The Sun.
London, England, 1824-08-24 00:00:00

MADAME RIEGO'S WILL.

• From Ow Docks Chronicle:l
Through the kindness of a distinguished personage in our
neighbourhood, who had atisidiouily laboured to alleviate the
afflictions of the late Madame ft EAO, after her arrival in this
country, we have been favoured with a copy of that unfortunate
14ady's last will and testament, which we have reason to be-
Rove has not, till now, appeared in print.
The will 'iodated the 12th day of June, 1024 (about eight days
before her decease). After a preamble, which appears conform-
able to the custom of her native country, and of the religion in
which she had been educated, the testatrix directs that her re-
mains may be at the disposal of her brother-in-law, Don
Miguel del Riego, Canon of the Cathedral of Oviedo, who had
accompanied her to England,
and whom she appoints executor
of her last will. For placing her remains at his disposal, she
assigns this reason— that he may take them where he may
think proper, and that they may be removed to Spain, and de-
posited with those of my husband, should they be found, when
the liberty of my country is re-entablished."
The testatrix then proceeds thus_" 1 also declare that it is
my will that all the jewels belonging to the person of my hus-
band, whatever they be, and wherever they, may be found, be
deliveried up to the said brother-in-law, Don Migueldel Riego,
as likewise the sword, the property of the Nation, the use of
which was conferred on my husband during his litc.time, and
which he kept pure and spotless, in order that my said brother-
4n-law may take care of it, and when circumstances allow, may
deliver it up to the Nation, lawfully assembled, as decreed by
the Cortes."
After directing the disposal of her wearing-apparel, jewels,
and other property, in favour oilier sisters and her sister-in-law,
except a certain gold ring with a diamond solitaire which had
been presented to her husband, and which she desires her
brother-in-law to take fur himself, the testatrix adds—" The
black silk handkerchief, the only legacy that my deceased hus-
band could leave me, as a token of his remembrance, during
the last painful moments of his life, it is my will that my
brother-in-law should keep by him, to wind round the hilt of
the sword, which is-to be returned to,the Nation, as above-said,
when circumstances shall permit."
After earnestly recommending her sisters and brothers to the
.care and direction of her brother-in-law, the testatrix subjoins
—" Deeply grateful for the proofs of interest, esteem, and re.
spect, which have been shewn me in this country, into which 1
was driven by the political tempest that shipwrecked my own,
I wish and entreat by brother-in.daw, Don Miguel, to present
thelast memorial of my gratitude to all those rersons who have
honoured and favoured me • • • •

" Considering it a duty in me, and an set of justice due to
the excellent memory of my beloved husband, I declare, in the
awful presence of my God, before whose tribunal I am on the
point of appearing, that all his sentiments and private conduct,
his anxious cares and wishes for the liberty and happiness of
his country, have always been in strict conformity with his
public actions ; his noble soul wholly filled with the purest and
most ardent desires for her political independence, her civil
liberty, and the peace and prosperity of her citizens' without
any other wish or personal ambiteon than the glory of devoting
to her his services and his life.
" And wishing to have the consolation of manifesting in the
last moments of my life the love which I also have always enter.
tained for my country, both on account of natural ties, educe.
tion and duty, arid of the powerful influence produced by the
heroic example of my husband, I cannot help expressing, in
this my last will anti testament, the anxious wish I feel for the
domestic peace, happiness, and lasting prosperity of my be.
hived country ; intreating most ardently every one of her cons,
every Spaniard aide to her misfortunes.and present troubles, to
contribute by every means in his power to restore her to her
sacred and unalienable rights. And although I descend to my
tomb with the firm conviction that the sufferings and last sa-
crifices of my late husband Don Rafael del Rwhch is
iegoiwillalbsoe
my
ways present to the memory of every
.good Spaniard, and
valued as they deserve, as well as his family,
own, I ask them, with my dying breath, to cast a look of com.
passion over my orphan sisters and brothers, when circum.
stances may allow it.
"And inasmuch as the General and Ordinary Cortes did
decree and grant, in the month of June, 1021, an annual "en-
sion of eighty thousand reels to be paid out of the national
funds or revenues to the General Don Rafael del Mega, for
himself, his wife, and children, during their lives, which de.
me was ordered to be caned into effect, notwithstanding the
decisive and definitive renunciation of it by the late General be.
fore the Cortes; and inasmuch at; he did not receive a part of
this pension during his life, nor I after his death, and having,
no children to whom it might descend, I declare it to be my
last will, that the sum which should be due to me, up to the
last day of my life, be applied to the relief of the widows and
orphans of those ;timid Spaniards, who, loyal and faithful to
their oaths, fell, like my husband, in defending the ,liberty,
and independence of my country."