Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 12, No. 10, Ed. 1, Monday, March 8, 1847 Page: 2 of 4
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Were evidently the principal ornament and mark o,
rank. The people aro described as better looking than
uie iwunese, auu supenur iu iiicju in must xespesis.
No person went ashore from the two ships, though thoy
were tea dap at anchor. A public despatch was sent
offby tno5imerican commodore (acting as Envoy;
to the Court of Yeddo, distant somo leagues, and'a
written reply received in seven days, slating that no
trade whatever could bo allowed with America. On 1
their departure, tho two ships allowed themselves to be
towed out by the wholo fleet of boats which moved by
signals between each other, and with great order. The
interpretation was carried on by a Japanese, who un-
derstood' Dutch very well. The Mandarins wore ex
tremely polite and well-conducted, and when out of
sight ot then followers, disposed to be sociablo and com-
munlcativc, oven making exchanges of small presents,
such as fans &c They appeared surprisingly well in-
formed as-to external events, and had even heard ol
the Oregon question. The Dutch, in fact, aro obliged
to keep them supplied with all kinds of information at
iho'trading port of Nangasaki. Subsequent to tho de-
parture of the Americans, the Bey of Yeddo, it is said,
was visted by Admiral Cecille, in the French frigate
Cleopatra accompanied by two corvettes. It is assert-
ed that some dispute took place, and that tho French
left in high dudgeon, but none of their ships havo yet
-arrived from the north, and therefore tho information
tcannotbo relied on.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Satdkhvy, January 23, 1847.
Mr. KAUFMAN said he was much gratified at tho
sentiments expressed by the honorable gentleman from
Pennsylvania Mr. J. K. Ixgersoll in tho commence-
ment of his remarks ; but he should havo been much
more gratifiod, had he not, in conclusion, informed them
-that ho could not give his support to the bill now under
-consideration,
" I shall not permit myself, Mr. Speaker, to be led a-
way, on tho discussion of this bill, into the merits of tho
Mexican war.. That question has been extensively dis-
cussed in .this House, and has received the sanction of
the constituted authorities of this nation : and. if I'anl
iiotmuch mistaken, the American popular breast beats J
in sympathy with tho action of this and the othei
branch of Congress. At any rate, the question raisec
by this bill is one of immediate and pressing importance '
and interest to my constituents, and I woidd bo doing
' them injustice, if I wcro to bo drawn away, at any great -.
length from it, into a discuss.on of tho merits of the wai .
with Mexico.
I hope, Mr. Speaker, that tho amendment of the gen-
tlcman from Ohio Mr. Vinton will not receive tk f
support of this House. From the time of the annexa-.
tion of Texas to the United States down to tho present
day, tho greater portion of Texas has been without F
mail-routes ; j-ct I would rather forego tho advantages
of this bill, than to pass it with tho amendment of the
gentleman from Ohio incorporated in it. If we leave
tho bill in its original form, and say nothing of our
right to that territory, the question will not be affected
-oue way or the other. But if this amendment is adopt-
ed, it seems to me you at least cast a shade over tho
right of tho United States to all tho territory for which
routes are provided by this bill.
But it is said by tho gentleman from Ohio that tho
territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande is dis-
puted territory. Disputed! By whom? By Mexico,
of course, Now, I would say to that honorable gcntle-
inan,aud those who act with him, that if tho claim of
Mexicoto tho territory between tho Nueces and tho
Rio Gtande is to influence them, you have no authori-
ty1' establish a mail route upon one inch of the soil of
Texas ;Tfor tho Government of Mexico not only disputes
the emtory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande,
but e very-acre west of the Sabine. This is the position
held down, to this very day in all the official documents
of Mexico. They speak of Texas as one of tho depart-
ments of Mexico. It is true, that General Ampudia,
when he found General Taylor near hhn, only asked
' turn to retire toth:s side ot the .Nueces ; and this is re-
ferred to by gentlemen on the opposite side of the House
to show that tho Mexicans have relinquised their claim
to anything east of that river. But if you look at all
tho official papers that havo ever cmanted from tho
Mexican authorities at tho capital of Mexico, yon find
they uniformly claim tho wholo of Texas between the.
Sabino ,and the Rio Grande. If, thon, this claim of
Mexieoo.the country between tho Nueces and tho
Rio Grando is to control members-here, tliey have not,
on tho-same reasoning, authority to establish a single
post-route within the entire limits of Texas.
