Mr. Secretary: On the 15th and 25th July I
wrote to the governor of the State of Yucatan, enclosing him a copy
of the memorandum you sent me in your note of the 13th July, about
Santa Anna’s going to Vera Cruz and Sisal and his arrest in the
latter port, requesting him to have the affair investigated, as it
was not exactly just, in your opinion.
I received an answer to-day from that official, dated at Merida, the
21st of August last, with which he sends me the original of a
judicial investigation of the subject made by the district judge of
that State. From this it appears that the said judge took the
affidavits of the following persons: Louis Y. Gomez, commander of a
war canoe, Mariano Romero and Grumesindo Mendez, of the guard,
living in Sisal; Olegaris Molina, collector of customs at Sisal when
the capture was made; Manuel Mendiolea, the interpreter; and Cirilo
T. Gutierrez, secretary of the port of Sisal.
From the concurrent testimony of all these witnesses, the three
following points are clearly demonstrated:
1st. That when Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna landed at Sisal, the
steamer Virginia was anchored in that port, at less distance than
the mail steamers generally land, and of course less than three
miles from shore.
2d. That Colonel Santiago Medina, then military commander of the
port, went on board the Virginia to invite Antonio Lopez de Santa
Anna to land, which he did voluntarily, as he confessed to several
persons in Sisal,
3. That Santa Anna landed while the Virginia was receiving cargo,
with the knowledge of the custom-house officers, and of course was
at the usual anchor age, within Mexican jurisdiction.
This last fact is proved by a certificate of the collector and
cashier of the Sisal custom-house, which says that the steamer
Virginia arrived at Sisal on the, 11th of June last, and opened its
register the next day, at 7 in the morning, and closed and cleared
by 3, on the same day, the 12th.
The importance of these documents induced me to send you copies of
them? for the information of the government of the United
States.
I am gratified to have this opportunity of renewing to you, Mr.
Secretary, the assurance of my distinguished consideration.
[Untitled]
Second class. Seal five, half a real. Chief office for stamped
paper. Licensed for the years 1864 and 1865, according to law of
common usage, by the chief office in Yucatan at Merita, on the
4th of December, 1863.
PEDRO RIVAS Y PEON, Clerk of the
Revenue.
EUSEBIO R. DE LEON, Chief
Director.
Merida, June 21, 1867.
Licensed for the balance of the years 1866 and 1867.
RAMON SERRANO E ITURRALDE, Clerk
of the Revenue.
FELIPE VADO, Chief
Director.
Sisal, August 19,
1867.
Let the despatch addressed’ to this court by the citizen governor
of the State be placed at the head of these proceedings, and let
the information therein demanded be obtained by summoning for
that purpose the persons mentioned in it residing in this port;
and send a despatch to the citizen collector of customs ordering
him to send to this court a certificate of the day and hour when
the steamer Virginia. opened her register for her operations,
and of the hour when she closed, to be annexed to those
proceedings.
LICENCIADO JUAN J. HERRERA.
Examined and signed by Licenciate Juan José Herrera, first civil
judge of this department, acting as district judge.
I certify the above.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
Nota. —In compliance with the above
order, the despatch mentioned was made out and sent to the
citizen collector of customs in this port.
AVILA MALDONADO.
Sisal, datum ut
supera.
[Page 675]
On the same day were summoned Luis Y. Gomez and Mariano Romero,
residing in this port. The others were not notified because
Santiago Medina was at the town of Isla Mugeres, and Gumesindo
Mendez had started to the capital. This I certify.
AVILA MALDONADO.
In the town and port of Sisal, on the 19th day of August, 1867,
before Juan José Herrera, first civil judge of this department,
appeared Luis Y. Gomez, who swore to tell the truth to the
interrogatories put to him, deposed as follows:
Answer to 1st interrogation. On the 12th of June last, when
ex-General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna landed in this port from
the steamer Virginia from Vera Cruz, the vessel was anchored in
this bay, within three miles from shore, not so far as the mail
steamers anchor, as everybody in the town knows.
Answer to 2d question. Colonel Santiago Medina, military
commander of this port, went onboard the steamer Virginia that
same day to invite ex-General Santa Anna to land, which he did
voluntarily, saying he was glad to get on Mexican soil once
more, and among Mexicans, as many persons present can prove, and
no insult was offered to the American flag onlanding, as Santa
Anna himself stated in a letter, which he wrote on the 12th
while on shore, to Martin Peraza.
Answer to 3d question. Santa Anna landed after the Virginia had
opened her register, for many canoes were alongside with cargoes
brought from shore for the vessel. And all this is true. He says
he is of age, a resident of this city, and I certify to his
signature.
LICENCIADO HERRERA.
LUIS Y. GOMEZ.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
On the same day, and before the same judge, appeared Mariano
Romero, who, having been sworn, deposed as follows:
1st question. On the 12th of June last, when ex-General Antonio
Lopez de Santa Anna landed from the steamer Virginia in this
port coming from Vera Cruz, the vessel was anchored in this bay,
within three miles of shore, and not so far as the mail steamers
anchor, as everybody in the town can testify.
2d question. Colonel Santiago Medina went on board to invite
ex-General Santa Anna to I land, which he did voluntarily,
saying he was glad to be among Mexicans, and offering no insult
to the American flag.
3d question. Santa Anna landed after the Virginia had opened her
register, for many canoes were alongside with cargo for the
vessel.
And he affirms the truth of all he has said, is of age, a
resident of this city, and signs this affidavit, to which I
certify.
LICENCIADO HERRERA.
M. ROMERO.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
Merida, August 20,
1867.
