Signed manuscript report and chart from Hersant, Consul de France a San Luis Potosí and Tampico, to Comte de Rigny, Minister of the Navy
by [Mexico] [Pastry War] Hersant, M
- Used
- near fine
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Seller
-
Marlboro, Vermont, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Mexico, 1833. First Edition. Mexico: May 23, 1833. Letter and chart on watermarked single folio sheets, approx. 13 x 16-½ inches, letter: [3] pp.; chart: [2] pp.;. Near Fine. Rare first-hand documentation of the growing trade tensions that eventually led to the French-Mexican "Pastry War" of 1838. Consul Hersant's gossipy report surveys the "commercial movement of the port [of Tampico] since it's opening in 1824 until the end of 1832." Hersant complains to his superiors that Mexican trade with the US and England far outpaces France; even the Hanseatic League has become a problem. The Consul includes a hand-drawn table tallying foreign ships and the weight of goods by country, a visual aid supporting his claim that French trade lags considerably behind other partners.
Ultimately it is civil disorder that most disturbs the Consul; that is, smuggling assisted by the Mexican customs officers themselves: "se fait impunément et avec l'aide des douaniers eux-mêmes et peut porter au double la quantité de marchandises qui entrent du dehors." Indeed, the early years of the Mexican Republic were marked by a notable lack of governmental accountability toward foreign governments or private property owners as various internal parties struggled for power. This disregard eventually led King Louis-Philippe's government to sue for damages against Mexico on behalf of French citizens doing business there. The most famous claimant was a pastry chef who claimed his shop had been looted. In 1838, when the amount went unpaid, the French invaded Veracruz and blockaded Mexico's Atlantic ports, beginning the so-called Pastry War.
References to Hersant can be found in other histories of the French attempt to gain ground in Mexico, e.g. establishing alternative shipping passages inland to compete with North American traders. Overall a scarce pair of documents, in excellent condition with minimal normal wear.
Ultimately it is civil disorder that most disturbs the Consul; that is, smuggling assisted by the Mexican customs officers themselves: "se fait impunément et avec l'aide des douaniers eux-mêmes et peut porter au double la quantité de marchandises qui entrent du dehors." Indeed, the early years of the Mexican Republic were marked by a notable lack of governmental accountability toward foreign governments or private property owners as various internal parties struggled for power. This disregard eventually led King Louis-Philippe's government to sue for damages against Mexico on behalf of French citizens doing business there. The most famous claimant was a pastry chef who claimed his shop had been looted. In 1838, when the amount went unpaid, the French invaded Veracruz and blockaded Mexico's Atlantic ports, beginning the so-called Pastry War.
References to Hersant can be found in other histories of the French attempt to gain ground in Mexico, e.g. establishing alternative shipping passages inland to compete with North American traders. Overall a scarce pair of documents, in excellent condition with minimal normal wear.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Seller
- Auger Down Books (US)
- Seller's Inventory #
- List508
- Title
- Signed manuscript report and chart from Hersant, Consul de France a San Luis Potosí and Tampico, to Comte de Rigny, Minister of the Navy
- Author
- [Mexico] [Pastry War] Hersant, M
- Format/Binding
- Mexico: May 23, 1833. Letter and chart on watermarked single folio sheets, approx. 13 x 16-½ inches, letter: [3] pp.; chart: [2
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition
- Place of Publication
- Mexico
- Date Published
- 1833
- Weight
- 0.00 lbs
Terms of Sale
Auger Down Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Auger Down Books
Biblio member since 2012
Marlboro, Vermont
About Auger Down Books
Auger Down Books is a small and highly curated store focusing on American history through photographs, archives, documents and graphics. I issue catalogs and lists via email, and also work directly with curators looking to develop and diversify their collections. Please contact me if you would like to receive my lists or if I may be of assistance in collection development. Thanks for looking!
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Folio
- A folio usually indicates a large book size of 15" in height or larger when used in the context of a book description. Further,...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...