[Mexico]

Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Gobernacion y Policia. ... "El Presidente Interino de la Republica Mexicana, a Sus Habitantes, Sabed: Que Habiendome Ocupado de la Critica Situacion de la Republica en Varias Juntas de Ministros..." [caption title and part of text]

Mexico City: 1844. [3]pp., on a small bifolium. Light wear at edges. Small wormhole through center, not affecting text. Light dust soiling. Very good. Item #1659

A scarce decree of Mexican interim president Valentin Canalizo, printed and published by the Ministry of Foreign Relations on December 2, 1844, which attempted to dissolve the government and to bring back Santa Anna as president. Canalizo was a loyal supporter of Santa Anna, and both hoped to mount a new campaign against Texas when Santa Anna returned to the presidency. Both the Mexican congress and much of the military opposed his return, however, and when this plan became apparent, it fomented a revolt that spread to the general populace at the end of 1844. This decree represents Canalizo's last ditch attempt to turn over power to Santa Anna by executive decree, citing, "[El] objecto de buscar el mejor camino que pudiese conducirme á la salvacion del pais, en momentos de que amagados por una guerra extrangera de las mas funestras consequencias, ha venido á hacer mas dificil la posicion de la cosa pública una rebelion que amenaza desquiciarlo todo." Through this decree, Canalizo attempted to suspend Congress, install Santa Anna as president, and establish an executive dictatorship in order to, "Consolidar la paz en todo la República, hacer efectiva la campña de Tejas, y prepararse para sostenerla en todas sus consecuencias, sin que en ningun caso pueda disponer de la vida ni propriedades de la Nacion, sino con arreglo á las leyes vigentes." Instead, Canalizo was arrested and sent into exile in Cadiz, though both he and Santa Anna returned to take up military commands during the Mexican-American War.

Scarce. We locate only five copies, at Berkeley, SMU, UT Arlington, Texas Tech, and the Houston Public Library.

Price: $875.00