The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-18

such instructions as may nave been gwen TO our d.
pomatic representative IN Mexico"
1t is presumed that the correspondence called for by
this resolution, is the correspondence respecting GER
tam citizens OF the United States captured with the
Texan expedition Santa Fe and held in confinement
in Mexico have the honor to transmit the follow
ing correspondence on that subject.
DANIEL WEBSTER.
Mr.. Webster 10 Mr. Ellis.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Sd January. 1912.
SIR The friends Of Mr.. Franklin Combs son of
General Leslie Combs, of Kentucky have applied
Tor the lnterposition of this Government in behalf OF
that young gentleman, who accompanied the late
Texan expedition To Santa Fe in Mexico anu is
supposed to have been captured and, If alive to be
held IN bondage IN that country with the other
vors of the expedition. 1t has been represented to
this Department that young Combs has never been a
citizen of Texas that he did repair to that
Try with any intention OF relnq ushing his allegiance
TO this Government, or Of remaining in Texas; but
that he went thher in the autumn OF 1870 upon pr-
vate business of his father and for the benefit which
he was assured his feeble health whoud derive from
the mid winter climate OF that region. lie was,
however, detained there by both causes until about
the time when the expedition referred to set out.
L his he determined to accompany, merely for the ob
ject OF confirming his health and gratifying curos-
~, both liberal and natural In regard to the unkno
lands through which the Course OF the expedition lay
As there is no reason 10 doubt the correct OF
this information, you will accordingly forthwith make
the necessary representations to the Mexican Govern,
ment upon the subject, with view to avert from
young Combs, II he sh'uld be alive, the danger TO
which he may be, or may have been, exposed. You
VIII state, that from the responsibility Of his tamil,
and for other )ns, there be ground for the
belief that he would have accom- aned the exped ton
for any other objects than those mentioned and that
II he had been aware that the views of the Texan
veInment in desPatchng had been hostile or pre-
datory, rather than friendly and commercial as they
were understood to have been at the Inc he
would not have gone In its company If TO
this 1t be objected that the expedition was military
IN Its array, and must therefore be presumed to ha,e
had warike designs against the Mex authorities
1t may be answered, that the avowed motives of mem
beIs OF the expedition IN bearing arms was to ward
oil the attacks ofhostile Indians and especially o tn
Comanches, who, it is well known, roam 10 great
force along and across the track which was to have
been pursued This objection would apply with much
less itwith any force young Combs AZ he was n.
soldier, and had never been one, and found with arms
there could IN his case, be better ground for the
opinion that they 10 have been use for purposes
OF attack and not for those OF defence than he had
accompanied one of the caravans from Missouri to
Santa Fe by means of which, is well known, an
ensye trade is carried between this country and
Mexico, t. the mutual advantage of the parties
Although young Combs is the only American CHI
zen who accompanied the expedition for whom the IN
reference OF this Government has been asked, III IS
"a mat theIe was another who little de
part OF the Mexican Government. This = Mr.
George w. Kendall, of Nav Orleans You ii press
THIS Case with the utmost on the Mexican
Government, as The Government ofthe United States
feels itself bound to interfere and to signify lis conf
dent expectation that the lives of American citizens
Will not be sacrificed, who have not Intentionally done
any thing OF public character against Mexico
Even II the conduct of young Combs was ndlscreet
and lll')udged, yet this Government cannot suppos.
that the Government of Mexico would treat him as
an armed conbalant found among its enemies You
VIII spare no pains to impress the Mexican authori-
ties with the feelings which would be excited in this
country, il any harsh proct ednp should be ado Ted
towards this youth.
Any reasonable expenses which may be necessary
to deiray the charge OF special messenger from the
Mexican cap tai to the place of captivity of young
Combs and his American associates, or for any other
proper Purp Sc necessary for their safety and liberia
ton, will be borne by this Government and will he
betrayed by you, and for them you viii draw on tits
Department Specifying in your drafts their purpose
and sending with them such vouchers as you may be
able 10 procure.
You will avail yourself of the opportunity Of max
ing to that Government the communication TO sup.
gest, that while this Government well disposed to
MAINTAIN, with strict fidelity amcabe relations with
the Mexican Republic and will attempt to screen
from merted punishment any OF our citizens who NAV
guilty OF an ATTRACTION OF the laws intended to pre-
serve those relations, yet that summary sanpunary or
undue punishment OF either Texans or citizens the
y ntcd States in Mexico, inevitably tends to excite
anu ioihent IN tnls country, an acerbty of feeling
against Mexico, which will be much more ant to de.
feat the supposed objects othose pur.hments than if
the offenders were TO have a fair trial; and if then
convicted, were To be punished IN some proportion to
their offences. You will, however, make this suc-
geslion in concilatory tone without allowing il to
be supposed that This Government has INV intention
to dictate the policy 10 be adopted by that OF the Mex-
can Republic upon this any other subject . but
supposing their disposition towards the United States
TO be amlcable, our wish is merely to point way
by which, it seems to u.s. that reciprocal disposition,
as well as the Integrity of the Mexican territory NAV
he more eiiectually maintained Accustomed curl
selves to regular Judicial proceedings, fair and full
trials and mid punshmenls, the o poses of these if
exercised by other Governments always serve to check
the growth OF amIty and good will The interest
which we feel for Combs, whose case has been par-
cuary presented to u.s. and for Mr. Kendall also will
lead to the despatchng of this communication in the
way most likely to carry it soon to your hands
am, sir, your obedent servant
DANIEL WEBSTER
PowHArAN ELLIS, Esq,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipolentary of the U. s., Mexico.
r. D. Since the above was written application has
been made behalf of Mr. n Jo,y,rJ ,,.,.,L