Newspaper Page Text
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COLUMBUS—GEORGIA:
TUESDAY HOKNINO, APRIL M, IMS.
OIK. ZACHARY TAYLOR.
vr ■evatnl mmmmkmOmt soavtadaWy pcatpoaed
fata wash. IWjr dm! M * placa In oar ant.
ATTENTION, THE WHOLE !
Th. WNfiaT M-rh county ua nqalid ta
Mt A Am Onl Hi—I tm tht frM Tmfdmy la
Hay, to Am puqtam af ayyainlM* Dah«aMa M Am
■ *AnaM In MEaAfarfllaaa
■taia Cpavan«fan,whUi
Am Mtortaf Maatoy. Oaa IWaA fraaa Um cautry
an wpMtaly nquatad ta attaud tha tmrtlag. Three
AmI laAAaia Aa aAy tt la Awafht aril fadrefficieul
toamtla than—aaTHa party lo daaa’aa dwrt
h— ta Ha MR—laaHta, end Important bnaii
-W. arc reqocatad ta tavite at.
I—laa la Am Mbs la aaathar column, of a frand
aaatoal urtllautrel, la ka given at LaOraaga, an
Wsdnreday. N af May aant, by Mm M. F. Wit,.
under the arepfcre aad byaaliciialloa af Unlaa
Lsdg.Nc.Maf Flaa aad Aoceptad Mamma
nr Wa aia nquretad M atata that tha city aotkari-
tha «■ aaad Ike pakkc kaada, carta, fae., aa Tttuaa-
aav a—, to tka pan— af abating off and improving
Am Oliva Yard. Many af the chiaoaa having ci
piaMcd a wAHngnaM to aid in Ihia work ad mpvet for
Ha Aaad, wa have tbaaght it not ainim to give Ihia
puMc aaAea af the time, that all may aaArt who deaira
la do ao Tha bat naliagplace of our departed Mend,
ia aad ahaald bo a apot aaeiad ia the eyra of tha living,
aad Atoaid be made aapkaaant to look opaa aa Au
aataia if tfctafi wffl permit. A little help from aaeh
af are Alb— wiK da tha work ao much needed, and
i a—aeralad gramid, ao Dial homelier the
> vWa the Aty may have no caaoe to n.
paaaok aa to aagfaet fa Jib particalar.
THE FOREIGN NEWfi.
la another piece will be fennel the Inteet newe from
Tha aecouula are meager, und, of courae,
y, but anlDoient to indicate, with tolerable
, the gleet ontllnaa of peming evente. The
I ie heaving and ewelling with the eon-
vahive Ihiamel a mighty rcrolulion. The afiirit of
lafana aad mgeaeratlou A every where abroad, and
the qaeotlen aeema likely about to V seitled, whether
the thranea of tyranta caa atand againat the aronaed
aad inanlted power of the poop!,. From appearance,
wo tear that eocene of blood will bo abed ere thio im
portant qaaatlnn ia Anally determined.
IT We owe aa apology to our reedera for the .par,
occupied to-day with penoaal mntlrra. It ta our Aral
offence far a another of yean, and wo Met it may be
the Inal for at ill a greater number yet In come. Tliia
raanll depaode, however, on eirenmataneea. Great aa
—y be our averoion to Ihoae peisoiial control., in which
1 editor, will oooaaionaJly indulge, there ia a point where
endurance may caaaa to be a virtue, and where
henerable reeeolment may not bo a crime. Whenever
that paint ia reached, and of Ihia we will be our own
jadgre, we ahall endeavor le tench our umailnnl. that
iaauehadof light aa an editnriul war, there ere Mows
ta be given aa well aa bulfata to be received. If
nan ovoid tka nccemlty of that kind of atrife, iu which
few baoerakb, aad ao thinking man can take delight
weahaltdoaat if we naaael, and we feel that we ahall
make the edbrt, then we ahall endeavor to aliiunyonr
' own aide, and the hordeet muet fenil alt
Honor Clay,—The letter of Ihia dietlnguialied
Mateaman win be aeeu in another column. We g've
it wkhout note or comment, preferring to let him e|reak
far himealf, and ear leaden to judge for themaelvra.
Cocot or Inotriav—The pmcoodlngs of tlie Court
of liM|uiry mill pawn much of Inlemi, but they
oliagrtber loo vulumlnou. fir n. lo give tlmm entire.
We give each portion, a. rrem to u. to lie of tin- (mat
eat inn* real.
Mcanao Taut..—The Inf-rlor Court of Ihia county
held a a|iecial eeealim on Friday I oat for ilw trial of Mr.
Auetin'a negro named Ned, who wna charged with tin-
crime of murdering a white man by the name of Hie
ptien Guff, by etriking him on tlie In 1 .,) with o cudgel.
Tha caae waa euhmitiiHl lo the jury on Friday oh,
noun, who remained andeeided until Halnrday night
when they brought in a verdict of guilty.
The Court met again yeeuml.y morning and artueti.
red aaid negro le be hung on the With of May neil
Cut mine w ran Cabiukt.—A letter Awn Week-
ingtoo (eemi-tdBcial) lo the Richmond Enquirer eeye:
“ 1 predict that Secretary Mercy will go Miuletcr lo
Ramie; end the! Gen. F. B. Pierce, of New llomp-
Ailre, willeucoped him iu the Wer l>c|nurtinent; nleo,
Ihel ee aoon ee thoee chengra lake |ilaoe, Mr. Uillet,
now tteliciter of the Treeeury, will lie a|ipeiulr<l At-
loroev General.’'
A Roanoo Riiot or a Laiiv.—Mra Roberta, the
wile of e printer near New Albany, lud., waa left
el— with her children one night loot week, when eu
unknown men attempted lo htvek into the hauee.—
She ceulionod him not le enter, hut lie penloted, when
•he deliberately hauled o gun with bncluhot, pointed it
— the window, And end killed him deed on the apot!
He wee in unknown German
IT The Lee idle or of Kentucky Invent lorn chimed
up n candidate far Governor, in the poneo of Lnurua
W. Powell, who obi— the mertyniomef being boelcn
by Mr. Crimp den. The Loniaville Journal oaye that
tha an— Mr. Powell wu iu 1844 the Loooforoein
dMota to tdeotieu in hla dtatrict. Iu die oourar of hie
labnn ha umnl In LKehAeid, in Urijn couuty, ami
ntsdca^inh, Ulhnlnpeecli he iudulged ao freely
in hoed armoring that the grand jury indicted him far
profanity, and he area actually convicted and Aned
EictTtnmiT in WaanmuToN.—A lelegrapliir ,k»
pnlrhio tha cika of IhaCharleaton Couriar, ftoa Bal
tkaan, Mama that there had been great eiritanwiit in
WaAriagtaa an Tnaaday, on account of 77 alave. at
MMpAag to Make their eerape from that city, by going
down the Pill—r. Um Meamrr Salem an drop
•d ta pnmuil. orertudi thwa at the mouth of the Poto-
Mae, and brought tkaan hack to Workington. Then
•ni aevenl while Men on board the vrwel, who w ill
he awda aanaahle to the lew..
The ooutmme feeaa, add the aouTh-
WBSTERN RAH. ROAD.
