The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1842-02-16
From the N. o. Bee, Isl inst.
LATE FROM MEXICO.
Barbarous treatment of the Terian capttres an

before his departure. They were brought
in, in a most wretched condition, having
been marched bare footed and almost ma.
ked from the place of their capture
Amongst the prisoners was the son OF Zen.
Leslie Coombs. The charity of the for
eigners in the city furnished them with
some necessary apparel. ~.
So far from receiving humane treatment
III ON Santa Anna, as reported, they were
chained in pairs and were compelled to
,rork an tke streets as common felons.-
Our informant assures us that the resident
ministers of foreign countries, had inter-
ferred in an informal manner, to arrest
this disgraceful and barbarous treatment,
without success. Young Coombs was
extremely i'll, his constitution had proved
too fraiI to endure. the cruelties to which
he had been subjected.
The accounts of. the treachery resnrted
to to capture the expedition are confirm
ed. Mr.. Kendall had not reached Mexico;
he was expected daily in company with
about 200 Texans. y
Mr.. Ellis our minister at Mexico, had
demanded young Coombs as citizen Of
the United States; but that aOeek had
ELAPSED without his receiving any re-
SPONGE from the government.
We have read number of private let
ters that speak of the suflerings OF the
captives as most appalling. There has
been no clemency shown to the citizens of
the United States. The general belief in
the city was that nothing short of force
would meliorate the condition of the pri-
soners, and that all would be. treated
alike.
Besides these, we have been favored
with the perusal of official documents
detailing the circumstances of the capture
of the expedition and the march Of the
prisoAcrs TO Mexico, which exhibit re.
fnement of treachery, hardlhood of
perfdy and an excess of cruelty, arro-
eance and piracy on the part of the Mexi.
cans, scarcely equaled by the barbarity Of
their torefalhers towards the helpless
aboriganes whom they subjected to every
species of torture, andslaughtered III very
amusement.
Under such circumstances does II be-
come This government to be dellberallng
in cold debate about the course to pursue.
Whilst we parley, The miserable caPtlves
dies. The United States should send lhe
two war steamers, now ready for sea, at
once To vera CRUZ, and let these drTui'rtr-
wills know if her citizens were not Produc-
ed on board within given period, the
civ would be made a funeral pile. 1t is
llidleness 10 negotiate with people who
are only remarkable for imbcciliiy and
perfdy. Santa Anna, so far from being
soltencd by the clemency OF the Iexlans
when he was prisoner, is yet more tcro-
cious towards them. An act of humanity
always exci,es the direst hatred in the
breast of despot.
We Mould suggest to the Legislature
the propriety of passing some restrictions
upon this subject as Kentucky has done.
We 1oould also recommend meeting
of the citizens of Ne1u Orleans on some
iay this week, to express their sense of
enormities praclised upon their feilow-cill-
zens. The people should go in advance
of the tardy movements of Government,
and stimulate the authorities 10 prompt
and efficient action. If every contempt
Bile government is allowed TO trife with
the rights Of our citizens, and treat
American prisoners, taken under such
circumstances, as rebels or outlaws, the
name of American citizen will soon be-
come by.word amongst nations.
Our informant met Mr.. Lumsden be-
tween Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico.
We learnt ,ha, General Paradez, hilher-
to parlizan of Santa Annals, is getting
up a revolution in the Norlh~to overthrow
the ruthless tyrant.
: Let our fellow-ctizens, before they
close their eyes in slumber this night,
think of the cruel destiny of Kendall and
Coombs,r and others oftheir countrymen'
now chained as feIons and made TO work
in gangs in The streets Of Mexico Six
months ago they joined the Texian expe.
dilion as guests, in the vain security of
their country's flag. They have fallen
into the hands of remorseless chief and
his fabric followers, and suffered outra-
ges that are not warranted even towards
traitors. If one Of these men perish,
either by The sword or by disease caused
by!cruel,y, we hope his ghost will clank
his chains in the ears of every American
citizen, that none may sleep till ven.