Columbia Texas July 4—1836

(On the Brazos river 12 miles above Brazoria—)

President Andrew Jackson

Dear Sir

The President of Mexico Genl Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, at present a prisoner of war at this place, has expressed to the President and Cabinet of Texas, and to Genls Samuel Houston and Thos J. Rusk, his full conviction that the true interest of Mexico requires an immediate termination of the war between Texas and Mexico, on the basis of a recognition of the Independence of the former by the latter— He has also expressed the same to me in the various conversations I have had with him since my arrival here, The only difficulty is the mode of effecting this desirable object. Genl Santa Anna has written to you on this subject under this date, soliciting your mediation, and I have the honor to Enclose to you his letter.

Presuming that Messrs Grayson and Collinsworth have explained all the previous Transactions had with Genl Santa Anna, and the events connected therewith—The public and private Treaty of 14 May last, copies of which are enclosed to you by Genl Santa Anna—the impediments which public opinion interposed to the release of Genl Santa Anna etc etc— I deem it unnecessary to occupy your time by a recapitulation of them The grounds taken by Genl Santa Anna for his immediate release and return to Mexico, are that without his presence and influence there, the independence of Texas will not be recognised, and the war will be renewed and prosecuted with redoubled vigor and acrimony; for the reasons that neither the Govt or people of Mexico are sufficiently informed of the Geographical situation and resources of Texas— The Character of her inhabitants, and many other things, to Enable them to come to the conclusion that Mexico cannot retain Texas, and even if she could, that it would be at a sacrifice which no good that could be reasonably calculated on would justify making. He says he is fully convinced of these facts, and consequently, that it is his duty as a Mexican citizen and patriot, and as the head of that nation to say so frankly and avert farther evils from his country, by terminating an expensive and useless war.

But that nothing could have convinced him but Experience and personal observation, and that nothing but his own statements and influence in the congress and Cabinet of Mexico can or will convince them— That such statements will be unavailing if made from here during his captivity, for the reason of his being a captive, for want of minute explanations which cannot be given in written communications, and also owing to the intrigues and slanders of his enemies, and of party spirit, who would endeavor to mislead public opinion, Excite national pride, and prejudice, and perhaps attempt to impugn the purity of his motives etc. He also says that it may Embarrass the great and magnanimous object he has in view, (I use his own words) which—is a recognition of Texian independence, and to build up a new nation here, with the cooperation of the U. S. Govt, if the contents of the secret treaty of 14 May or of his letter to you of this date should be published and reach Mexico before he does, in as much as it might be used by political parties to mislead public opinion, shake public confidence in him or create erronious impressions,

He also says that the Elections for— President of Mexico come on in September next, and that Genl Bravo probably may be elected, if he, Santa Anna, is detained here, that in this event there would be but little probability of accomadating the affairs of Texas, for the reasons that the new President would probably consider it necessary to keep up the national Excitement on this subject by appealing to national pride, and doing all he could to discredit his political enemy Santa Anna etc These in substance are the views taken by Genl Santa Anna on this subject

He entered into lengthy details to Explain his reasons for being in favor of acknowledging the Independence of Texas, and the advantages that would result to Mexico and to the U. S. from a termination of the war etc. It would be extending this letter very much to repeat them all. They are based (as I think) on a full knowledge of the subject, and an ardent and patriotic desire to serve the true interest of Mexico, and the cause of humanity by terminating an Expensive and useless war, His manner, and his reasoning, evinced frankness, sincerity, and Magnanimity,— He drew a very striking comparison between the obstinate silly, and impolitic course pursued by Spain in refusing to acknowledge the Independence of Mexico, after all hopes of conquering it had ceased, and the good of Spain required a termination of the war between them: and the prompt, frank and high minded course of England, with the U. S. by terminating the war of Independence without delay, so soon as it was evident the public good required it, He hopes the Example of the latter would be followed by Mexico with respect to Texas, at the same time observing that if this liberal and magnanimous course was adopted by Mexico, it would naturally be expected that a similar one would influence Texas in agreeing to some just and reasonable indemnity for the losses of Mexico to be amicably arranged by negotiations under the general mediation of the U. S. etc— These conversations were held with me as an individual.— I hold no office at this time in this country. And as such they are detailed to you with the knowledge of Genl Santa Anna, to whom I have communicated the substance of this letter. On my part I could only reply by Expressing my desires to see the war terminated on the basis of an acknowledgment of our Independence, and that I had confidence in the sincerity and good faith of his declarations on the subject, and would use any influence I might have to bring about a permanent peace through the Mediation of the U. S. which I considered a decorous and safe mode of terminating the difficulty, both for Mexico and Texas The step taken by the president and cabinet of Texas to liberate Genl. Santa Anna and send him to Vera Cruz forthwith, was disapproved of by public opinion, an excitement was the consequence and he was disembarked after he had embarked to sail for vera cruz. The cause of this excitement was the want of confidence by the army and people in the professions and declarations of Gen. Santa Anna—the belief that the Cabinet had been overreached and deceived by a misplaced confidence in him—the want of information as to the nature of the secret treaty with him, which was not published for the reasons before stated, and the want of guarantees for the prompt fulfilment of his promise to acknowledge our independence, and doubts as to his power and influence with the Congress and people of Mexico to effect this object etc etc. Also, the deep feeling produced by the execution of Col Fannin's men, the loss of property, suffering of families etc etc.

