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About Daily chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1837-1876 | View Entire Issue (June 17, 1847)
CHRONICLE & SENTINEL. gY J. W. & W. S. JONES. JAMBS mTsMYTHE, Associate Editor ' DAILY, TRI WEEKLY & WEEKLY* OFFICE IN RAIL ROAD BANK BUILDING. TERMS —Daily Paper, per annum, m advance-.slo Tri-Weekly Paper, “ “ <( Weekly, (a mammoth sheet) ( ’ \SH SYSTEM In no case W, H an order for the Ty iLscn>.i« nJy be paid, expiree before the re ce.pt of funds to renew the same, the paper will I e discontinued. Depreciated funds received at value in this city. • From the N. O. Delta 1 1th inst. Grand Celebration—Reception of the Re turned Volunteers. Yesterday was ushered in by golden streaks ot sunshine and barsofgloomy clouds alternate ly. Many persons were ofthe opinion it would rain; but about au hour previous to the forma tion ol the procession, the sky was as clear as the shield ofa youthful knight—an escutcheon of undiunned azure. At the appointed time, the following companies of the Ist Mississippi Regi ment lormed in Canal-street, under their re spective commanders, viz: Company A, Lieut. Corwin; Co. H. Lieut. Calhoun; Co. C, Capt. Willis; Co. F, Capt. Delaye; Co. G. Cayt. McManus; Co. H, Capt. Clendeuiu; Co. K, Capt. Rogers. This gallant regiment number ed iu all about 250 men, and was under the command of Capt. Cooper, the senior captain ofthe regiment. It was a sight to make the pulse throb and the heart heat with redoubled vigor, to see these gallant troops. They had thrown off the rug ged habiliments of war, to cloth themselves in a more civilian garb. Escorted by numerous de tachments from other regiments, who like them selves had been the first to meet the shock of arms and to battle for their country, they just ly felt proud of the compliment paid to their valor and heroism. In those were men who had clambered up the highest steeps of Monterey, and met, with unbending nerves and unflinching hearts, the fierce death-storm that raged in that devoted city. There were men there, too, who made their bosoms the bulwarks that breasted the bloody tide of battle at Buena Vista. Nerved to the death, they heard the shrill whistling of the escopetas, and the dull, sullen roar of the cannon—saw the silvery gleam of their swords and the flashes of lances—and, until the words, “Ready,aim — fire, boys, and at them!” were given, they stood like men cast iu an irou mould. Then, like an avalanche, they poured upon the foe, and scat tered destruction amidst their ranks. Yesterday the gallant remnant of this baud, that so nobly withstood the onset of the fcuemy, were amount 1 their friends, their brothers, and their country man. Under the direction of the chief marshal. Col. Palfrey, the precession formed, under the escort of most ofour military companies, many ol the gallant officers and privates now on their return from the seat of war, and the civil dignitaries of the city and State. Arriving a. Lafayette Square, a salvo of fifty guns was fired amidst the acclamations and rejoicings of thousands ot our citizens. A raised platform had been pre pared for the reception ofthe committee, the press, the orator of the day, and the invited guests. Amongst them we noticed: Gov. John son, Gen. Brooke, Col. Davis, Lt.-Col. Mc- Clung, Cols. Echols and Drake, and a host of others who have made their names “ a mark for the world's renown.” The Mayor, the Aider men, and Recorders were present. The re verend clergy were also there. Catholicism leaned its arm on that ofthe Methodist, the Bap tist took the hand of the Presbyterian, and the Episcopalian casta kindly glance on the Unita rian. It was, in fact, a perfect cordon of good fellowship. in which all prejudice. *'«=ligious political. wx>--. ~ o-*m eU * iivitt- —.. amaranthine wreath and the brow of valor and patriot! stn. The speech of S. S, Prentiss. Mr. Prentiss rose and addressed the Volun teers, who, in close column, stood before him in all the majesty of their native heroism of soul, alter this manner: Volunteers! brave and victorious Volunteers, re turned from the war! the citizens of New Orleans, filled with admiration for your patriotic devotion to your country, and the fortunes of its flag in a foreign land proud of your heroic conduct and glorious achievements desirous of giving expression to their feelings ol joy, pride and affection, on the return of a portion ol you from the scenes of your perils and vour glories have made me the honored organ of their gratitude and of their admiration. In "their name, -hen, and on my own behalf, I bid welcome to the Mississippi Volunteers— welcome to the war-worn soldiers the sympathetic heart of Louisiana warms to you all ! In the name ofthe city I oreet you—-I embrace you. ° J No longer do you tread a hostile soil —no longer do you gaze on a foreign sky—on the mountains of