4.35
WRITINGS O~ 5AM HOUSTON, 1845
of this place. This was intended for foreign consumption, and effect in other countries. They knew it was not true; and that its falsity was opposed to the common sense and intelligence of every man in the community. They have been assiduous in their propagation. They are epitomised in appendices to little primer books. Amongst other things, charges have been brought against me in relation to the Mier prisoners, presented in every phase which falsehood could suggest. They were a gallant band of men, seduced by the reckless or misled by the imprudent. Aware of their situation being deemed hopeless when the intelligence of their capture arrived, I interposed to save them-That interposi- tion was to the U. S. to England and France in urgent solicita- tion. And for more immediate action, I sought to reach H.B.M. Minister at Mexico with such reasons & intelligence as might save them. H.M. Minister stepped forward and rendered the most efficient aid in their behalf. The outrages commenced at Mier by Gen. Tho. J. Green:i after the capitulation of that place induced the Mexican President to order the decimation of the prisoners. I did everything that was possible to prevent injury to the prisoners. I caused the survivors· to be supplied with means, when the act of Congress was inadequate in its provisions to meet their wants. My private means were not witheld, but afforded to their benefit with pleasure and alacrity. To give a minute history of everything connected with the Mier prisoners would have a tendency to involve some of the best friends of T'exas, and for that reason I will assert that the officers of the Gov't connected with the Executive were enabled to mitigate their sufferings and restore them to their friends. Another petty slander has been widely circulated that I had conspired against my country's liberties-that I was endeavoring to sell Texas to England, to become a pensioner and an office holder under her B. Majesty! This however is now threadbare. If H. M. [had such designs] it never was communicated, nor in all the intercourse which my official term afforded with the British Minister, was an intimation made by them derogato1·y to Texas, as a free, sovereign and independent nation. Other slanders have been circulated which I have not read; but enough has been communicated by my friends to apprise me of their existence, for I never will prostitute my Yision so far as to read the scandalous effusions of besotted men, so degraded by their evil and dissipated habits, or by base swindling that they can never rise to the position of honorable men. These good
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