Green, J. of the Texian Expedition Against Mier (tjg

denouncing the others, at the same time, in all the eloquence of his court abuse. This was adding insult to misfortune, and they had redress from neither but in the bold speech of freemen: they both wrote and published, regardless of all the refinements of his cruelty.

The United States legation was left in charge of the young, accomplished, and talented Benjamin E. Green,12 who deserves the thanks of all Texians for his bold advocacy of their rights, and the many kind courtesies extended to their suffering countrymen.

In the latter part of the summer of 1844, Governor Shannon, the present minister from the United States, reached Vera Cruz, and upon his arrival at Perote, though in the night, obtained permission from the governor of the castle, went into each of the cells where our prisoners were confined, and [379] made the most critical inquiry into their condition. This conduct was highly praiseworthy, and at the same time that it manifested the warm feelings of a countryman, it showed a boldness worthy of his country and his station.13 He promised our prisoners his devotion to their interest, nor was that promise neglected. His first official note was to President Santa Anna, asking for their liberation: to which note the President returned the following answer, which we here insert, as the most finished compendium of hypocrisy, vanity, falsehood, and malice to be found in the annals of diplomacy.

National Palace, September 5, 1844.
Wilson Shannon, Envoy, &c., &c.

Much esteemed Sir,
I have received the very friendly and attentive letter which you addressed to me under the date of the 30th ult., respecting the liberty of the Texian prisoners confined in the fortress of Perote.

In reply, I have the honour to inform you, that, as well for the efforts made on various occasions by the members of Congress of the United States, as through respect for Messrs. Jackson, Thompson, Clay, and others of respectability, I have liberated many of the Texian prisoners who were captured in various actions and encounters between the Mexican army and the adventurers, and now only those are retained in prison who, abusing the kindness extended them, have attempted to escape by assassinating the Mexican soldiers who guarded them. [380] These criminals deserved death, and nothing but the mildness and magnanimity natural to the Mexican character has prevented its application. Justice, however, demands that they should be treated with [381] greater severity than those who have not aggravated their faults by stabbing the innocent soldiers who guarded them. This is all that I ought to reply to your esteemed communication; and in having the honour to do so, I have the satisfaction of subscribing