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JOHN FORSYTH—EDITOR.
J. FORSVTII, J. T. MW>* H. liLLB,
Propririocs and Psbliihtn.
•f*c Time* i* published every Tuesday Morning
in the Uaiiding known as “ Winter’s Exchange,”
East side of Broad street, above Randolph, up
stairs, inunediateiy in the rear of the Post-Office.
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Adlertlaenicnts conspicuously inserted atOne
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ing the number of insertions desired, will be con
tinued until ordered out, and charged accordingly.
I.rgal Adiertiremt tils published at the usual
rates, aod with strict lUei.t.oii to the requisitions of
the law.
mlterilPs Sale* nmler regular executions, must
he advertised Thirty Days; under.mortgage fi fas,
?i\ty-lays before the day of sale.
Salcu of Land and Negroes, by Kiecutors, Ad
ministrators or Guardians, for SKlj-Dajk before
the day of sale.
of personal property {except negroes) For
ty I >ay *•
L’itatious by Clerk* of Courts of Ordinary,upon
application for letters of administration are to he
published for Thirty I lays.
Citations upon application for dismission, hv
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for ni month*.
Orders of Courts of Ordinary, (accompanied
with a copy of the bond, nr agreement) to make
tiUe to land, must he published Three Month*.
Notice* by Kaeculors or Administrators or Guar
dian*, of application to the Court of Ordinary for
ionretp sell the Land or Negroes of an estate, Four
Month*.
Notices by Executors or Administrators, to the
D-'aor* and Creditors of an •state, foi Six H teks.
jy* Letters to the proprietors on business must
be p*itfaid, to entitle them to attention.
MERCANTILE.
FAMV DRY-GOODS.
BROKAW A CLEMONS,
ARK now receiving a desirable assortment of
LADIES DRESS GOODS,
•nos Sting of Fnnr Oreandie, and
nrolch \lu*lln*. Grenadine and Tissue Silks.
Plain <;a**a Foulards, Fancy color’d. Silk
lUn- ‘f. Embroidered Mnsllns, *u|s French
•nd Scotch Gingham*, Linen and Silk do;
cotton Grcnadiuc*. Ate.
Together with a lot of MOURNING Silk and
worsted Bireges, Tissue Silks, plain and figured
French Lawns and Muslins, Dress lldkfs., Grena
dine. and Crape Shawls, Sic.
’ BROKAW & CLEMONS.
MsvS. IS4S - 2 °—**
—iA NAM V VM I.Witl(*rt.> ll t i'Si
A Large lot. just received, by
BROKAW & CLEMONS.
Mav 9. 1848. 520—8 t
dTTM RIA FIX l.l*.
lARENCH Cloths and Caaaimeren. Silk and
1 Halm; Vesting*; plain and Kin’il Linen llril
lings; Silk Worp Italian Cloths; Cpslnnaretts,
Ac Ac. BROKAW A CLEMONS.
May 9. 1848 a)> — l St
CHEAP DRY GOODS.
rpHB Sobvribm art offrrine th’ ir Mork of
t VERY LOW PRICES KOlt CASH —Consisting
m usual assortment—Printed Muslins,
>. k Grenadines; Jarkonet's : Glons
•n4i™idjP*-Bleached and unbleached Shirtings
•ad inßßng's from 3-4 to 12-4 wid*.
* Also. *
A large atock of Fine and Extra Fine BROAII
CLOTH', C l*S|'ll'Hl>. DRAI* De RTF,
I.INK. hi IIRII-I.'*. Ac. Ar.
.1.000 Yards of Light and Dark Prints, at New-
Yt.rk C 4 and Lr.s —from G to 11 cts. per yard
for C.ASII. MYC.ATT & HODGES.
Mar 9,1848 20 ~~ tr
ITIURMTURE Dimity, Furni
- lure Calico, Mosquitoe Net
4<ng, 13-4,11-4, and 6-4 *hectinus. Furniture Fringe,
Table Damask, Cotton Diaper, Doilm. Table Covers,
Hsnrkabuck D.aper, Bleaelnd and Brown llomes
rans, “York Stiles,'’ Ticking, Checks, Cmtonsnes,
triple Uvmeapuns, Curlaic Musiinsj a lull assort
ment of Housekeeping Goods at
TERRY & Gt)L LDING’S.
Mxf 8. 1848. _ 18 ~ tf
I. 4DILS KSIOIN-AI.I. It I > 1)S,
At TERRY & GOULRINGS.
GEORGE A. NORRIS,
HAS Just rrrmrd hit rntirr purchase of
Spring and summer goods, making a very
large Stock, embracing every variety of Fancy
and Staple Dry Goods, please call and sc*, our
pr,e and then decide where the cheap goods are.
April >5, ISAS.
xi:\v bonnkin
”■ UST receied,a large assortment, for sale by
•P April 25 GEORGH A. NORRIS.
” 5 vT'TiTR ft a is.
JUST received a large Stork of Pananca Leg
horn IVdalaud I*. Leal Hats for sale hv
April 25 _ GF.ORGE A NORRIS.
in;i>- i.iMm*.
OCR Muslins. Ginghams. Parreges, Lawns Ac.
arr worthy ot all cnit!rratiin.
April 26 CSKOIKbE A. NORTHS.
CLOTHLXG JKIiPOIIIIM.
J. H. MERRY,
Slo. 1| WurrfU’i Armdr,
4 few d'tors above the Post Office.
IS SOW IKCEIVWB A FULL SM’PLA OF
READY-MADE CLOTHING,
of variety of atvle and fttehiou —and made in
the be*t minner.
9\*— ‘ravaH. Scarf*, S<>ck*, Glove*, Suspender*
Ho*.ery, Shirts ofev?rf description ; HATS,CAPS,
Silk and Cotton CmbrclUs, &c. \c.
These Goods will positively be sold at a verr
SM ALL PKOH TANARUS, lor Cash.
Columbus, May 2, IMS 19—3 m.
w. iTumUiTwr
[E.ermfrty of Ettfunlo. A/n.)
HIS takrn the Slorf two doors below Hal! 1
Miori, where h* will keep stall times, a
s i APLK I>!< v UOODS,
GROCFRIFS.
BOIITS. SHOES, HATS. SADIILEEV, if. ir.
Aim, a iirfcr and well s.-leetrd stock oi
Negro Goods, ll'ankots, Arc.
All of . Hich, ho offers st the /o v 4 possible prices.
He will slm> ctTf libera! nriresfor COTTON and
COt'.YTKV rnODIX'E.
He liupfs that his old tr.euds and the public pen
•r* , il’. rail ami examine his Hock before pur
chasing elsewhere.
> . *—W n, mu. i—tr
WOODRUFF .i WHITTELSEY,
1 1 WE jn>t rirmn! an additional stippli of
SPRING AND SUMMER GOODS, ~
•fCswrt c.c be found Shawls. Bonnet* and
B': net K . 1 ‘ii9 , (t.nghamti. Muslins, CalU oes, &c.
