and some vol11nteers, the whole not exceeding one hundred men, who, nevertheless manifest great confidence in being able, not only lo control the prisoners, but to defend the place against any approach of the enemy. The whole place has the appearance of a military encampment ready for action, as the officers, soldiers, and prisoners are dispersed among a hundred tents and huts. The course to be pursued towards Santa Anna is becoming a subject of much interest, and will probably divide the country into two warm parties: tht moderate of which will contend that the honor of the country is worth more than the Life of the prisoner; and the other, that crime is more justly punished under the law of retaliation than by that of humanity. The Secretary of War has addressed a letter to his associates, in which he expresses himself as "impressed with the importance of an early determination of the question" that "Santa Anna has forfeited his life by the highest of all crimes, and is not a suitable object for the exercise of the pardoning power." He proposes, however, as the next best course after the rejection of that for execution, an exchange of prisoners, and to detain Santa Anna and the most influentia_l, until .Mexico shall recognise the independence of Texas; he repudiates the idea of retaliation, and asks only for even-handed justice. The rest of the cabinet are opposed lo taking the life of their prisoners; but, I believe, agree in the expediency of detaining him until Mexico shall establish a permanent treaty of peace. The argument of the President is, that Santa Anna was brought lo camp a prisoner of war, and treated as such; and that, under military usages, in relation to one surrendered and received as a prisoner, the preservation of his life "is the first and unequivocal axiom of those customs;" that "it is the untutored savage only, who immolates his captives lo the disembodied manes of his slaughtered friends: to his benighted fancy, the spirits of the slain in ballle rejoice in the sufferings and gambol amidst the agonies of dying captives." The address of the Secretary of War has been published, a copy of which I now send: the views of the Executive have not been printed, but I have heard them expressed in the language just quoted. Notwithstandinu the o-eneral indignation ae:ainsl the t, t, ~ • prisoner, for the perpetration of so many crimes alleged against him, it is probable that after the next victory the chivalrous
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