Toribio Montes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Toribio Montes
Predecessor	Manuel de Urriés
Successor	Melchor Aymerich
Predecessor	Creation of the position of Higher Political Chief
Successor	Melchor Aymerich
Born	May 7 of 1749 San Mamés de Polaciones, Spain.
Died	December 13, 1830 Madrid, Spain.

Toribio Montes-Caloca y Pérez (born May 7, 1749, in San Mamés de Polaciones, Spain – died December 13, 1830, in Madrid, Spain) was an important Spanish soldier and governor. He served as governor of Puerto Rico from 1804 to 1809. Later, he became the president of the Royal Audience of Quito (a main court and government body) from 1811 to 1817.

Early Life and Education

Toribio Montes was born in a small village called San Mamés in Spain. His family had a bit of noble background, and some members were in the army. His father, Pedro Montes Caloca, was a local leader in their valley. His mother, Ángela Pérez Alonso, was from a nearby town.

We don't know much about his childhood. However, he received a very good education. Since he was a "second son," he wouldn't inherit the family's main property. Because of this, he chose a career in the military. He earned his ranks through hard work and experience.

Military Career and Key Roles

Toribio Montes joined the army when he was just fifteen years old in 1764. He started as a cadet in the Prince's Infantry Regiment. This regiment was stationed in Oran at the time.

Important Battles and Promotions

He took part in several major conflicts. He was seriously injured during the invasion of Algiers in 1775. He also fought in the siege of Gibraltar in 1779. In 1782, he helped Spain take back Menorca from the English.

By 1787, he was recognized as a noble by a royal court. In 1789, he became a knight of the Order of Santiago. He was promoted to colonel in 1795 during the War of the Pyrenees. Two years later, he became a brigadier. In 1802, after fighting in the War of the Oranges, he became a field marshal.

Governor of Puerto Rico

On April 26, 1804, Toribio Montes was appointed to lead the Captaincy General of Puerto Rico. He stayed there for almost five years. He was known for his good leadership during this time.

Leading in Peru and Quito

In 1810, he moved to Peru. There, he became the governor of Callao. On November 1, 1811, the Spanish government gave him a new important job. He was made president of the Royal Audience of Quito. He also became the chief of the army. His task was to bring peace to the area. This was after people started fighting for independence. In 1812, he was promoted to lieutenant general.

He arrived in Guayaquil in June 1812. He then moved towards Guaranda. The city of Quito was still controlled by groups fighting for independence.

Battles for Quito

Montes's army fought their first battle in Battle of Chimbo. The independence fighters won this battle. They forced the Spanish to retreat. Meanwhile, other Spanish forces came from Cuenca. These were led by generals Melchor Aymerich and Juan de Sámano.

The second battle was in Battle of Mocha. This time, the Spanish won. Montes and his army took control of Mocha. They then continued to Ambato and Latacunga. These cities were also held by the independence fighters.

On November 6, 1812, Montes reached Quito. He sent a message to the rebels. He asked them to surrender peacefully without a fight. But the independence fighters, led by Carlos Montúfar, decided to fight. They had declared their own independent country, the State of Quito.

They built strong defenses at the south entrance of the city. They also fortified a hill called El Panecillo. However, Montes and his army took the hill after the Battle of El Panecillo. This forced Montúfar and many people from Quito to flee. They went to Ibarra. The independent nation of Quito finally fell after the Battle of Ibarra.

Restoring Order in Quito

After taking Quito, Toribio Montes worked to restore order. First, he continued a successful military campaign to the north. Second, he judged the Quito rebels. He was strict but also fair. He pardoned most of them. Many even got political jobs during his time as president. Third, he helped set up the Cádiz Constitution. This established the Province of Quito. He called for elections in the towns. He also supervised the election of representatives for Spain's parliament in Madrid.

Later Campaigns and Retirement

Montes had to deal with more fighting in the north. He appointed Lieutenant Colonel Vidaurrázaga to take Popayán in December 1814. However, the independence fighters won the Battle of the Palo River in July 1815. Popayán fell to the republican army.

Around this time, a large Spanish army arrived from Spain. This army was led by General Pablo Morillo. Morillo surrounded and took Cartagena de Indias. He also occupied Cachirí. Meanwhile, Sámano, one of Montes's generals, defeated the rebels in the Battle of Cuchilla de El Tambo in 1816. Carlos Montúfar, a former rebel leader, was executed after this battle.

In 1817, Montes had to undo some of the changes made under the Cádiz Constitution. This was because the constitution was cancelled. He left Quito on July 26, 1817. He arrived back in Spain two years later, in April 1819. After meeting with the Minister of War, he was honored. He became a member of the Military Junta of the Indies.

At 72 years old, Toribio Montes asked to retire. He had served in the army for 63 years. He moved to the city of Murcia. He was briefly put in charge of the province of Murcia. This was during a time when the king's power was restored. He was replaced on December 31, 1827. In April 1828, he asked the king to move to Madrid. He said the water in Murcia wasn't good for his health. He praised the climate of Madrid. However, his health got worse. He died in Murcia on January 1, 1829, at the age of 79.

See also

In Spanish: Toribio Montes para niños