ng this end by frank explanations and reasonings
addressed to the judgment and prudence of the virtuous and patriotic
government of General Herrera. An unexpected misfortune dispelled
these hopes and closed every avenue of an honorable adjustment. Your
new Government disregarded your national interests, as well as those
of continental America, and yielded, moreover, to foreign influences
the most opposed to these interests, the most fatal to the future of
Mexican liberty and of that republican system which the United
States holds it a duty to preserve and protect. Duty, honor, and
dignity placed us under the necessity of not losing a season of
which the monarchical party was fast taking advantage. As not a
moment was to be lost, we acted with a promptness and decision
suited to the urgency of the case, in order to avoid a complication
of interests which might render our relations more difficult and
involved. Again, in the course of civil war, the Government of
General Paredes was overthrown. We could not but look upon this as a
fortunate event, believing that any other administration
representing Mexico would be less deluded, more patriotic, and more
prudent, looking to the common good, weighing probabilities,
strength, resources, and, above all, the general opinion as to the
inevitable results of a national war. We were deceived, and perhaps
you Mexicans were also deceived, in judging of the real intentions
of General Santa Anna when you recalled and when your Government
permitted him to return. Under this state of things the Mexican
nation has seen the results lamented by all, and by us most
sincerely, for we appreciate as is due the valor and noble decision
of those unfortunate men who go to battle ill-conducted, worse cared
for, and almost always enforced by violence, deceit, or perfidy. We
are witnesses, and we shall not be taxed with partiality as a party
interested when we lament with surprise that the heroic behavior of
the garrison at Vera Cruz in its valiant defense has been aspersed
by the general who has just been routed and put to shameful flight
at Buena Vista by a force far inferior to his own. The same general
rewarded the insurgents of the capital, promoters of civil war, and
heaped outrage upon those who had just acquired for themselves
singular distinction by a resistance beyond expectation and of
admirable decision. Finally, the b