was effected by appointing a new viceroy in the person of Juan Ruiz de Apodaca, a naval officer whose ability had gained for him the rank of lieutenant-general in the armada, and the important mission of ambassador to England, where he left a good impression also for amiability and elegance of manner;[1] but the chief recommendation to his royal patron was a zeal ous devotion to the monarchy and a benign and felicitous rule as captain-general of Cuba. It was expected that a few energetic movements combined with a more temperate attitude would conclude the war and reconcile the people. This hope was sound, as proved by the immediate results; and if ultimately dissipated, the cause must be sought elsewhere.
Apodaca arrived at Vera Cruz toward the close of August 1816. On the journey to Mexico he received a disagreeable insight into affairs by a sharp onslaught on his party at the hand of Osorno, who with a little more energy might have captured the new viceroy.[2] The latter retaliated by setting free the captives made, and permitting his wife[3] and daughters personally to tend the wounded insurgents. This unusual and humane proceeding somewhat softened the easily impressed Mexicans, no less than his piety, his kindness toward sufferers in prisons and elsewhere, and
- ↑ He was born at Cádiz and entered the naval academy there in 1767. As an officer he distinguished himself for energy and bravery, but above all, for scientific investigations connected with his department, and was therefore largely employed on commissions as inspector of arsenals, etc. In 1807 he was given the command of a squadron, and achieved a brilliant success over the French fleet. In the following year, as ambassador to England, he promoted the alliance which proved of so vital import to Spain, and four years later he assumed control of Cuba, displaying there of late so great loyalty and judicious tact in preserving the peace that he was decorated with the great crosses of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, and promoted to New pain. For additional observations, see Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., iii. 353 et seq., v. 61 et seq.; Escalera y Liana, Mex., 12; Alaman, Hist. Méj., v. 958-60, with portrait and autograph; Pap. Var., clx. pt xlii.; Disposic. Varias, ii. 18, 35; Cedulario, MS., iv. 34; Liceaga, Adic. y Rectific., 272.
- ↑ Which would have caused the war to assume fresh fury, under Calleja's direction, observes Bustamante. Cuad. Hist., iii. 353-4. Apodaca's troops brought by him from Habana were unused to war, and he to action in the field. Fortunately Donallo came to the rescue.
- ↑ María Rosa Gaston, daughter of a lieut-gen. in the navy, and maid of honor of María Luisa, who had borne to him seven children.