Tlwi an few thing* far which ws Imm r mare
tttter ifstetaa thaa a sswpsper war. Experience,
ft* U* «T el scho*hn**t*re, Was fang sines taught m
that ka aaoli controversy than ia Wt HMk af pftfit, and
nothing ot honor. A man may ktdalga Mi private
feoltap, and thmogh the pm, ghro ntlaranoa to tho
Ihanoand pant op emotions Which toncnrffng cauoeo
may engender and aronm. Bat for whose benefit 7
An intelligent oommonity can, at a fiance, dtecover
whether tho combatants are etrofgliaf for the public
food, or nifod to tho contest by some private purjwse.
Tho world knows that editors ore, according to their #
•wn ebowing, the moot patriotic and eelf-eocrificing of
nil the human family; and it ie the sheerest folly in
them to fall oat io their vocation, and trai^lo on tho
fisoHngs of each other, for no better purpose than to
teach that world which of the numerous ftatonrity are
tho best friends of the country.
Apert from tho greet principle of a general patriot-
Ism, it is, we believe, a common weaknem of the pro-
Mon to suppoee that each member of it does, individ
ually, more to advance the interest of every body
around his local hsbHatioo, than the balance of the
world combined. Assuming a kind of promiscuous
guardianship over tho varions private and public enter*
prices of tho day, they, of coarse, look upon tho judg
ments of common men with contempt, end feel that
on insult io offered to their authority when their man
datory edicts are spnmsd by the power of the public
volo*. Often in onr day have We felt the soreness of
such a condition, and oftener ftftl have we witnessed
it In the writhings of our editorial brethren. Is it pro
dent to avoid the suffering of ouch a condition 7 Ought
• man, simply because he is an editor, to rush head
long into difficulties that may serve to harrow np the
angry footings of a large portion of the country, with
out accomplishing a single good 7 We think not. It
hut boon our misfortune to avoid, on a recent occasion,
U course so manifestly senseless; and for so doing, we
have been charged with aiding the enemy, and aban
dotting the rights of oar friends and neighbors. Whence
such a charge, and why 7 These are the questions
that we are unable to answer.
Marching on in our hurnble way, it has been our
purpose to aid, when onr editorial efforts could do it, in
advancing the great iutercst and general proBjH-rity of
this city and the surrounding country. It is true we
never had the vanity tovuppaeethat the superstructure
of that prosperity could rest on so frail a foundation
newspaper paragraph—nor did we believe, that in order
to secure tho success ot aity importrtiit enterprise in
which our Community was deeply interested, it was
prudent, or consistent with propriety, to eml/dlcr the
fceliugs of former friends, or amuse to re-dotiblod efforts
the strung and active energies of long standing mumic*.
Enough of this wits daily accomplished. Our part
has been to draw around ottr fair city the good opinion,
if possible, of all Within its reach ; to erase the impres
sion from the public mind, engendered there by unjust
prejudice*, and to leave her, when the projects failed,
in a condition of friendship and peace that would proli
ably secure the help of others. This has been our
uuiform nouns*, and if others have, by adopting a dif
ferent policy, incurred the di*plensure of any portion of
tho people, it can he no fault of ours. If we have been
prudent, it has boon to save our city from tho impru
dence of others; if we have sought te avoid all i
less ami acrimonious contests, it has boon because
could see no giNid likely to result from a seal that,
whilst it could accom|dish nothing at home, wan daily
arousing a reh ntlrss animosity ubroad.
For (ho first time during our editorial career, have
we lately boon charged with not doing what we wore
bound to do ill defence of the assailed reputation of our
i ily. We found that defence in the hands of those
who hud been somewhat instrumental in provoking the
nssaults; we saw that it was managed in a way but
little calculated to advance the common object of our
fellow-citizens, but fearing that any interfere
our part might bring upon our heads tho wrath of both
parties, we prudently abstained from entering the lints,
content to let the holiest) and probity of onr citizens
vindicate tho repututioii of tho place from the nume
iled Imputations of interested ' schcmon,' and nows-
pt|wr acribblunt. In doiug so, we were not apprised
that offence could reasonably bo given to any
Hut the great outrage on the rights of the |M*ople
,seems to be that when we saw our friends ill the south
west engaged in a project that might fail, we did not
want them of their folly, and cry aloud against their
imprudence. This charge would come with some
grace from them, if they could bring themselves to be
lieve that we have any authority te manage their af-
-airs; but having none, we were afraid that it might
look a little like forwardness to assume a guardianship
never grauted us, and undertake to dictate a course
conduct lo men, many of whom, in all the eweuliol el
ements of rail-road constructieu, are so vastly our bii-
|»erioi*. It Ims been our desire to avoid, us far us poo-
idbte, any collision with our .Smith-western friends, and
we repeat here, that they have a most unquestioned
and unqualified right to do as they ploaso with their
own means and own money, without any direction,
advice, caution, or hiudranoe from this press, or any
body connected therewith. It will bo timo enough for
us to give them aid and comfort in tho way of pruden
tial caution, when they aeek it; and until they do, we
uover ahall eu|ipaae that we on* advancing the interest
of Columbus by tendering our oouiicil where it ie not
acceptable, and where we have no right to give it.—
That we have uot done ao ia charged as a fault, and
wo are willing, as the gauntlet hat been thrown down,
to abide the event and let the world judge.
A more serious Hein in the catalogue of ctTencco
imputes to iis a want of interest in the success of our
own project. It is true that wo have not constituted
oursrtvrs the champious of the Railroad rights of this
people. Oure never was a very wordy patriotism.—
From the hour the Aral move waa made, however, in
reference to a road from here to Barneaville, wo have
steadily advocated the measure, and endeavored, by
every argument in our (tower, to carry it through.—
Wa have kept oool, believing that the intpnidenoe of
thoughtless friends ofrtintea does more harm than the
assaults of opeu enemies. Bnt that we have hesitated
or faltered in a steady, consistent and strait-forward
advocacy of the important undertaking, is ooutradicted
by our whole private, public, personal and |
courae. We want the road built, but we are satisfied
that it never oaa be done by newspaper quarrels, or by
arousing all the bitter feelings of the country against
our city. Those that think ao are in a fair way of
proving their faith.
Tillaimv AMR Hordes—We refer the public to the
sfosrttesresrtufMr.McBav In our column.. Wo loom
farther, Uralsk— main woa porprlmtod an Iko nw
n%tu Ami Am lokkoiy look pfaro. The pc mm muntcr-
od wu onohtoM AlfaMp. whu reMdcd about I, mile
fa— IMhootAIo. Tho —I<b n n arc unknown. IV
ho— of Ml. A. wu robbed iff AM in money, i hfa
Tu LaQiinuo Riroaraa—Tboodkor of
pfaouut faool krrtag olfuoh o Wreak n
wMk Hi faotop. b loot— lo ocA out and niin ta the
art— l— AtffuHoli ot » oounlfy Ufa. A
pnuutad tootaloutad and ruierprtim, mu to otrp
to*Mi tofa and moko o ophit duiraf Am praildio
AS uirM, If Ira mokoo nothin, elm. TV odhor
poouufa MA—UMUO Aral Inirhl tempt i nry prodim
IA,
Kkhtocey—Tho democracy of Kentucky on, ot
tho promt writing, in n moot waful plight. Tlie Slate
Ommutioo nominated aonral cnndkklco far Governor,
Moh of whom very wioely rrfurod to run. The Cou-
BttTinaot. April IA.