Monte rey or the gorges of Buena Vista. You are now in your own, your native land, in the midst of your friends. You no longer need your deadly rifles for defence and your swords are useless, save as trophies ot your deeds of valor. Hut you are still not out of peril: your friends lie m ambush for you ; prepare to receive from them a ,* e <° gr , ape r~ not from *he loud-mouthed cannon —but from the battery of the banquet. Lutizen soldiers—Mississippi Volunteers! it is but a year—but twelveshorl months—since vou bivouack ed on the battle ground below the city. You were then on your way to sustain the flag of your country in a foreign land, and you seemed to have imbibed heroic inspiration from the mighty memories wlueh Ohalmeite conjured up. Since then, you have gone through the Tying ordeal and the different gradations of the soldier’s life—the march—the camp_the bi vouac—the battle and the victo.y ! You have done well you have done nobly—your country looked to you lor much, but you have exceeded its most san guine expectations. Exposure, hunger, thirst—ail these you surtered—for you sutfered them for vour country—without a murmur. Balls, the leaden mes sengers of death, flew around you, but your cheek blanched not; your comrades fell by your side, but you id not falter, but pressed on conquering and to conquer, If your flag was for a moment placed out of Us position, some gallant fellow instantly put it a r'if i aUli lhuS y° U weru on , and in going on, fought till the irresistible power of your combined courago proved too much for your foe—you vanquished him. elcome, then, honored Volunteers—welcome, one and all, from the glories of the battle-field ! The Regulars (said Mr. P j were the first who won honors in this war, as they well deserved to do: at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, they well—ther gloriously sustained the ancient revolutionary honor and renown of American skill and American valor. 1 hen burst upon the nation and upon the world th*; valor, courage, skill, prudence, self-reliance, and in domitable energy of that great captain of the age, who, with the destructive suddenness of the eaM-e mountain-king, pounced upon and defeated his foe. ihe period immediately preceding that event was one of intense excitement to the citizens of this Re public— all expected that a collision with the enemy was inevitable—all had fears for the result. Then it was that, after a series of years of peace, the nat : ona 1 prowess was to be tested, and it was not saying to o much to stale that a suspicious hope—so to speak— - pervaded every bosom. But the tidings of the con - test, when received, dispelled all fears, scattered t o the winds all doubts, and enabled us to repel with pride the taunts of Europeans, that we were incouii peiea.t tO . engage in a foreign war—that we were wantmg in military science and military power, an d a *l ur f e o*dar army, though brave, was 100 small to be effective m the field, when contending with aft >- reign enemy. Then came the storming of Monterey, that meat i tam fastness, by almost all deemed impregnable. Wi m was to measure the meed of g l ory vvhich was due to those who effected that wonderful achievement ? O u one side battery after battery was bravely and skiEfti 1- iy carried, but with as much regularity and precisio n as a boy in a bowling alley knocks down Ui s s The attack on the other side devolved upon volurueei rs —upon men who, for the first time, met the enemy ’ in deadly conflict and with clash of arms. They rush« d on, grappled them hand to hand and steel to steel li 11 their blood-red blades glistened in the sun’s rays like forked tongues of flame, while our batteries dea ll death among the enemy, as an eagle with spread pit i ions, with deadly certainly, pounces on its prey. H e need not remind those whom he addressed that Ih e enemy with which they were contending were sigh t mg for their altars—for their firesides—for all that caj » nerve men to desperate resis tance - ® ut nothing could , withstand the fiery valor of the gallant volunteers, and : they shrunk before if To such men—to you volun teers—gallant wbo ncted, to sus tain the honor ot your country’s flag in a foreign land, ” the nation owes a debt of gratitude and she now pants i to pav it- Welcome then, thrice welcome to your homes, you heroes of Monterey. But not there did the evidence of your valor cease. A still fiercer conflict—one which has crowned the immortality of your glory—awaited you in the ravines of Buena Vista. There for two days you contended with an enemy, far your superior in numerical force, with a desperate bravery, and what seemed to be a superhuman tenacity. In vain did the fiery torrent roll against you —fruitlessly did the enemy’s squad rons press upon your lines. You flinched not nor faltered. Why, it was worth ten years of peaceful life to witness the