Lewis Jones and Love Jones-Parry's journey to Patagonia, 1862-3
'...our first sight of land in Patagonia ... a wild landscape, of grassy mounds and briers with some muddy patches.' Lewis Jones, 27 January 1863
In November 1862, Lewis Jones, a young member of the Liverpool Emigration Committee, set sail for Buenos Aires. The 25-year-old printer from Caernarfon had neither travelled abroad nor did he speak Spanish, but being one of the most enthusiastic and determined members of the Committee, he had agreed to travel to South America to negotiate with the Argentine government. He was to be accompanied by Captain T. L. D. Jones-Parry, baron of Madryn, Llŵn. A well-travelled and highly-respected man, Love Jones-Parry was one of five influential men who had been selected by the Committee to lead preliminary talks with the Argentine government. It was hoped that his diplomatic experience would prove beneficial during this journey. However, since Love Jones-Parry was unable to sail until the middle of December, Lewis Jones made the journey alone.
Having arrived in Buenos Aires, Lewis Jones opened the negotiations with the Argentine authorities. He was not entirely alone: he was accompanied by Thomas Duguid, a businessman from Liverpool with commercial interests in Buenos Aires. Duguid had also been appointed to act as agent on behalf of the Committee. The demands of the Committee's demands were presented to the Minister for Home Affairs, Guillermo Rawson, and it soon became clear that the government would not grant the measure of self-government that they desired. Rawson explained to them that Argentina was not prepared to surrender sovereignty over any part of Patagonia.
The negotiations proved a tough challenge for Lewis Jones and three weeks passed he reached a preliminary agreement with Rawson. By the time Love Jones-Parry had arrived in mid-January 1863, the discussions had come to an end. Indeed, Love Jones-Parry's only contribution to the process was to add his signature to the agreement. Many of the Committee's demands had been compromised in order to reach an agreement. One of its main aims, the establishment of an independent Welsh settlement, had been rejected. Nevertheless, Lewis Jones seemed fairly satisfied with the outcome and appeared confident that the details of the agreement could be improved in the future.
![Copy of the agreement offering land in Patagonia to Welsh immigrants, 25 March 1863 [page 1 of 3]](storage/Components/593/59307_1.JPG "Copy of the agreement offering land in Patagonia to Welsh immigrants, 25 March 1863 [page 1 of 3]")
With the discussions over, the two representatives set off on an exploratory journey of the lands in Patagonia. On 18 January 1863, Lewis Jones and Love Jones-Parry sailed from Buenos Aires towards Patagones. There, they were welcomed by the local military leader, Julián Murga. He had received instructions from Rawson to supply the Welshmen with horses, escorts, leaders and food supplies. In Patagones they also met Jorge and Enrique Harris, two brothers who were very familiar with the Patagonian coastline. They were the sons of James Harris, a native of Bridgend who had established a successful salt business in the area. Lewis Jones and Love Jones-Parry had intended to ride 300 miles south to inspect the lands near the Chupat River. However, they were persuaded by Murga that it was not safe to travel on land and their plans appeared to be in doubt. Fortunately, Jorge Harris came to their assistance and provided them with the services of a ship. Jones and Love Jones-Parry set sail on the last day of January, arriving at the Chupat River on 10 February. They travelled up the winding river and spent a few days inspecting the surrounding lands, before returning to Buenos Aires.
![Journal of Lewis Jones, 1862-3, folio 5v [image 12 of 63]](storage/Components/593/59319_1.JPG "Journal of Lewis Jones, 1862-3, folio 5v [image 12 of 63]")
After a rough voyage, they reached Buenos Aires on 3 March. Both agreed that the lands near the Chupat River were suitable for a Welsh settlement, and their next task was to secure the agreement of the Argentine government. By this time, Lewis Jones was very homesick and keen to return to his family. Love Jones-Parry, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying his time in the city and was a frequent visitor at the local playhouses. Finally, an agreement was reached with the government and the crucial agreement was signed on 25 March 1863. However, no assurance was given that the Argentine Congress would ratify the agreement. The two Welshmen left Buenos Aires a few days later and arrived home on 5 May.
Soon after their return to Liverpool, Lewis Jones and Love Jones-Parry presented their reports to the members of the Emigration Committee. The members were happy to hear the favourable comments about the lands near the Chupat, but some were disappointed by the details of the agreement with the Argentine government. Nevertheless, it was agreed that the promoters should continue their hard work in order to gain the support of the public for the proposed settlement. The reports of the two representatives were used to promote the campaign in the press and at public meetings, and were published as a supplement to Hugh Hughes's handbook in 1863.
Lewis Jones kept detailed notes of his journey in two journals, both of which are featured on the Glaniad website.
Sources
R. Bryn Williams, Y Wladfa (Cardiff, 1962)
E. MacDonald, Yr Hirdaith (Llandysul, 1999)
