The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-10-14
The Projected Enplre In Mexico,

ripening in Mexico for the substitution OF the
Empire for the nominal Republic now existing
in that country We derived our Information
from well. Uniformed and reliable source, that
Santa Anna was quietly aud secretly arranging
all the preliminaries for a coup d'etaf like that
of the I'd December in France, and that the
crisis for the re.inauguration Of the Empire, in
the person of his Excellency, was near at hand
We have. however, received e very important
and significant State document, emanating from
the Mexican legation at Washington-w
we publish in another portion of our columns
to-day assuring US that our intelligence in
relation to the imperial projects of Santa Anna,
is incorrect, and that in reality that distin-
geished parsonage entertains no such idea as
that imputed to him. Gen. Almonte the Next
con Minister at Washington, processes in this
communication to be al c0uront with General
Santa Annals political and private views, and
solemnly assures US, and through us the Ameri-
can nation, that the President Of the Mexican
republic has no thought Of changing the present
form of government there.
We are quite willing to acknowledge the i'm
portance and Specification of this disclaimer,
coming from such source-indeed we con-
slider it document deserving of the deepest
attention Of the American people and the ad-
ministration. We would specially recommend
it to the consideration of the Cabinet. if we
could latter ourselves with the idea that they
had leisure to devote to it, in the midst of their
more absorbing duties connected with the due
division of the spoil; and we even do indulge
in the hope that it will not be altogether over
looked by them. General Almonte appears to
be impressed with the conviction which he
enounces so forcibly. that Santa Anna enter
tains no thought pointing to the establish
ment ofthe Empire, and intimates that the fate
of lturbide in pursuing a similar line of policy
is too fresh in the minds of the Mexican people
to warrant repetition it.
We are disposed as we said, to award high
importance of this declaration. coming as it
does from the representative Of Mexico to this
Republic. We acknowledge that General AL
monte. in this pronunciamento. states what he
is convinced to be true and correct. But
nevertheless, we see no reason in it to doubt
the correctness of our previous information as
to the impending coup d'ttat in Mexico. &C.
neral Almonte has had no authoritative infor-
nation Of it. we are sure; for if he had he would
probably range himselfin avowed hostility to his
friend Santa Anna. but his want of knowledge
Of or completely with, the designs of his chief,
can be OF little account in refutation ofthe fact
Santa Anna is not q man to babble his secrets,
or to impart them to his most intimate friend.
He generally natures his plans, and has them
ripe for execution, before he imparts them to any
confdant. And, in such a serious matter as the
imperializing OF the country, it is by no means
probable. that he would entrust his ambitious
secret to General Almonte, who. in all proba-
bility would be one Of the most able and reso-
lutte opponents to his scheme.
But however little information the Mexican
legation at Washington may have of the pro-
jected coup d'etat, and however sceptical they
nay be on such point, there is small room to
doubt its ultimate verifcation at no very dis
tant day. All Santa Annals measures tend in
that direction. His organization of numerous
and powerful army-his disarming of Next
can citizens despotic gagging of the press
his speeches to the troops-his fstes and eele-
brations are all indications of the course of
policy he purposes to pursue. He is impressed
with the belief-in great measure correct
that Mexico needs a strong repressive and con-
centrated government; that her people are not
possessed Of the slightest qualifications for
independent selfgovernment, and that mo-
Darchieal institutions are the most congenial
to the sentiments, and most suited to the wants,
Of the people. Believing So who can doubt Of
his will and ability to erect the republic into
an empire. with himself as crowned head there
of? The fate Of Iturbide presents few analogous
points to deter Santa Anna from such q course.
The former was comparatively weak man,
without any great or brilliant antecedents, and
at that time the fitness of the Mexican people
for republic had not been tested Santa An
Ma is man of powerful ability, great resolution
and unbounded ambition he is probably the
ablest man in Mexico, and he has had the full
est experience OF the incapacity Of the people
for liberal and republican institutions. There
is nothing, therefore, at all improbable in the
rumors attributing to him the design Of super
seding the present state Of things by the estab-
lishment Of an empire.
In fact, there seems to be no doubt at all enter
tanned in diplomatic circles in Europe as to this
change taking place. 1t appears to be con-
certed and well understood arrangement, to
which England, France, and Spain are cog
infant and consenting parties; and though
General Almonte, in Washington, may be in
blssful ignorance of the scheme. the Mexican
Minister to Madrid is not SO; but has had full
instructions on the subject, and has impaired
the plans Of Gen. Santa Anna to the cabinets in
terested in them. Cuba and Mexico are the two
great points outside of the Union by which the
stability of this republic can be at all affected
and on Mexico, in particular the attention Of
England, France, and Spain is now concen-
trated. If an empire can be reestablished
there-as they have no doubt it can through
tie instrumentality Of Santa Anna--it will be
another stroke against republicanism, like to