But, Mr. Speaker, this bill merely proposes to esta-
blish one mail-Tonte upon th'oflowecRio Grande. It
docs notaffect tho question of Now Mcxico. It does
not establish post-routes ; and I wish gentlemen to
mark tho fact it docs not establish Twst-routes as far
up on tho Rio Grando as the republic of Texas at the
last session of its Congress did. That 'Government'
established a route to tfieuRip Grande as high up as
Laredo.' But it is maintain the lower country that
thUyBill proposes to establish them a country over
which Texas, whenever she;chosc to send out her littlo
band of patriots, held undisputed possession. It is true
our population,. from its sparseness, had not yet settled
there ; bat our rangers those who havo won for them-
selves iiripcjishablo laurels at Monterey under the star-
spangled banner whenever they went to any portion
of tho country of the lower Rio Grande, under the flag
of theono star, went there unresisted, and cam o away
without meeting an enemy.
It is urged, Mr. Speaker, that this bill has come upon
this.Hoaso suddenly that they aro unprepared for it.
I am satisfied of the general correctness, I am satisfied
of the integrity, of tho honorable gentleman from Ohio
. wno made the statement ; bat I would inform him ho
' is acting under a total misapprehension. Sir, this bill,
cr tho principles of this bill a bill establishing atnail-
route to Point Isabel and to Santa Rita passed both -Houses
of Congress at tho last session, I believe without
a single dissenting voice.
Mr. J. R. INGERSOLL. Will tho honorable gen-
tleman state the day on which it passed?
Mr. KAUFMAN. I do not recollect precisely what
day it passed tho House ; but it was near the clo3e Df
the session, and was returned from tlio Senate on the
last day, at too late an hoar to receive tho signature
of tho Speaker" and tho President, and so was lost
And yet we aro told that wo are in haste ! With a
t-' bill that has received the mahimous sanction of both
Houses, of Congreas, that has been referred not only to
tho Commiteo on Post Offices and Post Roods, but to
tho Committee of tho Wholo on the state of tho Union,
(for tho substance of this bill was in the general bill that
passed that committee,) we are told that we are at-
tempting now to pass this bill in too great haste throagh
this House,
Mr. VINTON interposed, and (Mr. K. yielding) re-
peated what ho had said when hd was before on tho
1 floor, that when theso bills wcro passed at the last ses-
sion, it was not the understanding of any gentleman that
they recognised or established any boundary, for they
were not regarded (he said) as having any bearing
whatever on tho question of boundary ; and the entire-
ly agreed with the gentleman from Virginia, Mr.
Droucoole, that laws establishing custom-houses, or
post-routes, or post-office., had not, and ought not to
have, any bearing on the question of boundary. They
had only become material from the fact, that the Fre-
sident of the United States says they havo such a bear-
ing. Mr. KAUFMAN, (resuming.) I only gave way
lo tho gentleman for a question, not for an argu-
ment. Tho substance of this bill, as I was remarking, re-
ceived the sanction of both Houses of Congress at the
last session; bat gentlemen have imagined, perhaps,
that they will add a little to their party capital by mak-
ing objections to it now ; but it is too late, as they then
Buffered it to pass at the last session without a dissent
ing voice Is .our title to this country less clear now
than at the last session of Conirrcss? Have our victori
ous eagles at Monterey thrown a cloud of doubt over
ear title to territory which was previously unquestioned
uy gemicmen ncre, n not unquestionable ?
I should feel much gratified if the centlemen would
waive their objections. I trust this House will not con-
sent to throw a cloud over our title to any portion of the
country east of the Rio Grande, at least to tho lower
part of the Iuo Grande. And one rentleman from
Massachusetts, a distinguished statesman, who is not
now in scat, Mr. Adams, at the last session, made a
material distinction between tho lower and upper Rio
jranue, tor tie said iho title of tho United States to tho
lower Rio Grande was as clear as our iitlegvas to tho
island of New Orleans previous to itecgjaTcttlto Spain;
but where ho left tho Rto Grande, ho dlaSot tell us.
This bill, then, merely proposes to establish post
routes in that territory, to which even somo gentlemen
on the other s".do of tho House believe our title to bo
clear and unquestionable.
Tho gentleman from Ohio imagines, if you pass this
bill, it will bo throwing additional defences around the
President for sending our army to the Rio Grande, and
will bo virtually sanctioning tho war, and the coursoof
tho President and Democratic party. Sir, I beliovo tho
remarks on this subject of the President of tho United
States, in his message, merely went, not to intimato
that a bill of thb character would prejudice the rights
of Mexico,9 but that it shonld stop the Congress which
passed tho law from holding up the President to censure
before the world for executingthat law. In my opinion,
"you'may pass acts to establish as many mail routes as
you please, and the right and titlo of Mexico to the soil
(if she has any, which Texas has always disputed)
tho title of Mexico, or of Texas, will bo in no way af
fected. Let us, then, Bay nothing about it. lietua
pass tho bill as reported before us. More than half the
cauntics on tho district I have tho honor to represent
have not hada single mail from the time of tho anncx-
j. ation of Texas to this time. Indeed, now the publication
of'tlie offers for contracts under the old law has been;
suspended, in order that thb bill might come in, and
complete what was necessary, in order to mako it of
any avail. The publication for contracts in all tho
other southwestern States has already been completed.
