By Macacha Fueguia - Following the attack by the American frigate USS Lexington on Puerto Soledad in December 1831, the authorities in Buenos Aires implemented several actions, including appointing Francisco Mestivier as the new interim civil and military commander in the Malvinas Islands. They also authorized the shipment of merchandise and new employees to the Colony of Luis Vernet.
The Sarandí schooner, commanded by José María Pinedo, left Buenos Aires in September 1832 with the mission of reinforcing the Argentine presence in the Malvinas. After installing the new governor, Mestivier, Pinedo undertook a series of patrols to protect maritime resources. However, internal tensions in the colony quickly escalated, culminating in a violent mutiny that ended the life of Commander Mestivier. Upon returning, Pinedo was forced to suppress the rebellion and restore order in a context of great instability.
American activity in the South Atlantic in 1831 and the situation in Puerto Soledad in 1832 alerted the United Kingdom. In response, the British government sent the HMS Clio, an 18-gun ship under the command of John Onslow, to Puerto Egmont with orders to use force if necessary to ensure British sovereignty.
Finally, on December 20, 1832, HMS CLIO arrived at Puerto de la Cruzada, formally taking possession in the name of His British Majesty. Later, on January 2, the ship anchored in front of Puerto Soledad. In the afternoon, Onslow transmitted his instructions to the Argentine commander Pinedo: to take control of the islands in the name of his king and gave him an ultimatum of 24 hours to lower the Argentine flag from the mast in the main square of Puerto Soledad, proceed with the evacuation of all soldiers and their families along with their belongings, and vacate all facilities. Finally, on January 3, 1833, the British usurpation of a part of our national territory took place.
The British occupation marked a turning point in the history of our Malvinas Islands, giving rise to a long sovereignty conflict that persists to this day. Argentina has maintained its claim to the Malvinas uninterruptedly , from the very day the painful events became known and always considering the British action of 1833 as an act of usurpation.
Letter from John James Onslow, captain of the schooner “Clio”, reporting on the low resistance encountered in the Islands. He notes that he had the British anthem sung and that the English flag was hoisted in Port Egmont. (02-01-1833) Source: AGN. LV01 doc. 130 folio 49, page 1
