The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-20

and, DESTROYS to be perfectly understood. unon
reaching my native soil, | gave a full and nnblic
expression Of my sentiments and PRINCIPLES. The
reception which they met convinced me that had
not deceived myself. and I am now the more con.
firmed in them, not from having given them mo,e
consideration, but because they have found a uen-
eral echo in the hearts Of all my fellow. citizens.
/ come then, To carry my views into operation.
and in compliance with the mandate of nv coun-
try. She calls ne as Commander-in chief of the
Army. and in that capacity l stand ready to serve.
The enemy occupies our harbors-he is despoilinp
us of the richest of our territories and threatens
ns with his domination! | go then. to the head
of the Mexican Army, an army the offspring (hijo)
OF a free people. and joined with il will fulfil
my utmost duty in opposing the enemies of nv
country | will die fighting. or lead the valiant
Mexicans to the enjoyment of a triumph to which
they are alike entitled by justice, by their war
like character. and by the dignity and enthusiasm
which they have preserved. of a free nation
The war is a necessity of immediate Importance.
Every days delay is an age of infamy. | cannot
recede from the position which the nation have
assigned me. j must go forward, unless I would
draw upon myself the censurc due to inorati,ude
tor the favors with which | have been overwheIm-
ed by my fellow citizens. or unless would be-
hold her humhled and suffering under a %perpelua-
tion of her misfortunes.
fonr Excellency will at once perceive how
great an error ! should commit in assuming The
supreme Majesiray, when my duty calls me To the
held. To fight against the enemies of the Republic.
| should disgrace myself, if. when called to The
point OF danger, | should spring to that OF power!
Neiiher my loyalty nor my honor requires The
abandonment of interests so dear to me. The
single motive of my heart is to offer nv COMBAT
riots the sacrifice of that blood which vet runs in
my veins. wish them To know that | cunsecraie
myself entirely TO their service, rs a soldier ought
In In md n.y., II, 4 ~-.--- f.
ted TO point out the course by which Mexico may
attain the rank to which her destinies call her.
In marching against the enemy. and declining
tn accept OF power, | give q proOfof the sincerity
"f my sentiments; leaving the nation her own
mistress, at liberty 10 dispose Of herself a she sees
nj. The elections for members of Congress to
form the constitution which the people wish to
adopt. are proceeding. That Congress " i'll now
soon convene, and while | shall be engaged in the
conflict in armed defence finer independence, the
nation will place such safeguards around her liber-
ties as may hest suit herself.
III | should permit myself for a single moment,
to take the reigns of Government, the sincerity of
my promises would he rendered questionable, and
no confidence could be placed in them
am resolved that they shall not be falsifed.
for in their redemption | behold the general good
as well as my honor as a Mexican and a soldier.
| cannot abandon this position. The existing gov
eminent has pursued a course with which the
nation has shown itself content, and | have no de-
sire to subvert 1t by taking its place. | feel ahun-
dant pleasure in remaining where | am, and flat
ter myself that the nation will applaud my choice.
l shall joyfully accept such tasks as she shall con
tlnue to impose upon me, and while she is enga
ged in promoting the objects of civilization. | will
brave every danger in supporting its benefits, even
at the cost of my existence.
viii your Excellency have the goodness to
tender TO the Supreme Government my sincere
thanks for their kindness 2 will personally repeat
them to morrow, for which purpose | propose to
call at the palace. | shall there embrace nv
friends and hastily pressing them to my heart, bid
them a tender farewell, and set out for the scene
OF war, to lend my aid to serve my country, or to
perish amongst its ruins.
| beg 10 repeat to your Excellency, assurances
of my continued and special esteem.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA