Leopoldo of Gregory — Wikipedia
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LEOPOLDO DE GREGORIO, MARQUIS D’EQUILACHE
LEOPOLDO DE GREGORIO, MARQUIS D’EQUILACHE
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Juan Francisco de Gaona and Portocarrero ( d )
Miguel de Múzquiz and Goyeneche ( d )
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| Spanish ambassador to the Republic of Venice ( d ) |
LEOPOLDO DE GREGORIO, MARQUIS D’EQUILACHE or Solar (Messina [ first ] Or Genoa [ 2 ] , – Venice, ) is a Spanish diplomat and politician of Italian origin of XVIII It is century.
We don’t know much about the beginnings of Leopoldo de Gregorio’s life, except that he was born in Messina in Sicily around 1699. The first safe sources mention him fighting in Italy in Italy The 1740s, as a munitioner in the Spanish army. While he was then removed in his hometown, Bernardo Tanucci calls on him. It was at this moment that his relationship begins with the King of Naples and Sicily, Don Carlo , future king of Spain under the name of Charles III.
Leopoldo de Gregorio was first of all Customs Director in 1748. He impressed the king by his innovative ideas, inspired by the Enlightenment. King Charles appointed him secretary of finance of the kingdom of Naples in 1753 and entrusted him with the reform of the army. It was finally made Marquis d’Esquilache in 1755.
He followed the king, who entered the throne of Spain in 1759. He was first appointed general superintendent to finance in 1759, then secretary to war in 1763 and councilor of state in 1764. With the absolute confidence of Charles III, who supports him in his projects inspired by the ideas of the Enlightenment, he Starts a series of reforms intended to modernize the country.
However, he already came up against the growing hostility of the nobility of the court, the Church and even the population, who see him as a stranger, and oppose his reform projects. The population does not support their decisions either to prohibit excess caused during the holidays and the cherry trees.
He makes various decisions of physiocratic and liberal inspiration, such as the free movement of grains. His good administration is even welcomed, in particular in Madrid, who knows modern sanitation and lighting actions. It establishes for the first time the Administration of annuities in America , in particular in Louisiana and Cuba, in order to maintain the troops which were stationed there.
Triggered by a law aimed at banning the wearing of the long cape and the sombrero in favor of the short cape and the tricorne, the revolt against Esquilache, from 23 to , part of Madrid, quickly wins all of Spain and all the strata of society. The king is forced to accept the conditions of the mutineers:
- Reference of Esquilache and his government, the Marquis having to be expressly returned to Italy;
- training of a new government made up only of Spaniards;
- drop in the price of food products;
- withdrawal of clothing reforms.
Despite the King’s affection for Esquilache, he is distant, and must leave Madrid for Cartagena, from where he wins Naples and then Sicily. He was finally appointed Ambassador of Spain to Venice in 1772 – not without some bitterness – where he ended his days.
He is the father of Giovanni de Gregorio (1729-1791), created Cardinal with title of the Church of Sainte-Trinité-des-Monts in 1785, then Camerlingue of the Sacred College in 1789. Another son is the Cardinal Emmanuele de Gregorio.
The life of Esquilache has inspired several artistic works:
Bibliography [ modifier | Modifier and code ]
- Didier and Denise Ozanam, Spanish diplomats from XVIII It is century: Introduction and biographical repertoire [1700-1808] , Ed. De La Casa de Velázquez, Madrid, 1998, p. 286-287. (ISBN 84-86839-86-6 ) (ISBN 9788486839864 )
- (is) Antonio Dominguez Ortiz, Facts and figures of the 18th century Spanish , Editorial Century 21st, Madrid, 1980.
- (is) Vicente Rodríguez Casado, Politics and politicians in the reign of Carlos III , Madrid, 1962.
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