Juan Valera y Alcalá-Galiano

Juan Valera pursued literature throughout a diplomatic career that took him to several European and American capitals. Best known as the novelist who wrote Pepita Jiménez, he also worked as a critic and essayist. His Washington mission in 1884–1886 joined diplomatic negotiations to his efforts to circulate Spanish literature in the United States. ^{1, 2, 3, 6}

Writing to Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo on 4 March 1884, Valera complained about delayed editions of his books and about American politicians, whom he accused of exploiting claims against Spain. In the same letter he expressed hope for sales of Spanish books among American readers, particularly women, and said that he had encouraged a Washington bookseller to order titles from the Spanish bookseller Fe. ⁶

Valera’s Washington work included efforts to stop armed expeditions against Spanish rule in Cuba. On 17 March 1884 he sent Secretary of State Frederick Frelinghuysen two Key West newspapers and complained that Cuban exiles were openly promoting attacks with explosives. He accused them of publicizing plans to destroy Spanish barracks and ships and urged the administration to intervene through the attorney general. ⁴

The dispute also required practical cooperation. On 14 July, after receiving American reports that Key West was quiet, Valera accepted the proposed withdrawal of the naval steamer Galena. He thanked the United States for its efforts to prevent expeditions from departing for Cuba. ⁵