ALS in Spanish, signed “Ant. Lopez de Santa Anna” (also signed within the text, "Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna"), five pages on three sheets, 8 x 11.5, February 1, 1849. Letter describing the circumstances leading to his exile in Jamaica, with "Copia" erased from the head of the first page. In part (translated): "In painfully contemplating the sad situation of the country and that in the position to which I had been reduced, I could do nothing to serve it, I decided to turn to the General Government so that I may be permitted to remove myself to foreign soil, and I did this in the terms expressed in the following note: 'Esteem’d Sir, The world witnessed the solemnity with which I was called to the fatherland, the exile which was imposed on me as a consequence of our political misfortunes, and it is well known that in abandoning the enjoyment of the comforts of home, I sought to correspond to that high honor until my abilities could attain it, without omitting means or sacrifice of any kind. Providence, wise and just, but inscrutable in its works, did not deign in this case to favor the Mexican people with victory, and with most extraordinary efforts have been fruitless. Such a lamentable circumstance the enemy bastards have been able to capitalize on to harass me without risk, going even as far as calling me a traitor, forgetting that they are able to make their grave offenses heard only because I was prodigal in granting them attention and benefits: in vain it was held out for them to see that my fortune had been ruined at the hand of the invaders; the rancor of theirs, even in their writings, my public duties, the honesty with which, as is my wont, I helped the soldier who marched to the field, without my being compensated, the obvious risks I had run in the field of battle, and finally, that before granting a disgraceful peace, I preferred the dangers of war. For which fortune has refused me her favors, and I was not fortunate in my undertakings, despite the generous disinterestedness with which power was bestowed upon me to continue the campaign if I should suddenly be separated from the theater of war with disregard to the constitution if I should be mortally wounded and if I retreat to this refuge for more than three months, which would be the case as of now, as to my regret the outrageous peace which has been announced, and I am suffering patiently, defenselessly the outrages or perfidious insults which Mexican cowards inflicted me with in the press in the presence of the invaders, whom I had fought against, without their being detained by the discredit to which they were reducing their anguished country by such conduct.
As it turned out, so as to be able to live under the protection of the bandits who roamed through here in sizeable parties, I had to spend more than two thousand pesos to maintain a small escort, which was necessary to this end, whereas by the cash reserves of the treasury I served without pay. In such circumstances, when my services seemed unnecessary, my situation being most deplorable, nobody could justifiably reproach me for tending to providing for my innocent family, and so in consequence I decided to look for asylum on foreign soil, where I would spend my last days in the tranquility which could not be found at all in that of my birth. A victim one time of the furor of factions, persecuted by them without mercy, for me it is almost indubitable that my misfortune extends to being deprived of the solace a man about to die needs, and to be insulted in the country of his fathers, even though I have spilled my blood on it and have fought to protect the fatherland. This conviction prompted me to apply, in respectfully soliciting the Supreme Government, for such permission to emigrate from this Republic, making my voyage by rout which circumstances will afford, and I must thank Y.E., should such request be granted, if the official passport can be dispatched to this place in the shortest possible time. I can assure you that the honorable distinctions with which the magnanimity of the nation has deigned to favor me for some services which I was obliged to render it will always live in my memory, and that my gratitude for your singular benevolence will be eternal. In this frame of mind, I have the honor to offer Y.E. the consideration of my particular appreciation. God and liberty, Tehuacan, January 22, 1848—Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.—Est.’d Sr. the Minister of War.—Queretaro.'
In consequence of which the passport was sent me and a safe conduct from the enemy general, of which I made use in my march to the town of Antigua; in Cuya Barra I embarked on April 5, 1848 in the direction of this island, where I have been living since May 2. When I passed through Tehuacan, the above-mentioned substitute judge of the court of original jurisdiction appeared, who let it be known that it would be necessary to deal with the charge mentioned in the conclusion of the report together with me and I instructed him to send all of it to the section of the Grand Jury. I punctually verified to him the conduct of Don Jose de Anillaga in avoiding the detours which customarily occurred in the posts; I want to thank Y.E. that you will employ the same person to notify me of the correspondence which I receive. This occasion affords me the opportunity to offer to Y.E. the consideration of my distinguished appreciation." In fine condition, with marginal staining to the first page, and tiny binding holes along the left side. Following defeat in the Mexican-American War in 1848, Santa Anna went into exile in Kingston, Jamaica, where he remained for two years. In 1853, he was welcomed back to Mexico and reelected as the nation's president. A lengthy and detailed chronicle from a difficult period of Santa Anna's life.
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