Pedro Celestino Negrete

Pedro Celestino Negrete (1777–1846) was a Spanish general in New Spain and later provisional president of Mexico, from March 31, 1823 to October 10, 1824.

He was born in Spain. He belonged to the royalist army and, during the War of Independence, he fought the insurgents. In 1821 he was a supporter of the Plan de Iguala.

After Agustín de Iturbide had crowned himself Emperor of Mexico, however, he decided to lend his support to the Plan de Casa Mata and, using his friendship with Iturbide, exerted pressure for him to abdicate. Once Iturbide was dethroned, the executive authority was without representation, and so Congress created a provisional government composed of General Pedro Celestino Negrete, General Nicolás Bravo and General Guadalupe Victoria; however, since the latter two were absent, José Mariano Michelena, Miguel Domínguez and General Vicente Guerrero were designated in their place. On October 4, 1824 the Constitution of the United Mexican States was promulgated, adopting the system of republican, representative, popular, federal government.

The country was divided into nineteen free and sovereign states, four territories that depended on the center, and the Federal District. Also, the government was divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches. This Constitution was largely inspired by the checks and balances of the United States Constitution, of the French Constitution and the one of Cádiz. It was in force from October 4, 1824 to April 30, 1836, when it was replaced by Santa Anna's centralist rewrite.

General Negrete remained in control of the executive authority until October 10, 1824, when General Guadalupe Victoria assumed the position. Although the fortress of San Juan de Ulúa — the last redoubt of Spanish power in Mexico, in the port of Veracruz — had been abandoned in 1825, some "Peninsulares" still entertained notions about restoring the monarchy, taking advantage of the general displeasure felt against the independent government. Thus, the friars Joaquín Arenas and Francisco Martínez, along with some Mexican and Spanish military officers, including Negrete and Echávarri, rebelled against the government of Guadalupe Victoria. On January 9, 1827 this conspiracy was discovered. The leaders were judged, the friars were sentenced to death, and Negrete and Echávarri were exiled. Pedro Celestino Negrete left for France. He died in Bordeaux in 1846.