SONORA FOR A FRENCH COUNT

To the Count Gaston Raousset from Boulbon, descendant of one of the noblest families of Provenza, France, Parisian life bored him, lacking an emotion. To have a true adventure, he agreed to try his fortune in the new world. With the romantic dream of creating a New France in the state of Sonora and becoming Gaston I, he crossed the desert with hopeful followers, 270 Frenchmen living in San Francisco that attacked surprisingly in February of 1852, the Mexican population in Hermosillo, and the capital of the state. Following a smart negotiation, Raousset obtained from President Mariano Arista the concession of exploiting mines in Sonora. Raousset promised to create a Catholic and Latin American force that would oppose the American advancement; Seduced by this deal, some populations pronounced themselves in his favor.

Even though, in theory of the French government didn’t recognize the enterprise of the man from Provenza, in the practice, the councils from Mexico and San Francisco encouraged him. So he would give up with his plan, Santa Anna offered him the charge of Colonel of the Mexican Army. In response, Raousset tried to convince General Yañez, Governor of Sonora, to join him. Nonetheless when in July 1854, the Count occupied with 400 freebooters the port of Guaymas, Yañez put in jeopardy his political future: he put in jail the Frenchman and ordered to execute him a month later. Santa Anna didn’t make anyone wait for his answer and assigned a military trial for disobedience to Yanez and demoted him.