NORTH AMERICA
HISTORY IN NORTH AMERICA-1856-1865
Collected by Charles A. Venturi from the following sources:
The Dictionary of Dates by Helen Rex Keller, The
Macmillan Company, New York 1934
The Harper Encyclopedia of the Modern World edited by Richard B. Morris and Graham W.
Irwin 1974
An Encyclopedia of World History by William L. Langer, 5th Ed., Houghton,
Mifflin Co., 1972
Historical Tables 58BC—AD 1978 by S. H. Steinberg, St. Martin's Press, New York 1964.
Kingdoms of Europe by Gene Gurney, Crown Publishers, New York 1982.
The Countries of The World by Robert Brown, M.A., Cassells & Co., Ltd., New York, ca.
1882
Chronicle of the World, D. K. Publishing, New York 1996, ISBN 0-7894-0334X
GENERAL INFORMATION
(26,000,000 people in North America in 1850, excluding the United States.)
NORTHERN NORTH AMERICA SOUTHERN NORTH AMERICA(GEOGRAPHY: N. N. America, #56 N, 95 W)
(LEADERS: McNab-Tache Ministry ['56]: Tache-Macdonald Ministry ['56-'57]: Macdonald-Cartier Ministry ['57-'58]: Brown-Dorian Ministry ['58]: Macdonald-Cartier Ministry ['58-'62]: Macdonald-Sicotte Ministry ['62-'63]: the Macdonald-Dorian Ministry ['63-'64]: Brown-Macdonald-Tache Ministry ['64])
(MISCELLANEOUS: intercontinental immigration into Canada during 1851-’60 not available but less than 400,000, city Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto)
1856: the government is at a virtual standstill (1854-1867) because of sectional interests; a committee to examine the future of the Hudson’s Bay Company is set up by the Colonial Office; Antoine A. Dorian (b.1818)(leader of the French Rouges) suggests federal union; there is a widespread belief that the northwest is unfit for agriculture due to the climate and soil.
02: first anniversary of the opening of the Niagara Suspension Bridge; Toronto is the capital of Canada.
02/15-07/01: the second session of the fifth parliament; the Common Law Procedure Act for Upper Canada is enacted.
04/16: Gov. Douglas (of British Columbia) makes the official announcement of discovery of gold in British Columbia and proclaims all gold is the property of the Crown.
05: the conclusion of the McNab-Tache Ministry with Col. Tache resuming his portfolio as Reciever General and Mr. Cauchon becoming Commissioner of Crown Lands.
05/04: the Seigneurial Court renders its judgment.
05/16: the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railroad and the Canadien Western Railway Company are chartered.
05/18: the College and Academy of the Free Church of Nova Scotia is chartered.
05/24-11/1857: the Tache-Macdonald Ministry takes office with only two new members, P.M.M.S.Vankoughnet succeeds Sir Allan McNab as President of the Council (and becomes head of the Department of Agriculture), and T.L.Terrill succeeds Mr. Cartier as Provincial Secretary.
06/24: the Legislative Council (Upper House and formerly appointed by Crown) is made elective by an Act which receives the royal assent.
07/01: the Canadian Marine Insurance Company is chartered.
07/14: the Legislative Council (made elective) is now proclaimed.
08/02: British Columbia is given a separate administration;
08/12: the first meeting of the Legislature of Vancouver Island.
10/01: the London and Port Stanley Railroad is completed from Lake Erie to London.
10/27: the first passenger train travels from Montreal to Toronto on the Grand Trunk Railroad.
11/10: the Newfoundland-New York City telegraph line is opened.
11/12: the Grand Trunk Railroad is further extended from Toronto to Quebec.
11/17: the Grand Trunk is completed from Guelph to Stratford, (another 39 miles).
11/21: the Grand Trunk is completed from St.Mary’s to Sarnia.
12/04: a Canadian Order in Council provides for the free transit of goods from points in the United States to other points in the United States by a bonding system.
12/22: the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railroad opens from Fort Erie to Stratford and is later incorporated with the Grand Trunk Railroad.
1857: 02/05: the Imperial House of Commons appoints a select committee to investigate the administration of the Hudson Bay Company over its vast domains.
02/10: David Thompson (explorer of the Western country) dies.
02/26-06/10: the third session of the fifth Parliament convenes; the Election and Franchise Act passes; an Act to encourage the gradual civilization of the Indians passes, civil laws and laws of procedure of Lower Canada are codified; decentralization of justice by the division of Lower Canada into nineteen judicial districts instead of seventeen passes; a Resolution asks Her Majesty to select a city for the permanent seat of government.
03/12: a train on Great Western Railroad breaks through a bridge over the Desjardin Canal with seventy killed.
03/17: the St. John (New Brunswick) to Shediac Railroad opened for three miles out of St. John.
03/18: the Canadien Literary Institute organizes (later becomes Woodstock Baptist College).
05/27: Belleville Seminary (Methodist Episcopal) is chartered; the Richelieu Company incorporates.
06/10: the Toronto and Owen Sound, the Eastwood and Berlin, the Strathroy and Port Frank, the Brantford and Southwestern Railroads are chartered; the town of Brantford (population less then 5000) borrowed $500,000 for Railroad building from the Municipal Loan Fund.
06/20-11/02: Sir Wm Eyre serves as Administrator.
06/26: a fire occurred on the steamer "Montreal" which burns on the St. Lawrence River on its way from Montreal to Quebec,(250 [chiefly Scotch and Norwegian] immigrants are killed.
06/27: a joint committee on the boundary with the United States meets with no agreement in six months.
08/07-11: the failure of the first attempt to lay the Atlantic cable from Trinity Bay (Newfoundland) to Valencia Bay (Ireland).
09/28: the Great Western Railroad opens from Galt to Guelph.
10/01: St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad opens for 34 miles from St. Andrews (New Brunswick) to Barber Dam.
11/25: Col. Tache resigns as Prime Minister.
11/26-07/29/1858: the Macdonald-Cartier Ministry takes over with Macdonald continuing in office and Cartier continuing to hold the portfolio of Attorney General East (representing Lower Canada as secretary of the Cabinet).
12/30: the Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton Railroad opens from Port Hope to Lindsay; the Welland Railroad opens from Port Dalhousie to Port Colborne.
12/31: Queen Victoria chooses Ottawa as the capital of Canada.
1858: Ottawa becomes the capital of Canada; Bishop Ignace Bourgel (Montreal) attacks the Institut Canadien as a rationalist free-thinking society; Alexander T. Galt (b.1817) favors federations with his resolutions.
02/14: the Proclamation of Governor Douglas fixes agricultural land in British Columbia at ten shillings an acre.