I r‘a\\'llj.'l! l ie-
H|OUN H\ \ , t w.i sell von
lie fi*r (.aah or approved credit.
W. h .VV. have a few pattern? of very fine Bareff
•, jpill sad! tor about Hiitf Price, rath
ethMtVV M mover. LAI)U> callandiee.
\vm IST i>— tf
KSW SHUNS AKB SESSHUS
DRY-SOODS AND CLOTHING.
r J'BE suWribrn havias just r tnrnrd from
I N.-*-\ . :x. would po'itely call the attentmu of
*- e dies to th< ir n< n stock of Krt r.ch. llnglish and
An,eirn Print*. Krench Law n. (I'rghain*. Jaco
vctl Mobs u.s. Cambrics. Swiss. Mull and Book
M .*! o. B.*hon Lawr.s. ‘‘ in s. Scarf.. \ock Ties,
L isetCam* - c Hardlerc'i V*.iU kinds of Hosiery,
• *■ -and .1 a*o- :r* nt of fashionable Bonnets and
R-btow*. and o morons .ther articles, w hich for
ekwspti... ot pree. and ntiinc.- of style, cannot be
•wrpssae, ir ihec.tv. F esse ca! l . we will be g'ad
tt - hare a.so a goo i usso-tmant of Head* Made
t* Mi-iaa. sock as C osts, t ests. Pants, and anew
•a. r |lert*t ched Licea Bosom elnrts, Drawers,
ras.rr sqd I echoin Hals. Boots and Sooes,
* k sh *e offer si err low prices, but to sat
yearwf, plrur to ci!i at
r.. is’ It. MKN'TMIF.IM’S
Sew.YorV T>ry Goods ami f'ot'vng Store, four
***• •*•** Messrs. Wad. & Mjdd.ebrookV Saddle
n <icte.
Aprs! r>. ISAS. is—g,n j
GROCERY \MiSTAPLE
3D2TJ &&&&$*
J. B. BUOOKM.
15 *#w cjvnic! at !iis ikw Slorf on Host sitlf
Broad street, three door, beiow Hiii, Dawson ;
If*., a ’ !
Wrll *rl*ctc4 ln - k of Gtiodjc „
*w wKel. \.r iant s the attention of his friends - ,Tml’i
B-r.n*’ erstomers.
H* w a'so £-.e ‘ Serai p.iees for COTTON and ;
COCXTR} PROLVCE. - .’
kT N. B.—Those indebted to the late firm of J. J
A J. ‘Brooks, are requested to call and liquidate ’
tx-r accounts, which are in'tJte hands oftlie nnder- |
J. B. BIUK*KS.
i*. jt 4 7. J —|f *j
VOLUME VIII. j
MAY DAY CELEBRATION.
Pastoral, written fer the May Day cele
tinn < f the Musccgee Female Academy, by
Mrs. Caroline Lee llent^
The Queen's reply lo the 2 d Maid of honor.
If when thy sister hand-uiaid placed’
This crown upon my brow,
I fell bow poor were words to speak
My spirits grateful glow.
Now doubly honored, —doubly blest,
How can my lips express
My ardent soul 1 Your love so great 1
Yet can I wish it less?
I’ve read of crowns, whose burning gold
Concraled the rankling thorn,
But soil these flowerets play above
The temples they adorn.
I’ve heard of sceptre’s that have weighed
Like iron, hard and cold.
Light as a fairy’s downy wand
That which my hands enfold.
Oh ! Nature—round thy altar, we
Thy joyous children bend—
May none hut unpolluted vows
In incense here ascend.
Who would exchange these beauteous gifts
Os innocence and love,
For gorgeous g'*ms and queenly robes
Os Tyria purple wove ?
Beloved companions—ye who share
The hours ol this day—
And ye whose generous hearts to us
Unsullied offerings pay.
May life to vnu he winged with joy,
’Till falls its twilight gloom.
Then may a bright immortal May
Forever round ye bloom.
Address of the 2 id Maid of honor to the
Queen —Miss Mary Acee.
What giits of min?, illustrious maid,
Can prove my loyalty and love?
Already glows above thy brow,
‘J he diadem our hands have wove.
And in thine own, already shines
The emblem of thy graceful sway,
Bceptre and crown already given,
What can I bring, oh ! Queen of May ?
I may not roam o’er burning sand*
The diamond’s brilliant gem to find,
Or plunge into the wave to veek
The pearl to Oceans bed consigned.
But I hove sought the flower whose hresst
Is studded with the diamond's dtw,
And sure no pear! in ocean’s wave
Is fairer than the lilly’s hue.
Ami never yet did British Queen
A chain of lovelier texture wear
Than this, whose braiding leaves unite
To form a garland rich and rare.
The Garland ! ’tis a lovely name,
”J’i redolent of joy and youth ;
It breathes of poetry and song.
Os beauty, innocence and truth.
Then wilt thou deign oh ! Maiden Qneca,
To bend thy fair imperial neck,
And let thy honored hand-maid thus
its snow with wreathing blossoms deck.
Ob! did I wear that diadem,
Were that symbolic sceptre mine—
Forgive the boast—l’d yield them both
Sooner than those wild flowers resign.
For when the shades of evening fall.
Those royal badges thou wilt leave,
But long as youthful bloom shall last,
These wild-wood garlands let me weave.
Hail to nut Queen, our own loved Queen,
Queen of this happy, joyous day.
Quern of this beauteous mouth ot flowers,
Queen ot rejoicing, glorious May.
-CTwvw-y • nr- tin irrauz~T.j~-nrrrrTrr ter rm
Queen —Miss Sarah Williams.
Throned noil crowned, yet tree born maiden,
Ricti llie honor* thou hat won,
May no cloud arise to sadden
l.hy fair coronation run.
Every flower around live twining,
Gems from Flora’* fair domain,
Are but lyi*** t virtue* ahniing,
To adorn thy maiden reign.
Far Irom hence be those that scorning,
Unpolluted joys like ours,
Frown upon the rites adorning
Vitgin May’s imperial*bowere.
’Tis the holiday of Nature,
’Tis the Spring time of the year,
Youthful heart* to their creator
Ofler grateful incense here.
As the shades of night retreating,
From the rising beams of day,
E>ery baleful passion fleeting.
Owns the joyous reign ol May.
See, these blossoms softlv glowing,
Gathered for thy fair bnquet—
Thus the fragrant gift bestowing,
I, iny lowly homage pay.
Take, Oh ! take the oflering flowery,
. Here, no lurking thorns are sten,
Love can seek no fairer dowry,
May can ask no gentler Queen,
Address to the Queen , hi/
Miss Callik llextz.
Loved Queen of our choice, in thy”reign we rej iicr-
And hail it the omen of pleasure ami love,
Thy hand-maid* have crowned thee, pure honors
surround thee.
