Political Events

Mexico and Texas
Mexican vice president Valentin Gómez Farías, 54, flees to New Orleans following President Santa Anna's return to the capital (see 1833). Gómez Farías has offended powerful interests by obtaining legislation that has rescinded the compulsory payment of tithes, ended Church control of education, permitted members of religious orders to rescind their vows, reformed the customhouses, eliminated the tobacco monopoly, reduced the number of generals, terminated the military's special privileges, and created a civilian militia (see constitution, 1857).Texas settlers at Gonzales refuse in September to return a cannon taken from San Antonio de Bexar, resisting an order from Domingo de Ugartechea; he sends 100 dragoons under the command of Lieutenent Francisco Castaneda to enforce his order September 29, Tennessee-born Colonel John Henry Moore, 32, tells Castaneda, "Come and take it." Castaneda brings in reinforcements, the Texans prevail in the Battle of Gonzales October 2, the Mexicans take to their heels, and Stephen F. Austin organizes the First Army of Texas Volunteers, announcing that Texans will have to make war with Mexico to gain freedom (see 1831). George Fisher and Jalapa-born military officer José Antonio Mexia, 35, begin organizing a movement at New Orleans to attack Tampico, and they instigate a revolt in Mexico's eastern states (Mexia has an English-born wife). The Battle of Concepcion October 28 ends in victory for 90 Texans over a force of 450 Mexicans. Mexia leaves New Orleans November 6 with an army aboard the schooner Mary Jane. She runs aground near Tampico 8 days later, and when Mexia attacks Tampico November 15 he encounters stiff resistance from a Mexican force commanded by Gregorio Gómez, who takes 31 prisoners and forces him to retreat. Mexia arrives with the survivors of his failed expedition at the Brazos River December 3, and 28 of the 31 prisoners taken November 15 are executed December 14 by order of President Santa Anna, who receives a declaration from the Mexican Congress December 30 that all armed foreigners are to be treated as pirates and shot (see Alamo, 1836).

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall dies at Philadelphia July 6 at age 79 after 34 years as the nation's highest magistrate. His successor is Maryland-born jurist Roger Brooke Taney, now 58, who will be confirmed by the Senate in March of next year and serve until his death in 1864 (he has been attorney general in the Jackson administration), reversing the trend toward strong centralization of governmental power and establishing a narrow construction of corporate charters granted by the states.
Posted by Catherine Robbins at 6:52 AM 0 comments
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