Miguel de Alva: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:23, 9 October 2004

Revision as of 13:23, 9 October 2004

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VAALAVA, DON MIGUEL RICARDO DE (1770-1843), Spanish general and statesman, was born at Vittoria in 1770. He served first in the navy, and had risen to be captain of a frigate when he exchanged into the army, receiving corresponding rank. He was present as a marine at the battle of Trafalgar on board the flagship of his uncle Admiral Alava. In politics he followed a very devious course. At the assembly of Bayonne in 1808 he was one of the most prominent of those who accepted the new constitution from Joseph Bonaparte as king of Spain.

After the national rising against French aggression, and the defeat of General Dupont at Bailen in 1808, Alava joined the national independent party, who were fighting in alliance with the English. The Spanish Cortes appointed him commissary at the English headquarters, and the duke of Wellington, who regarded him with great favor, made him one of his aides-de-camp. Before the close of the campaign he had risen to the rank of brigadier-general. He was a close associate of the Portuguese Army of the MArquis of la Romana.