UN CASTELLANO EN MEDIO DEL MAR. FELIPE RUIZ PUENTE... 61
After the War of Succession to the Spanish crown and the Treaty of
Utrecht, Spain had lost all its political and territorial power in Europe, but
managed to preserve almost intact its colonial empire and the commercial
monopoly it maintained with its colonies in the Indies.It was precisely this
trade with the West Indies that, from that treaty, became the desired object
of both French and English.Those in order to recover part of their colonial
empire lost in the American continent in that century; these for their eagerness
to expand their trade to the South Seas. Both for the need to seek to
expand their markets where to place exports of their commercial activity in
the metropolis.
So in the Spanish court they immediately warned the danger of that
French settlement in their domains, both for that presence itself, and by the
foreseeable, much more dangerous English presence, which was to come
next and from which it was immediately on record. All reports and judgements
of the ministers of Charles III and important figures of the court,
unanimously warned of this danger and the need to face it so as not to risk
in advance all colonial possessions and their trade, both along the coast Atlantic
as well as the Pacific.
Negotiations with the French to reclaim the establishment were relatively
simple, given the treaties that united them in front of the common enemy
England. And to recover that settlement and avoid the English presence, or
at least confront it, an expedition was immediately launched to which Mr.
Felipe Ruiz Puente was at the forefront, who was also appointed Governor
of the islands.
Spain at that time still retained some maritime power and in a short
time had the necessary material means for that expedition. He was also able
to have without difficulty the most suitable human means, bearing in mind
that it was a long-term trip, to a place with little or no recourse, even if he
had the support of Buenos Aires, and with the will to remain there to avoid
the presence of any other country and leave the King’s rights on those lands
he always considered under his domain.
Its new governor Ruiz Puente was a member of the Royal Army, with
an impeccable trajectory. From the outset he distinguished himself by his
application, intelligence and prudence, as attested by the notes accompanying
the successive proposals of promotion, and having jointly seen that trajectory,
it is appreciated his great discretion and willingness to serve the king
without asking in no time for his part anything in return, nor to make any
complaints, especially during his time as Governor of the Falklands. Thus, he
manifested a spirit of service to the Crown that although belatedly recognized
by The Crown at the end of his life.
Revista de Historia Militar, 130 (2021), pp. 61-96. ISSN: 0482-5748