02/05-08/16: the first session of the sixth Parliament convenes; the defective Franchise Act of the previous session is amended; Customs duties are raised to 15% as the general rate and protection for home industries is discussed; Canadien consolidated stock at 4 and 4.5% is authorized; the Municipal Act for Upper Canada is enacted; both Houses petition Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, for construction of an inter-colonial railroad to connect New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with Canada.
02/58: gold is found in the Fraser River valley.
04/06: Mount.Allison Academy (Sackville, New Brunswick) is made Mount Allison Wesleyan College by a new charter.
05/30: the charter of the Hudson Bay Company is revoked as to the mainland (British Columbia).
05: the first French consul is appointed to Quebec.
06/01: the European and North American Railroad opens from St.John (New Brunswk) to Rothesay).
06/03: the Windsor branch of the Nova Scotia Railroad opens.
06/28: the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railroad opens from Stratford to Goderich and is leased to the Grand Trunk Railroad.
07/05: the laying of the Atlantic cable is underway.
07/24: Knox College (Toronto), a Presbyterian theological seminary, is chartered.
07/28: the Macdonald-Cartier Ministry is defeated by fourteen votes on a motion that the city of Ottawa ought not to be the permanent seat of government.
07/29: the Macdonald-Cartier Ministry resigns.
08/02: an Imperial Act provides for government of the mainland of British North America to be called British Columbia with its capital at Victoria.
08/02-04: the Brown-Dorian Ministry takes over (the so-called "double-shuffle"); the Government Head refuses his new Premier causing a dissolution; J. A. Macdonald takes advantage of a clause in the statute providing that when a minister accepts another office within one month he should not thereby vacate his seat; and each minister shifts to a different post and then returns to his normal post.
08/05: the Atlantic cable is completed.
08/06-05/1862: the Macdonald-Cartier Ministry governs.
08/16: the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad (formerly the Toronto,Sarnia and Lake Huron Railroad) changes its name to the Northern Railroad of Canada; the Bank of Canada is chartered.
08/18: the Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton Railroad opens from Milbrook to Petersborough.
08/20: the Colony of British Columbia establishes and controls Vancouver Island upon its surrender by the Hudson Bay Company.
09/02: Sir James Douglas is appointed Gov. of British Columbia and Matthew B,Begbie is commissioned Judge.
09/27: the Grand Trunk Railroad is completed from Stratford to London.
10: the failure of the electrical insulation on the Atlantic cable renders it useless.
11/01: British Columbia is organized as a colony.
11/19: Gov. Douglas and Judge Begbie take the oath of office for administration of British Columbia.
12/01: the New Brunswick and Canada Railroad opens to Canterbury.
12/09: Robert Baldwin (called "the father of responsible government") dies.
12/15: the Nova Scotia Railroad is completed from Halifax to Truro (93 miles).
12/27: the Great Western Railroad opens from Komoka to Sarnia.
1858-1859: Henry Yule Hind explores the country west of Lake Winnipeg.
1859: 01/1859: silver coinage is issued; oil is discovered.
01/01: the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly Railroad opens from St. John (New Brunswick) to West Farnham
01/29-05/04: the second session of the sixth Parliament convenes; a Railroad Act passes; customs duties increase to an average of 20% on articles not specifically enumerated; an issue of new municipal loans is prohibited except for purposes of renewal and 5% is required on obligations (instead of 8%); the Public Works Act is amended and consolidated; the city of Ottawa is voted as the seat of government; provisions are made for facilitating the redemption of Provincial debentures and the consolidation of public debt; the title of Minister of Finance is given to the head of Dept. of Finance.
04/13: the University of New Brunswick (Fredericton) is chartered by provincial statute(formerly King’s College).
04/15: Thomas Louis Connolly is appointed Archbishop of Halifax (Roman Catholic).
05/04: the incorporation of the Bank of Western Canada, the Royal Bank of Canada, and La Banque Nationale.
05/05: New Westminster (founded by Col..R. C. Moody in February) is made the capital of British Columbia.
05/19: the first steamboat on the Red River arrives at Fort Gary.
05: the Allan Steamship Line begins weekly services from Quebec to Liverpool.
06/08: the Proclamation of Gov..Douglas constitutes the Supreme Court of British Columbia; the European and North American Railroad opens from Rothesay to Hampton.
09/17: the Montreal-Victoria Railroad bridge over the St. Lawrence River is completed.
09/24: the city of Quebec is made the capital of Canada (until 10/20/1865).
10/12-02/22/'61: Sir William. F. Williams serves as Administrator.
10/21: the Executive Council meets at Quebec.
10/27: the International Bank is suspended.
11/10: the European and North American Railroad opens from Hampton to Sussex.
11/20: John Joseph Lynch is consecrated as Bishop of Toronto (Roman Catholic).
12/16: the Grand Trunk Railroad is completed to Victoria Bay.
12/17: the first passenger train crosses the Montreal-Victoria Railroad bridge over the St. Lawrence River.
12/31: the Stanstead, Shefford and Chambly Railroad opens as far as Granby (Lower Canada) ; the Grand Trunk Railroad is complete from St. Thomas to St. Paschal.
1860: 02/28-05/19: the third session of the sixth Parliament convenes; the final abolition of seigniorial rights and duties passes; the Municipal & Roads Acts of Lower Canada is consolidated and amended; Mr. Brown introduces two measures declaring the Union a failure but which are defeated by 66-27 and 74-32.
04/06-08/13: a contract with the Alan Steamship Line is signed for weekly postal service to Liverpool..
04/30: John Anderson (a slave who escaped from MO in 1853) is discovered and arrested.
05/02: the Prince of Wales College (Charlottetown, Prince Edwrd Island) is chartered (former Central Academy)
07/01: all control of Indian affairs is transferred to the Province.
07/02: the Grand Trunk Railroad is completed below Quebec to Riviere du Loup.
07/24: the Prince of Wales (afterwards Edward VII) arrives at Newfoundland.
07/30: the Prince of Wales visits at Halifax..
08/01: the European and North American Railroad opens from Sussex to Moncton.
08/02: the Prince of Wales visits at St. John (New Brunswick).
08/09: the Prince of Wales visits at Charlottetown.
08/18: the Prince of Wales visits at Quebec.
08/25: the Prince of Wales formally opens the Victoria Railroad Bridge across the St. Lawrence River at Montreal.
09/01: the corner stone of Parliament Buildings at Ottawa is laid by the Prince of Wales.
09/19: the Prince of Wales leaves Canada for a visit to the United States.
09/26: Morrin College (Presbyterian theological) is founded at Quebec by Joseph Morrin.
11/06: L. B. Vaughan strikes oil at 85’ in the first Canadien oil well, sunk at Petrolia (Ontario).
11/10: the Kingston branch of the Grand Trunk Railroad is completed.