Oh ! fair is thy court in this beautiful grove.
What canopy rare, can ill beauty compare
With the curtain of blue that is arched o’er thy
head 1
What necklace of pearl, to the petals that curl
In the breezes of spring ami sweet redolence slird?
Oh! were I the Queen of this fairy bright scene,
I would banish each shadow or care;
Each heart should he light, time’s wing should be
white.
Save a fringing of golJ that the features should
wear.
Oh ! E itpress of May. one boon let nrr pray,
Let a royal pathway to learning lie made,
’Tis tiresome and chill, to climb up the hill,
Where the footsteps so oft have in weariness
strayed.
’Tis hard mid the. bloom and halmv perfume
Os Spring, to he bound down to study and hooks.
Let our books lie the flowers, our school-room the
bowers,
. jOur.suusie the voice of the silver tongued brooks.
One long holiday of thy nrace let us pray.
And give Metaphysics to grave learned weilt -
Philosopbv too. with its garments of blue,
May go to the walls ot its college again. t ’
Let us live mid the flowers, and the bright sun|fy
hour*.
And twine u* fresh garlands the summer-long dav
Then the l ird cn the wing, “trot ntoie joyous shall
sing.
For life will be one long, smiling May-day.
Then hail to the Queen of ihi* fairy bright scene,
And joy to these maiden* so blooming ami gav.
Give care to the gale, let gladness prevail.
“I'is the banquet of Mature! ’ti* sweet sunnv
Mav.
The Queen's Reply.
Oh ! maiden-beloved. I cannot ia-stow,
Tire boon that y u ask. for the sunnv bright glow.
Os the blossoms of M*y, will soon vanish a.vav.
And life ha* in store a cold wintry day.
’Ti* pleasant to wander through meadows of green.
Where the blue streamlets walk, and the young
saplings lean ;
Where the warm bre -.thof summer plays soft o’er
I be check.
And the gale* and the flower*, a sweet lesson speak.
Uut when these green meadow* arc blighted and
sere.
And winter, cold winter, presides o’er the year.
When theMreamlrt is dark. anJ the saplings decay,
Sav, wh< re will ve bide then, oh! hand-maid of
May ‘ .
Th ngh the nphilj of science is wea*y to climb.
There are th yvors on its summit unlading by time,
That bloom. hecMhe blossoms ot May. are laid low,
I’riburt by the tyfctjiest. une by the snoyv.
Then ► g!i n t ne. friend fimfc long holiday.
For life s-aemw always be merry Mav-day ;
Return with the morrow to study and hooka.
And music more grave thirty the siiv-r-tongucd
brooks.
For me. when this seeplre and crown I resign.
I'll Imw with new ardor at learning’s bright shrine.
Ami seek for those honors that ne’er shall decar.
When faded in dust are the hlosa.'ius of May.
MAY SONG.
Air —("Oft in the Stilly Might.")
Pure is the genial air,
Soft flowing round u*.
Young h'arts undimmed by earn,
Lilt’s flowm *ut round us.
The woes and fears of darker years,
The thorn mid roses twining.
Oh! leave them for an hour of fears
May’s virgin morn is shining.
Pure is the genial air,
Soft (flowing round us,
Young hearts undimtned by care,
Life’s flowers surround us.
Pure as the saphire beam,
Heaven’s arch revealeth,
Bright from young eyes, the gleam
Os rapture slealeth.
The hopes and joys of riper hours,
The mind time’s blight defying,
Oh ! cherish them “mid youth’s lair flowers
May’s blooming morn is flying.
Put as the saphire beam.
Heaven’s arch revealeth,
Bright from young eyes the gleam
Os rapture stealcth.
THU SEASONS.
Flora —Miss Mary Wright.
Blooming Spring! thy voice of song,
Floats the vernal gale along,
O’er the green and dewy grass,
Light thy graceful footsteps pass,
Scattering blo.soms on the trees,
Flinging odors to the breeze,
Gaily weaving for the globe,
Widowed long a bridal robe.
Bv the carol ol the bird,
By the young leaves gently stirred,
By the biusli o’er hill and dell,
Blooming Spring, 1 know thee well.
Spring — Miss Virginia Shorter.
Floral from the bowers of May,
Spring can never long delay—
I have heard the coral song
*Roll the green-wood aisles along,
And 1 come to grace the Court
Where the rural nymphs resort.
Three fair hand-maids here repair,
Who my verdant liver/ wear.
Thou, whose liberating hand,
Can the frozen stream command —
Thou, whose sounding gales sweep o’er,
The slumbering earth and life restore.
Come, but hush thy breath of storm,
Dare not this sweet bower deform.
March —Miss Priscilla McKee.
Fear not that the clouds of March
Shall obscure your radiant arch- -
Daughter of a stormy sire,
I have hid my winds retire
To their mansion in the cave,
Where their threats shall idly rare;
Softer, gentler gales shall play
Through the rosy bowers of May.
What though min* a ruder task,
Than in sunny groves to haak ;
Every bud of thine, oh ! Spring !
Once was folded ’nealh my wing—
Cradled there, secure from harm,
It* lullaby, the rushing storin.
’Till my sister April versed,
In soft caprice, tiie flowerets nursed.
Spring.
Varying April—where art thou,
With lips of snules and clouded brow T
Foolish maiden ! why that sadness J
Tears become not hours of gladness—
Tears too oft thy smiles have met,
Nature’s petted, spoiled coquette.
April —Miss Mary Tommey.
Chide not Spring, a varying ray
Rules iny life’s capricious day,
Yet no (low er of May appears,
Unbedcwcd by April’s tears.
Mine the rainbow 9mile that gives
Radiance to the dewy leaves—
Mine the clouds with gorgeous fold,
Shadowy curtains fringed with gold—
Oh ! believe me, lovely Spring,
I, o’er earth a beauty fling,
Bright as Edens garden knew,
As Ins fair, as changing too.
Nature chilled by tempest wild,
Greets me, as her darling child—-
With a robe of living green,
I adorn the wintry scene. .-
Os modern times, for every hue,
In the richest carpet round ye spread,
Is woven of my mystic thread.
- Spring.
Hark I I hear the voice of May,
Flora’s favorite hither stray.
Flora.
Fairest hand-maid of the year,
Joyous, 1 thy footsteps hear,
Surely thou wilt homage pay
To the Queen, Oh ! regal May.
May —Miss Amklia Bardwell.
1 heard thee call from my verdant hall,
And echo repeated the blithesome lay—
Arid many a tongue through the wild wood rung,
Whose burthen was May, oh! fair, merry May.
Oil! you make me vain, with such flattering strain,
My Sisters—why have they no Quven of thrii own!
They too have bowers and sweet blooming flowers,
And richest brocade with the diamond dew.
