On the 25th of August, 1810, the frigate Atocha dropped anchor in the port of Vera Cruz. The ves sel brought to the shores of New Spain her fifty-ninth viceroy, Francisco Javier de Venegas, knight of the order of Calatrava.[1] Venegas was in no haste to reach the seat of his government, but journeying slowly from Vera Cruz to the capital, made himself conversant with the state of affairs, and formed friendly relations with persons whose services he considered useful. For Campillo, the bishop of Puebla, and Flon, the intendente of that city, he contracted a sincere attachment. On the 13th of September the audiencia surrendered the government to him at Guadalupe, and on the following day he made his public entry into the capital with the customary pomp and ceremonies.
Venegas, who had retired from the army with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, returned to active service in 1808, on the invasion of Spain by the French, and won distinction in the memorable battle of Baylen. Henceforth his promotion was rapid, and he soon obtained the grade of lieutenant-general. Although he suffered defeat at Almonacid[2] by imprudent self-confidence, he enjoyed a high reputation in New Spain as a courageous military chief. Bustamante, in somewhat disparaging and ill-measured language, thus describes his personal, appearance: "Tall and robust of frame, the expression of his countenance was sour, and his glance angry and threatening; his lips were thick, and his head, which he held inclined
- ↑ For a list of his names, titles, and decorations, see Cedulario, i. f. 92, and Dispos. Varias, ii. f. 3. In the latter document appears his rúbrica.
- ↑ Guerra states that he lost the army of the centre at the two battles of Tarancon and Ucles, 'que dió y perdió por su ineptitud, como consta del Manifesto del Duque del Infantado.' Cuesta went so far as to state that Venegas 'by gross ignorance, want of skill, envy, or malice, lost, perhaps forever, the only opportunity of saving Spain.' Hist. Rev. N. Esp., i. 296.
prevent their operations and destroy their influence were taken both in Spain and Mexico. For copies of instructions given to these agents, their proclamations, and descriptions of their intrigues, consult Gonzalez, Col. N. Leon, 153-8; Manifiesto contra las Instruc. Emperador; Calvilio, Discurso; and Diario Mex., xiii. 43-4.