Wo reque&tcd tho Postmaster General to delay tho pu-
blication of these routes until this bill has received tho
sanction of this Congress ; and I believe it will rcceivo
that sanction, for I see gentlemen all around me, who
will stand up and vindicato tho rights of tho young and,
in numbers, yet feeblo State, which I have tho honor
in part to represent. The brave are always generous ;
and tho strong, whilo justico rules, will never tramplo
upon the rights of tho weak. The sentiment expressed
by the honorablo gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr.
J. R. Lngersoll, in the commencement of his speech
sentiments worthy of tho old Keystoiio Stato I am
satisfied, met the cordial response of gentlemen on all
sides of this House. Even those on tho other side
will come up and do a3 much justico (uulcs they labor
under erroneous impressions) to tho pcoplo of Texas as
thoso who sit immediately around mc.
This bill does not extend tho routes across the river
Rio Grande, bat merely from Point Isabel to Fort
Brown ; and I do trust that the rights of our gallant sol-
diers stationed there, as well as of the citizens of Texas,
will be protected ; and that whilo they arc absent,
engaged in the defenco of tho honor and tho rights of
. their country, they may havo the means of communi-
cation with their distant relatUes and friends whom
they havo left behind.
Sir, it is tho duty of Congress and as a Represen-
tative from Texas, I call upon the Congress of tho United
States, (tho President has done Aw duty,) to respect
the boundary lino of Texas. That boundary line is tho
Rio Grande, from its mouth to its source. Wo havo
declared it : Mcmco disputes it, it is said ; but during a
residence often years in Texas, I have never heard a
single citizen dispute tho right of Texas to tho Rio
Grande, whether founded on her old, original limits, or
as achieved by her victorious arms.
Sir,I maintain it is the duty of this Conirrcss to res
pect tho boundary line laid down in the constitution of
Texas. The President has dono evcry-thing to bring
about an adjustment of boundaries and other questions
with Mexico. After sho had withdrawn her minister
from tho United States, a minister (whom she had pre-
viously agreed to receive) was sent tho President to
Mexico to effect, if possible, a peaceful and honorablo
adjustment of the differences between us,, and ho was
spurned from tho Mexican capital. AiuHs there any
gentleman who will contend that it is right and just to
say, when the President of tho United States has ex-
hausted all tho means of reconciliation in his power,
that ho is still bound to give up the wholo disputed ter-
ritory, to disregard tho rights of Texas and her citizens,
and wholly regard the claims of Mexico, who has scorn-
ed your mission of pcaco ? I3 Mexico entitled to all
consideration, and Texas, a sister State, to none ? After
tho scenes that have transpired at the Mexican capital,
calculated to arouso the indignation of every true Ameri-
can heart, still the territory of Texas is not to be respect-
ed, hcrTights arc not to bo regarded, but all deference
is to bo paid to Mexico ! I believe this bill will receivo
the sanction of a largo majority of this House, and of
tho other branch of Congress, and will become a law,
without the amendment of tho gentleman from Ohio
incorporated in it ; for I could not vote for the bill if thus
t amended, as it would be grossly unjust to Texas, and
might embarrass tho President in future negotiations on
the subject
THE EUROPEAN. NEWS.
Opening of Parliament Tlia Queen's Speech
Starvation in Ireland and Scotland
Mexican Letters of Marque in London
Advance in Hie Price oj Breadstuffs.
The Baltimore correspondent of the Wash-
ington Union furnishes that paper with a full
summary of the news brought by the Sarah
Sands, of which we gave a brief synopsis yes-
terday. It is of rather an important charac-
ter. We therefore copy it.
Opening of Parliament. Parliament
was opened on Tuesday, Jan. 19, by the Queen
in person, with the usual ceremonies. Eve-
ry available place, both in the body of the
House of Lords arid in the galleries, was occu-
pied before her Majesty arrived.
Tho extreme darkness, occasioned by the
fogginess and the gloominess of the weather,
rendered it necessary to light up the house,
so that "a much more brilliant effect was pro-
duced than is ever usual by daylight and the '
jewels worn by the ladies shone resplendent-
The Queen having seated herself, desired
the lords to be seated. The commons, were
then, according to custom, summoned to ap-
pear at the bar to hear the speech read. The
speaker, attended by several members of the
lower house, appeared at the bar. There was
the usual rush and scramble for front places.
