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WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1832-1853
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I consider it almost a miracle, and I am disposed 'to render due praise to God, the valor and bravery of the victorious Texans, and let it remain a fixed and unalterable fact forever. [Applause, long and continued.] I am charged with the heinous offense of preserving the life of Santa Anna, when, as my enemies claim, justice and public policy demanded his execution. I should be inclined to forgive my assailants for some unworthy motive. They allege that the motive that prompted the act was prejudice and illwill to Fannin and Travis when living. Nevertheless, I am thankful they give me credit for the deed. If there was ever a period in my life when every pulsation of my heart beat true time to calm and serious obedience to duty, in promoting the interests of my country and the welfare of future generations, it was at the moment that I conceived the idea that led to the treaty with Santa Anna on the field of San Jacinto. It was on the night of the 21st and the early morn of the 22d when I was confined to my cot in camp, suffering from my wound. My mind was directed to the subject of how to secure the greatest good to Texas from the victory. Santa Anna and his command were overpowered and vanquished, it was true, but a large mili- tary force of the enemy, consisting of 5,000 troops, were advanc- ing in battle array, within forty-eight hours march of my camp. Nor was Texas a free Republic. I was not unmindful of the failure of the Republicans of 1812, led by the brave Magee, Kemper, and Perry. Their victories on the field of conflict were as complete and decisive as was the one at San Jacinto in 1836; but the lack of diplomatic skill and the inhuman slaughter of the Mexican prisoners ruined their cause. My motive in sparing the life of Santa Anna was to relieve the country of all hostile enemies without further bloodshed, and secure his acknowledgment of our independence, which I consid- ered of vastly more importance to the welfare of Texas than the mere gratification of revenge. The clemency extended to Santa Anna and other prisoners was of great moral power in securing our recognition by powerful christian nations. It is unprofitable to indulge in speculation of what might have been the consequences if Santa Anna and other Mexican prisoners had been summarily executed and the Texas army left to expel the foe from the country in bloody warfare. There would have been at least many valuable lives sacrificed. But of one thing we are certain, that the treatment of the Mexican
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