The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 21, Number 1, November 1985 Page: 36
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36 THE TEXAS GULF HISTORICAL & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
according to Santa Anna, served as translator for the surrender negotia-
tions between Houston and Santa Anna.
Unlike the Mexicans, the Texians spared their captives, even using
Zavala's Buffalo Bayou home as a hospital for the wounded Texians and
Mexicans. There Zavala's friend, the Mexican artillery general, the brave
Manuel Fernandez Castrillon, who had been shot in a vain attempt to rally
the Mexican troops, died and was buried.
Negotiations for Santa Anna's Surrender
As soon as he learned of Houston's victory, Zavala went to the area
of San Jacinto and there conversed with Santa Anna. They apologized for
their political disagreements and conversed on an amicable basis. Burnet's
arrival had been delayed, and because of his injuries, Houston was sent to
New Orleans; so for a short time Zavala was the senior civil officer present.
Houston promised Santa Anna his freedom as soon as the Mexican ar-
my had withdrawn beyond the San Antonio River, subject to an agreement
for subsequent evacuation beyond the Rio Grande. Because of Santa An-
na's insistence, the Texas negotiators agreed upon two treaties, one public
and one private. Santa Anna and other important prisoners were taken to
Velasco; from there they were to be transported ultimately to Mexico. In
the course of the negotiations, Zavala loaned Santa Anna 50 pesos and fre-
quently dined with him and the other Mexican prisoners.
Zavala and Bailey Hardeman were designated to accompany Santa Anna
to Mexico City to secure ratification of the Texas-Mexican treaty, so Santa
Anna, Colonel Juan Nepomuceno Almonte, and a few other prisoners were
put on the schooner Invincible on June 1 for transporation to Mexico.
However, on June 2, Thomas J. Green and his volunteers from New Orleans
(many of whom had not been in Texas previously and few of whom had
participated in the Battle of San Jacinto) intimidated the Texas guards and
seized Santa Anna. Zavala unyieldingly opposed surrendering to Green, say-
ing, "A government that takes orders from an armed mob is no longer a
political body.''28
Santa Anna did send his troops out of Texas; Zavala's demands that
the Texas government observe its part of the bargain made him suspect to
the Texians. Stating he had lost the confidence of his constituency, Zavala
resigned a second time (June 3, 1836), but again his resignation was ignored.
28de Leon, op. cit., No. 4, p. 6.[Vol. XXI, No. I
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Texas Gulf Historical Society. The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 21, Number 1, November 1985, periodical, November 1985; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1433656/m1/38/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Gulf Historical Society.