GOMEZ Y BAEZ, e ba'h, Maximo, Cuban soldier: b. Bani, Santo Domingo, 1831; d. Havana, Cuba, 17 June 1905. When Santo Domingo revolted against SpaM he served as lieutenant of cavalry in the Spanish army; and when the freedom of the island was de clared he went with the Spanish army to Cuba, but left the army because General Villar mal treated some Cuban refugees. In 1868 he joined the Cuban insurrection, and through his ability and daring soon rose to a position of prominence, being in several successful engage ments. Though deprived of his command at one time, he was soon recalled, and rose to be major-general. On the failure of the rebel lion, he left Cuba and settled on a farm m Santo Domingo. Returning to Cuba, he was influential in bringing about the insurrection of 1895-98, and was made commander-in-chief of the Cuban army. His policy was to avoid open engagements and to drive the Spaniards out by devastating the island and constant haras sing of their troops. When the Americans landed in Cuba (1898) he willingly co-operated with them. On 24 Feb. 1899 he marched into Havana at the head of his soldiers and was received by the United States authorities. In March of the same year he was deposed from his command by the Cuban Assembly on ac count of his accepting $3,000,000 for his army from the United States. He assisted the Amer
ican governor-general in his work in the island; was governor of the province of Santa Clara and a member of the Constitutional Convention; and he continued as governor under the presi dency of Estrada Palma. He wrote 'Sanchito Gomez> and 'Ali Escolta' (1896), describing his campaigns in Cuba. Consult Carrillo, 'In the Saddle with Gomez' (New York 1898).
Valentin, Mexican statesman : b. Guadalajara, 14 Feb. 1781; d. Mexico City, July 1858. He was ap pointed a professor in the University of Guada lajara in 1810, was a Liberal member of the first Constituent Congress, was elected Vice President with Santa Anna, and in consequence of the latter's absence assumed executive powers 1 April 1833. In 1835 a constitutional congress refused to acknowledge his authority, and he was exiled. He returned in 1838; in 1840 led an unsuccessful revolt, and again was banished. Having returned in 1845, he was elected Vice-President in 1846; later a deputy to Congress, and was appointed Postmaster General under Alvarez.