José María Tornel

José María Tornel y Mendívil joined the independence insurgency in 1813 and became a soldier, writer, and politician closely associated with Antonio López de Santa Anna. He served as secretary to Santa Anna and President Guadalupe Victoria, represented the Federal District and Veracruz in Congress, and repeatedly governed the Federal District. Historian Will Fowler dates his birth in Orizaba to 1795, correcting a chronology often repeated in older reference works. ¹

Sent to the United States in 1830, Tornel lived in Baltimore while representing Mexico at Washington. His instructions required numbered, encrypted reports and observation of Agustín de Iturbide's son and events in South America. Texas remained an immediate concern. He directed the New Orleans consulate to publicize restrictions on immigration and sought historical evidence concerning the claim that Texas had formed part of Louisiana. He resigned in 1831, leaving José María Montoya in charge. ^{2, 3}

Back in Mexico he repeatedly held the War and Navy portfolio, served in the Supreme Conservative Power, and later sat in the Senate. His political association with Santa Anna lasted through major changes of government and constitutional order. He also promoted education through the Lancasterian company and directed the Colegio de Minería from 1843 until 1853. With Castillo y Lanzas he negotiated over neutrality for a Tehuantepec transit route. ^{1, 4}

Tornel translated English and French literature and published political and historical writing. His works included Tejas y los Estados Unidos de América en sus relaciones con la República Mexicana and a history of Mexico after 1821. Fowler's study traces his movement from the radical liberalism of the 1820s toward the authoritarian politics of the 1850s. He died in 1853. ^{1, 4}