Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1836-07-01
From the New York Star.
SKETCH OF SANTA ANA.

Some particulars of this persnnage, which
we have derived from gentlemen intimately
acquainted with him, may be interesting to
the public.
Santa Ana is about 40 wears of age, and
was born in the city of Vera Cruz. HIS
father was Spaniard of old Spain, of re
spectacle standing, though poor; his moth
er was Mexican. He received common
education, and at the age of 10 or IA was
taken into the military family of the then
lntendant of Vera Cruz. Gen. Davila, who
took great fancy to hun and brought him
up. He remained with Gen. d. un,ilabout
the year 1920. While with Davila he was
made Major, and when installed he took
the honors very coolly, and on some Of his
friends congratulatlng him. he said, "lf you
were to make me a God, should desire to
be some,h hing greater" This trait devel
oped at 80 early period Of his life, indica-
ted the existence of that Wanting ambition
which has ever since characterized his life
After serving the Spanish Royal cause
until 1921, he left Vera Cruz, turned a
painst his old master and benefaclor, and
glazed himself at the head of some rregu.
lar troops which he raised on the sea coast,
near Vera Cruz, and which are called ia
rochos in their language, and which were
denon,inated by him his Cossacks, as they
are all mounted and armed with spears.-
With this rude cavalry he beseged Vera
Cruz, drove Davla into the castle OF San
Juan d'UIloa, and after having been repul.
sed, again entered at subsequent period,
and got entire possession of the city, expel-
ling therefrom the old Spanish troops. and
reducing the power of the mother country
in Mexico to the walls of the castle.
Subsequent to this Davlla is said to have
obtained an interview with Santa Ana, and
told him he was destined o act a prominent
part IN the history of his country,and now
says he, will give you some advice: AL
ways 60 with the strongest party He
always acted up to tins motto until he rails
ed the critic. Tor cry) in other words tool
up the cudgels for the friars and church. =
He then overturned the federal govern
ment and tablished central despotism
of which the pri,sts and the military wer,
the two privileged orders. His life ha
been from the first of the most romantic
kind, constantly in revolutions, constant
victorious, until the last fatal rencontre.
His manners are extremely affable h.
is full Of anecdote and humor, and make
himself exceedngl y fascinating and agreea
BILE to all who come into his company h
is about five feet 10, rather spare. has
moderately high forehead, with black hair
short black whiskers, without muslachoes
and an eye large, black, and expressive q
a lurking devil in his look; he is a man g
genteel and dignifed department, but Of
disposition perfectly heartless but ha
never eyinced savageness of character
except in the massacres in which he ha
been implicated in Texas. He married
Spanish lady of property, native OF AIva
RADIO, and through that marriage obtaine
the first part OF his estate called Manga d
Clavo, 6 leagues from Vera Cruz. He hs
three fine children, yet quite young.
The following striking anecdote of SAINT
Ana, illustrates his peculiar quickness an
management: During the revolution {
1929, while he was shut up in Oxaca, an
surrounded by the government troops, an
reduced TO the utmost straits for the wal
Of money and provisions, having a yer