Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-01-10
TEXAS-SANTA ANA.

For slip by the express mail containing
the following letter originally published in the
Natchez Courier, We are indebted to the New
Orleans Bulletin. 1t explains the object of
Santa Ana's visit to Washington, and ac-
counts for his release.
To the Editor OF the Natchez Daily Courier.
Sir-The Mexican General Santa Ana and
his friend and aid-de-camp Col. Almonte have
been released from their captivity in Texas,
and passed up the river few days ago on
their way to the city of Washington. They
are escorted on behalf of the Texian govern
ment by Col. Hockey, Inspector General of
the army, COL Bee, the late Secretary of the
Treasury, and Captain Patton. accompan-
led them from this place to Vicksburg, and
the views which have induced the visit of San
ia Ana to our capitol have been placed in my
possession with the request that | should
make pubic so much of them as might be in
teresting to the people of this country.
In view of speedy and pacific adjustment
of the sangunary war which has existed be-
tween Mexico and Texas, the captive general
solicited permission from the TeXian Govern
ment to throw himself upon the protection of
the United States, and claim the interposition
of the nedatory offices of their Chief Magis
trate. He proposed to acknowledge the Repub-
be of Texas as an independent sovereign ma
tion-or to agree to the incorporation Of her
territory into the North American Union, if
the other parties interested should so deter
mime Being prisoner of war-and the Mex
lean Government having expressly declared
that 1t would hold no negotiation with Texas
An h
saained in duresse, it became necessary, if his
authority and influence were to be made avail
able at all, that he should at once be placed in
different attitude, in which ne might be free
and untrammeled, unbiased by any dspara-
cing circumstances, but according to his un-
questioned legal right-that he should, in fact,
be restored to the full and complete possess
all his lawful authority 4 power as Pres
ident ef Mexico To effect this his immed-
ate and unconditional release by the govern
ment of Texas was indispensably requisite
and under the peculiar circumstances which
exist in connexioa with his captivity, it was
deemed advisable that the paciticatory offices
should be invokedofSome neutral power, friend
ly to both of the beligerent parties, and I'M
partial 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 Executive of Texas, who believed
that nothing could possibly be gained by de-
tanning him longer. On the lst of March next
the term of his Presidentship will expire. after
which time he would be utterly valueless as
prisoner.
The pcople of Texas are anxious to terml-
nate their war. They wish to live at peace
with Mexico. They desire most heartily to
establish their government, and if possible to
annex themselves to our Union. They could
hardly hope to attain their object while they
held the chief of their enemy in the bonds of
imprisonment. They have therefore, in aspir-
it of magnanmity deserving of all praise, vol
unfairly surrendered him to his liberty, on the
pledge of his word and honor that the war
shall be terminated, that peace shall be res
tored, that the relations of amity and friend
ship shall be cultivated and cherished. To de-
tain him could avail them nothing-to release
him afforded. at least, the prospect of advan-
tage. Iftheir hope shall be realized, the bles-
sings Of a prosperous peace will fall upon them
if disappointed, the execratons of the civil
lied world will be visited upon their enemy,
and him whom they have conquered they can
conquer again.
Respectfully, your obcdient servant,
JNO. NJ. ROSS.
Natchez. 2Ist December, 1886.