APSLEY HOUSE, London. General Miguel Ricardo da Alava (1771-1843) 1818 by George DAWE (1781-1829). WM 1477-1948. A veteran of the Spanish contingent at Trafalgar, Alava joined the uprising against the French in 1808. In 1810 he was sent as Spanish liaison with the British in Portugal, where he became friendly with the Duke of Wellington. In 1815, as Spanish ambassador to the Hague, he was able to take up an appointment on Wellington's field staff as the Spanish Commissionary for the allies at the Battle of Waterloo. APSLEY HOUSE, London. 'General Miguel Ricardo da Alava' (1771-1843) 1818 by George DAWE (1781-1829). WM 1477-1948. A veteran of the Spanish contingent at Trafalgar, Alava joined the uprising against the French in 1808. In 1810 he was sent as Spanish liaison with the British in Portugal, where he became friendly with the Duke of Wellington. In 1815, as Spanish ambassador to the Hague, he was able to take up an appointment on Wellington's field staff as the Spanish Commissionary for the allies at the Battle of Waterloo.