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About News & planters' gazette. (Washington, Wilkes County [sic], Ga.) 1840-1844 | View Entire Issue (April 7, 1842)
lefi, backed by hug-! squadrons, who pros, sed forward in thoir panic, shoulder to shoulder ; and the black surfuco of the mass . heaved and subsided like the waves of a iu ging ocean. I will not say that inv heart grew faint ; but a strange thill crept through my blood, and half forgotten recol- J lections of other days rushed like inugic j through my mind, as l placed myself, us a j last resort, behind the body of my restless 1 and frightened horse. Stiil onward they | came—Heaven protect me! it was a fearful sight. Tramp, tramp! onward they came, i with their shapeless humps and ungainly : gait ; and so near did they approach, that I I could see their little red eyes glowing, like coals ofliving fire, from out their shaggy 1 beds of matted hair. Suddenly the two j files direotly opposite to trie shouldered their j comrades away to the right and left, and l j breathed once more when I saw the head of | the column had passed me, leaving myself and horse in a narrow lane between them. “1 know not how long I stood in this posi tion of suspense ; for I heeded not the pas sage of time ; hut the mass of the gang had already passed, and the losscrowded strag glers were closing up in the rear, when a wounded and maddened buffalo hull sud denly leaped from the crowd and made to wards the place where 1 stood. Gallantly lie came on, with his tail erected and quiv ering, his head inclined, his left horn point ed to its mark, with the red blood and white foam gathering upon his lips. I shut my teeth tight together, in anticipation of the shock which I could not prevent, and in a moment it was over. I felt myself thrown violently down by the weight of iny horse ; I indistinctly saw the dark form of tiie an imal, like a passing cloud, as he cleared me in tiie leap, then 1 closed my eyes and awaited till the tumult was over. Upon a rising, I found that I had received only a ! few slight bruises ; hut my poor horse had been gored to death, and the short carbine I carried had been broken by his full. Without losing more time, I threw my valise upon my shoulder, and struggling between the impressionsofgratitude for my own escape, and sorrow for the loss of my horse, 1 again resumed my walk. The sun I was just setting, yet I little thought, with | the share l had already had, that my trou bles were just commencing. I had not pas- j sed over an hundred yards from the spot j where I had left the carcass of my horse, | when my ear caught the sound of distant firing. The Camanehes are teaching those j fellows to keep close up at last,’ said i to j myself- The firing increased, though by the dull sound of the reports I knew it to ! be very distant. Pop, whiz, spang! went the carbines, rifles and pistols; tiien a volley | fired at intervals, which I knew to come from my own steady fellows, and at length a loud report, followed by a space of si lence. ‘There speaks Betsy Baker,’ (a four pounder,) I cried, as 1 quickened my pace: ‘if there is no howling to-night in the camp of the red skins, it is because grape shot don’t hurt.’ “In less than five minutes I was made rather unpleasantly aware of the efFect of this last discharge ; for directly over the hill where the buffalo had passed, came a troop of at least thirty flying Camanches, yelling like incarnate demons, and urging their horses to their fullest speed. As their direction lay nearest towards me, I did not escape their notice. One huge and grim looking barbarian, leading by a lariat a horse which I recognized as belonging to my own troop, gallopped to where I stood, and, springing from his saddle, made a mo tion to assist me in mounting the led horse. As I saw no way easily of declining the proffered civility, I sprung to my seat, and in an instant we were in motion ; tiie rest of the troop closed up in front and rear, and I found myself a close prisoner, with my horse’s halter in the hands of the big war rior who had taken me. 1 know not how far we had travelled, but my companions kept their horses at their speed by a con tinual drumming with their heels; and more than an hour after I commenced the unwelcome ride, the fiery little ‘ mustangs ’* were still panting and laboring onwards with their eager burdens. At length we entered a piece of woodland, and, descen ding into a sequestered ravine soon reached the fires of the temporary camp. “Here for a few moments, all was bustle and confusion. The camp was large prob ably arranged to contain a hundred per sons or more ; and upon the arrival of our party, the women and children crowded, for ward, to learn the success of the foray, and enquired the news of the day. The intelli gence they acquired, I concluded was of no flattering import ; for their followed a great deal of wailing and loud talking, frantic