The speech was then handed by- the Lord
Chancellor to her Majesty, Avho proceeded to
read it with her usual admirable clearness and
emphasis. It was as follows :
"My Lords and Gentlemen : It is with the
deepest concern that upon your again assem-
bling, I have to call your attention to the
dearth of pwisions which prevails in Ireland,
and in parts of Scotland.
"In Ireland, especially, the loss of the usu-
al food of the people has been the cause of
severe sufferings, of disease, and of greatly
increased mortality among the poorer classes.
Outrages have become more frequent, chiefly
directed against property, and the transit of
provisions has been rendered unsafe in some
parts of the country.
"With a view to mitigate these evils, very
large numbers of men have been employed,
and received wages, in pursuance of an act
passed in the last session of Parliament.
Some deviations from that act, which have
been authorized by the lord lieutenant, in or-
der to promote more useful employment will,
I trust, receive your sanction. Means have
been taken to lessen the pressure of want in
districts which are most remote from the ordi-
nary sources of supply. Outrages have been
repressed, as far as it was possible, "by the
military and police.
"It is satisfactory to me to observe, that in
many of the most distressed districts the pa-
tience and resignation of the people have been
most exemplary.
"The deficiency of the harvest in France
and Germany, and other parts of Europe, has
added to the "difficulty of obtaining adequate
supplies of provisions.
"It will be your duty to consider what fur-
ther measures are requited to allcviatethe ex-
isting distress. I recommend to you to take
into j'our serious consideration whether, by in-
creasing for a limited period the facilities for
importing corn from foieign countries, and by
the admission of sugar more freely into the
breweries and distilleries, the supply of food
may be beneficially augmented.
"I have likewise lo diicct your earnest con-
sideration to the permanent condition of Ire-
land. You will perceive in the absence of
political excitement, an opportunity for taking
a dispassionate survey of the social evils which
afflict that portion of the United Kingdom.
Various measures will be laid befoie you,
which, if adopted Iry Parliament, may tend to
raise the great mass of the people in comfort,
to promote agriculture, and to lessen, the
pressure of that competition for land, which
has been the fruitful source of crime and mis-
"The mafflagc of the Infanta Louisa Fer-
nanda, ofiSp&in, to the Duke do Montpensier,
has given rise to a correspondence between
my Government and those of France and
Spain.
"The extinction of the free state of Cracow
has appeared to me so manifest a violation of
the treaty of Vienna, that I have commanded
that a protest against that act should be dcliv-
ered to the courts of Vienna, Petersburg, and
Berlin, which were parties to it. Copies
of these several papers will be laid before
vou.
"I entertain confident hopes, that the hostil-
ities in the river Plate, which have so.long in-
orrnnton snmirmin movcnnii no lormmotn1 I
and my efforts, in conjunction with those
the King of the French, will be earnestly di
rected to that end.
"My relations generally with foreign powers
inspire me with the fullest confidence in the
maintenance of peace.
"Gentlemen of the House of Commons: I
have directed the estimates to be prepared
with a view to provide for the efficiency of
the public service, with a due regard for econ-
omy. "My Lords and Gentlemen: I have order-
ed every requisite preparation to be made for
putting into operation the act of the last session
of Parliament for the establishment of local
courts for the recovery of small debts. It is
my hope that the enforcement of civil rights
in all parts of the country to which the act
relates, may, by this measure, be materially
facilitated.
"I recommend to your attention measures
which will be laid before you for improving
the health of towns, an object the importance
of which you will not fail to appreciate.
"Deeply sensible of the blessings which,
after a season of calamity, have been so often
vouchsafed to this nation by a superintending
Providence, I confide these important meas-
ures to your care, in a full conviction that your
discussions will be guided by an impartial spirit,
and in the hope that the present sufferings of
people may be lightened, and 'that their future
condition may be improved, by your delibera-
tion and wisdom."
The reply to the Queen's speech was mov-
ed in the House of Lords by Lord Heath-
erton, in a speech of some length, the lead-
ing topic of which was the condition of Ire-
land. r
In the House of Commons, the engrossing
subject of course was the distress of Ireland,
and the debate on jt, and the other matters
treated of in the Queen's speech, occupies
eighteen and a half columns of closely printed
matter.
THE TELEGRAPH.
EDITED BY FRANCIS MOORE, Jr.
HOUSTON:
dlXonday, Jflarch 8, 1847.
