The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-18

getic proceedings TO prevent any unlawful |
expedition by Sehor Santa Anna from the
United States against MexioO.v When we call
90 mind that this man, some time after an I'm
perial Government had been declared in Mexico
approved, in9 the most fulsome terms, the
usurpatiOn, rendering his services in support
Of it, and that he was repelled only by General
Bazaine's imperative order that he should in
stantly leave the country, the impudence Of
such application TO a Government that has
always protested against the Imperial usurpa-
tion appears in glaring colors. Disappointed
in this, Santa Anna, in May last chartered
merchant steamer of the United States, the
Virginia, and landed at Vera Cruz on June 3.
AT that time but two Mexican Cities the capi-
tai and Vera Cruz, remained in possession of
the Imperialists, Maximilian being already a
prisoner. Negotiations were in progress for the
surrender of Vera Cruz. On the ID of June,
after repeated solicitations on the part of the
Macmillan Commssary in that city to the
United States and British Consuls, these two
gentlemen proceeded to the camp of the
Liberal General Benavides, then besieging
Vera Cruz, they being authorized by the
said c0mmissary to acoede to certain
terms that had been proposed ON the
part Of the Liberals, and to express to
General Benavides the desire of the Imperialists
to surrender Vera Cruz, its castle, and fortif-
cations. The COnsuls returned the same
afternoon with a complete ratification Of the
Commissary and General Benavides suspended
fire from his batteries. The Commissary,
acceding at once to the terms, asked little
time to reconcile his officers to them. At this
juncture, the marplot Santa Anna having
arrived and communicated with the Commits
sary, that functionary changed his tone and
informed the Consuls that he (Santa Anna)
brought letters from President Johnson and
the United States Government authorizing him
to assume the charge of affairs in Mexico"
and that ga squadron of ships was ordered to
sustain him, and troops were also on the way
to Vera Cruz" We quote literally from the
despatch of Commandr Roe, of the United
States steamer Tacony, then lying in
the harbor of Vera Cruz. The
United States Consul fully corroborates
this statement, and it is confirmed by the
report forwarded by that officer to the State
| Department of the proceedings of the Council
of War held upon the proposals of Santa Anna
at Vera Cruz, which report of proceedings is
certified by the officers composing the said
! Council of War. Santa Annals agent, G. Ma
! phegyi denies this, but the above evidence
shows that our Consurs statement is substan-
TALLY correct when he says, "That Senior Santa
! Anna entertained him with long discourse
as to his plans, and said that, after interviews
with President Johnson and Secretary Seward,
! at their solicitation he had come to Vera Cruz;
that they had offered him men and money to
deliver the situation of the country to him, {"
| etc. etc.
The true character of the transaction is thus
summed up by Commander Roe:-"The atti-
tude of Santa Anna was THISTLE was on
board of an American ship, under the flag OF
the United States, in a city besieged by the
Government of Mexico declaring and foment-
ing the civil war against that Government,
with which the United States are in friendly
relations, under an assumed authority from
the United States; and while he claimed to be
under the protection and shield of their flag,
he prevented the act of the surrender of Vera
Cruz after the terms of that surrender had
been agreed to and accepted by both parties. u
Nor was this all. Commander Roe received
news from the shore that revolutionary con-
flict was on the eve of breaking out in Vera
Cruz in favor of and against Santa Anna, who,
1t was supposed, had been appointed by the
United States Government to supersede Juarez
and others. 1t was under these circumstances
that Commander Roe required Santa Anna,
with his interpreter and body servant, to GO
on board the Tacony for the night, and he was
next day put on board the Virginia, and Sc
required to leave Vera Cruz. Mr. Stewards
decision, made after. review of these proceed
ings, is equally just and unequivocal. He says:
} -"In this view of the subject, this Depart
ment not only does not disallow nor censure,
but 1t approves the proceedings of the United
States Consul and of Commander Roe at Vera
Cruz"
There is sequel. The Virginia, instead of
returning to the United States proceeded east
wardly, and entered the port of Sisal, on the
north coast of Yucatan. There the Mexican
plotter continued to act in the same spirit
which he had evinced at Vera Cruz, writing
to General Taboada, commanding in that city,
that he (Santa Anna) hoped to return thither
in war steamer, and meanwhile seeking to
intrigue with General Peraza, Governor OF
Yucatan, against Juarez. The allegation is
that Santa Anna was forcibly seized on board
the Virginia by the Mexicans; but even this
appears to have no foundation in truth, for In
second letter OF his TO Peraza, quoted by Mr..
Seward, are these words:-''While | was await
ing your answer, Colonel Medina, the Military
Commander Of this port (SisaD, presented
himself to me on board, and informed me that
you invited me to land | Immediately began
getready, and commenced by shaving myself
The captain Of the vessel Captain Deaken)
informed me that could not land as his
orders from the American war steamer (Com'
mander Roe) were that l might land on neu-
tral ground, but could have no pretext to sci
foot ON Mexican territory X Finally the
} captain yielded, and | was allowed to disenl,
: bark, not, however, without protest.
Now am at your disposal, and hope shall
soon see you" Thus il appears that santa
Anna landed at Sisal, not only voluntarily,
but contrary to the express instructions o.
Commander Roe, and against the protest OF Ihe
: captain OF the Virginia. What becomes o.
the lOud cOmnlainta that Mavico in this matter