expressions of grief, and tearing of hair. The men seemed to take it more coolly- ; and as large parties frequently went out, and stragglers as frequently came in, I concluded they were sending back to recover, if possible, their dead and wounded. Often, in the course of the even ing, a loud and melancholy howl woul a rise on the night air, followed by a monoto nous chant, which I could recognize as a dirge for some departed spirit. It was late at night, I presume near midnight, when this unwonted commotion bpgan tosubside. They had placed me, on my arrival, by a separate fire, and I sat with my hack to a tree, my hands and feet secured by thongs ofbuckskin, watching the curious scenes which transpired—sometimes even with a feeling of merriment, notwithstanding the forlorn situation I was in. I had no reason to fear either death or torture, for tiiese sa vages are more mercenary than cruel in their disposition, and generally reserve their prisoners for slaves, or for runners. — Amid the convulsions which had agitated the little community this evening, I had es caped any very marked attention. Some times a hoy, as he passed me, would salute rne with an impudent grimace ; or some withered old beldame, whose eye happened to rest upon me, would scowl from beneath her brows and mutter out a curse. At length the camp became quiet; the ’•‘Mustang. The wild horse of the southern prairies. I different groups at the fire gradually sunk 1 upon the ground, and a few stealthily mo | \ing figures were all at that betokened life. | One old Indian, who had apparently been ! entrusted with mv safekeeping, sat on the ; opposite side of the fire ; hut ho scorned nod- I ding and dozing ; and l watched tlm effect of the flickering light of the dying fire, as it ; ! threw into alternate light and shade the 1 hideous paint und deep seams and furrows i | of Ins visage. | “ I was thus amusing myself, when the ; S gigantic warrior, who had first secured me | | advanced from a distant fire, and gravely j j seated himself near me. For some mo- j meats ho maintained silence, diligently puffing front his pipe, and anon kicking in- Ito their proper places, the smouldering J brands as they rolled aside. 1 thought | however, I could perceive by his grave yet j uneasy manner, that he had some commu nication to make, or some information toe licit, which would require diplomatic tact, and that lie was now Inisil v cogitating in what way to address me. At length, he laid his pipe from his mouth, and made advan ces to a conversation, though in extremely defective English. “ ‘The white traders are very many, said he, ‘and the young long knives from : the foils have good rifles.’ “1 made no reply to this truism, and he proceeded : ‘When the white traders fight the Camanches with their rifles only, our hearts are not sick with fear ; but when the big wagons are made to fire like a hundred rifles, the young men of the Camanches arc astonished and run away. Is it true,’ he added inquiringly, ‘that the white traders can shoot with their wagons like a gun?’ “I could not but smile at the old conceit with which the chief had been impressed j by the unexpected discharge of the four- I pounder, and the, ludicrous mixture of doubt and curiosity with whic h he made { his statement and inquiry. “ ‘Aye, aye, red skin,’ said I, ‘they can fire any thing on wheels, from a stage coach to a baby’s wagon ; and it’s lucky for you and your howling gang, old fellow, that the big ox-carls were not unlimbered and wheeled into battery.’ “I never learned exactly how much my friend understood of this frank exposition, but ho looked at me. steadfastly for a few moments, and then rose and left the fire. “Thus again left to myself, I resumed my former occupation of watching my ra ther stupid looking companion with a pain ■ ted face. No change had taken place in j his position, except that he had moved a 1 little nearer: but he sat perfectly upright, I with his eyes closed, like one in sleep, or j engaged in deep meditation. A deep bright j coat of vermillion was laid in a circle a | round each eye, parallel lines of blue pig ment adorned his cheeks, and I observed ; that tiie single scalp lock which depended | from his crown was trimmed and painted in a somewhat different style from those of his companions. I sat for more than an hour with my eye fixed upon the stifffigure of tins grim barbarian, until the lights grew dim and wavering, when my eyelids fell heavily down, and I unconsciously, though but partially, slumbered. “I know not how long this sleep lasted ; but indistinct visions, connected with past recollections,were Hitting through my brain I varied by hideous forms and painted spec tres, when suddenly I started from my rest ! impressed with the idea that I heard my | own name pronounced in a clear and dis j tinct whisper. Did I dream it ? it could not be. 1 peered anxiously around for a few moments, until my eyes again fell