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PAPERS OF Mm.ABE.AO BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
Anna, if this is not treason, there is nothing that looks more like it," and he compelled him to return to save the Spanish troops from the critical situation in which they found themselves. The following day Santa Anna sent the Emperor a pompous message in which he rep- resented himself as the sole commander by whose well contrived and providential measures the city had been saved and who had severely punished the Spaniards. His instrument, Castrill6n, who acted as messenger, did not lose the opportunity of exaggerating the victory and glorifying his employer. Inasmuch as the news was pleasing and encouraging Iturbide answered Farfulla in a very flattering and satis- factory manner and conferred the title of Brigader-General on him as a reward for his deeds. A day later the Emperor received Echavarri's account of the same affair. The latter, somewhat informed of Santa Anna's villainous conduct and knowing that he had hidden from the Government the most important act; namely, that Santa Anna him- self had been the author of the butchery and had caused it by his per- fidy and treason, made a full and complete review of the whole affair in his report, not omitting Santa Anna's cowardly flight during the combat. It is thought that Don E. Mendez received the message; and its reception could do no less than cause a change of opinion; but Iturbide, suspending his judgment of the affair, left for J alapa on the 10th of November for the purpose of negotiating with Davila, and took with him some of his ministers, among them Pedrazo, Secretary of War. He ordered Santa Anna and Echavarri to appear before him in that city in order that the conduct of both might be investigated and that the proper measures might be taken. In accordance with the order these officers went to Jalapa, and after investigating the conduct of both, the emperor reappointed Echavarri to his rank, and, depriving Santa Anna of his appointment, ordered him to Mexico City although without declaring his purpose; but Itur- bide says in his memoirs that it was not to punish him as Santa Anna supposed, but to give him an important appointment; namely, the com- mand of a corps of Imperial troops which the Emperor was about to create at that time. If this is true it seems extraordinary and in- excusable in Iturbide that he should have wanted to give such a re- sponsible position to a man whose office he had just taken away because of his crimes. Be that as it may, Santa Anna's own criminal con- science advised him not to go to Mexico. He knew that his crimes merited punishment and he thought that Iturbide only wanted to lure him to the Capital to have him arrested. Under these circumstances, instead of obeying his orders he left J alapa on the 2nd of December, 1822 and fled with lightning speed to Veracruz, where he again uni~d the soldiers under his command before the news of his dismissal should reach the city and proclaimed the Republic, as related by Iturbide. CHAPTER VII. Santa Anna runs no danger in declaring against the Emperor because of the latter's lack of popularity. Motives. His ambition. Abuse of power. Firmness of Congress. The Emperor arrests fourteen members of that body. Garza's insurrection. His cowardly surrender. 'The Emperor dissolved Con- gress by means of force. He silences popular rumor by promising to call a. new Congress. He forms a Constituent Junta. He does not call the promised Congi:ess. The Junta assumes the legislative power and attempts to draw up a
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