A Washington Christmas with sad memories of Miralles
A victory among George Washington’s personal losses. A memory to family and friends who helped him so much until he defeated the British army in Yorktown
His friend Luis de Miralles was always by his side
He was soon able to show his support for George Washington and the 13 colonies. On a visit to the headquarters of the Continental Army he was able to see the bad situation in which he found himself. Faced with the difficulties that the Washington army was going through, he of supplies and debts with his soldiers, with delays in unpaid payments.
Miralles backed them with his own fortune and with that of some merchants in Havana, he paid loans, so that the Washington army could receive payment from him. He also manufactures supplies with his ships from Cuba, including lemon, to prevent scurvy among the already undernourished mainland troops.
Three years later, the Washington couple spent the last days of 1781 as guests of Francisco Rendón, his secretary. Francisco had everything prepared to entertain George and Martha Washington, because by wishes of the King of Spain he wanted to free them both from domestic concerns, for a time.
It was an attempt to alleviate the recent loss of the general’s son, if he were more bearable. His son lost his life from a fever he contracted in Yorktown. Although the discreet Christmas dinner was at Morris’s house, the rest of the remaining days of the year would be spent at Francisco Rendón’s house.
Death of Juan de Miralles
Despite being housed in his own home in Washington and receiving the best care from his doctors and George’s wife, Martha, he died in just over a week.
Interestingly, George Washington’s death in 1799 has parallels with the death of his friend by Juan de Miralles. They both died when they were 67, and at Washington’s home, Miralles in Morristown and George in Mount Vernon.
He was cared for by the Washington doctors and cared for by his wife Martha of his. Apparently for having
