Melchor de Talamantes facts for kids
Melchor de Talamantes (born January 10, 1765, in Lima, Peru – died May 9, 1809, in Veracruz, Mexico) was a Mercedarian friar and priest. He was a thinker who believed in freedom and became an important leader in Mexico's fight to become independent from Spain.
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Early Life and Studies
When Melchor was just 14 years old, he joined a religious group called the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy. He studied hard and earned a special degree in theology from the University of San Marcos.
After his studies, he worked as a high official for the church in Lima. For two years, he also helped the Viceroy of Peru, Francisco Gil de Taboada. During this time, he met Hipólito Unanue, who was also working for America's independence.
In 1796, Talamantes wanted to leave his religious order and become a regular priest. This was because he had been reading books that were not allowed, and his ideas about freedom caused problems with his religious leaders. He also asked to move to Spain, traveling through New Spain (which is now Mexico). His request to travel was approved in 1798. He left from Guayaquil and arrived in Acapulco, Mexico, in November 1799.
Working for Independence in Mexico
When Talamantes arrived in Mexico City, he lived in a convent. He spent his time reading and thinking. He gave important speeches, including one in 1802 about a saint and another in the city's main cathedral about Spanish soldiers.
In 1806, the Viceroy of New Spain, José de Iturrigaray, asked Talamantes to study the borders between Texas (part of New Spain) and Louisiana.
Talamantes started going to political meetings. He became friends with Criollos, who were people of Spanish descent born in the Americas and often wanted more say in their government. He was named a censor for a local newspaper, the Diario de México. This gave him a lot of influence, especially in the city government of Mexico City. He became a key thinker for the Criollo group.
Ideas for a New Government
In 1808, France invaded Spain. This made many Criollos and some Spaniards in New Spain want to declare independence. They wanted to set up their own governing group, similar to groups fighting the French in Spain.
On September 1, 1808, Talamantes gave two important papers to the city government. These papers argued that New Spain should separate from Spain and create its own congress. He believed that Spain had lost its power, and New Spain had the right to govern itself.
His main ideas were:
- All connections to Spain were broken.
- New laws should be made independently.
- The royal court (called the Real Audiencia) could not speak for the king.
- Since the king was gone, the power now belonged to the people.
Talamantes suggested that a new congress should represent all parts of New Spain. This congress would make laws. The existing courts would handle justice. Viceroy Iturrigaray would lead the military and, for a time, be the chief executive. This plan described a republic, a government without a king.
Viceroy Iturrigaray seemed to agree with these ideas. Because of this, some Spaniards who were against independence arrested the viceroy on the night of September 15, 1808. When Talamantes's papers were searched, it became clear he was a leader in the independence movement. Many of his writings about political freedom were found, along with banned books by thinkers like Montesquieu and Adam Smith.
Trial and Death
After the viceroy and others were arrested, Talamantes faced a difficult trial. He was not allowed to have a lawyer. His enemies, including some from his own religious order, accused him of being "disloyal to the king" and supporting independence.
His trial lasted more than six months. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was ordered to be sent to Spain for his punishment.
However, Fray Talamantes died of yellow fever in San Juan de Ulúa, Veracruz, while he was being moved to Spain. He was chained and guarded, and he did not receive any medical help. His chains were not removed until he was buried in a common grave.
Today, Melchor de Talamantes is honored in Mexico as one of the first heroes who died for independence.
See also
In Spanish: Melchor de Talamantes para niños