firmness with which you met, and the bravery with which you repulsed this host, as they came on to the charge. Courage such as you then exhibited was never excelled in the Palestine wars, so famous in song and story. Welcome then, another welcome to you, gallant volunteers! But there was another who claimed their admira tion and their gratitude, both of which the nation was spontaneously willing to give him— he meant the brave General by whom they were there commanded, who had filled the world with his fame, and who now en joyed the unbounded love and the confidence of twen ty millions of people —the worth of whom the coun try knew not till this last year—the events of which developed his bravery, his coolness, his courage and ability, and showed the nation what a treasure they possessed in him. Why, he was worthy of Rome in the palmiest days of her Consuls. After compliment ing still farther Gen. Taylor, Mr. P. then passed on to the artillery, on which arm of the service he pass ed a warm eulogium. Friends, returned volunteers, said Mr. P., yours is a happy destiny. You have not been playing the part of a mercenary, hireling soldiery. You went to the field impelled by no other motive than a high and ho ly sensfe of patriotism, and you return crowned with honored laurels. O! do you not present the noblest sight the world ever saw. You sprung into a mighty armed band as if by magic, when your country called for your aid in the field; and now, after having done the State good service, you quietly dissolve into your original characterof citizens—as the dark and gather ing thunder-cloud, after discharging the vivid light ning and the loud thunder peal, melts away into blue ether, or descends to the earth in the shape of spark ling dew-drops, moistening the budding flower or aid ing the growth of some plant or blossom. Great and happy must be the nation that has such citizens, and that can command the services of such soldiers ! The problem of the nation’s strength, he said, was now ful ly solved. In any emergency, she could call two millions of treops into the field, and with the know ledge of this fact, now practically proclaimed to tlie world, who would dare to throw us the gauntlet? But our joy, alas! lie said, was commingled with mourning; and here he paid a touching tribute to those who had fallen ou the battle-field or became the victims of fata! disease—a tribute so naturally just end eloquent, that it caused the big tears to trickle down the bronzed cheek of many a gallant soldier. He feelingly adverted to McKoe, Clay, Yell, Watson and others of the heroic dead, and alluded in a strain of deserved and eloquent compliment to the gallant Kentuckians, who, he said, stamped the sobriquet of tAolv native state on whatever pur* of the enemy’s country they assailed. Wherever the Kentuckians fought, it might well thereafter be called the “ Bloody Gruumi. ” But, he said, he would not detain itiem i.mp.r o-,.... the manifestation of hospitality and social*friendship which awaited them. He knew how anxiously their friends at home looked for their coming. Already on everv hill burned the fire of welcome ; in every dell ana in every arbor, the rural feast was spreatt, and friends jianted for their presence, that they might share in the festivities prepared for them; bright eyes and smiling faces stood waiting at the homestead doors to give them a warm and friendly greeting. He, on the part of his fellow-citizens of New-Orlean* af ter another welcome, hade them God-s|*-ed on (heir journey. Col. Davia’i* Reply. When Mr. PrentissJhad concluded. Col, Da vis, assisted by a friend, advanced to the stand, and was greeted with the most enthusiastic cheers. The vast sea of upturned faces which surrounded the rostrum, seemed to heuve and ebb with the tide of sincere and warm feeling, as lilts woundea <• , .. I,« nan uuine nnnself so noH'y 111 batt l e lor his country’s honor, arose xu answer to the loud call of his admiring coun trymen. In a strong voice, and with a ready and prompt manner, and great felicity of senti ments and expression. Col. Davis replied to the address of Mr. Prentiss. He thanked the people of New Orleans for their generous reception of the returned volunteers. In be ■ half of the Mississippians, whom he had the honor to represent, lie would say that they would never cease to remember with pride the kind attentions of this noble city—their own great metropolis—their name, too, as they might well call it, from its vicinity to 1 their State After the hardships and perils they had passed, it was delightlul indeed to return to the em brace of such friends. Cot, Davis then spoke of the volunteers generally, and declaring that his long ser vice in the regular army had rendered him an impar tial judge, he would contend before the whole world that a braver, sturdier or more efficient body of sol diers never had been in