The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-06-28

where, you will instruct them to remain until my
arrival. You will also pay their expenses at the
tavern at Puebla, and, their departure, give to
each Of them twenty dollars.
With respect, yours,
- POWHATAN ELLIS
To JOHN BLACK, Esq
The substance of an interview between President
Santa Anna and Mr.. Ellis, the l4th of April,
1872 relative to the persons claimed by this Lega-
ton as citizens of the United States Of America,
VITO are held by the Government of Mexico as Tex
an prisoners:
MI. Ellis commenced by observing to the President
that he was about leaving Mexico to return to the
United States, and that, before doing so, he desired
to know the final determination of the Mexican Go
vern. ent to those persons whose liberty he had
claimed
President Santa Anna replied that the matter was
still of difficulty to his Government but that it
had sincerely desired crafty the wishes of the Mi
mister.
The chief cause of his declining to do any thing
was, that if he liberated one, two or the whole Of
those claimed, he would feel himself bound to lberate
all, all had been equally culpabIe in invading
Mexico, or in accompanying those who had come with
hostile intentions, and thus made themselves accom-
plices of the guilty.
Mr. Ellis said that such were not the circumstances
under which he had applied for those whose names
were before the Mexican Government.
he recognised the principle laid down by the Presi-
dent, that men who entered Mexico bearing arms
and designing to them against the authorities of
this country could not justly claim his prote cton-
did he would he extend it to them as the re-
preventative of friendly and neutral nation.
But he thought it his duty to do what he had done
for the seven persons claimed, because he was
fully satisfied they had not visited Mexico with mimi
cal designs, and were unarmed, except for personal
defence, and accompanied the Sante te petition as
travellers and erchants only for its protection until
they reached a place security and trade He re-
marked that if he entertained any other idea of the
character of the pes in whose behalf he had inter
posed he would be the last person solicit their ibe-
ration.
President Santa Anna replied that he was gratifed
to hear the expression OF SUCH views, which, he
sure, sincerely entertained by the Minister and
The Government he represented.
He anxious to crafty the Government of the
United States, and would mention that with that
desire he had already liberated the young men, who
had ne home to their friend, and who, he believed
had erred moe from the mex peri, OF youth than
with any really bitter feelings towards his country
He would moreover say, that he had given orders for
the release Of of he prisoners whose liberty
had been asked by the commander of OF the ves-
ses OF war of the U nj ed ates, at Vera Cruz So
that vessel shall have lett the port.
He would even feel disposed accede atoge
lher to Mr. Eiss views, but thai it report, d. aud
currently believed that the vessel of he had al
luded to visited the waters Of Mrxico whilst others
were daily expected for The purpose demanding the
delivery OF The prisoners.
Under these circumstances, it would be perceived
he could do nothing for the present
fuolic opinion and nation, honor would alike for
bid his action
Mr. Ellis answered that he was aware that two
vessels OF war had recently anchored at the Island of
SACRIFICES, but that he believed they had come tber.
only in the ordinary Course of their cruise in the
Gulf
Ii they had come wi the intention indicated nv the
President, he Mr.. ElIs) would assuiedy have been
informed IF II, either uy the D,partm, Of Site a
hone, n by the Commodore of the squadron
Blu; no such information had reached him; on the
contrary, be had every TO believe that M VIII
was friendly, and in tie ordinary course of duty the
West India station. Besides this, he would observe
thai he had been informed by Consul at Vera
Cruz that the Macedonian (the flag ship had depart
ed from SACRIFICES, her return the naval station
at Pensacola passing by TampicJ.
President Santa Anna said that such being the
case, he would be glad if possible, TO obge Mr..
f Lis.
Mr.. Ellis added, in conneIion with wba, he had