The Sun.
London, England, 1847-05-31 00:00:00

araa

ibert.7, the republic, and federation hive been my
cause; this cause I am goiNsz to defend, not to forget.
.T 9- this my power, my blood is to be devoted.
Upon the banners of the enemy is inscribed, "To
Conquer or Die," and in order that our country may
be independent, that the cause of our race rniy
triumph, it is necessary to oppose to this fatal inscrip-
tion Force and Liberty ; it is necessary that our arms
should thrust forth the enemy from our territory, and
that our institutions should restrain them upon the
frontier. Destined to a permanent rivalry, it is
necessary, in order to struggle with them, that we
become great and strong by that power which rules
the universe—the power of democracy and civili-
zation.

In accepting ower I have sworn to de end our
Independence and our Institutions. The oath is
sacred. The nation can confide in my loyalty and
my honour. But these are not sufficient to save us;
the situation is difficult, an.-1 I should not have con-
sented to accept the Government, had I not hoped to
be able to unite all our efforts against the common
enemy. Independence demands the co-operation of
ali Mexicans, the sacrifice of all animosities, the
exercise of every virtue, the exertion of all oi'r
nergies.
Let the nation ri-e up united ; let it enter upon
the struggle with the vigorous enthusiasm of the
days of Independence ; and then the Vandals who
have threatened us shall repent of their rash iniquity.
Victory will crown our exertions, and we shall
speedily have nationality assured, a name worthy of
respect, a permanent existence secured. If, in the
hour of danger and sacrifice, we imitate only the
lofty virtues and the indomitable valour of our fathers,
Mexico will be saved.

PEDRO MARIA. ANAYA.
Meixco, 3d of April, 1847.
Santa Anna himself issued the following address
before proceeding to take the command of the army
against Scutt :
Address submitted to the Supreme Congress by his
Excellency the President of the United States of
Mexico.
" Excellent Sirs—Absent from my country, the
first tidings of the reverses of our country in the war
with the United States of America reached me, and
I at once felt a strong desire to return to the Re-
Public to comply with the duties which were due by
„nl,e, as a Mexican and as a soldier. The errors of an
lu-onsened Administration caused its fall; the revo-
lution which caused it turned its eyes towards the
exile, opened to him the door of his native soil, and
implored his assistance. That voice reached my re-
treat—it made my heart exult, as I only belong to
rnY native country. I hastened my departure; I re-
!Pon/Jed-to the call that had been made upon me, and
4i.kissed the shores of Mexico with the enthusiasm
of a devoted son who returns to the embrace of his
Mother.
feuOn my landing at Vera Cruz, I addressed my
w-citizens, stating to them the conduct I intended
too pursue. I assured them that the object of my re-
rn was not to seek power; that I merely wished to
Combat internal foes ; and that, free from ambition, I
did not return to live in ease and pleasure, but to
submit to all the rigours of war. My actions have
borne, out my assertions. I refused the Presidency,
which was repeatedly offered to me. Without losing
41noment I marched to San Luis to prepare every -
thing for the conflict which was about to tslYe place,
and which I expected would humiliate the pride of the
;
'l3lBAlers.
"In that city I established my headquarters. I
arked without rest in order to unite the elen.ents
necessary for the prosecution of the war, but this de-
manded time ; everything was to be done, everything
was to be created, and even the most trifling wants
We
~re opposed by every possible obstacle. Notwith •
...".7nding, the months which I passed at San Luis were
numerous
lost. I rsised'as by enchantment a brilliant and
daps
army, such as had not been seen since the
_ of our glorious independence. The troops
were instructed and manoeuvred daily; a plan of the
oun:Paigo was projectud, showing every probability of
a ultimate triumph ; the soldiers were inspired with
spirit of enthusiasm which, far from fearing the
moment
witiik of danger, were anxious for the encounter
ea_ the enemy,
sure to teach him to respect and
us. If under these circumstances we could have
upon the necessary supplies, the advantages of
to _i
Position were such as to give us a certainty of
seaut_;. but I am sorry to confess it, we were in
4 00101, the first necessaries of life. Willingly would
oo blaming the Government of the time being,
not i7lll must tall the responsibility of the past, did
del-'l4l/4.l°Us necessity oblige me to touch upon so
deli subject.
--I‘"•tqnsei.„,s:._§ltuation in which I was placed was ex
the itt-st'tioal. It was rendered indispensable that
and th which-I commanded should meet the enemy,
w • e
offered i„ 'Vote destitution under which I suffered
nation "PPerable difficultiesto obtain notorious to the
• and *flat means I used some money,
4 to have extraordinary efforts to which I was forced
recourse, in order to save from starvation and
pnakedness the brave men who obeyed my command.
j It 13 a flattering consideration to my heart that at
this critical moment I had to pledge my fortune and
that of my family., But what matters the loss of
, either if the nation was rescued by its use ? These
, considerations induced me to go to battle, which I
s will not call a sacrifice, as I know no sacrifice when

