Apr 21 1836 to June 3 1836 - PTR, Vol. 6

which contain the treaties, whieh, with sorrow, I have the honor lo annex. by copy, to your Excellency, for the due information ot' the supreme government. A8 that which is exacted in them, with but Ii Ille difference, is the same tlrnt his Excellency, the general-in-chief had previously provided, and on the other hand, I found it indispensable, agreed Lo it in the camp on the rivulet or Mugerero 011 the 26th, the answers that I have being likewise annexed. The 28th, on the march for this place, I mel Lhe respectable communications of your Excellency, elated 15th of last month, and. according lo Lhe wishes of the supreme government, which they make manifesl to me, I find that they are satisfied with what has been essentially done, up to this Lime, the life of him, who has so often exposed it for Lhe good of the country, is preserved; that also of a very precious portion of the generals, chiefs, officers, and troops of the army of operations, who were made prisoners, the change of those which we have of the enemy agreed upon for an equal number of our own; and had all those made in the campaign been preserved, all would surely have been Lhe same, and the question would simply be reduced lo the liberty of his excellency, the president; bu l unfortunately it was not so, and the number of those who can benefit by this opportunity is very small, for whom I have already extended Lhe orders. As regards the liberty of his Excellency, the president, it is natural thal they should wish lo address themselves direc Lly lo the supreme government, lo negotiate for it on Lhe besl terms that they can, because Lhe 10th article of Lhe agreemen l in que8Lion, so makes it understood; and as respects the independence of Texas, in nothing is the national honor compromised. 1 am also ordered to preserve Lhe city of Bexar; bul this was not allainable without destroying all Lhe resl: on Lhe other hand, Bexar is of no importance as a selllernent, less a8 a military position, and is absolutely useless for a combined place, on account of its situation entirely isolated. J have thought, then, your Excellency, thal J proceeded conforrnahly lo Lhe inlf~resls of the republic, to Liu~desires of Lhe supreme government, lo my duly and .-:onseience; should the gov,~rnment nol thus d1!em il, I am ready to answer in Lhe way Lhcy think proper, h,~<:ause in all cases, I more valm: their decorum, and that of the nalion, than my own existence; hul I

438 ·

Powered by