382
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
in this country. And as such they are detailed to you with the knowledge of Genl Santa Anna, to·whom I have communicated the substance of this letter. On my part I could only reply by Expressing my desires to see the war terminated on the basis of an acknowledgment of our Independence, and that I had confidence in the sincerity and good faith of his declarations on the subject, and would use any influence I might have to bring about a permanent peace through the Mediation of the U. S. which I considered a decorous and safe mode of terminating the difficulty, both for Mexico and Texas The step taken by the president and cabinet of Texas to liberate Genl. Santa Anna and send him to Vera Cruz forthwith, was disapproved of by public opinion, an excitement was the consequence and he was dis- embarked after he had embarked to sail for vera cruz. The cause of this excitement was the want of confidence by the army and people in the pro- fessions and declarations of Gen. Santa Anna-the belief that the Cabinet had been overreached and deceived by a misplaced confidence in him-the want of information as to the nature of the secret treaty with him, which was not published for the reasons before slated, and the want of guarantees for the prompt fulfilment of his promise to acknowledge our independence, and doubts as to his power and influence with the Congress and people of Mexico to effect this object etc etc. Also, the deep feeling produced by the execution of Col Fannin's men, the loss of property, suffering of families etc etc. You have been called upon by the Govt. of Texas through Messrs Gray- son and Collingsworth, who went on for that purpose and are now called upon by Gen Santa Anna to interpose your influence and mediation for the purpose of terminating the war between Mexico and Texas, on the basis of the full establishment and recognition of the independence of the latter, and I sincerely hope that these joint calls will be deemed sufficient to jus-• tify the intervention of the U. S. as a mediator in this matter and that your intervention will be prompt and directed at once of the object of a cessa- tion of hostilities here. Your guarantee to the people of Texas for the ful- filment of the offer made by Gen Santa Anna would produce his immediate release, and he savs that this will end the war, as he then can exercise his authority and influence to take back the Mexican Army and terminate the .whole matter by negociation before his and your terms of office expire. I am myself convinced of Gen. Santa Anna's sincerity and good faith in this matter and I shall proceed to the Army of Texas with the view of trying to allay excitements and see, whether Gen. Urrea (in case there is any mode of communicating with him officially by the command of our army) will by a solemn and formal treaty agree to withdraw his army beyond the Rio Bravo and obey the orders of Gen Santa Anna in the event of the liberation of the latt~r and his arrival at Urreas head quarters, Santa Anna on his part giving such assurances and guarantees as will satisfy our army on the
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