Bolívar never refers to himself in any context beyond that of admiration for his country, and not once mentions an accomplishment. Throughout the letter, we learn nothing directly of his current position in the revolution, or previous achievements. In this way, "Memoirs of General Antonio López de Santa Anna" and "The Jamaica Letters" demonstrate the differences in the self-perceived roles of de Santa Anna and Bolívar.
The second difference highlighted between the leaders is the contrast in political outlook in their respective writings. Throughout, de Santa Anna speaks extremely practically about matters concerning the country. He presents all information as matter-of-fact, and does not discuss any alternative outcomes or concerns about the future of the revolution. When de Santa Anna discusses a decision, it is presented as the only possibility, and the only viable option. This is revealed in his description of a revolution. "I was marching toward Guadalajara under orders, when I received the news of an upheaval in the capital. This situation seemed serious, and I halted my advance." It is possible this is due to the nature of the document: the memoir format may motivate him to present both himself and his politics in the best light, more so than one would in a letter, as in the case of "The Jamaica Letters." Perhaps he is trying to emulate the persona of a strong military leader by focusing on the practical rather than whimsical desires. However, de Santa Anna does show passion about his personal life, as will be demonstrated later, and simply is not idealistic about the future of his country. Finally, throughout, there is little talk of desired change to the nation. De Santa Anna only talks about actuality, as compared to his goals or aspirations for his country. In contrast, Bolívar is much more idealistic. He speaks with great passion and concern for his country throughout the document.
