Lorenzo de Zavala

Lorenzo de Zavala
Vice President of Texas Interim
In office March 16, 1836 – October 22, 1836
President	David G. Burnet
Succeeded by	Mirabeau B. Lamar
Personal details
Born	October 3, 1788 Tecoh, Yucatán
Died	November 15, 1836(1836-11-15) (aged 48) Channelview, Texas

Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz (October 3, 1788 – November 15, 1836) was a 19th-century Mexican and Texan politician of Spanish descent.^[1] He served as finance minister under President Vicente Guerrero.^[2] A colonizer and statesman, he was also the interim Vice President of the Republic of Texas, serving under interim President David G. Burnet from March to October 1836.

Personal life

Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz was born on October 3, 1788, in the town of Tecoh, Yucatán,^[3] to Anastasio de Zavala y Velázquez and María Bárbara Sáenz. Young Zavala's parents were criollos, Spanish Basques born in the colonies. Zavala was a third-generation Yucatecan. His grandfather, Simón Felipe Antonio de Zavala y Marín, was born in 1725 son after his father, José, had moved to the peninsula from Peru. Simón became a notary as a legal representative in Spanish-speaking countries.^[4]

In 1807 Zavala married Teresa Correa y Corres. They had three children: a son named Lorenzo Jr., a daughter named Manuela, and a daughter that died at the age of 1. Teresa died in the spring of 1831.

Zavala met Emily West while in New York and later married her in New York City on November 12, 1831, at the Church of the Transfiguration. To this union were born a son and two daughters. Their son Augustine, the eldest, was the father of Adina Emilia de Zavala, who long will be remembered for her spirited role in the fight to preserve the Alamo. In early 1833 Emily left New York to join her husband in Toluca, Mexico, where they remained until he was named Mexican minister to France in October 1833. The Zavala family arrived at Morgan's Point, Texas, in December 1835. Zavala had bought a home on a labor of land north of Buffalo Bayou, called Zavala Point, the previous summer. Emily's citified ways reportedly were not popular in the neighborhood. When Santa Anna's troops approached in April 1836, the Zavalas fled down the San Jacinto River to the home of William Scott, where a number of families awaited a steamer to take them to safety on Galveston Island. Before the boat arrived Mrs. Zavala attempted to return to her home for a chest of silverware, but she met others fleeing the Mexican troops and retreated to Galveston. The Zavalas returned to their home in June to find that the buildings had been used for a hospital. Zavala's health declined, and he died on November 15, 1836.

Written work

When it comes to Zavala it is important to recognize that his written work was mainly focus in politics. Many of Zavala's work was published in news papers. An example of this is his article he wrote called "Opinion de Don Lorenzo de Zavala". Which is an article that was published in 1835 as a response to the situation faced both in Mexico and in Texas. This article was read at the Lynchburg meeting.^[5]

Lorenzo de Zavala written work is better recognized by his books titled: "Ensayo Historico de las Revoluciones de Mexico de 1808 hasta 1830" which was published in Paris 1831 and in New York in 1832. His other book titled "Viajes a los Estados-Unidos de Norte America" which was published in the Paris 1831.^[5] In Zavala's book Journey to the United States of North America, written in Spanish, but was published in English translation until 1980. It was reprinted in 2005 in paperback as Journey to the United States of North America.^[6] It precedes Toqueville's famous Democracy in America by five years and expresses similar opinions about America and Americans. Zavala writes in his prologue:

However, it should be very useful to Mexicans, for it is to them that I dedicate it. In it they will find a true description of the people whom their legislators have tried to imitate—a people that is hard working, active, reflective, circumspect, religious in the midst of a multiplicity of sects, tolerant, thrifty, free, proud and persevering.

Freemason

Lorenzo de Zavala and his friends secretly organized the 1st Masonic Lodge in Yucatán, the Renunion a la Virtud lodge No. 9. The lodge received its charter from the Louisiana Grand Lodge in 1817.after he died in November 15 1836 channelview TX (age 48)^[7] It was Zavala's relationship with his fellow masonic brothers and connections to other lodges that allowed him to gather political connections and followers prior to Mexico's Independence. Zavala was one of the key people that helped establish the York Rite Masonry in Mexico in 1826 as an alternative to the older, well established Scottish rite (Escosese) of Freemasonry that had been introduced by the aristocratic elements previously loyal to the royal House of Bourbon. That same year in 1826, the Grand Lodge of New York issue charters to five Masonic Lodges in Mexico City. These five lodges became the nucleus of the movement that favored decentralization of governmental power. Zavala became the charter Worshipful Master of Independencia Lodge No. 454. He kept his position until his exile in 1830.^[8]

He is listed as a "Masonic Hero" by the Grand Lodge of Texas.^[9] Some sources state that Zavala was disgraced for revealing ritual secrets.^[10]

Political career

Zavala learned to read and write an early age and in his teens became a boarding student in the Seminario Conciliar de San Ildefonso in Mérida. It was the only school of higher learning in Yucatán and had been there in existence since 1751.^[4] He founded several newspapers, but his Liberal political views led to his imprisonment in Veracruz in 1814. ^[11] He attended the villages school until the age of 15 and was fluent in Spanish, French, English and Latin. He studied medical textbooks while in prison, and was ready to practice medicine upon his release in 1817. In 1820, he was elected to public office, and in 1821 was appointed Deputy to the Spanish Cortes (legislature) in Madrid.^[12] In 1824, he was elected as President of the Constitutional Congress and endorsed the Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824.

