Veitch (Henrique)

On 7 August 1857 the British subject Henrique Veitch died on this island, having served for many years as English consul here in Madeira. His name remains linked to the history of this archipelago, above all for the valuable protection he gave to many Madeirans when Miguelist troops seized Madeira, and again during the turbulent period of our civil wars. Henrique Veitch was appointed his country’s representative in Madeira during the second occupation of this island by British troops, in a year we cannot now state precisely, but which fell within the period from 1807 to 1814. Despite holding his post in so delicate a situation, he managed to conduct himself in such a way as to avoid conflict with the local authorities and not to stir up the ill will of the island’s inhabitants against him.

Henrique Veitch linked his name to Napoleon’s passage through Madeira on 23 August 1815, for, as is well known, he was the only person who went aboard the carrack Northumberland and spoke to the emperor. It is said that Napoleon received him and listened to him because Veitch addressed him as ‘Majesty’, whereas on board he could only be called by the plain name of General Bonaparte. When the English consul offered his services to Napoleon, the latter replied that he would be very glad to receive some books and fruit. Veitch very graciously obliged, sending him a magnificent gift of fruit, sweets and old wines. Napoleon sent Veitch some gold louis to pay for the boat that had carried the refreshments on board, and tradition has it that the consul placed them in the cornerstone of the Anglican church in Rua da Bela Vista when the foundations were dug for the building of that place of worship (see II-422).

Henrique Veitch was so fond of Madeira that he spent a considerable part of his fortune here buying a great deal of property and putting up several buildings. Outstanding among them is the house in Rua 5 de Outubro (‘5 October street’), between the Bom Jesus and Nova bridges, whose architecture is highly original for Madeira and at once catches the eye of any curious observer passing by. The houses in Rua das Queimadas de Baixo, in the locality (sítio) of Calassa and in the town (vila) of Câmara de Lobos are also characteristic buildings. Special mention is due to the lovely residence at Jardim da Serra (‘upland garden’), for the originality of its construction, for the pleasantness of the spot and also for the strange mausoleum that stands a short distance from the house, out in the open mountains, where the mortal remains of the English consul Henrique Veitch rest.

As we have already mentioned, the protection Veitch gave to many Madeirans during the turbulent period of our civil wars was invaluable. His houses served as a safe and hospitable refuge for many victims of political persecution. In 1828, when the absolutist troops occupied Madeira, he arranged the escape of many inhabitants of this island on board the frigate Alligator. Among them were the governor José Lúcio Travassos Valdez, the Count of Carvalhal and two of his nephews, the dean Januário Camacho, Colonel Albuquerque, the juiz de fora (crown-appointed judge from outside the district), the corregedor (royal district magistrate) and many others.