Lucas Alaman, a Mexican statesman, born in the latter part of the 18th century, died June 2, 1855. He was a member of the cabinet under Bustamente in 1829, and in 1853 Santa Anna appointed him minister for foreign affairs. He induced Santa Anna to decree the abolition of the liberty of the press, with severe punishments for the infraction of the new law on this subject, the restoration of the confiscated property of the Jesuits, a regular recruiting system, and a reorganization in the army. By his influence onerous taxes were imposed upon the impoverished population, and a law was passed for cashiering all Mexican officers who had voluntarily surrendered to the American government. He was the author of Historia de Mejico (5 vols., Mexico, 1849-'52).