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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
Sombrero was called by the Royalists Cornonjo in 18 ieagues of Guan- axuato; five leagues from Lagos. _ See reflection at the end of the Chaptr-122 page. No. 2802. BRIEF BIOGRAPHY OF LORENZO DE ZAVALA. LAMAR [Translation from the Spanish] tRichmond? Texas, 185-?l The present period is not favorable for speaking of the dead of other clays. The public cannot think on the past while the present is full of great and important results. The nation is occupied with living; and for a brief period the memory of the talented and virtuous dead will remain sep.ulture<l. Xevertheless, it may be possible that there are some individuals who are not occupied with the events of the clay so much so that they exclude all other matters from their consideration; and if there be such, for them alone, I would write this brief biography. I would like to give a picture, full and perfect, of Honorable Senor Pe Zavala; but this is not my present object.- A work of this kind, will have to be done some day; and with a pen more skilled than mine.- Now, I desire to say only what may be necessary to depict his char- acter, and show to the world, that :Mexico has produced, at least one individual, who, in times of universal corruption, lived and died an honest man and an excellent patriot. Lorenzo de ½avala was born in the city of }ferida, Capital of the State of Yucatan; he .was one of the first patriots who proclaimed the Independence of Mexico. He was a man of talent and virtue, -ivell born, well educated, of affable manners and courteous in all things and a perfect Gentleman. These qualities being united with great wealth made him an important and efficient acquisition to the cause of the Revolution. He was young when he completed his studies.- From College he embarked on the tempestuous sea of public life; and never abandoned the sentiments of virtue, honor and patriotism with which he commenced his career. Eloquent in debate; powerful with his pen and energetic in his actions, he early became the object of the persecu- tions of the government; and he was imprisoned in the Castle of San Juan de Ulua, Vera-Cruz; where he was held a prisoner for three years, without knowing the cause of his arrest. Having obtained his liberty, he embarked for Sisal, the principal commercial city of the State of Yucatan; and immediately after he arrived at that port, he was ap- pointed deputy by general acclamation of all the inhabitants to the Congress at ~Iadrid. The circumstances made his departure very necessary. He embarked without delay. Scarcely had he taken his seat in the Chamber of deputies, when he was warned by his friends that he was still the object of the persecutions of the government, and that his life" was in great danger. This information made him retire to France. The government ordered him to return to Madrid; but Zavala did not obey; and in a short time he embarked for New-Orleans accompanied by General Wade Hampton, resident of said city, being notable for his wealth. From this point he embarked for his native State, where he arrived safely and was well received by his fellow- citizens.-
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