Porte Crayon’s Mexico: David Hunter Strother’s Diaries in the Early Porfirian Era, 1879 – 1885

Abstract

When the City of Merida anchored off Veracruz on May 15, 1879, David Hunter Strother, also known by his pen name, Porte Crayon, did not know that he was going to stay in the Mexican Republic for more than six years as general consul in its capital. This book offers us his meticulous and very large diary in which, day by day, he wrote what he saw and lived through. His artistic talent as a writer as well as a draftsman contributes to the quality of his observations; through his eyes and his pencil, he created a complete portrait of Mexico in the early Porfirian era, with all kinds of political, economic, social, and cultural elements.This archive will be extremely useful to Strother’s biographers. Although two good accounts of Porte Crayon’s artistic and literary life exist, his personal life and his diplomatic career are worth deeper investigation, from his daily habits to his love for his family. It is interesting to follow how his son John grew up: a small boy when he arrived in Mexico City, he was already a young man, and almost transformed into a Mexican, when he went to a military academy.Strother’s activities in Mexico City offer a clear example of what a consul general of the United States did. It can be seen as a very onerous task, at least while he was in charge. First, he took care of administrative matters related to his country and his compatriots who lived in Mexico City and its environs. He also informed or guided Americans on investments or other economic possibilities in Mexico. He was in charge of the American National Cemetery, extending the permits to allow Americans or other foreigners to be buried there. He also researched and wrote reports on different topics, mostly requested by the U.S. Department of State. These are published at the end of the book, along with his annual reports: “Report on the Culture and Manufacture of Cotton in the Republic of Mexico,” “Living in the City of Mexico,” “Church and State in Mexico,” “City and State of Mexico: General Trade Credits,” and “Leather and Its Uses in Mexico.”Long sections of Porte Crayon’s Mexico can be read as a travel diary and, as such, it has a historical and literary character. Strother tells us about life in Mexico, with which he became very familiar during his stay: public and religious buildings, baths, markets, streets, all kind of amusements, parks, his daily walks on the Alameda, restaurants, hotels, Americans and Mexicans. We also travel with him, mostly on the new Mexican trains between Veracruz and Mexico City and Mexico City and Paso del Norte, and to other places near the capital. Strother’s notes register important topics on the history of Mexican-American relations. It should be mentioned that American diplomats depended on changes inside the United States. Strother was a Republican, therefore he could continue as general consul as long as the executive power was in Republican hands; however, when the Democratic Party took over the White House with Grover Cleveland, he had to resign. Strother’s notes are also an open window to political affairs. Thanks to his good friendship with minister Harry Morgan, we can follow the Mexico-Guatemala problems and other important events in the Mexican Republic, such as the electoral campaign in which Porfirio Díaz won for the second time, or the nickel revolution that caused so many economic problems.The book is very well edited. The introduction by John E. Stealey III introduces us to David H. Strother and the American and Mexican situation and helps us to understand better his notes and diary. Finally, the book has two appendixes containing useful biographical sketches and Strother’s most important writings, dispatches, and reports on Mexico. The index is a key piece of the volume, guiding us to the information we look for without having to read all the thousand pages.