Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1845-01-30
The Aid-de-Camp Of santa Anna.
Translated for the Albany Alias from The Gazette DIES tt
bHnaur1

lent much renown to the narrow passes of the ST.
Morena and of the Apprentices, are no longer met
with except in the outskirts of Mexico and in the for
ests OF Vera Cruz Robbery and assassination have
preserved, in these countries their fascination and
their poetry. The Mexican iddrones have ex-
changed their SonbreroS for the ignoble cap of
our bandits, their flowing zardPe for blue blouse
their machete for a knife. There the Robin Hoods
che Mandrins and organized bands still exist Often
tnen enjoying general esteem, public functonaries
even. have been members of these dangerous associa
tons, and that shadow of government which rules
IN Mexico has been unable to put end to such in
credible anomalies to oppose to these robberes any
rffectual measures of suppression
In the early part of April, 1888, Mr.. Less, a
wealthy merchant of Mexico compelled by important
business to go 10 Europe with all his family, before
leaving for Vera Cruz, went to the residence of Cen
eral Santa Anna. He introduced Immediately,
for Santa Anna is easily accessible to visitors. He
Is thin, wry man, with piercing eye, sharp nose
and olive complexion. One read in them the
crafty cunning of the Indian, and the daring of the
Spaniard. Santa Anna was alone with his aid-de-
camp, Colonel Yanez, young of remarkable
beauty. The latter turning the contents of
package Of dispatches with such profound attention,
that the Mexican merchant entered, made his sauta-
tion and seated himself without Yanez appearing to
b, aware of his presence. Mr.. L**** then explained
the Gen. that alarmed by the attacks and assassi
nations which committed every day, he had come
to beg that he would grant him an escort, that he
might make the journey from Mexico 10 Vera Cruz in
ments reflection, 'if you carry with you goods of
considerable value, advise you take escort
Tor you know that our Dragons too often appropriate
TO themselves the property they charged to pro-
tect- 1t would be better to direct Vermont, French
saddler in the street Las Cadenas, TO make trunk
with false bottom, in which your wife's diamonds
and your most valuable articles might be concealed
If you attacked, open your trunk without hesita-
ton, and abandon to them its contents, which you
should take care make as trihing as possible"
aIr hava rdO n To bo mad
to Mr.. l. the only one that it would be expedient
to follow. He took leave of the General, and whilst
he going towards the door, Col. Yanez, who dur
ing the conversation appeared to be absorbed in read
ing moved his head lmpercep.iby, and cast on the
merchant keen, rapid glance The trunk with
the false bottom ordered from Vermouts. and Mr..
l. quilted the city of Mexico during the night,
riding horseback by the side of the litter in which
his wife and children were, number Of ayrieros
guarding the mules laden with the baggage The lit
tie caravan reached Puebla without accident resting
there for days. and again setting forth sunset
on the evening of the third. They shining in
the distance the gigantic peak of Orzab crossed the
plain of Acajita, and arrived safely at the mounta id
gorge which terminates 1t. This is a narrow, dark
ravine, at the extremity Of which different paths
For long time this ravine has had bad reputation,
and five six white stones, surmounPd by crosses,
which rise here and there attest that it has been
undeserved. According to the custom of the Spanish
muletteers, the GrrieroS half asleep on their mules
sang the well known air Del CabaLlo
"M muger mi cabaI7o,
Sc mu'eron tempo"
MY horse and nv wife
Died the same day.
What was Their surprise when many sonorous voices
mngling with theirs, continued the couplet by thes,
two lines
"Que msger que demonid
FL eGbdiIo IS 10 que sieRto."
1t is not the wife, but by the devil
IL Is the horse that regret.
They had not time however, to reflect very long OIL
this strange incident, for the almost i'm
medately surrounded by score of brigands, issuing
if by enchantment, from the ravine. Notwithstand
ing the cries of terror which escaped from the wife
NJ. L. was not discomposedb he without apparen
emotion the robbers upset his baggage and seize hi
trunk. He presented them the KEY of it. when one @
them. with expressive gesture showing him hi
long sharp weapons, skilfuly put between the bod
of the trunk and the false bottom, which he at onc
tore of. The merchant at first motioness with aston
ishment went into violent rage; but the bandi
pointing to the shining blade of his knife said to hin
IN very soft tone, No useless resistance Senior,
you love your life" Then turning towards Nine
l., who, pale with fear, was shielding her tw
children with her body; have no fears Senora'
added we are cavaliers and know the respect due
ladies'" DlsdainIng to appropriate to themselve
articles of trifing value, they limited themselves
seizIng the diamonds Of Nine. l. and some blac
Californian pearls of considerable value.
Returning to Mexico Mr.. l.. fastened to make hi
deposition and to relate to the Judge all the crcun
that the attack had been premeditated Now two me
only had been informed of the false bottom contriye
in Mr.. Is trunk; General Santa Anna and I'll
French sadler, Vermont. The latter was arrested
consequence, but to the accusation against him he OF
posed the clearest and most minute explanation
Every thing combined to show his innocence his MIC
reputation for honesty, his solitary le the tesmon
OF his neghbors which proved that he had not lie
Mexico on the day of the robbery nor on those pr
ceeding IT. In consideration of these facts undenab
established, Vermont set at liberty, and the re-
inshgator OF the robbery was yet undiscovered.
This event was not yet forgotten when the rumor w,
circulated that murder had just been committed
broad daylight, in the house of the Swiss Consul,
Maigre not far from the palace of the former vicero
Count de Galvez. AT first one gave credit 10 tn
news, because the street San Cosmo on which A
Malgrets residence was situated, is of the mo
hequented IN the city. What added still more to Il
impossIbIty OF the story was, that at noon the ho
when. they said the murder had been committed \
Deffaudls minister from France, Mr.. Packenham, Il
English envoy, with several Of their colleagues h,
met at morning party given at mansion direct
opposite that of the Swiss Consul. The report wa
however, but too true. The assassins had enter
the house BY the street door, they had seized the
dian servant his only domestic gagged and bound hi
hrmly; then they had rushed on the Consul, who
the noise OF the struggle had attracted the spc
M Maigret, although taken by surprise, had oppos
10 hls murderers terrible resistance There we
deep and fr1ghtful wounds in his temple, and on
breast And they drew from the clenched hand
the corpse metal button, hanging to piece