Yet Flora loves my beautiful groves,
And the children of beauty and gladness come
With their chosen Queen to my alcoves green,
And make in my bow ers her regal home.
The birds rejoice, to hear my voice,
And build their nests in my leafy shade ;
The gales blow soft, as theirpinious waft,
The halm of Spring through myjfreen arcade.
Then hail to the Queen, my own fair Queen,
She shall choose from my flowers the sweetest
and best—
They shall bloom in her crown, ard wreathing down,
In featouns adorn her bowers ot rest.
Spring.
By the sky of deeper blue,
By the flower of wanner hue,
By the deep pervading glow,
Ardent Summer, thee I know.
Summer —Miss Virginia Butts.
Listen maiden, do not fear,
Though I come, still linger here—
On this festive, gala day,
Nature's classic holiday;
Let each season here unite.
And Mend in one harmonious rite;
Lel.&hem stay their wonted round,
Lingering on enchanted ground.
I too boast a trio fair,
Who my>flowerjr livery wear.
Thou, pf deepening glory,
Oft rajiauce o ? er me,
Shining dark moon,
Huinsr June.
Jitne— Miss Harriet Spivey.
Subject to thy loviiw sway,
l succeed imperiqr Alay.
Surely none can her flight,
(iazi lg on my broifr of ht
Mine that sunny RjeHow glow,
Spring's young nymphs cun never know;
Cold are all their brightest rays,
To the light that round ijA’ plays.
Save ye gazed upon the moon
in the suphire sky of June ?
With whn God. ess step she moves,
Queen of evening's starry groves.
I'll not vie with vaunted May,
In the gaudy and es of day ;
R cher hues my robe* bedight,
Mine the empire of the night.
July — Miss Saraii Godwin - .
S.eter? I ihine empire share.
Summer's hand-maid's, trio rair
June, Juy, and August hold,
Dominion on a throne of goJd.
But 1 claim superior glory,
Famous in iny country's story ;
1 beheld the blazing scroll,
Os freedom's patriot sons unroll,
And Columbia hails my name,
First upon the list of fame.
.August —Miss Louisa Sciineideb.
I preside o’er sultry hours,
When pale summer’s drooping flower*
! Fail upon her languid head,
I the moontide shadow spread,
And the thunder spirits call
From F.olus’ caverned hall.
Like the bird of Jove they thug
Lightening from their sounding wing.
Oil l mv bounteous, cooling showers,
How they wake earth's dying powers;
Greenness, freshness, they restore.
Faded summer blooms once more—s
And the fond eye lingering turns,
To where my natal planet burns.
Summer-.
Fare-rye-well! a rustling sound
Steals across the echoing ground ;
’Mid the sere and changing leaves,
Autumn comes with golden sheaves.
Flora.
Flora too must bid farewfell,
Cherished flowers, where will ye dwell t
.iutumn — Miss Margaret Benton.
Who will mourn the flowers of Spring,
Or Summer’s splendor 1 See I bring
Fairest fruit to tempt the fast.,
Nuchas Eden’s banquet graced.
Who for Summer’s green would sigh,
When they see the sevenfold dye
O’er the Autumn forest thrown,
Nature’s most resplendent zone I
I too boast three toad-maids fair;
Who my golden livery wear.
Hither steps and par
Fit homage to the Queen of illy,
(To be continued.)
“THE UNION OF THE STATES AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE STATES.”
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 23, 1948.
MISCELLANY.
FOB THE TIMES.
Tin-; autobiography of a
CHAKMKIt.
No reader can come away from a scruti
nizing examination into the private history
of the persons who compose his circle of
acquaintance, without numerous and con
vincing evidences, that men are often en
dowed with the faculty of charming—in its
effects, not unlike that attributed to the
more ignoble animals. See that tall, lank,
awkward man, who has never given any
proofs of mind in any slight degree ap
proximating mediocrity. In his intercourse
with the world, no promise of distiction in
any of the departments of business or learn
ing, has buoyed or even excited the hopes
of his nearest friends, and yet hangs in
affection upon his arm, one of the loveliest
of her sex ; ratiocination disclaims this
union as a fruit of her exercise ; symme-
try of physical conformation disavows any
influence ; charity pleads the happiest so
lution of the problem—she was charmed
in an inexplicable manner, she knows not
why, but she did yield to a wooing that
gave nu verbal utterance. Who has not
felt more or less this winning influence ?
He who can exercise it with the adjunct
of amenity of manners and a large share
of mind, is fearfully and yet enviously en
dowed. Call it charming, as when you
see the bewildered bird a prey, fly into the
jaws of the serpent, or what you may, when
you have read this story of its influence
over man ; yet must you acknowledge that
it is a part of our nature.
I flatter myself, that I have been pecu
larly gifted in this matter, and you shall
judge reader, if this unction which I claim,
is not the legitimate result of the influ
ence of this power. Mariah Brampton
whs the first and the most unwavering of
my conquests. Aftera very few interviews,
she evinced for me a strong attachment,
which grew up in the midst of the unyield
ing prejudices of her mother, and the de
termined opposition of her father, a man of
unbending resolution. Educated away
from the influences of fashionable semina
ries, and spending much of her time in the
country, she had mixed too little with the
world to have taken even elementary les
sons in these deceitful arts which make
many of our fair friends formidable. She
knew not how to bewilder but to deceive ;
the philosophy of flirtation was too deep—
not for the exercise of her mental powers to
grasp, but for any knowledge she had, how
in the most delicate manner, to commit
falsehood in words or actions, for the pur
pose of gaining affections which she in
tended as her own good time to trample. I
had not reached my majority, when our re
lations were such to each other, as far as
promises are concerned, as gladdens the
heart of the courted and courter. A plan
for evading parental opposition was agreed
upon. My collegiate exercises resumed,
we were again seperated. But we will
leave this gentle creature, ruminating alone
over remembrances of our past intercourse
•nu iiit- reflmiwis wiucn her parents op
position suggested to a union, which she
looked upon as necessary to her own exis
tence.
With your permission reader, I make
myself better acquainted by introduc
ing you to my associations away from home.
