-"
and the favorile of the prieslhood; and whilst he is in your power . the priests will not furnish the supplies necessary for another campaign, nor will the regular soldier voluntarily march when their reentering Texas may endanger or cost their favorite Genl his life. therefore preserve his life and the chances are you have won; let not his blood be shed unless it becomes necessary by an imperilive act of just retaliation of Mexican massacres hereafter. this is what I think, true wisdom and humanity dictates. I enclose you a letter to Gen! St. Anna which you will please sen! and cause to be delivered to him. I am Genl with great respect Your mo. obdt servt.
Andrew Jackson
(4144) [JACKSON to SANTA ANNA]
Hermitage, September 4, 1836. Sir, I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 4th of July last, forwarded by Genl Samuel Houston commander in chief of the army of the republic of Texas, under cover of one from him, and Transmitted by Genl. Gains by express. The great object of these communications, on both sides, appears to be, to put an end to the dissasterous cruelties of the civil war now raging between Mexico and Texas, and asking the interference of the united states, to aid in the accomplishment of so humane and desirable an object. I sincerely regret to find from your letter that you have been prevented from carrying into effect the agreement with Texas by the indiscretion you have alluded to, when you had in view so desirable, humane, and beneficial results to both Governments as the blessings of peace and a friendly intercourse between them based upon the principles of a just reciprocity, so beneficial to both countries. The Government of the United States are anxious lo cultivate peace and friendship with all nations, and having adopted the principle, that all nations have the right lo alter, amend, and change their own Government as the sovereign power, the peopl~, chose we never interfere with the policy of other nations nor permtl them to interfere with our internal policy, but upon all occasions where our friendly interposition is asked to aid in restoring peace and tranquility to others, freely yield it-but in the present case, we
384
Powered by FlippingBook