LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 December Signature Texana Auction #661  / 

56199

Treatment of Texas Prisoners 1836 Signed Decree

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:290.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 750.00 USD
Treatment of Texas Prisoners 1836 Signed Decree
<B>Treatment of Texas Prisoners 1836 Printed Decree Signed</B></I> "<I>Tornel</B></I>" in type, two pages, 8.25" x 12". Mexico, April 14, 1836. Jose Maria Tornel was Secretary of War and Navy. On December 30, 1835, Mexico passed legislation decreeing, in effect, that all foreigners who were intent on attacking Mexico or supplying arms to those with that intent would be deemed pirates and dealt with accordingly, i.e. executed. On March 20, 1836, following a battle near Coleto Creek, a Texian force of approximately 350 men surrendered. Led by Col. James W. Fannin, they were imprisoned at Goliad and, on March 27, 1836, by order of Gen. Santa Anna, they were executed, carrying out the congressional decree. Undoubtedly, the immediate reaction to the Goliad massacre, in the United States as well as in Mexico, was a major factor in new legislation and the issuance of this decree. Translated from the Spanish, in part, "<I>Article 1. Prisoners of war captured in Texas up to the date of publication of this decree, who are to receive capital punishment according to the laws, are granted pardons, even if captured with weapons in their hands. 2. The same grace shall be granted to those who voluntarily put themselves at the disposal of the government [surrender] under the terms and conditions established by the government. 3. Pardons are not issued, in all cases, for the main leaders of the revolution: those who have formed the so called General Council of Texas; those who have intrusively served as governor and vice-governor; those who have been captured commanding any land or sea armed force, and those who have committed a murder in cold blood. 4. The capital punishment from which those included in Art. 1 and 2 are exonerated shall be commuted to perpetual banishment from the Republic for those having entered the country against the provisions of Art. 11 of the Act of Aril 6th of 1830...</B></I>" On the verso of the first page detailing the five articles of the decree appears an additional seven articles explaining their implementation. Exactly one week after this decree, the Texian Army defeated the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto and Gen. Santa Anna was captured, ending the Texas Revolution. The document is matted and framed to 16" x 28" and is in apparent fine condition. A photocopy of the second page is in a pocket affixed to the verso of the framed display. <I>From the collection of Darrel Brown. </B></I><BR><BR><B>Reference: </B></I>Streeter 876; Eberstadt 162:839<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Framed - with Glass, Medium (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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