I mm mm mod. m Wuhtnotan, by o moh, m
upiAapooM of Am NMionel Era, tho Abulltlon pu-
’ ei< liomrnt ru uccu-
PniLaBELrnu, April R
I hoc ika mwnlog which daWuy.
tomb «i— ownad by Qonwul
AMUmnd doll—, no hnumner.
ugjrttlwut rlunfr ih« North-
Boltiuoee, April tl
id oondidotai
IntruMed tho
lino, and tho
doited a mu
[lifted by arr
the old Hero
iblyofopiuiou
ihocurity loug
antic candi-
on motion.—
oompromirod.
amhkiM that
■ire to ho do*
r» that, in nil
to—ary that
id of the par-
•die. eu ho
ip lo the ex-
OUMKLVES AND ANOTHER.
Tha edtesr af this paper, speciaBy sffruail by a
writer hi a oeighbsriag print, ever (he sigttatare of
Cotmmkmi" baft leave to return hie thaake for the
friendly aid so kindly aad affbcttoaalely effiwei. A
mea may go beyond bis depth, aad sometimes foe!
aroead his ears the gurgling of osld aad boisterous wa
ters. la each a condition, it is not only pleasant, hut
absolutely important, that he should be taken by his
dripping locks and dragged to the shore. The arm ex
tended, however, in this work of hnmauity, should be
ooe of strength, else its efforts might incumber the
straggles of the drowning friend, and both go down to
those coral regions where siamlier the monsters of the
great deep, and from whence there can be no resurrec
tion, save in that tremendous hour when tlie trump of
the archangel shall wake the sleeping dust of earth,
and bid old ocean heave np from iis unfathomed bosom
the victims of its destroying power. Bnt we are grow
ing serious, aad are surely expending on a small and
insignificant subject huge ideas, as well as jawbreakiug
words. Cmnamuot let us cane, net major, but private
K'anl. Return we now to the frieodly advice and gra
tuitous rebuke of the proffered champion of our drown
ing destiny. The advice is received iu the spirit it is
offered; tlie rebuke will be considered in the spirit it
deserves.
There are in every commuuity a certain kind of
patriots who set themselves up as paragons of purity ;
who in peace and war are the great exemplars of moral
worth sod individual chivalry. 8uch men, although
like the writer of “ Columbus," they may never lift
their finger in their country's cause, are always resdy
to charge opon others the want of three virtues so ab
solutely deficient in themselves. The editor of this
psper, so indecently singled out, makes no great preten
sions to that kind of ability which can save a city, or
control the destinies of his country. It may bo thnt
Coiambus," in tho vagaries of his distempered intel
lect, whilst racking his brain to find the philosopher's
stone, or raking among the mechanical mysteries of the
day for the fulcrum on which Archimidee would havo
ranted hie lever, to move the world, may have discov
ered some (tower to accomplish both objects. For our
selves we make no pretensions of the kind ; and in a
spirit of friendship, we give him legal and timely no
tice that if, in doing so himself, ho goes beyond his
depth, and his little craft is likely to sink, no arm of ours
can save him. If his mother, therefore, kuows that he
lo out, we would advise her to look speedily to his wel
fare.
The writer of “ Columbus" avows that he bus not
seen an intimation in any of the papers that ndvocate
tho Mouth Western Rail Road, of our taking sides with
this city. It may lie so. There are doubtless a great
many things that ho has nover seen, a knowledge of
which might not only extend the circle of his informa
tion, hut improve his manners hm a newspaper corres
pondent. Wn have never looked into those papers for
opinions oxpressivo of our comm-, nor shall wn take the
trouble to do *u hnrcnftor. This paper is tho ox|M>nonl
of nun views, and to its columns, wo think, wu can
safely appeal for a justification of all that wo have said.
Who is " Columbus," that ho arraign* one of the edi
tors of this paper for want of love for his home 7 lias
he any more interest hero than ourself? Are
alike wanting in the world's wealth, which, ill this gen
eration, is looked U|»on ns lire foundation of nil private
virtue and public putrintisin 7 In he uot, unlike
reify one of those Imrron and unfruitful trees, which
encumber the social vineyard around us, without a prop
to sustain its weakness, or lovely vines to bloom over tho
s|»ot, when the old trunk may perish and decay 7 What,
then, has he to hind him hero more closely than the
silver chords thnt hind others 7 llut again ; who is this
immaculate (mtriot, that speaks of his fellow-citizens
fighting on the Mexicali side of a great national ques
tion 7 Has he done any fighting on either sido f I Ins
he shouldered his musket, mid like a friend of a fruit
less contest, into which ho assisted in pushing his now
Miflbring country, gone forth to tho battle field 7 In
other words, is he not one of those fireside heroes, who
are willing enough to hurry others into the horrors and
hanlshipsnf war, whilst lie remains at home, in all the
pomposity of dignified peace 7 We think he is If
we know the writer, and we fa'lieve we do, it will ho
muny u long day lieforo ho undertakes the drudgery of
n campaign, either under the standard of the Mexicans
or liny other.
Wu are asked to point out the programme by which
the South Western Road can be built. We have uover
said or insinuated that it could he built at all. The
writer of •' Columbus" fashions his own man of straw,
and then assaults it. We have said that its friends had
u right to build it, if they were aide, mid thut no shal
low-paled visinnury, like •• i '.diimbun/* had a right lo
say they should not. If we have not said this, we
now say it. It has not been our busineos to enquire
into the ability of tho people below to carry through a
work upon which they have set their hearts. Many
of them are wealthy and intelligent, uud we should ro
r I it os a *|K*cie* of the mrot consummate presump
tion to say to auch u population, you are fools for em
barking in such ail enterprise. If 4< Columbus” has
tho vanity to suppose thut he has a rigid to advise or
dictate to such a people, he is, of course, at liberty to
do so; but he must excuse the Editors of this paper for
not imitating his unworthy example.
wo now to the important matter. What has
our assailant done to advaurc the progress of our own
im|K>rta»t work 7 Whilst he is anxious to know of us
how other works cau bo accomplished, may we not,
with propriety, enquire of him how the Road, in which
thb immediate section is so deeply interested, ia to be
built 7 Tub rsoomammic or this cntbsprisk is wiiat
wb want. Other sections will doubtless take care of
themselves. The people iu the Mouth west and else
where, may lie able to manage tlioir own affaire quite
m well, without tho ureistanco and advise of “ Colum
bus," as with it. Here it is probable they cannot. Tho
wisdom of such men is of value, wheu directed to mat-
tern where it cau be appreciated. It will be not only
appreciated at this time, but thankfully received, in
the circle of his immediate interests, lie will pardon
us, therefore, for advising him to let alone other pro
pie's business; and turn tho current of his thought,
and direct the energies of his mind, to the all-important
undertaking which, for months, has engaged the at
tention of this people. It is probable that such a man
can, by an act of aimplo volition, or in some other wuy,
grade the Road, lay down tho superstructure, and ruu
the care its whole extended lougth. There is no telling
what some men enu do. The undevehqie«l energies of
the truly powerful might astonah the world.
