22
tressing, as you can well imagine; to-morrow it will be worse, and I shall shut myself up between four walls, to avoid personal danger. I will go to you if the diligence leaves to-morrow, but this is not certain. As we have no more combatants in the city, the entrance of the enemy will be pacific; we shall only have the mortification of seeing around us imperious visitors. We have had enough of misfortune.
Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847.
G. M. & T.—Mr. Trist has been recognized as the commissioner of the United States. To-morrow our government will listen to him. If there is prudence observed something may be arranged, and the future—God knows what it will be. That the enemy should have reached the very gates of the city is not at all strange. It was unavoidable, and conquerors cannot be restrainad. The enemy are at Tacubaya, and I will at another time give you a detailed account of Valencia's discomfiture.
(A young Lawyer to his Father)
Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847.
Dear Father:—The end has proved in the most unequivocal manner, the correctness of our prophecies. The brigade under Valencia was completely routed between 7 and 8 yesterday morning, and in continuation the same fate befell the brigade of Perez, stationed at Coyoacan, and the troops at Churubusco.
Who is to be punished for these disasters? The public voice accuses Santa Anna of having been a cold and impassible spectator of the route of Valencia, whilst his assistance might possibly have decided the battle in our favor. The Yankees surrounded Valencia, and some of them placed themselves between him and Santa Anna, without any interruption from the latter. Some say that Valencia disobeyed the orders of Santa Anna, and Santa Anna was piqued by the disobedience, but this does not lessen the culpability of the rascal who gratifies a private feeling, and thereby jeopardises the most sacred interests of his country.
The fact is that everything is lost, and the Yankees will be here to-morrow.J. W.
(Extract.)
Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847.
My Dear Brothers:—Antonio and myself are both well, thanks to God. We have received your letter, &c.
We are in a bad way. We lost the battle on the hills of
