An Argentine visit to a town has put a focus on the link between the community and the capital city of the South American country. A contingent from Argentina recently travelled to Banff in 1824 when he received the freedom of the burgh. The group included Argentine ambassador Mariana Plaza and members of the British San Martin Institute.
The trip commemorated the General’s visit to Banff 200 years ago where he stayed with his friend James Duff, the 4th Earl Fife. It was revealed during the bicentenary event in Duff House that this friendship led to a square in Buenos Aires to be called “Plaza Ciudad de Banff” – Town of Banff. General José Francisco de San Martín was a name to be conjured with in Banff early in the 19th century.
He became a great friend of James, the 4th Earl Fife, after they met during the Peninsular Wars in Spain. At that time they had both given allegiance to Spain, but José was born in Argentina, and in 1812 was drawn back to South America. The Burgess Roll of Banff for 1824 lists José as from Colombia, rather than Argentina; at the time this was correct as José’s last South American domicile was in Guayaquil, originally in Peru, at that time very recently annexed to Colombia and today in Ecuador.
It was actually James Earl Fife – who had returned to UK in 1811 after his father the 3rd Earl died – that organised José’s trip from Spain via London, as switching allegiances to now fight against Spain from being one of their most successful military leaders was a delicate situation. As a great strategist, José was the General that led Argentina (then known as the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata) to gain independence from Spain, and also led armies to liberate Chile and then Peru. He ceded to another Libertador, Simon Bolivar, in 1822 in Peru, left his life in the military and politics and came back to Europe.
For seven days in 1824 he visited his friend James at Duff House – the really well liked and respected 4th Earl Fife. José made great effort to get to Banff, spending five days travelling by stagecoach from London, and presumably the same for the return journey. Recent research revealed that the trip was more than just visiting his friend, but a planning exercise for some international diplomacy to better the governance of Peru, something the British government of the time was interested in.
During the stay, specifically on August 19, the town of Banff granted General San Martín the freedom of the Burgh. José went to live in France, and died on August 17 in 1850. James planted a native Argentine monkey puzzle tree in his memory, that still survives in Duff House woods.
One hundred years later and the then Argentine ambassador, Carlos Hogan, paid a celebratory visit to Banff on October 25. Part of his visit was planting a monkey puzzle tree in Banff Castle grounds – where it can be seen today together with its plaque. Just over two years later and Banff was given another accolade in memory of José de San Martín.
Carlos Hogan went on to become the Argentine Minister of Agriculture, and arranged for a square in Buenos Aires to be called “Plaza Ciudad de Banff” – Town of Banff – in recognition of the hospitality given to the Argentine liberator Don José de San Martin by Banff in 1824, and the freedom of the Burgh they conferred upon him. That plaza retains that name to date in Buenos Aires. It has an extensive greenspace which the community can enjoy.
Today General San Martín is one of the most revered people in many South American countries, and the bicentenary of his visit to Banff was celebrated recently. Argentine ambassador Mariana Plaza said during the visit to Duff House: “It’s truly an honour to be in the beautiful town of Banff. “It is a day that marks the close friendship shared between General José de San Martín and James Duff, 4th Earl Fife.
“General José de San Martín was a man of unparalleled patriotism. Endowed with an extraordinary military and political genius. “He played a key role in the independence of Argentina, as well as Chile and Peru.
Yet his influence extends far beyond our region and has recognition on a global scale. “We are not only commemorating the 200th anniversary of the recognition the General received in Banff, but we are also celebrating the friendship that brought together these two distinguished gentlemen, as well as the goodwill that continues to flourish between the Argentine and the Scottish people.”.
