Romero, Matías, 1837-1898

Diplomat, public servant, author, agricultural researcher, railroad company executive. Born 1837 in Oaxaca; died 1898 in New York. While a student in law school, Romero began to correspond with Benito Juárez and to serve the Juarist faction. During the years 1859-1898, he held posts intermittently in the Mexican diplomatic service in Washington, D.C. and in the Mexican Ministry of Treasury. During the 1870s Romero researched the agricultural resources of southern Mexico. He also was superintendent of the Compañia Ferrocarril Meridional Mexicana (1881) and published many articles and books.

From the description of Matías Romero collection, 1837-1899 [microform]. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 33262483

Diplomat, public servant, author, politician, railroad company executive, and agricultural researcher. Born 1837 in Oaxaca; died 1898 in New York. While a student in law school, Matías Romero began to correspond with Benito Juárez and to serve the Juarist faction. During the years 1859-1898, he held posts intermittently in the Mexican diplomatic service in Washington, D.C. and in the Mexican Ministry of Treasury. He also served as a colonel in the military (1863), substitute senator for Chiapas (1875), deputy to Congress (1876), and administrator general of the postal system (1880). During the 1870s Romero researched the agricultural resources of several southern Mexican states and attempted to engage in agriculture and business; he also was superintendent of the Compañía Ferrocarril Meridional Mexicana (1881) and published many articles and a few books.

• Feb. 24, 1837: Born in Oaxaca de Juárez
• 1855: Concludes preparatory courses for study of law Moves to Mexico City Appointed emeritus in the Ministry of Exterior Relations
• Oct. 12, 1857: Receives law degree Joins with liberals under command of General Ignacio Zaragosa Goes to Guanajuato to join the army but is commissioned into the Ministry of Relations Accompanies Juárez to Guadalajara Taken prisoner by Commander Landa Is freed and follows Juárez to Veracruz via Panamá Serves as Melchor Ocampo's private secretary in Veracruz and as official in varias secretariats
• 1859: Publishes “Tabla sinóptica de los tratados y convenciones que han negociado los Estados Unidos de México con las naciones extranjeras”
• Dec. 1859: Named Secretary of the Mexican Legation in Washington
• Aug. 14, 1860: Appointed ad interim in charge of affairs at the Legation by Ambassador José María Mata
• Dec. 22, 1860: Juárez instructs Romero to approach Abraham Lincoln Romero visits Lincoln before Lincoln's inauguration as President of the U.S.A.
• May 1862: Under Minister of Relations Manuel Doblado, Romero is designated “en propiedad”
• April 29, 1863: Romero returns to México Is appointed rank of coronel and “Jefe del Estado Mayor del general Porfirio Díaz”
• Sept. 1863: Goes to Washington, D.C., to serve as Minister of México in the United States
• Oct. 1867: Returns to México
• Jan. 15, 1868: Named Secretary of Hacienda by President Benito Juárez
• May 27, 1868: Receives instructions to go the the U.S.A. to complete treaties he previously initiated. Treaties signed this year pertain to claims of Mexican citizens against the U.S. and viceversa, citizenship, and consular matters.
• Aug. 1, 1868: Returns to his work as Secretary of Hacienda
• May 15, 1872: Withdraws from the Ministry for health reasons and travels to Soconusco, Tapachula, and other sites in Mexico. Attempts agricultural and mercantile endeavors but has problems with President J. Rufino Barrios of Guatemala and with Soconusco cacique, Sebastián Escobar.
• Sept. 1875: Returns to México City as substitute senator for Chiapas
• Sept. 16 - Nov.20, 1876 : Deputy to the Congress of the Union for the fifth district of Oaxaca state
• May 1877: Does research in Guadalajara, Colima, and Michoacán In charge of the office of the Minister of Treasury (Hacienda)
• 1879: Leaves government service for health reasons
• Apr. 28 - July 8,1879 : Travels around Oaxaca and Veracruz studying conditions for coffee cultivation Goes to the U.S.A. and forms a company for construction of a railroad from México to Oaxaca. Gets General Ulysses Grant involved. Romero is appointed company manager.
• May 15, 1882: Becomes ambassador extraordinaire and minister plenipotentiary to U.S.A.
• Aug. 12, 1882: Signs preliminary agreement on borders with Guatemala
• 1883 May - Oct. 1883 : In Europe
• 1884: Resigns position as minister of México in Washington during General Manuel Gonzalez's rule but is reappointed by General Porfirio Díaz
• 1886: His El Estado de Oaxaca is published
• 1892: Occupies the office of the Minister of Treasury (Hacienda)
• Feb. 23, 1893: Returns to U.S. as ambassador
• Dec. 30, 1898: Dies in New York

From the guide to the Matías Romero Papers, (microfilm) 33262483 ., 1837-1899, (Benson Latin American Collection, General Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin)