Reuben M. Potter to McArdle, January 30, 1881

Page 3 of 5

Potter to McArdle, January 1881

allowed by Spanish law to all prisoners under

sentence of death, my timely movement

in the matters secured that respite &

its timeliness may have been essential.

During those three days other influences were

brought to bear, which, almost at the last

hour, procured a longer respite; and before

that expired the arrival of a decree of am-

nesty saved the lives of these men, but

did not restore them to liberty. They con-

tinued in prison about a year longer, and

I drew up and presented their petition to Gen^l

Bravo on which they were finally released by

him. During about twelve weeks of their

imprisonment I supplied their rations,

which had before been done by a contribution;

for the wretched state of the Mexican Com-

missariat put them in danger of starva-

tion. My own outlay was never reimbursed

by the state of Texas, for I never sent

in my bill to the poor Republic.

In regard to the sending of dispatches to

Texas in a whip handle, I had some

thing to do with that, but was not the

principal agent in it, for I did not ap-

prove of the information sent. It occur-

red, not when Teal & Karnes escaped, but

soon after their arrival in Matamoros,

and before they were made close pris-

oners. Just then there came from the

City of Mexico & every place where big

swagger could originate a threat of a fresh

invasion of Texas immediately impending.

Though I was sure it was the great cry

which announces little wool, I thought Texas

ought to be put on her guard, & proposed

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Reuben M. Potter to McArdle, January 30, 1881, The McArdle Notebooks, Archives and Information Services Division, Texas State Library and Archives Commission.