upon the old savage ; stiff and upright as before be still sat, but his eye was open, and the black and glittering iris sparkled with the rays of a diamond as he fixed it upon me. That old fellow, thought I, as I settled a gain into my former posture, has either heard the call, or been aroused by my sud j den starting. I watched the old man for a j few moments, and then conscious that his j eye was fixed upon me, closed my own, and j feigned repose again. This time my faculties were all awake I and I heard distinctly the same clear whis i perrd prounciation of my name. Cauti j ously did I open my eyes and fix them again j upon the old man : he had moved himself to : within a few feet of where I sat; his head I was slightly inclined towards me ; his eye j was still on me ; but I thought I detected | about his mouth, a smile which betokened some better emotion than savage malign!- j “At length he moved himself cautiously j still nearer, and then spoke in the same subdued tone in which my name had been uttered before, but otherwise in a manner which spake only of utter indifference. . “ ‘The Noyatunga* is very sleepy to night,’ he said in English almost perfect. ••I nodded a simple assent. ‘But when he closes his eyes a spirit calls him by name, und bids him come back to his wig warn. “ ‘Who and what are you ! and why did you call me by name?’ said 1, now thor oughly acquainted with the mistery of my j late summons. “‘The memory of my brother is very j short,’ said my cautious companion. ‘Flo does not remember my face, though lie has j seen it within ten summers ; he does not | remember that I have slept in his barrack; j he does not remember that I have eaten of | his bread, and been warmed by his blanket, j I am now a Camanche, and my squaw is at j their village in the wigwam of her father ; j but my brother the white men once called me the “Leaping Buck, a kehega-j- of the Kanzas!’ “As lie concluded, he gently drew his knifo across the thongs which bound be, and slipping mv hand quietly into his, I re cognized my oid friend with a hearty gree ting- “ ‘The Noyatuga must be fleet of foot, j while his enemies are sleeping, if he wish | es to find the camp of the Spanish traders. J I “-'ill g° by-and-by: let my brother follow; | let him keep his ey-e upon yonder star until | he strikes a trail, then lie will see me!’ ’•’Long knife. The Osage term for white man. +A Kaliega. A sub-chief “Ho glided from my side as lie spoke, and 1 watched his snake-like form as lie crept throng the underbrush and disap peared; though 1 listened with painful a ciileness, I could not hear the rustling of a leaf, nor the cracking of a twig. After a few minutes of painful suspense, finding ■ that all were still, and apparently buried in sleep, I ventured to commence my opo j rations. Creeping through the thicket with out any serious noise, 1 found the trail and | after a brisk walk, soon found my friend ; j he held in his hand the bridle of the troop : horse which had brought me in the evening | before, and pointing out the course I was to pursue, motioned me to mount. 1 sprung to my seat, and putting spurs to my horse, ere the sun had fairly risen, I found myself safe in the camp of the traders.” “You, l’edro!” shouted Hearing Tom, as he finished his story, “bring in Pomp and picket him to yonder sapling. If some | outlying Osage,” he muttered, “chance to he skulking on our trial, he would cut his j lariat soquick it would make his head swim. “What! ho ! yonker, asleep?” “No, no ! I’m not asleep ; but I would thank you not to si a p me so hard on the shoulder, and to tell me why you called our little field piece,—‘Betsy Baker.’ ” “That’s Jack Tar’s name for his flying artillery which is carried in the launch, or Long-boat, as you lubbers call it. But come !it is time to turn in ; and give me a punch in the ribs if you hear the call sound (or the reveille and I do not awake, or Fish er will be down upon me at guard-moun ting like a thousand of brick!” Where upon we gathered our blankets around us and fell asleep. and. r. g. n. From the Savannah Republican. THE PROPER DIRECTION OF LA BOR. Two important facts may he now observ ed, in the direction given to labor, both in this country, and in England. One is, that the production of Cotton has gone on increa sing among us, in almost a geometrical pro gression, while in England, the conversion of the raw material into the fabrics of vari ous descriptions, has progressed incredibly last, and in a ratio altogether disproportion ate to the increasing wants of the popula tion. The system of excessive credit has engendered high prices, which in their turn have stimulated and forced forward the growth of the raw material, and this again has fostered into premature existence the immense stocks of manufactured articles now on hand. As ati evidence of the truth of what we say, we may refer to the fact, that most of the mills in England are work ing on short time, while in this country, as was stated in our letter from Boston, a day or two since, the cotton mills are in danger of being stopped, by suffocation from the immense amount of manufactured goods on hand. It appears that those establishments are now paying only 4 per cent, per an- ! 