Lexington Ky July 3rd 1836

Dr Sir,

Mr [Henry] Austin is at his sisters (Mrs Holly) in this place he goes in the morning with his sister and Daughter to the Blue Licks for his health and on his way to Cincinnati. The late news of the rejection of the treaty of Santa Anna by his Govt.—has created a belief here that he and his officers will be shot— I hope not. My opinion is that sound policy has induced the friends of Santa Ana to make these threats against Texas in order to preserve their places and that no attempt is intended to march again on Texas— What is said and the preparations for War may enable those in power to sustain themselves and in this way may be better able to serve Santa Ana than by attempting to nullify his treaty—still your Country Must not relax a moment in all the preparations for war as if the enemy were at your doors— It is on that preparation you have most to rely for peace. The report of the senate altho nothing more can be done this session is a great matter for you and leaves the rest to Texas—if she acts wisely for the next 9 months Our Congress will do all she wants

Harmony at home and moderation in all your measures are the points of the greatest Moment—public feeling is worth a kingdom. The folly of Santa Ana in his murderous orders has destroyed his fame and created for Texas a feeling too strong for the power of Mexico to Conquer— The policy of liberating Santa Anna is certainly improper at the present—While a prisoner the whole plans of his friends and his enemies at home remain unsettled either release him or kill him and they at once are free to adopt some regular plan against you and the injury to Texas would be most alarming in the divisions it must produce at home and in the U. S. as to the wisdom of the measure and the Motives which lead to it— All remain satisfied so long as no steps of liberating or killing is taken. The very doubts on this head is advantageous to Texas—but take either step finally and the danger of contending opinions at home creates factions and in the U S doubts and distrust of those in power in Texas— If Santa Ana and Cos had been shot on the field of Battle the Civilized World Must have approved of the Justice of the Act however doubtful the policy may have been—but your Country stands committed to save them by the delay already and if future events do not impose the necessity of shooting it will not do to adopt it— Texas has profited by the cruelties of Santa Ana in rousing the sympathy of the U S for her and she must not part with a grain of that benefit by shooting any prisoner at this late period Santa Ana is no doubt a monster but Cos who has forfeited his life by the rules of war acted under the orders of the other and may be the most worthy at any rate he is in a situation to have more of public sympathy because it is believed he was forced to a breach of the rules of war by Santa Ana— A nation gains immortal fame by even errors on the side of Humanity while it can suffer irreparable injury by acts strictly Just but not called for by the situation at home. On this head the best men of Texas must deliberate to satisfy the spirit of retaliation at home and high expectations of your friends in the U. S. Delay is the only remedy for the former and as much kindness as possible to the prisoners is the Course for the latter— Genl Houston stands above all complaints which have reached this Country, that of delay appears to be the strongest, for which he deserves the highest honors and all military men adopting the same tardy policy much suffer— prudence was called one of Washingtons rascally virtues by Conway Lee etc, but the man who has firmness to resist the Current of his army at such times deserves well of his country— The single circumstance of preserving a camp with the appearance of resistance—When Panic was desolating the Country is enough to place Genl Houston high in Military rank, the Complaints against him are considered idle or the offspring of that impatient spirit so common in military life— You have a confidence in Genl Houston of great worth and so long as he can serve Texas with the same prudence it is wise to employ him. No man living save Genl Jackson could have the same weight in your wars as [he]

Major Grooms of the volunteers from this . . .