1861: agricultural exports exceed forest exports for the first time;
03/16-05/18: the fourth session of the sixth Parliament convenes and no important measures are passed; a discussion is made of the case of John Anderson (the escaped slave, discovered & arrested 04/30/'60) in connection with a writ of habeas corpus and a recommendation made to the Imperial Government for legislation to prevent a conflict of jurisdiction; a resolution is introduced (by Joseph Howe) proposing the union of North.American Provinces is adopted by the Parliament of Nova Scotia.
04/05: the escaped slave (John Anderson) is discharged by the court.
05/18: Morrin College (Quebec) is chartered and the College of Bytown becomes the College of Ottawa.
08/14: a great inundation strikes Montreal..
08/29: William Lyon Mackenzie dies.
09/10: a meeting of the first Anglican provincial synod is held.
09/11: the first street railway (Yonge Street line) opens in Toronto, Yonge Street line.
11/02: Viscount Monck (Adminstrator) commissions the Government.
11/08: the "Trent affair" erupts between Great Britain and the United States.
11/28: Viscount Monck assumes office.
12/03: 3,000 British troops are sent to Canada because of of the "Trent affair" (the seizure of Confederate commissioners from a British ship); the population of Lower Canada is at 1,111,566, that of Upper Canada is at 1,396,091, that of Nova Scotia is at 330,857, that of New Brunswick is at 252,047, that of Prince Edward Island is at 80,857, that of British Columbia is estimated at 3,024, that of Manitoba is at 10,000 for a total of 3,184,442 (included are 13,166 negroes).
1862: 01/04: one-half of Montreal is still under water.
03/20-06/09: the first session of the seventh Parliament convenes with criminal law amended,; the Legislative Council exercises its privilege of electing a Speaker for the first time (Sir Allan McNab is chosen); the Bureau of Agriculture is organized as a separate department; an announcement that Her Majesty has granted free interprovincial commercial intercourse; the Grand Trunk Railroad is authorized to issue $500,000 worth of equipment bonds and is allowed to postpone payment of government loans; the New Militia Bill (providing 10,000 volunteers) is proposed.
05/20: the Macdonald-Cartier Militia Bill Legislative Council (of Prince Edward Island) is made elective.
05/20(04/17): the Ministry is defeated on the Militia Bill.
05/21: the resignation of the Ministry.
05/24-05/-06/1863: the Macdonald-Sicotte Ministry takes power with John Sandfield Macdonald (b.1812 of Upper Canada) as Prime Minster and Attorney General West while L. V. Sicotte (b.1812 of Lower Canada) becomes Attorney General East and T. D. McGee becomes the President of Council.
05/31: the Bank of British Columbia is incorporated.
07: the adoption of a union of North American Provinces by the Parliament of Nova Scotia is dispatched to the Governors of the various provinces and results in the Charlottetown Conference.
07/1862: the New Brunswick and Canada Railroad opens to Richmond.
08/02: the city of Victoria (British Columbia) is incorporated.
08/08: Sir Allan McNab dies.
08: the Bank of British Columbia opens at Victoria (British Columbia).
09/26: the journey of Lord Milton and Dr. W. B. Cheadle (of the Royal Geographical Society) begins "with a view of exploring a route across the continent to British Columbia through British Territory, by one of the northern passes in the Rocky Mountains" and reaches Carlton House on the Saskatchewan and winters seventy mi les northwest of that point.
1863: 01/06: Anglican Bishop George J. Mountain (Bishop of Quebec) dies and is succeeded by James W. Williams.
02/12-05/12: the second session of the seventh Parliament convenes; an Act restores to Roman Catholics (in Upper Canada) certain rights respecting separate schools.
04/16: the Entomological Society (of Ontario) is organized.
04/29: Dalhousie College and University (Halifax, Nova Scotia) is re established.
04: Milton and Cheadle leave winter quarters.
05/06: the MacDonald Ministry is defeated over the Separate School Bill.
06/03: Milton & Cheadle left Edmonton by Pembina River & following Athabaskan River. 07/10:
07/10: Milton & Cheadle reach Fraser, crossing the mountains by Yellowhead Pass and descend the North Thompson River (British Columbia).
05/05: Huron College (London, Ontario) is chartered.
05/16-3/21/1864: the Macdonald-Dorion Ministry takes office with John Sandfield Macdonald serving as Premier and Attorney General West while A. A. Dorion serves as Attorney General East (Lower Canada).
06/11: the Legislative Council for British Columbia is appointed.
07/01: the Claims Comvention (between Great Britain and the United States) signs (at Washington, D. C.) for final settlement of the claims of the Hudson Bay Company and the Puget Sound Agricultural College from which a commission is appointed (the award is granted September 1869).
07/28: the boundaries of British Columbia are defined by imperial statute.
08/13-10/15: the first session of the eighth Parliament convenes and a new Militia Act is passed to include all males between eighteen and sixty.
12/08: a new mail contract is made with the Allan Steamship Line.
1864: 01/01: the government account is transferred to the Bank of Montreal.
02/19-06/30: the second session of the eighth Parliament convenes and passes acts respecting all sales of intoxicating liquor, excise duties, gold mines, insolvency; the Committee of Assembly reports in favor of a change in the federal system.
02/26: Sir Louis Hypolite Lafontaine (Chief Justice of Lower Canada) dies in Montreal.
06/06: the first issue of Cariboo Sentinal is published in British Columbia.
06/14: the Ministry is defeated on a vote of censure as to the financial exactions of Finance Minister Alexander T. Galt with the the Grand Trunk Railroad.
06/21: the resignation of the current Ministry.
06/30: the "Great Coalition" Ministry is formed with George Brown joining Macdonald and Tache to form a Cabinet to work for Confederation and the new Ministers are Oliver Mowat and William McDougall (b.1822); the Royal Canadian Bank (of Toronto) is chartered.
08/01: the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railroad becomes part of the Grand Trunk Railroad system.
09/01: a conference at Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) is arranged by Charles Tupper (b.1821 of Nova Scotia) and S. L. Tilley (b.1818 of New Brunswick) to be made up of representatives of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island in order to discuss the union of the maritime provinces (Newfoundland is represented) and J. A. Macdonald, George Brown, G. E. Cartier, A. T. Galt, T. D. McGee, H. L. Langevin, W. McDougall, and Alexander Campbell (all members of the Canada Cabinet) attend to present the proposal of union of all Provinces.
10/10-28: the Quebec Convention gathers to discuss an Act of Confederation with twelve representatives from Canada, five from Nova Scotia, seven from New Brunswick, seven from Prince Edward Island, two from Newfoundland (the "Fathers of the Confederation") and a Federal Union under the Crown is recommended and 72 resolutions are adopted which become the basis of the British North America Act.