1 mini, whi! • there is every prospe'Ct of their I coming to a dead halt, unless an amend ment of the times gives a now impulse to their machinery. Notwithstanding all that has been said about Northern Manufactures being supported at the expense ofthe South, it cannot be doubted that the annihilation of the Northern Market, which takes 300,- 000 bags ofCotton per annum,would be felt as a serious calamity to the South, ancj’ would materially affect the future growth and prices of her staple. We do not ap prehend, however, such a result. With or without an increased tariff, Northern Man ufacturers will be able to sustain them selves, certainly so, if the times improve. But the question for the South to consider, j is, shall wc continue in such a state of vas salage to the North and to Europe, when we have the element of prosperity all with in ourselves. Can the South afford under the present prices of Cotton, and under those which will probably rule for years to come, to purchase every description of man ufactured articles from the North and from Europe. We observed, the other day, that the value of the cotton goods imported in the United States in 1830, was 3,794,000, while the value of the raw material was only $723,000. Can the South afford to raise Cotton, particularly the Atlantic States, when the prices vary from four to eight cents per pound, when they might di- i vert an immense portion of their labor into changing the form of the crude material, thus producing a market at home ? This is a question of vital interest to the South, and one which urgent necessity may soon cause us to answer. Let us endeavor to draw a picture of la bor differently applied, and see the effect of the existing Southern policy. Suppose that Habersham county grows no other sta ple but wheat, and that her example is imi tated by all the Counties circumjacent.— Her inhabitants depend solely for their sup port upon the production and the price of this article. The wheat is sent to a remote market town, diminishes in consequence of immense supplies and prohibitory laws a broad—the gtaineries are crowded to re pletion, new loads of wheat arrive every day, though an immense surplus of the for mer crop remains on hand—prices fall with incredible celerity, and the honest farmer finds himself inextricably involved before he suspects his danger. Allured by high prices he has produced nothing on his farm but wheat, and how is he in the present in stance to extricate himself from difficulty unless he changes his whole plan of opera tions in conformity with existing circum stances ? Suppose then that the laboring classes of Habersham subdivide their labor; she has immense mineral resources, and a part of her inhabitants are occupied in pro ducing iron, lead, &c., from the bowels of the earth. Another portion of them convert the met al into useful shapes, such as Rail Road iron, cutlery, hollow-ware, axes, scythes, hoes, spades, shovels, &c. Another por tion still, dam up the mountain streams, excavate mill races, erect immense facto ries of wood, brick or stone, as is most con venient, thus giving employment to the car penter, the stone-cutter, the mason & brick maker: calling into requisition the use of manufactured iron, and involving the ne cessity of erecting lime kilns, &c. &c.— The factory being erected a whole class of machinists arc occupied in constructing machinery and in keeping it in repair, and then a large number of operatives are re quired for work in the factories. Then come the dying establishments, the tailors, shoe-makers, hatters, and handiworkrnen, who thrive under such a policy. What is the result? Why clearly this—that a great portion of the labor being diverted from the growth of wheat, that article finds a sure market near at home. The various trades, Ate. must have bread stuffs—culti vators of the soil must have clothing and other supplies : every one finds a mutual advantage in the interchange of commodi ties, while the remote wheat market im proves, not only in consequence of the a mount wanted for home supplies, but be cause ofthe diminished cultivation. This picture, by stretching the canvass a little, exhibits to a nicety the condition of I the South as compared to that of the North i and of England. The supposed situation of Habersham county, is that of the State of Georgia, and of the whole South, in relation to the pro duction ofCotton. The growth ofthe arti cle lias been entirely disproportioned to the wants of the world, every species of supply which might ho raised at home, has been purchased elsewhere, and in the State of Georgia, you will find Hams from Cincin