Cañasgordas and the Independence Gesta
By: Alberto Silva Scarpetta
De Palmira, veterinarian and zootechnician, specialized in large livestock, member of the Valle del Cauca history academy, writer of several history books.
For the people of Cali, having the material existence of Hacienda Cañasgordas is an honor that, in the light of History, must mean being the owners of the national sanctuary where the national independence of what was then New Granada was conceived. On July 3, 1810, the first Act of Independence was signed, 17 days before the famous July 20, a date that is recognized as a national holiday. That July 3, 1810, which unleashed the wrath of the Popayán government, in the hands of Don Miguel DeTacón Y Rosique, who issued a series of hostile provisions against the city, deploying special guards, intercepting correspondence, garrisoning troops and war supplies. in order to silence the desire for freedom of the people of Cali and Valle del Cauca.
In Cañasgordas, Joaquín de Cayzedo y Cuero, the first hero of independence, was born, raised and lived. Callen man who, although he served as Royal Ensign, wrote that first act and was the first Granada man capable of challenging the Spanish in battle. For this, he organized an army with 1080 Valle del Cauca volunteer soldiers drawn from the so-called Confederate Cities of Valle del Cauca (Cali, Buga, Cartago, Toro, Caloto and Anserma) supported by 120 professional soldiers from the capital, commanded by Antonio Baraya and staged thus, the first battle of independence “battle of the lower Palacé” to overthrow the then governor of the province, Miguel Tacón y Rosique.
In Cañasgordas the soldiers were stationed many times for the more than 20 battles that were coming in this province. That first leader, pro-martyr of independence, was the first hero shot by the Spanish guard (January 1813 in Pasto), thus leaving Cañasgordas at the disposal of the independence struggle without its main leader.
The Hacienda Cañasgordas is therefore our sanctuary-museum, which Cali proudly displays, as the seat of national independence.
