Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-12-01
DAILY WHIG.
Santa Anna.

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Tho New York Joanal OF Commerce remarks; "Mueh
certain negotstcns said to have been entered into between
our government and Santa Anna in regard to the termina-
mon OF the Mexican war. But we have authority for stating
that no such negotiations have ever taken place, and that
our government has had no connection whatever with the
Mexican leader"
II this statement, be true. the permission given to Santa
Anna to pass the blockading squadron unquesioned, on his
return from exile, to reassumo the reins Of power in Next
co. 10 utterly incomprehensiblo. We have heretofore sup
poesd that a secret understanding existed. il there had not
been q positive arrangement, between our Government and
Santa Anna, and that tho permission extended to him to
enter the port of Vera Cruz was the consequence of that
understanding OF arrangement. Buff the foregoing state
mcni be correct, il follows that our Government was guilty
OF the unsccountnblc folly Of permitting three OF the ablesi
and most popular Mexicans tSanta Anna, Almon,e and Re-
JONI to return TO their country, in utter ignorance Of their
sentiments and purposes. and, as the result has shown, in
order TO enable them to heal the internal discussions by
which the vigor Of It's action had been paraly zed, and to
bring all its energies and resources to bear against Us in the
prosecution Of the war! Surely the Journal of Commerce,
in its eagerness to show that the Administration had not
been guilty OF the error OF permitting itself to be deceived
and duped by Santa Anna, does not perceive that IL i'm
putes TO il the still greater folly OF failing TO capture and to
bold rs prisoners of war three Of the most influential Mosi-
can Generals and Statesmen, of whose intensions 1t had no
knowledge, and who, above oil others. were bcs, calculated
10 lntuec energy lHNO int VI ~ eAiCtu kONSIu-
ment and to give efficiency to its wariike preparations
There might be some palliation for the error OF trusting TO
the promises Of Santa Anna, faithless as he wGs known TO
be but il seems TO US that there can be no defence for the
folly OF permitting him. in uuer ignorance OF bis designs.
and even without taking the trouble to enquire whether his
intents were wicked or charitable" TO avail himself Of the
relentinVs Of his counuymen, by whom he had been but
recently ~banished, but who, in the new emergency which
had arisen, threatening the very existence of the Republic,
h d recalled him from exile, TO place himself again at the
head Of its armies.
Notwithstanding the confident and even authoritative tone
in which the Journal of Commerce speaks, however, we
are inclined to doubt the accuracy Of its information. We
sul believe that there p6s an understanding OF some sort
between Santa Anna and Mr.. Polk. The application made
by the President to Congress for two millions Of dollars,
which he confessed was to be " advanced if need be, to
the Mexican government, which he said might =" find it
iusonvenient TO wait" for such sum rs we might feel dis
posed TO pay for 4 boundary such as might be deemed es-
senial by our government, to Z" round off our frontier"
shows conelusiycIy that the President had been in commit
n,catton either with the then existing government Of Mex
1eo, at the head Of which was Parades, or with some other
person by whom it was likely Psrades would soon be su-
perseded-lhe revolution which indicated the recall Of
Santa Anna being then clearly threatened. II is scarcely
possible that Paroles WASH communication with oar gov
eminent; and, II he were not, the inference Is certainly
very strong that Santa Anna was. And This inference is
Strengthened by the language OF the leading Loeotoco pa
peTs Immediately after the defeat OF the Two Million Bill.
One OF them, the Nashville Union, which lie regarded
as The nome ogan OF Mr.. Polk, on the return OF Santa
ANN. said. '' that the state of thinRs JOresesn By Mr. Polk
chad arrived. A revolution has been -consummated. San
eta Anna has been restored. He is ia tapOr Of peace,
.. but he cannot make peace unless the Army also Is in ia
a. yor Of peace. In this critical condition OF our affairs,
. Polk foresais that the use Of tH0 millions Of dollars
might be Of great impO, faHee,'' &c. &c. Now what
does all this mean, if Mr.. Polk knew nothing OF the designs
of Santa Anna, and had not received from him some inrima-
lion thai peace. with satisfactory boundary line, might be
puru based for the two millions Of dollars, which ne de-
mandeo Of Congress, without specifying the object to which
az was TO b ~s?Plied1
But il IL possible that we may soon be officially informed
on the subject as we take it for granted that the President
will voluntarily and frankly disclose TO Congress the ma.
ture and extent o. his understanding with Santa Anna, If
there was any, or if there was none, the reason which III
duced him 10 instruct the Commander Of the Gulf Squadron
To grant him q safe passage 10 Vera Cruz. The gingery
manner ia which the LOcoioco organs touch tins delicate
subject, whenever they are compelled to alude TO II, salts
hes % that there is something about it which they do not
like. The more curious are we to know what that some
thing is. II il is calculated 10 enhance the diplomatic
skill and the wise craftsmanship Of the Administration, we
arc anxious to give them the credit they deserve. lit adds
another 20 the grieyous oianders OF which IT has been guilty,
from the origin Of the Mexican war until now. it must no,
hope to escape the exposure or It's consequences.
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