nati, Corn from North Carolina, Lard from Baltimore, Butter and Cheese from Goshen, Axes and Gins from Connecticut, shoes and domestic goods from Massachusetts, hogs, horses, and mules, from Kentucky and Ten nessee, flour from New-York—and in fact, everything from everywhere, excepting from our own industry, and our own soil. Even our markets are miserably and negligently supplied, and the very shad in our rivers are caught by Northern fishermen, who find it to their advantage to bring out and take hack their fishing boats and tackle, and to salt considerable supplies of this exquisite and dainty fish, for the use ofNorthern ta bles. This condition of things is as dis graceful to the State as it is impoverishing, and under which, together with legislation, that would dishonor the Calmuck Tartars, the Commonwealth is going as fast to ruin as idleness and illusory opinions can carry it. Necessity is not only the mother of in vention, but the stern and rigid nurse of spoiled children, and a monitor, whose ap peals are so relentless, that they come with the force of the dictates ofconscience. Un der her scourging and torturing discipline, we may awake to a sense of our situation. Thus far a delusive prosperity has check ed the voice of inquiry, and filled our minds with phantoms which are beginning to dis appear before the new order of things. It is high time for us to awake from our slumbers, to use our energies for good pur poses, and instead of attempting to alleviate I distn-.i: sby shame. legislation, to lay | at once a broad foundation of industry and intelligent economy. From the Neiv Orleans Bee, March 25. TEXAS—LATER INTELLIGENCE CONFIRMATION OF THE INVA SION OF TEXAS. By the arrival of the steamboat Colonel Woods, from Galveston, whence she was despatched on tlic22d, bring the confirma tion of the invasion of Texas by an over whelming Mexican force. It appears that the retreat of the Mexicans from San Anto nio, was a device to allure the Texian troops, assembled in haste, to go in pursuit before they were fully drilled and discip lined. Shortly after the steamship Neptune left Galveston, (which vessel reported the re treat ofthe Mexicans from San Antonio) an express arrived bringing intelligence ofthe advance of’ 9,000 men on the Metamoras road towards Victoria, and reporting 12,- 000 additional troops on the upper road, marching upon San Antonio. The forces which recently captured San Antonio, con stituted the van-guard ofthe 12,000, under the command of Vasquez. The impression is that the Texian army of 1500 men, under Burleson, will follow the retreat of the van guard, until brought within the power of the main army. ! Upon the receipt of this news, which was brought to Metagorda from different direc tions, rendering its truth indisputable, the Committee of Vigilance in Galveston des patched a pilot boat to this city, and a few hours afterwards tho steamer Col. Woods. The pilot boat has not yet reached New Or leans. The Col. Woods met with favor able weather, and came to our Levee in a bout 50 hours. From the Galveston Advertiser of 22 d inst. The following reached us this moruing by Mr. S. Mussins, who left Matagorda at noon on Saturday. It will be observed that the facts stated are from two distant sour ces. To the Citizens of the Eastern Counties: We, the Committee of Safety of the coun ty of Matagorda, present to your considcra tion the following facts just received.— From letter dated the 16th instant, from men in whom we have the utmost confi dence, we extract the following—from Mr. Pleasant to his sister, Mrs. Fisher, dated Victoria, 16th instant: “From Mexican in formation received on the 15th, there would be 1500 men at San Partricio, the advance guard of 9,000.” From Dr, A. M. Levy, same date : Some friendly Mexicans just in camp, report that there were 9,000 Mexicans advancing on the lower country by the Matamoras road, and 12,000 on the road to San Antonio. The above from the Camp, has been con firmed by the arrival of one of our spies in Camp, Mr. Blair. From G. R. Jaques, a citizen of this town : “ From the news brought in last eve ning, I think we shall have to fall back, and if the force of the enemy is not overated, we will not be able to fight them short of the Colorado, and perhaps as far East as the Brassos. The reports are, that the up per division of Mexicans is. about 12,000, and the lower division about 9.000. “ There is no doubt they have a large force, and we may expect some rough fight ing. Times are more serious than some imagine. Urge the people eastward to push on and help us.” Since the above was received, Mr. Lud ington has just arrived from Linnville, which place he left on the 17th at 10 o’- clock, A. M- Mr. West, the Deputy Col lector had just come in from Camp, and re ports “ a spy company had just come in, who had seen a large body of Mexicans, supposed to he 9,000, fifteen miles west of the Nueces, and then on