392
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
AUSTIN TO COLLINSWORTH AND GRAYSON1
Velasco, July 9-1836
MESSRS COLLINGSWORTH AND GRAYSON GENTLEMEN,
The president of Mexico, Genl. Santa Anna, who is still in Columbia a prisoner of war, has written to Gen. Jackson president of the U. S. under date of 4th instant, requesting his mediation etc to t~rminate the war ·be- tween Texas and Mexico on the basis of a recognition of the independence of the former- he has also enclosed to Gen Jackson copies of the public and secret treaties of 14th May last. President Burnet I presume will enclose to you a copy of Gen. Santa Anna's letter to Gen. Jackson, and also of his letter to Gen. Urrea. These papers will go to show the desire of Gen. Santa Anna to terminate the war on the basis of a recognition of the independence of Texas. You are aware of the desire of Gen. Santa Anna that these matters should not be published in the newspapers, and of his reasons, but they can, of course, be used by you, in your conferences with the U. S. Govt. in as much as they have been sent to that Govt by Gen. Santa Anna himself. It was my intention to have taken Gen. Santa Anna's letter to Gen. Urrea out to our army and delivered it in person to Gen. M. B. Lamar, the present Commander in chief-but I have not as yet been able to procure a horse, and am detained by other business, it was however sent on by President Burnet by express yesterday- I am of the opinion that no material good will result from this matter. The president and Cabinet, as you are aware, have confidence in the engagements made by Gen. Santa Anna, in the secret treaty of 14 May, and letter to Gen. Jackson of 4 inst-but you are also aware, that the Army and people have not any confidence at all, and conse· quently the same difficulties still exist, which you witnessed previous to your departure. These difficulties have been increased by the receipt of Gen. Urrea's proclamation issued at Matamoros 5th June, and the resolves or decrees, passed by the Congress of Mexico, declaring null and void any acts of Santa Anna's while he is a prisoner-and much other information of a similar character which was received here this day- Santa Anna however still says that he can end the war on the basis agreed upon, pro- vided he is set at liberty-but he cannot be set at liberty without such guar· antees as are considered to be undoubted- Gen. Jackson's would be of this character, and without it I am of the opinion nothing can be done. The mediation of the U. S. Govt is most desirable and important, and I think would end the war, but I think it important for you to bear in mind that the Govt of Texas, cannot admit of such mediation (as I believe) ex- cept on the basis of the independence of Texas, without any restrictions as
1From Austin's letter book in file of July 4, 1836.;
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