foreign power for protection. He eventually struck a deal with Queen Isabella II in 1861. In exchange for honorary privileges, military and economic intervention, Santana agreed to return the Dominican Republic back to colonial status. Spain, who by now was losing control of most of its former colonies, used this opportunity to reinsert its control in Latin America. The U.S., busy with its Civil War, was left unable to enforce the Monroe Doctrine. This decision caused a national uproar among the population. Mella, of course, did not accept this, and along with his fellow patriots, pledged their full opposition to the annexation. But because of this, he would be imprisoned by Santana, who confined him to the fearsome Tower of Homage, (present-day Ozama Fortress) for 72 days. He would later be deported to Saint Thomas. Mella, despite the fact by now he was battling dysentery, didn't hesitate, and joined in on the cause. He traveled through numerous sectors of the south, with the task of rounding up restoration troops for general Pedro Florentino. For his contributions, he was appointed Minister of War, in which his first act in this position was to create a war manual for the soldiers, which he produced in January 1864. Around the same time, Mella would address in a manifesto: At the time of the Capotillo Outcry (Grito de Capotillo) (16 August 1863), already very ill, Mella served as Vice President of the Dominican Republic in the government of the Restoration. He would continue to hold this place in office for the remainder of his life. Before he passed, Mella asked his followers that on the day of his death, his remains be wrapped around the Dominican flag. Living his final years in Santiago, Mella would continue to serve his duties and purposes. Final visit from Duarte On March 27, Mella was visited by Duarte, who had just arrived in the country during this time, at his home. Duarte had used this opportunity to greet his ailing comrade one last time. The hero Manuel Rodríguez Objío described the visit of Juan Pablo Duarte to Mella with the following words: On June 4, 1864, just a year before the end of the war, Mella, the beloved founding father and honorable revolutionary, died in his small home near San Luis Fortress, at the young age of 48. He was accompanied by his wife, Josefa, family members and