The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-04-15
Santa Annals Parting Address 10 his countrymen.


Santa Annals Parting Address 10 his countrymen
quono Lope, De Santa 4nna, Generate Of Dirision,
rel deserving If ms Conntryt0 ms Jllooo citizens
MExICANs-Abo bout TO leave a beloved country t,
seek il foreign land The quietude of private life
must for the last time, address, and show YOU THE
true causes which condemn me TO voluntary ostra
cjsm At this solemn moment. / am very far from
wishing again 10 tear open the wounds that the quar-
reIs Of faction and tie continued rivalry of those
who have brought to present situation, have
made to bleed on the bosom of our country. noble
object induces me TO write these lines-not vanity
or selfishneSs Debtor to the Republic for thous-
and spontaneous honors that must inscribe my name
forever s annals, it my desire to repay it, when
PARTING from its shores under the most unlucky cir
cIImstances that can surround nation and when
foreign hands tear down the insignia OF our sover-
eighty the immense territory which coWardIce
and parfdy have placed under their dominion. In
riols language without rhetorical adornment, will
refer you very summary, to past events.
You have all been witnesses OF my behaviour,
since the solemn proclamation of August, 1916.
brought me back 10 my country, drawing me from
the place where the maleyolence of faction had
banshed me. The capital of the iaiion, and the
peope on the road from Vera Cruz to San Luis
Potosi are Witnesses that at that time, homage and
honor were rendered to me by all classes. Heaven
can bear Witness that when this took place around
me- directed my prayers TO the Eternal. for the
felicity and glory of the Mexican name. Fatality
and fortune had enabled tie armies of the United
States to advance their victorious banners beyond
the waters Of the Rio Bravo. The misfortunes of
PaIo Alto and Resaca opened the gates of the Re
public to our Northern enemies who without diff
Guilty. and without resistance, occupied consider
able portion of New Leon, Coahua and Tamau-
lipas. These reverses happened when was pros
trated upon bed Of sickness, in the city of Havana
a consequence Of the wound that | received when
fighting at Vera Cruz against the French. ] might
-. I,,+ IN &c
tercst7and could have profted by the lessons of
the past, to remain tranquil inmy retirement-view-
ing from distant land, the torrents commencing
to distract my country could. at least, on my re-
turn, if ! had been hat my enemies say was,
have used the power which was placed in my hands,
10 punish severely, detection and calumny. But to
do this it was necessary to have had asoul like my
prosecutions; and TO have fastened a settlement of
The Texan question, in contempt of the national
rights. preferred, and still prefer, even hun
dred defeats 10 consentng 10 the ignomny of the Re-
public This is the reason why | Immediately
marched to San Luis Potosi, to organize an army,
and to employ myself exclusively in the campaign.
Leaving behind me the enemies of my name, that
they mgh cOnspre against me without fear, as the
Americans demanded my attention, before party
politics In the midst of the general confusion
which had been introduced i'll every branch of the
administration, by three revolutions | undertook
the enterprise of opposing the invader without the
of war; as those which | had created during
three years, were, for the greater part, destroyed
during 1915. You will see, compatriots, that if !
had neglected the defence of the nation. when all
human probabilities were upon our side, the Ameri
can armies would have possessed themselves of the
country. without resistance of any kind. Honor
demanded that | should go into the conflict with
the best resources could command. My patriotism
and loyalty made il absolutely necessary for me to
take this course. Scarcely, however, had the army
been reorganzed, when the public press of the CAPT
tai, directed by some of the most influential mem
bers OF the Congress, commenced attacking me ;
saying that the army, encamped at San Luis Potosi
should Immediately begin operations against the |
INVADER III order not to menace the public liberties
as they were doing under my influence and to en-
poy the resources furnished by the Government, in
The national defence, and not in the fermentation Of
disorders. The repetition of this and other offensive
expressions, pierced my heart, because then knew
what was the principal object of these declamations
and saw myself compelled to lay open, by an ex-
posure, my situation and the injustice of such
hons. The troops under my orders, suffered horri
BE deprlvatlons and the city of San Luis can bear
witness. that in order TO be able to march, the army
was aided by money seized under my responsibility,
md with part of my property which placed in
Inc treasuryot the army. ! was in want of all the
means OF transport; and If appeared impossible to
commence hostillties when, it being in the midst Of
winter, everything was wanting Notwithstanding
MS, The campaign was opened, because powerful
easons demanded it. Revolutionary tendencies
,egan to penetrate to headquarters. Demorali-
alton spread and in a few hours, more than 500 |
men, of different corps OF the army, abandoned their
lag Want augmented the evils and it was better
o die by the hands of the enemy than that the
roops should be dispersed by detection and crime.
Wy fate has compelled me always to journey among
hidden rocks.
II may be said for the honor of the national army,
hat it was owing TO it that was enabled to fight
he enemy III the entertainments of Buena Vista
md that notwithstanding the penalties of deser
lon, and the epidemic which afterwards ravaged
t. itiraversed the Republic. to combat, with serene
'eaSi, the enemy at Cerro Gordo. The first event
), the war, during the months of February and
iprI, TO be found related in official documents;
nd by them the nation will see that have omitted
10 sacrifice or labor TO crown it with the laurels
II victory
new revolution dragged me from the field of
attle-Wh0se object to overturn the established
authority. BY the call of a majority of Congress,
was invested with the Executive power, in order
oqueIl that scandalous proceeding in the capital
i The very time when Mexican blood was being
piled at Vera Cruz. and the enemy endeavorng to
inter- lis walls. Circumstances obliged me to adopt
concliatory policy; and Notwithstanding, that
hose who then Frustrated themselves before me,
lad been the authors Of the instruction of the 9th
february, forgot their misleeds, and only desired
nat we should employ our united efforts in chastls
ne the foreign invader ! had scarcely taken pos
eSson Of the Executive power when news arrived
u the loss OF our first orresses Vera Cruz and Uua
'hlch opened, on the east, the gates of the Repub
c to the invaders. | flew 10 take the field on the {
Instant, 10 oppose their advance. In eight days.
Without Workmer Instruments sufficient, torti-
rh the position of Cerro Gordo, and with handful
WORKOUT and enteebIed soldiers. and of militia {
adly armed and recently drawn from the fields,
made stand against 1900 veterans, made enthusi-
sue ny victory. At this time, as at others, re- {
owed TO combat-because our duty was to fight !
o' 10 conquer. The battle of Cerro Gordo having .
ccurred, my enemies, and those of their country,
: Us Their custom, presented me to the world lii
1olS coiorS; and in the capital, a revolution was
uGIy undertaken, despoil me of the Presidency
40 The command. At this time. all the honorable
uy OF the substilutional President, the most excel
ut Senior Don Pedro Maria Anaya. was necessary Z
prevent his being influenced by this feeling.
AZ orizaba was enabled to reorganiZe small 5
We aided by the patriot Gen Antonio De Leon. :
49, I'll