This termination was probably the best; for with the growing agitation in their party, the influence and obstacles brought to bear on the process, and the difficulties enveloping the new administration, a fresh revolution might come at any time to release the culprits. Some of them accepted the offer at once, including Santa Anna, who embarked with his young wife and a few adherents on June 3d for Habana.[1] Before leaving he issued one of those well studied appeals wherewith he had more than once touched the ready sympathies of his countrymen. He begged them to forgive the unintentional errors of a man mutilated in defence of his country, and who now in his old age was seeking a refuge among strangers. He would ever, to his last breath, offer up his humble prayers to the eternal one for their prosperity so that they might rank among the foremost and happiest of nations.[2] He knew well that a flourish of his severed limb could not fail to impress compassionate hero-worshippers, while an array of his 'innocent children,' with a glimpse of his locks turning gray on a distant shore, must stir the tender heart of a people so filial and patriotic.
At Habana he received a merited rebuke in meeting his illustrious predecessor, Bustamante, exiled by him and now on the way home from Europe. Juicios de Dios![3] The new administration sought also to
- ↑ Not without a certain pomp, although a strong guard had been thought advisable to save him from popular insult. Diario Gob., June 4, 1845.
- ↑ In Voz del Pueblo, and other journals of June 6, 1845, beginning: 'Mejicanos! en mi ultima edad y mutilado.'
- ↑ Exclaimed the later archbishop of Guatemala, then administering the see at Habana, when he related this meeting. Bustamante, Nuevo Bernal
them, as a preliminary step. Rejon, Baranda, and Haro were in hiding. For the protracted suit against them, see Variedades Jurisp., iii. 112-35, 157-96; Bustamante, Mem. Hist. Mex., i. 202-20, passim, ii. 6-9, 111-15; Basadre, à sus Compat., 1-8, his defence; Miscel., iii. pt 1; also Monit. Constit., Mar. 9, 1845; Amigo del Pueblo, July 29, 1845; Boletin Notic., Mar. 8, 1845, and other numbers and journals. With review by ministers, in Méx., Mem. Rel., 1845, 12-120; Id., Guer., 1845, 3, etc. The predecessor of Basadre, Reyes, was actually sentenced, after a brilliant defence, to loss of honors, office, and pay, with ten years' imprisonment, for authorizing Santa Anna to take command of the army; but he was pardoned. Rejon had escaped on board an English packet in April. Canalizo, although unwilling to accept the amnesty, was sent out of the country. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 274.
