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José María Tornel. Manifestación del Ciudadano José María Tornel, Al Público. México: Imprenta del ciudadano Alejandro Valdés, a cargo de José María Gallegos. 1833. 12mo (5 1/2 x 7 7/8 inches); 74 pages. With original top cover, bound in modern full red leather with gilt title and decorations. Pages 1-60 comprise Tornel's statement of his principles in response to political attacks; the last 14 pages are of official documents and decrees supporting his argument.

In this manifesto, Tornel explains his political positions to the Mexican public. The work sets out Tornel's justifications for his actions in government and defends his stances on key political issues of the day, specifically his alignment with Santa Anna and conservative political forces against liberal reforms. Furthermore, he defends himself of slander that he negotiated to sell Coahuila y Tejas.

Beginning on page 42, Tornel recounts a trip to the United States. He writes that he arrived anchoring across the shores of New York on January 13, 1830 (English translation): "Upon my arrival in the United States, rumors had circulated, whose origin I have not been able to discover, that General Guerrero's administration was determined to alienate the rich and enviable province of Texas, as a means to redeem itself from its dire financial situation...I was still aboard the ship, when an agent of the Missouri senator Thomas Benton, who was deeply interested in the acquisition of Texas, approached me without preamble to inquire at what price it was desired to sell it. As it was known to me, in terms that admitted no doubt, that this proceeded from the false supposition that the government was basely betraying its duties..."

Tornel used his time in the U.S. to observe American political sentiment firsthand, especially in the press. Three months after his arrival in New York, Mexico enacted the Law of April 6, 1830 which greatly restricted U.S. immigration to Texas and strengthened military presence in the north.

Condition: Light staining to the original cover, with all interior pages exceptionally clean and bright.


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Auction Dates
February, 2026
26th Thursday
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Sold on Feb 26, 2026 for: $625.00
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