José María Mata

José María Mata was a Veracruz Liberal whose political career included resistance to Santa Anna, exile in New Orleans, and participation in the constituent congress of 1856–57. He belonged to the radical Liberal wing and pressed for the abolition of privileges and religious freedom. He was closely associated with Melchor Ocampo, whose daughter Josefa he married. ¹

Juárez sent him to Washington during the War of Reform to seek American recognition and financial support for the Liberal government. The assignment began while the United States still dealt with the rival Conservative authorities. Mata later served briefly at the Finance Ministry and returned to legislative work. ²

His second Washington mission, under Díaz, again revolved around recognition. In early 1877 he carried funds for an installment of the claims settlement with the United States. Secretary of State Hamilton Fish accepted the payment through Ignacio Mariscal on behalf of the Mexican republic, carefully withholding recognition from Díaz's government. Mata returned as the proposed minister later that year, but William Evarts received him informally and did not accept him as an accredited representative. Unable to obtain the recognition sought, Mata resigned. ¹

As foreign secretary in 1878 he challenged the American order allowing troops to cross the border in pursuit of raiders and sought a negotiated arrangement. He subsequently retired to his property in Veracruz, cultivated crops, and painted portraits. He died in 1895 while serving in the municipal government of Martínez de la Torre. ^{2, 1}