460
THE AUSTIN PAPERS
We are all very well, and pray fervently for your prosperity and happi- ness-in other words-for the entire success of Texas. MARY AUSTIN HOLLEY S: F: Austin Esq.
AUSTIN TO THOMAS H. BENTON
Colombia, Texas, Novr. 25-1836
HoN. T. H. BENTON DR SIR,
I wrote you a few days since by Mr Wharton- This will be delivered by Col Hockley and Bernard Bee Esqr. who go on to Washington in com• pany with General Santa Anna- • I presume you are aware that an agreement or treaty was made with Santa Anna by President Burnet and Cabinet in May last, in which it was stipulated, Amongst other things: that he should be liberated and sent to Vera Cruz- President Houston and Cabinet have determined to carry out the said treaty, And have accordingly liberated Gen Santa Anna-, He has requested that the article providing that he should be sent Lo Vera Cruz, should be modified so as to permit him to proceed to the city of Washing• ton, and he starts tomorrow to that city. Gen Santa Anna expressly says that he is satisfied, the war between Texas and Mexico should cease, and that the independence of Texas should be recognised by Mexico- In as much as the people of Texas have. expressed their wish to be annexed to the U. S. he says that he, on his part, will do all he can to promote that object. His visit to Washington therefore is to have an interview with the President of the U. S. and to come to some kind of an •understanding to bring the Texas question lo an issue, On the basis of an acknowledgment of the independence of Texas, and its annexation to the U.S. Whether any good will result from his visit depends on his good faith, and on his power or influence in Mexico to procure the consent of the Mex- ican Govt. and Congress to the separation of Texas. That he is fully con- vinced Mexico cannot retain Texas; I have no doubt-. That fact is too self evident for a man of his sense not to see. A continuation of the war therefore can only result in losses and disasters to Mexico, and the sooner it is terminated the better for that nation- He wishes the U. S. to mediate and has applied Lo Gen Jackson long-since, but no attention can be paid by the U. S. Govt. Lo such an application from the President of Mexico while he is a prisoner. In Washington City however Santa Anna will be free-
lfrom •Austin's letter book in file of July 4, 1836.
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