my country is concerned, but merely to prove that I
am always prepared to expose in its defence what-
ever belongs to me—my quiet, my health, and my
'cearthly possessions.
" Having finally assembled all the troops with
Provisions for twelve days, I started from San Luis
; to meet the enemy at the head of Taliant troops, in
search of death or victory, and in the midst of most
hi frightful misery, which failed to dishearten them or
*.V, shake their discipline. Their conduct in the battle of
li'ngostines was such as might be expected from them
•`' "..is ti_h€le--Talour and patriotism are entitled to the
I,lgnest consideration, and above all praise. The
-. -ring of the soldiers during the comhat can only
s4Pare with their endurance while crossing the de-
ert, ,„,!.,
aro.
r. 7.411 their resignation. under. the want of food
by tl,4iroent, and with their patience when suffering
Amer."e wounds of bail and knife, inflicted by the
be—cans. without any medic:.l attendance. If it
trattrune, as has
been asserted by Napoleon, that the
;• prilnadtY of soldiers is to support fatigue and
thenl"s, and that valour is only • he second quality,
the Mexican army has proved in the memorable
. ezr. . .
~.•
ciafrit
e‘il,i, lilt:hone in the month of February that it is not
t ceient in either.
ugh for the reasons which I gave in my
e ha 44 dispatch, I could not pursue the enemy. I
• someoncentrated my forces in such places as offered
that ttPier"pect of subsisting the troops, in the hope
i
c0r,,,, moment would shortly arrive when we could
Which our triumph. Such were my intentions,
for th could have carried into effect had it not been
event e news which I received of two important
w s :"-First, the danger with which Vera Cruz
1:- ii lis threatened ; and, secondly, the revolution which
tadabrokerr out in the capital, and which obliged me
a° aenange my plans. The first showed me the neces-
s: -Y of sending assistance to Vera Cruz, one of the
i_weig of the Republic, as its garrison having nothing
'.°l sustain it but their heroism, could not hold out any
411gth of tine ; the second, informing me of a pro-
nuociamento by which, to the scandal of the world,
Mexicans were going to destroy each other, when
the foreign enemy was threatening their independ-
ence from all sides, forced me to fly to the rescue to
re-establish public order and tranquillity. To meet
theset o evils, of eqeal importance, it became neces-
sary arytur'eturn with the army to San Luis, whence
ordered a respectable division to proceed to Vera
Cruz, while I proceeded in person to put a stop to
civil war. Men being irritated, the passions being
excited and warm from the shedding of blood, there
Were few means to choose in consolidating a peace—
there was but one, for me to take charge of the
Supreme power, occupying that seat to which the
confidence of the representatives of the people might
call
lit p e, and to which a respectable majority of the
s'ungress did since appoint me. To have vacillated
I(l)nder such circumstances would have been a crime.
. sancrtillfileset: octn
account I yielded to necessity, and assuming
the
'reins ()f Government, I succeeded, by this costly
was dividing u.
was dividing stop to the fratricidal contest which
14,0_13.11t, consistent with my principles, the submission
Inch
- made in taking charge of the first station of
caell Reyublie ceases as soon as the exigency which
ins ed it forth has passed. Order being re-established,
!rnal peace having been conquered, my filling the
Znineut station of President would be a violation of
the most solemn and sincere promises I ever made. In
stzt fa"
of the nation and of the whole world, I have
oleff(t,etirl that I am determined to fight the usurpers
soil as long as there is the print of their foot
. o our sacred soil. My sentiments, in confer-
fromrutt in ever
intG y respect with my pledges, separate me
week to IV:eern
overnment and call me to the army, and
operations, trir `nth I have determined to march this
Government a uz to take charge of the military
the belief that the decree of the
eate most earnestly still in force, tut
Vnaeotri,a:. Cmriutizi,
giving me the command of the army i.,
The state of -
lifit should have expired I suppli
that it may be renewed.
the place of my
inch, and which I l
inoftewnsleiefehrvlour as this is
know ,
s 0,.
the foreigner ; its 9 uff ay, is invaded by the force • t
rity-s
because as a Alexi ' m cannot be indifferent to me,
State, and d , can I feel the misf irtunes of every
light The uubly of that State where I first saw the
that by every Supreme Congress must be convinced
in order that tie It, is necessary that I should march
... pledges, aild h i sepublie may see me redeem my
parable corn
3tar:!t, the army, whose faithful and lio,e-
gers, and thart 20r) I am in all its privations and clan-
proof that n
tt, nAly
, my country may receive a new
their service. 41
4"vays willing to sacrifice myself to
Before
a _ conclud;r, I •
clearly and •
Which 013'"iYg, think it my duty to state
-We are . my opinion respecting the war
inaantaining• To no man is it given to