Political Life
In January 1838, Almonte became a member of the Junta Directiva, which governed the Normal School of the Army. In March 1838 he was appointed secretary of the Mexican legation to London. In June 1839 Almonte headed the Mexican legation to Belgium. From July 1839 to October 1841, he was secretary of war and marine under President Bustamante. Almonte was later appointed minister plenipotentiary to Washington in 1841-1845 under President José Joaquín de Herrera. With the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States, Almonte packed his bags on March 6 and returned to Mexico via Veracruz. Almonte favored the installation of Gen. Mariano Paredes y Arrillaga at this time. But while stopping in Havana as minister to France, Almonte re-joined forces with the exiled former president and general Santa Anna and together they traveled back to Mexico.
When the Mexican-American War broke out, José Mariano Salas was ad interim president for Santa Anna and Almonte served as Secretary of War until he was replaced with Valentín Canalizo. In February 1847 Almonte and a few other Mexican generals tried to oust Gómez Farías from power, but failed. They were arrested and jailed for a time in the convent of Santiago Tlatelolco.
After the war, Almonte served as senator from Oaxaca for four years, then served as Mexico's representative to the U.S. under President Santa Anna (his last time as president). In 1856 he was appointed minister to England, France and Spain. Once overseas, Almonte became involved in the promotion of foreign intervention and monarchical schemes for Mexico. He envisioned himself on the throne of Mexico. His machinations culminated in the French intervention in Mexico. In 1858, Benito Juárez was elected president of the United Mexican States to defend the Constitution established on February 5, 1857. After much internal struggle, Juárez was re-elected in 1861. Because of financial instability, Congress suspended foreign debt repayment for two years.
Almonte was a signatory of the Mont-Almonte Treaty with Spain in 1859. The treaty saw Mexico pay debts to the Spaniards in exchange for economic aid against the Mexican Liberal Party.
He was also appointed lieutenant of the empire by Maximilian in April 1864, and some weeks later marshal of the empire. He adhered to the fortunes of his imperial patron throughout his short reign, and, when Maximilian was executed, he fled to Europe, spending his last days in exile.
The town of Almonte, Ontario is named after Almonte, to commemorate the general's futile resistance against the United States. It is the only town in Ontario named after a Mexican general.
Read more about this topic: Juan Almonte
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