The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-08-26
SKETCH OF SANTA ANNA.

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SKETCH OF SANTA ANNA.
Some particulars of this parsonage, which |
We have derived from gentlemen Intimate |
" acquainted with him, may DO Interesting |
TO the public. /
Santa Anna is about 42 years 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 mo.
ther was a Mexican. He received com.
mon edrcation, and at the age Of 8 or IL,
was taken into the military family of the
/, then Inlcndent of Vera Cruz, Gen. Davilla,
who took great fancy to him and brought
him up. He remained with Gen. ID. until
eboui the year 1920. While with Davllla,
he was made Major, and when installed
he took the honors very cody, and on acme
OF his friends congratulating him, ne said,
Isl mi niciera dos quislera estar algo
mas" you were to make me God, |
should desire TO be something greater.
This trait developed at SO early period OF
his life, indicated the existence OF that vault
ing ambitioa which has ever since charac.
terized his life.
After serving the Spanish Royal cause
until after 1921, he left Vera Cruz, turned
against his old master and benefactor, and
placed himself at the head Of some irregu.
lar troops which he raised on the sea coast,
near Vera Cruz, drove Davilla into the cas-
tie Of San Juan d'UIoa, and after having
been repulsed again entered al subse.
euent period, and 90, entire possession of
the city, espelling therefrom the old Span.
ish troops, and reducing the power Of the
mother country in Mexico to the walls OF
the castle.
Subsequent TO this, Dayilla 10 said TO
have obtained an interview with Santa Anna,
and told him he vas destined TO act promi.
nent part in the history Of his country, and
now, says he, will give you some advice
-" Siempre yaois conlos muchos," always
70 with the strongest party.) He always
acted up to this motto until he raised the
grito Tor cry,) in other words, took up the
cudgel for the friars and church. He then
overturned The federal government and IS.
tabshed central despotism, Of which the
priests and the military were the Two Pusl.
legged orders. His life has been from the
FIRST of the most romantic kind, constantly
in revolutions, constantly victorious, until
the last fatal rencontre.
His manners are extremely affable he
i, full Of anecdote and hunor, and makes
himself exceedingly fascinating and agree.
able TO all who come into his company be
is about five feet ten, rather spare, has d
moderately high forehead, with black hair,
short black whiskers, without mustaches,
aud an eye large, black, and expressive Of
lurking devil in his look; he is man Of
gen,ee and digni6ed department, but Of a
disposition perfectly hearle.s, but has new
err evinced a savageness Of character, ex-
cept 10 the massacres m which he has been
implicated ia Texas. He married Span.
ish lady of property. native OF Alvarado,
and through that marriage obtained the
frs. part Of his estate called Manga de
CIayo, six leagues from Vera Cruz. He
has three fms children, yet quite young.
The following striking anecdote Of Santa
Anna illustrates his peculiar quickness and
management, During the revolution of 1929
while he was shu. up 10 Oxaca, and sur.
rounded by the Governmeu, troops, and re.
duced 10 the utmost straits for the want o.
money and provisions, having very small
force, there had been 10 consequence Of the
siege and firing every day through the
streets, no mass for several weeks. He hac
no money, and hit upon the following vxpe
dent to get 1t: he took possession Of one o
the Converts, got hold Of the wardrobe o
tbs friars, dressed bis officers and some o
the soldiers in it, and early in the morning
had the bells rung for mass. People de
lighted at having again an opportunity 0
adoring the Supreme Being, focked to ths
church whore he was, and after the Hopst
was pretty we'll filled, his Friars shovel
their side arms and bayonets from beneath
their cowls and closed the doors upon the
assembled multitude. Al this unexpected
deDoasmenl there was tremendous shrek
ing, when one of his officers assembled the
pulpi, and told the people that he wanted
$4,000 aud must have il. lie finally sue.