He was appointed as senator of Yucatán at the first Constitutional Congress and took office in January 1825. During 1827 and 1828, he was governor of the state of México.

In 1828, President Manuel Gómez Pedraza removed Lorenzo de Zavala from the office of governor of the state of México. Zavala, with support from Antonio López de Santa Anna, was able to rally most of the military in Mexico City in his favor. Four days of fighting resulted in Zavala's victory and he installed Vicente Guerrero as the new president.^[13]

Texas

When he traveled to New York, Lorenzo de Zavala sought to interest Americans in the empresario grants he had received in 1829.^[14] These grants authorized him to settle 500 families on a tract of land in what is now southeastern Texas. In October 1830, he transferred his interest in the grants to the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company.^[11] After spending several months during 1831 in France and England, Zavala decided to live in New York City until his return to Mexico in 1832. From December 1832 until October 1833 he again served as governor of the State of México, and in Congress as a deputy for his native state of Yucatán. In October 1833 President Antonio López de Santa Anna named Zavala to serve as the first minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican legation in Paris. When he learned that Santa Anna had assumed dictatorial powers later that year, Zavala denounced Santa Anna and resigned his commission.^[1] Santa Anna warned Zavala not to return to Mexico City, but this did not stop Zavala. In 1835 he traveled to New York and then to Texas, where he briefly shared a house with his friend ^[15]Stephen F. Austin. Zavala was naturally drawn into the politics of Texas. He at first advocated the cause of Mexican Federalism, but later became a supporter of the independence movement. de Zavala was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence^[16] on March 2, 1836. He served in the Permanent Council and later as the representative of Harrisburg in the Consultation and the Convention of 1836. Zavala's legislative, executive, and diplomatic experience uniquely qualified him to help draft the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. The respect of his fellow delegates was evident when they elected him ad interim vice president of the new republic of Texas.

Zavala rejoined his family at their home at Zavala Point on Buffalo Bayou,^[11] from where they fled to Galveston Island as Santa Anna's army approached. After the Battle of San Jacinto, in accordance with the Treaties of Velasco, Zavala was appointed one of the peace commissioners to accompany Santa Anna to Mexico City, where the general was to persuade the central authorities to recognize the independence of Texas. Shortly thereafter, Zavala returned to his home due to failing health and gave up his part in the affairs of government. While out boating, his rowboat overturned in Buffalo Bayou. Zavala developed pneumonia and died at his home on November 15, 1836.^[17] He preceded Austin in death by only four weeks. He is buried in his home town of Channelview, Texas. The State of Texas erected a monument over his grave.

Memorial namesakes

The Lorenzo de Zavala State Archives and Library Building in downtown Austin, which houses the headquarters of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School in Crystal City, Texas

Plate of Lorenzo de Zavala, in De Zavala Plaza, Harris County, Texas Historical Marker

• Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Dallas, TX
• Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Fort Worth, TX
• Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Grand Prairie, Texas
• Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
• Lorenzo de Zavala Archives and Library Building,^[18] Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin
• Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School,^[19] Irving, Texas
• Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School, Magnolia Park, Houston^[20]
• De Zavala Elementary School,^[21] Channelview, Texas
• Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary School in Crystal City, Zavala County, Texas
• De Zavala Elementary School in Midland, Texas.^[22]
• De Zavala Middle School,^[23] Amarillo, Texas
• Zavala County, Texas^[24]
• Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School, La Joya ISD, La Joya, Texas
• De Zavala Rd, a major thoroughfare in San Antonio
• Lorenzo De Zavala Lodge #1397^[25]
• Zavala Elementary School, Harlingen ISD, Harlingen Texas
• Plate of Lorenzo de Zavala, in De Zavala Plaza, Harris County, Texas Historical Marker.
• City of Zavalla, TX

References

Further reading

• Davis, William C.; Lone Star Rising-The Revolutionary Birth of the Texas Republic; Free Press; ISBN 0-684-86510-6
• Davis, William C.; Three Roads to the Alamo; Harper Collins; ISBN 0-06-017334-3
• Carter, James D. (1955); Masonry in Texas: Background, History and Influence to 1846. Waco, Texas: Grand Lodge of Texas, A.F. & A.M.
• Hardin, Stephen L.; Texian Iliad-A Military History of the Texas Revolution; University of Texas Press; ISBN 0-292-73086-1
• Normand, Pete (1986); The Texas Masons: The Fraternity of Ancient Free & Accepted Masons in the History of Texas; College Station, Texas: Brazos Valley Masonic Library & Museum Assn.
• Gregg Cantrell, Stephen F. Austin: Empresario of Texas, Yale Press, 1999

External links

• Lorenzo de Zavala Online: Empresario, Statesman and Texas Revolutionary, hosted by the Portal to Texas History
• Lorenzo de Zavala Lodge #1397

Vice Presidents of the Republic of Texas de Zavala (interim) Lamar Burnet Burleson Anderson

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