[2606] (RODINSON to BURNETJ
Camp opposite the Ruins of San Felipe de Austin April 6, 1836
To
His ExceHency D. G. Burnet President of the Republic of Texas, D[r.] Sir.
This moment information has been Recd. here that Col. Fannin surrendered, on the express condition that they should march back to Goliad & lay down their arms, & pass their parole on honor not to fight against Mexico during the present war, that they would then be forthwith sent to New Orleans by way of Copeno at the expense of Mexico, which condition was not complied with on the contrary company after company were ordered out by the .Mexican General and barberously shot. So says 4 of the 1st company ordered out, who fell down among the dead, and afterwards ran away & there being no cavalry present, made there escape & are now with Col. Ward, & his 100 men at Fort Settlement on the Brassos. Thus the whole of the men & officers that were surrendered by Col. Fannin are now among the dead, shamefully murdered, in utter contempt & violation of an arti[cjle of capitulation & the usages of civilized & christian Nations. It is my solemn opinion that you wought to make this atrocious act of punic faith, officially known at the City of Washington to our agent or agents there and ask the recognition of our independence and the protection of the U.S. If done at all it is important that it be done soon, as the Congress wil probably adjourn next month. There is a recent case in point in the war carried on between Don Pedro & Don Carlos wherein a subject of Great Britain was shot under much less aggravated circumstances, and the Govern- ment of G. B- interfered and obtained redress, and all Europe acquiesced in its justice, and conformity with the laws of nations, of Nature & of nature's God. Gen. Wm. H. Harrison had a son (Dr. Harrison) recently inhumanely butchered at Victoria, who was not in arms, or in any hostile attitude whatever. It would be well to inform his Father, of his melancholy fate, & ask his interference in our behalf, "he was literally cut into pieces on a log like a mess of pork." So says my informant just arrived from the scene of the slaughter, where 2 or 3 other North Americans shared the same
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