Lot 214

Previous image preload Next image preload

Description:

Santa Anna Long & Important LS Requesting Governorship of Veracruz; After Being Removed from that Very Post 7 Months Later, Santa Anna Repudiated His Former Ally Emperor Agustin I & Proposed the Formation of a New Republic

A lengthy 12pp letter in Spanish signed at its conclusion by Mexican military commander and future President of Mexico Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794-1876) as "Ant. Lopez de Santa Anna" at the center of the last page. Written at Xalapa (Jalapa), the capital city of the Mexican state of Veracruz, on April 23, 1822. The letter was penned in secretarial script on each page of three 4-page packets of bifold paper, for a total of twelve pages. The outermost pages of these bifolds are pre-printed at top [trans:] "Document Seal / One Quarter Real / Authorized by the Mexican Empire in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-two, the second year of its independence." Expected wear including paper folds. Isolated minor edge darkening, staining, or chipping. Two small areas of paper loss located along the vertical gutter of the first bifold. Else near fine. 8.25" x 12.125." Accompanied by a complete Spanish transcription and English translation available upon request.

This letter is remarkable in many ways: its author, presumed recipient, date, subject, and its anticipation of future political events in Mexican history makes it one of the best we've seen.

First, consider its author, Santa Anna, and its presumed recipient, Agustin de Iturbide (1783-1824). Both men would profoundly shape the course of the Mexican military and politics. Santa Anna would play a significant role during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), and would also serve eleven non-consecutive terms as President of Mexico. We assume that the "Most Excellent Sir" to whom Santa Anna's letter was addressed was de Iturbide, then President of the First Council of the Regency of the Mexican Empire, who would be elected as Emperor Agustin I just one month later in May 1822.

Second, the date of the letter, April 1822, places it firmly in the immediate aftermath of the Mexican Revolution. The interim period between the Revolution and the First Mexican Empire was the short-lived Regency of the Mexican Empire, which lasted barely eight months.

Third, the subject of the letter, Veracruz, had some bearing on future Mexican history. Santa Anna had close ties to Veracruz, a region located on Mexico's Gulf Coast. He was born and raised there, and he was involved in besieging Spanish forces in the city between July-October 1821. While Santa Anna's exact whereabouts between February and September 1821 are well-documented, in this letter as well as elsewhere, the precise timeline of his governorship of Veracruz is more uncertain. Santa Anna was appointed governor at least by October 1822, yet his success proved ephemeral when de Iturbide/Agustin I rescinded Santa Anna's governorship in mid-November 1822. Enraged, Santa Anna repudiated his former ally de Iturbide/Agustin I and joined republicans agitating for the abolition of the empire and the creation of a new republic. Santa Anna endorsed the Plan of Casa Mata, the framework for the new republic, in December 1822.

The question of Santa Anna's "character" is also discussed in our letter, and the leader's personality also influenced Mexican history. Judging from the way Santa Anna alienated some of his contemporaries, he probably had a difficult manner and large ego. De Iturbide/Agustin I dismissed Santa Anna from Veracruz after receiving complaints from about Santa Anna's behavior. Santa Anna had even been accused of attempting to assassinate another general, José Antonio de Echávarri (1789-1834)! Both Veracruz and Santa Anna's character would figure prominently in his disgrace and his changing of allegiances.

Santa Anna's new republicanism was motivated by personal and not political reasons. In his "Memoirs of Agustin de Iturbide, Chiefly Concerning the Late Revolution in Mexico, Written by Himself" (London: John Murray, Ablemarle Street, 1824), de Iturbide/Agustin I wrote that Santa Anna's anger could not be assuaged. De Iturbide/Agustin I recalled: "Nothing was enough to contain that volcanic genius, he was offended, he proposed to take revenge on the one who showered him with benefits, even with the ruin of the Homeland..." Santa Anna's defection, coinciding with the abandonment of many other of de Iturbide/Agustin I's former allies, ensured the collapse of the empire.

