Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-06-18


Ayo,la, May IS, 1917.
From the moment that arrived at mas PIaes'
l learned with deep regret through chahhr's WIZ
Inv of all confidence, that my approach 10 !c I'd p
i,al with the Army Of the East had spread Inc
creates, alarm among lis inhabitants, caused ~
,hs idea that il was intended 10 defend the city
within its own walls, as also BY the agitation OF
par,y interest, which putting party passions III
motion appear in this instance 10 havcmaue coIl-
mon cause with the enemies Of honor ana OF the
independence Of the nation. Alarmed by lnis IN
tcllioence which, if Jeff TO its natural course,
would not only rob me Of The only property re-
manning to me in this world-my honor-but
would also decidedly endanger The sacred cause
which we defend, have thought it TO be my duty
10 suspend nv march, in order to render an ac-
coun; 10 The Supreme Government of my conduct
and intentions trusting that the Loyalty and can
dor with which shall explain them will prevent
the last and most fatal calamity which couid IN
our present position betal our country, "ais1rusI
and discord among those who are caiiea upon "
save H." :.
When | commenced the march TO this city, ii
was in obedience 10 a resolution adopted by The
Committee OF War, OF which informed your
Esceency in my despatch Of the day before yes
tcrday. in which it was determined that the salva-
lion of the capital was net only necessary and az
vantageous for The Interior operations OF the war,
but might be sufficient 10 bring il 10 happy and
honorable conclusion. Although fully convinced
of the utility OF this measure, had roiwisiand-
ing, resolved 10 submit The same question, on my
arrival al the capital 10 another and more hume.
Ious meeting, presided over by The Oldest genera,
in the army determined 10 respect lis decision ana
even TO resign my military power, when also
manifested 10 your Exce!lcncy IN my ABOVE
named despatch. Such we're my designs IN winch
pro,es, mos, so.empJ; not a thought oil personal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or ambition had par. 4 nc nd
ton has seen that since my return ~ lne hePuo'
lie have passed my time IN the held wiihout
thinking OF the supreme power, until majority
Of The Representatives OF The nauon ur2ed me 10
mt an end 10 the civil war which was destroying
The heart Of the nation
Not even This complete self-denial, nor the nu-
meroas and severe sacrifices 10 which | have sub
ml,ed, have been sufficient 10 destroy old preju-
dices. Cslu,nEy and suspicion have added fresh
wormwood 10 The already bitter cup OF my lille,
and under what circumstances Al moment
when was leading 10 the defence OF The capital
an army drawn from its ruins, and when asked
Of my country no other favor than 10 be allowed
10 die in lis defence. Although this unexpected
and undeserved return ought 10 abSolvc me from
all engagements, furnishing me an opportunity 10
escape with honor from the extremely difficult
position in which | find myself placed, ye, will
not voluntarily take such step, nor shall IL ever
be said that The man 10 whom the Lation cnIrust-
cQ ueT SdITdlO. ulu llSt have SNGIN
sacrifice, including his selt-ove and even outward
appearances, before he relreaed from before the
enemy and that il ever this should happen il
will be due 70 invincib!e Obstacles and finally
because he had been Iepadialcd BY his country
men.
AS in my person are al this momen, united
Two kinds OF representations. both snprcme-one
military and The other political-which especial
ly claim the iulfment OF peculiar duties, il is
81 - Lr.ta 4 trs.1 No
SO as clearly aid sacciac,ly as the srailened po.
si,ion in which | am placed will admit The
first requires that should state freely and cxPli.
city my opinion respecting the military opera
lions under my charge, and these are, that the
war must be continued until we STALL have OBJ
,ained ample justice from our uni lst ag.ressoTs;
and that, 10 arrive al this result, il is necessary
10 save the apa a, all hazards, because lis de-
fence is necessary Tor the basis OF nerlor opera
lions and because | fear, with good reason that
il the capital should be occupied without resist
ance the spir, Of the PEOPLE will be broken, and
the complete submission CT the country will be
inevitable.
