Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-12
SCOTT AND SANTA ANNA.
Why the American General Levied "a
Tribute on Mexico city.

To the Editor of the New YORK sun:
Slr.-In the very interesting and educa-
tional editorial article, Conquest and
Sovereignty" in to-day's issue OF your
paper, | find this statement:
In the Mexican war General Scott.
after he captured the City Of Mexico, pro-
claimed martial law, appointed mill
tary governor. and directed that all taxes
should be paid to our military authori-
ties. and used the proceeds for the sup
port of our army. He also levied tri-
butte Of $4,000 on the city of Mexico.
500, 600 OF which was sent TO washington
and used as a nucleus for the establish
ment of the Soldiers Home for retired
veterans of the regular army"
Perhaps / can throw a little light on
the cause that induced General Scott to
levy on the Mexican capital the $4,000
mentioned. / had the story from my
father. who informed me that he heard
General Charles Naylor, or Mailer, tell IL
during a speech he made I'm Philadelphia
when Scott was a candidate for the
presidency.
According 10 General Naylor the Next
can General. Santa Anna, was in cuba
when the war between the United States
and Mexico broke out. He took passage
for Vera cruz on a British mail steamer.
which was held up at the harbor entrance
by the American blockading fleet. The
Mexican General persuaded General Scott
10 permit him 10 enter the city by rep
resenting that he was opposed 10 the
war. and that he would use his influence
I'm favor OF peace by the admission Of the
business of the claim of the United
states THAI the western boundary OF Texas
tgf. ha ftra
Nueces. as the MeXicans cOntended.
General Scott. though "A soldier was
very humane man. Being DESTROYS OF
avoiding al possible bloodshed, he per-
mitted Santa Anna TO enter Vera Cruz
ami gave him $4,000 from his military
chest to enable him to prosecute his al
legged peaceful mission.
As soon as Santa Anna set foot on
Mexican soil he did all in his power 10
help his c0untrymen. and II was largely
due to his ability as a militaryman that
Scott was delayed for weeks In cap
turing Vera Cruz.
Santa Anna. before the capitulation OF
Vera Cruz, He'd from that city but be-
fore doing 50 he managed 10 cOmmIni-
cate again with General Scott, and 20
deceive him again. lie claimed that he
was honest In his desire for peace, but
tndt ne idu Dtfn tolulfAl'u " Adht AbIl-
mand OF the Mexican army by force of
public opinion. He organized the Mexi-
can forces with great ability. and led
them against General Zachary Taylor.
After TAYLOR had defeated him at Buena
Vista, Santa Anna fed to the city OF
Mexico. Again he put himself in COM
municatior with General Scott. and made
him believe that IL he had money he
could influence the Mexican chiefs 10
yield 10 the United States. General Scott
sent him 10000. Instead OF using the
money for the purpose Tor which II was
sent. Santa Anna employed II TO fOriify
the Mexican capital. and IL enabled him
10 keep the Americans out OF IL for seve-
raj months. When General Scott finally
captured the city. he determined TO make
II repay him the money he had been bun
coed out of by Santa Annals dupllcity
and treachery. Hence the levy OF $4,000
General Naylor opposed General SCOTS
candidacy. and his motive In telling the
story related above was 10 show that
Scott was not a safe man TO make Presi-
dent, inasmuch as he was TOO easily
guled. AID could be taken In BY any
smooth tiickster like Santa Anna
A CONSTANT READER.
Brooklyn. May 9Th.