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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
he arrived two days ahead of his troops who had succeeded in effecting a retirement without suffering much damage. ·. On escaping from J alapa Santa Anna had to pass by the national bridge where Victoria still strongly maintained himself. The fright- ened fugitive suggested to that ever fearless ve~an that both ought to embark for the United States, and if we may believe Iturbide's memoirs, he had previously prepared a boat for that purpose and had even gone so far as to place his baggage on board. Victoria refused the generous offer and answered the pusillanimous Santa Anna in the following words: "Comrade, go to Veracruz to hold your post, and when Victoria's head is presented to you set sail. But while I live it is your honor to remain at my side defending the cause of liberty." General Victoria related this event to Mr. Zavala, from whose creditable and well-written history 25 we take it. It has also been confirmed by the lamented General Mejia whose story 26 we have followed in part. Defeated in J alapa and reprimanded by Victoria, Santa Anna re- newed and extended relations with his ancient friend the Spanish Governor of the fort of San Juan de Ulua, who promised to assist him with some troops in case he should find himself closely pursued by Echavarri, Cortazar and Lobato who then commanded Iturbide's forces. This gave him a small amount of encouragement and strength; he decided to make an attack upon Cordova, and in fact attempted it, but unfortunately with the same ;results as his attack on J alapa. Lo- bato who defended that place, repulsed him without difficulty and forced him to retire to Veracruz where he very soon found himself besieged by this General, together with Echavarri and Cortazar. This siege was maintained with such severity that in a short time several of Don Antonio's officers and soldiers, alarmed at the situa- tion, deserted their ranks and joined the Imperialists. The desertion increased daily and it was greater after Santa Anna was refused the assistance which he asked of the fort and which had been promised him by Davila. Lemaur wanted to grant his request and send him some forces, but his officers and soldiers in a body opposed such a measure and he found himself forced to abandon his plan. This dis- couraged Farfulla, and without doubt, if the seige had lasted a few days more, the fate of this unfortunate would have been very sad in- deed, for the surrender of the city being inevitable, it would have fallen into the hands of his most implacable enemy whom he had at- tempted to assassinate in a manner which we have stated. But the good fortune which has always protected him· did not desert him then. He was saved by the desertion of Echavarri, who at this critical moment changed colors, betrayed the Emperor, and made a treaty with Victoria and Santa Anna on the 1st of February, 1823, which was known by the name of the "Acta de Casa Mata." Thus we see two mortal enemies suddenly forgetting their hatred and running to embrace each other as brothers for the purpose of making war in com- mon against the man from whom they had received all their honors. "Zavala, Lorenzo de, Ensayo Ilistorico de las revoluciones de Mexico, desde 1808 hasta .1830. Mexico, Manuel N. de la Vega, 1832-1845. "llfexia, Maximilian, Emperior of Mexico, 1832-1845, Defendant.
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