The personal archives of Matías Romero (1837-1898) are an important source for nineteenth-century Mexican history. But the sheer size and complexity of this collection—over one hundred thousand pages in the “correspondence received” seotion—has precluded its use by many scholars. Now, thanks to the efforts of Guadalupe Monroy Huitrón, most of the correspondence has been chronologically organized, analyzed, and descriptive calendars printed. Volume I, published in 1965, embraces the years 1837 to 1872, and the second volume continues to 1884.
During the twelve years covered by Volume II, Romero served as Minister of Hacienda in Porfirio Díaz’ first cabinet (1877-78); as Postmaster General in the cabinet of Manuel González (1880-81); as Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States (1882-84); and spent three years (1873-76) in southern Mexico conducting agricultural experiments. He was also superintendent of the Mexican Southern Railroad under General Ulysses Grant, president of the line and close personal friend.
Besides summarizing the contents of each letter and supplying full names, the editor has included a surname cross index. There one can find letters from four Mexican presidents as well as statesmen and promoters from both sides of the Rio Grande. Mexicanists and specialists in United States-Mexican relations will want to consult this well-edited reference book.