10/19: a raid on St. Albans (Vermont, United States) by Confederates led by Lt. Bennett H. Young from Canada (discharged by the Canadiens the next July).
12/14: the Confederates are freed on technical grounds (and the $90,000 taken from a St. Albans bank is returned to them but is eventually paid back to St. Albans by the Canadien Government).
12/20: Canadien volunteers are called for service on the frontier against Fenian attacks from the United States.
1865: 01/19-03/18: the third session of the eighth Parliament includes a discussion of the Address to Her Majesty praying for submission to the Imperial Parliament of the measure for the union of the provinces of British North America based on the Quebec Resolution of 10/10/’64.
02/20: the union measure carried in the Legislative Council by a vote of 45 to 15.
02/24: a cable line begins at New Westminster (British Columbia) for a Russo-American telegraph (but is never completed).
03/07: the New Brunswick Assembly rejects Confederation.
03/10: the union measure is carried in the Assembly by a vote of 91 to 33.
03/18: the Insolvency Act of ’64 is amended.
03/23: the British Parliament grants L50,000 for the defense of Canada.
03/24: an order in Council appoints a committee to travel to England for a conference (Macdonald, Cartier, Brown and Galt are chosen).
05/02: a provision is made by the Nova Scotia Legislature for construction of St. Peter’s Canal.
05/19: Robert Machray is appointed Anglican Bishop of Rupert’s Land and succeeds Bishop Anderson.
05: the Canadian Land and Emigration Company (London, England) buys ten townships in Upper Canada and settles the present towns of Haliburton and Minden.
06/29: the Imperial Act to remove doubts as to the validity of colonial claims defines "repugnancy" as to English Law.
GREENLAND (under Denmark)
(GEOGRAPHY: world's largest island, N.E.N. America, #70 N, 40 W)
LABRADOR (a part of Canada)
(GEOGRAPHY: N.E. British America, between Hudson Bay and Atlantic and Gulf of St. Lawrence, #55 N, 70 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: annexed to Newfoundland in 1809)
SOUTHERN NORTH AMERICA
(GEOGRAPHY: group of islands, #25 N, 75 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: under Great Britain, city of Nassau)
(GEOGRAPHY: S.E. W. Indies, #13:15 N, 59:30 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: under Great Britain, city of Bridgetown)
(GEOGRAPHY: N. Atlantic, 700 miles S.E. of New York, #32:20 N, 64:45 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: under Great Britain, town of Hamilton, used by the Confederate States for blockade runners, patroled by United States warships)
(GEOGRAPHY: a group of islands, #20 N, 70 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: intercontinental immigration into it from 1851-’60 ca 75,000)
CUBA (in the West Indies)
(GEOGRAPHY: largest island of the W. Indies, #22 N, 79 W)
(LEADERS: Gov. Francesco Serrano ['59-'??]
(MISCELLANEOUS: loyal to Spain but unhappy with a Spanish rule that injured the sugar industry; intercontinental immigration into 1851-’60 ca 6,000; city of Habana)
1859: 04/04: the railroad from Regla to Minas opens.
10/04: a railroad opens from Guines to Catalina.
11/14: Lt.-Gen. Francesco Serrano (Duke de la Torre) is appointed as Governor.
1860: 11/19: the Cuban Central Railroad opens to Santa Clara
1861: 06/23: the first train runs from Cristina (Havana) to Calabazar.
10/15: the first train runs from Guines to Matanzas.
1863: 07/19: a railroad opens from Concha to Mariano.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (see Santo Domingo)
HAITI (a.k.a. , HAYTI, HISPANIOLA) (in the West Indies)
(GEOGRAPHY: #19 N, 70 W)
(LEADERS: President (Emperor) Faustin Soulouque [’56-’59], President Fabre Geffard [’59-1867]); Soulouque is incompetent, tyrannical, oppressive; Geffard is progressive)
(MISCELLANEOUS: independent since 1804, socially and economically stagnant, town of Port-au-Prince)
1856: Faustin Soulouque serves as president.
02/01: the attack of Faustin Soulouque on Santo Domingo is repulsed.
1858: Faustin Souloque serves as president.
12/22 Fabre Geffard leads an insurrection against the Emperor and proclaims a republic.
1859: 01/15: Faustin Soulouque is overthrown and takes refuge in the French Legation.
01/20: Fabre Geffard takes the oath as President (to 03/13/1867)
1861: Fabre Geffard serves as president.
05/20: Spanish Santo Domingo is reunited with Spain.
1864: Geffard serves as president.
05/16: a convention is held among Haiti, France, Brazil, Italy and Portugal for the purpose of establishing a telegraphic line between Europe & America.
11/03: a treaty of amity, commerce, navigation extradition is signed with the United States and a Claims Treaty.
1865: Geffard serves as president.
05: the insurrection of Sylvain Salnane captures the capital of Haitien.
HISPANIOLA (see Haiti and Santo Domingo)
JAMAICA (in the West Indies)
(GEOGRAPHY: S. of Cuba, #18N, 77:30 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: under Great Britain, city of Kingston)
(GEOGRAPHY: S. N. America, #24 N, 103 W)
(LEADERS: Pres. Ignacio Comonfort ['56-'57]; Pres. Benito Juarez ['57-'65]; Pres. Felix Zuluoga ['58-'59]); Pres. Miguel Miramon ['58-'60]; Pres.-Gen. Juan Almonte ['62]; Emperor Maxmilian ['64-'beyond])
(MISCELLANEOUS: intercontinental immigration into 1851-’60 not available, city of Mexico City, Puebla)
1856: the moderate Ignacio Comonfort serves as president.
01/31: a new tariff law lowers duties and reduces the list of prohibited articles to eighteen.
02/18: the constitutional convention meets.
05/15: the "Provisional Organic Statute" is promulgated.
06/05: the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) is suppressed by a government decree.
06/25: the "Ley Lerdo" prohibisd religious corporations from the ownership of property not used for the specific purpose of the corporation" and a decree of Pres. Comonfort orders the sale of all unimproved real estate held by the Church to the lessees at reasonable terms.
12/09: the House of Jecker obtained from the Mexican government the right to survey the territories of Sonora and southern California with 1/3 of the unclaimed land to become their property.
1857: Ignacio Comonfort serves as president; the university is closed by Comonfort.
01/01: the College of Junajuato is reorganized.
01/11: the Mexican Railway line from Mexico City to Guadalupe Hidalgo opens for traffic (3.5 miles).
02/02: the American minister (John Forsythe) signed treaties with Mexico without instructions from Washington which were not accepted.
02/05: the new federal constitution (Ley Lerdo [ federalist and congressionalist] is promulgated to become effective 09/16 (the anniversary of Hidalgo’s Grito de Delores superceding the "Organic Statute" of 1856) places control of mining industry with the various States.
