312 
MEXICO. 
of the United States would protect her in the event of a hostile foot being 
set upon her shores. She would secure the integrity of this Continent, 
and free her people from the dangers that menace them from abroad, 
whenever a minister is obliged to dun her for her debts, or threaten her with 
the " last argument " known to diplomats and nations.* 
A favorite mode of raising loans in Mexico, for the benefit of the Gov- 
ernment, has been that of granting permits to merchants (chiefly English- 
men,) to introduce cotton twist into the Republic. This is a prohibited 
article ; — prohibited for the purpose of cherishing the manufacturing es- 
tablishments of the country. That these have progressed to a veiy con- 
siderable extent, and have entirely outstripped the production of the cotton 
planters of Mexico, will be seen by the annexed Table, which I have 
obtained from the most authentic sources. 
STATISTICS OF MEXICAN BIANUFACTURES. 
No. of Factories in eacli Department. 
Spindles 
established. 
Spindles 
In erection. 
Total. 
In Mexico, 
" Puebla, . 
" Vera Cruz, . 
" Guadalaxara, - 
" Queretaro, - 
" Durango, - 
" Guanajuato, 
" Sonora. - 
12 
21 
7 
5 
2 
4 
1 
1 
30,156 
35,672 
17,860 
11,312 
7,620 
2,520 
. 1,200 
1,000 
12,240 
5,200 
6,500 
30,156 
47,912 
23,060 
17,812 
7,620 
2,520 
1,200 
1,000 
53 
107,340 
23,940 
131,280 
* I did not design alluding, in this work, to the Texans or to the Santa Fe expedition ; but I cannot let this oc- 
casion pass without bearing testimony to the kind hearts and generous disposition of the Mexicans, m regard to 
tiie prisoners of that ill-starred adventure. It is true, that several persons connected with it were travellers and 
merchants only, utterly ignorant of the purposes of the rest ; but I believe there is now no doubt that the great 
body of the troops entertained the idea of revolutionizing the department of New l\Iexico. Yet these men were 
neither court-mai-shalled nor executed. They were forced to undergo a long and fatiguing march to the Capi 
(til, and some of them were, in Mexico, Puebla and Perote, chained and treated witli indignity by the oiBcers 
of the Government. But I have heard tliem all speak in terms of the most heartfelt gratitude of the continual 
sympathy expressed for them by the citizens. The Mexicans visited them ; sent them food and raiment ; inter- 
ceded for them, and used every effort to mitigate their sufferings. The officers were allowed many privileges by 
their keepers, and, finally, the whole of tliem were released, after having sworn not to take up arms against 
Mexico. Notwithstanding this oath, several of them had scarcely landed in Texas before they were again in hostile 
array against the Government that freed them, and although some were once more seized upon the Mexican terri- 
tory, I learn that their lives have been spared, and that they will probably be again released. 
I must be permitted, in this note, to mention the brave Colonel Cooke, (a native of Virginia, who commanded 
a division of the expedition,) as one of those rare heroes, whose chivalry reminds us of the days of romance. At 
the battle of San Jacinto, it is said, that he saved the life of Santa Anna by interposing himself between the infu- 
riated troop? and the captured General, when he was brought into Houston's camp. I have been told that Santa 
Anna remembered his name, as soon as he learned that a pei-son called Cooke was in the Santa Fe expedition, 
and resolved to release him if he proved to be his preserver. On Cooke's arrival at Mexico, the President sent for 
and questioned him closely as to the facts, but Cooke steadily denied his identity. W^hen reproved by his friends, 
he exclaimed, that he would avail himself of no such advantage gained merely by honorable war, and that he 
had resolved to share the fate of his companions, be it what it might. Together they had been captured, together 
they would undergo thesuflerings of imprisonment, and together they would be released, or die. He kept his 
promise till the last, and on the 13th of June, 1842, marched at the head of his little band to the review at which 
Santa Anna, in person, released them. 
