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THE AUSTIN PAPERS
ment of your head quarters at Nacogdoches, would be sufficient- In this . event Genl. Santa Anna would be liberated- I mean in the event of your guaranteeing in the name of the U. S: the fulfilment of the treaty made by Santa An::a with the Govt. of Texas. The main substance of this treaty is to remove all the Mexican troops beyond the Rio Bravo immediately, and lo procure the acknowledgement of the Independence of Texas from the Mexican Congress and terminate the war by negociation, calling in the mediation of the U. S. as he has done by his letter lo Genl. Jackson of this date. Should your instructions admit of the course indicated without waiting for an answer to Genl Santa Anna's letter to President Jackson, I am of the opinion il will lead to an immediate cessation of hostilities and to a ter- mination of the war. In the event that you feel authorised to tender your friendly interposition in this matter I have no doubt it will be accepted both by Genl Santa Anna and by the Govt of Texas-the substance of the lender being lo pave the way for peace and procure the liberation of Genl • Santa Anna, the president of a nation that is on the most friendly terms with the U. S., and if you could visit this place in person, for the above purposes it would have a decisive effect and Genl Santa Anna would no doubt be set al liberty, and pave the way through you, for a termination of all this difficulty. I make these suggestions as a citizen of Texas- I hold·no office, but can go into the Cabinet whenever it may be necessary and I have no doubt the Govt. and people here will approve of the course I have indicated should it be adopted by you, nor can I doubt that the U. S. Govt will ap- prove of it, in as much as the object is to terminate a war upon its borders that is viewed by that Govt. and people with great interest, and lo promote and serve the cause of humanity and procure the liberation of the President of Mexico, on terms that will be satisfaclory to all parties-neither can I doubt that it will be viewed by Mexico in any other light than an act of friendship towards President Santa Anna. Delay may be pernicious-the Mexican Army is advancing and if hostilities commence it may be too late to do anything. The country is turning .out en masse., and I have no doubt the Mexican A11my will be cut to pieces, but the inhabitants are suffering greatly by being compelled to keep the field, and their good will be pro- moted by a speedy and final termination of the war. Genl. Santa Anna desires that these matters should not be published in the newspapers yet.. s. F. AUSTIN
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