You have been called upon by the Govt, of Texas through Messrs Grayson and Collingsworth, who went on for that purpose and are now called upon by Gen Santa Anna to interpose your influence and mediation for the purpose of terminating the war between Mexico and Texas, on the basis of the full establishment and recognition of the independence of the latter, and I sincerely hope that these joint calls will be deemed sufficient to justify the intervention of the U. S. as a mediator in this matter and that your intervention will be prompt and directed at once of the object of a cessation of hostilities here. Your guarantee to the people of Texas for the fulfilment of the offer made by Gen Santa Anna would produce his immediate release, and he says that this will end the war, as he then can exercise his authority and influence to take back the Mexican Army and terminate the whole matter by negociation before his and your terms of office expire. I am myself convinced of Gen. Santa Anna's sincerity and good faith in this matter and I shall proceed to the Army of Texas with the view of trying to allay excitements and see, whether Gen. Urrea (in case there is any mode of communicating with him officially by the command of our army) will by a solemn and formal treaty agree to withdraw his army beyond the Rio Bravo and obey the orders of Gen Santa Anna in the event of the liberation of the latter and his arrival at Urreas head quarters, Santa Anna on his part giving such assurances and guarantees as will satisfy our army on the subject and produce confidence. I doubt however whether anything can be done untill your guarantee is received here and made known. Gen. Santa Anna has written to Gen Urrea expressing his wishes and requesting him to make such an arrangement as before stated and I shall take this letter to the commander of our Army Gen M. B. Lamar, to be used by him as he deems proper— I must however repeat the opinion that nothing will be done definitely untill your guarantee is received for the reason that I do not believe any thing else will satisfy public opinion here. If Gen Santa Anna is sincere and acting in good faith, this want of confidence which prevents his liberation is unfortunate, as it may be the means of detaining him here, untill his influence in Mexico is lost by the election of Bravo or other causes— If on the other hand he is not sincere and all his promises and professions are hipocritical it would be an act of perfidy and baseness which could not be justified on any pretext and cannot be supposed possible, nor do I believe it to be possible— It would justify the people of Texas in any act of violence hereafter, and it would justify the U. S. Govt, in enterposing by force in favor of a people who had been thus deceived, more especially when Santa Anna's letter to you of this date is considered and brought into public view as it would be in the event of his treachery. For these reasons I shall act in this matter on the basis that he is sincere and in good faith, and endeavor to stop the advance of Urrea and procure a cessation of hostilities, altho I have but very little prospect of success without your guarantee. If Urrea refuses to do as Santa Anna has requested him in his letter, nothing of course will be done—

I arrived at Velasco, the present seat of Govt, on the 27th ult. and at this place on the 2d instant. I found this subject very much entangled, as you perceive—

Our Army is at Guadalupe near Victoria, The whole country is turning out en masse and I have no doubt the Mexican Army will be cut to pieces should it advance.

It is not any doubts I have on this subject that influences me in wishing to embrace the opportunity of ending the war. But the inhabitants are suffering, they are all in the field or are going and a procrastinated war will greatly injure them.— I have been thus lengthy in order to give you all the information I can in regard to a matter in which you are called upon by both parties to enterpose your mediation, and one which is of deep interest to the people of the U. S. And to the cause of liberty and humanity, and hope that its importance will excuse me for occupying so much of your time—

S. F. Austin