It must be a source of proud satisfaction to
every patriot that at the eleventh anniversary
of Texan independence, the great object of
this declaration was fully consummated. The
last vestiges of Mexican sway have been swept
from our land. The battles of Palo Alto, and
Resacade la Palma, closed we trust forever
the dominion of Mexico over the territory east
of the Rio Grande. The tide of war has
rolled westward to the summits of the Sierra
Madre, and every portion of our late republic
is blessed with the sunshine of peace. Let
us hope that the peace thus purchased with
the blood of so many heroes, may be enduring
as the cloud capped mountains over which the
proud banner of the Union is now floating in
triumph. Under the protecting regis of the
American Union, the resources of our beauti-
ful country are developing with unprecedented
rapidity. The tide of emigration has been
constantly augmenting, and is now pouring in
on every side a flood of wealth, thousands of
daring and adventurous pioneers are extending
our frontiers in every direction, and towns
and cities are springing up as if by magic,
where but a few months since the savage held
undisputed sway.
Fervently do we hope that the thousands
and tons of thousands of enterprising and dar-
ing emigrants, that on every side are pushing
our frontiers into the distant wilds of the north
and west, may carry with them the ennobling
principles that have been the only sure foun-
dation of American pro'spertiy. May they not
only bear with them the daring enterprise of
the Pilgrims who first planted the tree ofLib-
erty on the rocky coast of New England, but
also the pure, refining principles of Christian-
ity, which are the only immutable foundations
of national glory. May they bear the hal-
lowed alters of their noblo fathers into the dis-
tant regions where they are now selecting
new homes, and around these altars shall
their childrendrink in, the inspiring breath of
virtue and pure religion. And when they
shall have passed away as the companions of
Austin are now passing one by one from the
glorious land they have redeemed from the
ruthless savage, and the perfidious Mexican.
May thd virtues they inculcate, linger around
their hearthstones, and may those who enter
upon the inheritance they have won with toi
and suffering, and blood, be worthy of such
ancestors. If the lofty principles which sus-
tained them in the long trials they havo en-
countered shall be renewed in the bosoms of
their successors, the new State they have
founded, shall become one of the noblest of
the glorious Union with whose destiny it is
inseparably connected.
Volunteers. The Red River counties
have furnished their full quota of volunteers.
Two full companies have been raised in Fan-
nin and old Red River counties, and another
has, probably by thi3 time, been filled in La-
mar county. The Fannin company, command-
ed by Capt. Taylor, is now at Bexar, and the
Red River company, commanded by Capt.
Crump, was expected to reach that city by the
first of the month. We believe that there arc
now five full companies organized in the State,
and we regret to say that we can obtain no
information that encourages us even to hope
that a full regiment will be enlisted unless the
terms of enlistment are changed.
We learn that Col. Hays, despairing of rais-
ing a full regiment under the present requisi-
tion, intends to visit Washington to endeavor
to have the terms of enlistment changed so
that volunteers may be received for six months,
or a year. Houston alofte would probably
send out one or two full companies, if the vol-
unteers were permitted to enlist for six months.
An opinion prevails that tho volunteers, when
enlisted, arc to be regarded as regular sol
diers, and our Texan volunteers would rather
charge a hundred times into tho mouths of
Mexican cannon, than to'enter the ranks as
"regulars." They .detest the very name of
of reg"1 tlieJ wil1 neither fight, nor eat, nor
sleep as regulars, but will go ahead of regu
lars and everything else, in whipping Mexi-
cans, wild cats, alligators, or what are far
worse, Spanish fleas and chintzes, if they are
permitted to have their own way.
Capitulation of Monterey. Col. Jef-
ferson Davis has addressed a letter to the
Union, justifying Gen. Taylor for assenting to
the terms of capitulation of Monterey. Col.
Davis enters fully into all the facts connected
with the capitulation, for the purpose of show
ing that the commissioners acted independent-
ly, and without any dictation or interference
on the part of Gen. Taylor. Col. Davis says:
"The instructions given by Gen. Tayjor on-
ly presented his object, and fixed a limit to the
powers of his commissioners ; hence,, when
points were raised which exceeded our discre-
tion, they were referred to the commander ;
but minor points were acted on, and finally
submitted as a part of our negotiation. We
fixed the time within which the Mexican for-
ces should retire from Monterey. We agreed
upon the time we-Avould wait for the decision
of the respective governments, which I recol
lect, was less by thirty-four days than theJVf ex-
ican commissioners asked the period adopted
being that which, according to our estimate,
was required to bring up the rear of our army
with the ordnance and supplies necessary for
further operations."
His letter is accompanied by the followmo-
endorsements of the other two commissioners,
Generals Henderson and Worth. The allu-
sion of the latter to "malignanls" tremor, &c,
is evidently intended for some of the brother
officers of Gen. Worth. The persons who
have been most forward to condemn the terms
of the capitulation, were the Texan volunteers
who fought under Gen. Worth, whom he has
highly commended, and to whom he was chief
ly indebted for his success.
The above js a correct statement of the leading facts
connected with the transactions referred to, according
to my recollection. It is, howevor, proper that I should
further stato that my first impression was, that no better
terms than those first proposed, on the part of General
Taylor ought to have been given, and so I said to Gen.
