Semi-weekly Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1851-1852, 1851-08-29
SANTA ANNA PASSING THE BLOCK
AIDING SQUADRON.

AIDING SQUADRON.
Lieut.. Semmes, in his "Servce Afoat and
Ashore" gives the following interesting account
of the passage of Santa Anna through the
American blockading squadron at Vera Cruz.
1t will be recullected that the commander Of
the squadron WAS specially instructed by the
President to allow the willy chieltain to pass
freely:
"Early in August, willie the squadron was
living at anchor under Green Island, keeping
watch aud ward over the cncmy's city and
castle of Vera Cruz, the seaman on the look
out at the mast head of the st. rhary's then
cruising on the blockade, deserted the smoke
OF il steamer As this was not the regular day
for tie appearance Of any Of the English mail
stcamcrs-w which had been permitted TO pass in
aud ont OF the belcaguered part without ques-
ton, the English Government plcdging itself
for their faithful conduct as neutrals the
smoke OF steamer WAS Il novelty i'll this now
lonely and deserted part OF the Mexican Gulf.
The st Mary's il due time placed herself in
position to intercept the stranger in her ap-
proach to the city; and as the latter came up
within hang distance, she ordered her to
board of her. The boat being in readiness in
few minutes, lieutenant jumped into her,
and with few strokes of the oars from the
snewv arms of his seamen placed himself along
side the steamer.
"The steamer being evidently merchant
vessel the lieutenant WAS surprised to find
himself received with much ceremony and
courtesy at the gangway. Making his way on
deck and explaining the object OF visit to the
captain, he was conducted into the cabin where
he was ushered into the society of circle of
gentlemen, evidently Spaniards or Aexicans,
olive compilations, black hair and eyes, aud
pointed and curled mustachios. 1t was obvi-
Gus ALSO at the first glance, that most, if not
all those gentlemen, although dressed in plain
or citizcn's clothes, were military men and
persons of bearing and distinction. After a
moments pause, the captain, as though he had
purposely prepared Il surprise for the boarding
officer, turned towards him and making a
graceful motion with his right hand at the same
time in the direction of the gentleman, who,
though Of ordinary height and fynrc, seemed
by his commaning air and manner to be the
chief Of the rarty, said, Allow lie 10 present
You, SIR, to General Anioaio Lopez dc Santa
..qna." The officer started back at first in
little surprise, but soon recovering himself, ad.
vanceI cordially toward the Gtaeral, and ex
tcndins his hand, a matual interchange OF civil,
ties took place
"fn Il lrw moaI"nts S>3o:l SaN;! Anna, ia
second wife, handsome blonde, with deep
blue eyes ana au'nrn hair, and sill: i" the Li,om
o! early wamanht oil, joined TIE party and was
presented 10 the officer, who 81! IuirG he: ia turn
with hccoal;ag g"liant"v and respect. General
Almo"tc, late liHi>!er TO the ir:tca States,
was also present lis oac Ct tie Generals suite,
aud speaking our ianynayr vel! acted i: il
terprcter on the occasion. General santa An.
ua having explained briefly wi!o he was-al.
though such explanation was eHti:e y nnncces.
sary-and that he purpusc,} going into Vera
Cruz. with the permission OF the Commodore,
the boarding officer, after sitting rs long as
courlSey required, and perhaps Il little longer
than strict regard to duty permitted, il hom-
asc to the lady's caarms-a pelicoat being
quite an unusual sight to Us rough blockalers
about this time withdrew to report progress
to his commanding officer, and to ask for or
dcrs in the novel c3Se winch had occurred.
"lhc commander, who had been prepared
by tie Commodore for the contingency, forth
with dispatched the boat back y. ain, and d.
rectcd the officer at TIE same that he should
present his compliments to General Santa An.
n. to say to him, OH the part OF the Comodorc,
that 'he could proceed to Vera CRUZ with his
suite as he dcSircd;' whc:eupon tie steamer A..
rab shot boldly ont from under tie lee OF the
bockading vessel, and in an hour or two more
landed her distinguished passenger, big with
the fate of Mexico, satcl, in the desired haven.
That night the roar of cannon and the bursting
o! rockets III the air testified the pv rf the tic.
kle Vera CruAinos 1T the rcturu of their lost
CarlolanuS; and it soon transpircd that the willy
peace maker, who had SO handsomely duped
our Cabinet ut Washington, had put himself at
the head of the ultra war party and proclaimed
in common with acting President Salas,
whom he hastcned to jon-'no quarter to the
IankccS.'
AWFUL TRAGEDY: