The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-10-08

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to write to San Miguel to that effect--in
the belief, Of course, that he would dis
suade him from the enterprise. Lopez
accordingly wrote, indeed, simply men,
| tioning the fact which he had been re-
questcd by the governor to communicate
but adding, that Gen. San Miguel would,
of course, carry out his own plans, with
out regard to this circumstance, which
was, moreover, proof that the governor
was afraid he would not be able 10 MAIN
tam the place against the apprehended
siege. San Miguel, at length made his
appearance before Contavieja, and began
TO throw up his siege works. The gov
ernor then went TO the room in which Lo-
PEI was confined, and told him that he
deeply deplored the necessity under which.
he was now placed, Of ordering the exe-
cution Of the prisoners, but offered them
another chance, by saying that Gen. Lo-
PEI might 60 out to San Miguel's camp,
to explain, in person, the state Of things,
SO as to induce the latter to withdraw
giving his word of honor that he would
return Immediately. Lopez accepted the
offer; and presenting himself to San Mi
guel and his officers, who welcomed him
as a favorite friend, sat down to cheer
| full breakfast, at which he explained the
errand on which he had been sent. He
executed it, however, in his own way, by
advising San Miguel of the best mode Of
attacking the town by storm, giving him
the benefit of the observations he had been
able to make Of its defences inside; and
it was agreed that the attack should be
made the next day.
The prisoners had contrived to obtain
The promise Of some forty muskets from
some ofthe Navarrese soldiers in the place,
with which they would make at least some
resistance to the amiable purpose of the
Governor resistance which might thus
afford a useful diversion during the attack.
This being all discussed together with the
breakfast. Lopez rose to depart, which
he was not suffered to do till he had OVER
powered the chorus of opposition he en-
counlered by the declaration of his infex-
ible resolution. The Governor confessed
himself very much astonished to see him
back. The town was vigorously attacked
the next day, and taken by assault, the
prisoners escaped the impending fate
(Which by the way certain cure, or priest,
who was one of the principal Carlist Off
GERS in the garrison, was the most eager
to inflict,) by the rapidity of the operation,
and the terror with which the garrison
was impressed.
"They had no time and they were afraid
of reprisals, that was ALL" was General
Lopez's modest commentary, on recent
occasion when the inquiries of some friends
elcited the particulars of the story in which
we see ray Of the classic glory of Re-
gnlus, though he himself was the only one
who saw nothing in it remarkable.
In his political sentiments, General Lo-
pei never wavered from his fidelity to the
democratic party, known in Spain as the
liberal erattado party. As a known and
reliable member of that party, he was ap-
pointed commander-in-chief of the Nation
al Guard Of the kingdom, a post created
for him at a critical period. He, at diff
erent periods, filled the post Of eomman-
der-in-chef Of various provinces. Though
excessively caressed by the queen mother
Christina, he early learned to despise and
distrust her and her false, selfish, and in
triguing politics.
On the occasion fthe popclar insurrec-
ton at Madrid: which resulted in the ex-
pulsion Of Christina from the Regency,
General Lopez was earnestly solicited BY
the people to assume the command of the
capital, as Governor Of Madrid, which,
when he found it incumbent on him as
duty Of humanity at difficult and critical
moment, he consented to do. The city
being threatened by the army, lie made
the most energetic preparations for its de-
fence; but happily the withdrawal Of the
obnoxious queen mother to Paris averted
the necessity of the struggle, for which
he had braced the nerves Of the people, by
the firmness of his resolution and the Wig
or Of his measures. Espartero, on whom
the government then devolved, and who
was soon after appointed Regent by the
Cortes, was anxious to induce Lopez to
retain the post of Governor of Madrid;
but the latter would not remain beyond
the period of emergency for which he had
been called upon by the people themselves,
in situation in which it might become his
duty to set against the people for the re-
preston of tumults, and three times press
ed upon the Regent his resignation; which
was only accepted when he positively re-
fused to take negative answer, and he
relieved Espartero from the difficulty Of
filling his place, by himself recommend
ing competent successor.
Anterior to this period, he had been ap-
pointed Senator Of the kingdom by the
liberal city of Seville. Authorized by tho
constitution to nominate three persons for
the Senate, from whom the crowd had to
select one, Seville took effectual means to
make good its desire to be represented by
Lopez, by naming as his colleagues in the
nomination, two candidates whom it was
impossible for the court to adopt, the ono
being the Infante Don Francisco de Paula,
the uncle Of the young Queen, and broth
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