Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-14
rilE CAPTURE OFTHE TEXAN SANTA
ZEE EXHIBITION.

rilE CAPTURE OFTHE TEXAN SANTA
FE EXPEDITION.
We copy the following letters from the 81.
Louis, (NIo.) Republican Of the Oath ult.,
giving further particulars of the capture OF this
entire expedition. The Rep bican says, the
news from San Fe will excite a thrill in every
Amer can breast -
From Santa Et-Capture IF The Icrian Erpe-
dition confirmed Indieniiy TO he American Consul
and He resident Americans in Santa Fe! ,,
INDEPENDENCE Dec l6, l64l.
Messrs Edi,ors--We have news again from the
West bat of melancholy nature Signor Alvarez
our American Consul in New Mexico, with live or
six other gentlemen arrived here day before yester-
dnv, after tedious trip of 80 days from Santa Fe;
They much enjoyed with cold weather and
snow throughout nearly the whole route. The com.
pany consisted of IL or Is when they left Mexico;
of these separated from the party about 800 mile,
from here. md took more Sou bern route to avoid
the cold. or the rest one, German from tins
ncighborlood, frozen 10 death; three others are
1t Cotton Wood Fork one so much frozen that he
cannot travel, sick, and the third compelled TO
remain and keen the two from starvation. They had
some malcs left in Their possession by Mr. Alvarez
and his friend, liable a any moment, though to be
deprived Of all by the Indians around. Assistance IS
to be sent from here Immediately; whether it is timely
or not, we cannot tell. The Storm they encountered
was very violent, and the snow fell to the depth Of
two or three fcctit was much drlfted IN places, 20
that II was most 10 lllc live
left the main party, having TO pass over prairie
country altogether (wcre no fuel can lie procuredO
is supposed they persisted. This, however, bears
no comparison to what follows. The Texans, on
the 10th October arrived in Santa Fe, IN much worse
circum tances than could ever have been Imagined
they are all captured. bound, and sent as prisoners
to the city Mexico. The causes and attendant cir.
cumsanccs, as given by our lnformants are these
The deputaton, on their arrival near Santa Fe,
were divided into three pares.one under the COM
mand of Rowland; another under Cook the Com.
mssary General from Texas; and the other under
Mcleod or Loud, the Commander-in-Chi Ia verv
inefficient man, and, wlthal, fop.) When near the
place of destination, Rowland with two more, were
sent in advance spies, to ascertain the disposition
of the Mexicans towards them Not understanding
the nature of their embassy sufficiently, and from
their contradictory statements concerning the place
from whence they hated, they were slipped and or
dercd not leave the bounds. In the mean time they
made their escape, but after travelling five days and
only progressing fifty miles, they were taken by some
Shepherds brought in and shot. Seven more from
the company were again sent in-among them was
Kendall, the editor of the Pycayune a son Of Leslie
Combs, of Ky; and Mr.. Lewis-they had IN their
possession the Constitution and Laws OF Texas, the
American passports, Sc. of Kendall and others. On
their way in, they were taken prisoners by Captain
of the Militia, and marched out before the presented
guns of the company to be shot: by the enreaties of
the prisoners and others, the Captain however,
disobeved orders, and took them TO the Governor.
Shortly after seventy more and then the whole num-
Der of the Texans were surrounded and taken Cook
being the only ueSlTOus least TeSs-
lance Their fate is wretchel in the extreme. That
dav they were stript of nearly all their clothing, de-
prved of their shoes, hand -cued and started on foot
1000 miles to the city of Mexico with orders from
the Governor, that each man, as he gave out, must
be speared or bnvonetted and left the road side.
They had gone 80 miles from Santa Fe, (when these
men lef and three Of the num' err were already slain
in obedience to the order. Lewis, il is drought, by
his knowledge Of the Spanish language, wormng
himself in and becoming favore with the Governor,
proved raorous, and informed him Of the distracted
and destitute situation Of the company-hence the
disregard paid TO the Constitution and Laws If Texas,
and especially the passports of Kendall and the other
Americans, (of which they made a bonfire IN the
public square) The resident Americans attempted to
get Kendall and his companions released, and sent
them some clothing but did not succeed; and in all
probability the clothing never reached them 1t
seems to have cen required by the Texan Govern
ment, that the Company should not fight if they
could pos IDLY avoid it, Ut merely publish the Con-
sti,ution and Laws, make some arrangements about
trade, and return home Had there not been any
prevaflca'ion in the statements of Rowland and if
the rest had made any show of resistance, they would
have taken entire possession of the country imme-
di".ar The Governor was surprised at their stua
pent fully supplied with provis os ":s" anu
Santa Fe The Americans are ordered not TO leave
the town-the goods of some of them cOnfiscate1
and their lives endangered every hour. Cha's Bent
with others, was in tody, bur released; Gidd ngs
goods taken from him some OF k9wlands taken
also Signor Alvarez shanefully treated or
dered 10 remain in the limits of the town, and assas
sinatron attempted by the rabble; but he dlsobeyed
and started for this place immediately ] have been
thus particular, kno wing that if you had not heard
previously, you would be very anxious to learn all
The circumstances. You may rely upon the veraCity
of these men, and the correctness of the statements
in thu main some slight variation may occur The
details After respite of a few days, the gentlemen
viii he in our city on their way eastward, when you
can learn all more connecedly, infinitely, AMI much
more than convey in this sheet.
It's rumorcd that II or Is Delaware and Pottawat-
onlie Indians lately attacked party of Sioux, in
Of their hunting excursions, and were all killed except
one, who returned to tell the mournfnl tale. The
sioux numbered from so Ia 400. Yours, &c.