enter into any agreement which our rights may require, or our selfishness exact; but when restored to liberty and power, will he feel any obligation to comply with terms which he had no agency in dictating? What he assents lo while a prisoner, he may reject when a freeman. Indeed the idea of treating with a man in our power, who views freedom in acquiescence, and death in opposition, seems to me more worthy of ridicule than refutation; and to carry on such a negociation with an individual who never was known to fulfil a voluntary promise against his interest, with the remotest expecta- tion that he wiU act up to an extorted one which his pride and resentment spurn, would evince a confidence in human nature dangerous to act upon, and which I should most sincerely deplore if permitted to influence the councils of this Republic. If it be true, as experience leads us to suspect,that but little reliance is to be placed upon the faith even of good men when it stands in collision with their interest, what dependance or confidence shall we repose upon the word of one whose sanguinary crimes are equalled only by his treachery and falsehood? Yet such is the character of the distinguished individual with whom it is proposed to negociate for our Independence, and to restore to liberty and power under a verbal or written pledge that he will promote our wishes and serve our cause. With me such pledges ar~ lighter than the "moonshines watery beam". I trust them as I would "a dicers oaths.,, But independent of this consideration, it may be very well doubted whether Santa Anna with every disposition to fulfil any agreement which he may now enter into, will on his return to Mexico have the power to do it. It was public opinion which drove him into war with Texas, and the same public sentiment on his arrival al home, may keep him in the attitude of avowed, if not of actual hostility to this country. No matter what may be his private feelings, self-preservation - the stability of his power, may depend upon his continued opposition to our views. How can we then expect of him a compliance with any compact formed for the recognition of our Independence, or for any other purpose? The advantages proposed to be gained from his supposed or probable integrity cannot of consequence be realized even with every willingness on his part to redeem his pledges. I doubt not in the least, that so soon as the news of his defeat and imprisonment shall be sounded in the walls of .Mexico, that instant will he lost, all his authority in the land, as he has long since lost the affections of his people. He will be powerless either for good or ill. I am therefore decidedly opposed to all negotiation or arrangements with him: - first, because he is a prisoner and not free to act; secondly, because
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