Señor de Santa Anna to Mr. Seward
Sir: Upon arriving in the United States of America, accomplishing one of my most constant desires, it is very pleasant to me to fulfil the first of my duties by presenting, in my character of Mexican citizen, the homage of my profound respect to the government of this great and happy nation, and the expression of my particular sympathy towards your excellency in person, and through your medium to the President of the republic.
[Page 154]Not being able at present, as was my purpose, to go and do this personally, I have commissioned, that they may do so as representing me, my friends Don Abraham Baiz and Colonel Don Dario Mazuera. They will present this letter to your excellency, and be pleased, your excellency, to accept their expressions as my own.
The object of my coming is to place myself in the way of discharging my duty as a Mexican general—to fight against the foreign and despotic government which at this day rales over the capital of my country, and to reinstall in that place the constitutional republican government, by offering for this purpose my services to the eminent patriot Señor Juarez, who is now at its head, and by placing myself under his orders. I consecrated to my country the better part of my life; it has heaped upon me favors and distinctions, and I anxiously desire that my last service may be to fight once more for its independence, and to re-establish the republic which I first proclaimed in 1822; to set the beneficial example of the obedient soldier and disinterested citizen; to reconcile parties for the sake of the whole nation, and to die withdrawn from public affairs and beloved by all my fellow-citizens. Such is now my ambition. I appeal most pressingly to the sympathies of the government of your excellency in behalf of that just cause, asking that it may favor it with its powerful aid, and I hope my conduct may be applauded by your excellency.
In the same sense I write to-day to Mr. Romero, our zealous and patriotic representative.
I have the honor to offer to your excellency the assurance of my highest consideration and personal esteem.
His Excellency William H. Seward, &c., Washington.