MIRANDA, me-rall'a, FRA NCESCO ( 1750? 1816). A Spanish-American revolutionist. De was born in Venezuela, and entered the Spanish Army, rising to the rank of captain. He resigned in order to serve with the French in the United States. He was then sent to Cuba, where he engaged in illegal trade and was obliged to take refuge in Europe. There he traveled exten sively, and was well received at the Court of Rus sia. The French Revolution called forth his enthusiastic admiration. lie served in the French Republican army, and gained the rank of major general. Although he had sonic: skill as a cotn nmande•, the division under him met with little success. The defeat at Neerwinden (1793) was attributed largely to his treachery, and the sus picion led to his arraignment before the Revolu tionary Tribunal. After the fall of the Girondists he tied to England, and endeavored in vain to in duce William Pitt to aid him in an attempt to free Venezuela from the Spanish dominion. In 1803 he went to New York, where he found means to fit ont two vessels and some 200 volunteers, with whom he sailed for South America in 1806.
He succeeded in taking possession of one or two coast towns, but the great popular demon stration in his favor which he had expected was entirely lacking. In 1810 lie organized another expedition, and took possession of Valentin, Puerto Cabello, and nearly the whole of New Granada. Miranda organized a revolutionary government, proclaimed a constitution, made him self Vice-President, and entered Carlieas in tri umph, in April. 1812. The members of the Gov ernment were not able to act in harmony. Mi randa was taken prisoner by the opposition faction of revolutionist? in July, and shortly afterwards fell into the hands of the Spanish authorities. by whom he was sent to Spain. He died in the dungeons of the Inquisition at Cadiz three later. Consult Biggs. History of Hiranda's trmpt in Routh America (London. 15091. For Siir•anda's career in France, consult P,ojas. .111 nd a la Revolution francaisr (Caracas, 1559), a collection of official documents.