But we must clone. If any of our friends have
read thb article without threatening to whip the writer,
for wasting so much iuk on such a subject, we confrm
that wc have underrated the iutelligeuce of our readers.
Our excuse must be fouud in the ungenerous and un
dignified nature of an aasault that has demanded thb
reply. We trust that we are now done with the mat
ter forever.
Mr. Ctor-Tfeff ItHlUTf.
The Baltimore San of tha 18th ioat, contains
the following address from Mr. Olay, to the public,
announcing hia determination to be a candidate
for tlie Presidency, if nominated by the Whig
Convention in Jane. Theaddroaa waaTelegraph
ed from Cincinnati.
TO THE PUBLIC,
The various and conflicting reports which have
been in circulation, in regard to my intentions
with respect to tlie next Presidency, appear to tne
to furnish a proper occasion for a full, frank
and explicit exposition of my feelings, wishes and
views upon that subject. This it is now my pur
pose to make. With a strong disinclination to
the use of my name again in connection with that
office, I left my residence in Decetnljer last, under
a determination to announce to the public, in some
suitable form, my desire not to be thought of as a
candidate. During my absence I frequently ex
pressed to different gentlemen my unwillingness to
be again in that attitude, but no one was authorized
to publish iny decision one way or the other, hav
ing reserved the right to do so exclusively to my
self; on reflection, I thought it due to my friends
to counsult with them betorc I took a final and de
cisive step.
Accordingly, within the course of the last three
months, I have had rnanyopportunitu sof conf’ring
fully and freely with them. Many of them have
addressed to me the strongest appeals and the most
earnest entreaties, both Verbally and written, to
dissuade me from executing my intended purpose.
They represented to me that the withdrawal of my
name would be fatal to the success, and perhaps
lead to the dissolution of the party with which I
have been associated, especially in the free
Htates; that at no former period did there exist so
grent a probability of my election, if I would con
sent to the use of my name; that the great States
of N. Y. und Ohio would, in all human probability,
cast their votes for me ; that N. Y. would more cer
tainly bestow her suffrage u;»on ire* than any other
candidate; that Ohio would give her vote to no
candidate residing in the slave States hut to m?;
that there is a belter prospect than bus heretofore
at any time existed, that Pennsylvania would unite
with them ; that no candidate can lw> elected with
out tho concurrence of two of these three States,
and none could lie defeated upon whom ail of them
should Ik* united *, that great numbers of our fellow
citizens, l>oih of native and foreign birth, who
were deceived, and therefore voted against me at
the last election, are now eager for an opportunity
of bestowing their suffrages upon me; that whilst
there is a strong and decided preference for tne
entertained by the great body of the Whig party
throughout the U. 8., they—tho friends L> whom f
refer—at tho same timo are convinced that I am
more available than any Candidate that could Ik*
pro tented to the American people. I do not pretend
to vouch for the accuracy of all thpse representa
tions, although I do not entertain a doubt that they
have been honestly made and are sincerely be
lieved. It has be *n moreover urged to me that the
great obligations under which I have boon hitherto
I dared by a large portion of the people of the
Jnited States, the full force of which no one can
he more sensible of than I am, drum ud thnt 1 should
not withhold the use of my name if it Ik* re-
quiedr; and I have been remind*1 of frequent
(i<*clurations which I have made, that whilst life
and health remain, a man is hound to render his
bust services upon tlu* Call of his country.
Since my return home, I havo anxious'y delib
erat'd upon my duty to myself, to my principles,
to my friends, and above all, to my country. Tho
conflict between my unaffected d- sire to continue
in privat** life, os most congenial to my feelings
and condition, nnd mV wish faithfully to perform
all iny public duties, has been painful and embar
rassing. If I refuse the use of iny name, and
those injurious consequences should ensue which
have been so confidently predicted by my friends,
I should justly incur their reproaches, and the ro-
I inuche* of my own heart \ and if, on the contrary,
should assent to the use of my itatn°, whatever
the result may le*, I shall escu|N* both I have,
therefore, finally decided to leave to the National
('(invention, which is to assemble next June, the
consideration of my name in connection with
such others as may b* presented to it, to m ike a
s 'l 'ftion of a suitable candidate for IVesideiit of
th" United Slut »s; and whatever may be the issue
of its fair and full deliberations, it will meet with
my prompt und cheerful acquiescence. It will Is*
n from what I have related, that there
<oii to anticipate that I would decline giving my
nv name again ns u cundi-
consent to tiic
dute for the Presidency of the Fltllted Stales.—
Owing, perhaps, to this, as well iis other causes,
many of my friends und fellow-citizens have
avowed a preference for, und directed the r atten
tion to the distinguished names of other citizens
of the United Stales. I take pleasure in truly de
claring thnt I have iior*grets to express—no com
plaints—no reproaches to umk>* on account of any
such prefere ic* s. which I am fully persuaded are
generally founded on honest uud patriotic convic
tions. II. CLAY.
A'hlund, April 10, 1848.
(From tlie Baltimore Hun.J
L \TKR FROM NEW MEXICO AND THE PLAINS.
FATAL STEAM BOAT HIS AMT Ell.
St. Louts, April 13.
By the arrival of Mr. Burt, from Fort Arkansas,
we have received advices from that port nnd the
surrounding country, to tho 7th of March. Mr.
II. states that at the time he left, a large IkmIv of
hostib* Indians and Mexicans wero gathering in
the vicinity, and by several suspicious circum
stances, lud attracted attention to their move
ments. Col. (iilpin had accordingly stnrlisl iu
search of them, with sufficient force to disperse,
and ifexpedient, to chastise them.
Intelligence had boon received from Fort Mann,
to the effect that Lieut. Shull, of the artillery, sta
tioned there, had committed suicide, by shooting
himself with a pistol. Nothing further from El
Paso. The presence of Gen. Prif •», with large re
inforcements, upon tho scene, has allayed all
nnxiety.
A frightful steamboat accident hits just occurred
at our wharves. The steamer Charter Oak has
blown up, and the fire from the furnaces was in
stantly communicated to all parts of the boat,
which was soon destroyed. The first engineer and
four others have lost their lives. Eight hundred
tons of valuable freight was consumed.
Then* was $30,000 insured on the goods de
stroyed by the burning of the CharterOnk. Eighty
tons of hemp were bunted, upon which there was
no insurance.
moss of Fob
ted payments,
m of Froae*
ia tbs okorek
worth thirty
Dbath or Chapman—J—ph Cteapmao, Hdj.*
wl h—wo orowio; pslhtcian In Indiana, dted reotntfy
in Mexico.
Misooubi Whiu Convbntion.—The labors of this
t'ouveutiou terminated an the 4llt iuat. J. 8. Rollins,
Esq., of Boaue oouuty, was nominated for Governor,
and Col Mitchell, of ML Louis, for Lieut Governor.
They instructed the Whig Delegates to the National
i'-onveutteu te go for Gen. Taylor for President
Briu Loot.—The packet brig Mteriing, six days
from Now York, arrived off* Tybee Island on the 19th,
and anchored abreast of the light The uext morning
she (bagged her anchors, and went ashore on the beach,
where she bilged, and it was supposed would prove a
total leas. Most of the cargo would probably be saved,
though in a damaged condition.
