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241
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
would progress much more agreeably if the prisoners were re- stored to their homes. You know that there are many men in every community who seize upon every pretext for keeping up an excitement 11 which is always unfavorable to the attainment of the ends of peace. At the present moment there is a better foundation on which to establish friendly relations with Mexico, than has heretofore existed. You are aware, and I presume Mexico is likewise, that influences from abroad are rather calculated to excite a spirit of war in this country than to calm the troubled waters. If our prisoners were restored without further delay, it would to a great extent counteract these influences and produce a desire for recon- ciliation with Mexico. So far as the government of Texas was concerned, the Mexican prisoners in Texas were all released. There is not a Mexican held in bondage in the Republic. There are many engaged in voluntary employments, but they cannot be constrained to serve for a single day beyond their own inclination. Several of them are married and settled in this country; and you know very well that we have not the power of disfranchizing such as may choose to become citizens. Our constitution guarantees to Mexicans the same rights as it does to Anglo-Saxons. Furthermore: forty odd Mexicans were captured by Snively and received immediate liberty. Mexicans have not only been treated by this government with liberality, and lenity, but when our government was very poor, there were no less than two cartels sent to Matamoras, at considerable expense. These are facts within your knowledge, gentlemen; and it cannot be supposed that the Mexicans who were prisoners, and placed at liberty, by this government, could no,v be compelled to leave this country, after voluntary domiciliation. My procla- mation offering convoy to all such as wished to exercise their liberty in returning to Mexico, was based upon an assurance through the British Charge d'Affaires that corresponding liberty would be given with convoy to all T'exians held as prisoners by Mexico. The guaranty of England to this effect, I presume will be verified by the correspondence upon the subject. It is my earnest desire, as you well know, to see harmony established between the two countries. They have everything desirable to gain by it. By a renewal of hostilities and contin- uance of war, Mexico might obtain temporary advantage, but ultimately she would ascertain that she had everything to lose and
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