"For the last time I ask of you to present yourself to me, the instant this communication is received; in default of which I notify to you that every means will be used to effect your arrest; that your disobedience and the unqualifiable acts laid to your charge will be published in all the newspapers; and that the condign punishment they deserve will be duly exacted.
"God grant you many years.
"The Brigadier-General Commanding.
(Signed) "Antonio Lizarraga.
"Campo Del Honor, 28th of March, 1873.
"Señor Don Manuel Santa Cruz."
"Note.—Have the goodness to acknowledge this, my communication."
This missive was received by Santa Cruz, but he never acknowledged it. His host permitted me to read and copy the original.
"Is not that arbitrary?" he said to me in English; "very much like what you call Jedburgh justice; hanging a man first and trying him afterwards. Lizarraga says, 'This sentence I pronounced'—all is finished apparently there; and yet he cites the man whom he has ordered to be immediately executed to appear before him to declare what he has to say!"
Another phrase in this death-warrant, which escaped the host, impressed me with its naïveté:
"God grant you many years."
But Lizarraga, in this politeness of custom, meant no more, it is to be presumed, than did the Irish hangman who expostulated with his client in the condemned cell:
"Long life to ye, Mr. Hinery! and make haste, the people are getting onpatient."