Nueces region after the Revolution and his role as the ringleader in the escape attempt marked him for a special fate. The letter Green refers to cannot be located in the British Foreign Office archives, nor does Percy Doyle, the British chargé d'affaires in Mexico City, make any mention of having ever received it. Haynes, Soldiers of Misfortune, 129-l30.
13. George B. Crittenden, the son of John J. Crittenden, a senator from Kentucky, was the most well connected of all the Mier prisoners. Although a number of others would be released in the months following the battle as a result of the intercession of friends and family in the United States, Crittenden's father immediately brought his case to the attention of prominent Whig leaders, such as Secretary of State Daniel Webster, who lobbied actively for his release. Even Andrew Jackson, a political enemy was induced to petition Santa Anna for clemency on Crittenden's behalf. As a result of these efforts, the Mexican government released Crittenden in March 1843. Haynes, Soldiers of Misfortune, 146.
14. Orlando Phelps was indeed fortunate to have Santa Anna as a benefactor. Criticized by his comrades for his lack of courage on the Mier Expedition, Phelps had not taken part in the fighting at the Hacienda del Salado but had nevertheless joined the escape. When informed that he was the son of James Phelps, the Mexican president bought him new suits of clothes, gave him a room at the National Palace, and paid his way back to Texas. Santa Anna also extended clemency toward several other Texans who were brought to his attention. One particularly noteworthy case was that of John C. C. Hill, at fifteen the youngest member of the Mier Expedition. His bravery during the Battle of Mier had won him the admiration of General Ampudia, who enrolled him in a school in Matamoros when the main body of prisoners was marched south. At Santa Anna's request, the youth was brought to Mexico City, where he completed his education at the College of Mines. Hill's special relationship with the Mexican president enabled him to win the early release of his father and brother, although he did not return with them to Texas. Evidently deciding to make the most of his good fortune, he remained in Mexico and became a successful engineer. Canfield, "Israel Canfield," 180; Thompson, Recollections of Mexico, 75-77; Haynes, Soldiers of Misfortune, 131-132.
Chapter Seventeen ~ Notes
1. Having written at least two letters to Santa Anna requesting clemency for refusing to participate in the Hacienda del Salado, Charles Keller Reese evidently believed that his only chance for a speedy liberation lay with Green. Charles Keller Reese to Santa Anna, April 6, 1843; same to same, May 9, 1843, Green Papers.
2. The main body of prisoners, then incarcerated at Molino del Rey, a foundry on the outskirts of Mexico City, had heard similar rumors of their imminent liberation and fully expected to be released on June 13. Walker, Account of the Mier Expedition, 71.
3. Although Houston had long opposed an invasion of the lower Rio Grande valley, he took a different view toward Texan depredations against Mexican merchants along the Santa Fé Trail, no doubt reasoning, incorrectly, that these raids offered a greater chance of success. In addition to the Snively Expedition, sanctioned in January 1843 (soon after the news of the Battle of Mier reached Texas), Houston had given Charles Warfield permission to undertake a similar raid five months earlier, although difficulty in organizing the expedition prevented Warfield from getting underway until the start of the year. The administration had authorized both expeditions to seize Mexican property, the proceeds of which were to be divided equally between the government of the Republic and the members of the expedition. After skirmishing with Mexican
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