Gregor MacGregor: The Most Successful Conman in History

Check out Squarespace: squarespace.com/biographics for a 10% off on your first purchase
→ Subscribe for new videos four times per week.
kzbin.info...
This video is #sponsored by Squarespace.
TopTenz Properties
Our companion website for more: biographics.org
Our sister channel TopTenz: / @toptenznettop10
Our Newest Channel about Interesting Places: / @geographicstravel
Credits:
Host - Simon Whistler
Author - Morris M.
Producer - Jennifer Da Silva
Executive Producer - Shell Harris
Business inquiries to [e-mail]
Other Biographics Videos:
Tiberius: The Reluctant Emperor
• Tiberius: The Reluctan...
Robert Hanssen: The FBI Mole who Spied for the KGB
• Robert Hanssen: The FB...
Source/Further reading:
Excellent podcast on Gregor MacGregor’s life: www.revolutionspodcast.com/20...
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography’s entry (paywall, but free to access for UK residents with library cards): www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.109...
Good overview of his cons: www.historytoday.com/miscella...
BBC’s take on it all: www.bbc.com/future/article/20...
Biographics on Simon Bolivar: • Simon Bolivar: Today a...

[@Biographics]

Check out Squarespace: squarespace.com/biographics for a 10% off on your first purchase

[@vkaivos]

Jonathan wild

[@Janovjev]

I am just going to be rude about this. Will you do a video on Alexander Suvorov? He was the last true knight of Europe, honestly.

[@notebender4]

Never knew about this... Thanks for the insight!

[@Janovjev]

Mind you, I like to refer to him as a knight, due to the life he led.

[@Gravelgratious]

Please do a video on Jean Paul Marat!

[@augustortiz]

I bursted laughing when I saw he knighted himself as “Cazique” (Indian Tribe Chief). This man was an absolute genius.

[@alejandromartinezmontes6700]

Cacique* Spanish almost never has 'z' in front of 'i' or 'e'.

[@augustortiz]

Alejandro Martínez Montes thank you for clarifying.. He obviously meant cacique.

[@normac.1953]

Me too! He knighted himself 😆😄... I had to replay!! Love it!! 😄

[@edusam666]

Cazique may also be the old Spanish orthography of the time

[@lucisferre6361]

Though it seems absurd to most of us, there is something to be said of people who are so shamelessly criminalistic and destroy others for their own benefit, still are rewarded by so many other people but don't even know them and don't penalize them for their absolutely inexcusable and disgusting behavior period why are the same people that would be a fraudsters victims compliment fraudsters so damn much? It used to seem like a bad thing when considering the fact that humanity is rapidly reducing our ability to occupy this planet in a healthy way. This does not stop people from sucking. What the hell!? Why does it not motivate people to be decent to one another in the world?

[@Karma-gl5hc]

I really read the title as Conor Mcgregor. I was like eh...not surprised. 😂

[@ugoeze7360]

L O beat me to it 😅

[@GAshoneybear]

Lol i was just about to type this! Though I felt someone else thought it as well!

[@DontreadPimpBoy]

Bet Beat me to it

[@GAZAMAN93X]

Same lol 😂😂😂😂😂

[@ChiefKene]

L O same

[@Nine5Vader]

"Gregor MacGregor" - The Most Scottish name you'll ever hear

[@chad9015]

Finnegan McTavish would like to know your location

[@jordanpowell2242]

Scottish Nationalist have found ur location

[@mrstratau6513]

You've obviously never met Lachlan Maclachlan.

[@JakeandElwoodBlues]

How about Angus MacCloud?

[@thomasmackie1123]

What about “ Tam Mackie “ 🤣😂

[@Axel1051]

Morality aside, McGregor was a genius. Can you imagine what would happen if I tried that? Granted it was a different time, and the blank edges of the map were still to be filled in but even then this has to be one of the most audacious gambits in history. It would’ve been a fairly easy con to disprove but instead an entire continent, including superpowers like Britain, France, Prussia and the Holy Roman Empire all swallowed it.

[@josh0g]

I don't think cons take a genius. Just an opportunist. It takes some cleverness, yes. It's a skill one can develop. It is not genius.

[@luyandzabavukiledlamini4693]

You have got a point

[@macrosense]

That is why humanity needed smallpox and malaria and cholera: so that he would die.

