Interview between Alexander Hidell Mackenzie and Santa Anna, two letters dated, Havana, june 7, 1846; and U.S. [...] [...] july 11, 1846.
[...] a [...] copy or Letters of Janice [...] Polk, 1846-1849 Vo. 4. pages 385-398 and [...] 401 in The New York Public Library (Lenox Branch)

LETTER 1

Compared by
S. B. {...] m.l.G
[page 385] Alex Slidell Mackenzie to James Buchanan
[This copy is much fuller than Mackenzies [...] letter of the same date of which we have also a copy.
Duplicate]
Hanna 7 June, 1846
Sir.
I have the honor to state that I arrived here in the evening of the 5 July and carry on the 6, saw the U.S. Consul and delivered to him you letter. Mr. Cambell, [...] and cordially complied into your request to assist me in the business with which [...] was changed. He inmediatly conducted me for the porpose of introduction to General Santa Ana's house. General Santa had given order not to be disturbed. I left my card, writing on it that I [...] a message from the President of the United States and would return at 8 [...] I did so, and was courteously recaved I had only read to him your letter to the Consul, stating that I possesed the confidence of the President and the copy of the order which had been given by [...] [...] to allow him to pass and added a few order of the Presidentś message, when he told me that he had visitors in the [page 386] adjoining room, but would he glad to see me at the following morning, when he would talk with more freedom.
I waited upon him accordingly this morning and remained with him three hours. I began by reading to him a paper which I prepared on the evening of the day on which I received the Presidentś instructions and subsequently submitted to Mr. Slidell who was present to be verified by this recolections. The following is a copy of the paper this translated to him:

The United States having taken up arms to resist the attack of the intru, in Mexico, are determined to prosecute the war with viguor, until full redress is obtained for the wrongs which their citizens have received from Mexico through a long series of years.
[...] the President of the United States is [...] as he stated in his message to Congress [...] the recognition of the existance of the war thus began by Mexico not only to terminate hostilities [...], but to bring all metens in dispute between his goverment and Mexico to [...] early and amicable adjustment.

To [...] this object the President would hail with pleasure the overthrow of the existing military despotion of General Paredest which has sprung into power by [...] hostility among his country [...] against, the United States and which has no hope for support but in the prolongation on the war, to be replaced by a goverment more harmony with the wishes and have interests of the mexican people which can not be allowed by a prolongation, of the war; a goverment sufficiently enlightened and sufficiently strong to do justice to foreign nations and to Mexico herself.

Believing that General Santa Ana best unite the high qualifications necessary to establish such a goverment and that is a well wisher of his country, he cannot desire the prolongation of disas[...] the President of the United States even see with pleasure his restoration to [...] in Mexico. In order to promote as for as he is able such a result, he has [...] given order to the [...] [...] the Mexican [...] [page 388] to allow General Santa Anna freely to return to his country.

The President of the United States will agree to no armistiec with General Paredes, until he himself proposes to threat of peace, and gives satisfactory guarantees on his sincerity. [...] General Santa Anna, should he return to [...] in Mexico, the President would convent to the suspension of active hostilities by lord, still maintaining the [...] of the mexicans [...] in either oceans provided General Santa Anna announcess his readiness to threat. In that event an American Minister clothed with full [...] will be at hand to proceed at [...] to Mexico, an ofter General Santa Anna terms for the [...] of every existing difficulty between the two countries.

These terms will be liberal, measured less by the power of the United States, by the comparative weakness of Mexico in existing circunstances, by the rights which conquest and the usage of nations might justify, than by a sense of thir own margnanimity. As al present indemnification for the expenee of the [...] Having obtained full [page 380] [...] his aggrieved countrymen, he would to prompted to pay liberally for the establisment of such a permanent geography real boundary between the two countries as would effectually tend to the consolidation of both.

Portions of the northern territory of Mexico consist of unappropriated lands of [...] thirty people, partly alredy by natives of the United States. THese portions of her territory, probably at this moment inthe military possession of the United States, Mexico in the adjustment of such a treat will he invited to [...] for an [...] consideration in ready mercy, which will serve to restore her finances, consolidate ger goverment and institutions, and building up her power and prosperity trend to protect her against, further [...] and secure her that station aong the republies of the new world which he believes will alike contribute to the greatness and hapiness of Mexico and the United States.

