Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/297

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
FLIGHT AND CAPTURE.
277

demand the acceptance of his spontaneous resignation of the presidency, permission to retire to a foreign country of his own selection, with full pay and restoration of his statues and portraits, and the retention of his officers in their position.[1] But under the changed aspect of affairs, with reënforcements increasing, Herrera refused to entertain any other terms than unconditional submission with surrender of the military command to Cortazar, and Santa Anna now directed his attention wholly to escape, even before a definite answer came. A large proportion of his men[2] urged him to make a bold stand, promising to sustain him to the last; but he had no faith in the prospect. He counselled them to submit, and then departed for the coast with a small force.[3] On approaching Jalapa, he sent to ask General Rincon for a pass under which to embark at Vera Cruz. Instead of consenting, this officer took steps to secure his person; and bidding farewell to the escort, the alarmed Santa Anna hastened away by paths little known, attended only by two intimates. He was discovered near Jico, however,[4] and taken to Perote, there to await the sentence of congress. This solution of the trouble was celebrated with great demonstrations at Mexico and elsewhere.[5]

Santa Anna protested loudly against. his imprison-

  1. The documents bearing on the case exist in separate form in Santa Anna, Corresp. entre el Sup. Gob., Mexico, 1845, 1-51; also in Pinart Coll., no. 735; Boletin Notic., Jan. 7, 1845, et seq.
  2. 'Todos le aconsejaron que siguiese la campaña,' says Zamacois, Hist. Méj., xii. 378; but this is wrong, for the retreat from Puebla had increased the demoralization and desertions.
  3. Of 400 light cavalry under Ávalos, and 300 dragoons, and some hussars under Torrejon, who left with him on the 11th. The former abandoned him at an early stage. Inclan, in Pinart Coll., no. 735. When Morales surrendered the army on the 13th there were little over 5,000 men left in camp. Méx., Mem. Guer., 1845, 14.
  4. With 4 servants, on the 15th. The two intimates escaped. They are said to have been Torrejon and Badillo, but this is doubtful. No bribes prevailed with the Indian captors. According to Villa-Amor, Biog. Santa Anna, 20-1, they would have made a tamale of him and burned him, but for the cura's interposition. Official despatches, in Boletin Notic., Jan. 6, 1845, et seq.
  5. Already on the 13th, when the public announcement was made of his flight. Méx., Col. Ley., 1844-6, 79–80.