WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1843
427
PROCLAMATION DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF MEXICAN PRISONERS IN TEXAS 1
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS A PROCLAMATION Whereas, a despatch has been received at the State Depart- ment from H. B. M. Charge d'Affaires in Mexico, announcing to this Government that Gen. Santa Anna would at once consent to the release of all the Texian prisoners in Mexico whatever might be their numbers, upon the Mexicans being still held prisoners in Texas being sent to the Head Quarters of General Adrian Woll, Commander in Chief of the Armies of the North. And, Whereas, humanity as well as the expectancy of a good understanding being established between the two countries, ren- ders it most desirable that this exchange of prisoners should be effected with as little delay as possible:- Therefore, I, Sam Houston, President of the Republic of Texas, and Commander in Chief of the Army arid Navy of the same, do hereby declare and proclaim that all Mexicans captured by the forces of Texas, at any time since the commencement of the war, in which the two countries have been heretofore engaged, are, in pursuance of orders, heretofore issued, and by virtue of the present order, released and discharged from all and every species of restraint, and are at full liberty to return to Mexico, without any delay; and all such as may choose to avail themselves of the present occasion to depart for the Head Quarters of Gen. Adrian Woll, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the North, will report themselves in person, on or before the 10th day of October next, to the commanding officer of the western frontier, Col. J. C. Hays, at San Antonio de Bexar, from which place they will be sent, at the Government expense under a suitable escort to the Head Quarters of the said Gen. Woll; and all officers of Texas, military and civil, are hereby enjoined and required to aid and assist in effecting the objects and purposes of this Proclamation. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Great Seal of the Republic to be affixed. Done at Washington the fourth day of September, A. D. one thousand
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