Let the certificate from the collector of customs to this court
be hereunto annexed and the witnesses mentioned in the despatch
be examined upon the points in question found in the order of
the governor of the State.
JUAN J. HERRERA.
Before me:
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
The above writ was immediately served on Gumesindo Mendez.
AVILA MALDONADO.
Manuel Mendiolea was also notified, as well as Olegario Molina;
and subsequently Cirilo Gutierrez.
AVILA MALDONADO.
The certificate of the collector of customs was also filed.
AVILA MALDONADO.
Mexican Republic, Sisal
Custom-house. Sisal, August 19, 1867.
In execution of your order of this date I enclose the certificate
of the time when the American steamer Virginia, from Vera Cruz
the 11th and bound to New York, opened and closed her register
in this office. Country and liberty!
RAMON MOLINA.
Sisal Custom-house.
We, the collector and accountant of the customs of this port,
certify in due form that, from evidence on record in this
office, the American steamer Virginia, Captain Deaken. from Vera
[Page 676]
Cruz, anchored in
this port on the 11th June last, opened her register in this
office the next day, the 12th, at 7 in the morning, and closed
and cleared at 3 in the afternoon of the same day. To be sent to
the judge of this district, in obedience to his orders of this
date. We deliver the present at Sisal, on the 19th day of
August, 1867.
R. MOLINA.
FELIPE DE JESUS MORENO.
In the city of Merida, on the 20th August, 1867, before the first
civil judge of this department, appeared Oleagario Molina, who,
being duly sworn, deposed as follows:
To the 1st question. On the 12th June last, when Antonio Lopez de
Santa Anna landed at this port from the steamer Virginia, coming
from Vera Cruz, the vessel was anchored in this bay within three
miles of shore—not as far as the mail steamers anchor, as
everybody in the town knows.
To the 2d question. Colonel Santiago Medina, military commander
of this port, went on board the steamer Virginia that same day
to invite Santa Anna to land, which he did voluntarily, saying
he was glad to be among Mexicans once more, as many persons
present can testify; and no insult was offered to the American
flag on landing, as Santa Anna stated himself in a letter which
he wrote on the 12th, while on shore, to Martin Veraza. To the
3d question. Santa Anna landed after the Virginia had opened her
register, for many canoes were alongside with cargo brought from
shore for the vessel, &c.
LIC’O HERRERA.
O. MOLINA.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
Afterwards, before the same judge, appeared Manuel Mendiolea,
who, having been duly sworn, deposed as follows:
To the 1st question. The steamer Virginia arrived from Vera Cruz
on the 11th, and anchored at Sisal, nearer the shore than the
mail steamers generally anchor; and General Santa Anna, who came
in that vessel, landed at Sisal.
To the 2d question. When Colonel Santiago Medina went on board
the Virginia to invite Santa Anna to land he did so voluntarily,
and when on shore said he was glad to be on Mexican shore once
more, as expressed in a letter to General Peraza, published in
the official paper; and no insult was offered at any time to the
American flag.
To the 3d question. Santa Anna landed at 11 o’clock in the
morning of the 12th June, when the Virginia had her register
open, and was receiving cargo from canoes. He says he is of
mature age; a resident of this city; and he signs this with the
judge and one witness.
LIC’O HERRERA.
MANUEL MENDIOLEA.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
On the same day, and before the same judge, appeared Gumesindo
Mendez, who, being duly sworn, deposed as follows:
To the 1st question. When Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna landed from
the steamer Virginia, coming from Vera Cruz, on the 11th of June
last, they vessel was anchored nearer shore than the mail
steamers generally anchor; about two miles, he thinks, as is
known to all the inhabitants of Sisal.
To the 2d question. When Santa Anna was invited to land by
Colonel Santiago Medina, he did so voluntarily, declaring he was
much pleased to be on Mexican soil once more, among his own
people; and no insult was offered to the American flag at the
time by any one.
To the 3d question. Santa Anna landed at 11 o’clock on the 12th
of June, while the steamer’s register was open, and was
receiving cargo from canoes alongside
He says he is of mature age; resident of Sisal; and signs this
affidavit with the judge and one witness.
LIC’O HERRERA.
G. MENDEZ.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
Afterwards appeared before the same judge, Cirilo Gutierrez, who,
being duly sworn, deposed as follows:
To the 1st question. When Santa Anna landed from the steamer
Virginia, coming from Vera Cruz, at 11 o’clock on the morning of
the 12th of June, the vessel was anchored less than three miles
from Sisal, near where the mail steamers generally anchor.
To the 2d question. When Colonel Santiago Medina went on board of
the Virginia to invite Santa Anna to land, he did so
voluntarily, saying he was glad to be once more on Mexican soil,
which he affirmed in a letter to General Peraza, published in
the official paper; and no insult was offered to the American
flag at the time.
To the 3d question. The steamer’s register was open when Santa
Anna disembarked, which was about 11 o’clock on the 12th of
June. He says he is of mature age; a resident of this city; and
signs this with the judge and one witness.
LIC’O HERRERA.
MANUEL MENDIOLEA.
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
[Page 677]
Merida,August 20, 1867.
The deposition of Santiago Medina could not be taken, because he
was absent from the city, and it was not known when he would
return.
And now the investigation ordered by the governor of the State
being finished, it is sent to its destination, as requested in
the despatch.
LIC. JUAN J. HERREEA.
Before me,
MANUEL AVILA MALDONADO.
Merida, datum ut supra.
Note. —In compliance with orders from
supreme authority, this investigation is closed, and the report
of the proceedings is sent to the governor of the State, with
respectful attention.
