Discouraged, grieving and determined to take no further part in politics, San Martín took his young daughter and went into voluntary exile in Europe. He could not return to Spain, so after a brief stay in Belgium, he went to France. A friend from Spanish army days, don Alejandro Aguado, marqués de las Marismas, gave him a small farm in Grand-Bourg along the Seine river.
There he attended to his daughter's education, stressing simplicity, honesty and respect. He wrote a number of maxims, based on his own philosophy of life, for her instruction:
Maximas Para Mi Hija:
Inspire in her a love of truth and hatred of lies
Inspire in her confidence and friendship joined with respect
Encourage in Mercedes charity for the poor
Self respect and decorum
Train her to keep a secret
Inspire in her tolerance for all religions
Gentleness with servants, the poor and the elderly
To speak seldom and precisely
Train her to use good table manners
Love cleanliness and despise luxury; Inspire in her love of country and liberty
José returned once to Argentina, in 1829, and saddened by the discord between the South American nations, returned to Europe, where he lived quietly with his sole surviving grand-daughter until his death in in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France on August 17, 1850.
In his will, written six years before his death, José left everything to his daugher Mercedes, with the directive to pay his sister Maria Elena a pension. He left his saber to Juan Manuel de Rosas for his efforts in preserving the honor of the republic. He expressly forbade a funeral and returned Pizarro's standard to Peru.
In 1880, his remains were brought to Argentina and interred in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires. A magnificent mausoleum reflects the love of the Argentine people for José de San Martín, the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru.
He knew how to win.
José de San Martín is recognized as the military strategist behind much of the South American struggle for independence. His bold plan to defeat the Viceroyalty of Peru, the last stronghold of Spanish power on the continent, was successful because of his comprehensive plans, his meticulous attention to the smallest detail, his patience and perseverance.
He was known to be austere in his personal habits. Years of soldiering created the order and routine of his life. He rose early, worked until noon, took a siesta through the worst heat of the day, rose and worked again through the evening until he retired at ten. He was used to living rough in the field. He ate lightly.
He was a leader of men, could train them and inspire them. He had a grand vision for South America.
This is known. What isn't as clear is the motivation for his actions. Historians and present-day analysts have studied his actions, his letters and papers. Certain elements have sought to de-mystify the man by pointing out his infirmities and his romantic liasons, even discussing the possibility that he had Guaraní blood. He was disparagingly called El tape de Yapeyú.