The New York herald., 1851-09-08

~ compelled to surrender, with his army, to
greatly superior Spanish force, but obtained favorar
be terms from the conquerors; and among others,
that those who wished should be permitted to quit
Venezuela But the Spanish government did not
keep its plighted faith on this occasion. Miranda,
and many others, proceeded to La Guayrs, where
they intended to embark for Carshagena but the
military commsndant of La Guayra caused them to
be arrested think ng by such base conduct, TO gain
favor with the conqueror Miranda and nearly one
thousand patriots we're thrown Into dungeons. Many
were sent to Porto r co, and some to Cadiz, who
were condemned by the Cortez to imprisonment.
Miranda was accused by Bolivar of being traitor
and . secret ally of the British cabinet tie was
delivered prisoner t, the Spanish General Monte
vsrde, who violated his agreement with Miranda.
and sent him in chains to Spain He was lodged
in the prison of the restored Inquistion at Cadz,
where he remained till 1916, when death released
from his sufferings this most unfortunate veteran
and martyr of American freedom.
The adventures of General Nina, in Mexico, IN
1916 and 1877, excited at the time the warmest
sympathies of the friends Of liberty and the ad'
mirers of chivalrous valor throughout nerica and
Europe. We have only space for brief allnson
TO the principal incidents of his short but brilliant
career and the result of his unfortunate invasion of
Mexico.
Don Xavier Nina was born in Navarro, Spain,
in December, l7s9 He was the eldest son of
a distinguished proprietary, whose domains lay
near the town OF Monreal. He was nephew
Of the celebrated Spanish General Espoz
Nina. so long distinguished in the wars Of
the Peninsula, and in the struggles for con.
Ik
the mountains of his native province, Xavier Nina
was accustomed to wander through the rich VAL
leys and to pursue the chase smids the grandeur of
the Pyrennees. The wild aspect, the rug ged sc,ne
ry of mountainous country, and the cheerful and
buoyant feelings they excite, are wei kaown to have
powerful effect upon the formation of ohara,ter
1t is there that the elements of great and noble
daring are cherished; that patriotism is feeling
Of spontaneous growth and thence have sprung
those heroic spirits whose exalted deeds have shed
lustre on humanity. The early studies Of Nina
were pursued at Pampeluna and at Sar,gossa. In
1893, during the French invasion Of Spain, being in
bis nineteenth year. he was a student at Saragossa,
and felt the strong enthusiasm of the times. He
abandoned his studies, entered the army of Spain
as volunteer, and was present at several hard
fought battles. He afterwards became the leader
Of an organized band Of guerias, and his successes
against the French caused his name TO be connected
with the military history of the period for his skill
and bravery Before be twenty-one years Of
age he fell a captive to the French, and impri-
sored at the castle of Vin,ennes There he re-
mained till released in cons qucnce of the entrance
of the allied armies into Paris, and the general
peace which took place.
On his return to Spain Nina Joined his uncle in
espouspg the Of the dberaeS, constitutiona
lists, against absolute monarchy. He therefore ex-
perieIced the dspleasure Of the court and the
fowp Of King Ferdinand He was offered the COM
man f the military forces in Mexico situation
then Iext 10 the viceroy. This fer, which
probably made TO get rid OF Nina ia Spain, he de-
clinej, and retired to Navarro. HIS uncle being
deprived Of bis command, the two Minas deter
mine to raise the standard of the Cortes and the
constitution. They were unsuccessful, and Xavier
Nina retired 10 France with thirty officers, his
friends. lie arre ted by order Of the French
govern rent, and imprisoned near Bayonne, but was
soon liberated, and passed over to England. From
the British government he receive a liberal PEN
sion
During his sojourn 10 England, Nina was treated
with CATERING attentions by the leading meu, and
particularly by prominent nobeman, distin-
gusned for his attachment to the cause Of freedom
By this nobleman, Nina was m ade acquainted with
General Scott, Of the United States army then on
n visit TO England lie also furnished with
ship, arms, and military stores, by some English
gentlemen attached to the cause of freedom to
enable him TO prosecute an enterprise he had been
some time medtating aga INST the Spanish province
Of Mexico, as the quarter whence the most severe
blow coul! be struck against the tyranny Of King
Ferdinand Nina, in drawing bis sword in favor of
the independence Of Mexico, considered be was
espousing cause consonant with those principles
OF liberty for which he became an exile from his
native land. PoFer and peace might have been
his, if he had chosen 70 Goat in the eddy of court
favor; but his character and principles forbade
him. Defeated in his attempt to uphold the Cortes
and the cause Of Spanish freedom in Europe, he
devoted hmself to the of liberty in America.
Nina had originally intended to proceed direct
to the Mexican coast, conceiving that the iuhabi-
taDts seIsrsy would rise in his favor; but altering
his plan, in consequence Of part of his designs 10
Europe being frustrated, and sonc inform riioa
tbs, he received, he sailed from England for Chesa
p,akc Bay. in the month of May, 1916, acconpa-
MED by thirteen Spanish and Italian and Two Eng
lhh officers After passage of forty.six days,
the ship arrived In Hampton Roads. The General
disembaiked at Norfolk, wberes he proceeded TO
Baltimore, where the ship arrived the 81 of July
Nina here made al arrange neut for a fist-sailing
brig pierced for guns. aud purchased artillery mill
'sry stores, clothing, &c. for his army. The ship
was purchased for passengers, and Nina visited
II ilad,lphia and New York, where several Aneri
cans and Europeans volunteered their services and
offered 20 accompany him. lie was not dcsirous of
nugmtntrg his force. except as to ofi;e being
uncer the impression, as before remarked, that he
would be joined by the natives. on landing ia
Mexico lie learned that the patriots IN Mexico,
Who had risen against the royal government, main.
tsined strong guerilla forces, and that smal
fortress rear Vera Cruz was held by the patrio
General, Guadalupe Victoria.
On the 18th of August, Isl6 the ship, having