Convention of Vergara
Encyclopedia
The Convention of Vergara was a treaty successfully ending the major fighting in Spain
's First Carlist War
. The treaty—also known by many other names including the Embrace of Vergara was signed by Baldomero Espartero for the Isabelines
(or "Constitutionalists") and Rafael Maroto for the Carlists
.
The two generals met at the hermitage of San Antolín de Abadiano near Durango, Biscay. The British
commissioner Colonel Wylde attended as an observer, because of England's recent role as mediator in the conflict; also present was brigadier Francisco Linage, secretary to Espartero.
Initially, negotiations were stymied by the matter of fuero
s, the special rights of certain regions of Spain, notably the Basque Country
and Navarre
: Maroto had promised to defend the fueros and Espartero held that they were unconstitutional.
As negotiations took place, both armies remained positioned and prepared, although they did not battle. Two less senior Carlist officers—La Torre and Urbiztondo—formalized the treaty with Espartero; the first written version still lacked Maroto's signature, although everything that it expounded was in his name. Later, Espartero sent a copy to Maroto with a request to sign it formally.
The first article of the treaty was related to fueros, and declared that "Captain General Don
Baldomero Espartero will recommend with interest to the government compliance with its offer to compromise formally to propose to the Court the concession or modification of the fueros."
Despite the treaty having been signed by these high-ranking officers, the Navarrese battalions, above all, felt a certain repugnance, distrust and discontent, including having officials who still intended military revolt. However, on August 31, 1839, in Vergara
, Guipúzcoa, General Espartero, his troops at the ready, gave a speech to the assembled troops of all sides, in which he gave them the option of continuing in the Queen's service or returning to their homes. History recounts that all of them decided to adhere to the treaty.
Alterwards, Rafael Maroto gave a stirring speech:
With the conflict at an end, Maroto resumed the rank of lieutenant general and was named Minister of the Supreme Tribunal of War and Marine.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
's First Carlist War
First Carlist War
The First Carlist War was a civil war in Spain from 1833-1839.-Historical background:At the beginning of the 18th century, Philip V, the first Bourbon king of Spain, promulgated the Salic Law, which declared illegal the inheritance of the Spanish crown by women...
. The treaty—also known by many other names including the Embrace of Vergara was signed by Baldomero Espartero for the Isabelines
Isabella II of Spain
Isabella II was the only female monarch of Spain in modern times. She came to the throne as an infant, but her succession was disputed by the Carlists, who refused to recognise a female sovereign, leading to the Carlist Wars. After a troubled reign, she was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of...
(or "Constitutionalists") and Rafael Maroto for the Carlists
Carlism
Carlism is a traditionalist and legitimist political movement in Spain seeking the establishment of a separate line of the Bourbon family on the Spanish throne. This line descended from Infante Carlos, Count of Molina , and was founded due to dispute over the succession laws and widespread...
.
The two generals met at the hermitage of San Antolín de Abadiano near Durango, Biscay. The British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
commissioner Colonel Wylde attended as an observer, because of England's recent role as mediator in the conflict; also present was brigadier Francisco Linage, secretary to Espartero.
Initially, negotiations were stymied by the matter of fuero
Fuero
Fuero , Furs , Foro and Foru is a Spanish legal term and concept.The word comes from Latin forum, an open space used as market, tribunal and meeting place...
s, the special rights of certain regions of Spain, notably the Basque Country
Basque Country (autonomous community)
The Basque Country is an autonomous community of northern Spain. It includes the Basque provinces of Álava, Biscay and Gipuzkoa, also called Historical Territories....
and Navarre
Navarre
Navarre , officially the Chartered Community of Navarre is an autonomous community in northern Spain, bordering the Basque Country, La Rioja, and Aragon in Spain and Aquitaine in France...
: Maroto had promised to defend the fueros and Espartero held that they were unconstitutional.
As negotiations took place, both armies remained positioned and prepared, although they did not battle. Two less senior Carlist officers—La Torre and Urbiztondo—formalized the treaty with Espartero; the first written version still lacked Maroto's signature, although everything that it expounded was in his name. Later, Espartero sent a copy to Maroto with a request to sign it formally.
Don (honorific)
Don, from Latin dominus, is an honorific in Spanish , Portuguese , and Italian . The female equivalent is Doña , Dona , and Donna , abbreviated "Dª" or simply "D."-Usage:...
Baldomero Espartero will recommend with interest to the government compliance with its offer to compromise formally to propose to the Court the concession or modification of the fueros."
Despite the treaty having been signed by these high-ranking officers, the Navarrese battalions, above all, felt a certain repugnance, distrust and discontent, including having officials who still intended military revolt. However, on August 31, 1839, in Vergara
Bergara
Bergara is a town located in the province of Gipuzkoa, in the autonomous community of Basque Country, in the north of Spain.An Enlightened center of education operated by the Real Sociedad Bascongada de Amigos del País , it was the place where Faustino Elhuyar discovered wolfram.During the Carlist...
, Guipúzcoa, General Espartero, his troops at the ready, gave a speech to the assembled troops of all sides, in which he gave them the option of continuing in the Queen's service or returning to their homes. History recounts that all of them decided to adhere to the treaty.
Alterwards, Rafael Maroto gave a stirring speech:
Volunteers and Basque countrymen, no one was more devoted than I to restoring the right to the Spanish throne to Carlos María Isidro de BorbónInfante Carlos, Count of MolinaThe Infante Carlos of Spain was the second surviving son of King Charles IV of Spain and of his wife, Maria Luisa of Parma. As Carlos V he was the first of the Carlist claimants to the throne of Spain...
, but none is more convinced by the experience of a multitude of events, that never could this prince bring my country happiness, which is the sole motive of my heart.
With the conflict at an end, Maroto resumed the rank of lieutenant general and was named Minister of the Supreme Tribunal of War and Marine.