Washington Telegraph

Santa Anna and The Blockading Squadron. Lieutenant Semmes, in his "Service Afloat and Ashore," gives the following interesting account of the passage of Santa Anna through the American blockading squadron at Vera Cruz.

It will be recollected that the commander of the squadron was specially instructed by the President to allow the wily chieftain to pass freely:

Early in August, while the squadron was lying at anchor under Green Island, keeping watch and ward over the enemy's city and castle of Vera Cruz; the seamen on the look-out, at the mast-head of the St. Mary's then cruising on the blockade, descried the smoke of a steamer. As this was not the regular day for the appearance of any of the English mail steamers—which had been permitted to pass in and out of the beleaguered port without question, the English Government pledging itself for their faithful conduct as neutrals—the smoke of a steamer was a novelty in this now lonely and deserted part of the Mexican Gulf.—

The St. Mary's, in due time, placed herself in a position to intercept the stranger in her approach to the city; and, as the latter came within hailing distance, she ordered her to "heave-to," while a boat was being sent on board of her.—

The boat being in readiness in a few minutes, a lieutenant jumped into her, and, with a few strokes of the oars from the sinewy arms of his seamen, placed himself alongside the steamer.

The steamer being evidently a merchant vessel, the lieutenant was surprised to find himself received with much ceremony and courtesy at the gangway

Making his way on the deck and explaining the object of his visit to the captain, he was conducted into the cabin, where he was ushered into the society of a circle of gentlemen, evidently Spaniards or Mexicans, from their olive complexion, black hair and eyes, and pointed and curled mustaches. It was obvious, also, at the first glance, that most if not all these gentlemen, although dressed in plain or citizens' clothes, were military men and persons of bearing and distinction. After a moment's pause, the captain, as though he had purposely prepared a surprise for the boarding officer, turned towards him, and making a graceful motion with his right hand at the same time, in the direction of one of the gentlemen, who, though of the ordinary height and figure, seemed by his commanding air and manner, to be the chief of the party, said: "Allow me to present you, sir, to Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna." The officer started back at first in a little surprise, but soon recovering himself, advanced cordially toward the General, and extending his hand, a mutual interchange of civilities took place.

In a few moments Senora Santa Anna, (a second wife,) a handsome blonde, with deep blue eyes and auburn hair, and still in the bloom of early womanhood, joined the party and was presented to the officer, who saluted her in turn with becoming gallantry and respect.—

Gen. Almonte, late Minister of the United States, was also present as one of the General's suite, and speaking our language well, acted as interpreter on the occasion. Gen. Santa Anna having explained briefly who he was—although such explanation was entirely unnecessary—and that he purposed going into Vera Cruz, with the permission of the Commodore, the boarding officer, (after sitting as long as courtesy required, and perhaps a little longer than strict regard to duty permitted, in homage to the lady's charms—a petticoat being quite an unusual sight to us rough blockaders, about this time,) withdrew to report "progress" to his commanding officer, and to ask for orders in the novel case which had occurred.

The commander, who had been prepared by the commodore for the contingency, forthwith dispatched the boat back again, and directed the officer at the same time that he should present his compliments to General Santa Anna, and say to him, on the part of the commodore, that "he could proceed to Vera Cruz with his suite as he desired;" whereupon the steamer Arab shot boldly out from under the lee of the blockading vessel, and in an hour or two more landed her distinguished passenger, "big with the fate" of Mexico, safely in the desired haven. That night the roar of cannon and the bursting of rockets in the air, testified the joy of the fickle Vera Cruzanos at the return of their lost Coriolanus; and it soon transpired that the wily peace-maker, who had so handsomely duped our Cabinet at Washington, had put himself at the head of the ultra war party and proclaimed—in common with Acting President Salas, whom he hastened to join—"no quarter to the Yankees."