HE RESTORES PEDRAZA AND BECOMES PRESIDENT. 319 



The country was opposed to him. He was wise enough to per- 

 ceive that his usurped power was lost ; and prudently entered into 

 a pacific convention with Santa Anna at Zavaleta in December, 

 1832. The successful insurgent immediately despatched a vessel 

 for the banished Pedraza, and brought him back to the capital to 

 . serve out the remaining three months of his unexpired admin- 

 istration ! 



The object of Santa Anna in restoring Pedraza was not to sus- 

 tain any one of the old parties which had now become strangely 

 mingled and confused by the factions or ambitions of all the 

 leaders. His main design was to secure the services and influence 

 of the centralists, as far as they were yet available, in controling 

 his election to the presidency upon which he had fixed his heart. 

 On the 16th of May, 1833, he reached the goal of his ambition. 1 



1 The following letter from Santa Anna to a distinguished foreigner, will afford 

 the reader a specimen of his personal modesty and political humility. The individ- 

 ual to whom it was written, was afterwards expelled by Santa Anna from the re- 

 public during his presidency, after having been invited by him to the country: 



"Vera Cruz, October 11th, 1831. 



" My Esteemed Friend : — I have the pleasure to answer your favor of the 5th 

 ultimo, by which i perceive that my letter of the 9th of April last, came to hand. 

 I have received the prospectus of the " Foreign College " you contemplate to es- 

 tablish, which not only meets with my entire approbation, but, considering your 

 talents and uncommon acquirements, I congratulate you on employing them in a 

 manner so generally useful, and personally honorable. I thank you cordially for 

 the news and observations you have had the kindness to communicate to me, and 

 both make me desire the continuation of your esteemed epistles. Retired as I am, 

 on my farm, and there exclusively devoted to the cultivation and improvement of my small 

 estate, I cannot reply, as I desire, to the news with which you have favored me. But, even 

 in that retirement, and though separated from the arena of politics, I could never 

 view with indifference any discredit thrown on my country, nor any thing which 

 might, in the smallest degree, possess that tendency. We enjoy at present peace 

 and tranquillity, and I do not know of any other question of public interest now in 

 agitation, than the approaching elections of President and Vice President. When 

 that period shall arrive, should I obtain a majority of suffrages, I am ready to accept 

 the honor, and to sacrifice, for the benefit of the nation my repose and the charm* 

 of private life. My fixed system is to be called (ser llamado), resembling in this a 

 modest maid (modesta doncella), who rather expects to be desired, than to shoio herself to 

 be desiring. I think that my position justifies me in this respect. Nevertheless, as 

 what is written in a foreign country has much influence at home, especially among 

 us, in your city I think it proper to make a great step on this subject ; and by fixing the 

 true aspect, in which such or such services should be regarded, as respects the 

 various candidates, one could undoubtedly contribute to fix here public opinion, which 

 is at present extremely wavering and uncertain. Of course, this is the peculiar pro- 

 vince of the friends of Mexico ; and as well by this title, as on account of the ac- 

 quirements and instruction you possess, J know of no one better qualified than yourself 

 to execute such a benevolent undertaking. * * * * * 



" I hope you will favor me from time to time with information, which will al- 

 ways give satisfaction to your true friend and servant, who kisses your hands. 1 ' 



" Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna." 