In the spring of 1822, Santa Anna was Colonel of Infantry Regiment No. 8 in the Mexican Army. Santa Anna's letter provides us with a detailed account of what he had accomplished in the seven months since Mexican independence had been achieved on September 27, 1821. The highlights of Santa Anna's military campaigns during this period can be found in Chapter 1 of his memoirs, "My Military and Political History, 1810-1874." Santa Anna's letter confirms the general outline of events found in the memoirs, but also goes into much more detail. Our letter should be viewed as a cover letter for a very desirable job; Santa Anna was unashamedly promoting himself so that he would be given control of Veracruz, the state which would determine his future political allegiance.

Translated in part:

"Don Antonio López de Santa Anna, Colonel of Infantry Regiment no. 8 and Military Commander of this city, addressing Your Highness with all due subservience, declares: that he has the honor to have served in the defense of his beloved fatherland since March of last year, 1821. He gave the cry of liberty in the city of Orizaba, attracting to the side of justice 70 infantry troops that had been sent by the Government of Spain to maintain its tyranny, with others joining him out of conviction, fatigue, and for the sake of money put toward that effect…

After that, I came to this city of Jalapa, which I attacked and took after five hours of shooting and losses on both sides, obtaining its capitulation on May 29 and raising the glorious flag of our liberty…

After a short interlude, I marched for a second time on Veracruz, the only port in the province that had not proclaimed independence from the Empire. I began negotiations with the Spanish Governor, Don José Dávila, leaving my division camped in Santa Fé and committed to using all means at my disposal to avoid force. From what the Governor said, he seemed to agree with my insinuations, as I reported to his Excellency the Generalissimo, because he unexpectedly evacuated the city and withdrew abruptly to the castle on the night of October 26. I received this news outside the city walls and entered Veracruz with the 11th Division under my command on the following day. This marked the end of my military campaign, having secured the independence of the entire province under my command at a very critical and difficult time.

This is an account of my deeds that I have the pleasure to present for your Highness’s esteemed consideration. They are small when compared to the ardent desire I have always had to sacrifice myself for my beloved fatherland, but their simple narration should clearly demonstrate that ever since I picked up my sword to defend its just rights, I have worked tirelessly to pursue an endeavor as dangerous as it is glorious. It is not up to me to weigh the benefits of my actions for the common good, whether in weakening our enemies or feeding the flames of the defenders of our yearned-for emancipation, but those who witnessed these events and their results can speak for my character, a topic about which I myself am obliged to remain silent.

I will say that I rejoice in having been among those who contributed to the freedom of this Empire, a cause for which I worked tirelessly. From the beginning, my decision was informed by the obstacle presented by one province in particular, given the number of cities to be taken and the many steadfast Europeans who resided there, it being the site of the main port where the defenders of despotism could disembark and cling even more fiercely to their cause even when faced with retreat, as they do to this day at the Fortress of San Juan de Ulua.

I have sought recompense for the events I have recounted. It was a duty I had set myself, and in performing it I did nothing more than fulfill one my most important obligations, and if I now take up my pen and refer to them, it is because of the reasons I respectfully present below for Your Highness’s consideration.

It is the case that, for a variety of reasons, the inconveniences, privations and ill health the above-mentioned campaign caused me to suffer led to a meeting with the General, who agreed that, since I had achieved everything I had aspired to in occupying Veracruz, I be excused from general command of that province and be allowed to return to Mexico City to reestablish myself, and in fact Your Highness agreed to this, sending Colonel Don Manuel Rincon to meet with me so I could formally turn over to him everything pertaining to that position. I then left for the Capital for the purpose mentioned above, and after staying there for two months I proceeded to Puebla to take charge of that province by order of the General himself, but I only stayed there for six days, after which I came to this city to support the forces here, and this is where I have been for more than three months.

I leave it to Your Highness’s acute perception to understand the sentiment that has caused me to remain here in obscurity, despite my ability to lead the province even under the most difficult circumstances. The public in its perhaps ever greater ignorance may perceive this situation to be a punishment for the blame I have incurred. The pain it causes me to see a new leader in charge, to whom I myself deferred right here in this city, is well worth noting, but however one chooses to interpret this, I consider myself to be at his service, given that he is in charge and can therefore command me and all of the other leaders stationed in the district under his command. It is impossible for me not to be humiliated by this situation and therefore, given my delicate state of health and the decorum of my position, I find myself making my case to Your Highness as forcefully as I am able, asking you that, by virtue of the efforts I have gladly undertaken for the Independence of this Empire, and in consideration of the knowledge of the land and the inhabitants of the Province of Veracruz that I have gained over many years’ experience, especially during times of war, that you grant me the governorship of this territory and general command of the province…

I beseech Your Highness to deign to grant me the terms I request and, if you do not agree with the basis for my argument, to be kind enough to remove me from this province, sending me to wherever you think is best, despite the effect it will have on me to know that this is what people care about in the Empire today. This is the grace that I hope to receive as a result of Your Highness’s well-known generosity…"

In addition to the valuable aspects of Santa Anna's letter which we have already discussed, it also refers to some important historical figures and events.

