Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-05-31
VISIT TO GEN. SANTA ANNA.
personal APPEARANCE OF HIS YOUNG WIFE.

The special army correspondent Of the N. Or
leans PicayuDe, has been twice favored, flrst with
ga long talk" with the ilustrous Santa Anna HIM
self, and second with the privilege of gazing upon
his youthful wife, whom he pronounces to DO the
most beautiful woman in Mexico.
Here is his (flattering) portrait of Santa Anna:
Unjust confess myself greatly but agreeably dis
appointed in the personal appearance of Santa An
ma. In every action he is the essence Of dignity
and politeness-all that eau DO expected of a per
feet gentleman, and the first impression to one who
knew not the history of the man, would be a ia
vorable and lasting one. A finer face | never saw.
and his eye is as keen and expressive as ever man
possessed. His height is about five feet eleven
inches, with well proportioned body and limbs,
though little inclined to corpulency. HIS hair
originally jet black, is fast turning grey, and his
countenance, although carey worn expression is
perceptble, is a picture of cheerfuneSs combined
with resignation To misfortune He walked about
the room without cane, but still with some diff
Guilty, and when he seated himselfit was not with
out some pain in his crippled leg. Unjust acknowl
edge that visited the man with the strongest pre-
JUDGES against him, but at the same time could
but feel an admiration for one who had
complished 50 much with so little foundation
to go upon. He possesses the reputation of
great General without having won victo-
ries He has raised armies without means, and
fed them without money he has nstilled into his
countrymen an enthusiasm and affection for him
which man never accomplished before with so few
resources; and the of it is mighty mind
No one who has traced his career and read
the mastery productions of his pen, who will judge
him impartially, but will acknowledge him to be
really great man yet his faults have been SO
ny. his excuses so numerous, and his outrages on
the first principles of honor so glaring that no liv-
ing being can Judge of his actions without condem-
nation.
He inquired who would probably be our next
President, and when told that General Taylor
would probably be chosen, he said it would be "a
reward of merlt'-and stopped the subject
Whether he was sincere in his remark cannot
say.
Now for the lady cannot describe her with
any degree of justice. She is rather small, but by
far the most beautiful and interesting woman have
ever seen in Mexico. Her form is perfect, her
countenance open and intelligent and in word,
she Is just such person a novelist would select
for his heroine. have heard many MeXicans say
that Santa Anna does not possess her heart but
her long devotion TO him, and her participation in
his hardships and dangers has proved otherwise to
the world. She is now about 20 years of age, but
does not appear more than seventeen. Santa An
ma is accompanied by his brother law and
daughter by his first wife, about fourteen years old,
who is the very reverse of her step-moher in beau
ty and every other respect.
O'CoNNrJI's Ia Cpoec Ex ,,,,.r,o,,