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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
I 'wish to thank you for the news and notes which you have so kindly sent me; both of them make me long for a repetition of your gracious letters. Isolated as I am in my hacienda with only those-things that are within my small means for culture and improvement, I cannot reply to the information you send me as I should like to. Although I find myself apart from the public scene in this retreat, I could never consider indifferently the discredit of my country or anything that could in tbe least induce it. At present there is peace and tranquillity, and I do not know that any question of public interest is being agitated other than that of the next election for President and Vice President. If by that time I should desene a majority of votes, I will be quick to accept the honor and to sacrifice as a gift to the nation my repose and what- ever else in the nature of a private gentleman can make me creditable. It is my fixed intention to he called; comparing myself (and I would compare my- self) in this respect to a modest maiden who prefers to he longed for rather than to show her longing. And I believe that my position justifies me in this matter. Still, inasmuch as tliat which is written in a foreign country greatly in- fluences affairs at home, especially among you, it is doubly important to promote the matter ,as much as possible; and in considering the true aspect in which such and such services of any of the candidates should be considered, it would without doubt help to reunite opinion here which at present is extremely varying and vacillating. Of course, it is properly only the friends of :Mexico, and for this reason, as well as for the intellect and learning which you possess, none is more fitted for such a labor and undertaking than yourself; and as for the rest, you would know how far it would be proper to lend interest to that question in perhaps one or more newspapers of that country. I gladly leave this matter to vour discretion. 11eanwhile, it only remains for me to wish you the utmost success in your new enterprise. I regret that I have no children to send to you, but do not doubt that I, on my part, will influence my friends in order that so useful and well planned an institution may not lack recommendation. I trust that you will inform me of its progress in your future letters which I will always receive with the pleasure with which I remain Your true friend and servant Q. B. S. M. .ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA." Mr. 0. A. de Santangelo was a Neapolitan, who, exiled from his own country on account of his liberal principles, came to 1Iexico; 1 at the end of 1825. Here again his writings exposed him to the per- secution of the monarchical party, and, finally, through the influence Jf Ramos Arispe, the Government decreed his expulsion from the coun- try, an order that was complied with in such a severe manner that he was not given time to arrange his private affairs and move his posses- sions. On leaving Veracruz his only son, a handsome youth of great promise, fell ill with yellow fever and died on the trip. l\Ir. Santangelo located in New York where he resided at the time Santa Anna wrote · the preceding letter. He then returned to l\Iexico, placed himself at the head of a popular and lucratiYe seminary, and at the same time established and edited a liberal newspaper called "El Correo Atlantico" in which the subject of Texas' defense of her rights and opposition to the invasion which Santa Anna was preparing to make were boldly discussed. On the 24th of June, 1835, Santa Anna ordered him to ]eave the country. He was compelled to ]eave within three days. As may be surmised, Santa Anna robbed him of all he possessed. In this condition he reached New Orleans on the 11th of August and resumed the publication of "El Correo Atlantico" in that City and continued it for a year, during which time, we believe, he went to New York. In his old age he set sail for Naples to be buried, as he said, in the land of his first affections. We knew him well. He was a courageous,
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