The term is passing away. A day’s reci
tations are passed through, and nights
shadows have lengthened over the domi
cils of the students of ; here and
there were to be seen the evidences of long
lucubrations, which remote from this scene
of learning, in an unoccupied, dilapidated
log hut, were assembling indifferent paths,
to avoid notice, the spirits given to social
ity. Cautiously the decaying shutters
were chinked, so that no glimmering ray
of light from the candle within should lead
one uninterested into this club, to the scene
of revelry. A light was struck, the tem
porary table, frequently used before, was
dragged from its concealment. Cards and
liquor were clandestinely received from
the grocery man, or, as we termed him,
“The Snake Bitten Man.” And a dozen
students seated themselves, to inebri
ate the noble intellects of men, with stul
tifying spirits, and gamble away, or add to
the pious (fie rings of affection, which fa
ther or mother had sent to increase .our
comforts. I was the arch fiend of these
midnight revelers. I had formed the club,
and was not satisfied with my success until
I had, by careful teaching, inducted into
the minds of my younger friends, the spir
it of insubordination, and into their hearts
an absorbing passi-Ti for gaming, supplant
ing all nobler impulses, tantamount to my
own. I studied etiquette, hut to have a
weapon by which to win further conquests/
Man or woman found it difficult to with
stand my influence. Others may have no
ticed a fiendish smile upon my face as I
regarded with close scrutiny, one cf the
youngest of this assembled coterie. John
Broughton was my latest conquest. Eve
ry blandishment of language; every effort
of persuasit n had been used upon Brough
ton. I had a secret but powerful reason
for ruining this youth. I early saw that
his amicable temper and intellectual prom
ise had attracted the favorablejaetice the
parents of Mariah Bra . pton. Jfhcir pu
ritanical notions could be made available
in removing from my mind any chuse of
fyar. Hence 1 marked this rival,
for pollution, corruption, puhlic exposure
and disgrace. Many days were spent in
planning, scheming, and executing this
unholy purpose. How then, should I
avoid a lauyh of liendish triumph,Hvhen I
saw this victim of my jealousy aheadv un
der the ban of the faculty, drinking with a
notorious liquor swill in human form, un
der a wager as to which should hold out
the longest.
Broughton was the only child of a wid
owed mother, whose whole soul was ab
sorbed by the hope of affection. She had
fondly taught him from that book which
was the source of her own consolation, and
hoped that his young mind was so imbued
with religious sentiments that no influence
could make him think or do wrong. But
Eden was redolent with the perfume of
flowers, planted by the care of Deity, when
the unsightly destroyer trailed his seduc
tive length, and deposited his accumulated
venom. Not long after this nights revelry,
this charmed boy returned to his agonized
mother, expelled, disgraced. He was too
far poisoned to make the slightest effort to
reclaim a character once his pious mothers
pride and comfort. I too was forced to
leave these scenes and associations for oth
er more polluting and damning, but as they
increased in sin, they the more nearly rep
resented the deep pollution of a heart, in
regard to which, the possessor was forced
to acknowledge only one impulse superior
to the general wreck, which was his at
tachment to Mariah. This might have
been only impulse without being wanned
by a stray scintillation of deep seated af
fection The sequel will prove*
I preceded the rumor of my disgrace to
my home, and was made to feel some sen
timents becoming a man. even though so
& diG, - -
loner imbruted, by the tender embrace and
affectionate Wss, and welcome from my
affianced. It did not once appear to me
to be my duty to narrate the black history
of tjje past year of my being. My mind
was made up to forestall the additional ar
guments which my disgrace would put
into the hands of Mariah’s family friends,
by prevailing upon her to consent to our
immediate and clandestine marriage. It
is needless to recall the reasons which I
urged upon her to this end. Suffice it to
say that my most effectual weapon was the
opposition of those who had not flattered
her vanity by consulting her views and
reasons. She, with the purest affection
that ever emanated from a moved heart,
threw herself into my arms, convinced
by my subtle reasoning, and was pledged
to forsake all for me. Would that that
3pqne had come up often in memory’s cir
cle*, vivifying into noble purposes the en
ergies of a polluted soul and purifying an
Augean stable of perverted feeling and
sensibility.
CHAPTER 11.
Kind reader, skip with me over the
journey, marked by privations for want of
means, which followed close upon the last
described interview. Feeling certain that
no efforts could .at present wipe out the
stain of my disgrace, or mollify the swell
ing arvger of those from whom I had stolen
their idolized jewel. I determined with
the affectionate consent of my own Mariah,
to seek our fortunes in anew country,
where my character would have to be de
veloped before known. Texas was the
common home of the good and the bad.—
The invading hosts of Santa Anna were
following up their course of blood and cru
elty in this infant Republic. Wantingex
citement, I left Mariah in charge of a good
school in , for wffich position she
had every qualification, and for our sakes,
easily forgot the comforts of a home of lux
ury, for this place of responsibility and
toil, and joined the army under Houston
two days before the celebrated victory “of
San Jacinto. From this field of mustered
armies I was carried insensible from an
agonizing wound, to where. Mariah was
installed. According to her accounts, I was
for long weeks struggling for life and
death ; no hopes of recovery were held
out to her by the physician who was paid
from her own purse. Day and night her
beautiful figure, and once radiant face was
ted under anxiety and .watching. At
length after recovering my senses, though
still prostrated, this angel resumed her du
ties in school to replenish her purse and
procure comforts for her helpless husband.
Had her care and watchfulness allowed
the reflection to obtrude during my long
night of mental distraction, as to her peril
ous situation in case of fatal termination of
my wound, how agonizing, how soul-har
rowing must that thought have been.—
Friendless, homeless, and yet in her fa
ther’s house, which she had left for me,
was plenty; but how could she return ?
Slowly I recovered. The scenes through
vyhicli I had passed, had left me as much
aiueMiibliT at heart as before. As soon as
ctfHjrfutter from home, the hard earnings
of Mqjfiah’s school were lost on hapless
games sharpers. Want pressed us,
but still.the fruitii nos hard toil found its
accustomed channel. Strange to sjiy, Ma--
riah’s discovery of this seemed to link her
affections more upon me, its unworthy re
cipient. No murmur came from her lips,
pale from incessant duties. Finally, the
people of the town discovered my villainy,
and many ofitljem withdrew their wards
and children. ‘ more than the
sensitive nerves of Mariah could stand. s —
health gradually declined. The pa
balum/of my necessary excitement was
withdrawn, and when in this situation, l
beheld the wan features and emaciated’
frame of the once beautiful woman, I be
came sick at heart from the prospect before
me.- Long and doubtful was the Gnntest
waged in my*mind by conflicting interests.
Reader, would you credit the words which
my fingers burn in penning? I seriously
thought of deserting this noble creature,
praying or rather trusting to the sympa
thies of this good people to watch her
wasting sickness. Oh ! how my heart
quailed when moodily revolving this plan
in my mind, and her soft whisperings in
tenderest and most confident accents fell
upon my ears. Must I pen it, she was
too slow in dying; and rather than poison, 1
abandoned this affectionate creature.
CHAPTER 111.
I have no heart to dwell upon the fate
of that accomplished and Confiding wife.
Witness one mote scene of my miserable
life, and then let me go down in darkness.
Oh ! * Leathoari wa’ers, wash out the
dreadful, terrifying recollections that are
giving way for occurring realities, fit to be
associated in such a memory’s black cir
cle. Situated in St. Charles-st., not far
from the Hotel bearing that name in New
Orleans, is a gambler’s hell, where deeds
of the darkest are accomplished, types
of a lower, perhaps worse hell. Short
ly after arriving in the Crescent City,
ffom Texas, I was employed by his Sa
tanic majesty, the ruler of these upper
realms, as a kind of “ roper in,” &c. At
this time I was prepared to do anything,
“fit for treasons, stratagems, or spoils.”—
A disappointed man, deep-rootecflßhatred
to my species, gave coloring to my motives
and conduct, Long dissipation had left
its traces upon my countenance.