the march. There were two wagons at Linnville pressing every article in the way of provisions for our army. From the above facts, if there is not a prompt turn-out by the middle and eastern counties, the enemy will ravage and over run our country. M. TALBOTT, Ch. Jus. Chtnn. HARVEY KENDRICK, CHARLES DALE. THOMAS M. DUKE, D. E. E. BRAMEN, O. C. BLUNT, R. T. VANSLIKE, J. T. HOFFORD, ISAAC VANDORN. Matagorda, March 19, 1842. We annex the following address from the Advertiser ofthe 22d instant. To the friends of Texas, in the United States : Our country is now invaded by a hostile foe, and we look with confidence to you for prompt assistance in repelling the invaders. We expect this aid because you have re peatedly promised it; we expect it be cause in a fonner struggle for the same object for which we are again called upon to contend, you spontaneously flocked to our shores to rally under our banner.— We expect it because we are contending for the same noble principles of civil and reli gious liberty which your forefathers as well as our’s, left their comfortable homes in the old world, and flew to the uncivilized wilds of America that they might, among the aborigines of that country, erect an al tar to Liberty, and offer upon it the sacrifi ces of a pure heart. We can assure you that our country men are actuated by no mercenary or ambitious motives in the present struggle. Our ob ject is merely to protect our temple of lib erty which has been erected in our land from pollution of impious hands who are essayingits complete demolition. Wecov et not the fertile soil—the rich gold and silver mines—nor yet the cattle upon the thousand prairies of Mexico. We are wil ling that the Mexicans should enjoy to the fullest extent, and improve to the utmost of their skill, all’the advantages with which the Great Father of all has so bountifully blessed them with. Weonlyseek toretain peaceable possession ofthe country which we were invited to settle, and to retain the Republic which we have established F> now that the spirit of our people has been roused, we predict not where they will be j willing to stop. Crossing the Rio Grande | they will bend their footsteps towards the j Capitol of Mexico, and we shall be greatly ! surprised if before their onward march I fully checked they shall not have planted the Tree of Civil and Religious Liberty in the midst of the City of Palaces, and a branch of this noble tree shall and will yet extend its fostering shade over the present residence of the supreme Dictator. We therefore cordially invite to our aid allwhodesire to be instrumental in the hands of Divine Providence in extending the blessings of civil and religious liberty over one of the fairest portions of the Globe. We invite all who are desirous to aid in breaking the chains of papal superstition and bigotry, and superstition, and opening the door for the introduction of Protestant Christianity into a benighted portion of the earth, to rally around our standard ; for we wish the Lone Star of Texas and the Star of Bethlehem to travel in unison on their westward march, wherever the one shall be stationed, we trust the other will be found close to its side. STILL LATER. We extract the following from the New Orleans Picayune, of the 21st ult. Letter from our Correspondent. Galveston, March 28, 1842. Messrs. Editors :—Our President has at length yielded to the wishes of the people, and come out fully in favor of the invasion of Mexico. I have sent you by this con veyance all our latest newspapers, in some of which you will find his Excellency’s or ders for the army under the command of Gen. Somerville to cross the Rio Grande, also his proclamation blockading the ports Mexico. The spirit of our whole popula tion is no wfully aroused , and nothing short of the recognition of our independence by Mexico will satisfy the desire of our peo ple. A letter was received in this city yester day from A. J. Yates, Esq. (senior editor of the Galveston Daily Advertiser,) who accompanied the expedition on the steam boat Lafitte, as an officer of the company of Fusiliers, in which he states that they had not yet been so fortunate as to get sight of the enemy, but intended to proceed forth with to Matamoras, in case they could not sooner meet their foes. We should not be surprised to hear that Matamoras, was in the possession of our brave soldiers in the space of a few weeks. A sufficient portion of our farmers of the country will remain at home to make prep erations for a good crop of corn and cot ton. By a letter received yesterday, 1 was in formed that the ladies of Montgomery coun ty had urged their husbands and brothers to go to the war, and had voluntarily taken their place in the farms, and were engaged in ploughing, and planting, &c. Can Mex ico contend, with any hopes of success, a gainst such an enemy ? The ladies of Galveston have been enga ged for some time in moulding hullets and assisting in other military preparations.