PRIM, prria, JUAN, Marquis de los jos, Count of Deus (1814-70). A Spanish general and statesman. He was born in hens, Catalonia. December 6, 1814, entered the army at an early age, rendered Narvaez (q.v.) efficient assistance in securing the downfall of Espartero in 1843, and was made a count. He was active in bringing about the return of Queen Christina, but in 1844, on account of his defec tion from Narvaez, was sentenced to imprison ment on a charge of conspiracy against the lat ter's life. In 1845 he was pardoned by the Queen, who made him Governor of Porto Rico. He led the progressive party in the Cortes ( 1848-53), was in exile 1853-58, and served in the campaign in Morocco in 18.59-60. For his victory at Los Castil lejos, January 1, 1860, he was made a marquis. In Ise he was commander of the Spanish troops in Mexico, despatched to act in conjunction with the French and English forces, but disapproving of the plans of the Emperor Napoleon, he returned to Spain, where the Cortes sanctioned his course. In 1864 he was driven from Mad
rid, accused of participating in a military con spiracy, and in 1866 he began an unsuccessful in surrection against the Government of O'Donnell (q.v.). and was forced to flee to England. In 1868 he joined Serrano in the revolution which dethroned Isabella. In the provisional Govern ment (October) Prim became commander-in-chief. Minister of War, and president of the Council. He was responsible for the choice of Prince Leo pold of Hohenzollern to fill the vacant throne. a choice which brought on the Franco-German War (q.v.). Afterwards, through his agency. Amadeus I. (q.v.) was called to the throne. Prim was shot by an assassin December 28, 1S70, and died from his wounds on the 30th, before Amadeus arrived in Madrid. Con sult: Guillainnot.Juan Prim et l'Espaync 1870) : Blairet, Le genr'ral Prim et la situation actuelle dc l'Espagne (Paris, 1870).