Pedro Domingo Murillo
Pedro Domingo Murillo | |
---|---|
Junta Tuitiva | |
In office 16 July 1809 – 30 September 1809 | |
Personal details | |
Born | La Paz, Bolivia | 17 September 1757
Died | 29 January 1810 La Paz, Bolivia | (aged 52)
Political party | Patriot |
Pedro Domingo Murillo (17 September 1757 – 29 January 1810) was a patriot of Upper Peru who played a key role in Bolivia's independence.
Early life and background
On 17 September 1757, Pedro Domingo Murillo was born in the city of La Paz. His father, Juan Ciriaco Murillo, was from one of its elite families, whereas his mother Mary Ascencia Carasco was of native pedigree. Juan Ciriaco had been training for priesthood in the catholic church, becoming a priest soon after Pedro's birth. Juan took charge of his education. It is thought Pedro may have attended the Colegio Seminario de San Carlos, in La Paz. At the
From the earliest colonial days, the control of upper Peru by the Spanish crown had been firm. Late 1780 saw the Rebellion of Túpac Amaru II. In helping to vanquish this Murillo distinguished himself, and was appointed Lieutenant of the Militia.
Within 5 years, Juan Ciriaco Murillo had died, leaving most of his fortune to Pedro's children. His paternal aunt, Catalina Felipe, filed a lawsuit disputing this. At first, this was defeated. However, in papers submitted to court, Murillo falsely claimed a degree in law.
This deception had been achieved with some cunning. First, Pedro abused the goodwill of a rector at
In the case against his aunt, the truth surfaced. Murillo not only lost the case, but his falsely attested profession had also been in contempt of court. He had to flee the authorities. Pardoned by early 1789, he tried his hand in mining.
Rebellion against Spanish Empire
Concern arose throughout Spanish South America when French forces back in Spain, led by Bonaparte, forced the fall of Ferdinand VII; what seemed the usurping of the Spanish crown by Napoleon's brother Joseph. Memories also smoldered of the violent suppression 30 years earlier of grievances from indigenous communities in upper Peru. In 1805, Murillo was part of a group conspiring against the Spanish government, but was discovered and brought to trial.
Upper Peru regional government in Chuquisaca, the Real Audiencia of Charcas, became uneasy about the loyalties of the local governor. Supported by the faculty of the
To suppress what had become a serious insurrection, royalist troops were despatched, some from the Viceroyalty of Peru and others from Buenos Aires. Though some regiments comprising natives refused to intervene against an avowedly patriotic movement, the uprising was repressed. Murillo had to flee, but was captured. He was hanged, along with others, on 29 January 1810, where he made the following statement:
Compatriots, I die, but tyrants won't be able to extinguish the torch I ignited. Long live freedom![1]
Legacy
Every 16 July in La Paz, the local populace honours what are regarded as patriotic deeds of 1809. A regional celebration begins when the various national and local authorities collaborate to light the Torch of Liberty at what is dubbed the house of the martyr. There follows a parade through central La Paz. Their own torches symbolising the one Murillo claimed to have ignited, citizens form the "Parade of Torches."
See also
Bibliography
- Cabrera, José Ramón Muñoz (1869). Galería de hombres célebres de Bolivia. Santiago: José Domingo Cortés. Retrieved March 18, 2011.
References
- ^ "Compatriotas, yo muero, pero la tea que he encendido ya no podrán extinguirla los tiranos. ¡Viva la libertad! (Murillo) - Cabrera, p. 186