Banff presentation celebrates link between town and Argentine statesman General José de San Martín
A special gift has been presented to a town commemorating its link with Argentina.
It was in recognition of the history that continues to be honoured in Banff focusing on the friendship between General José de San Martín, considered to be the Liberator of Argentina, Chile, Peru and Ecuador, and James Duff, 4th Earl Fife.
The gift was presented to the town on behalf of Her Excellency Mariana Plaza, Argentine ambassador to the UK, in a small ceremony at Banff Castle.
The Secretary General of the British San Martin Institute, Senor Juan Davila y Verdin, presented a Morion to Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson, who accepted the gift on behalf of Banff.
Friends of Duff House’s Ian Williams said: “The Morion is a replica helmet of the Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo General San Martín – the regiment which was created in Argentina by General San Martin in 1812, today performing ceremonial duties, but very instrumental in the 19th century in the independence of the South American countries.
“This Morion, very special to the Argentine people, is only the second in the UK, the other being in the Argentine ambassador’s residence in London.”
The Morion was then processed along Banff High Street, led by piper Kevin Cook of the Banff Castle Pipe Band, to the Museum of Banff where it is on public display alongside the replica San Martin sword – itself presented by Senor Carlos Hogan, the Argentine ambassador in 1950.
Three flag bearers, Cadet Flight Sergeant Beth Wallace carried the Banffshire flag; Veronica Owen, an Argentine living and working in north-east Scotland carried the flag of Argentina; and Mark Green of Historic Environment Scotland at Duff House, carried the San Martin flag.
The friendship with General José de San Martín goes back more than 200 hundred years.
He is considered the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru; by many he is considered the “Father” of Argentina.
He was born to Spanish parents in Yapeyú, in what is today Argentina. His parents returned to Spain when he was seven, and later he joined the Spanish military, mostly fighting in the Peninsular War against Napoleon.
James Duff from Banff, had married his love, Maria Manners, and they had five extremely happy years together.
Just before Christmas 1805 tragedy struck when she was scratched on the nose by her pet dog, which turned out to be rabid.
James was overcome with grief, and went to fight in Europe, ending up fighting for Spain against Napoleon.
Around 1810, James and José met during several battles and became firm friends.
When José felt the pull to return to his country of birth and help the struggle there against the Spanish, it was James who helped him navigate the politics of changing from fighting for Spain, to against Spain; and organised his trip on a British warship to Buenos Aires in 1812.
General San Martín became key in freeing firstly Argentina, and after creating and training his own regiment of mounted grenadiers, marched over the Andes to free Chile from the Spanish.
He then sailed – with the help of the British – to Peru, and was part of liberating that country too (which today includes Ecuador).
He became the first governor of the independent Peru, and later tried to retire to his farm near Mendoza, Argentina.
As he was such a powerful figure, this was not welcomed by the then leaders of the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata (today, Argentina), and General San Martín retired to Belgium and later France, making a couple of visits to the UK.
Throughout the whole campaign in South America and afterwards, letters were exchanged between James Duff and General San Martín.
In August 1824, José visited his friend at Duff House. On August 19, General San Martín was given the Freedom of Banff – the original document of which is in the Mitre Museum in Buenos Aires.
Recent research however suggests that the trip to Banff was not just to meet his friend, but was a working visit.
General San Martín, although nominally retired, was using his and James’ connections to plan a campaign to get Great Britain to recognise the United Provinces of Rio de la Plata, which would be the key at that time to getting other countries to recognise the new independent South American states.
A plan was hatched during the visit to Duff House and then put into action. As James Duff was so well connected including with the King, George IV, he was able to make the introductions to the relevant politicians.
Research is ongoing but the indication is that this Duff House plan worked and the Treaty of Amity, Commerce and Navigation was signed in January 1825.
This led to planned emigration from Scotland, explaining the present day vibrant Scottish community in Argentina. These events are being celebrated in Buenos Aires in August this year.
The link to Banff has never been forgotten, at either end, and over the centuries there has been ongoing dialogue and remembrances.
Not least of these, in 1850, the year his friend died, James planted a monkey puzzle tree - native to Argentina - in Duff House woods.
On the centenary of his death the Argentina ambassador came to Banff – the physical evidence today being a monkey puzzle tree at Banff Castle.
On the Bicentenary of being given the Freedom of Banff, August 19, 2024, a major celebration was held in Banff, attended by many from Argentina as well as the Argentine ambassador.