Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/123

Rh Coleti, had dispatched Colonels Millard and Wheelock to the Cabinet, to demand that Santa Anna should be delivered into the hands of the soldiers for execution, reproaching the Cabinet for neglect of duty, ordering President Burnet to be arrested and brought to the Texan camp. The following protest against their proceedings was dispatched, by express, immediately by Houston, to the army:

", 26th July, 1836.

":

"Sir:—l have just heard, through a citizen of the army, that it is the intention to remove General Santa Anna to the army, and place him upon his trial. I can not credit this statement; it is obviously contrary to the true policy of Texas. The advantages which his capture presented to us will be destroyed. Disregard, if you will, our national character, and place what construction you please upon the rules of civilized warfare, we are compelled by every principle of humanity and morality, to abstain from every act of passion or inconsideration that is to be unproductive of positive good. Execute Santa Anna, and what will be the fate of the Texans who are held prisoners by the Mexicans—what will be the condition of the North Americans who are residing within the limits of Mexico? Death to them, and confiscation of their property is the least that can be expected. Doubtless torture will be added to the catastrophe, when stimulated by ignorance, fanaticism, and the last expiring struggle of the priesthood for power and dominion. Texas, to be respected, must be considerate, politic, and just in her actions. Santa Anna, living and secured beyond all danger of escape, in the eastern section of Texas (as I first suggested), may be of incalculable advantage to Texas in her present crisis. In cool blood to offer up the living to the manes of the departed, only finds an example in the religion and warfare of savages. Regard for one's departed friends should stimulate us in the hour of battle, and would excuse us in the moment of victory, for partial excesses, at which our calmer feelings of humanity would relent.

"The affairs of Texas connected with General Santa Anna, as President of the RepubHc of Mexico, have become matter of consideration to which the attention of the United States has been called, and for Texas, at this moment, to proceed to extreme measures as to the merits or demerits of General Santa Anna, would be treating that Government with high disrespect, and I would respectfully add, in my opinion it would be incurring the most unfortunate responsibility for Texas.

"I, therefore, Commander-in-Chief of the army of the Republic, do solemnly protest against the trial, sentence, and execution of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of the Republic of Mexico, until the relations in which we are to stand to the United States shall be ascertained.

"

"Commander-in-Chief of ihe Army."

The effect designed by Houston was produced by this protest. The trial of Santa Anna was postponed; Texas was spared the odium and disgrace which a proceeding so summary and barbarous would have produced. Houston, removing to Nacogdoches,