IMPORTANT PEOPLE

- "Brigadier Don Joaquin Herrera" (p. 1) - José Joaquin de Herrera (1792-1854) was initially one of de Iturbide's partisans. He was later promoted to brigadier general and served as Minister of War and the Navy. Like Santa Anna, Herrera also turned against de Iturbide/Agustin I.

- "His Excellency Don Juan O. Donoju" (p. 6) - Juan O'Donoju y O'Ryan (1762-1821) was the last Spanish viceroy in New Spain who served between August 3-September 27, 1821. He negotiated the Treaty of Cordoba with Agustin de Iturbide, which created a regency in Mexico until a Bourbon royal could be found to rule (it never was, and de Iturbide filled the position.)

- "Spanish Governor, Don Jose Dávila" (p. 7) - José Garcia Dávila served as intendant of Veracruz between 1816-1818 and 1819-1821. He fled to the fortress San Juan de Ulua in Veracruz harbor in October 1821. Santa Anna had served as Dávila's aide-de-camp in 1814.

- "Colonel Don Manuel Rincon" (p. 9) - Manuel Rincon (1784-1849) was also born in Veracruz and was Santa Anna's nemesis. He served as interim commander of Veracruz and Colonel of Infantry Regiment No. 9.

- "His Excellence Brigadier General Don Domingo Luaces" (p. 11) - Domingo Luaces (died 1822) was appointed Captain-General of the provinces of Veracruz, Puebla, Oaxaca, and Tabasco in mid-October 1821.

- "Captain Don Juan Nepomuceno Fernandez" (p. 6) - Juan Nepomuceno Fernández Mantecón, known as the "liberator of Tabasco." Mantecón proclaimed the independence of the state of Tabasco from Spanish rule on September 8, 1821. Mantecón served as the governor of Tabasco between September 1821-April 1822.

IMPORTANT PLACES, BATTLES, OR EVENTS

- Treaty of Cordoba (August 24, 1821) - "…I marched again on Perote Castle to besiege it until the arrival of his Excellency Don Juan O. Donoju, and being satisfied with the purity of his ideas, as well as with the meeting to which he invited our exalted General [Agustin de Iturbide], I escorted and accompanied him to Cordoba…" (p. 6)

- Siege of San Juan de Ulua; Don José Dávila fled to the fortress of San Juan de Ulua on October 25, 1821; the last Spanish holdout would be under assault until 1825!

- Orizaba (March 1821)

- Cordoba (March 1821)

- Veracruz (July 1821-October 1821)

- Perote (September 1821)

In his letter, Santa Anna also mentions La Soledad, Alvarado, Jalapa, Sotavento, Coatazcoalcos, Acayucan, Tabasco, Campeche, and Barlovento.

Our letter sets the stage for one of Santa Anna's greatest political reversals, confirming the hypothesis of historians that Santa Anna was a "political weather vane," that is, a strategic politician who prioritized the end game. Santa Anna's repudiation of de Iturbide/Agustin I was one of the first examples of such fickleness, and it would not be the last. And Santa Anna's defection, even if motivated by personal pique, was not in a vacuum; it had real political consequences. After the collapse of de Iturbide/Agustin's empire, he fled Mexico for Europe. He returned to Mexico in July 1824, fearing rumors of a Spanish invasion. De Iturbide/Agustin I was arrested and executed at age 40 by a local garrison commander. Santa Anna, in contrast, always landed on his feet.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice, unless you inform us otherwise, immediately upon your receipt of invoice***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party Please copy and paste this following link into your browser: http://universityarchives.com/UserFiles/ShippingInfo.pdf. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.


After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item.


Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

April 14, 2021 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000