The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-15
The True History of the Santa Anna
Expedition.

A MEMORANDUM from the Secretary of State,
made public this morning, and which we pub
lish on our inside pages throws considerable
additional light on the capture of Santa Anna.
The story, so industriously circulated, of
fOTcible seizure, an insult to the flag of the
United States, and the brutal conduct of his
captors, is scattered to the winds by the official
report of the affair. Viewed in the light of
all the circumstances we agree with the Secre
tary of State, that the United States Govern
ment is perfectly right in declaring that
In lhis view of the subject this Department
not only does not disallow nor censure, bat it
approves the proceedings of the United States
Consul and Commander Roe at Vera Cruz"
The circumstances of the arrival at Vera
Cruz and the professions made by the ex-
Dictator are peculiarly aggravating, and would
justify the United States Government in
waving some of its rights in order that the
audaciou pretender might be punished. It
appears that Santa Anna stated to the Consul
that he came authorized by the President to
take charge of affairs in Mexico; that he had
in his possession a letter from Mr.. Johnson
appointing him as the successor of Juarez, and
promising him the aid of our Government;
that fleet of men-of-war had been ordered
from New York by the Secretary of State to
come to Mexico and support his interests; and
that speedily, if the city of Vera Cruz held
out, it would be relieved by the United States
forces. This story was believed in Vera Cruz,
and the negotiations, although conducted on
the most favorable terms, were broken off
the war resumed, and the lives of thousands
and the safety of the city once more endan-
gered by the ambition and perfdy of this reck
less adventurer. Under these circumstances
Commander Roe visited the Virginia. on
which Santa Anna and his staff were still re-
siding, took the General on board the Tacony,
put out to sea, and there delivered him again to
the captain of the Virginia, on thepledge that he
would land anywhere but on the soil of Mexico.
This proceeding was perfectly justified both by
international law and sound policy. 1t was
required for the good of the city of Vera Cruz
and for the preservation of the honor of the
United States. The estimate held by Santa
Anna of the Mexican people must have been a
very low one indeed, when he circulated so
silly as well as so false a story about the in
tentions of our Government. That we should
support the ally of Macmillan after our per-
sistent opposition, and that even in the hour
of victory we should abandon the man by
whom we have constantly stood throughout
the darkest days OF his peril, is the height of
the ridiculous. To be sure, our neighbors are
almost justified in believing that the State De-
partment would do the most absurd thing
I'D,
Mexico during the war; but there is a boundary
to everything, and the declaration of Santa
Anna passes that boundary. To follow the
wanderings of that person: it seems that, in
stead of going to Cuba or returning to the
United States, he stopped at Sisal, Mexican
port, in direct violation Of his pledge, and that
there he corresponded with the Imperial Gov
eTnor Of Yucatan; that he landed there OF his
own free will, although force was threatened
should he refuse, and was taken somewhere
INTO the interior. Upon this M. Naphegyi
uesres the Government of the United States
70 reneVe him by its intervention, and that
om' government very properly declines to do
The whole conduct of Santa Anna throughout
this expedition is such as 70 cancel whatever
I Pl'y We may nave otherwise felt for his proba
! bic iate. II Is SO infamous that, having takeI
his hand he must win or lose, and expect n,
sympathy or aid from us
, The general tenor Of the memorandum
meets our approval, but we think u will talk
1 all our roseate optimism 10 equal that of Mr.
? Seward when he closes with the beiiaf tba
: 'the Mexican nation seems at last 70 bav
= triumphed over all its internal ana toro;o