FLORIDA BLANCA, Don Josxro riMoNmo, Count of, prime minister under Charles III. of Spain, was b. in 1728, at Murcia, where his father was a notary. Having studied at Salamanca, he gained soon after such distinction that he was appointed Spanish ambassador to Clement XIV. of Rome. In that office, he displayed great ability, espe cially in the abolition of the order of Jesuits and the election of Pius VI. Grimaldi, Spanish minister of foreign affairs, on being dismissed, was asked by the king to nomi nate a successor, and accordinnly proposed Monino. Charles followed his advice, created Monino count of Florida Blanca, and intrusted to him, besides, the department of matters of justice and mercy, as well as the superintendence of posts, highways, and public magazines. F. used this extensive authority in introducing post-coaches and good post-roads, in improving the capital, and attending to other important departments of general police, as likewise in actively promoting the arts and sciences. His effort to
confirm the good understanding between Spain and Portugal by a double marriage, which would have secured the Portuguese throne to a Spanish prince, was unsuccessful. His military undertakings also, the attack upon Algiers in 1777, and the siege of Gib raltar in 1782, issued unfortunately. Before.the king's death in Oct., 1788, F. presented a defense of his administration, with a request for leave to resign. The defense was accepted, but the request refused. However, under Charles IV., in 1792, F.'s enemies obtained his disgrace. Imprisoned at first in the citadel of Pampeluna, he was after wards released, and banished to his estates. He appeared again at the meeting of the Cortes in 1808, but died Nov. 20th of the same year.