The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-23
MEXICAN CORRESPONDENCE.
Continued.
Mr.. Ellis to Mr. Webster.


The passport in the possession of Mr. George Will
kins Kendall, al the time he was taken PRISONER was
In the following form, viz
Gel Cindadano Salvador Prats
Vice Consul de La Republica Mexicana
En- Nueva Orleans,
Concedo passporte George Wilkins Kendall,
Natural de los Estados Uaidos,
de profession
Para que pase qualquiera puerta
Firma del interesada Dado en- Neuva Orleans
a de lS4l.
George wilkins Kendall Salvador Prats."
The date we do not recollect. The words under
lined were in manuscript. The other words of the
passport were engraved and printed
The line commencing sem blank, and the
passport, therefore, appeared contemplate his
terng Mexico by an inland port. The above pass
port was frequently shown to US by Mr.. Kendall,
and certify that the above is, in every particular
a correct copy Of the original.
AT the side of the passport a stamp, having,
round the emblem of an eagle the words s'Consolado
Msxicana Nueva Orleans
Mr.. q. w. Kendall an 'Sinvited guest" and
accompanied the expedition upon account of the
protection which it afforded against Indians and he
was not subject to military orders.
THOMAS FALCONER,
GEO VAN NESS.
Mexico, 10th Feb. 1912
OoSooLAiE VI The -. -. IN NIEAlCo.
Personally appeared before the undersigned Vice
Consul of the United States of America for the city
of Mexico, Thomas Falconer and George Van Ness,
who, being first duly sworn, the Holy Evangelists
OF Almighty God, to speak the truth, deposed that
the facts stated the preceding page in regard to
the passport of George Wilkins Kendall are true in
every respect
In testimony whereof | have hereto subscribed
rsp.1 my name, and affixed the seal Of this Con-
sulate, this eleventh day of February, 1912,
at the City of Mexico.
Register B. folio 6.
True copy, from the duplicate in the archives of
the Legation.
BRANTZ MAYER,
Secretary of Legation.
Mr.. Mayer to Mr.. Ellis,
LEGATION OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA
Mexico, 4th Feb. 1912.
SIR: Yesterday, IN company with Mr.. Black, /
visited San Cristobal, village within five leagues
of this capital for the purpose of seeing the
Texan prisoners, the second division of whom
are now hatng there for afew days, their way to
Perote. made this trip for the purpose Of seeing
MIR. Kendall, in regard to whom you had already on
the End inst, applied to the Mexican Government;
and also to learn whether there were not other
American citizens who might Justly claim the medi-
alton and protection of this mission.
requested Immediately after my arrival at the
quartet in San Cristobal, where the prisoners are
confined that all those who designed seeking the pro-
lection Of the American Government would, at once,
give their names, and state the circumstances
der which they accompanied the Santa Fe expe
dion. In consequence Of this CALL six persons res
ponded, to wit: John c. Howard, George T. How
ard, David Snively, John B. Houghtailing, Thomas
S. Torrey, and II. r. Buchanan who, from their
manners and address, have doubt are persons of
worth and responsibility.
From the two Towards, who are brothers, under
stood that they citizens of the United States,
and originally from the neghborhood of Washington
DC; that they had come to Texas in the fall of l940
for mercantile purposes alone, having designed
either prior subsequent to their arrival in that Re-
public to become citizens of il that they had Joined
the expedition in the character Of traders, and did
so under the inducement extended to them by the
Texan authorities, that they would be perfectly pro-
tected their way through the hostile Indian
try. They further stated that they had never been
enrolled under military command; that if belig-
erent intentions were designed by the Texans they,
at least, entirely unaware of them; and, finally,
that altogether peaceful in their occupations and de-
signs, they at no period entertained inimcal wishes
projects against Mexico They value the stock in
trade which they had with them, and which was
seized by the authorities of Santa Fe, at from to
10000 dollars.
The next person who claimed the protection of this
Legation Mr. David Snlvely, who came from the
State of Ohio where his family resides as trader
to Texas long before the expedition started He
alleges lnaL ne lOlucu IL unQcT similar inducements,
for similar purposes, and with similar dispositions to
Mexico.
John B. Houghtailing is young from New
York, merchant, and situated precisely as Messrs
Towards and Snively.
Thomas S. Torrey is from Hartford Ct He
came to Texas in Dec. 1910, and, being a merchant,
joined the expedition trader, seeking the protec-
ton of escort against Indians and robbers. He
states his views to have been the those of the
other traders and that he designed, upon his return
from, Santn En sfnhl Itch, h,,a,x
himself between that place and the United States.
He did not intend to return to Texas at all.
Mr. Buchanan had upon this OCCASION visited Texas
for the first time, and arrived at Austin only the day
before the expedition started. II is merchant,
aiso and declares that he had idea that the force
despatched from Texas had any political or military
designs, and he, therefore, joined it, as afording
safeguard for his goods their way to Market
He expressed himself having been grossly deceived
by the President Texas He stated that he had his
own pack mules for provisions and servant.
have thus mad you condensed statement of the
facts gathered from these six persons From tbeiI
frankness and candor and the clearness and consis
tency with which they responded to all the questions
put to them for the purpose of eiciting the whole
truth in regard to their cases, | satisfied that
their relation may be relied on. They were, be-
leve, peaceful traders, who finding the markets OF
Texas dull, tempted by better prospects in Santa
Fe, availed themselves of the escort Of the Texan
party for protection alone. And also think they
designed, after th-ir merchandise was disposed Of
returning to country without orsaking its allegi-
ance. TO this effect also hand you a certificate
from Brig Gen. Mcleod, who commanded the expe-
dition 1t may be proper for me TO add that con-
versed in regard to these six persons, with Mr. Ken
DALI who confirms their statements They all speak
the English language, without the slightest foreign
accent
In regard to the personal condition of these prisoners
at San Crsoba it is difficult to give you any better
idea of it, than by saying they precisely resemble the
hundreds OF Mexican convicts we see daily laboring
with filth and vermin They are not, however, in
chains, and the officers to be more comfortable
in clothing and quarters thin the men An,onn oil