Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-05-03
From the New Orleans Bee, I3 uh.
SANTA FE EXPEDITION.

MI. Falconer has furnished US viii
a copy of the memorial Of the mer
chants, connected with the Expedition
TO Mr.. Ellis, which places. them in an
entirely different attitude than that as.
sumed for them by the Mexicans, and
some of our American presses which
have imbibed a wonderful sympathy
for the blood-stained instigator OF the
Goliad massacre. The memorial is in
these words:
+ can expedition 10 open a trade
with Santa Fe left Austin in the
month Of June, 1871. We, the un
designed, merchants, were induced
to join the expedition and to carry
with Us goods to a very large amount
and ofmuch value. We were assured
that the expedition was a peaceable
one; that it would. be peac efuIly recei-
we'd by the inhabitants Of New Mexico.
and that we should be able TO trade DOR
goods at Santa Fe, without Interrupt
ton. Upon this assurance, and with
out any indemnify for any loss that We
might sustain, ne left the city of Aus
Tin. We were provided by the gov
eminent of Texas with the means Of
transport for our goods, without any
cost to us,and military escort accom-
panied US to protect us against the at
tacks of Indians.
We knew nothing of any political
objects of the President Of Texas, Gen.
Lamar, connected With the expedition,
and we're not Fawsre Of any hostile in
tention Of the government Of Texas
against Mexico, or Of any instructions
by it, for the military force accompa-.
nylng US to take possession of Santa
te. The instructions given 10 the
Commissioners who accompanied us
and who, we were informed, were
with US upon the invitation Of the peo-
pie Of New Mexico,to treat upon mat
ters of trade-were concealed from US,
and were in no particular communica-
ted TO US. On the 5th of October,
1841, we were taken prisoners near
the Lagune Colorado, by Mexican
military force. our goods we're taken
from us, and since that time we have
been detained as prisoners. We also
submit to your consideration the follow
ing facts;
1. That no hostilities have for long
period been carried on betweenhTex
and Mexico-peace having, for some.
years, virtually existed between the
two countries.
2. That Mexican merchants, in
large parties, have long been permitted
peaceably to enter San Antonio de
Bexar, and TO carry OF: trade there
without any hindrance, and we were
informed that similarE permission
would be granted to US at Santa Fe.
3. That the military force which ac-
US was not so large as that
which accompanied the early expedi-
ions Of the Missouri traders to Santa
Fee.
4. That the military force was not
"i SCl 'hdA NoS Il iulS4tc 10 pfOtect US
rom the attacks of Indians; our loss ia
,arious ways, in this expedition, before
'ur capture, having amounted to nearly
10 men.
5. That no intention Of any hostility
Mexico on this expedition, was com
nunlcated to us-upon the contrary
re received from The President of Tex
IS, Gen Lamar, assurances ofits peace
ul character, and never should have
embarked our goods TO Santa Fe I'M
Ter circumstances which, if hostilities
lad been intended, would have made
he sale of our goods impossible.
We inclose statement Of General
hLeod, the commander of the militia
y force, in confirmation Of the above.
As we entered Mexico withoutoanv
hostile intentions, We believe ourselves
o be entitled to your Intervention in
,ur behalf.
Signed by merchants-by Messrs.
Snively, ofPreeble, Ohio; Henry
Buchanan, Tennessee; Thomp<s
son Robinson, late of Memphis:
Peter Gallaher, late of New Or
leans; - Honge;aling, &c.
The above is transmitted for publ
'atlOn at the request Of the partie.
igning it. The names attached 70 the
'riginal were, by mistake, omitted ~
e copied at the same time with the
tatement. The names Of the Other
merchants were, Messrs. 6. r. How
I'd, late of Washington, district Of Co.
umbia; Archibald Fitzgerald, ofDub-
in, Ireland; Torrey; F. Sui
y,brother Of Capt. Sully, ofthe Amer
can navy; and - Laundress; but
ONE Of these were not present when
his address was signed. Messrs. Rob
nson, John Howard and SuIly are in
hains, in the Convent San Jago Ia
he city of Mexico; Messrs. G. T.
Howard, Buchanan. HongetaIing and
3nively are in chains with Mexican
in the city OF Puebla; and
dessrs. Torrey, Laundress and Gala
Ter, are in chains in the Castle of Pc
0fo. Mr. E1t1Oarald -. Ie