Such objects being hapilly obtained the animosities [page 390] between the two countries being hurried with the conflict in which they have been engaged, the President would hope to see a beneficial intercourse of friendship and commerce grow up between them to be perpetually [...]gmented with the lapse of years; and with no other rivality between them, [...] that of a noble competition doing honor to their commerce name of Republies"

General Santa Anna received the message of the President, with evident satisfation and expressed [...] for the order that had been given with regard to the [...] permitting him to return to Mexico. He spoke with deep interest, his interview with General Jackson in Washington and of the manner in which that venerable man had himself raised in the bed of sickness on which he was extended to greet which cordiality a brother soldier in distress, and seemed duty to estimate, the high and noble qualities which distinguised him. He spoke also o the redness he had received [...] Mr. Forsyth and of the favourable impression that gentleman [page 391] had made in him.

He remarked that of he order disappointed in his hopes of returning to his country; if [...] should be established there on if it should remain a pray yo [...] he intented to settle permanently in Texas and becoming a citizen of the United States, share with his children the destinies of our countries [...] with [...]on his regrets for the errors of his past administration on the affairs of his country and his intentions should to be again restored to power goverment in the interests of the masses, instead of parties and classes. Among the measures of reform which he contemplated was reducting the wealth and power of the [...] and the establisment of free trade.

He showed me a letter which he had just received form an influential friend in the city of Mexico, enging his speedy return, and giving a lamentable picture of the conflict of parties in his onhappy country. In the courses of our conversation as to the nature of the boundary we would require he spoke of the [...] as having always been the boundary on Texas and enumerated the various states portions on which lay to the north [page 392] of the Rio Bravo of told him that neither the President nor the people of the United States would ever consent to any line north of the Rio Bravo which was a large river, indicated by nature as a suitable boundary between two great states, that [...] was unacqainted with the precise views of the President further than they might be inconformity with the general sentiment of country as to the extent of the cession Mexico would be required to make that the popular sentiment would look for a line which starting from a given point on the Rio Bravo, would run due west to the Pacific along a pararell of latitude, so as at last to take in the port of San Francisco in California.

That in general terms we should retain what would be deemed sufficient to give as a permanent boundary, form what we had alredy conquered, but that doing so we would not [...] ourselves like other great nations of the rights of the conquest but from a sense of magnanimity and for over even satisfaction, as well as to conciliate, the [...] of Mexico [...] would pay liberally for whatever we might retain. In reply to an inquery of made of him, he informed me [page 393] that no [...] for privations had [...] issued by the Mexican Goverment of [...] movements his [...] him fully informed. Such a measure of arrogance had been considered by the existing goverment, but it had been deemed impracticable.
Subsequently, to on during the continuance of this conversation in part, he [...] up the following note o what he desired to communicate in reply to the President. [...] copied at his request and read over to him to see that it corresponded word for word with the original which he the destroyed.

" Señor Santa Anna says: that he deplores the situation of his country: that being in power, he would no hesitate to make concessions rather than to see Mexico rated by a foreing province, which the monarchists are endeavoring to introduce (Elevar" rather "raise up"); that being restered his country, he would enter into [...] to arrange a peace by means of a healy of limits; that he capacity [...] friendly arrangement to the [...] which must he [...] for his country that although the republicans of Mexico labour [pag 394] to recall him and place him a the head of the goverment they are apposed by the monarchists leaded by Paredes and Bravo. That he desires that republican principles should triumpf in Mexico, and that [...] entirely liberal constitution should be establisment there, and this is now his programme: that of [...] of the United States. [...] to respond with such a peace as has been described. He desires that the nation of England and France may not be accepted, and that very effort should be directed towards promoting his return to power in Mexico by protecting the Republican party. To affair this object he considers it necessary that General Taylor's should [...] to the city of Saltillo which is a good military position competing General Paredes to fight, as he considers his [...] and this being [page 395] affected General Taylor may.
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On asking himat this point if Monterrey was a good Military position, he said at was not
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He remarked to me at this point: "[...] Taylor [...] literally "let Taylor [...] well" meaning folllow him up" "beep him going" He added that Paredes was not here, I told him that the opinion concerning Paredes in the U.S. was that he was weak [...] and wrong [...] to San Louis Potosi, which movement will campell mexicans of all parties to recall Santa Anna.