[@alexacosta2140]

Billy “fyre festival” McFarland 😂

[@almondjoy4938]

Even his name sounds fake! Perfect naming!

[@tenhirankei]

Or his parents were unimaginative. It means "Gregor son of Gregor"! ???

[@LilBeee85]

Yes 💯

[@iroquoispliskin3081]

Yes! My favorite bald substitute teacher to teach me history to fill the eldritch silence in my life

[@ian5756]

OMG the ending... I came here to see something interesting, not to have an existential crisis

[@AbdulB]

This guy is like the real life Jack Sparrow.

[@billskinner7670]

No, Jack Sparrow always stayed moral enough to live with himself forever. And, he was far more honest.

[@katielancaster6376]

but worse?

[@InquisitorMatthewAshcraft]

@@katielancaster6376 One can be as bad as Hitler, am still be honest.

[@tbaysculler]

He is more like the real Harry Flashman.

[@alenaran]

I've always thought MacGregor deserves a movie, it's one of those rare cases where reality surpassed fiction. btw, he's buried in Caraca's National Pantheon, alongside all independence heroes, and Simón Boívar of course. Furthermore, Carlos Soublette's mother was Teresa Aristeguieta, aunt of McGregor's wife Josefa Aristeguieta. Or putting it another way, Carlos Soublette was first cousin of McGregor's wife. Soublette became president of Venezuela in 1848, three years after McGregor's death.

[@michaelwaller7365]

Simon Whistler has the perfect teaching style. He doesn't just throw names & dates at you,keeps it fresh, & I especially love the humor he injects in the videos. Parents need to HAVE their kids watch these types of videos. Fun learning. Keep up the great work Simon & crew!

[@izzojoseph2]

Ya know, Simon, you seem like a very interesting person. I think it would be cool if you did a Biographics on Simon Whistler. You have half the shows on KZbin, work with a great team and are capable enough to present comedically or formally and sometimes both at the same time. That’s a rare trait.

[@nathanseper8738]

He should definitely do one as a joke. He should just invent a whole fictional biography of himself.

[@brokentombot]

Thank you. I'm Simon McSimon and I approve of your complement. Trust me. I'm not a con guy.

[@brokentombot]

You got a dollar?

[@izzojoseph2]

Tom Larson sure. I got a dollar. You need a dollar?

[@margaret-marywhite299]

Have Danny write it!! Would live to see/hear the shock of Simon reading his own biography.

[@moukidelmar]

Europe: Ok MacGregor, roll for deception. Gregor: nat 20

[@earlofthecarolinas6250]

😂😂😂🖒

[@exodore2000]

I was thinking of Scanlan.

[@adilsongoliveira]

This guy may have been a sociopath conman but no doubt he was also very intelligent or he wouldn't be able to pull this all off.

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

How can a Scot get away scot-free?

[@blake432]

"the rough and tumble men of pittsburgh's dive bars" dude, you have no idea.

[@brokentombot]

*shuttering*

[@CAMSLAYER13]

@@brokentombot do you mean shuddering?

[@RW77777777]

pittsburgh has alot of shuttering

[@algini12]

@@RW77777777 yes, shuttering our restaurants during Covid, 2 weeks before the Holidays by our idiot Governor. Two weeks after having been unshuttered. Now half are permanently shuttered, or nobody wants to work in them anymore.

[@algini12]

Yes, they are still there a hundred and fifty years later in my home town. Pickled by alcohol.

[@azaeltorres17]

The dislikes are all from the Poiyais colonists

[@brokentombot]

There are no dislikes. That's just a glitch. I'll fix that if you give me a dollar. I'm Jimmy McJimmy. Trust me.

[@PeterGregoryKelly]

I have some Poiyais real estate I can sell.

[@mastercommander4535]

A Dr Weatherhead was the expedition Doctor that MacGregor took with him to Darien. MacGregor escaped as noted in this story but Weatherhead was captured and taken across the Panamanian Isthmus to Balboa where he was incarcerated in our house which was a military hospital at that time . He was put to work as a medic looking after Spanish soldiers. He later escaped and was rescued by the Chilean navy that was under the command of the British at that time . Dr Weatherhead returned to England where he submitted a report blaming MacGregor for the disaster and MacGregor was called to answer for his unauthorised expedition. The report makes fascinating reading and is available on line ..An account of the Great Expedition to Darien. 1821. Its available through the British Library. My understanding is that Mac Gregor is considered a national hero in Venezuela and that there is a statue to him in Caracas.

