Individuals in Wales and the United States were inspired by the idea of establishing a Welsh settlement. The movement was initiated in the United States, but the outbreak of the American Civil War resulted in a loss of momentum in the early 1860s. From that time, a society of Welshmen who met in Liverpool became the focal point of the activity. The Liverpool Emigration Society had trouble raising funds and gathering public support. Negotiations with the Argentine government were long drawn-out and unforeseen difficulties threw the final preparations into disarray. Nevertheless, the first group of Welsh settlers finally began the long journey to Patagonia on 28 May 1865.
1848October: Michael D. Jones's first letter in favour of a Welsh settlement appears in Y Cenhadwr Americanaidd.
1856January: A society is formed in Camptonville, California, to promote the establishment of a Welsh settlement. Patagonia is mentioned as a possible location for the settlement.
August: Michael D. Jones organises a public meeting at Bala to discuss the notion of a Welsh settlement. 'Bala Emigration Society' is formed.
December: A public meeting organised by Hugh Hughes and Lewis Jones results in the formation of an Emigration Society in Caernarfon.
1857-8Michael D. Jones visits the United States to promote the cause and to gather support for the formation of a joint-stock company to finance the movement. The response was disappointing and Jones played little role in the movement for more than a year.
1860After a loss of momentum for the movement in the United States, one of its leading promoters, Edwin Roberts, travels to Wales in search of others who share his views.
1861July: Formation of the Liverpool Emigration Society.
1862November: Lewis Jones travels to Buenos Aires on behalf of the Liverpool Society to begin negotiations with the Argentine government. He is joined by Captain Love Jones-Parry about a month later.
1863January: Lewis Jones and Love Jones-Parry sail to Patagonia in order to inspect the land.
25 March: Agreement between representatives of the Liverpool Society, Lewis Jones and Captain Love Jones-Parry, and the Argentine Minister for the Interior, Dr Guillermo Rawson, is signed.
1864April: Argentine consul Samuel R. Phibbs travel to Buenos Aires to negotiate on behalf of the Emigration Committee.
October: The Liverpool Committee receives a letter from Dr Guillermo Rawson offering land in Patagonia on the same terms as ordinary immigrants. The offer is accepted.
