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PAPERS OF MIRABE.\U BuONAPARTE LA.MAR
that signal in order that· they might come aud carry off their dead. Then their principal Commander, John ustin, ,vho was mayor of Brazoria, sent word that he wished to talk to me. I immediately went out to meet them. We saluted each other, and I greeted many friends~ men of prominence in the colony, whom I had not thought would be found with them. "\Ve toasted one another, but we-respected one another's opinions. They told me that they were very grateful to me fo~· my generosity, and I then told them that if they were also generous, they would send my wounded to Brazoria in order that they might have medical attention; and that they should be repaid when my money arrived. They gla<lly agreed at once, and I imme- •· diately commanded the wounded to be taken from the fort to one of the houses which they had left unburned. One of their doctors came to offer me his services. He praised the bravery of the Mexican!i ancl told me that, notwithstanding the fact that I bad fought them, I did not have an enemy among all the Americans, for all of them had repeatedly complimented me. They ·wished to persuade me to join Santa Anna's plan, and said that they would all place themselves under my command. I told them that we would not discuss that subject any more; that I was convinced that even they who proposed this were really not in favor of it; and that only the affair at Anahuac had caused them to embrace that cause which was contrary to the opinions which I knew they formerly held. They asked me if I would assist Mr. Davis, and I told them that it was my duty, and that as soon as they should leave Brazoria for Anahuac I would falI upon that post. They al o asked me if it were true that I had aided' the aforementioned Bradburn. I told them that I had done so, both with troops and munitions, and they informed me that because they knew of this they had decided to attack me; but that if I would lay· down my arms and surrender the fort, they would give me what a· istance I needed. I told them that I would -leave the fort, since my subsistence now depended upon them, but that I would leave with the honors of war; that is .to ay, with arms, munitions, and the equip. ment of both officers and privates. They said that they ,vould agree to everything, even giving me a ship on which to leave, or allowing me to go to Brazoria ·where they would give me assistance. I told them that without arms and munitions I would never do it; that I should do it only with all the honors of war; and if they did not agree to this, to propose the hour of beginning hostilities. A.fter long Je- bates we arranged for the hour of ten on the morning of the twenty- eighth. The alcalde immediately left to render an account ·to the aforementioned a sembly. We retired, and on the next day about eight o'clock in the morning, said alcalde arrived and said that neither the assembly nor the division would agree to the condition that we remained armed. I informed them that I would not surrender -under any other. -conditions, since I had men, arms, munitions, and bayonets to sustain me ; that in view of the circumstances I would retire as I had nothing more to say; that I would await their decision; and that I only charged them with the care of my wounded. They assured me that these would have the best attentiqn and hospitality. On entering the fort I arranged for a new attack, cheering my valiant soldiers.
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