Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-03
PRISONERS IN MEXICO

JUNE. ~ ID HUpca Adt AL WIZ ha'e yoiHS~ -
well as others interested will be present
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AMERICAN PRfsONERs IN MEXICO
The follow ing remonsirance was addressed
TO Santa Anna, on his return 10 the City OF
Mexico Immediately after tie battle OF Buena
Visa No regard had been paid to il up to
the I'd OF April. Inns is an outrageous return
for the treatment received by La Vega and
others taken prisoners by Us.
CASTLE ST. Jaco, CRY OF MExico,1
March "a, I847.
To his Erceu<ncy. Gen. Santa s7nna:
SIR--The undersigned officers of the Army
Of the United States Of America, respectfully
state TO your Excelency, that they. together
with their respective commands, consisting of
seventy one persons in all. became prisoners
Of war to the Mexican Republic, al the Haci-
enda Encarnation, on the 22d of January last,
On that morning before day light, we found
ourselves entirely surrounded BY a large force
say three thousand men--and about sun
rise, white flag approached us on one side
and considerable force on another we re-
quIred that the troops should retire, precedent
TO our receiving the flag, which being com
piled with. the flag approached, and surrend-
er demanded We took one hour TO deter
mine whether We would entertain PROPOSE
ton of the kind or not at the expiration ofthe
hour, the flag returned, and was answered
that we would hear proposition, and were
told thar general Mnon would send a major
TO our camp, while one OF our number OF
equal rank, should repair 10 his headquarters,
and hear hi, offer. This being done, Major
Borland entertained the officer sent in; whilst
Mai. Games rode Quito the General, had a
conference Of about one hour with him, re-
turned 10 the hacienda, and in the presence Of
an Interpreter, on each side, stated the terms
Yneied. which were accepted, and between
eleven and twelve O'Clock we surrendered as
prisoners OF war.
| The terms were, that the General himself
should receive the swore OF our commander !;
that public property should be surrendered !;
and private property should be respected and
that the best treatment, in every particular,
known amongst civilized nations TO prisoners
Of war, should be ours.
The General, when asked to reduce these
terms 10 writing, gave us the most positive as
surance that his word OF honor was worth
more than three or four signatures, and that
unless h. agieemen, was fully carried out he
would abandon the service OF his country On
our journey TO this city, we had the gratfica-
ton to meet your Excellency. and, after stat
ing TO YOU the terms Of capitulaiion received
the pleasing assurance that they should be
complied with.
The object Of this note is 10 complain to the
Head Of the Mexican Republic, that, so far
from the terms Of our capitulaton being com
piled with, we have been frequently subjected
10 the most grievous derrvanons and that we
have refrained from making our protests hith-
erio, in consequence Of the unhappy dissen-
sions said to exist in the capi,al--which being
now fortunately adjusted, as we are informed,
We most respectfully call your attention to our
condition.
We forbear at this time, from entering into
particulars of our complaints, and beg leave 10
refer your eyceiiency 10 Gen. Vega, who has
lately been prisoner o. war in the United
States, (but who has not honored US with any
notice whatever for the manner in which
prisoners OF war are treated in our country.
This Is, however, one complaint, which we
owe 10 ourselve. TO call your immediate at,en-
ton to. We are informed that Gen Minon in
reporting ourcap,urc hisgovernment, alleges
that we surrendered at discretion, an6 that we
owe our lives TO the magnanirnty of the Mex
lean Republic. Against such a statement we
enter our solemn protest; and declare that, the
terms Of our surrender being accurately stated
in the foregoing part of this note. any thing
inconsistent herewith is unfolded in fact.
Hoping that peace between the Two Re
publics shall speedily be made, upon terms
equally honorable 10 both. We subscribe our
selves your mos, obedient servants,