where is the gallant BATTALLION? Go ask the tryant where. He who calmly sits in the shade of yonder piazza as if his bosom bore all peace within, can tell you if he will, that it was by the authority of his order, that that Spartan band, under the hope of liberty and home, was marched from the holy sanctuary of God to the awful slaughterfield; he can tell you that whilst his brave General Urrea and his whole army wept al the stern decree, himself alone rejoiced in the roar of the musketry that stained the plain of La bahia, and spread the horrid banquet to the bird of carnage. Never did the broad eye of day look upon a fouler murder; never were a better and a braver people sacrificed to a tyrant's ferocity. The most of them were youthful heroes. I doubt not that each received on leaving home, the Spartan injunction to bring back his father's shield or be brought back upon it. Gallant youths! they did their duty well; and their fame will yet be the burthen of some "high toned Hoel's harp and soft LeweUins' lay." Forgive me that 1 do not pour "the meed of one melodious tear." l cannot weep for those whose souls have found "a bright reversion in the sky." Their death inspires no other feeling than a hallowed remembrance of their virtues, and a fixed determination, if possible, to avenge their wrongs. If he by whose order they were basely murdered, shall escape the thunders of retribution, it may not be cl0nP. by my approval. The blood of Fannin, and Fenner and the gallant Shacklefords shall not plead with me in vain. Whatever may be the honest views and feelings of others, I beg permission to publish to every parent who mourns the loss of a bright-eyed son in that all horrible transaction, that there is at least one in the councils of this republic, who is mindful of the vengeance due his gallant boy, and who will not forego its payment even for a nation's weal. I cannot; will not compromise with a crimson-handed murderer. Let it not be told in Gath, or published in the streets of Askelen, that we took the gold of our foes in payment for the blood of our friends. It will be perceived that I have said but little in reference to the policy of the measure which I propose. I have purposely avoided it, because it is useless to discuss consequences, when principle points out the course. The main design of this letter has been to unfold the feelings and motives which have influenced my decision in the case, and as policy has had but a small share in the matter, I have been unwilling to enter into any formal argument upon this branch of the subject. Yet nevertheless, if so disposed, I believe it were not difficult to prove that the course l urge, is as safe on the score of policy, as it is sound in principle. The release of Santa Anna will not facilitate the recognition of our independence
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