The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-01-16

any thing about it. Santa Anna is great gambler.
ana he wins and loses very large amounts OF money
oy Monte" ana In cock-hsttIng, two very differ
ent arnusements, yet both excessively common IN
all the Mexican towns and villages i have often
heard that Santa Anna never pays his gambling
debts; as long as ne is winning he has occasion
every one at The table, aud who dare refuse him :?
Bu, as 10 his returning what he receives in this
way, such thing never enters his head, although
ne may give the party some office, or grant him
some privilege. however he seldom notices his
debts Mrs. Santa Anna was very good description
OF woman, although of rather low origin; she sell
dom moved from her residence at Mango de Clavo,
her enjoyment consisted in smoking paper cigars
and IN moving slowly along without stockings, al.
though her hands were covered with diamond
rings This poor creature died few months ago,
and her husband Immediately afterwards proposed
10 Miss Veascoe, of Vera Cruz;and on her refusing
him, he married another young girl. Nothing con-
trbuted more to this mans power than the loss oil
nisle IN an engagement with the French at Vera
cruz; since then the people have looked on him as
"Napoleon"-indeed, he used TO call himself the
Napoleon Of the West" The despatch which he
Wrote after the amputation of his leg, was sublime.
ly ridiculous, although his counirymen thought
much OF II. have noticed that he suffers much
pain from The loss of his limb sat opposite to
HIM In the theatre, and observed that in stepping
over the SEATS (athough well asssted) he received
much pain; this Is accounted for, in the manner
his leg was amputa.ed, the surgeon understanding
nothing about his profession; and if | have been
rightly informed, u common saw was used in the
performance OF the operation, and this aIone with
out recourse to other instruments. don't know
much about the truth of this statement, which is
commonly believed in Mexico, however true or
not true Santa AGna suffers much. In appear.
ance Santa Anna is of short stature, his eyes are
grey, and his body is very thin, his face the same
AID he ia remarkably grave; indeed never saw
hum smile, although we have both witnessed laugh.
able arces and comedies at the theatre in Mexico.
So much for Santa Anna
Before close these remembrances Of Mexico
anu her late President, must again refer to Gen
Barracks country seat, which is about twelve miles
from Mexico. At this place witnessed sigh,
truly distressing In large yard there were con
fined number Of men and boys, some Of whom
had notbeen outside OF The walls for years These
persons were Gen Barara's prisoners Tor debt and
they could not leave his service or premises until
they had liquidated all they owed This he took
great care they never should do, although many Of
them only owed three or four dollars yet for this
sum they may remain as long as they are able to
work IN this miserable prison. Very few travellers
have. noticed this fact and law, which is universal
in this country-indeed, nearly every Rancho
Qarm) has Its slaves attached in the way Of debt
ors: never saw any sight so disgusting as the one
at Gen. Barara's The inmates seemed starved to
deah-their eyes had an unearthy gaze, and in
the yard were several blocks OF wood; behind each
was large accumulation Of human hair, which,
on inquiry, found to be caused by the custom
of cutting shaving the hair close, to prevent too
great an increase of vermiD, indeed this easily
corroborated by casting my eyes to the heads Of
these unfortunate creatures. In the rooms leading
from the yard were some very primitive machines
tor weaving woollen cloth, their master having the
contract to furnish the army with clothing was
with large party OF ladies' and gentlemen when
visited thus PRISON, and all glad to get out
again. Before left we collected about ten dollars,
which were distributed among these unfortunate
wretches, and we left them accompanied by their
viuas, ripGs, which heard for some time after we
had placed our feet outside their walls.
SAINT PAUL.