The malaguenno Mariano de Unzaga: confidence man of Joseph I Bonaparte in his exile in France and in the United States of America

Abstract

We mark September of 2020 to commerate the 200th anniversary of the death of the Malaga-born Mariano de Unzaga, aide-de-camp and personal assistant of Joseph Bonaparte, and son of the Lieutenant General Louis de Unzaga and of the influential New Orleanian Elizabeth St. Maxent. Mariano belonged to one of the most important families in Spain, for being the successor of many generations of governors in Bilbao, Malaga and Louisiana. As a kid, he accessed the enlightened environment of the Court, where he began his steps as a Paje of His
Majesty, and as Cadet Knight in the Artillery Corps, where he participated in several battles and finally got promoted to the position of Cavalry Colonel to protect the King and Grand Master Freemason Joseph I Bonaparte, who later became his closest friend and confidant, accompanying the Monarch into exile, after he went to France, where he also assisted Napoleon in his last attempt fleeing, and then journeyed with Bonaparte to the United States, where he collaborated to colonize new farmland for French officers in various states. Mariano tried to return to Europe amid the liberal movement of 1820 but died in the Atlantic Ocean during his journey.