- No alarm is manifested by the most timid female among us. We are all wideawake, and determined to make one powerful and united effort to burst assundertho chains of civil and reli gious despotism by which our brethren in Mexico have long been bound, flu: days of the reign of the Catholic priesthood in Mexico are numbered. Yours, Ac., * * The Vigilance Committee of Galvcjt-l report that the Wharton is ready to pro ceed to the east end of the Island, thence to cruize between the east and west ends— that the Zavala provided for coast and har bor defence, has proceeded to the east end —that the batteries were nearly completed and the flying artillery were mounted and ready for service. The llev. Thomas O. Summers, former ly of the Baltimore Conference, and for some timestationed minister in the city of Baltimore, (now stationed at Galveston and Houston,) has consented to become Chap lain for our army. Dr. Jack Shackleford is about to comoo ver to the United States, for the purpose of exciting among his countrymen a feeling of interest in behalf of Texas. He comes say the Galveston papers, under the sanc tion of the Executive, and with authority to assure all who desire to invade Mexico, that the flag of Texas may be hoisted for their protection. In the following letter Gen. Houston makes reference to his order to General Somerville to cross the Rio Grande : City of Flouston, March 25,1842. To Mr. A. C. Allen: Siu—You will receive herewith a copy of the order to Gen. Sommerville to cross ‘ the Rio Grande with the forces now in the field, who are required to report to that of ficer, as commander of the expedition. It is my desire that all the troops who are wil ling to join this enterprise should proceed without delay to the head quarters of the commanding General (Somerville,) and report for duty. You will please communicate this to the troops on your route. It will be most suitable and expedient for those on foot to proceed from Galveston by sea. Sam Houston. A PROCLAMATION OF BLOCKADE. By the President of the Republic of Texas. To all whom these presents shall come : Know ye, that I, Sam Houston, President ofthe Republic of Texas, and Commander in-Chief of the Army and Navy—By vir tue of my authority and the power vested in rne by law. ar:<; the purpose of more ef fectually .■ the war in which T< :.3 1 with Mexico—do -,r “bum. that all . ■ )t Mexico, “ii its Hits’- T ’“-sr--, in the state N -. ■ irate of ■ - I s. and G rude ’ al ike •and . • “far - - - : 7 :ir‘- med vi .si.- . a And for n. or der, and ert e. ’..tie effect, an armed n _• and will be commut'd ■,.■■■ i the said poris, info, .e- . - -u rn coast of Mexico r ••! . : : •••> >i(brcc this decree. For any- breach or •-.•ffort .it breach of this blockade, the offending v and and cargo will be liable to confiscation and the offi cers and marines of such vessel will be, sub ject to the penalties attached to a breach of blockade. This decree shall take effect as to ves sels sailing from New Orleans, within three days after its publication in that city, and within five days as to any neutral port with in the Gulf of Mexico—within twenty days as to any port in the United States, north of the Gulf of Mexico—and in forty five days, as to vessels from any port in Europe. In witness whereof I have hereunto af fixed my hand and the great seal of this Republic, at the city of Houston, this ; [l.s.] 26th day of March, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two, and of the Independence of the Republic the seventh. (Signed,) SAM HOUSTON. By the President, Anton Jones, Secretary of State. A Mexican sloop was recently captured at Corpus Christi bay, having on board up wards of three hundred muskets, some am munition and provisions, together with a bout $2,000 in specie, intended for the use of a division of the Mexican army which they had expected to fall in with at that place. The crew consisted of seven—all Mexicans except the captain, who is a na tive of Louisiana. The number engaged in taking her was six, principally French men, who had recently settled in that por tion of the country. No resistance was of fered. The best Hunting Story of the season is that which appeared in the Grand Gulf Ad vertiser. The gun alluded to must have been a powerful weapon : “ Squire R., of “ the Lake,” went out some time ago, to hunt water fowl. He has a shot gun, which 1 understand shoots most powerfully. Observing a flock of geese approaching him he waited until they were nearly over him, when he discharged his gun and killed the whole flock, which was a large one. After the fall of the geese, and while engaged in nicking them up, there came down seven sand hill cranes, which were so high up at the time he shot, that he did not see them. * For fear the truth of this story should be doubted, and to | prove the great force with which the gun i shoots, he bad gone to hunt boar, some time
