Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-25
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENTS.
FNs- IA, BaiS~o-, A@,rses-.


The publication OF the official correspondence re-
stive to the American citizens imprisoned in Mexico.
belonging to tho Santa Fe Expedition. has been
commenced in the Niadisonian. A portion Of Il,
appeared before. A full and comprehensive letter
Of instructions, addressed by Mr. Webster to Gen.
waddy Thompson. under date of March sIh, isis,
includes the facts and principles upon which the
action Of our Government has proeeeded-and this
letter is now published for tho first time.
There main points set forth in the letter ::
first, respecting those Americans who had joined
the expedition as traders or travellers without hos.
tile inten,-and for these n release is demanded;
secondly, with regard to such il any, as had at
tached themselves to the armed Texan force as a
part Of it-and Tor these the ordinary treatment, OF
prisoners OF war is claimed.
On the first head We quote the following:
BY The law and practice of civilized nations, enc.
mics, subjects taken in arms. msy be made prison.
of war, but every person found in the train OF
army is to be considered as, therefore. belige-
rant an enemy. In all wars, and in all countries
multi,udes of persons follow the march farnies for
the purpose of traffic or from motives of curioSity
or the influence Of other causes, who neither expect
to be, reasonably be considered belliseran,s
Whoever, in the Texan expedition to Santa Fe
was commissioned or enrolled Tor the military SER
that Government and engaged IN an xpedition hos
tile to Mexico, may I've considered ms her enemy,
and might lawfully, therefore. he de,nned rs pfis.
oners of war. This is not to he doubted; and ny
the general practice OF modern nations, il is true
that the fact Of having been found in arms with 9th
crs admitted to be armed for belligerant pur poses
raises presumption OF q hostile character. In
! many cases, and especially in regard 20 European
wars in modern times, it might be dificllt % rep
the force Of this presumption 1t is sill however
but presumption: because It is nevertheless tree
that man may be found in with no host le
| intentions He may have assumed arms for other
purposes, and may assert n pacific character
with which, the fact of his beng more or less
armed, would be entirely consistent In for
mer. and 'ess civilized ages, cases Of this sort
! existed. without number, IN European society
| When the peace Of communities was less firmly
| established by Efficient law, and when therefore,
men often travelled armed for their own defence;
! or, when individuals being armed according TO
the iashior Of the ag'; vet often iourneycd under
the protection Of military escorts bodies of sol
diers, the possession OF arms was eVi1cnce of
hostile character: circumstances of the times suti
GENTLY explaining such appearances consistently
with poetic intentions. And circumstances OF the
country nay repel the presume tinn Of hostility a.
well as circumstances Of the times or the manners
! Of particular age. The Texrn expedition 70
Santa Fe IN traversns tho vast plains between the
! place from which 4 set ont and that point, 10
! pass through region. which no ono ih'nks oC en-
ering and crossing without arms for whatever pnr.
| pose or with whatever intent, he may undertake
| such enterprise. IL he be n hunter he is armed :;
| II a trader he IS armed and usually traders go in
| considerable bodies, that they may I've the better
able to defend themselves against the roaming sl-
wage tribes so constantly met with IN those extern
srve plains Il IS not uncommon. indeed, thai for
their better defence companies of traders retain the
service OF men OF arms who m inthin military order
| and array along the line OF their rsarCh. When
such bodies met with in countries usually trn
| versed by them, no inference arises from the CIR
cunsance of their being armed, OF any Intention on
| their part. of using such arms for ary purpose b,i
that Of defence. II tourists, persons wearing any
other similar but equally pacific character, set forth
on such journey, they are still armed-armed for
subs siencc well rs Tor defence. The fact, there
| fore, of being found in such country with arms
| does not prove a beliigerant or hostile character;
since nobody, however peaceshle, is found the
without arms. IL, therefore, individuals armed
| only according 10 the custom OF the country. but
having no hostile purposes OF their own. and free
! from all military authority or employment, fall in
/ with, or follow the march OF troops proceeding
wards point Of attack, these individuals are not
eombdaniS and not subject 10 be taken and treated
as prisoners. These considerations may be applied
TO those citizens Of the IT, 5. for whose release from
imprisonment the incorporation OF this Government
has been requested
The names OF such American citizens as had ask.
ed the inierposition of Government, the ground
of their having been traders or travellers merely
given u our M mister, III such facts respecting
them as had como TO the know edge of the Depart
menI Mr. KESDALL's case is considered al some
length ana illusions made 10 a previous CORES
pondence which took place concerning him between
/ MIR ELLIS and the Mexican Secretary OF State.
] The arguments Of the Mex minister are tho
roughly refuted.
ns ma nave Ts5n l5and e66Siirdiing"h h8ls56aBT
the armed force in the Texan expedition il is de-
cared that the Government OF the United States
has no inclination 10 interfere in the war between
Mexico and Texas for the benefit or protection of
individuals, any further than its clear duties require.
But ii citizens OF the United States, who have not
renounced, nor intended TO renounce, their glance
10 their own Government, nor have entered into
the military service of any other Government, have
nevertheless been found connected with armed
enemies OF Mexico, as that they may be lawfully
iptured and detained as prisoners Of war IL i, sill
the duty OF this Government 10 take so far concern
in their welfare TO that, as prisoners Of war.
they are treated according to the usage Of modern
time. and civilized states.
The independence Of Texas has been acknowledged
by the United States Just as the independence of
Mexico was acknowledged before il was recognized
by Spain. The war therefore between Texas and
Mexico cannot be regarded a rebellion on the part
OF the former, nor should Texan prisoners be pun
Isle as for violation Of the municipal laws Of
Mexico, or as being tine suffice engaged in rebellion
MIR Webster goes to say that although the rights
or the safety OF citizens OF The United States
were concerned, yet If IN war waged between two
neighbonns States the killing, enslsving or cruel
tire itment of prisoners should he indu ged in the
United States would fee it 10 be their duty as well
their right, demonstrate and to interfere against
such departure from the principles OF humanity
and civilization. MIR Webster continues IN this !
emphatic and eloquent strain:
IL Is, therefore, that the Government ofthe Uni /
ted States protests against the hardships and cru
elites to which the Santa Fe prisoners have been |
subjected. Ii protests against this treatment 10 the
name % humanity and the law Of natons-in the
name OF oil Christian States-in the n1me OF civil.
zaton and tie spirit Of the age the name of nil
Republican, the name Of liberty herself enfeebled
and dishonofed by oil cruelty and all e1cess-in |
the name Of and for the honor Of this whole hemis
phere. IT. protests emphaticslly and earnestly |
against practices belonging only to barbarous PEG,
pie IN bafnarous times.
Every nation. or being received At her own re |
quest into the olrce Of civilized Governments must !
understand TINT she not only attnns rights OF -.
veregnty and the dignity of national character but
that she binds herself also the strict and faitbfni
observance Of al those principles laws and usages
which have obtained currency among civil zsd States
and which have Tor their object the mitigation Of the
miserics Oi wnr.
No community can he allowed to enjoy the bene.
III % national character in modern times without
bmitting all the duties when hat character i'm
poses. Christian scope, who eHerc se sovereign
power, who mako treaties. maintoin diplomatic re-
istions with other Sihes and vino should vet refuse
20 conduct rs military operations according to the
usages universally observed by such States would
present character slngulary inconsistent and ano.
maIoys.
The concluding portion OF his despatch runs
thus: