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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
