Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1847-02-17
Correspondence of the Pioayune

u. >. Squadron, Anton LlzdrdO, Jan 70.
Gentlemen: There is. a report at Vera
Cruz that the opposition of Santa Anna
to the recent decree of Congress, for the
sale of the church property, has provok
ed the vengeance of the soldiers, and that
he has been shot have heard none of
The circumstances attending this alledged
outbreak, which Of course requires con
firmaton TO be relied upon. There are
many circumstances, however, which rem
der II quite likely that such has been the
fate of Santa Anna.
Congress, AFTER long and sto rmy SEES
sion on the 9Th instant, approved the lst
section of bill which had been introduce
ed on the 9TH, authorizing the Government
10 raise 100000 by the hypothecaton
or sale OF certain goods of the church
This project was violently opposed in Con-
! gress and out, aud was represented to be
nothing less than a scheme TO close the
churches, to suspend DIVINE Worship, and
starve the priesthood and inmates of the
converts. 1t was defended on the score
OF imperous necessity, as being the only
means by which money could be raised
to save the country from Standardization,
! the race from extinction, and the very
churches from being desecrated. II was
said that unless the army at San Luis Pc
tosi could be guaranteed speedy relief aud
succor by the passing of this measure on
that night, that They would disband in the
| face of the enemy and march on Mexico
10 subvert the Government The first ar
ticle was passed by a vote of So to 81
The question upon selling the church pro.
perty appears TO have been taken sepa-
rateiy, and to have encountered stronger
opposition, as the vote was A to 3d.
Among the opponents of the measure
were Gamboa, Otero, Pdcheco, and other
leading men. The project emanated from
the Government, and the bill was support.
ed by the ministers.
The passage of the law has created the
greatest excitement throughout Mexico.
The churches are closed, and every indica-
ton of mourning and of resistance has
been evinced bg those who support the re-
ligiouS establishments. The Government
have addressed to the soldiers a circular in
which the most stringent measures are
authorized for preserving order and enfor-
cling the decree.
Santa Anna declared his opposition TO
the bill. He probably thought that, bis
personal popularity with the army, aided
by promises of contributions from his pri-
waite purse, would enable him TO maintain
his ascendancy with the soldiers, that he
would enlist the support of the clergy, and
last and perhaps not least, find popular
cause of quarrel with the present Con-
gress and the administration of Gomez
Farias. If he had appeased the army,
and come out as the avowed champion ofl
the church, his authority in Mexico would |
have been paramount, and once firmly |
possessed of power he would have made |
peace. If he has been assassinated. as
report has ii, am inclined to think there
is little prospect of peace except with the
subjugatIon Of the whole country. The |
Mexican Congress and Mexican press ev-
cry where make this the issue-".Ser no |
ser,"--[to be or not to be The adm-
nistration of the country is in the hands of
men who have nothing to lose by the mis- |
fortunes of their country, and the army |
is conducted by generals who even hail
defeat as affording them the best opportu-
nifty of filling !heirpockets with the public
funds.
1t is now generally believed in Vera
Cruz that an attack will soon be made I
upon that place, but no .reinforcements
have been recently Introduced. There
are about 1000 men in the castle and 1900
regular soldiers 10 the town, besides the
militia or national guard, who may be set |
down at 1000 more. see by an official /
statement that there are now in the whole
state of Vera Cruz 5000 regulars. The
naiona! guard, now in progress of orga-
nization, will amount to 1900 men of all |
arms. These last, however, are vet to be
provided with arms, and are now scattered
over 50 large a space that, even if they
were properly organized, they could not
be collected in Vera Cruz in many weeks.
The Castle ahas a supply Of only few
days provisions. and the garrison is sup
Piled day by day fromsV era Cruz. Dur.
ing the prevalence of the northers thew
are often in actual want, as the communi.
cation with the shore is then intercepted,
II is stated that provision has been
made for terrifying the passes between
Vera Cruz and Mexico, viz: Puente Ma
cional, Plan del Rio, and Cerro Gordo.
Com. ConnoF is at Laguna.
American news is sought for with great
avidiIy IN Vera Cruz. copy Of Mr..
Webster's Philadelphia speech was trans
mnted to Mexico, and gave lively salts
faction. 1t is fully believed that the admi.
nistration OF Mr.. Polk is tottering.to lis
fall. and that protested antr.war parry
must soon come into power. tits imagin.
ed That Mr.. Polk will save himself by pnr-