My duty as The frs, magistrate OF the nation,
al present shameiuy censured and suspected hy
unjust and ariul detracurs, requires that lshonld
remove pretex invenled BY pclfiiy and pnsil-
lanimi,y in order 10 neulraliz, the generous q
forts which the good citizens are disposed 10
ludhS ipI VIC SdtN diva VI ikS tSaaSAIS uiil
4e2e5 al L. o-de! 2 70 Ms It IS lndls
gramme, which ! have previously alluded
and of which now repeat The following Two
points: First, 10 carry Oh The war on The basis
before indcalct an, secondly, 10 consider the
salvation ol ihe capa' as Indispensable Being
determined not 10 admit am compromise on ei-
Their OF these points, communicate the same 10
your Excellency, lha: you may mpart The sane
10 his Excel.ency, The President, and, should he
decide agains; lie, you will al cnce lender my
resignation IS commandments an: a:s: iIa-
gislrae Of the Republic, an; forward my pass
poIls 10 retire 10 wherever may be most convent
ell for me.
II nigh, happen, ina; although there may be
an absolute conformity viii my Ideas, ii may be
though, that | would be an obstacle TO carrying
them into due effect | have already stated that
these circumstances would be very propi,ous for
me 10 escape from the critical position in which
am placed in all easy and honorable manner By a
prompt dismissal from service, bu, have too high
an opinion Of NY duty. know the obligation
contracted with The nation when | was placed al
lis head, and when il conficd 10 me its precious
defence. | shall never bsray this trust, and
voluntary seraIaiien from the affair would make
me believe myself guilty Of i aishonorab!e deser-
lion. My coGn'!y finds me 4, her side, and am
deiermiacd 10 .uhl The mission that has been con-
fied 10 me 10 The very las. extremity, and my
dearest interests and my very existence are s,aked
on tie altar oil liberty and independence OF my
country. But as l wish 10 hear and 10 respect The
souod opinion CT the nation, l should wish that
The Supfeme Government, speaking 10 NE loyal
ly and with cantor, should make kEown whether
/ should separate myself from the trusts that have
been conGded 10 me-, and will not hesila,ea mo-
men! in relinqui>h,ag them. In that case shall
have given way 10 respectable voices, and mol 10
The calculations Of individual Interests ofiaciions
| shall retire, tranquility making this last sacfilce
which is tha, Of M own opinion, and renouncing
The satisfaction Of spiing my blood Tor NY conn-
iry, and standing by her in The moments oil her
affection Scnofs Don Manuel Barande, Den
I.nac;o Triguercs and Don Jose Fernando RAJ
1nirex, who are here on friendly visit, are COM
missioncd 10 be my Interpreters near The Supreme
Government, and have requested them TO en-
large upon these IDEAS as they have listened to
them from my lips.
MAY il please Your Excellency to communi-
cate this note TO his Exccilency, the President,
requesting him 10 favor ME with an answer IN
The shortest delay possible, 10 enable me 10 form
my Interior determination. God and Liberty
ANTONIO LOPEZ De SANTA ANNA.
To his Excellency the MINISTER or WAR.
To this letter The following reply was iume-
diately made by the Government through the
Minister Of Wal:
DEPARTMENT OF WAR AND MARINE,
Mexico, May 10, 1877.
Your Excellency Having given an account
to his Excellercy, the President Substitute, OF
your note under yesterdays date, from Ayo'ia,
in which you explain The reasons which induced
You to conduct the Army OF the East towards the
capital, and state your proposition and opinions
respecting the war; and your absolute disinler-
estedness with regard TO the exercise of the SUI
preme Government, his Excellency has order
ed me to reply, which have now the honor OF
doing, that the ideas of your Excellency on the
war, and the necessity of saving the capital al
all cost are the same which have been always
entertained BY his Exceliency, the Presijen, Sub.
stitute; and as regards the resolution Of your Ex-
cellency TO separate yourself from The supreme
command, if it should be thought necessary, his
Excellency will only be able 10 tell you on your
to take possession oft, which he thinks it to be