle fled to Callao. There, the rebels held him captive. When the Spanish forces took over Lima again, they offered Tagle the job of governor of the capital. However, he refused and chose to remain a prisoner of war.

During the Second siege of Callao, Tagle tried to get on board the Chilean ships blocking the port. But Admiral Manuel Blanco Encalada would only take him as a prisoner. Sadly, Tagle and his entire family died during the long siege. They suffered from illness caused by a lack of food. Although he was not a traitor, his lack of strong leadership and changing decisions caused many problems for Peru.

See also

In Spanish: José Bernardo de Tagle para niños