WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1837
57
To JUAN N. SEGUIN 1 Columbia, Texas, 17th February, 1837.
To Col. John N. Seguin,:? Sir: I have received this morning under date of the 6th Inst. giving information that the Mexican Army consisting of 4 or 5,000 men under General Amada were shortly to march into Texas and take possession of San Antonio and Goliad, upon the taking of which commissioners were to be dispatched to the Government of Texas for the purpose of entering into a definitive treaty recogmzmg our independence upon certain conditions. Upon this subject I have to observe that nothing could be more unfor- tunate upon the end they have in view, which seems to be a reasonable adjqstment of our difficulties, than the marching of their army across the Rio Grande. Their motives could never by the army, or by the people of Texas, be considered in any other light than as bearing the most hostile character, the neces- sary consequence of which would be in all probability a reitera- tion of the tragedies that were acted in the last campaign. Our men now in the field are burning to meet the enemy, and there can be no doubt that they would hail with joy and acclamation the news of their coming and fly to any point within their reach to oppose them with all their strength. Another important consideration is that which relates to the prisoners now in our possession in the event contemplated- no one can answer for the indignation which might fall. upon them or the probable consequences in moments of popular excitement produced by seeing the magnanimity they had displayed towards them returned by a violation of the engagements of their Gov- ernment. I have, therefore, to request you, if it is in your power to send a communication to Genl. Amada as soon as possible, informing him that information had reached me (in various ways, you may say for the purpose of concealing the real source of the informa- tion) of the coming of the army under his command, and that I have expressed to you my views of the consequence. You should add, too, that the crossing of the Rio Grande would be an express violation of the treaty made by Genl. Santa Anna with the Government; and of the conditions upon which the Mexi- can prisoners here have received supplies and extraordinary con- veniences to enable them to leave the country. You may, if you think proper, run suitable extracts of this letter translated to
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