FLORIDA-BLANCA, 114-re'lift Jos( AlaRt.xo, Count of (1728-1808). A Spanish states man, lle was born in was educated for the law at. Salamanca, and became the principal proseenting official to the Cmincil of Castile. In this papa•ity he was the author of the decree for the expulsion of the .Tesuits, in 1767, and in 1772 lie was sent by the :Marquis Esquilache, the Prime Minister, I/II a mission to none to confer with Pope Clement XIV.. and was created Count of Florida-Blanea on his return to Spain. in 1777 he sneceeded Orimaldi i, Alinister of For eign Affairs. and also became pITS1(11.111 of the Council of Alinisters. Florida-Itlanea's long min isterial career, lasting from 1777 to 1702, was one of the most brilliant and successful in Spanish history. In foreign affairs his adminis tration. although not so completely successful. was marked by trite statesmanship. Ile is said by sonic writers to have suggested the famous 'Armed Neutrality' (q.v.) in 1780, and it was during his administration of the Foreign (Mice that Spain joined with France. in aceordance with the provisions of the Family Compact of 1761, in the war against England. though
Florida-lilanea steadfastly opposed any recogni tion of .knieriean independence. A treaty was negotiated with the Sultan of Turkey. and Al giers bombarded. and the .\ pirates were brought to terms. On the accession of Charles 1V., in December, 1755. Florida Blanca sought to retire from his position, but at the urgent request of the retained his office three years longer. In 1702 an intrigue at Court resulted in hi- re tirement and the elevation of .kranda. Absurd and unsubstantiated charges of the malversation of funds were brought against him, and lie was imprisoned for a short time in the fortress of Pamplona. On the fall of \ randa. and the ap pointment of t;oiloy as Prime Minister, he was set at liberty, and restored to his rank and honors, atter which he retired to his estates in Murcia. There he remained quietly until the Napoleonic invasion of 1808, when he was chosen president of the Central Junta of the Govern ment. but died soon afterwards.