in the
spring of 1842, sweeping everything before them, from San Antonio de
Bejar to the Colorado; but the Texans had sent emissaries to Yucatan, to
induce that province to declare its independence. The war in Yucatan
obliged the Mexican army to march back in that direction to quell the
insurrection, which it did, and then returned to Texas, and again took
possession of San Antonio de Bejar in September of the same year, taking
many prisoners of consequence away with them.

It was the intention of the Mexicans to have returned to Texas in the
spring of the year, but fresh disturbances in Yucatan prevented Santa
Anna from executing his projects. Texas is, therefore, by no means
secure, its population is decreasing, and those who had respectability
attached to their character have left it. I hardly need observe that the
Texan national debt, now amounting to thirteen millions of dollars, may,
for many reasons, turn out to be not a very profitable investment[21].

[Footnote 21: Perhaps the English reader will find it extraordinary that
Santa Anna, once freed from his captivity, should not have re-entered
Texas with an overwhelming force. The reason is very simple: Bustamente
was a rival of Santa Anna for the presidency; the general's absence
allowed him to intrigue, and when the news reached the capital that
Santa Anna had fallen a prisoner, it became necessary to elect a new
president. Bustamente had never been very popular, but having promised
to the American population of the seaports that nothing should be
attempted against Texas if he were elected, these, through mercantile
interest, supported him, not only with their influence but also with
their money.

When, at last, Santa Anna returned to Mexico, his power was lost, and
his designs upon Texas were discarded by his successor. Bustamente was a
man entirely devoid of energy, and he looked with apathy upon the
numerous aggressions made by the Texans upon the borders of Mexico. As
soon, however, as the Mexicans heard that the Texans, in spite of the
law of nations, had sent an expedition to Santa Fe, at the very time
that they were making overtures for peace and recognition of their
independence, they called upon Bustamente to account for his culpable
want of energy. Believing himself secure against any revolution, the
president answered with harsh measures, and the soldiery, now
exasperated, put Santa Anna at their head, forcing him to re-assume the
presidency. Bus