Mariano Ricafort Palacín y Abarca facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mariano Ricafort Palacín
61st Governor-General of the Philippines
In office October 14, 1825 – December 23, 1830
Preceded by	Juan Antonio Martinez
Succeeded by	Pasqual Enrile y Alcedo
Governor of Cuba
In office 1832 – March 1834
Preceded by	Francisco Dionisio Vives
Succeeded by	Miguel Tacon
Intendant of La Paz
In office 1816–1817
Preceded by	José María Laudavere
Succeeded by	Juan Sánchez Lima
Personal details
Born	February 20, 1776 Huesca, Spain
Died	October 16, 1846 Madrid, Spain
Awards	Order of Isabella the Catholic, Order of Saint Ferdinand and of Merit, Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild, Order of St. Anna
Military service
Allegiance	Kingdom of Spain
Rank
Battles/wars	Peninsular War

Mariano Ricafort Palacín y Abarca (1776–1846) was an important Spanish leader. He served as the Governor of Cuba and the 61st Governor-General of the Philippines. He was known for being a skilled leader and a very active governor.

Early Life and Military Career

Mariano Ricafort was born in 1776 in Huesca, Spain. His father was a lawyer, and his mother came from a noble family. When he was young, he was made a lifetime council member of his hometown.

In 1793, he joined the military. He fought in several wars, including the Peninsular War against France. During this war, he was captured in 1811. After being freed, he was appointed military governor of Badajoz in 1812 by the Duke of Wellington. By 1815, he was a colonel.

Service in South America

In 1816, Ricafort was promoted to brigadier. He joined a military campaign in South America to fight against revolutionary armies led by Simon Bolívar. During this time, he was seriously injured in his right leg by a rifle shot.

Later, he became the Intendant (a type of governor) of La Paz, which was a major city in what is now Bolivia. After his time there, he returned to Spain in 1825.

Governor-General of the Philippines

In 1825, Mariano Ricafort was chosen to be the Governor-General of the Philippines. He arrived in Manila in October. One of his first actions was to make sure laws were followed strictly. He also worked to return lands to religious groups, as ordered by the king.

Boosting Trade and Farming

Ricafort wanted to help the economy of the Philippines grow. He made it easier for people to trade and encouraged private businesses. He brought in new farming tools. He also gave tax breaks to farmers who grew special crops like coffee, cacao, cinnamon, or cloves. Farmers who raised silk or planted tea and mulberry trees also received tax exemptions.

During his time, the first Filipino insurance company was started in 1827. He also supported the Economic Society of Friends of the Country, which helped set up the first paper mill in the Philippines.

Naval Improvements

In 1827, the Spanish government brought back the naval office in Manila. This office was in charge of the navy. Pasqual Enrile y Alcedo was put in charge. He worked to improve all parts of the navy. He also led a campaign against local pirates, which helped control them. Many new ships were built during this time.

Guam and the Marianas

In 1828, Ricafort was asked to improve the way Guam and the Marianas were governed. He chose a plan that was not too expensive. He appointed a new governor for the colony. However, a rebellion happened in 1829. Ricafort sent Captain Francisco Ramon de Villalobos to help improve the colony's defenses and economy. The plan did not fully succeed because Manila did not send enough money to Guam and the Marianas.

Ending the Dagohoy Rebellion

The Dagohoy Rebellion was a long revolt in Bohol, led by Francisco Dagohoy. It had been going on since 1744. Governor Ricafort was determined to end it. In May 1827, a Spanish force of 2,200 troops invaded Bohol. The people of Bohol fought bravely, and the first attack failed.

In April 1828, another Spanish expedition landed in Bohol. After more than a year of fighting, the rebellion finally ended by August 1829. Ricafort showed kindness to the rebels. He pardoned 19,420 survivors and allowed them to live in new villages. This ended the longest revolt in Philippine history.

Governor of Cuba

After his time in the Philippines, Ricafort returned to Spain in 1831. From 1832 to 1834, he served as the Captain General of Cuba. During his time there, he had to deal with a serious sickness that affected many people. He left this position in March 1834.

Later Life and Work

From 1837 to 1838, Ricafort was a senator in Spain. He also served as Captain General in different regions of Spain, including Galicia, Aragon, and Andalusia. In November 1840, he was made Minister of War. He continued to serve in various important roles until 1843.

Mariano Ricafort died on October 16, 1846, in Madrid, Spain. He was married to Paula Antonia Sanchez Lima and had several children.

See also

In Spanish: Mariano Ricafort para niños