Santa Anna Reinforces Xalapa During the Pastry War, Anticipating Action Against the Invading French
We have never seen another war-time letter of Santa Anna during this conflict having reached the market and public records show none
The Franco-Mexican War, known as the Pastry War, came about because of long-standing Mexican debt and also because French citizens (and a well-known pastry chef to the president, hence the sobriquet) in Mexico had their businesses damaged or destroyed during a period of political instability. The Mexican government refused to compensate them...
The Franco-Mexican War, known as the Pastry War, came about because of long-standing Mexican debt and also because French citizens (and a well-known pastry chef to the president, hence the sobriquet) in Mexico had their businesses damaged or destroyed during a period of political instability. The Mexican government refused to compensate them for the damages. In 1837, ships under the command of rear-admiral Botherel de Labretonnière demonstrated off the coast of Veracruz, and in March 1838 a naval division – comprising six ships – arrived off the coast of Veracruz. A blockade of Veracruz and Tampico was announced. On November 27, 1838, Veracruz was bombarded. and the next day a convention was signed and the French flag was raised in the Veracruz garrison, with one thousand French troops authorized to be stationed there. On November 30, the Mexican president declared war on France, and Mexican troops under General Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Hero of Tampico who had been called back into service to save the country, reoccupied Veracruz. On December 5, French troops attacked the city and captured it back.
So Santa Anna and his Minister of War feared for the welfare of Tampico but also looked to take back Veracruz. In this letter of Santa Anna, he notifies the head of the Fortress of Perote that reinforcements are headed to Xalapa, outside Vera Cruz.
Letter signed, January 9, 1839, to the Governor of the Perote Fortress. “The Minister of War has informed of the below:
“In my previous letter of December 30, I gave an update to the President… on the information acquired regarding the threats at Tampico, it seeming wise to save it or recover it… Now I write to inform you that General D. Martin Perfecto left this Capital bound for Jalapa so that in that city he might take the head of the Permanent Battalion of Matamoros and the cavalry that Colonel Miguel Torres commands. So as to assure this success of this mission might not be hindered, three thousand reinforcements will be sent from this Capital and they will be located in Jalapa…”
The peace treaty was signed on March 10, 1839, which saw Mexico agree to repay France 600,000 pesos: instead of war indemnities, France received future trade commitments. And Santa Anna’s return to leadership was complete. He would remain as President before later leading a coup and again taking power.
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