General Santa Ana also desires that the greatest sucrey be observed concerning these communications and that they be only communicated by the [...] as for as may be necessary, since his country may no appreciating his [...] might form a [...] should be directed under the [...] injeretions of secrecy not to [...] his return to Mexico. He [...] that the people of the towns [...] by the American army should not.

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He said that in a [...] he named[...] of have forgotten Paredes being [...] from which he had [...] made for personal [...] is receiving this statement, though the [...] particularity.

be [...] maltrated, but their hated should be excited. He considers it important to attack Ulloa and judges that it would be best first to take the city, whose walls are not strong: the [...} of three or four thousand men would affect it easily. He considers important the occupation of Tampico and wonders that it has not been affected since it might be so easily [...] The climate is healthy in October and continues so until March. Finally he desires that his good [...] may be protected by the [...] of the United States and thar they represent him as I told him that it might be in harmony with our political s[...] to protect the republican party, but opposed to [...] any one. I told him that had been and would continue to be, the conduct of our [...]

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it my request he named October is the propers [...] for this service, and the beach, [...] as the propers month for this service, and the beach, [...] the Mexican who best understand the interest of his country, and as the republican who will never compromise with the monarchiste, nor ever be in favor of foreign and European intervention. He says that it willbe well not [page 397] to blockade the porta of Juchitan, as he [...] upon that state, being [...] communication with its authorities; and perhaps he will transfer himself to that point, if circunstances prove favourable"

The military suggestions contained in General Santa Anais, [...] seemed to me of so much importance that in order to save [...], so valuable, is war, of suggested to him the property of this being at once communicated to General Taylor, to be used by him if he should [...] them important, within the limits of his orders and discretionary power. He asked if General Taylor was reserved and incommunicative. I replied that all I [...] of him was in common with the [...] from his recent [...] and the written [...] in which he had made. [...] to the goverment which provided him [...] to possess the highest qualities of a commander, but to be a man of prudence, moderation and reserve. He admitted that his reports [...] conveyed this impression, and thought favourably of my preposition to proceed at once to the head [...] of our army. This though not contemplated by my instructions I hve determined to do. [page 398]

If I have made a mistake and exagered the importance of this imformation, of hope that an excuser may be [...] my [...] which was by any means in my power to render [...] to my country. I have de honor tobe very [...fully]. Your most obedient
Alex Hidell Mackenzie

James Buchanan. Secretary of State, Washington [...] Aug 3

LETTER 2

Compared by
[...] [page 400]
Alexander Hidell Mackenzie to [...]
U.S.. Brig Truxton. At [...] 11 July, 1846

Ihad the honor to address you from Havana on the instant but unavoidably wrote in so hurried a manner as comit some parts of the conversation with General Santa Ana which may have interest for the goverment. This deficiency I have now the honor to supply by going a [...] to my letter in the accompa[...] copy, and [...] the President, which to avoid omission or mistake, I read over to General Santa Ana in my second interview with him; and which may have value, as [...] the instrutions I received from the President and what I said in his [...]. I offered that he should make notes of the main point proposed to him by the President, but he said he understood the communication perfectly, and declined doing so.

To avoid the [...] of saying anything to [...] [page 401] Campbell of my interview with General Santa Ana, I [...] the recent affliction in his family, to take leave of him by letter, and to thank him for his good offices. He came to see me on the morning of the 9, as I was about embarking. He said the British Consul had called to see him the day before, and stated that he had seen General Santa Ana, after I left him, who had told him what had passed in our interview. I abstained from enquiring the purport of what the British Consul had gleaned to avoid rendering [...] You can judge [...] General Santa Ana was likely to have informed the British Consul what he had written to be sumitted to the President of the State Department desires information on this subject it can obtain it from Mr. Campbell. From [...] persons it seems proper [...] General Santa Ana should not be [...] but he should be discredited among his country[...] subjected to odiors suspicion [...] that he had [...] for my visit to the friends who were with him on the evening of the [...] [402] saying that he had know me in the United States. He spoke also of the difficulty of communicating with Mr. Campbell, who had spoken to him, through the medium of an inter [...] and in the presence of General Almonte.

