José Antonio Mexía
Encyclopedia
José Antonio Mexía
was an 18th-century Mexican
politician. He claimed to have been born in Xalapa, Veracruz, but contradicting contemporary reports say he was a native of Cuba
.
Mexía was a great supporter of federalism
and decentralizing the state. As a senator
for the state of México
, he participated in an 1834 uprising against President
Antonio López de Santa Anna
; two months later, he was captured by centralist forces in Jalisco
and sent into exile.
He traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana
, where he encouraged filibuster
s from the United States
to invade Mexico, recruiting Anglo settlers under the guise of brokering land for them. On November 6, 1835, the schooner Mary Jane set sail for Tampico, Tamaulipas in the Tampico Expedition
. The Americans, realizing they had been tricked, did not support Mexía's plan of stirring another uprising against Santa Anna. Thirty-one men were taken prisoner but Mexía managed to escape to Texas. Santa Anna ordered the execution of the prisoners. Three died from illness.
In 1839, Mexía joined General José de Urrea
's rebellion
against Santa Anna and was defeated and captured at Acajete, Veracruz
. Santa Anna ordered his execution, granting him three hours to write any final letters home. Mexía, upon hearing Santa Anna's order said, "If Santa Anna had fallen into my power, I would have conceded him only three minutes."
On May 3, 1839, Mexía was executed by firing squad.
Mexía's son Enrique Guillermo Antonio Mexía became a Mexican soldier and diplomat; his granddaughter Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexía
was a botanist and explorer.
Enrique Alberto Mexia; José Antonio Mexía’s remaining heir, lives in McAllen Texas.
was an 18th-century Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
politician. He claimed to have been born in Xalapa, Veracruz, but contradicting contemporary reports say he was a native of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
Mexía was a great supporter of federalism
Federalism
Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant with a governing representative head. The term "federalism" is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and...
and decentralizing the state. As a senator
Senate of Mexico
The Senate of the Republic, constitutionally Chamber of Senators of the Honorable Congress of the Union After a series of reforms during the 1990s, it is now made up of 128 senators:...
for the state of México
Mexico (state)
México , officially: Estado Libre y Soberano de México is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of the United Mexican States. It is divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Toluca de Lerdo....
, he participated in an 1834 uprising against President
President of Mexico
The President of the United Mexican States is the head of state and government of Mexico. Under the Constitution, the president is also the Supreme Commander of the Mexican armed forces...
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
; two months later, he was captured by centralist forces in Jalisco
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
and sent into exile.
He traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, where he encouraged filibuster
Filibuster
A filibuster is a type of parliamentary procedure. Specifically, it is the right of an individual to extend debate, allowing a lone member to delay or entirely prevent a vote on a given proposal...
s from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to invade Mexico, recruiting Anglo settlers under the guise of brokering land for them. On November 6, 1835, the schooner Mary Jane set sail for Tampico, Tamaulipas in the Tampico Expedition
Tampico Expedition
The "Battle of Tampico" was fought November 15, 1835, in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Gregorio Gómez and the Mexican Centralist garrison engaged Gen. José Antonio Mejía and 150 American volunteers.-Background:...
. The Americans, realizing they had been tricked, did not support Mexía's plan of stirring another uprising against Santa Anna. Thirty-one men were taken prisoner but Mexía managed to escape to Texas. Santa Anna ordered the execution of the prisoners. Three died from illness.
In 1839, Mexía joined General José de Urrea
José de Urrea
José de Urrea was a noted general for Mexico. He fought under General Antonio López de Santa Anna during the Texas Revolution. Urrea's forces were never defeated in battle during the Texas Revolution...
's rebellion
Rebellion
Rebellion, uprising or insurrection, is a refusal of obedience or order. It may, therefore, be seen as encompassing a range of behaviors aimed at destroying or replacing an established authority such as a government or a head of state...
against Santa Anna and was defeated and captured at Acajete, Veracruz
Acajete, Veracruz
Acajete is a municipality located in the central zone in the State of Veracruz, about 20 km from state capital Xalapa. It has a surface of 90.48 km2. It is located at . In the middle of 1586 this village was formed, on one of the adjoining old men of Tlacolulan's dominion...
. Santa Anna ordered his execution, granting him three hours to write any final letters home. Mexía, upon hearing Santa Anna's order said, "If Santa Anna had fallen into my power, I would have conceded him only three minutes."
On May 3, 1839, Mexía was executed by firing squad.
Mexía's son Enrique Guillermo Antonio Mexía became a Mexican soldier and diplomat; his granddaughter Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexía
Ynes Mexia
Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia , a Mexican was an American botanist and explorer. She was originally a social worker, but at the age of 51, she started taking botany classes at the University of California, Berkeley...
was a botanist and explorer.
Enrique Alberto Mexia; José Antonio Mexía’s remaining heir, lives in McAllen Texas.
Sources
- Roberts, Randy & Olson, James S.; "A Line in the Sand"; Simon & Schuster; ISBN 0-684-83544-4
- Jones, Oakah L, "Santa Anna." Twayne Publishers, New York, 1968
External links
- Guide to the Mexía Family Papers at The Bancroft Library