The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-28


Santa Anna and Mr. Ellis, the 18th Of April
1912, relative 10 the persons claimed by this Lega-
ton as citizens Of the United Safes of Amer, a
W o are held by the Go, eminent Of Mexico a, Tex
an prisoners:
MI. Ellis commenced by observing to the Pres dent
that he was about leaving Mexico to return to the
United States, and that before doing so, he desired
10 know the final determination of the Mexican Co
vernu ent as III those persons whose liberty he had
claimed.
President Santa Anna replied that the matter wa.
still one of difficulty to his Government, but that ii
had sincerely desired to crafty the wishes of the Mi
mister.
The chief cause of his declining to do any thing
was, that il he liberated one TWO. the whole OF
those claimed he would feel himself bound to lberat,
all, as all had beea equally culpable IN invading
Mexico or In accompanying those who had come VIII
hostile IntenQns and tuus made themselves accom-
pieces of the guilty
Mr. Ellis said mat such not the circumstances
under which he had applied for those whose les
Were before the Mexican Government.
He recognised the principle laid down by the Pres-
dent, that who entered Mexico, bearing arms
and designing 10 e them against the Authorities oil
this country could not justly clam his proteciion-
did he would lie extend it to them the
preventative OF a friendly aud neutral nation.
But he thought 1t his duty to do what he had done
for the seven persons now claimed because he was
fully satisfied they mad not visited Mexico with mimi
cal designs and were uuarned except for personal
defence, aud accompanied he Sante te expedition I,
havelieis and ercnanls only for Its protectlun until
they reached place security and trade. He re-
n,araeJ that If lac entertained any other idea of the
character of The pes whose behalf he had inter
o,ed he would be the last person TO solicit their ibe-
ration.
President Santa Anna replied that he was gratifed
to hear the expression OF such views, which, he was
sure sincerely entertained by the Minister and
the Government he represented
He was anxious to CRAFTY the Government of the
United States, and would mention that, with that
desire he had already liberated the young men, who
had home to their friends, and who he believed
had erred moie from the nex pernnce OF youth than
with any really bitter feelings towards his county,
lie would moreover say that he had given orders for
the release Of one OF he prisoners whose liberty
had been asked by the commander of of the yes
sells OF war of the United States, at Vera Cruz so
soon that vessel shall have LETT the port
He would even feel disposed To accede altoge-
ther to Mr. Elss views but that it reported, and
currently believed, that the vessel of he had al
luded to visited the waters of Mexico, whilst others
daily expected for the purpose ofdemanding the
delivery of The prisoners
Under these circumstances, it would be perceived,
he could do nothing for the present.
Public opinion and national honor would alike for
bid his action.
Mr.. Ellis answered that he was aware that two
vessels of had recently anchored the Island of
SACRIFICES, but that he believed they had come there
only in the ordinary course of their cruise in the
Gulf
Ii they had come with the intention indicated by the
President he Mr.. Ellls) would assuledly have been
informed Of Il, either ny the Department of State at
no ne or by the Commodore of the squadron
But such information had reached him on the
contrary, he had every TO believe that the visit
friendly and in the ordinary OF duty on the
West India station Besides this, he would observe
that he had been informed by Consul at Vera
Cruz that the Macedonian (the flag ship had depart
ed from Sacrfcios, her return the naval station
at Pensacola, passing by Tampco
President Santa Anna said that such being the
case, he would be glad, if possible, to oblige Mr.
Z lie.
MIR. Ellis added in connexon with wha, he bsl