Taylor when I found him disposed to yield to tho re-
quest of Gen. Ampudia: and at tho same timo gavo it
as my opinion that they would bo accepted by him be-
fore we left tho town. Gen. Taylor replied that he
would run no risk where it could be avoided ; that ho
wished to avoid the further shedding of blood, and that
he was satisfied that our Government would bo pleased
with tho terms given by tho capitulation ; and, beincr
myself persuaded of that fact, yielded my individual
views and wishes, and under that conviction I shall
ever be ready to defend tho terms of the capitulation.
J. Pixckxey Henderson,
Maj. Gen. Com'ng the Texan Volunteers.
I not only counselled and advised, tho opportunity
being offered by tho eeneral-m-chief, the first nroDosi-
tion, but cordially assented and approved tho decision
taken by Gen. Taylor in respect to tho latter, as did
every member of tho commission, and for good and
sufficient military and national reasons; and stand
ready, at all times and proper places, to defend and
sustain the action of tho commanding general, and par-
ticipation of tho commissioners. Knowing that ma-
liguants, the tremor being off, are at work to discredit
and misrepresent the case, (as I had anticipated,)
ieei ooiigeu to Colonel Davis for having thrown to-
gether tho material and facts.
W.J. Worth,
Brig. Gen. commanding 2d division.
Monterey, October 12, 1846.
By the arrival of the steamer Galveston at
Galveston, on the 1st inst., we have received
advices from New Orleans to the 27th ult.
The Louisiana volunteers who were wreck-
ed on the Ondiaka, had arrived in safety at
Tampico on the day after they were wrecked.
Gen. Cos appeared near their camp with a
detachment of Mexican troops from Tuspan,
and sent a flag of truce, summoning them to
surrender: but Col. de Russey, their command-
er requested permission to reflect upon this
summons until the next morning. But at
night-fall, says the Tampico Sentinel, "fires
were lighted, and orders immediately given to
march ; leaving the knapsacks and all bur-
thensome materials which could in tho least
impede, and which were not wanted for tho
purpose of sustenance. The first twenty-four
hours they are said to have made thirty-five
miles ! and instead of hard fighting, or contin-
ued skirmishing, we are assured that not an
armed Mexican was seen on the way hither.
"We are indebted to a gentleman, who ap-
pears to be intimate with the facts, and upon
whom we can place implicit confidence, for
the following items : That Gen. Cos left Tus-
pan in the night, in command, but a little in
the rear of 480 men that he was soon joined
pothers at various points, until his command
liow numbers 980, as stated above he had
stationed 80 cavalry and 250 infantry in such
manner as he supposed would prevent the
wrecked troops from receiving supplies or re-
inforcements ; most of the infantry under Cos,
came in canoes from Tuspan, and lauded in
front of the wrecked volunteers ; he had four
pieces of light artillery, and when he received
Lieut. Ozier, about 250 troops were drawn up
in column."
The Markets. We notice no important
changes in tho prices of cotton or bread stuffs
since our previous advices. The high rates
of freights, and the proximity of news by the
Cambria, havo had a tendency to make the
market dull. The Delta of the 26th says :
The proximity of later news by the Liver-
pool steamer Cambria renders the market
dull, especially in these times of private ex-
presses. Flour was quiet the sales, howev-
er, reaching 5500 bbls. at $G 121 to $8 25
for Ohio brands ; besides which y000 bbls.,
deliverable a month hence, were taken at SO
00 per bbl. Corn is lower, and only some
20,000 bushels found purchasers, mostly at
95c. to SI 00 per bushel for mixed and prime
lots. Provisions are still on the advance.
Sales of 500 bbls. Lard at 8 to 8gc per lb.
Mess Pork went up from $14 50 to $15 00
per bbl., with sales of 2500 bbls. mostly at
the highest rate. About 4000 bales Cotton
were sold. Prices are decidedly looking up
again. i
We have 'received a note from Mr. Wm.
Menifee, in which he states that he contracted
to "carry a one horse mail" from this city to
Victoria, and when he sends "a good strong
horse that is able to carry tho bags full," ho
complies fully with the contract. lie states
also that he never contracted to carry the
whole mail ; but he has directed "the rider,
when there is more mail than he can carry at
the next trip, to take a pack mule," and by
this means he has been enabled to carry the
whole mail, although occasionally some papers
have been left in the office here until the rider
could make a second trip. Mr. Menifee also
informs us that he has carried the mail
since the sixteenth of Feb., 1846, andhasnev-
tr received one dollar for his services. We
are not disposed to attach censure to any per-
son without just cause ; but it appears to us
that in every instance the mail contractors
should be required to carry the whole mail on
their respective routes, and if they perform
their duties with fidelity, they should be paid
with the utmost promptness and regularity.
