The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1842-01-29
PRISONERS.

General Combs, some time since. adj
dressed the Government on the situation
of his son. Mr.. Franklin Combs, who.
leaving / r.xas with several other citizens
of the United states, with a exian expo
dilion, was seizeu' by the MeXicans near
Santa Fe. and was Killed, or is held in
bondage.--Mr. Webster las sent forward
special messenger to our Minister, Mr..
| Powhatan Ellis, at Mexico, lHstruciing
him to do all he can for the prisoners.
The following are the Instructions Of The
Secretary OF STATE:
You will press this case with the ut
most earncstnesS on the Mexican Govern
ment as tle Government Of the United
States feels itself bound to interfere, and
TO signify It's confident expectation that
| the lives Of American citizens will not be
sacrificed, who have not intentionally
done any thing OF "a hostile character a.
ganst MeXlco.--Eyen if the conduct of
young Combs was indiscredt and ill-judg-
eI, yet this Government cannot suppose
that the Government Of Mexico will treat
him as an armed combatant found among
its enemies.
You will spare no pains TO impress the
Mexican authorities with the feelings
which would be excited in this country,
if any harsh proceeding should be adop-
ted towards this youth.
You will avail yourself Of the oppor-
tunity OF making to that Government the
communication, to suggest that, while
this Government is well disposed to main.
tain with strict fidelity amicable relations
wiz. the Mexican Republic, and not at
TEMPT to screen from meritcd punishment,
any of oui. ciizens who may be guilty of
an iniracion OF the laws offended to pre-
serve those relations, vet that summary,
sanguinary, or undue punishment oi either
Texans or citizens Of the United States
in Mexico, inevitably tends TO excite and
loment i'll this country an acerbity of
feeling against Mexico which will be
much more apt TO defeat the supposed OBJ
jects Of those punlshments than if the
offenders were to have fair trial, and, if
then convicted, were to be punished in
some proportion to their offences. You
will, howe,e r, make this suggestion in a
concila!ory tone, without allowing it to
be supposed that this Government has
any intention to dictate the policy to be
adopted by that of the Mexican Republic
upon this or any other subject; but, sup
posing their disposition towards the Unit
ed States TO be amicable, our wish is mere
ly to point way by which it seems to
us that reciprocal disposition as well as
The integril. Of the Me Xican territory may
be more etltctually maintained Accus-
tened ourselves to regular Judicial pro-
ccedings, fair and full trials, and mild
punlshments, the opposites Of these, if ex-
erclsed by other Governments, always
serve to check the growth Of amily and
good will.
Any reasonable expenses which may
be necessary to defray the charge of a
special messenger from the Mexican cap
itol to the place of captivity of young
Combs and his American associates, or
for any other proper purposes necessary
for their safety aud Liberation, will be
borne by this Government, and will lie
betrayed by You, and for them you will
draw on this Department, specifying in
your drafts their purpose, and sending
with them such vouchers as you may be
able to procure.
The interest that we feel for Combs,
whose case has been particularly present.
ed to us, and for Mr.. Kendall also, will
lead to the despatching of this communi-
cation in the way most llkeI y to carry it
soon to your hands.
am, sir,