Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1837-01-12
From the Natchez Courier
TEX

stF TEXAS.
Cnuses Of the release of Santa Ana.-The
following Communication comes to hand at
a very favorable juncture, when, the presses
from every quarter are rife with specula-
fohs respecting the reasons that actuated
the. Texian Chief Magistrate in releasing
the captive President Of Mexico.
For the information and satisfaction of
those at a distance who feel interested in
the welfare of this interesting country, per
haps it would be no more than proper for
us 10 state that the gentleman who favored
us with this communication is a highly re-
spotted gentleman of the Natchez bar, and
who being intimately acquainted with the
head of the government and the leading
men of Texas, has all the adequate oppor-
tunltles of speaking automatically on the
subject.
This expose of the course of policy adopt
cd by the Texans is highly satisfactory,
and although we nave been inclined to
doubt the expediency Of the measure, we
are now convinced that the interests and
welfare of the infant republic may he really
promoted by Santa hna's restoration to
liberty, while at the very worst it can do
them no harm, if. the results anticipated
tiierefrom should'no, be realized.
To the Editor Of the Nathchez Courier.
SIR-The Mexican General Santa Ana
and his friend and aid-de-camp, Col. AL
monte have been released from their cap
tlvity in Texas, and passed up the river a
few days ago on their way to the city of
Washington. They are escorted on be-
half of the Texian Government by Colonel
Hockey, Inspector General of the Army,
Col. Bee, late Secretary of the Treasury
and Capt. Patton. accompanied them
from this place TO Vicksburg, and the views
which have induced the visit of Santa Ana
to our capitol, nave been placed in my
possession with the request that | should
make public so much of them as might be
interesting to the people of this country.
In view Of the speedy and pacific adjust
ment of the sanSuinary war which has ex-
listed between Mexico and Texas, the cap
tive general solicited permission from the
Tcxian Government to throw himself upon
the protection Of the United States, and
claim the interposition Of the media1nry Of
fees of their Chief Magistrate. lie proposed
to acknowledge the Republic of Texas an
independent and sovereign nation-or to
agree to the incorporation Of her territory
into the North American Union, If the other
parties interested should so determine
Being a prisoner Of war-and the Mexican
Government having expressly declared that
1t would hold no negotiation with Texas
through General Santa Ana while he so re-
manned in duresse, it became necessary, if
his authority and influence were to be made
available at all, that he should at once be
placed in a different attitude, in which he
might, set free aud untrammelled, unbiased
by any despairing circumstances, but ac-
cording to his unquestioned legal right
that he should, in fact, be restored to the
ful and complete possession of all his law
full authority and power as President Of
Mexico. To effect this, his immediate and
unconditional release by the government of
Texas was indispensably requisite--and
under the peculiar circumstance which
exist in connexion with his captivity, it was
deemed advisable that the pacifcatory Of
fees should be invoked of some neutral
power, friendly to both 5elligcrent par.
ties, and impartial between them.
General Santa Ana therefore proposed to
visit Washington, and solicit the mediation
Of the President Of the United States, and
his proposal was acceded to by the Execu-
tive Of Texas, who believed that nothing
could possibly be gained by OBTAINING him
longer. On the first of March next the
term of his Presidentship will expire, after
which time he would be utterly valucless as
a prisoner.
The people Of Texas arc anxious to ter
inmate their war. They wish to live at peace
with Mexico. They desire most heartily to
establish their government, and il possible
to annex themselves to our own Union
They could hardly hope to attain their OBJ
ject while they held the chief of their enemy
in the bonds Of imprisonment. They have
therefore, in a spirit of magnanimity de-
serving of all praise, voluntarily surrendered
him to his liberey, on the pledge ofhis word of
honour that peace shall be restored, that
the relations Of amity and friendship shall
be cultivated and cherished. To detain
him could avail them %nothing-to relieve
him, afforded at least, the prospect of adj
vantage. If their hope shall be realized,
the blessings of a prosperous peace will fall
upon them-if disappointed, the execra-
tions of the civilized world will be visited
upon their enemy, and him whom they
have conquered, they can conquer again.
Respectfully, yonr obedient servant,
JNO. M. ROSS.
Natchez, Dec. 81, 1886.