The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-25

Tered my aid to speak, intsrrupting him by say
ing that what he wanted was 6, 900 men and mu-
nitions, and sent him off, after giving him two
official letters, which he had signed and scaled;
one Of them containing a report of the action OF
the evening, in which he stated that he had beat
EN- the enemy and put him to shameful flight
and that he had, in consequence, granted promo
lions to the gnerals, field officers, and others.
The following day, at dawn, repaired again
to the same field. reinforced by brigade which
had ordered to be brought from the capital
and determined to effect the passage at any cost
but soon as | began to move, the enemy made
his attack, which lasted about 10 minutes, and
witnessed, in the midst Of despair, the rout Of
those troops, worthy of better fate, and unfor-
tunately commanded by general who was him
self the cause Of their being cut off.
The consequences Of this affair were, in my
view, terrible. The enemy could, by a rapid
movement reach the Capital before il would be
possible for me to succor it; he could BY a flank
movement, cut Oft my detached forces; he had
obtained, as the result his victory, the power OF
falling with the main body of his troops upon a
part of mine; the enemy, in fine, through the
unskilflulness and insubordination Of general,
converted to his own benefit all the advantages Of
my situation.
The advanced fort Of San Antonio could not
sustain itself; for line had been inter sected
and ordered its garrison to retire, while COW
cred the fort and fefe de ponf Of Churubusco.
The enemy advanced, cutting off portion Of
the troops as they Were retiring, and presented
himself in front Of our nearest defent es.
There placed myself again in front Of our SOL
diers, and my efforts cost the enemy not little
bloodshed. The losses which ensued, though
iainentable, were the natural result Of the re-
treat, which was sudden, unexpected, and EN-
barrassed by the trains. marching along mar
row causeway flanked throughout its whole ex-
tent The defence was from line TO line, until
the third was reached, where / personally op-
posed the enemy, and saved the Capital, which
was suddenly placed in danger. While l was
engaged, on the 22d. in re-Organizing the forces
and covering the batteries, and again in person
at the head Of a column, which have continued
the defence to the last extremity, | received a
communication from the enemy's general in
chief, proposing TO me to conclude an arm stice,
which would afford time 10 consider the PROPOSE
lions which may be made by the commiss Toner
Of the United States, for ending the struggle
between the two nations. l consented To the
armistice; and, after consulting the ministers in
cabinet, have determined that the proposition
referred TO shall be taken into consideration
The suspension of hostities is always a good
thing, because war is always an evil: and much
more so. after great combinations have been
frustrated. To save the Capital from the hor-
rOrs Of war. or at least defer them, was a coasid-
Grafton which could not overlook. more par
ticnlsrly when viewed az a means of arriving at
an honorable peace.
When two nations find themselves in a state
of war, they have the reciprocal right 10 make
propositions, and this presupposes "a duty TO lis
ten to propositions. A perpetual war is an abb
surdity, because il is a calamity; and the insiinct
of self-prescrvation, which is even stronger and
more powerful in nations than in indiv iduas
counseis that no means shall he disregarded
which may lead 10 an advantageous adjustment.
The constitution given me full authority 10 adopt
this course
Devoted to interests SO great and of scuh pre-
eminent importance, must maintain at all risks
the respect and consideration due TO the SUI
prene authority which ! excrcise-more es-
peciaiy, when, il factions bcset and harrass the
government, they will deprive it of the power of
celebrating, ana it will become contemplate in
the presr of the enemies of the nation | will
be still more eNplicit-conmotion and scdi,ion
will be eNemplarily punished
have preserved aconsidersble body OF troops.
and the nation will support me i'll maintaining
IL, honor and vindicating It's reputation. ! CON
slider myself as free as II | had obtained a signal
victory, and there j. no fear that shall he i'm
posed on by tn. eneny's nego,iators, when his
troops and csnnons have failed TO alarm me.
We shall adjust our differences, provided honor,
above all, is saved and We shall renew the COM
bat, il the sword is thrust between our Justice
and an acknowledgment of the rights of the
nation.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE- SANTA ANNA.
MTNCo, August -. l>i1.