Dictionary.net

(1806-1872), was Governor of Mexico from 1847 to 1852, including part of the war with the United States. He was Minister of Justice and Religion from 1855 to 1857. He was Secretary of the Interior from 1857 to 1858. In 1858 he assumed the control of the executive, and was recognized by the U. S. Government in 1859. He maintained his government against the clerical party with difficulty throughout the revolutionary troubles, but from the withdrawal of the French and the death of Maximilian until his own death he ruled the republic.