Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-02-14
GEN. SANTA ANNA AND HIS
iIDDE-CAMP.

In the beginning of April, 1888, Senior |.
-, a wealthy Mexican merchant, was
suddenly called to Europe by business of inn
porance. As il was probable that his all
sence from his native country might be Tor
period of some duration, he determined on
taking his lady and family with him. IRE
viousy to his departure from Vera Cruz,
where he proposed to embark, he requested
an interview with General Santa Anna, the
President of the Mexican Republic. The
request was readily granted; for Santa An
ma was easily accessible to visitors. On be-
ing Introduced to the President. Senior l.
found himseliln the presence of IA thin, mus
cular man, of dark olive complexion, and IA
keen, penetrating cye-a man whose char
acier was accurately delncated in his fra.
lures Santa Annals countenance expressed
the cautions cunning of the Spaniard. First
the soldier of Ferdinand VII, then revolu-
ionary understanding power from vanity
rather than from Internationally hui
name and cruel as the impulses of interest
happened to prompt him.-Such was the man
whom bold c0Up dc main invested with the
supreme power in Mexico, to WELD sovereign
sway over the conqnesis of Fernando Cortcz,
/ l.
Santa Anna was alone with his Aid-de-
camp, Yancz, a remarkably handsome young
man. The Colonel was examining some
dispatches with profound attention, and was
50 earnestly occupied, that he seemed not
even to notice the entrance of the Mexican
merchant.
Senior l. explained to the General
that the frequent robhcres and assassinatons
which we're committed on travellers, induced
him to solicit an escort for his journey from
Mexico to Vera Cruz.
" Really" said Santa Anna after a mo-
ment's reflection, if YOU intend taking with
YOU an, property of considerable value,
would not recommend yon to have an escort
for our military, as you are doubtless aware
are no, to be trusted. They are frequently
dcpreda,ors instead Of Offenders. The hes
plan would be to get Vermont, the Frencl
saddIer, in the Gale de Las Cadrnas, tt
make trunk with IA double bottom, in whicI
Won may conceal Your money, Madame
LIS diamonds, and any other objects q
value. Should You be attacked, open you
trunk without hesitation, and resign all it
riSiblc contents, which, of course, will no
be of any great value"
This plan, though somewhat hazardous
appeared TO Senior l. the best he coul,
adopt. He took leave Of the General, an'
Wills, 10 v~s movin- t. TIC aoor u Ia,
apartment, Colonel Yancz, who during th'
conversation had appeared intcntly occupied
in the pcrusa of his papers, turned his heat
almost unpcrccived, and cast a look at tn
merchant.
Senior l. Immediately proceeded T.
the shop of Vermont, aud gave the reqniSt
orders for the trunk. Having packed in
his money and valuahles, he left Mexico tia
same evening, himself on horseback, and hi
wife and children borne in a Palhnqun.-
The baggage was strapped On the backs {
mules, which were ridden by arricroS.
The little caravan arrived safely at Puc
hla, where it halted for two days. On til
third day, at sunset, the Journey was resnn
ed. The travellers bchcld in the dlstanc
the towering peak of Mount OIiziba, Will
they slowly travcrsed the plain of AcaIou
where Santa Anna so bascly doomed h
friend, General Mriio, to be shot, The
reached without disaster the gorge at the G,
trcmity of the plain. Il is marrow, gloom
ravnr. terminating in several diverged path
The drowsv drricrOS, seated on their mule
we're singing 81 Cabaiio, a iavorte song
the Spanish mueteers. They were repea
ing the Chorus
vi m1ler Y mi caha.lo
he muricrUn en- IN tlmpu"F
when, to their surprise, some unknown 70
ces mngling with their own, took up Il
conclusion Of the sauza:
Que mui'r que demono
l.. clJalJ rs 10 9 e seutO.t
Before they could recover from the amaz,
mcut created bv this mysterious incident, ii
caravan was surrounded 10y party of abo
twenty brigandS, who darlcd out as if b
magic from the rocky recesscs on either sic
of the rayinc.
In spite of the shrieks of his wife and Chi
dren, Senior l. was in no way dlscol
ccrlcd. He hehrd without emotion the rol
beers laying hands on his baggage and wh'
they seized the trunk he coolly present,
the kew. But one of the robbers, with "A ST
nhcant gesture, drew out long knife, a.
inserting it between the sides and the boto
of the trunk, he very dextefously detach,
the fiat piece of wood which Nermont's i
genuiiy had devised for concealment. ri
IN merchant, for IA few moments, stood motto
re less with establishment, and then gave uit
in rance to violent expressions of rage. II
O. bandit held up the bright blade of his knit
ly and said IN a calm aud subdued tone" 4
h. tempt no useless resistance, Senior, if Y,
$, value your life" Then turning to MADAM
he l., who, pale with terror, was sitting
Is, in the palanqun holding her children in h
r aruls-" Be not alarmed, Sonora" SAID Il
he tive are cabaiieroS, and know the respe
ct which is due to ladies'"
he Casting aside all objects of trivial wort
RS the robbers collected the money and Ma
s. anne LIS jewels; among the latter we
some magnificent black pearls of Caliorn
of great value.
NY Senior l.. made the best of his W
- back to Mexico, and there deposcd betu
- the Fiscal the particulars Of the extraordin
ok ry robbery of which he had been the vcti
Ii was evident that the attack had been pr
medItated. There were only two persO
ed besides Senior = who knew the eXI
is. ence of the double bottom IN the trunk ;
no these persons were General Santa Anna "A
he Vermont the slddler. The latter was CO
sequenlly arrested. but on lis examlnatl
he gave so clear and satisfactory an acco'