WoHUBRSor thb Tbleoiahi.—'We have seen it
stated that if a telegraphic deepatch were ernt from N.
York to 8t. Lonia at 18 o’clock, it would arrive at tlie
latter place at half past II, and thought at the time that
was a lUtle wonderfill. Bnt the telegraphic corveepon
dent of the Savannah Republican has completely dis
tanced tlie speed of any thing we have before heard of.
Under date of Macon, April IS, he fluntehes that paper
with the following importsnl item of news. When wa
inform enr renders ihnk the pnblte nwering spoken of has
not yet corns odT, or even been proposed te be held, wa
donbi not they wrill agree with as thnt he te considerably
Riot at Columbia.—We learn from Columbia,
snys the Charleston Courier of the 17th, that u .nil took
place there on Saturday night last. As the occurrence
was related to ue, it commenced with a difficulty be
tween some of the College Students nnd the police.
Soou after the students turned out iu force, inarched
to the Guard House, which was availed with missilce.
The police were unable to quell the disturbance, nnd
tho fire bells wore about to be Founded, to bring out
the citixcns, but at this time Mr. Preston, President of
the College, came on the ground, and with his assis
tance the crowd was dispersed.
Dinnbr to Gbn. Twiuaa—The enteruinmeut
given to Gen. Twiggs, at Augusta, is said to have been
a showy and splendid affair, both in respectability and
number. About 150 geutlomen sat down. Tlie day
and evening pamed off* agreeably, all delighted to have
had an opportunity of doiug honor to the veteran Gen
eral.
FirrRSfrnr Day—Saturday, April 1,1818.
The court mittbifl morning. The minutes were
read by the Judge Advocate.
Brig. Gen. Ctedwlfiffer sworn far the proseca-
tion.—Question.—What Noops, ee for ns witness
knows, were nflder tlie Immediate command of
Major Gen. Pillow iff tbe battle or operations in and
about Chnrubtteco?
Answer.—Gen. Pillow was with, and in imme
diate command of, my lirigade, tho other brigade
being detached. After tne battle he passed on
with some cavalry.
Q —As far as the witness knows, was Major
Gen. Pillow engaged In any conflict with the ene
my other than the operations on the 20th of August
in and about Churaotisco ?
A.—None that I saw.
Q.—Was the witness present at Picdad at a
conference held by Major Gen. Scott with many
other general officers, commanding brigades, and
staff officers, respecting a very early attack upon
this capital, either by way of the gate of Ban
Antonio, or by the way of Chapultepec; and, if
so, state Hubstantially the views ano preference
of Major Gens. Pillow and Scott in respect to
those points?
A.—I was present at that conference. Gen.
Scott submitted hla views nnd invited any remarks,
opinions or suggestions from the officers present;
he stated that he was thinking aloud, and inclined
to the attack upon Chapultepec. I have no re
collection of inuch having been said by any bodv
on the subject. Engineers were invited to speak
and give some explanations as to their examina
tions ; they staled that they had furnished all the
information they had; they were like the rest—
wailing tlie decision that might be come to. I
think I also heard Gen. Scott sav at the time, that
unless he changed his mind in fifteen minutes, he
would decide upon the point of attack on the fol
lowing day. I do not remember whether Gen.
Pillow or any other officer said much on the sub
ject. I remember one question asked by Gen.
Pillow, which was—what were the plans of the
general-in-chief after taking Chapultepec ?
Q.—Witness has stated that hut little was said
by anybody—does ho mean, in reply to Major (Jen
Scott, or by tho said Scott exclusively; and about
how long was the said Scott occupied in stating
the numbers nnd imwns of the American army,
and his own views and preferences ?
A.—I had reference to others than Gen. Scott
when 1 stated that little was said by any body. I
meant to say that we were all alike listeners while
Gen. Scott detailed his views. I think that Gen.
Scott was about twenty minutes occupied in de
tailing tho views entertained by him, and the means
and strength of the American army.
Q.—Does the witness chance to remember the
position of Major Gen. Pillow at the time Cliapul-
topor was carried on the 13th Keptember last, and
how long it was after that success before the said
Pillow came up the hill, or was brought upon it ?
A.—Gen. Pillow having been wounded, I did
not see him at the timo Chapultepec was carried,
anl therefore do not know his position at that mo
ment. The first I saw of him was at the end of
tlie wall, by the main entrance as I came'out of
the building, about twenty minutes after it had
been carried, but how long he had boon there I do
not know ; I heard he ban been carried up there.
Q.—Was the witness's seeing or meeting with
Gen. Pillow after witness had addressed the troops
from the castle ?
A.—It wa* subsequently.
Q.—Witness will state if lie was not in the buttle
of Contreras, in command of a brigade, and what
orders he received from Gen. Pillow on the 19th of
August, before engaged in thut battle ?
A.—I was in thtttlmttle, anJ received an order
from Gen. Pillow to proceed with iny brigade in
the direction uud to tho support of Col. Riley, who
wns then crossing tlie nodrigal. I received in
structions to follow Col. Riley.
Q.—Were the orders of battle and the orders
given to the different commanders of brigades ex
plained to von at the time you received tne orders
above referred to from Gen. Pillow?
A.—1 hud been with Gen. Pillow from the com
mencement of the battle; I beard, I believe, all
tho orders given. I understood that from the im
practicability of the ground in front of Valencia’s
camp, and finding ll impossible to get u rear or
flank position when 1 was sent to his support, 1
presumed it was to do the best I could from the in
structions previously received. I don't recollect
receiving any further special instructions. It had
been determined by Col. Riley to make a demon
stration upon the flank or rear of the enemy.
Q —Did witness understand that the movement
in sending Riley and himself to the rear wn* to
make a demonstration or an attack upon the rear
of the enemy ?
j A.—I think that the order was to Ho either that
| might seem best. I considered myself at liberty
either to make a demonstration ur an attack. I
wns not ordered to make an attack or not to make
one. It was a very important object to gain the
position. I considered my instructions to take n
pasition either in the flunk or rear of the enemy
and to make an attack or not, as circumstances
might dictate. It did not appear to be the object
of tho instruction* to limit my discretion in that
respect.
Q.—Did the witness know that Smith's brigade
had attacked the enemy in front, that Riley had
moved to turn the enemy’s left and gain his rear,
and did he understand that he wns ordered tosup-
port Col. Riley in that movement, and did he de
rive this understanding from Gen. Pillow’s instruc
tions. Say also if Geu. Pillow directed him to
take the church as a guide in crossing tbe ped-
rigul ?
A.—Yes. I know also that Riley was instruct
ed to support him by Gen. Pillow’s order. I don’t
recollect having received instructions to take tbe
cItnrc11 as a guide in crossing the pedrignl
Q.—Wero you also instructed to cut off any re
inforcements which might make their appearance
on your right 7
A.—I don't remember that I was. I certainly
would have considered it a point of duty to do so.
Q.—State whether, from what you saw of the
movements of the different corps on the field on the
19th, and from your instructions from Gen. Pil
low, you understood that ih° plan of attack was
to assault the enemy in front and rear at the same
time 7
A.—The attack had already been made in front
and it was manifest thnt the stuck from the front
would Is? kept up, and that an nttack would be
made in the rear and flank, and I considered that
it was obviously the intention of the general that
that should bo the case if found to he practicable.
