Manuel Rafael García Aguirre

Manuel Rafael García Aguirre belonged to a family with several generations in public service. Born in Buenos Aires in 1826, he graduated from its university in 1846, worked as a civil judge, and entered diplomacy through the political networks surrounding national unification. He married the writer Eduarda Mansilla in 1855. His early American assignment included studying the federal judiciary. ¹

As minister after Sarmiento, García sought American participation in the national exhibition at Córdoba, collected information on institutions and trade, and supervised a New York edition of Argentina's Civil Code. Eduarda's Washington receptions helped the legation cultivate contacts. García subsequently supervised naval construction in Europe while retaining American diplomatic responsibilities; the ships delivered in the 1870s formed an important part of Argentina's fleet. ¹

In March 1878 he submitted Argentina's case in the Chaco boundary arbitration to Secretary of State William Evarts for President Rutherford B. Hayes. The submission comprised an argument of 155 pages, 314 supporting documents, and seven maps, asserting Argentine rights to the disputed territory between the Verde and Pilcomayo rivers. His accompanying letter also raised questions about the authentication and exchange of Paraguay's evidence. The arbitration produced a setback: in November García acknowledged receipt of the decision awarding the disputed territory to Paraguay and undertook to notify his government. ^{2, 3}

He had declined a Supreme Court appointment while the boundary issue remained unresolved. His career continued across successive governments and overseas assignments until his death in 1887. He spent prolonged periods away from Argentina, faced salary concerns, and maintained his family across several countries. ¹