The Sun.
London, England, 1821-10-06 00:00:00

which is as conspicuous in America as that of Aristides in
Greece, will respect that law, and teach you to avoid any out-
rage which a man less wise might be disposed to commit.

(Signed) " ANTONIO LOPEZ SANTA-ANA.
" The Imperial Camp before Vera Crnz, June 29.
" To the Governor, Camp Marshal Jose Davila."
THE GENERAL'S ANSWER.

" The law of states on which the general law of nations is
founded is not applicable, m any sense, to a people in revolt
against their legitimate government. Generosity therefore has
alone induced me, for the first and the last time, to receive and
reply to your letter of this day.

" For the m.ifortunes that may befall this city, the aggressor
must be responsible, as I shall be for defending or burning it.

" Vera Cruz, June 29.

"JOSE DAVILA.

" To Don Antonio Lopez de Santa-Ana."
Santa-Ana bad the temerity, it appears, to at-
tack Vera Cruz on the morning of the 7th July,
with a force not exceeding 500 men, who, after
an obstinate contest, met the fate that might have
been predicted, from the rashness of their com-
mander. Of the whole number, only 100 escap-
ed : the remainder were all killed or wounded.
An address by Generat Davila was issued three
days after the battle. It is as follows :

GENERAL DAVILA TO THE LOYAL AND OPPRESSED PEO-

PLE Or• T•IIIS PROVINCE.

" Faithful Inhabitants of this Province,.—My mind is asto-
nished .and my heart oppressed at the sight of the horrible spec-
tacle which the plain of Vera Cruz presents, covered as it is with
the dead bodies of our dearest sons and our misled brethren.—
Humanity revolts at the dreadful ravages occasioned by the
perfidy, treason, and deception of an inexperienced yoath, who,
yielding to the dictates of his passions, has sacrificed the pre-
cious lives of 300 Americans to his ambition.

" More inconsiderate than intrepid, he had the audacity, on
the morning of the 7th, to attack this town, to which were
brought 590 infantry and some cavalry, who now lie in the
streets, in the precinct, and on the shore. In the midst of the
victory, while the brave troops forming the garrison of this city
are covering themselves with laurels they have gained—while
the remains of the enemy, routed and scattered, are in shameful
flight, and the whole of his park in our hands—then does your
General, your Chief, and your fellow-citizen extend his af-
fectionate arms and open his paternal lips in favour of his op-
pressed or deluded children. A happy day noiv begins to
dawn for you in the horizon of Vera Cruz, and delightful con-
cord and sweet peace again draw close our ancient and sacred
bonds. May Mars henceforth display his horrors among foreign
nations, but for ever fly the regions inhabited by the children
of Montezuma and Pelayo.
" In the name of the august and benevolent Ferdinand, under
the inviolable guarantee of our pious and humane Viceroy, of
the pure honour of my character, my age, and my gray hairs, I
offer you a total oblivion of the past, if, adhering to the legiti-
mate Government, and yielding submission to the National
Code to which we have sworn, you lay down your arms, deliver
them up to the constituted authorities, and return to the law-
ful occupations of virtuous Spaniards, of orderly and useful
citizens.

" But if, unfortunately, you will not listen to the represen-
tations of your brethren, if you disregard the calls of humanity,
which incessantly calls upon you to restore felicity to your
country and your fellow-citizens, then you will be responsible
to the Almighty for the ruin which the desolating war you will
have provoked shall bring upon year towns, your fields, and
your dwellings.
" Your General, friend, and fellow citizen,
" JOSE DAVILA.
4 Vera Cruz, July 10, 1821." • -: --•