1838 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT RELIC OF THE FRENCH BLOCKADE OF MEXICO'S PORTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN DE ULUA, THE CAPTURE OF THE MEXICAN NAVY AND THE RETURN FROM RETIREMENT OF GENERAL SANTA ANNA: 'THE PASTRY WAR'

UNIDENTIFIED AGENT FOR LADY ADAMS

Published by VALPARAISO MEXICO, 1838

About this Item

On offer is an original, very unique three [3] page handwritten manuscript relic of the Mexican "Pastry War" of 1838. [The War was known in Spanish as 'Guerra de los pasteles' or 'Primera Intervención Francesa en México' meaning the 'first French intervention in Mexico'; French: 'Guerre des Pâtisseries' was an invasion of Mexico by French forces in 1838.] Dated Valparaiso 15 Sep. 1838, this is a manifest of sales from 'Lady Adams' cargo at Valparaiso. In addition to the numerous itemized goods/ prices of goods from Paris [plus goods from Glasgow Scotland, Marseilles France, and Spain] there are manuscript notations by way of a report providing content regarding the conflict and commercial repercussions in part: ". A great many of the Lady Adams' Silks are now out of season, but as they are fancy articles we shall endeavor to close them, as we have found that it does not answer to hold such articles. Within a week there has been a good demand for the Mexican market which has enabled us to make some good sales particularly of the Brandy. & should the blockade of Buenos Ayres & the Eastern sea board of Mexico by the French be continued for any length of time, the demand for these markets will continue." Here are some historical notes from one online source: The Mexican Pastry War (Nov. 1838-March 1839) is now mostly a forgotten footnote in history but supremely interesting for its moment in time: In 1838, a French pastry cook by the name of Monsieur Remontel claimed his shop in Mexico City had been ruined by looting Mexican officers. France, having had other complaints by French businessmen in Mexico and eager to reclaim other Mexican debts, demanded 600,000 pesos in damages. When Mexico refused to pay, King Louis-Philippe (1773-1850) ordered a fleet under Rear Admiral Charles Baudin to blockade all Mexican ports, to bombard the Mexican fortress of San Juan de Ulua, and to seize the port of Vera Cruz. Baudin captured virtually the entire Mexican navy, and Mexico declared war on France in December of 1838. The U.S. government got involved, sending the Schooner Woodbury to help in the blockade. Seeing a rare opportunity, former Mexican hero Santa Anna came out of retirement and offered his services. Gathering up an army, Santa Anna engaged the French forces and was wounded in the leg which was later amputated. Santa Anna used his newly reclaimed fame to regain power in the Mexican government. Under the diplomatic intervention of England, the French forces agreed to withdraw on March 9, 1839, and the government of Mexico promised to repay its debts. The brief "Pastry War" was over. Material that relates directly to this war is extremely uncommon. Folds, otherwise in excellent condition. Size: 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall.

Seller Inventory # 00MV262

Bibliographic Details

• Title: 1838 HANDWRITTEN MANUSCRIPT RELIC OF THE FRENCH BLOCKADE OF MEXICO'S PORTS, THE BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN DE ULUA, THE CAPTURE OF THE MEXICAN NAVY AND THE RETURN FROM RETIREMENT OF GENERAL SANTA ANNA: 'THE PASTRY WAR'
• Publisher: VALPARAISO MEXICO
• Publication Date: 1838
• Condition: Very Good+
• Seller catalogs:
  • 19th Century Ephemera
  • 19th Century Manuscript
  • Books and Manuscripts General Overview