03/15: the French decimal metric system is adopted.
08/13: the Battle of Ixcapa Oaxaca between the Liberals and the Clerical party is a victory for conservatism.
08/31: the Mosso Concession is sold to Antonio Escandon who gets a charter to build a railroad from Vera Cruz to a port on the Pacific Ocean.
09/16: the new federal constitution becomes effective.
10: Benito Juarez (age 51) serves as president but is opposed by Gen. Santa Anna.
12/01: Ignacio Comonfort takes office as the re-elected president.
12/17: Gen. Felix Zuloaga issues his "Plan of Tacubaya" against the Government which proposes the annulment of the new constitution and it is accepted by Pres. Comonfort.
12/23: Pres. Comonfort announces adherence to the new Plan.
12/26: the siege of Oaxaca begins.
1858: 01/19: Benito Juarez (b.1806) becomes the legal successor of Ignacio Comonfort as president (after an uprising by Felix Zuloaga and Miguel Miramon) and establishes a Liberal Government based on the constitution of 1857 (made at Guanajuato and which is recognized by the majority of States); Juarez issues his Laws Reform; Mexico now with two presidents (Felix Zuloaga in Mexico City, shortly followed by Miguel Miramon) (Benito Juarez rules the outlying states).
01/21: President Comonfort flees to the United States.
01/23: Gen. Felix Zuloaga (representing the Clerical party) takes the oath as president and appoints Gen. Miguel Miramon as Commander-in-Chief.
01: Porfirio Diaz (under Gen. Rosas Lander) defends Oaxaca against the Spanish Gen. Jose Maria Cobos who is forced to raise the siege.
02/15: Benito Juarez arrives at Guadalajara.
02/25: Porfirio Diaz routes the Spanish at Jalapa (Oaxaca).
03/09-10: the Battle of Salamanca (in Guanajuato) brings a victory for the reactionary government.
03/14: Benito Juarez (and his Cabinet) are arrested at Guadalajara by an inferior officer (Landa), who releases his prisoners for a price.
03/17: a decree of the government of Tamaulipas establishes a free zone to tariff six miles wide along the entire length of Tamaulipas on the Rio Grande River (between Mexico and the United States).
04/13: Porfirio Diaz makes a successful attack on Gen. Jose Conchado at the hacienda of Jicaras.
04/14: Benito Juarez sails from Manzanillo for Vera Cruz.
05/04: the liberal Benito Juarez (Constitutional President) reaches Vera Cruz (his capital) with his Cabinet; the Conservative capital is Mexico City under Gen. Miguel Miramon (he is supported by the upper classes and the church).
05/05: Pres. Zuloaga opens the University (closed by Comonfort in '57).
05/18: Campeche is separated from Ucatan to become a State.
06/01: by the constitution, from this date the alcabalas and interior custom houses are abolished.
07/24: Miguel Miramon recaptures Guanajuato from the constitutionalists.
08/10: the British minster (L. C. Orway) concludes a convention increasing the interest on bonds (issued under the Doyle Convention) from 3 to 6% and provides for payment of the interest.
08/12: the battle between the constitutionalists (under Pueblita) and government troops (under Leonardo Marquez) takes place near Acambaro.
09/12: Miguel Miramon and Mejia occupy San Luis Potosi.
09/21: the defeat of government troops (under Gen. Casanova) occurs in the defile of Las Cueritas (Jalisco).
09/29: Vidaurri is defeated by Gen. Miguel Miramon.
10/14: the Capital is attacked by the constitutionalists from Morelia (commanded by Gen. Blanco) but they are forced to retreat.
10/27: Guadalajara is recaptured by constitutionalists (under Santos Degollado) but the town is evacuated later on the approach of Marquez.
11/16: reactionary government troops capture the town of Perote.
12/23: Zuloaga resigns presidency and takes refuge with the British legation and names Miguel Miramon as his successor.
12/25: Gen. Miguel Miramon recovers the town of Colina.
1859: 01/26: the Juarez Governmentt assumes the obligation of the French debt; Pres. Miramon negotiates an agreement with the House of Jecker for a $15,000,000 loan (12/18/’56) but it is rescinded by the Liberal government
02/05: Aguas Calientes becomes a State of the Federation.
02/07: the Juarez Government assumed the obligation of the English debt by the "Dunlop Arrangement."
02/16: Miguel Miramon leaves Mexico City to capture the city of Vera Cruz.
03/22: Tacubaya and Chapultapec are taken by Pres. Miramon's forces (under Callejo and Mejia).
03/29: in a councl of war at Vergara, Pres. Miramon decides that the assault of Vera Cruz is impractical and the siege is abandoned without an attempt at attack.
04/06: the recognition of the government of Juarez is confirmed by the Senate of the United States.
04/10: Pres. Miramon arrives at the capital during an unsuccessful siege by constitutionalists (under Degollada).
04/11: the shooting of prisoners of rank (under the written order of Pres.Miramon) includes physicians and medical students who had come out to attend the wounded of both sides; the defeat of the constitutionalists at Tacubaya takes place.
06/17: Diaz wins at La Mixtequilla (Oaxaca) over forces of Lt.-Col. Espinosa and is made Lt.-Col. of Infantry.
07/07: Pres. Juarez issues a proclamation of his political program.
07/12: Pres. Juarez issues a decree that all property of the church be "nationalized" (confiscation) and religious brother-hoods be prohibited (church and state to remain separate).
07/13: marriage is made to be a civil contract.
07/28: a civil judges is to make regulations as to birth and death, control of cemeteries is taken from the clergy.
07/31: religious tolerance is decreed.
08/11: the number of church holidays is limited.
09/26: Pres. Miramon’s Minister (in Paris) makes the Mon-Almonte Treaty with Spain by which the reactionaries are to receive aid from Spain in establishing a foreign protectorate n return for acknowledging Spanish claims for 10,000,000 pesos.
09/28: the Mexican bandit (Juan N. Cortina) raids Brownsville (Texas).
10/13: Pres. Miramon repulses the liberals at Estancia de las Vacas.
10/17: because of the inability to get compensation for the claims of their nationals Great Britain severs diplomatic relations.
10/29: a contract made by the government with J. B..Jecker and Company (a bank headed by the Swiss national) for bonds for 15,000,000 pesos in return for an actual expenditure of 1,000,000 pesos.
11/13: Pres. Miramon defeats Degollado’s army at La Estancia de las Vacas.
11/22: the "Law of Juarez" is made for the administration of justice.
11/25: L.-C. Diaz takes the city of Tehuantepec (Oaxaca) by defeating the conservatives (commanded by General Alarcon) and for it is now made Col.onel.
12/04: a decree provides for full religious liberty.
