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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
congress and Cabinet of Mexico can or will convince them- That such statements will he unavailing if made from here ·during his captivity, for the reason of his being a captive, for want of minute explanations which cannot be given in written communications, and also owing to the intrigues and slanders of his enemies, and of party spirit, who would endeavor to mislead public opinion, Excite national pride, and prejudice, and perhaps attempt to impugn the purity of his motives etc. He also says that it may Embarrass the great and magnanimous object he has in view, (I use his own words) which-is a recognition of Texian independence, and to build up a new nation here, with the cooperation of the U. S. Govt, if the contents of the secret treaty of 14 May or of his letter to you of this date should be published and reach Mexico before he does, in as much as it might be used by political parties to misleacl public opinion, shake public confidence in him or create erronious impressions, He also says that the Elections for- President of Mexico come on in september next, and that Gen! Bravo probably may be elected, if he, Santa Anna~ is detained here, that in this event there would be but little proba- bility of accomadating the affairs of Texas, for the reasons that the new President would probably consider it necessary to keep up the national Ex- citement on this subject·by appealing to national pride, and doing all he could to discredit his political enemy Santa Anna etc These in substance are the views taken by Genl Santa Anna on this subject He entered into lengthy details to Explain his reasons for being in favor of acknowledging the Independence of Texas, and the advantages that would result to Mexico and fu the U. S. from a termination of the war etc. It would be extending this letter very much to repeat them all. They are based (as I think) on a full knowledge of the subject, and an ardent and . patriotic desire to serve the true interest of Mexico, and the cause of hu- manity by terminating an Expensive and useless war, His manner, and his reasoning, evinced frankness, sincerity, and Magnanimity,- He drew a very striking comparison between the obstinate silly, and impolitic course pursued by Spain in refusing to acknowledge the Independence of Mexicoâ–º after all hopes of conquering it had ceased, and the good of Spain required a termination of the war between them_: and the prompt, frank and high minded course of England, with the U. S. by terminating the war of Inde- pendence without delay, so soon as it was evident the public good required it, He hopes the Example of the latter would be followed by Mexico with respect to Texas, at the same time observing that if this liberal and mag- nanimous course was adopted by Mexico, it would naturally be expected that a similar one would influence Texas in agreeing to some just and rea- sonable indemnity for the losses of Mexico to be amicably arranged by negotiations under the general mediation of the U. S. etc- These conver- salions were held with me as an individual.- I hold no office at this time
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