WRITINGS OF 5AM HOUSTON, 1859
332
Thus has it been, Mr. President, that I have been driven to this recourse. I had no design, indeed I had no wish, but to pass from public life quietly and without interference. I know that I have not presented the facts in that succinct and lucid manner that I ought to have done; yet I have presented such points as I think essential, though they are documentary, and more than I would have desired, to vindicate the Commander-in- chief in the position he has taken, and to show to the world that these calumnies, so recently circulated, are prompted by the deepest malignity, and by persons, whose vices, could they be known, would sink them below the observation of all the virtuous and wise. This individual in the North who is seeking to illu- mine the world with his lectures, will find a new subject furnished him on this occasion. Now, Mr. President, notwithstanding the various slanders that have been circulated about the Commander-in-chief, it is some- what strange that the only point about which there has been no contestation for fame and for heroic wreaths, is in relation to the circumstances connected with the capture of General Santa Anna. When he was brought into the camp and the interview took place, the Commander-in-chief was lying on the ground. He did not lie as generals usually lie, for they have comforts. The night before the battle he had lain on the cold ground, without a blanket, his saddle for his pillow, without covering, in the bleak norther that blew that night. He was no better off after the battle. Nor had he ever had a tent or canopy over his head that he could claim, as General-in-chief, save the blue canopy of heaven. He had not one dollar in his pocket, nor a military chest, for he never received one while in command of the army. His personal and moral influence in the army held it together; for there was no Government, and all of hope that remained was centered in him, as the Government expressed it, for there was no other means. But, sir, when, Santa Anna was taken and brought into camp, the general was dozing, after having had a sleepless night from suffering; his wound was severe. Looking up he saw Santa Anna, who announced to him in Spanish: "I am General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of the Republic of Mexico, and a prisoner at your disposition." Calmly and quietly it was received. The hand was waved to a box that stood by, and there Santa Anna was seated. After some time, with apparent emotion, but with great composure to what I had ex- pected, under the circumstances, he proposed a negotiation for
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