The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-10-13
Correspondence Of tie Madisonian


Sin: As vessel leaves this morning for Phil
ade'phia, | take the opportunity of giving you a
few items of intelligence in relation TO the
change of the officers Of the Government here,
consequent on the overthrow Of Espartero in
Spain. The Captain General vacated his office
yesterday, and is succeeded by Uloa, the Gene
raj Of Marine, a native Of Lima, man totally
unfit for the station, remarkable for nothing but
his vanity and selr-concet, which will have an
ample field for their display during the short
time he will be permitted to retain it, General
| valdez, the ex Governor, is AT present staying a
'''''' - :" -, the city with friend be is a
man OF agreeable manners-nI~i-s, unassum
ing, and liberal in his sposition-and is muc,
esteemed and respected There are some ru-
mors, however, that his habits are not very
good, aud that the pleasures of the table are too
freely INDUCED in but | believe these reports
are entirely without the shadow of truth.
have heard il stated by good authority that,
although poor, he annually appropriated some
fifteen or twenty thousand dollars Of his income
TO charities and that many of the destitute
widows and orphans in Spain, of his brothers in
arms, have been greatly indebted t. him.
Count Miirasol, the commander Of the forces Of
the Island, should as second in command, have
succeeded hun; but, by accepting conditionally
the office Of Lieutenant Governor, he forfeited
his claims TO the succession When General
Valdez became Governor, 1t was expressly sli-
pulated that, in case he should be compelled to
resign in consequence Of bad health, or any other
cause which was deemed probable, the General
OF Marine should assume the duties of The office.
and not Count Mirasol, who would otherwise
have been entitled to il as a matter of course.
The InIendente. Lama, has also given IN his
flee, and is succeeded by the Count of Villa
Nueva, a Creole Of the Island. The Inten.
dcnte is unpo. 'ular, his manner beng not at all
engaging and he has some enemies who de.
light in abusing him, but he is undoubtedly an
able, honest aud eiIicIent officer, and has in
creased the revenue of the Island some eight or
nine hundred thousand dollars per annum.
When he went into office he found six rails in
the Treasury, and, at his retirement leaves in il
upv ards of eight hundred thousand. He was
the mortal foe Of all smugglers, and carried on a
war OF extermnali ZION against them aud had he
remained a short time longer in office, it is pro-
babe that not a yestige Of them would have re
manned as it was, one or two Germans howe
yer had TO go 10 the wall, his vigilance being too
keen for them. The smugglers no doubt will
hail his retirement with great joy, as they are
many of them most notorious for this particular
kind Of business. His successor, the Count
Villa Nueya, Creole Of the Island. was of
humble fortunes aud origin, and was some time
engaged in the Custom House as clerk. with n
salary Of forty dollars per month Gifted with
some smarness, talent and energy, be made a
little money, went to Spain, and had the adj
dress to have himself appointed Intendente. lie
went into Office poor, and at the expiration Of
his term, sixteen years, (wih a salary Of ten
thousand per annum,) he retired with fortune
Of more than million. This needs no com.
ment
II is doubtful whether he will hold his Office
long, as report says bis appointment is only for
the lime being. General ODonald has been an.
pointed Governor Of the Island, and it Is OK
peced that he will be here IN a short time. I
Yours respectfully,