enclose to your excellency a copy of the articles of capitulation entered into at Mier on the 26th of December ultimo.

Of this treatment we do complain as violative of the pledged faith of your government, and highly abusive of her "generous magnanimity." That this complaint may not appear unfounded, we beg to state, that, with few exceptions, we have had a right to complain; and since we are not the less grateful for good than sensible of bad treatment, we enclose to your excellency, as we have nothing to disguise from your government, a full copy of our correspondence with the several officers under whose charge we have been.

It would, indeed, be tedious, and perhaps unprofitable, to enter into minute details of the treatment which has been, and still is, imposed upon us, so completely opposed to the spirit of our articles of capitulation, as well as of all civilized warfare, and the magnanimity of a great and generous nation. And we protest, in the name of the civilized world, that the imposition of this treatment upon us, as [251] subjects of a "revolted province," is arbitrary, and not justified by the circumstances of the case. Seven years since the people of Texas lost the character of "rebels" by demonstrating their ability to maintain themselves as a nation, and have been so recognised by the most enlightened nations of the earth; and whatever may be the opinion of your excellency upon this subject, we are bound, as candid and honourable men, to assure you that, although that ability is greatly increased, yet the people of Texas are not the less anxious for an honourable peace.

The unnatural and predatory warfare which for several years past has been carried on upon the borders of our respective countries, has been reprobated by the most intelligent of our country.

But when we understood that your government, last summer, declared that she would thereafter conduct the war upon the "principles of civilized warfare!" - and the invasion of Texas by General Woll was believed to be in accordance with that declaration - the undersigned took the field under the orders of their government. The consequence is well known to your excellency. We met General Ampudia's division in honourable combat, and while success crowned your arms, we have not discredited our own. We capitulated under the most solemn promises, made through the honourable and chivalrous General Romolo de la Vega and Colonels Carrasco and Blanco; they pledging the straps upon their shoulders that we should be treated "with all [252] the honours of prisoners of war." To add greater assurance to this promise, one of the fathers of your Church, Padre De Lire, the priest of Comargo, came forward and pledged the holy Catholic religion for this observance.