34,8
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1844
I desire to know for what reason you have charged the authori- ties of Texas with perfidy. Have they ever given Mexico any pledge they have not redeemed? They have liberated her chiefs and her soldiers, taken on the field of battle, without obligation so to do. They are a race which permit neither their word nor their honor to be falsified. How has it been with Mexico? The capitulation of Fannin was disregarded, and hundreds massacred in cold blood! You, indeed, denied a cognizance of this fact-declared that you were implicated by the falsehood of Gen. Urrea, and that if you ever returned to your country and came into power, you would execute him for his duplicity. Have you done it? You have power, but to what purpose! Of the inoffensive traders who visited Santa Fe and capitulated to your officers, what was the treatment? They were slaughtered by the wayside, when unable to march, and their ears were cut off and exhibited as evidences of their destruction-evidences, indeed, of barbarity not heard of among nations pretending to be civilized since the ninth century of the Christian era. Again at the surrender of Mier, your officers pledged to the men the protection due to prisoners of war. In fulfilment of which they were soon after barbarously decimated, and the re- mainder ever since held in chains and prison. They were also to be returned to their homes immediately after their submission- but every pledge given to them has been violated. Is this good faith? You likewise pledged yourself, solemnly, through Her Britannic Majesty's Ministers to release the Texian prisoners in Mexico, if those of Mexico remaining in Texas should be set at liberty; which was done on the part of this government by public procla- mation, and safe conduct offered them to return to their country. Have you performed your part of the agreement and your duty? Are they free? Will all this justify you in charging through Gen. Woll, either the government or citizens of Texas with perfidy; or its Executive with double dealing and duplicity? I regret, Sir, extremely, that it has been my duty thus to advert to circumstances which must be as disagreeable to you as to myself. But you have invoked it. If you have denounced war and intend to prosecute it-do it presently. We will abide the result. Present yourself with a force that indicates a desire of conquest; and with all the ap- pendages of your power, and we may respect your effort. But the marauding incursions which have heretofore characterized
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