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Oct 2006
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I have one today from the “every now and then a blind squirrel finds an acorn” file. The item of which I speak became available through a long time and trusted dealer with whom I have done business for well over twenty years. It is a brief signed inscription in the hand of an interesting character out of Nineteenth Century Mexican history. Valentin Gomez Farias was one of those unique individuals who started off life running and never ceased. He was involved directly in the Mexican struggle for independence from Spain, he served the government in various elected positions, at least twice in his lifetime he was vice president of Mexico. His crowning opportunity came when Santa Ana, then President of Mexico, was involved with other issues that took him away from his duty as president. Santa Ana’s chosen absence provided Gomez Farias a direct shot at leadership when he, as vice president, filled in for the president. He, Gomez Farias, actually served in this capacity for a number of months, even a couple of years.
In reading some of his biography it has become obvious to me that he was a person of great personal passion. He used his power to challenge Mexico to modernization. He struggled with the ultimate and complete power of the church and made a lot of enemies through officially expressing his belief that government had become too authoritarian and centralized. He was one who seemed to be in favor of the rights of the people over the power of government. He was friendly to the Mexican Constitution of 1824 which gave freedom to the masses and was an outspoken critic of the Mexican Constitution of 1830 which was more restrictive. Needless to say he met much opposition even though he had many friends and supports as well.
During the mid 1830’s, following Santa Ana’s return to Mexican politics, Gomez Farias found himself in a partially “self imposed” exile in, of all places, New Orleans, Louisiana. Even then he didn’t remain quiet. The little document that came my way the other day is an informal note more than likely signed as part of a guest book or some such opportunity in which someone is asked for signature and a few comments. The document is telling of his character. If my interpretation is close to correct he speaks out against the centralization of power by a supreme authority, which could be Santa Ana. He also challenged the issue of a central Constitution that was, in his opinion, both distasteful and harmful. This could be the switch from the Constitution of 1824 to the Constitution of 1830 and the ill will that came with it, especially in places like Texas.
The document ends with a few personal, albeit boastful words. He states that even though there was fear involved, and in those times he had good reason to fear, he said that it was courage that saved him and saved the nation. His signature is quite bold. The piece is dated “Abril 1 de 1836 Nueva Orleans,” literally in the midst of the Texas revolution. Even though I could find no direct historical stated opinion concerning his feelings at the time on the issue of Texas independence, the Handbook of Texas declares that later he “unofficially” stated his support for an independent Republic of Texas.
In looking through history we find interesting characters in every walk of life. We are fortunate to have little “signs” of their presence in our collections and in accessible locations such as the internet and of course the good old basic library or museum collection. It is a positive exercise for us to take a look backwards for several reasons. We can be extremely thankful for those whose actions in the past made us what we are. We can gain strength or direction from the strengths and weaknesses of those who have gone before. We can understand ourselves better because of the actions of those who shaped our history and helped define our character. We can understand that those who went before were not any more or less human than we and they chose, at least the ones who are remembered in a positive light, to seize the opportunity to do something of note for the future through influencing the present.
Even though I do not have the whole story on Valentin Gomez Farias I do appreciate the opportunity to touch him in this unique way. Overall we can say that numismatics and other such areas of historical exploration give us a chance to remember that we are who we are because of where we have come from, historically speaking. We can touch the future by being faithful to those things, experiences, ideals, persons, historical insights, and whatever else that is set before us.
An interesting fact: It was during Gomez Farias’ time as president that Stephen F. Austin appeared in Mexico with the request for Texas statehood within the Mexican nation. At the time the Mexican congress was considering the procedure and timing to do just that. Austin’s petition stated that the Texans were ready right then and would move forward with constitutional and legislative approval or not. The active president said “no” and suggested that a more timely approach was necessary. It was therefore Gomez Farias who placed Austin in prison for insubordination. This act led indirectly, or perhaps directly, to ill feelings toward the Mexican government that appeared in just a few months as revolutionary temper.
A second interesting fact: Ricardo DeLeon reminded me that Gomez Farias’ signature was the first on the Mexican Constitution of 1857. Thanks Ricardo.
See you on the 19th of October for club meeting, if not before.
Regards and God Bless,
Richard
