Gutiérrez de Lara, José Bernardo Maximiliano, 1774-1841.

Mexican revolutionary and diplomat José Bernardo Maximiliano Gutiérrez de Lara was born at Revilla (now Guerrero), Tamaulipas, Mexico, on August 20, 1774. In Revilla, Gutiérrez married and became a merchant, blacksmith, and property owner. Gutiérrez played an active role during the Mexican War of Independence, first encouraging revolution in Nuevo Santander and then soliciting aid in the United States. In December 1811, he met with Secretary of State James Monroe to discuss plans for establishing a republican government in Texas, which would then be used as a springboard for the liberation of Mexico.

The Gutiérrez-Magee filibustering expedition departed for Texas in early 1812 in order to attack New Spain. Despite its failure, the next year later Gutiérrez became president protector of the provisional government for the state, resigning in August 1813 at the request of the junta at Bexar. In April 1814, Gutiérrez went to New Orleans to raise a new liberation movement and in 1815 fought in the Battle of New Orleans. Between 1817 and 1820, Gutiérrez accompanied failed filibustering expeditions by Francisco Xavier Mina and James Long into Texas.

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