(J.—State what steps or movements in execution
of this plan of attack were taken on the 19th of
August, and whether, under those orders, Colonel
Riley gained the enemy’s rear and your command
had taken possession of tho village of Ansalda 7
A.—Tho attack was made in front; Col. Rilev
moved round to the enemy’s left and I followed
him; he passed through tho village, and I observ
ing tho large force under Santa Anna coining out
from the right to the village from San Angel, saw
tho propriety of holding the village instead of fol
lowing Col. Riley, which I did, depending upon
Col. Riley to come up and support me the moment
the attack commenced, wh ch I supposed would be
immediate, as it waa; Col. Riley, however, moved
on through tho village and w as masked from my
view. Mv force held in check the force of Santa
Anna, winch never advanced lieyond my position.
Q.—Had the troops, by occupying the village in
rearof or on the flank of Valencia's camp on tlie
19th Aug., seized the only direct communication
of the enemy to and from the capital, nnd must or
must not in your opinion the secure holding of these
positions have decided the day in favor of the
IT As an tvkteuce of the present miserable man
agement of the Mails, it is stated that tho merchants ! American force* t
and buouirao mm of Alexandria receive the Northern i A—The p.uition wa. one which tho Irnopa
Mod one day later than it ia received in Wuhinrtor. l,H \ ci, - v !""f have paaaed or
a a * nn L-n n lnmr niviiit nMrlhfl moiliilHin« i it alwi
city. rh« distance between tho two places is sere*
milet!
Nsw York City Election.—lu our last we no
ticed the fact that the New York City Election had
resulted ia the choice of the democratic candidate for
Mayor by about oue thousand majority. Later intel
ligence gives the additional intelligence that the Whip
have secured a majority of two iu the Board of Alder-
nieu, and that there is a tie in the Board of Assistants,
which will be tkt means of retaining in office all tho
Whig city
" Predrawn . -Store Ihs return of Mr. J. G. Winter
Io Uulrenbre, they have had a public reaotiac In ihnl
rtty, and the Barnesvitte Rand has bean friron
[communicated.]
Messes. Editors—1 see that in yonr Willis
R. Galloway te aunoMorod as a candidate for Brica-
dier General, vies Lowe, rerigwsd. The military of this
Division is ia a vary dteorgaateod condition, and I re
joice te aeo one tliat will correct it comm forward. Col.
Calloway te jret tha man to do it, and as he te expert-
i ho Is the very amn to elect.—
1 raced ta adlitary real
LetaM veto for oka.
Orb or ymb Rank arm File.
make a loug circuit nwtr the mountains; it also
kept opeu the communication with our troops, and
w as therefore an important one.
Q.—What time nid Gen. Smith arrive st the
villugc ? Was it before or after you look posses
sion of it ?
A.—About au hour after I had been in position,
and Santa Anna's forces had been checked. Gen.
Smith arrived about half an hour before dark.
Cspt. Lee was there, nnd w as proposing an stuck;
A.—Ve«.
Q—What, In Mir opinion, prevented the plan
of attack, to which yoo hate already referred,
from being carried into taSect on the 19.h ? Was
It the near sppfrnch of night or the large rein
forcements of tire ehtfmy ?
A.—'The forge reinforcements of the enemy
ftflly occupied my cnrffnldnd, and prevented any
other movement until after dark. We maintained
the sam 0 position fof an hour and a half, to impede
the advance of the en^my. I have no doubt if
Santa Anna’s fore 0 had not come out, 1 would
have joined Col. Riley, and the movement spoken
of would have been made. T*he attack upon Va
lencia's camp would have been made that after-
nooji by myself und Col. Riley, whether General
Smith liad come up or not. Santa Anna’s force,
however, fully occupied me. I was anxious to
avail myself of the liandoovne command Cok*neI
Riley had, together with my own. From what I
saw of Valencia's camp, afterwards, I have no
doubt the attack would have been successful.—
The name force carried the work by assault the
next morning.
Q.—Have yoo reason to believe that no addi
tional means were thrown into Valencia’s camp
after you seized the village before mentioned, or
not—and what were they, if you chance to know ?
If not, did your presence prevent it ?
A.—I have no reason to think that any addition-
al reinforcements were thrown into Valencia’s
camp after I had taken possession of tho village.
I believe that the two brigades, Riley’s and mine,
would have been sufficient to carry the work, tho’
I am confident that the force which made the di
version or attack aided materially in carrying the
work.
Q.—Where were the reinforcements of the ene
my on the morning of the 20th August, when
G°n. .Smith's attack was made upon the entrenched
c imp 7
A.—We moved out before it was day from the
village to the attack, and did not see them;
supposed they were on the hill where we saw them
the night l»e(oro. We moved off under the sup
position that we were making a secret movement,
and would attack Valencia’s cunp unknown to
Santa Anna. It was universally believed since
that Santa Anna withdrew aome if not all his force
to San Angel that night
Q.—Wan there a conference of officers during
the night of the 19th at the village of Ensalda, or
other place, at which Col. Riley was present ?
What was the result of that conference, and was
it then and there determined upon to make the at
tack tho next morning ? And was the plan of at
tack the original view of any officer of that con
ference ?
A.—Not that I know of; there was a conversa
tion between G*-n. Smith, Capt. Le<* and myself.
(Col. Riley not being present.) which resulted in a
menage from G«n. Smith to Gen. Scott; this was
about dark ; it wns too late to attack Santa Anna
and as we stood upon the ground Capt. 1**0 left ui
with the message to Gen. Scott; I considered the
nttack as the result of the train of events that had
preceded ; I would tint Gen. Smith had decided
upon attacking Santa Ann a’s forces, but the dark
ness prevented it; thnt had there lieen half nn
hour more of light Gen. Smith’s command and
mv own would have made the nttack ; G n Smith
had given the order to that effect.
Q.—What wan the plan of nttack finally agreed
upon on the evening of the 18tli; and was it tlie
same nn that agreed upon at that conference ?
A.—It was.
Q.—Did Gen. Pillow reach the field of opera
tions within a very short time after the work wns
carried, und had nny portion of his division left
the field 7 State also if after he arrived he made
details from hia division to guard the prisoners?
A.—lie reached the field within a very short
time after the work wns carried, and a portion of
hia division, under my command, had gone bnt a
short distance and were halted at a wall turning
up towards the village; Gen. Smith’s command
cut nrross nnd pursued the retreating enemy on
the road to San Angel, doing great execution; I
think it very likely that he made details; I am not
certain whether he did or not.
Q.—Wns Gen. Pillow’s entire division engaged
in the operation* of the 20th ?
A.—Four regiments were with me, the two
others wero not in mv sight, hut I understood they
were in front, where they were the day before.
Q.—State what you know of the armistice,and
what, ns far ns you know, Gen. Pillow’s views nnd
opinions were upon that article previous to its be
ing made.
A.—1 heard him say, I think at Miscoac, in
presence of Gen. Pierce, and on one or two occa
sions to myself, thnt he wan opposed to it. This
was before tho nrmistico, I think, on the dny on
which the commissioner* fir*t met, when Geneml
Pierce was going to the meeting.