[@josh0g]

I first heard about this guy on Revolutions Podcast by Mike Duncan (season 5, the bolivar revolutions). Such a wild figure in history. This story could totally be a big budget film.

[@ericblue7099]

What a bastard! I learned early on never to lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do. I learned it so well it took me nearly two decades to discover the real oath is to lie, cheat and steal CONSTANTLY, but never to get caught or show sympathy to those who do. Thieves and liars, man.

[@kevin7rxxx346]

My ex-wife must be a descendant of this guy 🤔🤔🤔

[@veganpiranha3302]

Hahahahaha

[@jordanpowell2242]

😂🤣😂😂😅😂🤣🤣😂😅

[@GutterfishNetwork]

“Today I Found Out” about Space Jam 2

[@LetsTalkAboutPrepping]

Ya wtf

[@macarde10]

Gives new meaning (21:37) to getting away ‘Scot’ free when it is a Scotsman. Is this where the term comes from?

[@drewping2002]

That's what I thought too! Apparently it comes from Scandinavia taxes and penalties "skat"

[@Droffilc55]

Gregor was arrested in the UK and escaped prison. This escape was later used by Robert Stephenson as a model for a fictional escape in one of his novels. After his death, his pension was paid to his daughter, possibly the only person born in the short lived republic of Florida. She shared a house with her cousin James McGregor, who was my great great grandfather.

[@alexanderveritas]

Gregor McGregor is the perfect examples of how to start things properly, only to abandon them halfway trough. _Indulgence and procrastination at their best._

[@movietimeateds69]

"Billy 'fyre festival' mcfarland". I got a good laugh out of that one.

[@roblowery3188]

I appreciate your concluding thoughts, perhaps including more of that into forthcoming productions would be nice. Keep up the good work!

[@clarencepreston5466]

Yeah to me it's still a toss up between him and Victor Lustig. One sold a nonexistent country, the other sold the Eiffel tower.... Twice

[@knightwing5169]

Victor Lustig didn't cause anyone to die....... right?

[@katemaloney4296]

"Unfortunately, the plan instantly fell apart...." The motto of every great plan ever made by a bad guy.

[@RedBear535]

Unreal and amazing. I am going to forward this to all my history geek buddies.

[@boskobuha6321]

every story of this guy ends up with him taking a city and drinking in the sun.....what a legend, world needs more people like him

[@mcfarlane819]

I’m only 7 minutes in and this could be an epic and hilarious tv series

[@aalytoks9755]

Hundreds of people died

[@mcfarlane819]

@@aalytoks9755 and humour is subjective.

[@hakeemfullerton8645]

Can you do a biographics video on George Melies: Magician, Illusionist and Filmmaker

[@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield]

A pioneer of special effects in film, great suggestion!

[@hakeemfullerton8645]

@@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield thank you

[@optimvsprinceps1845]

Another George too. George Romero: The father of the zombie genre.

[@LindaB651]

Oooh- YES, please do! That would be wonderful!

[@miou-miou-]

@@optimvsprinceps1845 noooo, then you would finally kill the "braaaaiiiins" rumor every other zombie movie has "copied" after..

[@MayaHiortPetersen]

That was fantastic!! Thank you! The amount of research and Simon is great, just great. (I have to say though, that the lights in the background are a bit of a pity. It's distracting.)

[@magogo5905]

Great video, thanx simon!

[@brandonk8948]

It is truly admirable the amount of research you put into these videos. Always entertaining and informative, though just one question for today; this Gregor MacGregor, he wouldn't happen to have a modern age great-grandson with the first name Connor would he?

[@jackd.ripper7613]

The name "Miskito" derives from the Miskito-language ethnonym Mískitu, their name for themselves. It is not related to the Spanish word 'mosquito', which derives from the word 'mosca', meaning "fly", also used in Spanish for the insect.

[@feetgoaroundfullflapsC]

Mosquito is diminutive of Mosca.. Mosca is a fly. Mosquito is .. A smaller fly indeed.

[@brokentombot]

Today I found out

[@kevinlitton1399]

It sounds like mesquite. Like the tree.

[@BassGoblin]

Loving the double bass on the transitions!

