The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-07-29
The Faith of Mexico. what Is it Worth

The treacherouS character OF the Mexlcahs,
FOR which they notorious throughout the
world in their dealings with nations, as well as
with individuals, has been exempliied in the pre-
sent war as fully as il in the war with
Texas and affords proof the most conclu-
sve, of the folly and inutility of entering into
any treaty with them, with the expectation OF
its being fulfilled, unless il be to their advantage
10 do so.
In the war with Texas, as our readers well
know the troops Of that revolted province, on
more occasions than one, when oyerpowered by
superior numbers, against whom il would have
been madness to contend, laid down their arms,
and surrendered on condition that they should
be treated as prisoners of war. No sooner
were their arms stacked, in fulhiment OF
the treaty of surrender, than they were base
" taken out and shot down, in direct viola
tion of solemn compact Conduct like this
would disgrace any nation having the slightest
pretensions 10 civilization, yet the Mexicanswi
Santa Anna at their head, have been guilty of ~.
The same treachery and bad faith which they
manifested in the war with Texas, have been
exhibited in the present war, although they
have not been carried to the same extent. After
the battle of Buena Vista a treaty for the mutual
exchange of prisoners wac concluded between
General Taylor and Santa Anna, and another
between General Scott and him, by which the
release of all the American prisoners, on Santa
Annals part, was solemnly provided for On our
part the conventions of those treaties were, I'M
mediAtely after the signatures of the contracting
parties were attached to them, carried out TO the
letter, and our prisoners, many of whom were
officers high in command, liberated. But how
N
filed what we agreed 10, than he basely
and dishonesty neglected TO carry out his
part Instead of acting as any honorable man
would do under the circumstances, he defer
red the release of many of the American pr-
soners for weeks and months after they
ttled to their liberty. and to this moment retains
many in close confinement, whom he threatens 10
sedd TO distant part of the republic. We sincerely
hope that our commanding officers will take i'm
mediate measures TO procure their release and
that they will in future profit by the proof which
they have that Mexican honor is no better than
Carthagenian TAI h. | was not until the other
day that Midshpman Rogers was liberated, after
a confinement of some months after his liberia
ton was provided for, and now we learn
that Lieutenant Barbour, whose exchange
was in like manner provided for, is still con-
fined IN The city of Mexico, contrary to sti-
puaton Beyond the limits of that city, he and
one hundred and ninety other American prison.
ers are not permitted to go, and we understand
that the ordinary support which belligereni ma
lions provide for persons taken captive in battle,
is denied them For FIVE months, Lieutenant
Barbour says they have been in a state of naked
ness, famine, and disease, and many of them
weu.d have died had il not been for the relief
extended TO them by foreigners Such ars the
re suits of confding in Mexican honor.
These facts afford ample proof that hereafter a
different policy must be pursued by our
commanding generals There is no use
in entering into agreements for the mu-
tual surrender of prisoners, for they Will be
fulfilled by one party only. They mus, retaid
all prisoners Of rank that orr troops capture aud
neither trust them ON their parole nor libera'e
them, unless an exchange is made on the spot,
We have proof that tho enemy will not respect
agreements TO exchange, and what proof have
we that he will not slaughter them in cold blood,
as he did the Texan prisoners We should Gre
member the Alamo"