N° I. of Russia, England, Sweden, Denmark, and even APPENDIX. the Ottoman Porte, had deposited their confidence in the late spanish monarch, in the melancholy moment when he was at the point of death, or had just closed his life. Your majesty, following the oracle and precepts which you had heard from the mouth of your beloved father, has facilitated the communications which were desired by the monarchs of such great and powerful nations. May the Omnipotent bless these works, and the purity and rectitude of your intentions, for the immortal glory of your person and reign, and of Spain itself! Now, Sire, since the august father of your majesty began, by attesting the truth of the facts contained in my Exposition, condescend to complete the work, and tell the world whether they are or are not true, in all which your majesty has witnessed or known. This is the only reward to which I aspire for my services, to preserve my reputation, and that of my family, from the gross and cruel calumnies with which, as your majesty knows, my enemies persecute me. It appears to me right, that your majesty, as the first judge and protector, should protect and render justice towards a minister who has the honour to serve you. If I obtain this decree from your majesty, I desire and ask nothing more than, that you would condescend to listen to the prayers with which I conclude the adjoined representation, addressed to your august father. This is what is hoped from the royal clemency of your majesty, by EL CONDE DE FLORIDA BLANCA. St. Lorenzo, Nov. 6, 1789. APPENDIX. N° I. Royal decree confirming the statement. 42. ROYAL DECREE. SEEING that the facts are true which are related to the king my royal father, and to me, in this Statement, and others, which accompany it, as well as in a paper of Observations, joined to the process formed against Don Vincente Salucci, the marquis of Manca, and others, of which the superintendent of police will give a relation himself to the council, in full assembly; the said council will examine and call the whole to mind, and give me its opinion, as well on the chastisement which may be merited by those who shall be proved delinquents, as on the satisfaction which is owing to those who may be calumniated; and the precautions which are proper to prevent their defamation. This is to be executed with great secrecy, and with closed doors; and the papers to be returned to me, although an authenticated copy may remain where it ought. To the count of Campomanes. ALTHOUGH favoured by the confidence of the sovereign, Florida Blanca was opposed by a strong party, secretly instigated by the queen. Two of this party, the banker, Salucci, an Italian, and the marquis of Manca, a spaniard, who had been employed in several diplomatic missions, wrote two bitter satires against his administration; one under the title of "Conversacion que tuvieron los Condes de Florida Blanca y de Campomanes, en Julio de 1788," (a Conversa N° I. tion between Florida Blanca and Campomanes, APPENDIX. &c. ;) and secondly, "Confesion del Señor Conde de Florida Blanca, papel que se cayò de la manga al padre comisario general de S. Francisco, 1789," (Confession of Count Florida Blanca, a paper which fell from the sleeve of the father commissary general of St. Francisco.) These papers appear to have given rise to the preceding Statement; and afterwards to an answer to the second satire, under the title of "Observations on the paper intitled Confession, &c." by Florida Blanca himself. To these a reply was made, under the title of "Notes on the Statement." Meanwhile, under the reign of Charles the IVth, a process was commenced in the council of Castile against the authors of the satire; and these compositions were submitted to the council, as will appear by the decree just cited. The two satirists were arrested, but Salucci escaped to his native country, and Manca was imprisoned. However, the opposition of Florida Blanca to the rise of the new favourite, Godoy, afterwards Prince of Peace, excited the resentment of the queen; and advantage was taken of the circumstances of this process, to discredit him with the king. To obtain the disgrace of Florida Blanca, d'Aranda was recalled, in Feb. 1792, and placed at the head of administration. But when the promotion of Godoy was secured, the subordinate agents of this political farce were dismissed from the scene. After a short confinement, Florida Blanca was permitted to retire, d'Arando was sacrificed, and died in 1802; and Manca was either banished, or prudently withdrew to his native country, Burgos. APPENDIX. N° I. In 1808, soon after the commencement of the late revolution, Florida Blanca was again called into public life, and appointed one of the Central Junta. But unfortunately, either from his advanced age, or the difficulties of his situation, he gave no proofs of his characteristic energy and activity. He died in the following year. |