The head of the post office department cannot
with propriety complain of the neglect of con
tractors if he neglects to pay them in accor-
dance with the terms of their contracts.
New Settlement. Tho new settlement
at the head of the St. 'Marks is described by
travelers, who have recently visited it, as one
of the most beautiful places in Western Tei-
asEThe soil of the valley of thejSt. Marks
is surpassingly fertile, and the climate is re
markably healthy. Several new houses have
been erected and extensive fields have been
opened, which will doubtless soon display a-
bundant harvests of corn and wheat. It is
but a few months since the hostile Indians
held almost undisputed sway in that delightful
region, which seems destined,at no distant day,
to become the centre of one of the most flour-
ishing settlements of Texas.
A large number of the Mormons who set-
tled near Austin last year, are preparing 'to
remove to Castro's colony on the Medina.
Civil War in Illinois. Several of the
counties oflllinois have been disgraced "by a
civil war resembling that which raged a few
years since in Shelby county in this State.
The war was commenced by a party who
styled themselves regulators, and who estab
lished a lynching tribunal for the expulsion of
a gang of horsethieves and counterfeiters.
They punished a number of notorious thieves
and counterfeiters, and then commenced har-
rassing several respectable citizens. A por-
tion of the friends and relatives of the persons
accused took sides with them and determined
to put down the regulators by force. At the
last accounts the civil authorities had interfer-
red, and it is probable that both parties will
be compelled, by a military force, to submit to
the laws of the State.
It appears from the statements of the volun
teers that were recently wrecked on the On
diaka, south of Tampico, that their destination
was the island of Lobos, and it is well ascer-
tained that the troops that have for some time
been concentrating at the Brazos Santiago
as well as the new regiments of volunteers,
are soon to be concentrated at that island, or
some other point near Vera Cruz. There
appears, therefore, to be no longer a doubt
that Gen. Scott is preparing a formidable ex-
pedition against Vera Cruz. It is reported, in
many of the jorthern papers, that he is to be
aided by the fleet in this expedition, and that
Commodore Warrington" will soon take com-
mand of the squadron before Vera Cruz. The
Mexicans, at the last accounts, had concentra-
ted about 4,000 troops at Vera Cruz, and it
was reported that a detachment of the. army of
Santa Anna, amounting to 7,000 men, was
marcning to the' aid of the garrison at that
city.
Saltillo has lately been nearly deserted by
the Mexican population, and this event has
caused many of the officers of our arrny near
that town to entertain suspicions that Santa
Anna was preparing to make a decent upon
tho place. The army is encamped in. a val-
ley, about a mile from the town, and batteries
are erected on the heights that command
it, so that it could be destroyed i:a a few
hours, if the enemy should take possessi.on of it.
The forces under the command of Gen Taylor
at Saltillo, amount to about 7,000 affective
troops.
Persons who have arrived at Bexiar and
other western towns, from the Rio Grande,
state that the prairies west of theNuecos have
been all burned over, so that there is no pas-
turage for horses. It is asserted that the
Mexicans have fired the prairies to prevent
troops from crossing from the Nueces to the
Rio Grande. We think it is more- probable
that they were burned to prevent the incursions
of the Indians. The Mexicans, if i -e mistake
not, have been accustomed for many years to
burn over those prairies during the winter
months.
We learn from persons who ht vc lately
visited the western frontier, that a la rge body
of Indians has been collected for some weeks
high up on the Colorado : many of th western
settlers have entertained fears that they were
preparing to resume hostilities again st bur set-
tlements. The Commanches who "have lately
visited Torrey's trading house, how -ver, were
remarkably friendly, and manifesto 1 no signs
of hostility ; on the contrary, they appeared to
be quite anxious to renew their pledges of
friendship. They were much elated with their
successful forays against the- Mexicans, and it
is probable that the Indians who have been
discovered on the Colorado, have assembled
for the purpose of re-commencing hostilities
against the Mexican settlements.
A correspondent of the Jeffersoniap. says
that some of the officers of the army at Tam-
pico, are already offering bets that the con-
templated expedition of Gen. Scott against
Vera Cruz will be abandoned. It is asserted
that Gen. Scott has received information that
Mexico is willing to treat, and he is waiting
until he can hear from his government. Gen.
Taylor received the same information, and we
doubt not from as creditable a source, at Mon-
terey many months ago, and if the army is to
delay its movement on Vera Cruz, until the
Mexicans are ready to make a trealv, it is
quite certain that this expedition will be aban-
doned. The weather has already become ex-
cessively warm on the Tierras Calientes, and
there is every indication that the Yellow fever
will commence its annual visitation in two or
three weeks. All hopes ofconquering a peace
according to the new plan of operations of Gen.
