Peña, minister of justice and ecclesiastical affairs, was a fanatic in religion belonging to the most moderate wing of the liberal party, and had held important positions under the colonial government; Joaquin Lebrija, minister of the treasury, was considered incompetent for the position; and Mariano Michelena, called to fill the portfolio of war and navy, was almost unknown to the army.[1]
On the 8th of May the list of the members elected to form the 'supremo poder conservador' was published. It was as follows: Justo Corro, Rafael Mangino, José Ignacio Espinosa, Francisco Tagle, and General Melchor Muzquiz. The suplentes were Cirilo Gomez Anaya, José María Bocanegra and Cárlos María Bustamante.[2] The body was organized with General Muzquiz as president and Tagle as secretary.
Shortly after the inauguration of the new government the news came that the Spanish court had formally recognized the independence of Mexico[3] in a treaty concluded at Madrid between the minister of foreign affairs, Calatrava, and the Mexican plenipotentiary, Miguel Santa María, on the 28th of December, 1836.[4] With the sanction of the Mexican congress, on May 1, 1837, the executive ratified the treaty on the 3d, together with a secret article binding Mexico not to allow the fitting-out of expeditions, nor the planning of schemes within her territory
- ↑ A list of the ministers, and the time each of them held office, may be seen in Méx., Мem. Насienda, 1870, 1034-5.
- ↑ Owing to Espinosa's death and Corro's absence, C. M. Bustamante early entered the body as an active member. Arrillaga, Recop., 1837, 441.
- ↑ Since August 1836 orders had been issued to discontinue all acts of hostility against Spain and her subjects. Bustamante, Voz de la Patria, MS., xi. 47. A decree of December 15, 1836, permitted Spanish vessels to enter Mexican ports, and to receive all needed assistance, but they were not to fly their colors. Arrillaga, Recop., 1836, July-Dec., 195-6, 302-4.
- ↑ The treaty was one not only of recognition of Mexico as an independent nation with alỈ the territory she then possessed, but also of amity, commerce, and navigation on the basis of the most favored nations. Art. 4th stipulated that at an early date the two powers would negotiate a special treaty of commerce on terms of mutual benefit, which was done. Bustamante, Gabinete, Мех., MS., i. 9-12, 184-7; Аlaman, Hist. Méj., v. 865-6; Arrillaga, Recop., 1838, 67-73, 368-72; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., iii. 388-91, 462-5, 536–7.
