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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
who reposed much confidence in the redemption of the pledges made by General Santa Anna, while a prisoner in our camp, but his having made and sanctified them bv everv assurance which could influence an honorable mind, or operate ·upon a civilized nation, I felt it my duty, as the head of the Government, to lay them before him, and ask for their fulfilment, before resuming a war which would necessarily in- volve hostilities with those who had manifested so strong a disposition for peace. The Agent selected for this mission, was one peculiarly fitted by his general intelligence, his chivalrous character, and ardent temperament, as well as by the good feelings and personal regard which it was supposed Santa Anna as a man of ordinary sensibility and grati- tude must cherish towards him, to ensure success to the undertaking if success were attainable. But I regret to say, that thus far, nothing has transpired in reference to this overture which is calculated to re- move the doubts I have always entertained of the magnanimity of that people, or their willingness to do justice to others. Our Agent was refused permission62 to proceed from Vera Cruz to the Capital of the Republic; and although that refusal was attended by circumstances which left on his mind the impression, that the objection to his recep- tion resulted from the unsettled state of the political parties of the country, rather than from a disposition adverse to negotiation, still I cannot perceive in the conduct of that Government any thing which would justify in us, the slightest relaxation in the preparations neces- sary to extort from it a peace, which their own sense of justice will not voluntarily accord. Simultaneously with the departure of this Agent for Mexico, instruc- tions63 were given to our minister at Washington to make known to the Government of the United States our intended propositions, and to invoke its friendly offices in a mediation between the two countries. I am happy to state as an additional evidence of the kind feelings of that Government towards us, that the request was no sooner made than the utmost willingness was manifested to interpose as far as in- terposition was proper, and that their minister at Mexico, was in- structed-to render such aid to the Agent of Texas, in the attainment of the objects of his mission, as wer[e J consi~tent with the relations subsisting between-his own country and that to which he was accredited. Whether these efforts on the part of the United States conjoined with our own, will supersede the necessity of a further resort to hostilities, remains to be seen; but as it is the office of prudence to be at all times prepared for the worst, it will continue to be my policy to place the country in that condition which will enable it to meet with confidence any crisis which may arise. In accordance with the convention64 which was entered into with the Government of the United States on the twenty fifth day of April, 1838, a commissioner, surveyor and clerk have been appointed to carry its stipulations into effect, by running and marking t_he boundary line • 2 See nos. 1284, 1288 and 1298. "See Garrison, G. P., Diplomatic Correspondence of the Republic of Texas, I, 368, 372, and 376. "Printed in Treaties and Conventions between the United States and Other Powers, p. 1079.
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