Mugarrieta, José Marcos 1822-1886

Biographical Sketch

José Marcos Mugarrieta, prior to his term as Mexican consul in San Francisco, 1857-1863, served in the Mexican army from 1837. He saw action in numerous battles and campaigns -Jamaica, under General Canalizo in 1841; Campeche, 1842-1843; Merida, 1843; Veracruz, 1845; Mexico City, 1846; Angostura and Cerro-gordo, 1847; Guanajuato, 1848, and Sierra-Gorda under Bustamante, 1848-1849; and Matamoros, 1849-1850. He directed the Sierra-Gorda colonies until ordered by General Mariano Arista, then Minister of War, to return to Mexico via New Orleans and Veracruz, reporting on activities there. Arista retained him in his service until January 1, 1851. Mugarrieta then became private secretary to Manuel Robles, who succeeded Arista as Minister of War. In October 1851, Mugarrieta, aide-de-camp to General López Uraga, traveled to the northern frontier, and accompanied the general on a reconnaissance trip in January 1852 from Brownsville, Texas to Washington, New York, and Havana, coming back to Mexico to resume his position as secretary to the Minister of War. In this capacity, he attended Robles on an official visit to the principal points of the Gulf of Mexico. In November 1852, Mugarrieta was appointed aide to Arista, who was then President. When Arista fell from power in 1853, he chose Mugarrieta as official secretary and translator. Mugarrieta then left with the former president for exile in England in April 1853, returning to Mexico in September of that year. At Arista's request, Mugarrieta sailed for Europe in the fall of 1855, but before he arrived, learned of Arista's death. He completed his journey, settled the estate, and came back to Mexico with Arista's heart.

In April 1857 Mugarrieta received an appointment from the Comonfort government for the consulship in San Francisco. He did not actually begin his new duties until September 1, 1859, due to illness and to the political situation in Mexico. Once an established consul, Mugarrieta directed Mexican patriotic society activities in California, and was involved in Baja California affairs. In the fall of 1863, he was replaced by Manuel E. Rodríguez as consul. According to Mrs. Mugarrieta, the reason for her husband's dismissal was his refusal to help General Plácido Vega in his quest for weapons, ammunition and supplies for Mexico in 1863. It was expressly forbidden to export weapons during the American Civil War, but Vega, angered by Mugarrieta's refusal, managed to oust him and have him replaced by Rodríguez. Mugarrieta, who never received his full pay, not even a travel allowance to return to Mexico, remained in San Francisco, broken in health, working as a Spanish instructor and translator. He died on June 14, 1886.

From the guide to the José Marcos Mugarrieta Papers, ca. 1837-1886, (The Bancroft Library)