The loathsome carbuncles of the drunk
ard had disfigured the contour of a face,
at one time not disagreeable. I mingle
with society now, but only for its spoils.
I was not 1< ng established new em
ployment, before I discovered that John
Broughton, was one of the most punctual
visitors. I was gratified that he did not re
cognise me, for even then I felt a pang in
witnessing this shadow of the man whom
I had rejoiced in destroying; tins bloated
and debased person, concerning whom a
doating mother’s cherished hopes had been
ruthlessly blighted by my own hands.
Night was oUr harvest time. In our house
were two rooms for the accommodation of
our visitors, My readers have possibly
seen too many of these hells, to require mi
nute descriptions. The larger room was
the scene of the fledging of many young
sters, and if one should by chance be ela
ted with success in this “ rain” upon the
■gilded bank which occupied the center of
this building, he was certain,lo Ee asked
into gn inner apartment 4 the sanctum sanc
torunu cf the master of this mansion, where
the arts of the sharper were unusually at
error, if the favored victim did not leave
the fruits of his late success. It was some
hours after midnight on one occasion, when
unobserved, I followed the sharper and his
intended victim into the more private room.
Broughton’s winnings cn this night had
not been inconsiderable, and the master
knew but little of the character of his guest
when he undeitpok to practice hissteafings
in this quarter. Ensconced io ? a dark cor
ner, I watched with breathless anxiety the
results of this sitting. Broughton was not
long in discovering his opponents game—
An altercation ensued* and short scuffle, in
which Broughton received a futaLhlnw. I
rushed to the assistance of the wounded
gambler—Broughton died in my arms—
his murderer had fled—a painful recollec
tion of Vny agency in this man’s ruin over
came me. iteturning consciousness found
me the inmate of a dungeon. So much
crime is attributed to insanity, that think
ing men have but little sympathy with,
those whose friends urge such a plea.
I learned from a turnkey that I had been
dragged from the room in which the dead
man was next morning found. That I had
been in my present cell six weeks,and that
the circumstances went far to forc& public
opinion to the conviction that I was the
murderer. At the ensuing assizes, those
same circumstances elicited a verdict of
guilty from my jury. Sentence according
ly was pronounced, and a day appointed
for my execution. The evidence which
led to this result, to my ifter surprise,was
uttered by the real murderer. He stated
that I had been in his employ but a short
time, that the knife used in this murder and
found by the side of the dead, was one
which he had frequently noticed upon my
person—God knows I had never seen that
instrument of death before it was produced
in the presence of the officers
He had found a large cane, with^Which he
supposed the deceased had
ed me senseless during the scuffle,lliat pre
ceded the killing. To all this I could not
open my mouth, I scarcely cared to do so,
for I felt that though I had net struck this
fatal blow, that ray conduct towards John
Broughton during his youth, deserved the
punishment awaiting me.
I was indifferent to life—l was recom
mitted. No light was subsequently thrown
upon this matter. The day appointed for
my execution at length came—crowds of
the curious were hurrying to the place and
scene. In proper habiliments I was put
upon the scaffold, the halter adjusted about
my neck by the hangman. With a trem
bling leap, reader, and a little yawning, and
doubtful gazing, I was rejoiced to find that
all this story was nothing more nor less
than the dream of a troubled sleep.’
A. F.
(Mr. Marry to Gen. Scott continued.)
My reply to your accusations forces me
to expose some of your misstatements of
fact. You allege that the expedition, for
the want of the “ten vessels,” was delayed
from the loth of January to the 9th of
March. You certainly mean to be under
stood that on the 15th of January your
troops were ready to embark, and were de
layed for want of these transports. But
this was not so; and lam indebted to you
for most abundant proof to establish your
inaccuracy. The great body of your troops
(or thdtexpedition wal drawn from Gen.
Taylor’s command at Monterey and in the
interior of Mexico; and no part of them had
reached either the Brazos or Tampico—
the pointgof embarcation—on the 15th of
January. In your letter of the 12th of that
“month to-Gen. Brooke, at New Orleans, vou
saidj: “I have now to state that it is prob
able the troops l have filled for from Gen.
Taylor’s immediate command to embark
here (the Brazes) andat Tampico, will not
reach those points till late in the present
month, (January) say about the 25th.” In
a letter to me of the 26th of January, you
remark that Gen. Butler responded to your
call for the troops with the utmost promp
titude, and that Gen. Worth made an ad
mirable movement, “The head of his divi
sion arrived with him “at the mouth of the
Rio Grande the day before yestbrday,”
(24th* Jannary.) When the remainder
came tip, is not stated; yet one of your
“naked historical facts” places the whole
command at the points of embarkation wai
ting for the “ten vessels” at least nine days
before the actual arrival of any partof'them.
But if they had been there, why should
they have been detained for these vessels?
In the same letter—written but two days
after the arrival of the head of the first di
vision, and probably before the'other troops
had come up—you say that “the Quarter
master General, (Brevet Major General
Jesup, at New Orleans,) I find, has taken
all proper measures with judgment and
promptitude to provide everything depend
ing on his department for the despatch and
success of my expedition.” If more was
wanted, cumulative proof might be drawn
from the same source—your own corres
pondence—to show not only that this charge
against me has no foundation in truth, but
that you can have no apology for having
preferred it.
After showing how unfortunate you have
been in your specific charges, I may with
propriety meet those of a general and
sweeping character with a less particular
detail of proofs to show their groundless
ness.
Though the “ten vessels” were not, for
the. very sufficient reason I have assigned,
sent out in ballast from the Atlantic cities;
yet a very large number were sent thence
with stores, supplies, and troops, to co-op
erate in the expedition.
In General Jesup’s letter to me of the
17th inst., a copy of which is sent herewith
he states that fifty-three ships, barques,
brigs, and schooners, were sent from the
north, and the department actually furnish
ed at New Orleans, Brazos, and Tampico,
for the army, before it took up the line of
march into the interior, one hundred and
sixty-three vessels.
