In 1795, the island of Santo Domingo ceased to be linked to Spain by the Peace Treaty of Basel (Switzerland), which put an end to the War of the Convention (1793–1795), by which it passed under French rule.

In 1808, after Napoleon invaded Spain, the La Reconquista movement was created on the island, led, among others, by Sánchez Ramírez, with the aim of returning to Spanish rule.

[1] Sánchez Ramírez, an agricultural landowner of Criollo origin, had already fought against the French in the War of the Convention, and in 1803 he had emigrated to Puerto Rico, from where he returned in 1807 to foment the insurrection.

With his own fortunes, he took part in the battles fought by Spain and France, of which allies of the former consisted of Haitian auxiliary troops such as Jean François and Georges Biassou.

Spain, however, sought the preservation of the Catholic faith, (which had been replaced with the Cult of Reason), in addition to the territories where the late king's son, Louis XVII, could loosen its sovereignty, as well as the restriction of the limits to the situation prior to the war.

The treaty's term included limiting Spain's domain, restoring Catholicism in France, freeing the children of Louis XVI and forming an alliance against Great Britain.

However, In 1801, the Haitian revolutionary Toussaint Louverture, having just defeated his rival André Riguad in the War of Knives, decided to carry out the occupation, (despite Bonaparte's orders), as agreed in the Treaty of Basel, capturing Santo Domingo from France and freeing the remaining Dominican slaves.

His economic interests were affected when governor Jean-Louis Ferrand banned the cattle trade on the border between Northern and Southern Haiti and Santo Domingo.

While Juan Sánchez Ramírez was in his new establishment called El Pulguero, he received an invitation to go to the town of Sabana de la Mar.

During this exchange, the Commander informed Sánchez Ramírez about the news received from a ship that had arrived in the city of Samaná, where it was stated that Emperor Napoleon I "was taking our much loved Fernando VII to France.

Aggrieved by that expression, he could not help but respond to the Commander of Arms: "I assure you that the Spanish nation will never suffer that infamy; and that if that is so, blood is being spilled today in Spain between Spaniards and French.

Motivated by this situation, he made the decision to take advantage of the circumstances and lead a conspiracy to start an armed uprising against the French Government in Santo Domingo.

Although this uprising legally meant an act of high treason to the French Empire, the landowner assumed the risks and decided to go ahead with the preparations, confident in the traditional loyalty of the Dominicans to the Catholic king: From that moment I could not shake from my imagination the idea of war, which I already assumed was evident against the latter [the French], and that meeting [with the commander of Sabana de la Mar] produced in my spirit such resentment against them."

To hide his true intentions, he used the pretext of meeting with Louis Ferrand to discuss matters related to his cattle and mahogany lumber business.

On August 7, 1808, he arrived in the capital just as news broke of the declaration of war and some prisoners from a small Spanish ship coming from Puerto Rico.

During his stay in Santo Domingo, he intensified his propaganda efforts among the capital residents, knowing that if he managed to take control of that city, he could obtain the support of the entire colony.

Subsequently, he passed through La Vega, where he met with many inhabitants of the city, including Colonel Agustín Franco, assistant to the general in chief of the Department of Cibao.

Later, on September 1, 1808, he arrived in Bayaguana, where he met with the priest José Moreno, who had great influence in the town, as well as with the Commander of Arms, with the aim of gathering the greatest number of men to favor of reconquest.

The entire circumstances of the island, and finding myself alone in charge of attending to, directing the operations of our defense against the French, our oppressors, do not allow me to give your worships individual news.

I hope, dear Compatriots, that you will bless me to see such a fast day, that you will anticipate your prayers to our protector, the Governor and Captain General of Puerto Rico, who will seek help for our relief, that on my part, and those who follow me, we will give your graces all the proofs of your recognition, that we will give to your fraternal services, that we will take advantage of in all cases, that we need, and that always is, and will be your graces, With the most sincere affection, your most compatriot lover.Sánchez continued his itinerant proselytizing work throughout the interior and coast of Santo Domingo.

Over time, the French authorities tightened their surveillance around Sánchez and he had to take refuge in the Jayán cove, which was difficult to access for troops with little experience in the field.

Only when the governor, mayor and captain general of Puerto Rico, Toribio Montes, informed him that he was willing to provide material support for the campaign, the leader of the reconquest resumed the armed struggle against the French.

[6] Between September and October 1808, Sánchez Ramírez sought the support of Toribio Montes, who initially rejected him, but later authorized the shipment of military supplies to the port of Yuma.

Montes negotiated with Captain Charles Dashwood of the British Royal Navy to take and blockade Samaná for the benefit of the Spanish patriots.

Colonel Aussenac, a close collaborator of Ferrand, carried out reprisals against the prisoners, causing destruction and making support for the patriots difficult.

Ferrand impulsively decided to lead an expedition to confront the patriots, weakening the capital's defenses without his military leadership and accompanying garrison.

On day 12, the square was declared under siege by Ferrand's successor, General Joseph-David de Barquier, and 27 men reached Sánchez Ramirez, who established his camp in the Jainamosa section, on the east bank of the Rio Ozama, transferring it, shortly after, to the Gallard, or Galá hacienda.

[7] After the French defeat, Santo Domingo was recovered by Spain, and Ramírez was appointed as Governor of the colony, while the territory was reconstituted as Captaincy General.

[10] His mismanagement led to the period known as España Boba (Foolish Spain), in which the Ramirez government punished all those who promoted or fought for the independence of the colony.

This entire stage began with a man who, believing in an ideal and knowing how to understand the historical moment in which he lived, knew how to mobilize his men in pursuit of a cause that many considered already lost.