379
PAPERS OF l\IIR.ABEAU BuoNAPARTE LAMAR
one melodious tear." I cannot weep for those whose souls have found "a bright reversion in the sky." Their death inspire no other feeling than a hallowed remembrance of their virtues, and a fixed determination, if possible, to avenge their wronn-s. If he by whose order they were basely murdered, shall escape the thunders of retri- buticn, it may not be done by my approval. The blood of Fannin, and Fenner and the gallant Shacklcfords shall not plead with me in vain. Whatever may be the bone· t views and feelings of others, I beg per- mission to publish to every parent who mourns the lo s of a b1·ight- eyed son in that all horrible transaction that there is at least one in the councils of this republic, who is mindful of the ven..,eance due his ·gallant boy, and who will not forego its payment even for a nation's weal. I cannot; will not compromise with a crimson-handed murderer. Let it not be told in Gath, or published in the streets of Askelon, that we took the gold of our foes in payment for the blood of our friends. It will be perceived that I have aid but little in reference to the policy of the measure which I propose. I have purposely avoided it, because it is useless to ~iscuss con equences, when principle points out the course. Tbe main design of this letter has been to unfold the feelings and motives which have influenced my decision in the case, and as policy has bad but a small hare in the matter, I have been unwilling to enter into any formal argument upon this branch of the subject. Yet nevertheless, if so di po ed, I believe it were not difficult to prove that the course I urge, is as safe on the score of policy, as it is sound in principle. The relca e of Santa Anna will not facilitate the recognition of our independence in fexico because when he re- turns to his Country, be will be wanting both in the willingne s and the ability to bring it about· and his execution cannot retard the end, because hls death will be as acceptable in :Oiexico as in Texas, and can engender no additional hatred and hostility to this-Country. If he return, public opinion will not permit him to promote our wishe ; and if he die, it will operate as a salutary warning to those who shall lead a future expedition into this Country. It will be a guarantee against the savage butchery of prisoners, and confine the movements · of the enemy within the limits of civilized warfare. If it he for a moment suppo ed that it miaht cause the concentration and return of the J\Iexican forces now retiring from our borders, I can only a,nswer that nothing can be more improbable, but if true, it will not be a movement of much alarm, for the. ame chivalry that strewed the plains of San Jacinto can just as easily reap the remaining harve t. I have always thought, and still believe, that our sole reliance should be npon our swords, and not upon. the faith of Santa Anna. If the armie now on the retreat shall dare a conntermarch, there will not be in the next battle a fexican left to tell the tale of their defeat; and if another expedition against us shall be gotten up in the Fall or the Spring_ thereafter, there will come into our country sucl1 a caval- cade of gallant beroe as will inake their chivalry to kip. They may pour tlieir effeminate thousans upon our•borders a "numerous as the leaves that strew the vale of Valembrozia ·" but we will only sweep them from the soil indignant, with a hurricane of death. The very
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