Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-07-25


'Hf" Pf""Rer, Eeqnrai Santa Ina.
RrlgBLIc on TrN,s.
Net'Nce, May l2th, 1886 ,
10 Tie President and Cabinet;
Gentlemen Impressed with the Importance O
an early determination oi the question as 10 VIA
I disposition >lall he made OF General Sam, IN.
and other Mexican prisoners, in the custody -
uIlS'goNcramcnt be- leave to call YOU TO the con.
SIuefalloh oi the matter, by rendering most II.
/ spccunlV the result al my own reflections up5t
ille subject, without hnrhenine the Cabinet wit
INC various considerations which have conducted
IN" 10 my conclusions. Whatever cour>, may h,
decided upon, prompt and energetic execution
would seem to be highly advisable. From III,
tenor of Nomr Of our discussions, conducted will
ftankneS> and freedom, | infer that nv views, IN
all probability, will be found on this embarrassing
question, not IN accordance with those OF ma
Jo'"N "i Tie body with whom have the honor 10
a'' but however variant our opinions, there can
be but one motive of action, which i,patrio,ism
and bnt one object 10 attain, which is the GOOD OF
the counry.--Fccling as | do, a Great reliance
upon both our ability and willingness TO perceive
and pursue the right, cannot urge my peculiar o.
plnIonS with that ardor and zeal which | should
do IN cases where those with whom | miebl
dIlrr possessed smaller share of my personal
esteem and public confidence. But notwhsland-
me this unaffected Difference 10 your virtue and
wisdom, my convictions are not the less clear and
stable, aud my obligation 10 onlorcc them, As far
as my official voice can do it, is not the less i'm
peri0us and binding
Coming 10 my task with clear conscience, and
awarding the slime to those with whom DISAGREE.
will III the rst place premise, that the different
conclusions 10 which Nr have arrived in former
discussions III relation To our DISTINGUISHED prison.
CT has arisen from the fact, that whilst he has been
considered by most OF the cabinet exclusively as a
prisoner of war, have been disposed to regard
him more as an applebenled murderer. The con
duct of Gen. Santa Ana viii not permit me 10 view
him in any other light. \ cheiiain, battling for
what he conceNes to be the rights of his country,
however mistaken in his views, may beprivilcgcdto
make hot and vigorous war upon the foe j; but "hcn
IN violation OF al he principles of civilized CON
hic', he aVows, and acts upon, the policy of en-
termination and rapine; shaving the sarrcnderine
and plundcrng whom he slaNs; he forfeit, the
commscratlon OF mankind, by sinking the charlc-
ter OF the hero into that OF an abhouei murderer
The President OF Mexico has pursued such War
upon the citizens OF this republic. He has caused
to be published 10 the world Decree trnouncne
as pirates, beyond the reach Of his clemcncy, all
WHO shall he found rayng around the standard oil
our Independence. La accordance with this de
cree, lac has turned over to the sword the brl,ca
and best of friends and fellow citizens after
they Ina grounded thcir arms, under the most So
Tenn pledges that their lives should be spared.
He has fired our dwelIingS-lad waste our luAu-
rant GedS-cxciled ser, lie and in,urlcctonarvw Wal
violated plighted fah--lnl inhumanly ordered
The cold-bIoodcd butchcry Of prisoners who had
been betrayed into cdpitulalion by hcarllcss pro
essIonS. | humbly conceive that the proelama-
ton of such principles, and the preparation Of
such crimes, place the offender ont OF the pale OF
negotiation, and demand at our hands other treat
ment than what /, due Il mere prisoner OF wal.
Instinct condemns him a murderer aud reason
ustiGes the verdict. Nor should the ends of JUS
ticc be averted because of the exalted station oil
the criminal or be made 10 give way 10 the sug-
eesons of interest, or any cold considerations of
policy. lie who sacrifices human life at the
shrine OF ambition is murderer and deserves the
punishment and iniamV OF one. The higher the
offender, the greater reason ior lis lnillctIon am
therefore OF the opinion that our prisoner, Gen
Santa Ana has forfeited his lie by the highest oil
all crimes and i, not suitable object for the cX-
ercsc of our parJonne prcroeative.
There are minds no doubt that will readily as
sent to the Justice of this sentence, YET, ncverhe-
less, be willing 10 waive lis execution for certain
advantages which it Is ancicd will flow 10 our
country from Wi,o and ludicioaS uegotlallon.-
Of those who cherish this view OF the matter, |
would respectfully enquire, what surety do they
propose for the tullilmcN OF any >tIpudtonS
What good can they hope torc>uli from an rNton-
cd treaty General Santa Ana is our prisoner of
val. and as such may be ready TO cntcr INTO any
agreement which our rights may require, or our
srllismcsS exact; but when restored to liberty and
power, will he feel any obligation to comply with
terms which he had no agency IN debating hat
he asscnts 10 while a prisoner, he may rrJcct when
a free man. Indeed, the idea of treating with a
man in our power, who views freedom m acqu-
essence, and death IN opposition, seems 10 me
more worthy of lliICule than reiutatlon; and 10
/ carry on such negotiation with an individual,
who never was known 10 fulfil a voluntary promise
against his interest, with the utmost expectation
that he will act uptu AN cNtorted one, winch lns
/ pride and resentment would spurn, crlncc conf
dencc ia hnman nature dangerous To act upon, and
wi ich | would most sincerely dcporc, If permitted
to influence the councils OF tins RepubIlc.-lt II
be true, as experience leads us To suspect that but
little reliance is to be placed upon the faith even
of GOOD men when it stands IN collision with then
interest, what dependence or confidence shall W,
repoSe upon the word OF one, whose sanennarN
crimes are eQuallcd only by his treac4ery ano
talscllood? Yet, such is the acknowledged cha
ractcr of the distinguished individual with whom
it is proposed to treat for our Independence, ant
to restore to liberty and power, under "A vcrba
or written pledge, that he will promote Oh
wishes and serve oar cause. With me suc
pledges are lighter than the " mo0nShjne'S rdtcy
BEAM"
trust them as | would " Il diclr'S oath." Blu
independent of this consideration, it may be yer
we'll doubled whether Santa Ana, with every dis