By the early 1820's Mexico had achieved its first bout of independence from Spain. As a new and fairly disorganized republic, there was a great deal of civil unrest. Opposing political factions were continually engaging in fighting on the streets of Mexico City, damaging and destroying personal property. Residents of the city had little recourse, as the local government was in turmoil. One such business owner whose shop was ruined by looting decided to take the matter to his own monarch.
In 1838 Monsieur Remontel was working as a pastry cook in his shop in a central district of Mexico City. During the latest skirmish Mexican officers destroyed the pastry shop and absconded with his goods. Seeing his neighbors find little sympathy with the resident government, Remontel appealed to his French King Louis-Philippe. Perhaps King Louis-Philippe was in a patriotic mood or he had already heard of other French nationals having difficulty, but his response was to demand the Republic of Mexico pay France 600,000 pesos in damages. To put that in perspective, consider that at the time, one day's wage was just a single peso. Of course King Louis-Philippe knew Mexico couldn't follow through with the payment, as they had already defaulted on numerous loans from France. An ultimatum was given, promptly ignored and consequences resulted.
On November 27th, 1838 a fleet of French ships captured the port of Veracruz, seized the entire Mexican Navy and set up blockades at every Mexican port from Yucatan to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Mexico declared war on France, and promptly begun smuggling goods in through the Republic of Texas. At the time, the United States and Texas were quite wary of their relations with Mexico. Although the Mexican-American War had not yet begun, tensions were brewing and the US territories definitely had their eye on the newly independent republic. So, the US sent a schooner to assist France in their blockade. They also agreed that France would not attack or fight on Texas soil or water.
Another European power was watching all the goings on in Mexico and saw an opportunity. The United Kingdom very kindly stepped in and offered diplomatic mediation services to Mexico, especially since the British despised the French but clearly understood them better than the Mexican government did. In the end, Mexican President Bustamante paid the 600,000 pesos to France. French forces withdrew just six months after taking up residence, and there was an uneasy peace in Mexico once again.
When you are sitting on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico with a beverage in your hand, imagine hundreds of French ships anchored a few miles out at sea. No doubt the sight would be incredible, and perhaps a little off-putting.
In 1838 Monsieur Remontel was working as a pastry cook in his shop in a central district of Mexico City. During the latest skirmish Mexican officers destroyed the pastry shop and absconded with his goods. Seeing his neighbors find little sympathy with the resident government, Remontel appealed to his French King Louis-Philippe. Perhaps King Louis-Philippe was in a patriotic mood or he had already heard of other French nationals having difficulty, but his response was to demand the Republic of Mexico pay France 600,000 pesos in damages. To put that in perspective, consider that at the time, one day's wage was just a single peso. Of course King Louis-Philippe knew Mexico couldn't follow through with the payment, as they had already defaulted on numerous loans from France. An ultimatum was given, promptly ignored and consequences resulted.
On November 27th, 1838 a fleet of French ships captured the port of Veracruz, seized the entire Mexican Navy and set up blockades at every Mexican port from Yucatan to the mouth of the Rio Grande. Mexico declared war on France, and promptly begun smuggling goods in through the Republic of Texas. At the time, the United States and Texas were quite wary of their relations with Mexico. Although the Mexican-American War had not yet begun, tensions were brewing and the US territories definitely had their eye on the newly independent republic. So, the US sent a schooner to assist France in their blockade. They also agreed that France would not attack or fight on Texas soil or water.
Another European power was watching all the goings on in Mexico and saw an opportunity. The United Kingdom very kindly stepped in and offered diplomatic mediation services to Mexico, especially since the British despised the French but clearly understood them better than the Mexican government did. In the end, Mexican President Bustamante paid the 600,000 pesos to France. French forces withdrew just six months after taking up residence, and there was an uneasy peace in Mexico once again.
When you are sitting on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico with a beverage in your hand, imagine hundreds of French ships anchored a few miles out at sea. No doubt the sight would be incredible, and perhaps a little off-putting.
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