This, the second volume of the important series of documents on the Mexican Reforma, was primarily the work of two teams of researchers working in the archives of the Defense and Foreign Affairs departments of the Mexican government. Ably directed by Antonio Pompa y Pompa, this work published by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia in commemoration of the centenary of the Constitution of 1857 contains documents covering events occurring during the years 1858 and 1859, a period of Conservative ascendancy.
A welcome addition to the second volume is a chronological table of documents for both volumes one and two. This, in addition to the excellent indexing, makes the task of the historian immensely easier.
Selective as all collections should be, this volume displays a change in emphasis from the military operations of volume one to a developing interest in foreign and diplomatic affairs. It is hoped that another volume covering the year 1860 and the Liberal triumph will not be long delayed in its appearance.
