Biography

Mexican politician and military leader. Bustamante fought in the Mexican War of Independence, was declared vice president of Mexico in January 1829, and was acting president in 1830. After being deposed and replaced, he became president for a second time from April 1837 to March 1839, and again from July 1839 to September 1841. In an 1838 letter to WHS (transcribed within 18380817FMS_LMW1), John Charles Birdsall is likely referring to Bustamante when he uses the term "our public enemy." His letter describes the tense state of relations between Texas and Mexico in the spring of 1838.