Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-05-31

the independence of Texas, he was permit.
ted to pass through the feet and reach Mex,
leo in saftsy. There, contrary to the opin-
ion entertained in the United States, he de-
clared vigorously for the war, and was ap.
pointed generalissimo by the provisional
government under Salas, and in December
was made Provisional President. Imme-
diately after, at the head of twenty thousand
men, the flower of the Mexican army, be
advanced northward, and on February 22,
1S47, attacked the American troops at Bue'
ma Vista, FIVE thousand strong, under Gen.
eral Taylor. He was effectually repulsed,
but nevertheless maintained his reputation
and popularity, and collected a new army
for the defence of the eastern frontier. In
the meantime Anaya was elected President,
and Santa Anna, taking command of bis
troops, intrenched himself at Cerro Gordo,
where, on April 18 be was attacked and de-
feated by the Americans under Scott Yet
in spite of these disasters he was enabled to
collect three thousand men from the frag.
ments of his broken army, and, retreatiug
toward the national capital, halted at Ayut-
la There he was informed of his appoint
ment to the Presidency, as it was felt by
the Mexicans, amid all their dishearteniug
reverses, that he was the only one who could
make head against the Americans with any
prospect of success. But finding subsequent
ly that the election for President which the
States had held on May Is was unfavorable
to his pretensions, he prevailed on Congress
to postpone the counting of votes until Jan.
uary, 1848. and in the meantime banished
or imprisoned all those opposing his schemes,
and established a severe censorship of the
press. During the course of the year he
carried on secret negotiations with Scott and
Trist, the American commissioner, with
questionable sincerity, and certainly with
no result. He organized an army of thirty
thousand men for the defence of the capital.
The battles of Contreras and Churubusco
followed (August 10 and 20, 1S47), and the
next day au armistice, proposed by General
Scott, was accepted by him, which Suspen.
ded hostilities till September g. The bat
tie of Molinos del Rey was fought Septem.
Der 9; and on September l6, 1S47, the city
of Mexico was captured, having previously
been evacuated by the officers of the Gov,
ernment.
Santa Anna now resigned the executive
chair to Sena y Peua, who had been con.
stitutionally elected his successor, and
though he despaired of successfully resist,
ing the party of peace in Mexico, he made
last effort to retrieve his reputation by the
siege of Puebla; but be was attacked by
Gen. Lane at Huamautla, and forced to re
tire from the place, which was now relieved
In the middle of January, lS4S, an attempt
was made to surprise him at Tehuacan,
where he was lurking, but failed and about
February l, Santa Anna informed the Min
lister of War and the American Command
er in-Chief that he desired to leave Mexi
co, and "seek an asylum on foreign soil,
where he might pass his last days in that
tranquility which he could never find in the
land of his birth" The desired permission
was granted, and on April S, 1S43, be took
passage from La Antigua to Jamaica. In
that Island be remained several years; but
the anarchical condition of Mexico under
the Presidencies of Herrera and Arista turn.
ed mems eyes once more upon him, and re.
turning to Mexico in 1858, he was received
with great enthusiasm He was appointed
President for one year, after which he was
to call a constituent Congress; but he 70.
mented new revolution, by which he was
declared President for life, with power to
appoint his successor, and the title of Most
Serene Highness. He began to rule with
despotic authority, and the revolution of
Ayutla followed, led by General Alvarez
After struggle Of two years, Santa Anna,
finding himself without resources, since he
had spent the ten millions of the Gadsden
treaty, signed bis unconditional abdication,
and sailed (August 16, 1859 from Vera
Cruz for Havana He afterwards went to
Turbaco, Venezuela, for two years, and has
since resided in the Island of st. Thomas
On the advent of Maximilian 10 Mexico he
embraced the cause of the usurper, belieV.
ing, as he declared, that Maximilian could
restore peace to the country. He was dis
appointed, however, in his hopes and per.
haps his expectations; for he soon abandon.
ed Mexico and the cause and returned to
St. Thomas. Here be has since resided
When Mr.. Seward was in the West Indies
he visited Santa Arna and had long con-
versation with him. This may have had
something to do with the present visit of the
ex-President of Mexico.
DEATH OF Ex Gov. ALLEN.-The last
mail from Vera Cruz brings the melancholy
intelligence of the death of the above dis
tiuguished citizen of the South. The New
Orleans Picayasne says of him:
The lamented deceased was respectable
planter in louisiana when the Confederate
war broke ont, and Immediately entered the
service as Colonel of the 4th Regiment Of
volunteers, and rising to the rank Of briga.
dier general, proved himself brave and
gallant officer. Subsequently disabled by a
severe wound, be was, on the expiration
ae Con Manra,s tarm alantad Gnuarnnr of