12/14: the United States signs the McLane-Ocampo Treaty of transit and commerce (concluded by Juarez) which grants the United States unlimited transit across the Tehuantepec Isthmus for $4,000,000 (1/2 to be used for American private claims) and for privileges conceded.
12/24: Pres. Miramon defeats Ogazon at Tomla (South of Jalisco).
12/27: Cortena engages United States troops and is pursued into Mex.ico.
1860: 01/21: Col. Diaz is defeated by Gen. Cobos at Mitla (Oaxaca).
02/02: Col. Diaz defeats the forces of Cobos at Fortin de la Saledad.
02/08: Pres. Miramon leaves the capital on his second campaign against Vera Cruz and plans for the co-operation of a naval squadron for the attack.
03/06: Pres. Miramon’s ships are captured off Vera Cruz by American frigates (commanded by Captain Jarvis) and two Mexican vessels of the Juarez Government.
03/15-20: Pres. Miramon's troops mount an unsuccessfl siege of Vera Cruz.
05: the failure of the House of Jecker (a Swiss firm with whom Pres. Miramon had negotiated for a loan in '59 of $15,000,000 of which $1,470,000 had been paid).
05/15: Col. Diaz is in action at Ixtepeji (Oaxaca).
05/25: liberal Gen. Uraga is repulsed in his attack on Guadalajara.
05/31: the American Senate refuses ratification of the McLane-Ocampo Treaty.
08/05: Col. Diaz defeats the army of Cobos at San Luis (and chases the enemy through the badly wounded) and takes San Luis (Oaxaca).
08/10: Pres. Miramon is defeated at Silao by the forces of Gens. Zaragoza and Gonzalez Ortega.
09/09: the Juarez Government seized the funds at Laguna Seca (in transit from the port of Tampico and owned by foreign nationals, L80,000 to L100,000 of British funds and also money belonging to the French and Spanish).
11/06: Pres. Juarez issues a decree fixing the date of the election for president and vice-president for the upcoming January.
11/10: The Liberal army routs the army of Marquez at Calderon.
11/17: Pres. Miramon seizes $660,000 (left under seal at the British legation) to pay his troops.
12/15: Capt. Dunlop negotiates with Pres. Juarez for the additional temporary assignment of 10% of customs duties at Vera Cruz and Tampico, for a British convention, and about the London debt.
12/20: the town of Guadalajara is taken by the Liberals.
12/22: a Liberal victry comes in the Battle at San Miguel Calpulapan in which Gonzalez Ortega defeats Pres. Miramon and ends the Three Years War.
12/25: Gen. Ortega enters Mexico City.
1861: the decree to establish a free zone to tariff (Tamaulipas on the Rio Grande River, '58) is formally ratified by the Mexican Congress.
01/11: Pres. Juarez enters Mexico City.
01/12: the Spanish.Minister (Joaquin F. Pacheco), the Papal Nuncio, the Minister of Guatamala, and the Charge d’Affaires of Ecuador are dismissed because of acting for the reactionaries at Mexico City.
01/23: the University is closed by Pres. Juarez.
02/02: hospitals and charitable institutions are secularized.
02/22: the British Government recognizes the government of Pres. Benito Juarez on the condition he assumes responsbilty for the British funds seized by Mexican leaders.
03/02: Degallada defeats the reactionary generals Marquez and Mejia at Las Guayabitas.
03/15: an enactment fixes the silver dollar as the unit of value.
03: Benito Juarez is re-elected to the presidency.
05/17 John T. Pickett is appointed as special agent of the Confederate States to Mexico.
05/29: the Mexican Congress passes an act for payment on the national debt with the exception of money due owners of funds seized at the Lagrene Sea and those recognized by conventions with Great Britain, France and Spain are to be suspended 12 months.
06/1861: Monsieur.de Saligny (the French Minister) arrives with instructions to enforce recognition of the validity of the Jecker bonds to the full amount.
06/11: Benito Juarez is declared president.
06/15: Benito Juarez is formally inaugurated.
07/17: the Congress enacts a law suspending for two years the payment of interest on external national debt for all obligations including the diplomatic convention debts.
07/18: a protest is raised from the representatives of Great Britain and France against the law of July 17.
07/20: a treaty of commerce and navigation is concluded with Belgium.
07/25: Great Britain and France suspend diplomatic relations with Mexico.
08/13: Gen. Porfirio Diaz (after a pursuit of two months) surprises and routs the forces of Gen. Leonardo Marquez (leader of the Church party) in the town of Jalatlaco.
08/21 or 23: a decree imposes a tax of 10% on all fortunes over $2000.
09/19: Gen. Marquez is defeated by Gen. Tapia at Real del Monte.
10/04: Count Reichberg (sent by the Emperor Francis Joseph to Miramare) informs Maximillian of the proposal of Napoleon III to re-establish the monarchy in Mexico and offer the crown to Maxmillian.
10/20: the forces of Marquez and Mejia are defeated (at Pachuca) by Gens. Tapia and Porfirio Diaz.
10/31: (by the Convention signed in London) France, Spain and England agree to send a military force to occupy the ports of the coast of Mex ico to enforce the claims of their citizens, the United States is invited to join in the convention.
11/15: the customs tariff is modified.
11/21 the Wyke-Zamaconda Convention provides for repayment of the British funds seized but is rejected by the Mexican Cong ress and the British Foreign Office.
11/26: a decree revokes the law of July 17th and provides for payment of the foreign obligations.
12/04: by a letter from Seward, the United States declines to join the Convention of Oct. 31st.
12/11: an Extradition Treaty is concluded with the United States.
12/14: the Spanish fleet arrives at Vera Cruz and demands the surrender of the city within 24 hours.
12/17: Gen. Emmanuel Gasset y Mercader (in command of the Spanish forces) enters Vera Cruz without opposition.
12/29: a civil marriage law is passed.
1862: 01/07: French and English soldiers arrive at Vera Cruz.
01/14: a joint ultimatum is presented to the Mexican Government by Gen. Prim for the protection of persons and property of nationals and satisfaction of past injuries but Spain and Great Britain refuse to support the French claim for recognition of the Jecker contract.
01/27: Gen. Miramon (who had returned to Mexico under protection of French commissioners) is arrested by the Brit\ish on their frigate "Avon" and ordered to leave the country.
02/19: the convention at La Soledad (of Mexicans and Allies) is held as a preliminary to negotiations and is signed by Gens. Doblado and Prim; Capeche becomes a State of the Federation.
02/27: Gen. Juan Almonte arrives at Vera Cruz (from France and Vienna) under protection of the French.
03/26: M. Jecker becomes a naturalized citizen of France and the French take over his claim on Mexico for the entire amount of the bonds (not the amount paid); the Duc de Morny reports to have acquired 30% of the bonds.
