Lorenzo de Zavala

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Lorenzo de Zavala
Lorenzo de Zavala.jpg
Vice President of Texas
In office
March 16, 1836 – October 22, 1836
President David G. Burnet
Succeeded by Mirabeau B. Lamar
Personal details
Born October 3, 1788
Tecoh, Yucatán
Channelview, Texas

Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz (October 3, 1788 – November 15, 1836) was a 19th-century Mexican and Texan politician of Spanish descent.[1] He served as finance minister under President Vicente Guerrero.[2] A colonizer and statesman, he was also the interim Vice President of the Republic of Texas, serving under interim President David G. Burnet from March to October 1836.

Personal life[edit]

Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz was born on October 3, 1788, in the town of Tecoh, Yucatán,[3] to Anastasio de Zavala y Velázquez and María Bárbara Sáenz. Young Zavala's parents were criollos, Spanish Basques born in the colonies. Zavala was a third-generation Yucatecan. His grandfather, Simón Felipe Antonio de Zavala y Marín, was born in 1725 son after his father, José, had moved to the peninsula from Peru. Simón became a notary as a legal representative in Spanish-speaking countries.[4]

In 1807 Zavala married Teresa Correa y Corres. They had three children: a son named Lorenzo Jr., a daughter named Manuela, and a daughter that died at the age of 1. Teresa died in the spring of 1831.

Zavala met Emily West while in New York and later married her in New York City on November 12, 1831, at the Church of the Transfiguration. To this union were born a son and two daughters. Their son Augustine, the eldest, was the father of Adina Emilia de Zavala, who long will be remembered for her spirited role in the fight to preserve the Alamo. In early 1833 Emily left New York to join her husband in Toluca, Mexico, where they remained until he was named Mexican minister to France in October 1833. The Zavala family arrived at Morgan's Point, Texas, in December 1835. Zavala had bought a home on a labor of land north of Buffalo Bayou, called Zavala Point, the previous summer. Emily's citified ways reportedly were not popular in the neighborhood. When Santa Anna's troops approached in April 1836, the Zavalas fled down the San Jacinto River to the home of William Scott, where a number of families awaited a steamer to take them to safety on Galveston Island. Before the boat arrived Mrs. Zavala attempted to return to her home for a chest of silverware, but she met others fleeing the Mexican troops and retreated to Galveston. The Zavalas returned to their home in June to find that the buildings had been used for a hospital. Zavala's health declined, and he died on November 15, 1836.

Written work[edit]


Lorenzo de Zavala written work is better recognized by his books titled: "Ensayo Historico de las Revoluciones de Mexico de 1808 hasta 1830" which was published in Paris 1831 and in New York in 1832. His other book titled "Viajes a los Estados-Unidos de Norte America" which was published in the Paris 1831.[5] In Zavala's book Journey to the United States of North America, written in Spanish, but was published in English translation until 1980. It was reprinted in 2005 in paperback as Journey to the United States of North America.[6] It precedes Toqueville's famous Democracy in America by five years and expresses similar opinions about America and Americans. Zavala writes in his prologue:

However, it should be very useful to Mexicans, for it is to them that I dedicate it. In it they will find a true description of the people whom their legislators have tried to imitate—a people that is hard working, active, reflective, circumspect, religious in the midst of a multiplicity of sects, tolerant, thrifty, free, proud and persevering.


Lorenzo de Zavala and his friends secretly organized the 1st Masonic Lodge in Yucatán, the Renunion a la Virtud lodge No. 9. The lodge received its charter from the Louisiana Grand Lodge in 1817.after he died in November 15 1836 channelview TX (age 48)[7] It was Zavala's relationship with his fellow masonic brothers and connections to other lodges that allowed him to gather political connections and followers prior to Mexico's Independence. Zavala was one of the key people that helped establish the York Rite Masonry in Mexico in 1826 as an alternative to the older, well established Scottish rite (Escosese) of Freemasonry that had been introduced by the aristocratic elements previously loyal to the royal House of Bourbon. That same year in 1826, the Grand Lodge of New York issue charters to five Masonic Lodges in Mexico City. These five lodges became the nucleus of the movement that favored decentralization of governmental power. Zavala became the charter Worshipful Master of Independencia Lodge No. 454. He kept his position until his exile in 1830.[8]

He is listed as a "Masonic Hero" by the Grand Lodge of Texas.[9] Some sources state that Zavala was disgraced for revealing ritual secrets.[10]

Political career[edit]

Zavala learned to read and write an early age and in his teens became a boarding student in the Seminario Conciliar de San Ildefonso in Mérida. It was the only school of higher learning in Yucatán and had been there in existence since 1751.[4] He founded several newspapers, but his Liberal political views led to his imprisonment in Veracruz in 1814. [11] He attended the villages school until the age of 15 and was fluent in Spanish, French, English and Latin. He studied medical textbooks while in prison, and was ready to practice medicine upon his release in 1817. In 1820, he was elected to public office, and in 1821 was appointed Deputy to the Spanish Cortes (legislature) in Madrid.[12] In 1824, he was elected as President of the Constitutional Congress and endorsed the Mexican Federal Constitution of 1824.





Zavala rejoined his family at their home at Zavala Point on Buffalo Bayou,[11] from where they fled to Galveston Island as Santa Anna's army approached. After the Battle of San Jacinto, in accordance with the Treaties of Velasco, Zavala was appointed one of the peace commissioners to accompany Santa Anna to Mexico City, where the general was to persuade the central authorities to recognize the independence of Texas. Shortly thereafter, Zavala returned to his home due to failing health and gave up his part in the affairs of government. While out boating, his rowboat overturned in Buffalo Bayou. Zavala developed pneumonia and died at his home on November 15, 1836.[17] He preceded Austin in death by only four weeks. He is buried in his home town of Channelview, Texas. The State of Texas erected a monument over his grave.

Memorial namesakes[edit]

Lorenzo de Zavala Elementary School in Crystal City, Texas
Plate of Lorenzo de Zavala, in De Zavala Plaza, Harris County, Texas Historical Marker


  5. ^ a b https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/giants/zavala-01.html
  6. ^ de Zavala, Lorenzo (2005). Journey To The United States Of North America/ Viaje A Los Estados Unidos del Norte De America. Arté Publico Press. ISBN 978-1-55885-453-6. 
  7. ^ http://www.jstor.org/stable/30241678
  8. ^ http://www.paperbackswap.com/Lorenzo-De-Zavala/author/
  13. ^ "Lorenzo de Zavala" (in Spanish). 
  15. ^ "Lorenzo de Zavala to Stephen F. Austin, November pengus 30th 1835". Portal to Texas History. Retrieved 6 June 2010. 
  17. ^ "Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala". Find A Grave. Retrieved 6 June 2010. 
  22. ^ http://www.midlandisd.net/Page/2749

Further reading[edit]


External links[edit]

Political offices
Preceded by
New office
Vice President of the Republic of Texas
(ad interim)

Succeeded by
Mirabeau B. Lamar