The Sword and the Chalice

About the Book

The Sword and the Chalice is a biographical account of two brothers from Tamaulipas, Mexico, Col. Bernardo and the Rev. Antonio Gutierrez de Lara Uribe who joined the cause of liberty during the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. They were both criollos of Old Ciudad Guerrero (formerly known as Revilla), a town along the banks of the Rio Grande across from the town that is now known as Zapata, Texas. After the famous Grito! (cry of independence) of Father Miguel Hidalgo from Dolores Hidalgo in 1811, Don Bernardo had a private conference with the Rev. Miguel Hidalgo and General Ignacio Allende, leaders of the independence movement, in the Mexican state of Coahuila. For thirty years these brothers dedicated their lives to the struggle to liberate Mexico from the Spanish domain and helped to reconstruct and form a democratic form of government. Their heroic deeds as described in this book, relate the drama of these men that takes place in the diplomatic arena of the United States; the battlefields of Texas; and the executive and legislative branches of the state of Tamaulipas and the national government of Mexico. Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe served as an emissary during the administration of President James MadisonCthus becoming the first ambassador of Mexico to the United States. Colonel Gutierrez de Lara (a rank conferred by Father Hidalgo) also prevailed in several significant battles against the Spanish Royalists in Texas. He was instrumental in converting the Province of Texas into a State for the Mexican government by writing its first state constitution. The Reverend Antonio Gutierrez de Lara served Mexico as a spiritual counselor and was later appointed representative of the Province of Nuevo Santander to the First Sovereign Congress during the leadership of Don Agustin de Iturbide. This book is filled with history, politics, military battles, diplomacy, drama, and it genuinely expresses the heartfelt patriotism of the Gutierrez de Lara brothers. To further illustrate this saga, this book contains a graphic collection of the grand homes in old Ciudad Guerrero. This book further contains family documents and writings of the Gutierrez de Lara Uribe=s family. In its entirety the book offers valuable information to those interested in the history and politics of the region of South Texas and Northern Mexico

About the Author

Joel C. Uribe was born and educated in Laredo, Texas. He is a retired educator and holds a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas. He is a bilingual author of several books related to regional history and Mexican music. He has also authored a five act drama portraying the life and times of Don Bernardo Gutierrez de Lara Uribe. Most of his works are written in both English and Spanish. Mr. Uribe is the author of two genealogies of his family surnames, and he has given lectures and presentations of his books in Laredo, Corpus Christi, and Zapata, Texas, and other cities in Mexico, His hobbies include playing the guitar, singing and spending time with his children and grandchildren.