WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 184-2
522
and Mexico. Commissioners from Gen. Arista were at Austin at the time the party started for Santa Fe. They were kindly received, and made the most sincere professions of amity and reconciliation with this government. They were treated with · kindness and corresponding commissioners were appointed to General Arista. To them every civility was extended, and they :were permitted to return without molestation. This was the atti- tude of the two countries, at that time. Will you allege that this :was not sanctioned by your government - or will you insist that 'it was a trick of diplomacy? For myself I would riot have been _deluded by any professions which might have been tendered to Texas by Mexico, when a departure from the most solemn pledges would result in injury to the former, and benefit to the latter. That the ministers of General Arista played their part with · 'fidelity to their instructions I have no doubt; and that all the information which could be derived, in relation to the trading company, was faithfully transmitted to the government of Mex- ico. Nor do I doubt but that the population of the northern parts of your country, so soon as the intelligence was received, were thrown into the utmost consternation; and a nation numbering 8,000,000 of people inhabiting valleys, mountains, towns, and large cities, "by so many titles respectable," was convulsed at the appre- hended approach of three hundred Texian traders. But what has been the sequel of this expedition? Of their approach to the settlements of the Rio Grande they obtained supplies from the inhabitants, not as a hostile and marauding party, but paid a .valuable consideration for every supply which they obtained. They were met by the Mexican authorities with overtures of peace, assurances of friendship, and pledges of security, provided they would give up their arms for the purpose of tranquilizing the Mexican population. Detached as the company was, into _parties remote from each other, and deluded by pledges, they acquiesced in the wishes of the authorities of the country; thereby evincing to them that they had no disposition to disturb the tranquility of the inhabitants, and that their objects were pacific. But no sooner were they in the power of the authorities, than they were stripped of their clothing, deprived of everything val- uable, treated in the most barbarous manner and marched like convicts to the city of Mexico. On their route every act of in- humanity, cruelty and hatred were evinced. When their sick and helpless condition required the assistance of Christian charity and humanity, it was denied them. They were barbarously shot,
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