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Biographical Notes
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Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
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In February 1846, Colonel A.J. Atocha, claiming that he was speaking for Santa Anna, visited President Polk and convinced him that Santa Anna favored selling Mexico's rights north of the Rio Grande and Colorado Rivers for $30,000,000. Atocha also explained that no Mexican government could agree to this and remain in power. According to Atocha, Santa Anna believed that the United States would have to force Mexico's hand by attacking the north and blockading Vera Cruz. He asked for $500,000 in expense money. In April 1846 hostilities broke out in the disputed region between the Nueces and Rio Grande Rivers. War was declared in May 1846. In July 1846, President Polk sent Commander Alexander Slidell MacKenzie to Havana to meet with Santa Anna. Through MacKenzie, Polk offered to assist Santa Anna's return to Mexico in the belief that the two countries could negotiate a treaty that would resolve all boundary issues and would provide for "ample consideration in ready money" for any lands ceded to the United States. MacKenzie made it clear that the United States would demand California be part of the deal. Santa Anna replied cautiously, but encouraged the belief that he was not opposed to President Polk's suggestions. He even went so far as to advise how Zachary Taylor could improve his defensive position in northern Mexico.
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Santa Anna was passed through the American blockade and returned to Vera Cruz on August 16, 1846. He entered Mexico City in September, declined offers to assume the presidency, and quickly went on to San Luis Potosi to take command of the defense against Zachary Taylor's forces. In February 1847, the battle of Buena Vista was declared to be a hard fought victory for Taylor when Santa Anna was forced to retreat because of inadequate supplies. Rebellion broke out in Mexico City at the end of February 1847, and Winfield Scott landed his forces at Vera Cruz in March. Santa Anna returned to the capital and took over the presidency. He named Pedro Maria Anaya Provisional President and in April marched to El Encero where he established his headquarters to defend against Scott's advance on Mexico City. Scott advanced slowly against Santa Anna and simultaneously attempted to negotiate a settlement with him. History is opaque as to exactly what happened, but it would appear that Santa Anna agreed to work for a treaty in return for a cash payment.
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Whatever was agreed to between Scott and Santa Anna, public opinion in Mexico demanded that the war be continued. Rumors spread that Santa Anna was working with the Americans at the same time that Scott's advance was proceeding toward the capital. In October 1847, Acting President Pena y Pena requested Santa Anna to give up command and await a court martial to consider his military actions during the war. In January 1848, a unit of Texas Rangers attempted unsuccessfully to capture Santa Anna, but succeeded in forcing him to abandon his personal possessions and flee in fear of his life at the hands of the Texans. On April 5, 1847 he and his family were permitted to go into exile first in Jamaica and later in New Granada. The Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo ending the war between the United States and Mexico was signed in 1849, but Santa Anna had no part in its negotiation.
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Following the withdrawal of American military forces, the Mexican political scene continued to be as turbulent as ever. By early 1853 things were once again out of hand and various leaders began thinking of recalling Santa Anna. On March 17, 1853 he was elected president and on April 1, returned to Vera Cruz. The United States was actively considering the construction of a transcontinental railroad along a southern route, part of which was inside northern Mexico. Washington D.C. wanted to obtain the land by purchase but was preparing to use force if necessary. Troops were sent to the border area in part to suppress Indian raids and in part to apply pressure on Mexico City. In 1838 U.S. Minister Gadsen and Santa Anna negotiated the sale of a strip of land in what is today New Mexico and Arizona to the United States for $10,000,000. (Mexicans referred to this as the Messila Sale while Americans called it the Gadsen Purchase.)
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In March 1854 a liberal revolt led by Juan Alvarez and supported by General Ignacio Comonfort was announced in the south. In April Santa Anna failed to defeat Comonfort and his supporters fortified inside of Acapulco and returned to the capital where he claimed victory, explaining that there was some "mopping up" left to do in the south. Over the next months the Alvarez rebellion spread throughout the country and Santa Anna recognized that his grasp on power was slipping. He secretly exported funds to be used if he was once again forced into exile. A short time later on August 17, 1855, he departed Vera Cruz with his family for exile in Cartagena, Colombia. On assuming the presidency, Alvarez stripped Santa Anna of all rank and ordered all of his property confiscated pending the outcome of a trial.
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