Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/133

 Having given up nearly all hope of ever regaining his liberty, he did not implore his release. He desired only to see his conqueror, whom he had found to be a magnanimous foe. Gen. Houston was affected by the message. He regretted that the captive president had been left to drag out months of weary imprisonment, in violation of the most solemn pledge of faith from the Government ad interim. He determined that the name of Texas should not bear the stain of dishonor. In conversation he said: "After a victory like San Jacinto we could richly have afforded to have been magnanimous; now the only question is, can we afford to be just?"

The Government had been in a state of quasi dissolution for months. It had no means to support captives. Destitute of the comforts, and even of many of the necessaries of life, Santa Anna and his friends had been living on a mere pittance. Accompanied by several gentlemen, Houston visited the prisoner. Their meeting was affecting. After the custom of his nation, Santa Anna opened his arms, and advanced to meet his visitor. The large heart of Houston was great enough to hold even his enemies, and in like manner he received the captive president with open arms. The captive rested his head on Houston's broad breast (for he hardly came up to his shoulders). It is said the Mexican wept at the recollection of his reverses, and the Virginian wept from sympathy with the man whom he had vanquished.

In the presence of Major W. H. Patton and others, Gen. Almonte acting as interpreter, Santa Anna appealed to his conqueror to interpose his power in his behalf. He had written a letter to Gen. Jackson, through an enclosure to Houston at Nacogdoches. A very kind reply had been returned by Gen. Jackson, The hero of New Orleans passed a high eulogium on his friend, the hero of San Jacinto, for his magnanimity toward his captive. Gen. Jackson often said that Houston would receive, as he deserved, as much honor from all good men on account of his considerate and kind treatment of Santa Anna after the victory as for the victory itself. "Let those who clamor for blood clamor on," said Jackson. "The world will take care of Houston's fame."

This interview occurred before Houston's inauguration as first Constitutional President of the Republic, but he assured the Mexican president that when he acceded to power he would remember him. Col. Wm. Christy and other generous men who were deeply interested in the honor of Texas, had, a short time before, sent to Santa Anna some comforts. The party dined with the Mexican prisoner that day, and parted. After Houston had returned to Columbia Santa Anna addressed Gen. Houston a communication, which he laid before Congress and solicited his release. The