The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-20

True translation from the original in the office of
this Legation.
Secretary obligation.
SUBSTANCE OF AN INTERVIEW BETWEEN MR.. ELLIS
AND GENERAL ToRNEL, MINISTER or WAR AND
MARINE, IN RELATION TO MIR. COMBS, ONE OF
THE PERSONS MADE PRISONER, DURING THE
LATE EXPEDITION FROM SANTA FE TO TEXAS,
MEXICO, January II, 1912,
Mr. Ellis stated that he called on General Tornel
to see what could be done for Mr. Combs, whose sit
uation he believed indeed deplorable that for
some time past he had been in exceedingly delicate
health and was now, according to the report Of The
United States Consul, Mr. Black, who had visited
him this afternoon, dangerously unwelf lie trusted
that something might speedily be done to relieve hm.
For himself ellis he disayow ed any beleitha this
young gentleman had visited Mexico with hostile in
entlons, but that he came only the guest OF the
others and as seeking restoration OF health Ii he
(Mr. Ed thought otherwise, he would be he last per-
to interpose in his behalf as he had doe.
General Tornel replied that, if Mr. Combs was
ill., something ought certainly to be done FIR him he
should be treated sick person and semitic the hos
ptal. The Government fund this matte very diff
cult indeed There were now one HUNDRED and thr-
ty more prisoners their way here. Their expeli-
ton was sort of crusade He intended tc send
those who will shortly arrive here TO PeIoe as that
merely place Of security, where there are 10 pub
lie works
Mr.. Ellis replied that he hoped Mr. Combs case
would be quickly considered he had the oinlon of
TWO physicians that Mr. Combs case was very pre-
carnus aud that he was Suffering from exposure and
confinement lie again dwelt on the fact of Mr.
Combs extreme youth, that he was but nineteen
years Of age and beardless boy that he had only
Joined the expedition traveller seeking health by
exercise and change OF scene; that he carried
arms, was soldier was enrolled in this expedi-
ton or under the orders of its officers and finally
thai he felt confident his mpruden the result
of inexperence, and not OF hostility TO Mexico.
General Torne said that he was still retained as
prisoner of this expedition by the General who car
| tured it.
Mr. Ellis replied that he probably vas returned as
prisoner, because the list was made " person who
did discriminate in regard to eachcase, but find
ing Mr.. Combs with he expedition concluded that
| he was a belligerant without further inquiry
| General Tornel inquired whether Mi Ellis or Mr.,
| Combs had papers, proofs, or some documents to
| show that such was his situation. he desired to
know whether he was citizen OF the United States
Mr. Ellis replied that he citizen II the United
States and that he had so claimed him trm this Go.
vernment in his note to Mr. Bocanegra. MIR. Combs
statement to him (Alr. e. was fully confined by the
declarations and letters OF the officers wht command
ed the party and by letters which he CIR E.) had
| received from the United States.
Gen. Torpel said that he would see Mr.. Bocanegra
tomorrow morning early. That there night be ex-
changes of prisoners, as there are upwards of one
hundred MeXicans in Texas III the mltes. Mr.
Coomb's case is certainly particular different
| from the others.
Mr. Ellis replied that it certainly Gen. Tor
mel would observe when he read the TO Mr.. Be-
| canegra demanding Combs release, tta the certil-
Gates he (Mr, E) had alluded to regaillng Combs
health, enclosed. From them Geiera rornel
would at once how necessary il was that he
should be speedily relieved lie said tlat he would
not be atall surprised If his confinement continued
much longer, that he would lose his life
He requested to be allowed to propos, to General
Tornel that Nlr. Coombs should be reeaed and deli
,ered to him (Nlr. E.) until the question as to
his Imprisonment or liberation should h finally set
Il tied by the Mexican Government. He ,hered to be
responsible himself that if so released, Mr. Coombs
should not leave the city of Mexico without the per-
mission of this Government
Gen. Tornel said that he would consul with NJ
i de Bocanegra early tomorrow on the slbect, and
that if it depended on him Gen. Tornd) alone, it
would please him exceedingly TO crafty MIR Ellis's
1 request
MIR. Ellis begged that Gen. Tornell would notify
him in the course of tomorrow of the result of his
interview with MIR. Bocanegra.
Gen. Tornel promised that he would do -, and
feet his entire nperarbhtof 70 place to a
Ellis's care.
Reduced to writing by me on the same evening Al
O'Clock.
BRANTZ MAYER,
4 Secretary Of Legation.