That General Santa Ana should maintain friendly relations with England through the Consul is obviously politic England being so powerfull by sea. He is busy and interfering disposition would prompt her to place him under obligations, by affording him the use of a British [...] of war to carry him, to his country, if it could be done without offence to the United States, which for a weighter object than this England would be unuilling to risk. He visited the British Brig Daring on the afternoon of the 8 and was received with a [...] he was about to return, in this [...] Mexico, as he for some time been [...] to be preparing to depart from circunstance of his having given away his game cocks In like manner he may attempt to conciliate [page 403] the friendship of France. He is also unquestionably on good terms with the Captain General of Cubas, who on a recent occasion, when a messanger of Santa Ana for Veracruz, was sent back from the British steam packet, when with [...] because he had no passport from the Mexican Consul inmediatly [...] his destination. It should [...] that the Captain General who is absolute in Cuba, has the power to prevent San Ana return to Mexico with the Captain General, therefore, is with the British and French Consuls, he doubt less pretends to favor the project of [...] of crowned heads, but most worthy from to [...] to be [...] and is such disposed to keep terms [...] and make use of all parties the question recurs, when and with whom if ever is he in carnest? This may perhaps be best answered by another question: [page 404] That country has the most power to for award on thwart this news for his [...] by holding a predominant control over the destinies of his country? Under[...] the United States, by their proximity, by their power, and by the war, [...] by Mexico, which they are sucessfully [...] against her. He may be honest though not wholly desinterest on republican from a belief that only a republic is possible in Mexico. He may well as a Mexican loving his country, as the subtlest and most interested doubt less do be honestly opposed to a war with the United States because he has the [...] and experience to know that a war with the United States will be the more calamition the more it as prolonged... He may have [...] that these views will [...] other mexicans, and that a peace party will develope itself among them and [...] itself with the republican part to oppose the [...] and those who are for war with the United States. Whatever, therefore may be his personal sentiments towars us, the very subtlity ascribed to him must enable him to compre[...] that it is the part of wisdom in his present [page 405] position rather to endeavor to guide the irresistible progress of events for his [...] good and his own advan[...] to be [...] in the attempt to approve them.

For these [...] of believe on the entire sincerity of his [...] and intents [...] in his note fo the President. By that note he has placed himself in the Presidents power; and if [...] to power, with [...] it has been ashed and can be given, his [...] interests and [...] of his country will prompt him to keep his promises, and includes a peaces with the United States, on the terms to which he has thus agreed.

With a new to [...] the gratification of his wish that be might be favorably spoken of in [...] papers, as the Mexican best [...] with the interests of his country and as an [...] to intervention in her affairs, I asked him if he had a copy of any history of his life, from archief I might [...] [page 406] be forwarded to the goverment, should it think proper to use it. He said he had not, but sent to a country man living near him for a proclamation, from which information concerning him might be obtained. I was waiting for this document at his request, a visitor arrived at the door, and he suggested the [...] of my [...] as he was much observed by his country. His object could easily be affected of desired by the goverment by [...] favorable information concerning him in the reason [...] Mexico [...] which the following [...] to me: [...] George Folarm, published some years ago by Bartlett and Welford in New York. I sketch reduced from these to the required [...] published at a distance from the capital, might subsequently be extensively copied.

It may be not wholly without interest for the goverment to know that General Santa Ana appeared in excellent health and condition strong and active, not understanding his mutulation and capable of enduring [page 407] great fatigue. He had the air of a man of fourty well preserved: though the length of time that he has been prominent in Mexican affairs make it probable he is much older.

I have the honor to be very respectfully. Your most obedient
Alex Slidell Mackenzie.

Mr. James Buchanans
Secretary of State
Washington (Endosed) Received August 3