The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-21
Mr.. Ellis TO Mr.. BocaneeYn.

LEGATION OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA,
MEXICO, February 5th, l842.
The undersigned Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentary of the u States has the honor to ac
knowledge the receipt of the note Of his Excellency
Jose Maria de Bocanegra Minister of Foreign Rela-
tons and Government of yesterday date appointing
Monday next at IL o'clock as a suitable time for an
interview between the undersigned and his Excel
lency.
The undersigned regrets that his Excellency did
not find it convenient to give him few moments
conversation at the time proposed as it would have
prevented the necessity of making this communica-
ton at time when it is understood, this Govern
ment not usually in the habit of transactng public
business; but circumstances over which the under
signed has CONTROL compel him to state that he is
advised that the Texan prisoners now at San Crsto-
bal, have been ordered to march early tomorrow
morning on the road to Perote where it is under
Stood they are to be kept in close confinement.
Most of these unfortunate men are destitute of
clothing and many of them greatly afflicted with va
riolod and other diseases, to render their reno
val at this moment precarous and dangerous Itseems
that every principle OF justice and humanity would
require that men laborng under such privations and
Affections, ought to receive the indulgence and care
of this Government at least until they have been re-
lieved from present Illness
The undersigned in making these remarks to his
Excelency, MIR. de Bocanegra, assures him that the
Government OF the United States is well disposed to
maintain with strict fidelity amicable relations with the
| Mexican Republic, and will not attempt to screen
from merited punishment any of its citizens who may
be guilty of an infraction of the laws intended to
preserve those relations; yet it be denied that
summary sanguinary, undue punishment either of
Texans, citizens of the United States of America,
in this country, inevitably tends to excite and TO-
ment in the Union an acerbity of feeling against
Mexico, which will be much more apt to defeat the
supposed object of this Government than if the Of
tenders were differently treated.
| The undersigned addresse your Excellency under
date of the I'd instant relation the of Mr..
George Wilkins Kendall who left New Orleans with
Mexican passport authorizing him to visit any part
| of he Republic. When he joined the Santa Fee ex-
petition under the dist understanding here
| tofore made known to this Government.
Arriving at Santa Fe, he Immediately presented
| himself to the Governor exhibited his passport and
declared the object OF his visit this country to be
that OF friendly traveller, and not enemy.
Yet this document, clearly indicative of his chalac-
ter and rights as citizen of amicable nation at
peace with Mexico was destroyed In his presence by
the officer in command, and he informed that he
must proceed as prisoner to this capital.
| This outrage against American citizen, who is
still held as close prisoner under great suffering
from present debility and in contempt Tin the first
stance) of the authorities of their Government and
regardless Of those of the United States cannot be
viewed with indifference by the President of the Uni
| ted States and he will confidently expect from the
justice of the most Excellent the Provisional Pres-
dent of the Mexican Republic, that Mr.. Kendall will
| be forthwith and Internationally liberated.
| The undersigned also requests that John C. How
| ard, j. b. HoughtaiIing Thomas S. Torrey, David
Snvely, II. H. Buchanan and L. A. Sully, who claim
! the protection of the Government of the United
States, may be detained in the vicinity of this capital
and not removed, at least for the present. to Perote
| These gentlemen with the Santa Fe exped-
ton in the character of traders and non-combaants
and therefore, have not oi feed the right to the protec
ton of their Government and rendered themselves OBJ
noxious to the laws of this country.
The undersigned, in transmitting this communica-
tion under the positive instructions of the Secretary
of State of the United States at Washington seizes
the opportunity of expressing to his Exceency Mr.
de Bocanegra the assurance of his high regard and
dsting ushed consideration.
POWHATAN ELLIS
To his Excellency
joss MARIA BocANEaRA
Minister of Foreign Relations, &c.