Manuel Eduardo de Gorostiza

Manuel Eduardo de Gorostiza was born in Veracruz in 1789 and grew up in Spain after his father's death. He fought against the French, retired from military service, and developed a career in the theatre. His liberal politics subsequently drove him into exile. He entered independent Mexico's diplomatic service in Europe, serving in the Netherlands and undertaking missions elsewhere. Returning to Mexico, he worked on educational reform and the proposed National Library under Valentín Gómez Farías. ¹

Gorostiza arrived in Washington in 1836 with a special assignment concerning Texas. He protested American recruitment for the Texan revolt and the movement of General Edmund Gaines's troops toward and across the disputed frontier. When Washington would not satisfy his objections, he ended his mission. Before leaving, he published the correspondence defending Mexico's territorial rights. The pamphlet became a further diplomatic dispute: the American government demanded its repudiation, while Mexico initially defended his conduct. ²

As foreign minister in 1838–39, Gorostiza helped negotiate the peace ending the conflict with France, joining Guadalupe Victoria at Veracruz. He also worked to resolve the controversy over his own Washington pamphlet, explaining that it had appeared after his diplomatic mission ended. His literary work continued alongside these responsibilities; Contigo pan y cebolla became his best known comedy. ²

He held the finance portfolio on several occasions and remained active in public life. During the American invasion of 1847 he helped organize and finance the Bravos battalion and fought at Churubusco. He died in Tacubaya in 1851. ¹