In his book, "When the French were here" (When the French were here), it -in fopto- American historian Stephen Bonsai (3-29-1865, Baltimore MD - 07/08/1951, Washington DC) he wrote:
"The million the ladies of Havana gave St. Simon to pay the troops can indeed be considered as the building foundation on which American independence was erected".
Shortly before the Battle of Yorktown, which would be decisive for the freedom of the Thirteen Colonies then dominated by the English, and that became what is now the United States, the coffers of the independence revolution were exhausted. There was no money to pay soldiers commanded by General George Washington or, even worse, the French soldiers who helped them under the command of General Rochambeau. The situation was critical: the troops could become demoralized because, inclusive, long time since they paid their wages.
The French Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse traveled to Haiti, a French colony, but there could not get the money. Only Cuba, colony of Spain then available capital. A De Grasse was due at the theater of war to block the English Chesapeake Bay, while the troops of General Washington would fight on the ground. De Grasse commissioned the Marquis de St. Simon to try to obtain the cooperation of Captain General of Cuba, Juan Manuel de Cajigal quarterback.
St. Simon found in Havana an impregnable wall: the US credit was not good and not that of the French. It was known that the reign of Louis XVI of France, was going through a critical financial situation. Moreover, it was doubtful that the colonial governor of Havana was authorized to have sum so high on the public purse in favor of a foreign squad, even if Spain were at war with the British and had been helping the American rebels almost from the beginning of the race.
But the adjutant of Cajigal was Colonel Francisco de Miranda, born in Venezuela and ardent defender of the independence of the Thirteen Colonies. His engaging personality and the value shown on the site and making Panzacola, carried out by the Spanish in aid to the Americans against the British, he had gained much sympathy in the emerging Cuban society in Havana and Matanzas.
Miranda had many wealthy Cuban friends, including the Menocal family emigrated Florida, when the Spaniards exchanged for Havana, fall shortly before held by the British.
The reaction of the Cuban approach Miranda to raise funds to pay the French and American soldiers friends was highly favorable, especially among the ladies: Cuban widely sympathized with the freedom of America.
Ladies of Havana and Matanzas put to work: they collected money, valuables auctioned and, above all, donated their valuable jewels. It is possible (although this has not been reliably verified) that the property of the Menocal, located in Ceiba Mocha, Matanzas, has served as a hunting ground , or at least one of them. The final tally was one million two hundred thousand livres, silver coin minted in Tours, central France, and usual circulation at that time.
In "le Musee Naval de Paris" there are stories of French sailors that reflect how the Cuban took off to his bright to donate them.The generosity of the Cuban women was described as follows by General Jean Baptiste de Rochambeau: "The contribution of 800, 000 pounds helped curb the monetary insolvency of the revolutionary army and helped increase the spirit of the army that was in low"
The French fleet sent to Cuba the speedy sailboat L'Aigrette, which collected the valuable and heavy cargo between Havana and Matanzas. North of the latter a convoy led by the ship Ville de Paris, equipped with 110 cannons, and set sail bound for Virginia joined.
Due to the weight of silver that was necessary to reinforce the floors of the house Yorktown where the coins to pay soldiers they were deposited: 800.000 pounds for the French and 400,000 for Washington. And the soldiers were happy to face the battle of Yorktown against the British troops led by General Cornwallis, which took effect between 6 and 19 October 1781.
The crucial contribution of Cuban ladies has been overlooked by most American historians. As if that recognition could tarnish something the heroic deeds of General George Washington.
Photos: Internet.
Photomontages: Jose Garcia-Cabezas.
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