The author of this book uses his first name “Jesualdo” as his pen name. He is Jesualdo Sosa, a native Uruguayan, who has long had an interest in José Gervasio Artigas, the great national hero of Uruguayans.
Jesualdo’s purpose in writing this biography was “to draw from historical materials and his personal judgment . . . a picture of the hero in candid, clear language . . . which can serve as an example and encouragement to our people.” In doing the research on his subject, Jesualdo was most thorough and painstaking. His literary labors took him to every repository in the Río de la Plata basin where materials were to be found. They included the Archivo General de la Nación of Argentina; provincial archives in Santa Fe, Córdoba, Entre Ríos, Corrientes, and Misiones; and the Archivo General de la Nación of Uruguay. He also worked in the national libraries in Buenos Aires and Montevideo, and in numerous other collections, both official and private. From such extensive labors one gets a strong impression that this is a truly definitive work.
The book is divided into three parts. The first part is titled “Antecedentes,” in which the author traces the genealogy of the Artigas family from its roots in Spain as far back as the eighth century. The more immediate ancestors came to the Río de la Plata area early in the eighteenth century. Some served in the royal armed forces; others became owners of large estates and large herds and flocks.
The second part deals with Artigas himself, and stresses his interest in stock raising, the smuggling of goods in defiance of the trade monopoly, and also in the training of lancers for protection of rich landowners. Attention is also given to the social function of gauchos and Negroes in colonial life.
The third part covers the revolution against Spanish rule. The problems confronting Artigas were overwhelming, for Argentina and Brazil had designs on Uruguay; and she was torn by internal factionalism. Jesualdo throws much new light on these external and internal struggles. Finally there is considerable detail concerning the exile of Artigas to Paraguay after Brazil had annexed Uruguay in 1821.
The central theme of this biography is summarized in the title. The story of Artigas is clearly, completely, and cogently told “from vassalage” during colonial times “to the revolution” which paved the way to eventual independence of Uruguay.
The bibliography is excellent. It will be very useful to other scholars. The entire work will be welcomed by all persons interested in the era of Spanish American independence.