Q.—Have you a knowledge of the foot that
Gen. Pillow sent a*fotter to Gen. Scott urging him
not to grant an armistice until the capital surren
dered, and that he sent such letter by Gen. Pierce
to (»en. Scott ?
A.—I have no knowledge of the fact.
Examination in chief reaunvd—Q.—On being
ordered to follow up Riley’s brigade on the 19tn
August last, and us senior officer on coming up
with that brigade, had tlu* witm»*»s precise instruc
tions to attack the enemy’s l°ft flank, or the rearof
tlntflink, or too-c pytlr* village, or totakeanv
other different position, nr did the witness inarch
with anv definite plan of operations received from
Major Gen. Pillow, or in other words, did the wit
ness, ns senior officer, conceive his own plaqffi^fo
modify them according to circumstances ?
A.—The instructions were not precise, and I
considered it was left discretionary with me to act
according to the nature of the ground, and other
circumstances. I had no definite instructions to
nttack the left or rear. I conceived myself at lib
erty to form my own plans and modify them upon
just cause and reason.
Q.—At that conference, or tho*e conferences,
the witness has spoken respecting the attack
upon th * enemy’s entrenchments oittsid*; did th«*
senior officer or officers cite or recall any preced
ing orders given definitely to that effect 7
Q —How many minutes or quarters of an hour
had elapsed after the entrenched camp had been
carried liefore Msj. Gen. Pillow arriven there ?
A.—I can not spenk very positively, hut 1 should
think about twenty minutes; 1 don’t think it was
more.
Q.—What did the witness see of a conflict be
tween Major Gen. Pillow and a Mexican officer,
on the day of the Imttle of Contrcraa ?
A.—Nothing whatever.
Col. Hitchcock sworn for the prosecution. Q.—
IXies the witness chance to know at what time
Major Gen. Scott and staff arrived at the mound
overlooking the field of battle, on the 19th of Au
gust last ?
A.—At the time referred lo I chanced to look at
my watch, on dismounting from iny horse, and it
was then 3 o’clock—1 do not think it was one min
ute later.
Q.—Where was the witness and Gen. 8cott
with bis stuff at that time ?
A.—1 believe it was in the position occupied by
Gen. Pillow on tlie mound where it overlooked the
field of battle; I was in company with Gen. Scott
and several other stuff offic r*.
CrcwH-exaiuination by defence. [Here a letter
was shown the witness, published in the N. Y.
Courier and Enquirer, of March 1st, and repub
lished in the Pica;, nne of the 10 or 11th of Febru
ary, dated “Mexico. Jan. 23d," and the following
question propounded:]
Q.—Do you know, or have you reason to believe
you know, who is the author of tlie letter shown
you in the N. Y. Courier nnd Enquirer, dated Jan
uary 23d. and if so, who i* such autlior?
A.—1 state in the first plucc that I ain ready and
towards correcting the tendencies of tbe letters;
ftpon mature consideration I determined to address
a lettef to a friend in tbe city of New York, Hot the
purpose of potting him in possession of such facts
as I felt most assured of, and which I thought most
calculated to refate the false impression*. I con
sidered those which seemed most likely to take
possession of the public mind, expecting my friend
to make use of those facts in any proper way, but
without indicating dny mode in particular. He,
it seems by the paper in my hands, thought proper
to publish the letter almost entire, and this is (he
letter, and I will express iny regret that I had not
more ability to do full justice to the subjects of the
letter.
Q.—VVho is the friend to whom you sent that
letter ?
The court, after a short consultation, with eke-*
ed doors, decided that the witness would not be re
quired to answer the question.
Q.—Had Gen. Scott any knowledge that you
had written a letter, or that you intended to write
it ? [The witness here stated that be Considered
all questions iff regard to that letter as improper.—
The court Was again, cleared and decided that the
question should be answered.]
A.—He had no knowledge of my intention to
write such a letter. I was anxious not to Write
anything but what was strictly true, and I asked
Gen. Scott to allow me to read it to him, but he ob
jected to it most positively, and, I might say some
what abruptly. The next day lie asked me if I had
the letter, and I supposed at the time that he was
under tin* impression that he had too abruptly de
clined to hear the letter before, and that 1 might
feel hurt al his refusal; he said that he would hear
it. 1 was particularly anxious about wlmt I said
of the Chaleo route, anxious to avoid mistakes, and
I intended to profit by nny correction that lie might
make. I read that part of the letter, and something
beyond it, but do not remember how much, but not
tlie whole letter. G**n. Scott made, I think, but one
t'tnark, which, as I did not think it important or
necessary to my purpose, 1 did not use, and the
whole letter as it stands t* mine, and mine exclu
sively.
Q.—Did you read to Gen. Scott that part of tha
letter relating to Gen. Pillow?
A.—The whole relating to Gen. Pillow was not
read to Geft. Scott. I am not certain that any
part of it was.
Q.—-in writing the introduction to the intercept
ed Mexican letters, and in writing this, both of
which ah; highly laudatory to Gen. Scott, did the
witness think himself bound by public duty or hops*
of reward, pecuniary or otherwise ?
A.—I do not admit that those letters or their in
troduction are particularly laudatory of Gen. Scott:
my object in writing the letter was to do what 1
considered a simple act of justice. I thought thnt
some one having a knowledge of the mailer should
make an effort lo stem Uto tide of error, not to say
falsehood, sought to be Impressed upon the public
mind by the letters to which 1 lmve already re
ferred : not perceiving any ndequate effort from
any other quarter, I thought I would try to do it
myself. In writing tho introduction, my object
was not to laud Gen. Kc.ott, hut to explain as much
of the campaign as might make tlu* intercepted
letters acceptable or interesting to general reader*.
I supposed these letters might fall into the hands of
persons who w ould not be familiar with the official
reports, and w ould lie carious to know the general
facts of the campaign.
The court was adjourned until Monday morning
nt 9 o’clock
1818.
SEVENTEENTH DAY—April 4,
Brig. (Jen. 1*. F. Smith, duly cm
(Juration btf the Prorerution.—By Who** orders did the
wimess puss tlie Pedregnl, near the etK-my, in the nfter-
noon sf 19th August last? About what hour did he
reach the hamlet called St Geronimo, that nftertu
What does the wiIiicm know of nny plan or order o|
battle, resigning an attack by the American force* <
the left flank, rear, or entrenched ramp, coming from
Mai. Gen. Pillow or other officer, senior to the witne-s ;
ami by w hom wa« the plan, actually eterutod upon that
camp, conceived, laid down and executed, the i
of August 90th 7
A --My hriirade i« in Geneml Twigs*’ Division. That
division, by Gen. Scott's order, communicated through
Gen. Twiggs to me, pns«i d through Ban Augstin. in
from of Gen. Billow’s Divifi »u, to cover that Diviion
in making n road, by which the army might reach the
San Angel rood, to turn tlie position of San Antonio.
Thnt whs the explanation which accompanied the order
for our movement.
After iiassina a hill or mound to tlie right, we got un
der tlie fire of the enemy's po-ition at Contreras. Gen.
