Leaders of Mexico
Rising to power after the collapse of Santa Anna's second presidential administration, he incurred the disfavor by attempting to avoid war with the United States; a revolution led by Paredes y Arrillaga resulted in his resignation. After the war he again held the presidency and attempted to reform the government, but his administration was hampered by insurrections of native peoples, political unrest, and a staggering national debt. He was succeeded by Mariano Arista. He died in 1854.
Mexican general and president (1851–53). A royalist in the revolt against Spain, he later joined Agustín de Iturbide. He fought in the Mexican army that tried to put down the Texas revolt (1836). In command of the army in the Mexican War, he was defeated by Zachary Taylor at Palo Alto and at Resaca de la Palma (1846). Arista succeeded J. J. Herrera as president. His administration sought to bring fiscal stability to the nation. Difficulties in maintaining a loyal cabinet and a conservative revolt in 1852 led to his resignation the following year. He died August 7, 1855.
Jose M. Flores was born in 1818. He was involved in the Mexican - American War. Captain José María Flores arrived in California in 1842. He was a secretary for Governor Manuel Micheltorena. He was a captain in Comandante General José Castro's military army. Castro sent Flores to deliver a message to Stockton stating that Castro was going to accede to the wishes of the United States. Stockton did not recognize Castro’s authority and rejected it. Castro, seeing no alternative, fled California. Governor Pío Pico followed shortly thereafter. Flores and other military officers were left behind in Los Angeles. Flores died in 1866 at the age of 48.
official and army officer. Born in Monterey, California, Vallejo became a soldier when he was fifteen. In the 1830s he supported revolts against authoritarian Mexican governors, and after his nephew became governor Vallejo was appointed commandant of the provincial military forces in 1838. He aided the many Americans coming to settle in California, but was repaid by being imprisoned for two months during the Bear Flag Revolt in 1846. Afterwards he served in the new state's legislature and spent much of his time occupied in lawsuits to help old Spanish-Mexican families salvage property from the newcomers. He died in 1890 at his home in Sonoma.
Pedro de Ampudia, Mexican general, was born in Cuba in 1803. As an artillery officer in the Mexican army, he participated in the capture of the Alamo and, after the Mexican defeat at San Jacinto, retreated with José de Urrea's army.He was appointed general in chief of the Mexican Army of the North just before the outbreak of theMexican War and arrived at Matamoros on April 11, 1846, where he demanded that Gen. Zachary Taylor retreat to the Nueces River. After being succeeded in command by Mariano Arista, who arrived at Matamoros on April 24, 1846, Ampudia fought in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, regained command of the army, and was the commanding officer at the siege and fall of Monterrey. He surrendered the city to Taylor on September 23, 1846. In February 1847 he took part in the battle of Buena Vista. In 1864 Ampudia commanded the eastern liberal army. He died on August 7, 1868, and was buried in the Panteón de San Fernando.