Departure

The five men departed on November 26, 1836. They traveled overland through east Texas, since Texas leaders had decided that sending Santa Anna to New Orleans on a ship would be too dangerous for his safety. The party traveled surreptitously, as there remained a great deal of opposition to the release; President Houston needed to explain his actions to the Texas Senate, for instance.

For the next several days, they traveled on horseback, reaching the border with the United States on Sunday, December 5. The travelers crossed southern Louisiana's swamps partially by boat and partially by horseback, before reaching Plaquemine, and the Mississippi River, on Monday, December 12.

The United States Telegraph reported on January 9, 1837, that President Houston had vetoed a bill from the Texas Congress to keep Santa Anna and Almonte in custody.

The travelers also carried mail to the United States for President Houston. In this letter, he writes his cousin, explaining the journey and his goals for it.

President Houston wrote to U.S. Secretary of War Lewis Cass, describing Hockley's mission as not only escorting Santa Anna to Washington, but securing arms for the Texas Republic. This was particularly important because of fears of a future Mexican attempt at reconquest.

On January 10, 1837, the United States Telegraph reprinted and commented on a story from a newspaper in Natchez, Mississippi, about the wisdom of releasing Santa Anna.