Scott, must then be abandoned, or our brave
soldiers may fall by thousands to the. desola-
ting scourge of that fatal climate.
Infklnge3ient of the Rights of the
Press. The United States Senate, by a vote
of 27 to2lhas expelled Mr. Ritchie, the editor
of the Union, from the Senate Chamber,
because he published jthe note of a cor-
respondent containing some remarks that
were regarded as disrespectful to several of
the Senators.fiihcCrna.vri3.iustIy roard- -ed
as the most flagrant violation of the freedom
of the Press that haWisgracetLCongress-since
the passage of tho sedition or "gag laws:"
and it is-vvorthy of remark, that the Federalists
of tho Senate, true to their old aristocratic prin-
ciples,voted to a man for this fyranical measure.
It is worthy of the days of the Hartford Con-
vention, and it was meet that it should becar-
ried by federal votes. It is, however morti-
fying in the extreme, to find that John C. Cal-
houn, and three reputed democrats also vo-
ted for the measure. Mr. Calhoun lately had
many warm friends in Texas, but this weak
and childish act, has we think, completely dis-
sipated whatever popularity he had previously
acquired. We admired him for the generous
support that he gave to the great measure of
annexation : but if annexation is to result in
the infringement of the great rights of Ameri
can freemen, we should prefer to go back to our
old institutions, for they rendered us truly free.
They were based ubon the immutable princi-
ples of freedom that Madison, Jefferson, Frank-
lin 'and Washington inculcated. We had sup-
posed that these principles were embodied in
the Constitution of the United States, and that
the Senators and other officers of the govern-
ment were amenable to the people for their
public conduct. We thought that each, citi-
zen, and of course that each conductor of a
public journal, had a right to visit the halls- of
Congress, and to express his- opinion freejy
upon the acts of the members of Congress.
Mr. Calhoun and his federal allies, it seems,
think otherwise, and regard the halls-of Con-
gress, not as-the property of the-people of the
Union, Iwit as their own f -ena-they imagine
that, like the nobility of Great Britain, they can
exclude, ob admit any of the vulgar herd i. e.
the common people they please. If we ms-
take not the true character of the American
people, they will rise in their majesty-and as
sert their rights. They will teach these aris-
tocratic Senators that they are the servants'
not the lords of the people, and that they have
not the power to check or control, in the least
degree, the freedom of the Press. We-rejoice,,
as Texians, that our Senators, in this instance,
were- not found voting with the majority.
Gen. Rusk, was absent; but Senator Hous-
ton sustained, with becoming dignity, the
principles of republican freedom that are
embodied in, our own Constitution. It was
for a Senator of Florida, once republi-
can Florida, to introduce this Turkish meas-
ure. It originated with Mr. Yulee, alias
Mr. Levy, the author of the worse than puerile-
resolution, to annex Cuba to the United States.
That Mr. Calhoun should be found following
in the- footsteps of a man so destitute of ordi-
nary discretion, and we might say of Ameri-
can feeling, is to us a matter of astonishment.
He has, however", so recently been subjected-
to tho censures of his late democratic friends
for his opposition to the administration, that
passion may have, in this instance, blinded liim.
to his own best interests, and the interests of
the great party of which he was once the orna-
ment and pride. He has fallen from his high
estate, fallen like the federal leaders with;
whom he has disgracefully leagued himself
never to rise again.
But the editor of the Union, the venerable
Ritchie, who has, for nearly half a century,
occupied a high and enviable rank among
tho most respectable journalists of America,
he will not fall under the ban ot the partizan
clique who have thus attempted to disgrace
him. The act will recoil on their own heads,
and for them will be the scorn and reproach
that they foolishly thought to cast upon him.
Even if he had erred, he was entitled to their
kind indulgence, and his acts should have been
viewed with a charitable allowance, on account
of his great age, and on account also of the
high reputation he had acquired during the long
period that he has conducted a public journal.
He has passed with the American Press
through the long trials of a forty years
pilgrimage. He has seen it increasing
in strength, extending in influence, and
we fondly hope, extending also those great
principles that are the only sure founda-
tions of a nation's prosperity. Although far
advanced in years, his eye is " not dimmed,
nor his natural force abated" he sees in the
distance the proud destiny that awaits his suc-
cessful countrymen. He has, by precept and
example performed his part, and performed it
nobly in the great drama of his day, and his
well-earned fame cannot now bo extinguished
by the foul missiles of faction.
The three million peace bill, as it is styled,
has passed the house of Representatives, with
the'proviso of Mr. Wilmot, forever interdicting
:3s
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Moore, Francis, Jr. Democratic Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 12, No. 10, Ed. 1, Monday, March 8, 1847, newspaper, March 8, 1847; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth48447/m1/2/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.