The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-29


without his sanction being first given. Santa
Anna was DESTROYS of occupying the fortress OF
Acapulco, in order to compel Alvarez to cease
his opposition, or quasi opposition, to bis gov
ernmeat. The attempt, however, was frustrat-
ed, and open hostilities commenced.
The opposition to the government had now
assumed . formidable position. Gomez had
been active in his correspondence in the ad-
joining States; and when the plan of Ayutla
vas proclaimed on the LIST of March, 1854, there
was no doubt Of its receiving the sanction OF
the federalists throughout the republic. de-
fance having thus publicly been thrown in the
face of the government, Santa Anna prepared
to open the war in the South and attack the
fortress at Acapulco. His whole campaign,
however, was as usual series Of blunders, OF
impulse, of want of due consideration of the
difficulties to be considered, without sufficient
supplies and reserves, and acting upon front
too far from his base of operations. 1t would
be impossible TO find in military history more
mistakes committed by any General in one
month, than were perpetrated by Santa Anna in
this disgraceful movement. He was the oldest
and supposed to be the ablest general in Next
CO, with more experience than all could boast
of. He was metal Acapulco by Comonfort who
had never served, or even held o commission
in the army, and who had been month previ-
ously known only as the peaceful administrator
of the Custom House in that city. 1t is need
less to say that Santa Anna was repulsed, his
army routed, his train captured, and he him
self escaping only by that good fortune which
always has helped him out of difficulties. From
the wreck of this army Alvarez was enabled to
supply himself with some arms and ammuni-
ton, some money, and many other things need
full; while Santa Anna entered the city Of
Mexico, crowned as the conqueror of the South,
under triumphal arch, to imprison the witty
editor of a French paper, who had incautiously
given offence by stating that the triumphal
arch had not been raised high enough for the
occasion.
Although Alvarez and Comonfort had thus
gloriously closed this campaign, they were not
without the most gloomy forebodings for the
future. Santa Anna might renew the attempt
upon Acapulco, with far different result. AL
varez was in need of almost every article re-
CURED for the equipment and supply of On ar
my to take the field. He was moreover with
out an army itself, for his followers had left
come when their fields required attention.
Through the gloom that surrounded them they
could not perceive any bright prospect beyond.
Even the Licentiate Gomez was no more, he
having died during the siege Of Acapulco As
a last resort and almost in despair, Comonfort
was sent to the United States to procure that
assistance which could not be supplied at home.
He consequently arrived in this city last au-
tumn, almost unknown here, and without any
fattering project to recommend him. II is
certain, however, that he was well received,
for his fame had already preceded him from
his gallantry in the defence of Acapulco, with
few hundred men, against an army Of five
thousand we'll disciplined troops. We may
here be permitted to state fact generally
known among those who were observant
Of Mexican atiairs-that Colonel Ramsey soon
after became the agent of Alverez and Comon-
fort in this city. Fortunately General Comon-
fort had met him here, and desired his assist
ance on behalf Of General Alvarez. To accept
proposal of this kind, and openly assist the
opposition to the government was virtually to
exclude Ramsey from returning to Mexico dur
ing the administration of Santa Anna, and
he could only return in the event of the sue
cess of the revolution. Besides this, General
Comonfort was not sanguine of the ultimate
triumph of their cause. A different view, how
ever, was taken of the position of public .af-
fairs in Mexico. The strength Of Santa Annals
government was more apparent than real. It
was true ne had a we'll disciplined and equip
ped army OF some $4,000 men, while official
statements reported the force much larger; he
had, moreover, the revenues Of the government,
along with the ten millions receivable from the
United States. To this might be added IA
cility to raise funds from amongst the Next
can bankers, some resources in the rich clergy
supporting him. and wthal strengthened by
bis ships Of war and steamers commanding
both coasts, and all the ports except AGA
puico, which was then in state Of blockade.
Freedom Of the press had been despotically
suppressed; no publicity of opinion was per-
mitted, and none OF the rich States had Joined
in the movement of the South. On the other
hand Alvarez was without disciplined army;
his followers were mere peasants; the State of
Guerrero was poor, being unable to defray it's
usual expenses in times of profound quiet, and
the port of Acapulco was closed against any
revenue from foreign importations.
This statement fthe case presented a gloomy
prospect to the cause of General Alvarez and
by superficial observer it would have been
hopeless. But the counsels which
prevailed here were founded on other consde
rations than those above stated. 1t was we'll
known that Santa Anna was unpopular with
the Mexican people, having been recalled to
power in consequence of the generals who
opposed Arista's government having failed to
agree upon his successor; but all being mimi
cal to Santa Anna and afterwards exiled by him