Heading: (Mexico)
Author: Alama?n, Lucas
Title: Memoria Presentada a las Dos Ca?maras del Congreso General de la Federacio?n, por el Secretario de Estado y del despacho de Relaciones Esteriores e? Interiores al abrirse las sesiones del an?o de 1825. Sobre el estado de los negocios de su ramo
Place Published: [Mexico]
Publisher:Imprenta del Supremo Gobierno de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos en Palacio
Date Published: 1825
Description:

[2], 51 pp. 19.5x14 cm (7¾x5½"), plain paper wrappers.

Scarce report with material on missions in Texas and California. Written by the Mexican Secretary of State and Commerce, this is the official report of the condition of Mexico, then in disarray after the War of Independence and the wreck of the Iturbide regime. Alaman analyzes the economy of Mexico in the first years of independence from Spain. Early mention is made of Austin's 300 family settlement in Texas and of its success. Bancroft (California, III, pp. 2-3) says that after Alta California became a territory of Mexico, "but [only] slight attention was paid to this distant frontier." Alaman advises reforms and a quick resolution to stop the demoralization of the area, which has the potential of being "one of the richest and most productive of the federation" (pp. 28-29). He also reports on colonization of the town of San Felipe de Austin in Texas (p. 47) and colonization in California (p. 48). Considerable attention is spent describing the recent economic decline of New Mexico, and the lack of development of the California missions. Alaman would later become a major historian of Mexico and a leading statesman. Cowan, p. 827; Howes A-97 ("Contains information on the missions in California and Texas"); Palau 4579 & 16087; Sabin 48552 (note). Not in Streeter Texas.

Wrappers (which seem to be an early addition) with some wear along spine, a bit of soiling; minor stain to top margin of much of the contents, otherwise clean and fresh.