The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-20
Mr.. Ellis to Mr.. Webster-Ertraet.
LEGATION OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA,

ong orior to ths sl.!i.nn A sf Msssrs McRae
80 lawrence, who reacheatches the subject of the
E.htuary as beareIand The Texan prisoners had al
santa Fe-ay engaged my attention had used all
VIPER exenfons to obtain correct Information IN re-
yard to the circumstances and state OF those men,
from the time OF their capture and seems, from the
best information can get that they were induced by
the false OF one OF heir own party to sur
render their arms upon assurance by the authorities
OF New Mexico that they would be permitted to re-
turn to Texas without further moesation Shorty
after surrender they were seized and bound and a-
ter the expiration OF bret period, not precisely
known to me- we've marched as prisoners to this
capital. From the representations of MeSsrs. Faco-
ner and Van Ness, two of the prisoners who have
been released it appears that they were treated with
great cruel that three killed the route and
two died from exhaustion and suffering.
The first division OF these prisoners arrived here in
the latter part of December lS4l, and the
confined in the convent of Santiago, chained and
forced to work daily on the public roads The second
DIVISION reached San Crlstoba, about four leagues
hence in the last week of January, and it imme-
diately discovered that they atil ced with small
pox The sick however were separated from
The healthy and were bought to the hospital of s. m
Lazaro in tins place, whist the others marched
on the road to Perote. In addition to their sutlerngs
from fatigue and disease they destitute of cloth
ing md all other personal comforts and ecessa res
II IS however due to the subaltern officers who had
charge OF these unfortunate men in this capital and
al San Cristobal state that they have treated them
with as much lenily and Kindness they could
sisteny with their duty. On the arr al of the fl st
division here the foreigners, cnsistng chiefly Of
Americans and Englishmen, subscribed literally both
in money and clothing, and thus eved the press.
Ing wants Of that body of men during the coolest part
of our winter. (See Doc. No.
As soon as | possessed myself of all the facts in
rev,va to th connexion of young Franklin Combs.
with the Santa Fe expedition-hs arrest and imprs-
onment-l was satisfied that lie had not accompanied
the Texans as militia character, and had not con-
Quoted himself in such manner as to forfeit his
right TO the protection of our Government. there
fore Immediately represented all the facts to the NJ in
ster of Foreign Relations, and demanded his liberia
ton as a citizen of the U nited States pleased
to have it in my power TO IN orm you, that the most
Excellent the Provisional President, General Santa
Anna, examined personally into the facts of Mr..
Combs case and aft having satisfied himself that he
had not violated any existing law of the Republic,
ordered him to be forthwith discharged and sent him.
accompanied by of his aid .de-canps, to this Lee
cation in his private carriage. The fact of his re-
lease | had made known to you in my last despatch,
and now have the honor TO transmit you all the do
cuments in regard to his (See Dec. No. 81
Mr. George Van Ness has, also, been released by
the order of his Excellency the President though his
liberation was chiefly effected through the kind agency
of General Tornel Minister of War and Marine, who
had known his father and family during his residence
in the United States Minister from Mexico.
| had not applied for his release had Mr..
Van Ness requested that | should do 50, and the
freedom of this young gentleman is, consequently,
owing to the voluntary and generous act Of the Gov
ernment (See Doc. No. Al
Previous to the arrival Of Mr.. McRae with your in
struc,ions, | had demanded the liberation Of Mr.
Kendall as a citizen of the United States, who had
associated himself with the Santa Fe expedition no
other way than as private tourist, travelling as
citizen OF the United States desiring the coun-
try and projected by Mexican passport, granted by
the Consul at New Orleans. Upon this demand for
the release of Mr.. Kendall, correspondence took
place betN cen my eli and the Minister of Foreign Re
atlons in reference TO the true attitude in which Mr.
Kendall stood to that expedition. regret to inform
van that Mr. Kendall is still prisoner, and am
wholly unable to say when his case will blfinaly de-
ended. although have detained my messenger five
DAYS IN order to receive answer from Mr.. de Bo.
canepra (See Doc. No. 81
In regard to the other prisoners, who claim the pro