04/06: Thomas Corwin negotiates a treaty providing for a loan from the United States of $9,000,000 but it is tabled by the American Senate.
04/07: Gen. Almonte (officially recognized by France) issues a proclamation declaring himself the supreme chief of the Mexican nation.
04/08: the final conference of the Allies is held at Orizaba; Spain and England leave for Vera Cruz, then Europe.
04/16: the French issue a proclamation (at Cordoba) declaring war on the Juarez Government.
04/19: the first skirmish of the war is at the village of Fortin.
04/20: the French (under Gen. Bazaine) occupy Orizaba.
04/22: English and Spanish soldiers embark on British ships for Habana (Cuba) and retire from Mexico.
04/28: Gen. Diaz in battle with the French on the heights of Acultzingo (Vera Cruz) and is forced to retreat to Puebla; the Wyke-Dablado Convention is signed as to claims independent of the London loans but is not ratified by British Government.
05/05: in the Battle of Cinco de Mayo (at Puebla), the French (led by Gen. Laurencez [and Charles Lataille]) are defeated by Mexicans (commanded by Gens. Zaragoza and Porfirio Diaz).
05/18: Liberals (under General Tapia) are beaten at Barranca Seca by conservative Gen. Leonardo Marquez (assisted by the French).
05/31: Pres. Juarez leaves the capital to establish his government at San Luis Potosi.
06/14: Mexicans (under Gonzales Ortega) are defeated by the French on Cerro del "Borrego; Zaragoza fails in his attack on Orizaba.
09/08: Gen. Zaragoza dies.
09/21: Gen. Forey arrives at Vera Cruz (from Franc)e to command 30,000 troops.
10/23: France makes a contract for the construction of a railroad from Tejeria to Chiquihuyte.
1863: 01/08-10: a French squadron bombards Acapulco for eight hours and does great damage.
02/26: religious communities for women are suppressed.
03/23: the French begin their siege of the town of Puebla.
05/17: the besieged town of Puebla surrenders to the French with Gens. Jesus Gonzalez Ortega and Porfirio Diaz (in command of the Army of the East) taken prisoner.
06/01: reactionists at Mexico City (directed by Gen. Bruno Aguilar) adopt a resolution at a publcc meeting to accept foreign intervention.
06/07: Gen. Bazaine’s division of the French army enters Mexico City.
06/10: Pres. Juarez sets up his government at San Luis Potosi; French Gen. Forey enters Mexico City with Almonte, Aligy, and Marquez.
06/16: a decree of Gen. Forey authorizes the formation of a Junta of 35 to elect three Mexican citizens for chief executive authority and 215 Mexican citizens to constitute an assembly of Notables.
06/22: a provisional executive of three is elected and are later given the title of Regency of the Mexican Empire.
06/24: the triumviri (Gen. Juan Nepomuceno Almonte, Mariano Salas, and Pelagio Antonio de Labistida y Davalos, the archbishop of Mexico) assume executive authority.
07/08: the Convention of Notables assembles.
07/10: the Convention of Notables declares in favor of establishment of a monarchy in Mexico and that the crown should be offered to Maxmilian of Austria.
07/17: French vessels carry troops to the port of Minatitlan (on the Rio Goatzacolaco).
07/20: the Juarez land law is the first attempt to survey and adjudicate the waste lands and a limit of possession is established for individuals, owners protected in claims and settlement is insisted on.
07/22: the law favoring colonization defines national lands.
07/29: the fall of the town of Cuernavaca.
08/11: French ships (from Vera Cruz) take Tampico.
08/18: a deputation (headed by Estrada) leaves Vera Cruz for Europe to offer the crown to Maxmillian.
10/01: Gen. Forey is recalled and surrenders his authority to Gen. Bazaine.
10/03: a commission from Mexico (headed by Jose Maria Guttierez) is sent to Maxmillian who agrees to accept on the condition that the Mexican people endorse the monarchy and his name by popular election.
10/21: Gen. Forey embarks for France.
10/24: Gen. Bazaine publishes notice that any proceedings pending in the courts respecting the sales of ecclesiastical property should take their due course (thus alienating the clericals).
10/28: after the severe battle at Taxto, Gen. Diaz enters Oaxaca.
11/08: the Regency (at the request of Gen. Bazaine) issues a decree to expedite the ecclesiastical suits in court.
11/14: Gen. Commonfort is killed in an ambush on his way to Guanajuato and Gen. Uraga succeeds him in command of the republican forces.
11/17: Imperialists (under Mejia) occupy the town of Queretaro; the Archbishop of Mexico is expelled from the Regency by his colleagues for his protest against the decree of Nov. 8th.
11/30: the town of Morelia is evacuated by Beriozabal and the imperialists (commanded by Marquez and Berthier) enter the same day.
12/08: National troops (commanded by Gens. Doblado and Douai) occupy Guanajuato.
12/18: Liberals (led by Gen. Uraga) make an unsuccessful attack on Morelia.
12/22: Pres. Juarez (with his government) leaves San Luis Potosi for Saltillo (the capital of Coahuila).
12/25: The imperialists (commanded by Gen. Mejia) occupy San Luis Potosi.
12/26: the protest of the Church party is signed by the archbishop and bishops of Mexico, Michuacan, Guadalajara, San Luis Potosi and Oaxaca against the "Sacrilegious laws of spoliation of property of church".
12/27: Liberal Gen. Negrete makes an unsuccessful attempt to recapture San Luis Potosi.
1864: 04/10: Archduke Maximilian of Austria accepts the Mexican crown, and he and his wife(Carlotta [Charlotte]) are made Emperor and Empress of Mexico.
01/01: districts occupied by French intervention in the interior form a triangle with the apex at Mexico, the sides extend north to San Luis Potosi and west as far as Guadalajara city.
01/02: the Regency dismisses judges who had refused to take cognizance of cases as to church property.
01/05: Gen. Bazaine occupies the city of Guadalajara.
01/22: Campeche (Yucatan) surrenders to the French.
02/07: the rich mining town of Zacatecas is occupied by the imperialists.
02/01: Pres. Juarez establishes his government at Monterey.
02/14: Pres. Juarez retires from Monterey as Vidaurri refuses to surrender the fort.
02/16: Castagny takes Calotlan and eighty republican prisoners (including Gen. Ghilardi who was shot).
02/17: San Juan Bautista (the capital of Tabasco) is defended by a garrison and French vessels and is taken by republicans after a siege of six weeks.
02: Gen. Santa Anna arrives at Vera Cruz (from St. Thomas) after nearly nine years absence.
03/07: Gen. Bazain orders Gen. Santa Anna to leave Mexico.
03/12: Santa Anna sails for Habana (Cuba).
03/20: a contract for a loan of L8,000,000 (for Maximilian) is concluded in London.
