to Hayti. This proceeding greatly alarmed the authorities of Cuba.[1]
An expedition for the reconquest of Mexico sailed from Habana on the 6th of July, 1829, under Brigadier Isidro Barradas. The whole force, at the time of sailing, probably consisted of 3,000 men. The fleet, commanded by Rear-admiral Ángel Laborde, was formed of the line-of-battle ship Soberano, the frigates Restauracion and Lealtad, the schooner Amalia, the brig Cautivo, and fifteen transports, among which was the American ship Bingham. On board this last-named vessel were 300 men with their commander, Santos Guzman. In a heavy storm the ship was thrown on the coast of Louisiana, where the officers and men received hospitable treatment. These troops consequently took no part in the Mexican campaign.[2]
The first tidings of the expedition reached Vera Cruz on the 16th of July, by a French frigate, whose commander would not or could not give any information as to its destination. General Santa Anna, then governor and commander of the forces, borrowed a small sum of money and mustered the militia, with the view of attacking the invaders on their arrival.
The Spaniards on the 24th were off Punta de Jerez, near Tampico, and on the 26th sent proclamations on shore, which showed that their government had been led to believe that the Mexican army, which had served under the royal banner prior to 1821, would lend its aid.[3] On the 27th they effected a landing un-
- ↑ Full information in Arrillaga, Recop., 1828, 184; Dublan and Lozano, Legis. Mex., ii. 73; Alaman, Proceso, 28-9, 38-9; Id., Defensa, 83-5; Arrangois, Méj., ii. 196, 227-8. The enemies of the government abused it, on the ground that it was intended to land a negro force in Cuba, which was a false charge.
- ↑ The figures above given are furnished by Zamacois, Hist. Méx., xi. 720-4, 793. The author obtained his data from the diary kept and given him by sub-lieut Eduardo Agusti, who served in the expedition. He assures us that those data were later corroborated in Mexico by officers who took part in the fighting. Zavala, who at that time was a member of the Mexican cabinet, says that the force actually landed was 3,500. Revol. Mex., ii. 176. Others exaggerate it to 4,000, and even 5,000.
- ↑ They must have had that impression, else they would not have sent a mere handful of men to a deadly climate and at the worst season of the year, to capture the country.
