Freemasonry in Buenos Aires
Predating Argentina itself, the Freemasons have been in existence since 1795
Ian F. Thurn
Freemasonry in Buenos Aires was started with the consecration of a “Logia Independencia” in 1795 consisting of young intellectuals mostly with higher European degrees. Some of the most prominent members were Juan José Castelli, his cousin Manuel Belgrano, Juan José Paso, Feliciano Chiclana, Matías Irigoyen, Nicolás Rodríguez Peña, Hipólito Vieytes, Juan Larrea, Domingo Matheu and Antonio Luis Berutti.
Going forward in time and leading up to May 25, in 1808 Don José de San Martín joined his first lodge, the “Logia Integridad” in Cadiz, where the Worshipful Master of the lodge was General Francisco Solano, Captain General of Andalucia. It was at this time that San Martin, who was only a junior Mason at the time, met Lord Mac Duff, a noble Scotsman, who was plotting the liberation of South America.
San Martín travelled to England where he was put into contact with Alvear, Zapiola, Berro and Guido who formed part of the Lodge Lautaro created by Francisco de Miranda, who along with Bolívar, were already fighting in Venezuela for its liberation.
PERFECTIBILISTS: The 18th Century Bavarian Order of the Illuminati
The Ascendancy of the Scientific Dictatorship
Memoirs Illustrating the History of Jacobinism
Fire in the Minds of Men: Origins of the Revolutionary Faith
America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones
June 11th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Terry, in case you didn’t know, there is a big difference between these 19th century south American freemasons and your founding fathers (G. Washington and Co.). Bolivar, San Martin and O’Higgins were highly devoted Catholics. Also, the local Lautaro Lodge even had priests among the members leading the “independence” movement, which is in total contrast of trying to get away from the imperial power of the church.
The fact that Francisco de Miranda was thrown in jail by his mason subordinate Bolivar, it’s a riddle with dead ends in my research.