[@Tambhoy29]

Never get bored of this man's video, everytime it pops up on here feel like listening to it for the first time again and although he had lots of victims he would be great for a movie

[@Yuushiboy]

Your speech at the end is so true! Sadly most people today are as blind as back then.

[@2007nishant]

Natwarlal was a noted Indian con man known for having repeatedly "sold" the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Rashtrapati Bhavan(President's House) and also the Parliament House of India along with its sitting members

[@DontMindMe_]

I do your sponsors the most justice. Compared to any other KZbin channel. Very respectable.

[@dcaldwell1026]

Thumbs Up for making me research the history of purchasing military ranks. Thank you!

[@nathanseper8738]

So MacGregor basically INVENTED the real estate scam? That's innovation, I tell ya.

[@davidroberts1689]

No, Eric the Red invented "Greenland" which as we all know is covered in ice.

[@nathanseper8738]

@@davidroberts1689 Really? That's why the name Greenland was given to an icy land? To promote settlement based on falsehoods?

[@boonemyers4739]

@@nathanseper8738 Correct. Then gave Iceland its name to deter settlement lol. Genius.

[@barnabyatkinson5020]

Yes, it really makes me proud to be related to him lol

[@brigadierblue221]

When you drop all you Attribute points in Luck and Charisma 🤣🤣🤣

[@jerrywaterfalls5865]

Great video, appreciate your channel it’s interesting and well structured. You should do Ian Fleming next.

[@mikecrase3047]

Love the way you turn a tale.keep up the good work.

[@silafuyang8675]

The story tells one truth: stupidity is contagious.

[@sufimuslimlion4114]

Yeah but you definitely haven't ever been Inflicted huh?

[@deepthinker8063]

I am starting to fall in love with this channel😅.

[@musiclover01ization]

Very interesting video. I was really entertained by it.

[@hill2750]

I liked this video! Thank you for the good lesson!

[@lewis2518]

as a venezuelan i always laugh at this guy history

[@brokentombot]

It is kinda silly.

[@tecumsehtoccoa553]

Well is it true? And is it known in Venezuelan history?

[@alejandromartinezmontes6700]

@@tecumsehtoccoa553 It's known as part of the revolution. Many non-Americans participated in the revolution and they're recognized as having contributed. One of my ancestors (a great great great grandfather I believe) actually a Brit recruited by guys like McGregor and sent over to Venezuela.

[@tecumsehtoccoa553]

@@alejandromartinezmontes6700 thanks for the information hermano.

[@angelawalker7582]

I really enjoyed this one

[@Biographics]

Thanks :)

[@CobraAquinas]

Excellent video.

[@sharonshea3261]

Ditto - there should absolutely be a movie about Gegor MacGegor. Loved this video

[@RAGENARR]

Living a lifetime without regretting and ending with impunity, "because life is unfair" sounds like the justice system of my country (Chile), where the current president of the republic deliberately left a bank (el banco de Talca) in a bankrupt state just creating false societies.... a complete example of probity, sometimes I don't know if the crisis in my country is due to the authorities or just the people who choose them...you will probably say that it's a shared responsibility. Anyway good job, keep it up. Greetings from Concepción, Chile.

[@jeffmeyer9587]

I'm going to assume that this is where the term "getting away scott free" came from? If not, it should have been!

[@adrianfirewalker4183]

One of the best videos out there!

[@MillennialForChrist]

I enjoy your voice and accent and history has always been my favorite subject!! Cool channel!

[@RedBear535]

金美靈Jabberwocky Slayer Love your name.

[@1rwjwith]

MacGregor...my fathers middle name. This needs to be a movie! Part comedy part tragedy!

[@robertrohde4681]

1rwjwith I’m related to this guy

[@dethcon5002]

"One last BIG score.." -Gregor MacGregor

[@macrc2129]

That was great! Thanks!

[@stevenloban266]

Great message at the end.

[@DevilsAvocado69]

Do James Hutton next? Scottish geologist who kind of theorized evolution before darwin, really interesting man. Was heavily involved in the Scottish enlightenment

[@DevilsAvocado69]

@Louise Severn Marvel comics are for children, real crime documentaries are for bored old people, hair scarfs are for people who work... I have more if you have the time

[@DevilsAvocado69]

@Louise Severn Opinion based on observation..... observational comedy...... as it is an art and subjective I find it funny therefore.... comedy.... farewell

[@michaelkane9996]

Fantastic video and well made! As a scotsman it's mad I've never heard about this conman, what a crazy story! How the hell he got away with sending ships full of British people to their death is beyond me 😆 the guys as brazen as it gets!

