Dommartin, Hyppolite du Pasquier de
Hyppolite du Pasquier de Dommartin (1819 - 18??) was a French nobleman, traveler, colonial organizer, and adventurer active in Mexico in the late 19th century. Dommartin was most likely born in Lorraine, France. He arrived New York City from Le Havre, France, in 1849, intent on traveling west to participate in the California Gold Rush. By the time he arrived in San Francisco, most of the most desirable claims were already established, causing him to turn his interests southward. He presented the government of Chihuahua, Mexico, with an ambitious plan to establish a large colony in Chihuahua and Sonora. He argued that the such a settlement, populated by wealthy and well-connected Europeans, would act as a buffer against further U.S. imperialistic expansion in Mexico. His petition was approved by the Chihuahua Congress on April 11, 1850, granting Dommartin 5,000 square varas (about 2.6 square miles) of land per 1,000 settlers. The concession was subsequently extended on March 13, 1851, April 28, 1852, and March 27, 1853. A final extension, issued by Santa Anna on June 27, 1853, reduced the required number of settlers but revoked the earlier authorization to construct railroads.
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