The Texas quote of the day regards Santa Annas very first meeting with Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto. It is an eyewitness account that was published 5 years after battle, in 1841, and appears in Henry Footes Texas and Texans, vol. 2. The following account of Santa Annas first interview with General Houston, has been handed to me for insertion. It was written by H. P. Brewster, Esq., a gentleman, as I learn, of great respectability, in the State of South Carolina, and he signs himself H. P. Brewster, of Laurens District. There are several pariculars stated by Mr. Brewster, in addition to the interview scene, which may gratify the curiosity of some of my readers. Santa Anna was brought into camp about 11 oclock, on the day of the 22d. General Houston, in a short respite from pain, had fallen asleep. He awakened, as Santa Anna and the crowd came up to the spot where he lay. The captive President betrayed no emotions of fear; but, placing his hand upon his breast, with a look rather of reckless independence, he informed General Houston that he was Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of Mexico, who surrendered himself a prisoner. Houstons countenance evidently displayed doubt, if not incredulity, as to the identity of the character before him. Colonel Almonte, who had been made a prisoner on the 21st, was immediately sent for: he bowed with great respect, upon coming into the presence of the captive General. A conversation then ensued between the two Generals, through the interpretation of Almonte, in which Santa Anna expressed quite a serious anxiety to know the position in which he stood; whether he was a prisoner of war? And not being satisfied with the undecided manner in which he was answered, he repeated this inquiry several times. He seemed, almost by intuition, to have gotten insight into Houstons character. Perceiving that flattery fell with no unpleasing force upon his ear, he omitted no opportunity of profiting by this discovery. His compliments were gracefully turned; not, however, entirely divested of the ridiculous bombast of his nation. He said, on one occasion, that He was born to no common destiny who was the Conqueror of the Napoleon of Mexico. A man of infinitely less vanity than Houston, might have been betrayed by his courtly flattery. Being disguised in a very humble garb, he seemed quite anxious to explain the reason which induced him to adopt this course; saying, that after the rout commenced, deeming it probable that he would be captured, and knowing the deadly hostility entertained towards him by the soldiery, he wished, if possible, to escape being recognized by them, until he had seen General Houston; with whom he had no doubt he would be able to make arrangements which would result to the advantage of all parties, and prevent the further effusion of blood. When the injustice of the War against Texas was once mentioned to him, he replied that the war grew out of the unfair interference of the United States of the North; which offended the national pride of Mexico, and left them no alternative but war or disgrace. He indulged a singular self-delusion in regard to his own infallibility; for when talking of his reverses of fortune, he attributed all to a blind and wayward destiny, a tyranny over which human wisdom and human power had no influence. For, said he, the same troops who yesterday fled in dismay and terror at your first fire, the day before the united efforts of myself and officers could scarcely restrain from attacking you; they were old soldiers, fought bravely with me in Zacatecas; were familiar with, and had been fearless of danger in all its shapes. It was destiny. After the armistice had been entered into, and he was permitted to hope that his life would be spared, his conversation assumed a tone of gaiety little to be expected in one who had suffered such a sad reverse. To some of the conditions of the armistice he expressed his unequivocal opposition, especially the one in which he agreed to order the command of Gen. Filisola to evacuate the country, saying that Gen. Filisola, having a large number of brave men under his command who would oppose the execution of such an order, would therefore be unable to obey. Gen. Rusk replied, that it was a matter of little consequence to the Texans, as they were able, and were determined to drive them, if they were not willing to go without. He displayed great diplomatic skill in the negotiation which was carried on, firmly (at first) opposing every measure by which Mexico was likely to suffer, and Texas to be benefited; declaring, that he had no such power, but finally giving a reluctant assent. His conversation, afterwards, turned upon matters indifferently, in the discussion of which he displayed a strong and versatile mind, and very general historical and political information. He never spoke of military matters, or the relative merits of his officers, except on one or two occasions, speaking very contemptuously of Gen. Cos, (Martin, as he called him.) He professed a warm admiration of female character, and said women were the gravy of society. In passing down the Bayou from San Jacinto to Patricks, he made a great many observations upon the scenery along the river, and seemed sensibly alive to the force of natural beauty. It was his invariable custom to send his compliments to Gen. Houston, and to inquire into the state of his wound, every morning.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 13:30:00 +0000
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