Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 1).djvu/108

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the party were attacked by the British, who expected an easy victory, but were completely surprised by Appling and his men, concealed in the bushes on the banks. The British squadron, with 170 officers and men, fell into the hands of the Americans, and the naval stores were delivered safely at Sackett's Harbor. For his conduct in this engagement Appling was brevetted lieutenant-colonel. He distinguished himself afterward at Plattsburg, and was brevetted colonel in 1814. On 1 June, 1810. lie resigned from the army.


ARACENA, Domingo, scholar, b. in Santiago, Chili, in 1810 ; d. there in 1874. He was educated at the school of the Dominicans in Santiago, and entered the novitiate of the order at the age of fifteen. He afterward learned Hebrew, Greek, and the principal modern languages, and attracted so much attention in his public discussions that he was known as the Pico de la Mirandola of Chili. During the twenty years that he was professor in his convent his knowledge of jurisprudence was so highly esteemed that he was constantly visited by lawyers and statesmen, as well as by successive presidents, who consulted him on difficult points of constitutional law. It is said by his biographers that several changes in the laws of Chili were brought about by his advice. He wrote several works, one of which, "Vindicacion de la nota de Inquisidores," has been translated into French by Lacordaire.


ARAGO, Jean (ali-ra'-go), Mexican general, b. in France in 1788; d. in 1836. From Perpignan, where he had held a public office, he went to New Orleans, and, having joined the expedition of young Mina. he rendered efficient service in the war of independence. In many of Santa Anna's campaigns the principal part was that taken by Arago.


ARANGO Y PARRENO, Francisco de, Cuban statesman, b. in Havana in May, 1765; d. there in 1837. He went to Spain in 1787, was admitted to the bar in 1789, and in 1813 was elected a representative for Cuba in the Spanish cortes, where he advocated the abolition of slavery. In 1818 he returned to Havana. He was one of the founders of the Soeiedad Patriotica de Aniigos del Pais, which has conferred many benefits upon Cuba. To his exertions were due the opening of the ports of the island to foreign commerce, and also the abolition of the tobacco monopoly. These measures were the origin of the commercial progress and prosperity of Cuba. Agriculture also owes much to Arango, who introduced new methods of cultivating the land, and also the Othaiti sugar cane, which supplanted the creole cane and has been a source of immense wealth. Arango wrote numerous pamphlets and memoirs, some of which have been translated into French and English. Humboldt called him "one of the first of the Spanish statesmen."


ARANGO, Rafael de, soldier, b. in Havana in 1788; d. there in 1850. He took part in the uprising in Madrid on 2 May, 1808, against the French invasion, under Napoleon I. This was the beginning of the peninsular war for independence, so fatal to the French armies. Arango retired from active military service in 1821 as a colonel of cavalry, went to Cuba, where he wrote an historical sketch with the title of "El dos de Mayo," and published also a "Prontuario de Agricultura" (1828).


ARANGO Y ESCANDÓN, Alejandro (ah-ran'-go e es-kah-oo-don'), Mexican author, b. in Puebla, 8 July, 1821. He was educated in Madrid and Paris, and has filled several high offices, but declined to accept any compensation for his public services. His library is one of the richest in Mexico. A volume of poems and the excellent "Ensayo historico sobre Fray Luis de Leon" are among his best works. The last named won him membership in both the Royal Spanish academy and the academy of history of Spain.


ARANZAZU, Juan de Dios (ar-an-thah'-thoo), Colombian statesman, b. in Antioquia near the close of the 18th century; d. in 1845. He began his political career when very young, and filled high offices since 1823 until 1841, then taking charge of the executive. He distinguished himself for his ability, great learning, and spirit of justice in his public dealings.


ARAUJO Y RIO, José, Spanish governor of Guatemala, under Kings Philip V. and Ferdinand VI., from 1742 until 1751. He succeeded Gen. Rivera y Villalon, and was replaced by Gen. Vaz- quez Priego.


ARBOLEDA, Julio (ar-bo-lay'-dah), Colombian poet, d. in 1872. He received his education in Europe, and wrote in French, English, and Italian, as well as in his own language. His poems, entitled “Dios y la virtud,” “Estoy en la cárcel,” “Me ausento,” “Te quiero,” and the long one called “Gonzalo de Oyón,” deserve especial notice. He was assassinated, it is supposed, by political enemies. A collection of his poetry was republished in New York in 1884.


ARBUCKLE, Matthew, soldier, b. in Greenbrier co., Va., in 1776; d. at Fort Smith, Ark., 11 June, 1851. He entered the army as an ensign in 1799, became a captain in 1806, major in 1812, lieutenant-colonel in 1814, colonel of the 7th infantry in 1820, and brevet brigadier-general in 1830. In 1817 he was successful in an expedition against the Fowltoun Indians, and in 1846-'47 served in the Mexican war. He commanded at New Orleans, Fort Gibson, and Fort Smith. During much of his life he was brought constantly in contact with the Indians of the frontier, and, by his knowledge of their character, always kept their confidence.


ARBUTHNOT, Marriot, British admiral, b. in 1711; d. in London, 31 Jan., 1794. He was a nephew of Dr. John Arbuthnot, the poet. He became post-captain in 1747, and in 1775 was made naval commissioner at Halifax, where he resided until 1778. He returned to England a rear admiral, and in 1779 was made vice admiral, and commander-in-chief on the American station. Soon after arriving at his destination he was blockaded in New York harbor by the French fleet under D'Estaing. In December, 1779, he conveyed the troops of Sir Henry Clinton to Charleston, and coöperated with him in laying siege to that city. The fleet appeared off the harbor on 9 March, 1780, and entered it on 9 April. After a short siege the city surrendered on 12 May, and was given up to pillage. For this success Arbuthnot received the thanks of parliament. On 16 March, 1781, Arbuthnot obtained some advantage over the French fleet in an engagement off the capes of Virginia. In 1793 he was made admiral of the blue. At the time of his service in America, Arbuthnot was old and inefficient, and Sir Henry Clinton complained bitterly to the home government of his incapacity.


ARCE, Francisco, pioneer, b. in Lower California in 1822; d. in 1878. From the age of eleven he lived in Alta California. At the time of the American conquest in 1846 he was a military officer, and was secretary to Gen. José Castro, commander of the Californian forces. His name is known from his connection with a party of men who, in June, 1846, were bringing horses, generally supposed to belong to the Californian government, from Sonoma to the south. Capt. John C. Fremont, then in command of an American surveying party in the territory, incited American settlers to assail the