Twiggs tlierc ordered the ndvanee, composed of two
companies of riflemen,todri^e the enemy’s skirmishers
that were in the rom in front, and rover the engineers
in their mconnoisanre. While that was doing, Magrn-
der’s battery came to tlie front. On the report or th
engineers, the battery was ordered to advance, and I wt
ordered with my brigade to cover it. Gen. Twiggs i
tlie same time turned Riley s brigade, with Taylor’s bat
tery. off to the right, nnd they soon disappeared off the
cornfield into tin* Pedregal.
One of the pieces of Magrader's battery got fast in the
stone wall through which we were passing, w hich de
layed us a few moments. Just as they started aguin,
(fen. Pillow rode up. He asked me where Gen. Twiggs
was; and I, pointing in the direction, told him lie had
gone off that way. At that very moment, as he turned
off, I entered the cornfield, and could see no more ol
him. The next I saw of either of these general officen
was after the action the next morning. Gen. Twiggi
joined tlie division just as the head of it was marehiiif
out of the village of Han (feronimo. Gen. Pillow crime
up to the head of tlie column, where 1 was, ju*t hefot
entering Han Angel, near some ruined arches, with at
arquedurt on tlie left hand.
The only order* I received, up to the time that I r
turned, when (fen. Pillow turned off to the right, t<
low Gen. Twiggs, was the first order of (fen. Heott, ral
ative to the movement towards the San Angel road ; th
order of (fen. Twiggs, to move to the front to suppot
Magruder'* battery, and some order of detail from (fer
Twiggs. Gen. Pillow gave me no order at all.
Magrader's buttery moved off to the left, and f.
m> brigade, took tip a position to support it. There
a very heavy fire from the artillery in the enemy's pos
tion, and an attack directly in front would have or
sioned a very great loss. To mm their position by i
left would not cut their line of retreat, and seeing th
church of the village between their position and the rit
I determined to move round hy our right, into that vi
lago, and take possession of it. 1 called tlie officer*
the regiments together and explained to them tlie ohjer
and said that I wmild execute it in a few minntr*, if i
orders rame to the contrary. After waiting, perhap
fifteen minutes longer, to see if any orders would con
from the rear, I directed (’apt. Magntder to open his ft
again, w hich had lieen silenced pretty much hy the cn
my, in order to cover my movement to the right. I tin
moved off hy the right flank, filing round, and then
towards the village. | luippened to come out from r
pudregnl along with a regiment which rep>orted to G
Cadwulader. nnd 1 suppose, from other circumstanc
that it was Morgan's n-g luent. It was more titan
hour before sunset before we got over to the field »
right of tlie village. As we started from the position
Magrader's battery, we. »aw reinforcements coming 1
from the city to the Mexicans. When we came jut fr<
the pedregal, they were formed, in ron-iderahle for
between the village and Han Angel; their left on a x
and line perpendicular to the San Angel rood. Ai
brigade wa* forming, after getting to tin? village, l
reinforcements filed round hy their right flank, in
line*, parallel te the mud. At this movement Gei
Cadwulader came up and reported to me. I inquii
first, if Col. Riley’s brigade was over there, hut ct
g«‘t no information about it. I then, in order to m
face lo the enemy’s new front, directed (fen. Cadwi
der to file his brigade round to the left, in a line pura
te tlie enemy. I put Mai. Dimmick's regiment of ar
lery in the orchard, on tne main nmd leading from C«
trerns to Han Angel, nnd formed the 3d Infantry and
flemen on tlie right flank of the village, in column
directed a company of lietit. Col. Graham's regimet
(the 11th) and Ueut. Smith’s Engineer company to
of the churrli—(lie centre of the vill
iffieer reported (Lietit. Porter) that
possession
Just after t
o up the village, to
right Col. Riley soon after reported to me that
brigade was there. The enemy in front wn* comman
ed by Gen. Santa Anna ; those in the works hy Gei
Valencia, altliough we did not know this at the tune
After examining Santa Anna’s position, 1 ordered
attack upon it. Rilev to attack towards the left, Ci
wnlader about one hundred and fifty yards
rght of Riley, and retire in echrlUm, both column*
division, left in front Riley was to pierce the right
the enemy’s line, about two hundred yards from Uie
rmv’s right flank—Calwaladcr to form to the fn
This was just about »unset w han this order was giv
Gen. Cadwalader had examined the ravine in his fri
o ild he passed, but with diffiru
and reported that his brigade
;, n >i ’ i . . , oia | rrmny io marvn »m». A few minutes after Gen. Cadw
Y V . Courier and Euqmrer, March l*t,_ 1848--1 »,i er came up for some explanation of the order, and
willing to answer tlie question, bnt I do not admit ; and reported that it <oa
it to be a fair one. The letter ia published in the I JLley ooon “
v v n : i p.\| an <li Ui iRift i n*a«l> to mart nuuL A
the letter referred to is dated January 23d. 18 48. j„»rted that the ground nernpid by hb brigade wa*
Ion" subsequent to the campaign bv which the j difficult, that it would be some time before his briga
American annv entered tliie cmpiwl.' I had been e.«ld hr forn*d. B, tha lire, it** «>darkth»t
throughout theWign in the .uffof M.jorOen.
Scott. •• .cting In»|>erh.r General nr the .nny,! q „j,, j.h, before mt ruulder„ the ra\ine—tbe erta
and felt my,elf well acquainted with the principal j ,Hack wa* cel:ni<-rm»:»de.l. Cot Rile, then montio
— Ui > movements of the annv, and with mnr.y of the that wlule l* hod been u, tatha upper end of the
there was n eonvers ition aa to whether it waa pos-1 new* and opinions of the c< minnnding general,. "1*L. f "!ZJ r, 1 !^SIn
Mbit! to kike troop, over the ground. Night wt in, | at time, when it was not pro|ier to spook of them , lir Kruoni) Valencia', praition, and foui
lest they might res eh the enemy. Some ! ,>* j„ f„ m , faa U p entirely in*, rear of,
weeks after the American .nn, entered this capi-. via', ramp, and thattafa.tr/ could move
1,11 I s.nv, aa I believe moat of the officer, of the I ■MermineJ to attack befare day in that
American anny nnw, Kvernl letters pubhahed in M
the Unttod Stales, rrfemng to the operations of m „ ovtr .’ | desired '
the army, some of which I considered false aa to meld attark Valencia'a
the facts they presented, and vile as to the purpo
ses for wiikn they were written. I refer now to
four letters in particular one,publiahed in New Or*
leans, over the signature of “ Leonidas," one in
Washington, signed - Veritas," one ia Philadel-
however, and put an end to it.
Q.—What time did Gen. Shield,' brigade arrive
at tho village of F.usaldu I Waa it after dark;
if ao, how long alter ?
A.—1 never saw them and dou'l know, except
that it waa late at night. It was a dark night,
and mining.
Q—State if,in yoar opinion, the poaaeuaion of
that village did not, by cutting off the enemy's re
inforcements, rendsr it almnrt certain that tlie re
newed assault, aa aoon as daylight would admit of
wuoki attack Valencia’* position in th*
and requested that such diversion a*
would be made in front of hi* poailiao.
Brook* and Tower lo examine again
daylight in the morning,
te defend th* place in the night,