American Literature Romanticism UHCL 2013 sample student research project

My decision to learn more about Lorenzo De Zavala came to me after moving to Texas from my native land. This decision was influenced by the numerous times I saw his name posted on buildings, highways, schools, etc. I asked myself, who is he, and what did he do to accomplish or deserve such a privilege? One thing I was sure of was that he must have done something extraordinary, for his name to have such recognition here in Texas. After reading about all of the different things that he did, I was very happy that I chose him as my topic for my second post. Please continue reading and learn more about the life of Lorenzo De Zavala and the legacy that he left behind.

Lorenzo De Zavala was born in Yucatan, Mexico in 1788 and he was the first vice president of the Republic of Texas. He was the fifth of nine children of Anastasio De Zavala y Velasquez and Maria Barbara Saenz y Castro. De Zavala’s first wife was Teresa Correa y Correa, whom he married in Yucatan in 1807. They had three children, including Lorenzo, Jr., who served as translator for Sam Houston during the negotiations with Santa Ana. His wife died in the spring of 1831, and he married Emily West, a native New Yorker on November 12, 1831. To this marriage were born also three children. After graduating from the Tridentine Seminary of San IIdefonso in Merida in 1807, he founded and edited several newspapers in which he expressed his democratic ideas that were to be the hallmark of his political career, ideas which he continued to advocate while serving as secretary of the city council of Merida from 1812 until 1814. Because of his support of democratic reforms, he was imprisoned in 1814 in the fortress of San Juan de Ulloa in the harbor of Veracruz, where he gained enough knowledge from reading medical books to qualify him to practice medicine upon the release from prison in 1817. He also taught himself to read English during this imprisonment[1].

During his time in Mexico, De Zavala held many elected and appointed offices. From 1822 until his death, he was one of the nation’s most active political leaders, representing Yucatan as a deputy in the First and Second Mexican Constituent of 1822 and 1824 and in the Mexican Senate from 1824 to 1826. He also served as governor of the state of Mexico. During Ramon Guerrero’s presidency, De Zavala was appointed secretary of the treasury and served from April to October of 1829. Unfortunately, when the Mexican Centralist Party removed Guerrero from power, De Zavala, a Federalist, was forced to leave politics[2].

When De Zavala arrived in New York, he became interested in the empresario grants that the US government was giving. De Zavala received his grant on March 12, 1829, which authorized him to settle 500 families in a huge tract of land in what is now southeastern Texas. He then transferred his interest in the grants to the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company. After spending several months during 1831 in France and England, De Zavala resided in New York City until his return to Mexico in the summer of 1832. After arriving in Mexico on December 1832 until October 1833, De Zavala he again served as governor of the state of Mexico[3].

The experience that De Zavala gained in each one of his political positions equipped him for the role he was to play in the drafting of the Republic of Texas. Much credit was also given to his former education and linguistic ability for the success that he had while in Texas. His advice and counsel earned him the respect of his fellow delegates, who elected him ad interim vice president of the new republic. Weeks after the appointment of his new position, De Zavala joined his family at their home at Zavala Point on Buffalo Bayou, from where they fled to Galveston Island as Santa Anna’s army pursued De Zavala and other cabinet members across Texas. In accordance with the provisions of the Treaties of Velasco, (which provided that hostilities would cease, that Santa Anna would not again take up arms against Texas, that the Mexican forces would withdraw beyond the Rio Grande), De Zavala was appointed on May 27, 1836 as one of the peace commissioners to accompany Santa Anna to Mexico City, where the general was to try to convince the Mexican authorities to recognize Texas as an independent nation. Soon after, De Zavala returned to his home in poor health and stopped working in the affairs of the state. He also resigned the vice presidency on October 17, 1836[4].

Lorenzo De Zavala was buried at his home in a small cemetery plot marked by the state of Texas in 1931. The plot has since sunk into Buffalo Bayou. As you can tell, details are a little bit vague since I found a picture of his tomb online. Maybe his friends just wanted to honor him and decided to set a marker of their own[5].

Lorenzo De Zavala accomplished a lot for the nations of Mexico and Texas during his life. His political experience and reputation as a fighter made him an ideal ally for the Texas cause. His loyalty to Texas was clear and honest. He did not only helped to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence but also served as the Republic’s first vice president. His legacy will continue to live, especially here in the state of Texas.

Howe, H., & Bancroft , H. (1889). History of the north mexican states and texas. History Company.

[1] http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fza05

[2] http://www.humanitiestexas.org/programs/tx-originals/list/lorenzo-de-zavala

[3] http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fza05

[4] http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fza05

[5] Howe & Bancroft , 1889