NARVAEZ, Don BARoN MARIA, Duke of Valencia. a Spanish general and statesman, was b. at Loja, in Andalusia, Aug. 4, 1805, and when very young served in the war of liberation against the French. He was an officer in 1820, when constitutional govern ment was re-established in Spain; and in 1822, when a reactionary party of the royal guard took up arms to destroy the work of the revolution, Narvaez ranged himself on of the liberals, and contributed by his courage to the repression of the mutiny_ Shortly after, under the command of Mina, he made the campaign of Catalano against the guerrillas, who were assisted by the monks. The invasion of Spain by a French army in 1823 forced to retire from active life. He withdrew to Loja, and lived there in obscurity until the death of Ferdinand VII. in 1832. In 1834, as eapt. of (Masseurs, he maintained a hot struggle against the Carlists of the Basque provinces, and signalized himself in various engagements. In 1836 be commanded a division ender the orders of Espartero, and in November of that year completely routed the Carlist leader Gomez, near Arcos. This was a decisive moment in his career. He now became immensely popular, aspired to the highest offices of the state, and was regarded as the rival of Espar tero. In 1838, by acts of terrible severity, he cleared the district of La Mancha of brigands, and was appointed in 1840 capt.gen. of Old Castile, and general-in-chief of the army of reserve. When Espartero gave gen. Alaix a place in the ministry, Isarvez resigned his command. He took part in the insurrection against Espalier° that broke
out at Seville in 1840. but that having failed, he wits compelled to flee to France, where be was shortly after joined by queen Christina (see MARIA CTUiTSTINA), and commenced those plots against the government of Espartero which, in 1843, effected its overthrow. In 1844 he was appointed president of council and created duke of Valencia. His nun istry was thoroughly reactionary. He recalled Maria Christina, and revised the liberal constitution of 1837. The proeressista party was dissatisfied, and petty insurrections broke out which the rigeroulf ESoldieVLatatestuan repressed with an But his dictatorial manners finally even his personal friends, Maids ministry was over-, thrown (Feb. 10, 1846). After a brief exile as special ambassador at the French court ha returned to power in 1847, but soon afterwards quarreled with queen Christit4t, and found it necessary again to retire from office in 1851. In 1856, on the overthrow of O'Donnell's ministry, he again became president of council, and immediately commenced to strengthen the royal authority and to restrict the liberty of the press. The intrigues of the court compelled his resignation in 1857, He returned to power in 1861, and (1865) was succeeded by O'Donnell, with whom he suppressed, in 1866, a military revolt in Madrid. lie replaced O'Donnell in the same year, and, despite the efforts of O'Donnell and Prim, retained power till his death in 1868.