I have alluded to the large number oja
surf boats, and the great difficulty of pro-1
curing them, as the cause bßjhe delay ip
their arrival. I have also reasoif
of offer in reply to your contpkmt for not
having seasonably received the sie£e train
and ordnance supplies. The delay is to be
ascribed to the enormously large outfit you
required. If it was necessary', and des
patch was used in procuring it, ho one is
in fault. If too large, you certainly should
not regard as a reprehensible delay the time
necessarily taken up in preparing it. To
show that it was large, and required much
time to procure, it, I will select from many
a single item. You demanded from eigh
ty to one hundred thousand ten-inch shells,*
and forty or fifty mortars of like calibre,
This enormous qualitity of shells—-about
four thousand tons—was mostly to be man
ufactured after you left Washington. All
the furnaces in the country, willing to en
gage in the business, were set to work; but
with the utmost diligence and despatch, the
supply of this one article, or even two
thirds of it, having to be manufactured and
transported to the seaboard from the furn
aces, (located in most instances in the in
terior of the country,) at a season of the
year when water communications Were ob
structed by ice, could not be ready to be
sent forwyd to you in many months after
your departure from Washington. Had
your requisition been moderate—and un
doubted!}’ more moderate ofles would have
sufficed—they could have heen furnished*
at a much earlier period.
The memorandum which you left “ for
the siege-train and amunition therefor,”
was submitted to me by the Ordance De
partment, on the 36th of November, with
| NUMBER 22.
an intimation that it could not be complied
with in season for the* expedition to go for
ward as early as you had contemplated. I
endorsed upon it, “comply u'ith the above
as far as practicable ,” and this order, I am
satisfied, after full examination, was faith
fully executed.
What could be doneat Washington, was
promptly done. You had with you the
Quartermaster General, with all the means
at the command of the War Department,
and with unrestricted to do what
ever you might He was under
your supervision, and subject to your or
ders, able and willing to execute them. You
have never intimated that he, in any res
pect, failed in his duty ; but on the contrary
you have spoken in higly commendatory
terms of his efficient services.
I have already quoted your acknowledg
ment that he had taken all proper measures
with judgment and promptitude to provide
everything depending on his department
for the despatch and success of your expe
dition. In an issue of fact between your
•and the head of the % War Department, his
testimony, next own confession, is
the best that can be offered to correct your
misstatements and to refute your charges.
In his letter to me of 2d of January, 18-
47, he says:
“ General Scott left for the interior on the 2 till
ultimo, and I am taking active measures to have
everything depending upon me ready for hi* opea
tion. The ’quartermaster's department, I find, is
called upon to do a great deal that should be done
by other brajjphes of tipstaff. So far as Gen.
Scott’s operations go, I shall have every thing done
that is neccessary, whether it belongs to my de
partment or to other departments to do it.”
You had with you, and subject to your
orders, not only the Quartermaster Gener
al, but officers of the other staffdepatments.
They did not look to the War Department,
but to yourself, for directions ; and it was
your duty, and not mine, to see that your
requirements were complied with. That
they were so, to the utmost practicable ex
tent, I have no reason to doubt; but if they
w ere not, the fault, if any, is not with the war
Department. You also gave the instruction
in relation to providing the means of land
trol; and if there is blame any where for
any deficiency in this respect, it cannot be
imputed to the War Department Your
transportation, and the officers charged with
that duty were under vouj immediate con
whole correspondence with me, and the
staff officers with you, shows that you very
.properly tok upon yourself the whole
charge of giving directions in this matter.
In a letter to Captain Hetzel, senior quar
termaster at the Brazos, speaking.on the
subject of the land transportation which
may be needed after the descent on the
enemy’s coast near Vera Cruz, you say:
“I have already* discussed and arranged
with you the details of ihe'early land trans
portation &c. On the 19th of March
you furnished General Jesup with your
estimates and directions on this subject.
The staff'officers being with you, and un
der orders, nothing further was, or properly
could be, required or expected to emanate
from Washington, beyond the supply ot
funds; and? this being done, if you were
and isappoinfed there is not a colorable pretence
forimputing blame to “the head of the Wkr
Department ” *
Asa just ground of complaint, and a
matter of accusation, you refer to your defi
ciency to make the descent, and
to capture the city of Vera Cruz and the
castle of San Juan d’Ulloa, and assume
that the extent of that deficiency was the
difference between what you received and
what you required. It would bo quite as
correct reasoning to say, that what you had
having proved sufficient for the purpose,
that difference showed the extent of the -er
rors in your estimate. The truth lies, per
haps, between the turn extremes. You had
less, probably, than you should have had,
and you required much more than was nec
essary. That you did not have more, and,
indeed, all you asked for, I have already
shown was not the fault ofthe War depart
ment.
Gen. Jesup was with you at Vera Cruz
saw your means, and is capable of forming
an estimate of their sufficiency. He is, as
his letter herewith shows, disposed to be
just, and even generous to your fame. To
his opinion on the subject, no well-founded
exception can be taken. He says, in ref
erence to yourcomplaints onaccountofa de
ficiency of supply of siftf-boats, siege train,
and ordnance stores: “The result shows
that he (Geneial Scott) had surf-boats and
stores enough!” And of the delay of
which you complain, he fully exonerates
the War Department, and ascribes the
whole to yourself, and to unavoidable acci
dents. The imputation that you were de
signedly crippled in your means, is a
charge as preposterous as it is unfound
ed.
I am aware that the execution of some
of the many arrangements for the Vera
Cruz expedition was obstructed and delay
ed by accident, but they were such as com
mon sagacity could not foresee or human
agency control. They were not, however,
more than a considerate mind, bringing in
to vietv all the vast difficulties of the case,
would have expected. When your com
plaints on this subject were first received
here, evincing, as they did, that you inten
ded to hold the department responsible for
every untoward event, the heads of the
several bureaus were called on by me to
show how they executed the duties which
had been confided to them, jparticularly in
regard to'matters referred you. The
s evidence they'*presented of rJßngdoruj all
[i|hat was required, or could ex
pected, me—and *to
say that, on a full examination, it will sat
isfy any mind open to conviction—that all
your complaints, so far as they imputed
blame to the War Department, or any of
its branches, are unfounded. It will do
much more—it will show that great indus
try', promptness, uncommon capacity, and
extraordiary exertions in relation to every
thing connected with the war, have charac
terized the action of each of these subordi
nate departments. Asa commendation
justly merited by these several branches of
the department, assailed as they are indir
ectly by you, 1 see no good reason for with
dolding my opinion, thatan instanceconnot
be found where so much has been done, and
well done, in so short a time, by any simi
lar body of officer* under similar circum
stances.
As you have, by implimation, laid a hea
vy hand upon the bureau which is charged
with the onerous duties of executing the
laws and orders for raising and sending for
ward the recruits and levies, I feel bound
to affirm that yuu have done to that branch
of the public service the greatest injustice.
No industry’ has been spared—mo possible
effort omitted—to raise the forces which
were authorized, and tosend them to their
destination within the briefest practicable
period; The numerous orders issued from
the Jkjutant Genyral’s office* and its vol-
Mmous -correspogjjence on that subject,
HBBustain this assertion.
You have pressed with unwonted real
the charge in relation to diverting the detach*
ments or the new regiments under Gen.
