264
TEXAS S1'ATE LIBRARY
after his infamous conduct in the afore-mentioned expedition against Barradas he went to the camp of General Santa Anna and this com- mander, depriving him of all authority, instead of subjecting him to a court martial, as he ought to have clone, sent him to Mexico with commissions relating to neither one nor the other." Mr. Zavala does not state what these commissions were, but we will make known their nature. Santa Anna, although Minister of War, was secretly a traitor to the President. He sent the President a letter by the said Garza, accompanied by a message which he did not wish to trust on paper, asking that he reorganize his cabinet and place in power three of the most implacable leaders of the Centralist Party and mortal enemies of Guerrero, namely, Alaman, Tagle and Teran. And what was the reason for this? What motive of honor or virtue could he have had in · wanting to surround his benefactor with men for private councillors who had attempted and would continue attempting to bring about his ruin? The question has a simple answer-It was the first step in that conspiracy which shortly thereafter broke out against that unfortunate hero and patriot. Such were the dishonorable commissions alluded to by Mr. Zavala which that intelligent wise and truthful historian did not care to explain. The news of Barradas's defeat reached the Capital the 20th of Sep::, tember, and caused general rejoicing there. All classes of society rushed to the President's home to offer him congratulations. There was general rejoicing throughout the nation, and Guerrero, in com- pensation for the great triumph, elevated Santa Anna and Teran from the rank of Brigadier-General to Generals of Division. Farfalla, vain on account of his new honors and his great self-importance, left for Veracruz, and on his arrival there was received with an enthusiasm so ardent and unbridled that he began to believe that the great Napoleon was only an insignificant person as compared to him. CHAPTER XIII. Ingratitude of Santa Anna toward Guerrero. He JOlllS Bustamante in a con- spiracy against him. The Aristocratic party persecutes Guerrero. The latter dismisses Zavala from his cabinet and requests the United States to recall Mr. Poinsett. Plan of Jalapa. Santa Anna's connection with it. He joins forces with Bustamante's army in Jalapa. He attacks Guerrero in his official report. Campaign against Barradas. Bustamante publishes his plan. Guerrero marches against him. Insurrection in the Capital in favor of Bustamante. Guerrero abandons his cause and flees to Acapulco. Surrender of Morea [Morea?] Busta- mante enters the Capital and takes over the reins of government. Very sad fate of Guerrero. His capture and death. Santa Anna disdains to save the life of the unfortunate leader. General indignation at the death of Guerrero. Pension granted to his family. Santa Anna ridiculed, retires to his hacienda Mango de Clava. He sends a letter to Mr. Santangelo in New York. Brief information in regard to Santangelo. CHAPTER XIII. We now reach a period in the tortuous and perfidious career of Santa Anna in which we all see him launch into wickedness which far exceeds all his former crimes. His conduct toward Guerrero is the height of human depravity. As respects his black ingratitude, it has no parallel and will ever remain one of the most deplorable examples of infamy and detestable crime to which poor humanity is capable of sinking.
Powered by FlippingBook