many more, would continue to transpire, resulting in more of the Trinitarios being forced out of the country, even resulting into the deaths of many of the patriots, such as María Trinidad Sánchez, aunt of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, as well as the death of his trusted comrade and fellow war hero, Antonio Duvergé, along with his son. The deaths of his fellow collaborators caused Mella to be overwhelmed with guilt and sadness for the remainder of his life. While in exile, Mella chose to settle in Puerto Rico, opting to remain close to his homeland. Eventually in 1848, Mella, along with Sánchez, was granted an amnesty decreed by president Manuel Jimenes to return to the country. Upon his return, he resettled in Puerto Plata, working in the wood cuts, away from political affaris. held many important positions. For instance, he rejoined the army once again, and participated in the Battle of Las Carreras, a renewed Haitian invasion, securing victory once again. But unfortunately, this victory allowed Santana to renew his political confidence, and would go on to overthrow Jimenes for the presidential seat. Jimenes was exiled twice before eventually settling in Haiti, where he did on December 22, 1854. When Buenaventura Baez became president in September 1849, Mella was appointed Secretary of State for Commerce and the Treasury. He even briefly served as Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic from 1849 to 1850. When Santana returns for a third term, Mella became a Secretary for his government. In addition, he was named Commander of Arms, Governor, and was even sent on special mission to the government of Spain to manage the recognition of Independence in 1854. This mission lasted for six months. During this mission, it has been argued that during negotiations, Spanish officials attempted to persuade Mella to instead propose a protectorate to the Dominican government, rather than recognize independence. Mella, still holding onto the morals of the Trinitarios, flatly rejected an offer he deemed as a despicable proposition. By May 1854, Mella decided to return to Dominican Republic, but not before addressing in a farewell letter to the Count of San Luis, who was the President of the Council of Ministers, the reluctance of the Spanish government to recognize the independence of the Dominican Republic. In that letter, he writes: In July 1856, he was tasked to draft a bill with the purpose of organizing the