[@Ashannon888]

Ummm, he mostly sent other Scots to their doom....

[@cwalenta656]

Great video!

[@iamstillthemindfire]

WOW!! Loved this episode.

[@freedomfries6618]

Let me save you sometime in reading the comments. A whole bunch of people read the title as Connor McGregor.

[@MysticWanderer]

And when I read those replies the first thought that hit my head was Connor MacLeod of the clam MacLeod

[@lokisingularity3394]

@@MysticWanderer clam... lol. Highlander is a great movie with a dumpster fire for a sequel.

[@MysticWanderer]

@@lokisingularity3394 Ok, so now if I ever put a clam in one of my aquariums it's name shall be MacLeod. How great a simple typo can be.

[@lokisingularity3394]

@@MysticWanderer yasssss!

[@fvckyoutubescensorshipandt2718]

13:20 LOL first time I've seen Simon crack up while pitching the sponsor.

[@jimtaylor294]

Yup. He briefly skirted the Trades Discriptions Act with that country conquering endorsement XD.

[@fvckyoutubescensorshipandt2718]

@@jimtaylor294 How so? He didn't lie. Squarespace is in fact useful if you want to take over a country. Terrorists use it to design websites to recruit new cell members.

[@jimtaylor294]

^ Amusing, and possibly true too.

[@ortizguard2816]

This is the first story, on this channel, that truly boiled my blood!

[@michaeltobias3110]

Simon has a very nice sense of humor & a great delivery of his jokes. 👍👍😅😀

[@timeandplace4114]

Interesting and well done. You are so right life is not fair nor just and never will. Since man walked erect and spoke there have been Gregor McGregor on various levels in all cultures. There will always be successful coners because of the nature of those being coned. Looking forward to the next bio in this vein. So entertaining.

[@zim_christ_lion]

Life is what you make it to be. Do not fall into the pessimist 's trap. You are the creator of your reality and life. In your heart, believe things will turn out favourably and they will.

[@pipi_delina]

Simon when will you do some episodes on Shaka Zulu or Samauru Toure

[@Ruby321123]

YES!!!

[@thirtyyearoldmulberryfield]

Add Abu Bakr II and Mansa Musa to that list of black excellence!

[@jedirevan5892]

This is a much better format than Business Blaze. Good job informing people.

[@MrCodwaw101]

My brother and I are the only surviving great great grandson's of Rob Roy MacGregor. When Rob Roy got to America he changed his last name to Mackey. That's where I come in

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:35 - Chapter 1 - Birth of a conman 4:50 - Chapter 2 - Life with the liberator 8:45 - Chapter 3 - 3rd times the charm 12:30 - Mid roll ads 13:50 - Chapter 4 - The con is on 17:10 - Chapter 5 - The bubble 20:50 - Chapter 6 - No bad deed goes unrewarded

[@daniell1483]

I'll have to disagree, the story of Gregor Macgregor shows that life isn't fair, good things happen to bad people and our indifferent universe simply doesn't care.

[@zim_christ_lion]

Not true. You are the creator of your own reality. You can draw your desires to you by knowing in your heart they will come to pass - visualization/ manifestation. Karma always come to those who wrong others. Whether in this lifetime or another.

[@zim_christ_lion]

Don't fall into the cynical pessimistic trap.

[@Nyctophora]

I love the style of these. You bring everything to life. Even the sponsor bits :D

[@Biographics]

IT'S EASY WHEN ITS SQUARESPACE. The most legendary website builder in history.

[@chemken4475]

@@Biographics nice

[@davidkelman620]

Great video, can't believe i have never heard of gregor before, it makes a great movie

[@me0101001000]

You've got to do one of the oldest conman in Western Society: Alcibiades

[@billiondollardan]

i'm going to google this guy now

[@shinobisauren]

Aah Alcibiades, known either for supposedly being one of the most handsome and charming men in the ancient Greek world or being let's say a bit a of a traitorous dickhead in politics and war and most other things he did.

[@RickCaldwellvoluntaryist]

This story is awesome.

[@katemchale4757]

Oh man yes!

[@SinOfAugust]

I would not describe Alcibiades as a conman, he was merely an extremely savvy and charismatic fellow who had no compunctions about putting his personal needs and wants over everything and everyone. It’s just his partyboy lifestyle and utter irreverence that did him in.

