DAGOURET (Pierre).Livre Rare Book
Signed manuscript report and chart from Hersant Consul de France a San Luis Potosà and Tampico to Comte de Rigny Minister of the Navy
1833List508Mexico 1833. First Edition. Mexico: May 23 1833. Letter and chart on watermarked single folio sheets approx. 13 x 16-½ inches letter: 3 pp.; chart: 2 pp.;. Near Fine. Rare first-hand documentation of the growing trade tensions that eventually led to the French-Mexican "Pastry War" of 1838. Consul Hersant's gossipy report surveys the "commercial movement of the port of Tampico since it's opening in 1824 until the end of 1832." Hersant complains to his superiors that Mexican trade with the US and England far outpaces France; even the Hanseatic League has become a problem. The Consul includes a hand-drawn table tallying foreign ships and the weight of goods by country a visual aid supporting his claim that French trade lags considerably behind other partners. <br /> <br /> Ultimately it is civil disorder that most disturbs the Consul; that is smuggling assisted by the Mexican customs officers themselves: "se fait impunément et avec l'aide des douaniers eux-mêmes et peut porter au double la quantité de marchandises qui entrent du dehors." Indeed the early years of the Mexican Republic were marked by a notable lack of governmental accountability toward foreign governments or private property owners as various internal parties struggled for power. This disregard eventually led King Louis-Philippe's government to sue for damages against Mexico on behalf of French citizens doing business there. The most famous claimant was a pastry chef who claimed his shop had been looted. In 1838 when the amount went unpaid the French invaded Veracruz and blockaded Mexico's Atlantic ports beginning the so-called Pastry War.<br /> <br /> References to Hersant can be found in other histories of the French attempt to gain ground in Mexico e.g. establishing alternative shipping passages inland to compete with North American traders. Overall a scarce pair of documents in excellent condition with minimal normal wear. unknown books
Auger Down Books · États-Unis3 000,00 $US≈ 2 538,30 €
