Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte

Fernando Agustín Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte y Dávila (23 December 1742 in London, England – 22 November 1791 near the Cape of Good Hope), 4th Marquess of Tabuérniga, 15th Marquess of Cañete, 6th Marquess of Fuente el Sol, 8th Marquess of Navamorcuende, 15th Lord of Montalbo, and a Grandee of Spain, was a Spanish aristocrat and nobleman from the House of Medrano, military officer, and Knight of the Order of Malta. He is best remembered for his close friendship with the writer José Cadalso. In his military career, Fernando played a significant role in the Seven Years' War at the siege of Almeida in 1762. He served as a Spanish Royal Guard and was the Aide-de-camp to Governor Pedro de Cevallos and Viceroy Juan José de Vértiz, becoming a trusted confidant to both leaders. In 1780, he supported de Vértiz in maintaining Spanish colonial rule in South America during the Tupac Amaru Rebellion. During this time, he corresponded with the Prince of Asturias, the future Charles IV of Spain, informing him of the rebellion and denouncing widespread corruption by royal officials, particularly in their administration of tobacco and playing card monopolies imposed by Minister José de Gálvez. His criticisms led to his exile by Gálvez in 1781 to Manila in the Philippines, where he remained until receiving a royal pardon in 1791.