Benjamin Muse, Jr. Collection Relating to Mexico, Texas, and California

Letters and official communications pertaining to Mexican military and governmental affairs during the years 1830 to 1844, especially to Mexican internal affairs during 1831-1832, the Texas Revolution in 1835-1836, and events in Veracruz in 1839.

In Series I, documents from 1831 are primarily about internal rebellions in Mexico and largely concern military efforts to subdue them; many relate to Nicolás Bravo, who commanded defending forces, and Vicente Guerrero and Juan Álvarez, who led rebel forces. Items from 1832 relate almost exclusively to the Veracruz garrison, commanded by Tomás Illanes, and its need for money and supplies. Materials from 1843 and 1844 pertain to Pedro de Ampudia; they deal mostly with administrative matters during his tenure as Comandante General in Tabasco but include his 24-page account of Francisco Sentmanat's 1844 attack on Tabasco and Ampudia's response to it. Only two items date from 1830.

In Series II, materials dated 1835 are about the Texas Revolution; they often concern Mexican generals Martín Perfecto de Cos and Domingo de Ugartechea. Documents dated 1836 and 1837 pertain to Mexican plans for an invasion of Texas and related military matters, to the unsettled situation in California, and to an expedition to San Blas, California, to be led by José Urréa. Items in Series III illustrate the aftermath of the 1838 French invasion at Veracruz; they concern the fortress of San Juan de Ulüa, the treaty ending hostilities, an investigation into a loss of money at the Veracruz residence of Antonio López de Santa Anna, and the Comandancia General of Veracruz (headed at this time by Guadalupe Victoria and his successor, Francisco Toro).