373
PAPERS OF MIRABE\.U BUONAPARTE LA'UAR
nromises. even with the desire to do it. B'ut after all, if I should find myself mistaken; if neo-otiations shall be entered into with him, and all the anticipated blessino-s be realized; our •Independence ac- knowledged; our national boundary,·settled; and our ri...hts respected, I shall still be mortified with the reflection, that these ends which might have been easily achieved by our valor, have been obtained at the sacri•fice of just resentment and the loss of merited vengeance. I shall certainly rejoice in my conntrys prosperity, but at the same time shall feel, that ,vhilst her interest was promoted, the ends of jus- tice ·were perverted. , Opposed, as I stand, to all negotiation with our prisoner, the ques- tion very naturally arises-What is the next best course to adopt after the rejection of the proposal for his execution? I answer that I am an ill adviser when I feel myself called upon to for ake the right, to follow the C'xpedient; yet as I am bound officially to speak, I have no hesitancy in offering as my opinion that the first thing to which we should direct our attention is the redemption of our Fellow Citizens in captivity, bv an exchange of prisoners according to rank and numbers. When this is effected, the balance of the Iexicans in our power, the officers and soldiers including Santa .Anna and his suite, should remain prisoners of war in the custody of the Govern- ment during the continuance of hostilities; hostilities which I would not cease to nrosecute with all the vigor or our strength and resources, until our national rights shall be recognized in a treaty of peace with the Government of fexico. I feel that our Country is fully adeql1ate to the achievement of this desirable end, which I doubt not will be greatly facilitated by holding on to the most influential of our pris- oners, whose interest it will be to promote, as speedily as practicable, ome arran1?ement with their government which shall give liberty to them, ancl satisfaction tQ us. If they can be of an:v pos ible use to u in brin°'ing about a recognition of our Independence, it must be in this way; it must be by the lingering authority that may still attach to their names in Mexico, together with the personal influence which they may be able to exercise over their friends and partizans, for their redemption. As prisoners of war, it is their interest to for- ward our views, and they are powerless to do us harm; but if we shonld relea~e them upon the strength of anv tiledges which they mti?ht make. we turn loose an inveterate enemy, with knowledge increased by experience, and a disposition to injure, augmented by mortified pride. , ith 110 guarantee for 1 the fulfilment of promises, except the honor of one, who feels no complmction, and fears no hame. Hence I vote for their detention as prisoners, and stand opposed to all policy that would give them freedom before the termination of our struggle. And ,J recommend the adoption of this course the more cheerfully, because it will operate the dethroneJI].ent of a tyrant, who never possessed rower without abusing- it, or the affections of his people without be- traying them. The det<'ntion of .Santa Anna in Texas, until a treaty of peace is formed, will trip him of all authority in Iexico; and this will be mercy to that nation; perhaps to mankind. He will return to the land that ha groaned under hls despotism. a toothless viper, with the malevolence to strike, but without the fang to wound. Upon
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