The Italian Legacy in the Dominican Republic

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along with other diplomatic and consular representatives—to oversee the exchange of prisoners between

the parties to the conflict, which took place on July 22, 1865.

From 1863 to 1865, Cambiaso made several trips to Italy on official business, since he had never abjured

his status as an Italian citizen, and as a naturalized Dominican. He remained in the Dominican Republic af-

ter 1868, continuing to work at the forefront of his own business concerns, as well as in his official functions,

until his death in the city of Santo Domingo on July 22, 1886. Below, I transcribe the obituary published in

the newspaper

El Mensajero

, which was written by the author Federico Henríquez y Carvajal:

“Lavish yet solemn were the memorial ceremonies on the 22nd for General J. B. Cambiaso in his capac-

ity as First Admiral and founder of the National Navy. The President ordered military honors and decreed

three days of mourning as a token for the deceased. In the Government Palace, in City Hall, and other pub-

lic buildings, the crossed tricolor flag flew at half-mast, and those present from allied nations followed the

same testimony of mourning in their respective consulates. From the day before, and from hour to hour,

shots from the cannon of the Armed Forces were heard.

“A very large procession followed the new carriage, with its stern yet elegant appearance, which, drawn

by a pair of black steeds, led the coffin from the mortuary to the Cathedral and from there to the former

Dominican Convent, where the body was laid to rest. The garrison troop and military brass band accom-

panied with due honors.

“Luis Cambiaso, his brother—Consul and currently Plenipotentiary of Italy—presided over the burial.

And the event was attended by the President of the Republic and his Council of Ministers, the Magistrates

of the Supreme Court, the diplomatic and consular corps, high officials of State, the bar association, individ-

uals from various guilds and societies, and from the business sector, in addition to the navy and the Italian

community.

“Hon. Manuel de J. Galván—Chief Justice of the High Court of the Republic and former Minister of

On August 25, 2018,

in the presence

of the President

of the Republic,

Danilo Medina, the

inauguration of the

first school ship of

the Dominican Navy,

named “Almirante Juan

Bautista Cambiaso,”

took place in the port

of San Souci. In the

photo, the President

of the Dominican

Republic, Danilo

Medina, and the

Ambassador of Italy,

Andrea Canepari,

exchange greetings

on the day of the

inauguration.

JUAN BAUTISTA CAMBIASO (1820-1886)