June 4 1836 to July 21 1836 - PTR, Vol. 7

upon the reesla I ,I ish men L of the Federal ConstiLulion of 1824.-Bul Lhe main question now is, what arc the liesl means of securing the indcpendance thus declared. The late memorable and glourious Victory, ohlain hy Genl. Houston and the Officers, and Army under his Command together with the capture of the Arch En Enemy Santa Anna himsclf,-Which has given, its is lo he hoped, a mortal blow to the assailing Army, ancl given a mosl promising earnest, Lhat Texas -is able to maintain her in<!ependa11ce must neverlhlcss he regarded in a conjunel view, of the enemy's remaining force; and the refusal of Lhe two Generals, Filisola, & Scerma to obey the orders of Santa Anna, (and although retreating from Lhe last account we have had here,) still remaining in an imposing attitude, and leaving it uncertain whether they even mean to retire from Texas TerriLory- and who from appearances seem to be awaiting orders from .Mexico, or watching ru1 opportunity lo strike back upon the Texian Army, in order lo relreive their late cliscomfulure and loss. Santa Anna it is said prossesser a Military need lo lreat & Lo acknowledge the Inclependance of Texas.- And most probably tho we have nol received information of that focl, he may have alre,1dy signccl a treaty lo that effect. Can you certainly keep Santa in safe custody, until the rnlification or not of the Treaty is known? This itself seems somewhat doubtful. With all the vigilance that can Le used, Philip of Macedon said he could take any town, where a mule had wilh gold could enter. Santa Anna has the Gold, in Orleans & England for, the best account to the amount of a Million of dollars; with a Lithe of this, could he not find a mule? Is the virtue of his guards super human? I have not found much virtue of that quaJity in this Country, with all my partially for it.-To make us of a Hibernianision if he is kept long, I helieve sincerely he will not be kepl at all i & he will no <loubl avail himself, not only of his Gold, but of any and every opportunity of excape. He says, I am informed, tltat he cannot insure the al'ification of any treaty with him, by the Mexican Congress, unless he is set al Liberty This I lielieve, but the doubt is strong, whether if he were let loose, he could or would then do it.-1 am strongly inclined Lo the Lelcif, that he could not if he would have any influence, shown of his army, in producing such conformation, for l 1,clieve he has

7

Powered by