03/28: Minatitlan is surrendered to the republicans.
03/29: Pres. Juarez occupies and presently establishes his government at Monterey.
04/04: the American House passes a resolution in opposition to recognition of a monarchy in Mexico.
04/09: Maximilian signs a "family compact" (demanded by Emperor Francis Joseph) renouncing his right of succession to the Austrian throne.
04/10: Maximilian (archduke of Austria) formally accepts the throne of Mexico; the Treaty of Miramar is concluded between France and Mexico and settled the conditions of sojourn of French troops in Mexico.
05/03: Thomas Corwin (American minister) leaves Mexico.
05/13: Col. Potier takes Nochistlan (a republican stronghold) by assault.
05/17: Gen. Doblado is defeated by Gen. Mejia in an attack on the town of Matehuala.
05/29: Maximilian (and his wife Charlotte) land in Vera Cruz and are received by Gen. Juan N. Almonte as president of the Regency.
06/03: Acapulco (on the coast of Gurerrero)surrenders to the French because of a lack of artillery.
06/12: Maximilian (accompanied by Charlotte, daughter of Leopold I, of Belgium) arrives at Mexico City.
06: the first modern bank is established in Mexico City (the Banco de Londres y Mexico).
06/30: a new law relating to internal taxes changed the rates and added new taxes.
07/01: Gen. J. L. Uraga deserts Pres. Juarez for the imperialists.
07/03: the French enter Durango.
07/04: the Claims Convention for submission of all claims of the United States arising since the Treaty of Guadalupe.
08/10: the Battle of Nanaguatipam (Oaxaca) with Gen. Diaz commanding the Republicans.
08/15: Monterey is taken by the imperialists (under Quiroga, son of Vidaurri) and Pres. Juarez and his ministers narrowly escape capture.
08/20: the Imperial Mexican Railway Company is incorporated in London (later titled the Mexican Railway).
09/26: Cortina surrenders Matamoras to the imperialists (commanded by Gen. Mejia).
09/28: Juan Alvarez dies.
10/15: Pres. Juarez establishes his government at Chihuahua.
10/26: Gen. Diaz begins a siege of the town of Tasco.
10/28: Gens. Douay and Marquez make an attack on Arteaga in a ravine of Atenquique(Jalisco) and disperse the republicans.
10/29: Tasco capitulates to Gen. Diaz and the republicans.
11/12: the Juarez Government authorizes acceptance of military services of foreigners and a foreign loan for equipment.
12/04: a consulting body (called the Council of States) is created.
12 early: Acapulco is abandoned by the French.
12/22: Rasales routes the imperialists and French at San Pedro.
1865: 01: at Mazatlan, the French (under Castagny) burn the towns and estates and execute prisoners with the view of terrifying the republicans into submission.
01/01: Corona (from Mazatlan) successfully defends the passage of Espinazo del Diablo by French troops.
01/07: a decree of Maximilian declares that papal bulls and briefs are not to be promulgated without imperial sanction.
01/08: the beginnings of a siege of Oaxaca by Gen. Bazaine.
01/28: the defeat and death of Gen. Antonio Rojas takes place at Portrerillos (Jalisco) by Gen. Douay’s forces.
01/31: Romero is defeated in battle at Apatzingan by Col. Potier and Romero is executed.
02/09: the city of Oaxaca surrenders to Gen. Bazaine and Gen. Diaz is sent as a prisoner to Puebla.
02/26: a decree promulgates provisions for liberty of worship and revision of sales of church property.
03/03: new taxes are promulgated.
03/09: a decree of Maximilian authorizes the Council of State to revise the actions taken as to church property and provides for establishment of an office to be called "The Administration of Nationalized Property".
04/01: Gen. Cortina joins the imperialists.
04/09: Negrette (a Juarist leader) occupies Saltillo after driving out the imperialists under Olvera and Lopez.
04/10: Maximilian creates three orders (the Eagle of Mexico, he revives Our Lady of Guadalupe [created by Iturbide], and that of Saint Charles for women).
04/11: the town of Tacambaro is taken by the republicans with the Belgian and Mexican garrison being forced to capitulate.
04/12: the Juaristas, (under Negrete)occupy Monterey.
04/23: Ciudad Victoria is captured by Col. Mendez (an imperialist) after a siege of a fortnight.
04: Maximilian negotiates a new loan in Paris of bonds for 250,000,000 francs at 6%.
05/10: a decree defines the extent of freedom to be allowed to the press.
06/04: the town of Tula is taken by the imperialists under Col. Mendez.
06/06: Negrete's Juaristas evacuate Saltillo and his army is dispersed and he later transfers his allegiance from Juarez to Ortega.
PORTO RICO (in the West Indies)(a.k.a. Puerto Rico)
(GEOGRAPHY: island, #18:15 N, 66:30 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: city of San Juan)
PUERTO RICO (see Porto Rico)
SAINT BARTHOLOMEW ISLAND (under Denmark)
(GEOGRAPHY: #18 N, 63 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: ceded by France in 1784)
SAN DOMINGO (see Santo Domingo)
SANTO DOMINGO (a.k.a. Hispaniola, San Domingo, Dominican Republic, ) (in the West Indies)
(GEOGRAPHY: includes the Leeward Islands, E. of Haiti, #19 N, 70 W)
(LEADERS: Pres. Pedro Santana ['56, '59-'61]: Pres. Buena Ventura Baez ['56-'59]: Pres. Gen. Antonio Pimentil ['65])
(MISCELLANEOUS: restored to Spain from ‘61-’65 under Pedro Santana [b.1810], many U.S. investors, capital is at Kingston)
1856: 02/01: an attack of Faustin I (Haiti) on Santo Domingo is repulsed.
07/24: a treaty of friendship, commerce, and navigation with the Netherlands signed; Santana resigned as president and was succeeded by Buena Ventura Baez.
1858: 02/19: a new constitution is promulgated.
1859: 01/31: Pedro Santana is inaugurated as President for the third time after the revolt.
1861: 03/18: because of internal disorder and a fear of Haiti (at their own request) they cede their independence to Spain;
05/20: Spanish Santo Domingo is reunited with Spain (taken from Haiti).
1863: 08/16: a revolution begins at Capotillo and is headed by Spanish planter Cabrera ends practical Spanish rule.
1865: 05/01: after a national revolution, the Law of the Spanish Cortes (by which the annexation of Santo Domingo is repealed) Spain renounces all claims; a Convention proclaims the Constitution of ’58 and elects Gen. Antonio Pimentil as president but a revolution deposes him and Gen. Buenaventura Baez becomes president.
(GEOGRAPHY: island between Jamaica and Venezuela, #10:30 N, 61:15 W)
(MISCELLANEOUS: under Great Britain since 1802)
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