executed, and that he is a prisoner and 1ncapable of treating. To these objections I would in general observe, that the Government of Texas have already treated with him, and that he has performed and is daily performing such parts of his stipulation as are capable of present execution. That the treaty having been ratified by an executory compliance on one part, is irrevocably and solemnly binding on the other. That a breach of its obligations on the part of Texas, would give to the, "faithless" Santa Anna, the triumphant boast of having performed his engagements to Texas, while the Government, Nay! while the people and the army of Texas have prevented their Government from executing a single stipulation to him. The effect of such a boast, when founded in tTuth, and blazoned to the World, on the moral reputation of this young Republic, is too humiliating to be contemplated with patience, and I will not attempt to portray it. The luminous Vattel says "Nations and their conductors ought invariably to observe their promises and their treaties ***** he who does not observe a treaty, is certainly perfidious, since he violates his faith." But perhaps the objectors may feel themselves entitled to a more specific reply, and I am willing to gratify their curjosity. The government, without making any special reference lo the good or bud faith of President Santa Anna, have conceived they had a heller security for the faithful performance of his engagements, than any ordinary human claim to personal confidence could furnish, and therefore they considered the alledged faifhlessne~ of his character as presenting no very serious obstacle to the final consumation of the treaty. They believed, and they were persuaded that he fully believed, that his own highest political interests would require and render imperatively the complete execution of the principal stipulation in his branch of the treaty. and Therefore they reasoned,·not from the good or bad faith of Santa Anna, hut from an atribute common to all ambitions political aspirants: his instinctjve desire to promote his own interests, especially when those interests were obviously concurrent wjth the best interests of his country. And they were assured that this controlling pa~ion of self interest was deeply and intensely enlisted on this occasion. Is there any man in Texas, who does not believe that it is impossible for Mexico lo subdue this country and retain it as an integral part of the Mexican Republic"? No man in Texas is more
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