Cadwalader’s command to the Brazos, and
have indulged in the wildest speculations
as to the sad consequences which
this imputed error. .Assuming that}rpy
orders diverted these troops, or any others*
(an assertion which I shall controvert here
after,) the circumstances justified the mM
sure. The critical condition of Gen. Tay
lor, according to all accounts recieved here
at that time, is stated in my letter to you
of the 22d of March. To show ‘that the
department acted properly, though it incur
red your reproof, it is necessary to recall
the facts as they then appeared here.
They are presented in the following extract
from that letter: ..
“The information which has just reached ola
the shape of rumors, as to the situation of General
Toy hr, anti the forces under his comma'd, has ex
cited the mot pain'ul apprehensions for their safe
ty. It is almost certain that Santa Anna has pre
cipitated the large army he had collected at San
I.uis de Potosi upon General Taylor; and it muy
be that the general has not been able io maintain
the advanced position he had fit to take at
Agua Nueva, but-has been obliged to fall back on
Monterey. It is equally certain that a Mexican
force has been interposed between Monterey and
the Kio Grande, and that it has interrupted the line
of communication between the two plaeoa, and
seized large supplies which were on the way to Gen
eral Taylor’s atiny.
“Ifthc hostile force between the Rio Grande and
General Taylor’s army is as large as r< port repres
ents it, our troops now on that river may not bo
able to re-establish the line, nor will it, perhaps, bo
possible to place a force there sufficient for the pur
pose, in time to prevent disastrous consequences to
our army, unless aid can be afioided born tho troops
under your immediate command.
“From one to two thousand of the new recruits
for the ten regiments, from this quarter, will boon
the way to the Bratus in the course of three or four
days. All the other forces wifftic directed to'that
point, and every effort made to relieve General
Taylor from bis ci itical situation. You will have
be -n fully apprized before this can reach you of the
condition of things in the valley of the Rio Grande
and ut the headquarters of General Taylor, and
have taken, I trust, such measures as the importance
of the subject requires. I nerd not urge upon you
the fatal consequences which would result from
any serious disaster which might befal the army
under General Taylor, nor do I doubt that you
will do what is in your power to aver* such a cala
mity.”
The course pursued by the War Depart
ment on that occasion, which you convert
into a charge, must, on revision, I think,
commend itsolf to general approbation.
Had it been indifferent to the alarming
condition of General Taylor’s army, and
forborne to use, at the earliest moment, the
most energetic measures to guard against
the futalsconsequences of its defeat, then
too probable, it would have deserved an ar
raignment ns severe as that which you
have made against it for having done its
duty in that critical emergency. When
you first received the reasons qssigned for
the course adopted here, they appear to
have been satisfactory. In your “despatch
of the 2&th of April, you say “Yestejrday I
learned, by your letter of the 22d, and the
“Adjutant General's ofthe 26th mlt„ that
“all the recruits of the regiments—-soma
“8,000 —raised or likely to be raised in
“time for this army, have been ordered to
the Rio Grande.” You did not then inti
mate the slightest dissatisfaction—not even
a premonitory symptom of that deep distress
with which, instantly on Mr. Trist’s arri
val In Meaico, you represent yourself to
have been seized. It is a coincidertfce not
unworthy of notice, that the letter contain
ing your first condemnatory remark on this
snbject was written on the day of the date
of Mr. Trist’s first note to you, and only
the day before your captious reply to it;
and in both you assail trie War Depart
ment. Your withering disappointment
seems to have slumbered for xin days, and
then to have been aroused by the appear
ance of Mr. Trist in Mexico and your quar
rel with him. If the order from the War
Department had in fact “diverted” the for
ces with General Cadwalaoer, it was
fully justified by the threatening aspect of
affairs o the Rio Grande; but I am quite
sure it did not divert them. No previous
order from the department had designated
any other place of than the Bra
zos, for the troops that were to join your
column. It was well understood, before
you left Washington, that all the troops for
both armies were to be sent to that place,
and there to fall under your command.
This arrangement was notj nor was it
expected that it would be here changed, un
til you had penetrated so far into the ene
my’s country as to render your communi-
with that place of general rendez
vous difficult and dilatory.
You also complain that the order was
not countermanded. If there had been
such an order, and if had been counterman
ded, would have been thefconse.
quence ? The troops would have gone
forward from the United States under the
former orders of the department, which
would have taken them to the same place.
You allege that “the news ofthe victory
“of Buena Vista reached Washington in
“time to countermandCadwakder’sorders
“for the Rio Grande before his departure
from New Orleans?’ I notice this speci
fication of neglect of duty, to show the ex
tent to which you have carried your fault
finding, and the industry with which y< u
have sceaxched sos occasions to indulge
it.
Your assumption is, that tln> news of the
victory of Buena Vista should have satis
fied the War DepartmentthatCadwalader’s
forces were not needed on the Rio Grande;
and the omission to countermand, as soon,
as that news was received, the orders to
send them there, was a neglect deserving
severe animadversion. How did you act
under similar circumstances ? With better
means ofinformation as to the actual condi
tion of the Rw Grande frontier, after the
victory of Buena Vista, you did ot deem
it prudent, after being lorty'-cne days in
possession of the news of that victory, t j
issue positive orders to remove a single
man from that frontier; yet you venture
to censure me for not having sent the
troops away the moment the news
W ashingten.
You received information of that victo
ry on or before the 11th of March, for on
that day you proclaimed it ip orders to
your army. On the 35th of April, more
than forty days thereafter, you issued an
order to the commanding officer at tin* Bra
zos to embark for Vera. Cruz “such de
tachments of the-new regiments’ as may
have been ordered War Department
to Point Isabel;” but'you made it condi
tional with reference to the safety cf the
l.ne of the Rio Grande; and said to that ef
ficerthatyou relied upon his “sound judge
ment to determine on the spot whether (lint
“line would not he 100 much expo's- and by
“the withdrawals the troops in question.”
“Thus it appears that you do not hesitate ■
“to impute neglect of duty to me, for n-.t
having adopted and acted on the conclu
sion that the line of the Rio Grande was
safe the moment I heard of the victory of
Buena Vista; but, when acting on the same
subject, you dared not adopt that conclu
sion, although you had been in possession
of the same information forty-one days.
Your own conduct in this matter complete
ly refutes this charge of yours against the
War Department. It doe* mors: it shows
how rash and inconsiderate you have been
in selecting topics for attack.
But the most serious consequences are
attributed to the long delay of these troops
at the Brazos. For your sake, I sincerely
hope these consequences are much exag
gerated, becuase I am quite confident it
will be shown that you alone are responsi
ble for the delay. The War Department
did not—and it was proper that it should
not—issue any order in regard to the move
ment of these troops after their arrival in
Mexico. The order from the department
of the 50th of April, making a division of
the new levies between to two columns, -
does not contradict this assertion, for these
levies were then mostly within the United
States; only portions of them had gMgtt&j
reached Mexico. Until this order
feet, the troers at the