[@michaelspano4067]

"sometimes the happy, wealthy, respected people are the ones who have caused untold suffering. even when they seem to be the most respectable types you could hope to meet." historic playbook for today's ruling elites!

[@slaydon3]

I remember this when anyone acts proud for who they voted for

[@leonfa259]

Isn't that true for all elites ever lived? If you are poor you have a hard time harming many people, if you are powerful it is hard not harming many people (even with the best intentions).

[@JSL2000]

That's very good advice at the end.

[@kashifmohammed2065]

Amazing best video

[@alf.2929]

Was this how the whole Boaty McBoatface started?

[@jordanpowell2242]

Al F. 😂😂😂😂

[@camiloiribarren1450]

Conman history is always fun to learn. Gives me ideas for my book series. Also, Simon, Michael Jordan was in Space Jam, not Lebron James

[@earlofthecarolinas6250]

There's a new one coming... with LeFlop. 😒

[@audreyann1975]

I really love these videos!

[@Biographics]

Thanks :)

[@Viroh]

Good video

[@Samer-vj1cu]

Those Scottish are something.

[@johnrab5302]

Samer fucken Right good on Gregor he has his country stole so he stole back

[@markhill7596]

he got away Scott free. lol

[@johnlameelk5339]

That expression may have sprang to life because of him. (I intend to look into that, out of curiosity.)

[@markhill7596]

something like the life of o'rally don't now what that means either.

[@banhatlessducks]

Another perfect video by everyone's favourite KZbin personality

[@Biographics]

Well thanks :)

[@banhatlessducks]

No problemo, keep it up 😁

[@dominicpurdy3310]

Love your videos

[@OF01975]

I just realised you should make your intro like LEEEEEETS GET RIIIIIIIIIIGHT INTO THE FACCCCCCCCCSSSSS

[@Biographics]

BUT FIRST. SQUARESPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE.

[@OF01975]

Biographics whether YOU need a domain, online store, porn repository, make it with squarespace use code whistler for 59% off your first 4 times

[@kyleshiflet9952]

Give him credit for for being a successful con not many can do that

[@ayliea3974]

Thank you. Very timely in the USA.

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@theangelbelow88]

Wow, this is one of the most infuriating thing I've learned about this year...

[@thechosenone1533]

7 months ago. Before the lockdown. simpler times.

[@nicholaschristodoulou3821]

@@thechosenone1533 7 months ago. During the lockdown. More complicated days.

[@joshuahunt3032]

Wouldn’t the best conman be the one that no one has caught yet, and without consequence until it’s too late?

[@BrownRiceBunny1]

Joshua Hunt We wouldn’t be able to rank them because we would never know about them. So yeah it’s a list of the biggest con-men that got caught.

[@shift747]

By that definition u would have one hell of a long list. Hell Hitler and Pol Pot would qualify for such a list

[@andyher1880]

Yeah, but of a paradox there. Still, biggest known con is a big enough category. Personally, I think that guy who successfully impersonated experts in demanding professions--surgeon, engineer, pilot, etc--was the greatest ever because he actually did all those things and never hurt anyone or took their money. Great movie with Tony Curtis about it, The Great Imposter, I think it's called.

[@MysticWanderer]

@@andyher1880 Also the theme of a MASH episode

[@thechosenone1533]

@@andyher1880 Don't say he didn't harm people. I wouldn't want Frank Abagnale flying my plane or performing surgery on me.

[@javierarreaza5601]

I very much enjoyed, nay, in fact, I totally loved this video. The town of El Chaparro, in the Venezuelan state of Anzoátegui, where I’ve been to in a couple of occasions, sits in MacGregor municipality. It may seem highly ironic for such a crook to be honored in this way, but at the same time it is also true that those first few years of Venezuela’s war of independence, when MacGregor joined in the struggle, were absolutely horrific, and one can’t help but wonder how Bolívar and those with him didn’t actually give up altogether. Soublette certainly appreciated MacGregor’s resolve and it would have been completely against the spirit of the time post-independence to deny him recognition. I do wonder if they knew in Caracas about his Mosquito Coast defrauding scheme. I’m not sure that the topic has actually been properly researched.

[@devilsephiroth9000]

Awesome that I share the same birthday with this legend