The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-04-27

Antono Lopez de Santa Anna General of Dipison and
reH-desero'ng Of has country to his JellotOcitisens
MExIcANs; On the point of leaving my beloved native
country in order to seek, in foreign land the quiet Of
private life, must address you for the last time to
explain to you the true which have constrained
me to condemn myself to voluntary ostracism. Far
from me, IN this solemn moment the idea Of eopening
the wounds which have been inflicted upon country
by the strife of parties, which, by their continued agta
object urges me to pen these lines, free from vanity
hattery Indebted to the republic for thousand spon
taneous acts OF honor, which have inscribed my name
forever IN her annals, am bound to give her satisac
uon, at the hpe OF parting from her, in the most dsas
trous moments in which ever nation was seen, and
when foreign hands tearing the ensgns of
eighty from the immense territory which cowardicc,
egotsm, and perhdy have placed in their power In
plain language, without any attempt at oratoca display,
will place before you facts, though very summarily
You have been witnesses of the which have
pursued since the solemn proclamation of August 1896
restored me to my country bringing me forth from the
place to which the enmty and rancor OF factions had
banished me- The capital Of the nation and the towns
the route from Vera Cruz to San Luis Potosi, are wit
that at that tme honos and homage were paid to
BY Of all classes By which my gratitude
again reposed in unlimited confidence. Heaven is my
witness that when this passed around me- addressed my
prayers to the Eternal for the happiness and glory OF the
| Fatality or fortune had ordained that the United
States should carry their victorious standard across
0 s a as se q Of the sp
to the enemy who, without difficulty and without
resistance. took possession OF considerable part OF
the States Of New Leon, Coahuila. and Tamaulpas;
While these msfounes were occurring FRUSTRATED
sick bed at Havana by fresh breaking out OF the
wound which had received at Vera Cruz fighting
Of personal interest and, poftng BY the lessons OF the
past remain quietly in my retreat looking from distant
land upon the tempest which was then breaking over my
the humiliation of political factions which offered me in
my turn the incense Of their adulaOn In order to obtain
a look from could fnallv on my retun,if had
u,urNfT tn
sumed the power which was placed In my hands, chas
tised with severity detection and eaassny, and managed
public affairs according to the inspirations Of my con
science and according the exigencies OF the moment
Blu. to do this it would have been necessary to have
soul like that of my and to- have FASTENED to
settle the Texas question without regard 70 me rights Oh
the nation | then preferred and would still prefer, a
hundred defeats rather than consent to the ignomny OF
the republic. This the reason why Immediately pro.
ceeded to San Luis Potos to organize an army ana aea
that ! left behind me the enemies OF my name, VINO
would, without fear Or restraint consPre agaass. me
The Americans demanded d ny s' aenuon IN
In the midst Of The general confusion which had been
introduced into all the branches of the administration by
without the elements Of resistance, which were so ndis
pensabe for the favorable result Of the for all the
means which had created during three years had been
aware fellow citizens that if had deferred the defence
of the nation until all human probabilities should De on
the side Of just the American army would have
POSSESSION
Honor urged me to rush to the battle with the elements
which circumstances placed at my command; patriotism
and my loyalty called me to the conflict. to MAINTAIN the
foreign in which the nation was engaged ana az the
same time to combat the efforts of civil dscord and the
Vaccinations of dstrust and calumny.
Hardly had united the quotas for the army when me
press at the capital controlled by the most nfuentla
members of the constituent chamber began to ann Its daEs
at me- by stating that he army encamped at San LUIS
Poosi ought against tn; invaders IN order moi mol
sanction, and that the means furnished by the govern
ment should be employed for the national defence and
not in fomenng vices The repetition of these and other
offensive imputatons pierced my heart at once
ognsed the principal object Of such declarations, and
found myself under the necessity OF exposing. by
own situation. The troops under my orders suffered
the greatest privaions, and the city OF San Luis IS
witness, that in order to open the campaign neces-
sonal responsibility, and with money Of my own,
which paid into the military chest The army was in
want Of all means Of transportation, and II appeared I'M.
possible to commence hostites when everything was
wanting and in the midst Of winter. Notwithstanding,
the campaign commenced, because it was demand
ed by very powerful reasons Revolutionary tendencies
bean to manifest themselves at headquarters The de-
moralization spread, and in few hours over ve nun
bred men, from various regiments, deserted their stan
dads Want increased the evil and i was preferable s 10
pesed by detection and crime MY tate has always been
to be surrounded by difficulties.
Let be known the glory and honor OF the national
army that TO its constancy and fortitude it owing
that could combat the invader in his own entrench-
ments at Buena VISTA and that the sui
terings Of the DESERT and the epidemic which afflicted
them afterwards traversed the republic and presented
a serene front to the enemy at Cerro Gordo.
The first OF the war during the months OF FEB
ruary and April have been recorded in official docu,
ments and by them the nation has been informed that
have Stunned no sacrifice hardship to crown her
with the aurels of victory:
programme of which overturned the established author-
ty; and. called by majority Of Congress, took charge
Of the executive power in order to put stop to the ds
orders in the capital OF the republic, while Mexican blood
was flowing at Vera Cruz and the enemy were preparing
10 storm it's walls Circumstances forced me to adopt
conciliaory polcy and although the very parties who
at that moment Frustrated in presence had Deen
the authors of the disturbances of the 27th FebruNyi
forgot their evil Deeds and only aspred to employ all
our forces for the chastsement of the foreign invader
had Just taken possession of the executive power,
when the loss OF our first fortresses, Vera Cruz and
Ulua opened towards the east the doors OF the republic
TO the invader Immediately took the road to oppose
his advance, although preparations had been made
In eight days, without workmen or sufficient utensils
half fortified the position of Cerro Gordo; and with
handful of manned and invalid soldiers. with some rus
tics badly armed and forced from their farms. made
head against IA 900 veterans, flushed with victory on
this OCCASION as in former Ones resolved to hght az
our duty was to combat-nOt to conquer.
After the battle of Cerro Gordo, my enemies and those
of their country represented to the world as was
their CUSTOM under the most odious coors and In Mex
CO. very shortly revolution set on foot to deprive
me Of the presidency, and of the command OF the army