the field, than the volunteers who had fought under Gen. Taylor. He considered that the experiment of conducting regular military operations by volunteers had been fully tested. In reference to the praise bestowed by Mr Prentiss upon Gen. Taylor, Col. Davis remarked that it met with a warm response from every volunteer. AH who had had an opportunity of viewing his conduct and bearing in the difficult and trying positions in which he was placed, were deeply impressed witli his calm wisdom, his keen sagacity, his unflinching courage and exhaustless resources. Upon this theme the colonel dilated with much eloquence and feeling. At the termination of every sentence of praise of Old Zack, the crowd broke in with the most tumultuous cheering. Col Davis next took up the allusion to the gallant officers who had fallen in battle, and paid them a feeling and handsome tribute. He spoke, too, of those whose unhappy lot it had been to yield up their lives to the fell destroyer disease, and whose death was a far worse fate than that of those who fell on the field o! battle, aima .u rnn . flict. After several other allusions in a similar vein, delivered in a remarkably easy and vigorous manner, Col. Davis concluded by thanking the ctiizens of New Orleans, in behalf of the volunteers, for their kind and generous welcome. They would ever re cur toil with pride and pleasure—they would regard such testimonials doubly valuable, coming as they did from a city famous for its chivalry, its hospitality, and its glorious military associations. This speech created the liveliest admiration in the vast crowd. “He can speak as well as fight,” was the remark we heard repeated a do zen times, in the crowd, and a higher compli ment could not have been framed than was contained in this general remark. L>ieut. Col. McClnng, Capt. Marshall, &c. When the cheers which followed Col. Da vis’s speech had subsided a call was made up on Col. McClung, whose fine military figure, though worn by long suffering from a horrible wound, attracted universal attention. This heroic officer and talented gentleman, raising by the aid of (its crutch, his tall and manly form, addressed a few words to the crowd, expressing his pleasure and gratitude at the attentions be stowed upon his brothersoldiers, and thanking them most warmly for the generous applause with which they had been pleased to greet so humble a soldier as himself. There was then a call for Capt. Marshall, the ’ glorious and eloquent Tom Marshall, but he had left the stand, and tiieassemblage was much disappointed in not hearing from so distinguish ed an orator. The procession then left Lafayette Square, and proceeded to the Place d’Armes. The I streets were so crowded with spectators that it > was almost impossible to pass. The balconies . on either side were filled with ladies, and the side-walks with the sterner sex. When the - gates of the Place d’Armes were thrown open ) for the reception of the honored guests, a shout J arose that might have been heard for miles. 1 They marched in steadily, and without the j slightest confusion, until they got to the tables, when a regular Buena Vista attack was com s menced on the eatables. * The tables, which were some three hundred | feet long, were filled with everything that the heart could wish. Fish from the lake, pigs l t that looked as though they had been predestin ed to be roasted ; chickens lying in a flood of e £ rav T ? tongue, ham, turkies, geese, ducks, e beef, pork, mutton and vegetables of all kinds, formed but a small portion of the estables.— i There was a bottle of ,wiue at every man’s plate, and a jorum of punch at the elbow of his next door neighbor. Jocundity of spirit, and the pleasant interchange of jovial feeling were the order of the day. At the head ofthe t Me we noticed Gov. John son, with many distin n shed gentlemen around him, and when the appcute of the man had been conquered, the tide of the mind commenced to flow. €l)ronulc ani> Sentinel. AITG IT s ta, geoT THURSDAY MORNING, JUNE 17, 1 847. The Administration has Overreached Itself. We are compelled to believe that the pre liminary steps of the Administration, which so unhappily brought on the war with Mexico, were taken with a view to add to its fame and glory, and the strength of the party that put it in power. We may go so far as to say, that it was not imagined by the Administration, that those unwise and fatal steps would dig the graves of more than five thousand of our citi zen soldiers up to this time, and create a large na tionaldebt. Admit, for a moment, that the pol icy of our rulers was a blunder, that it was ex pected that, by a show of our power, and some pretty strong threats, Mexico would yield her pretentions to the Kio Grande, and a large por tion of the Californias; who does not perceive in this, the weakness of the man who devised it? It was as mall business for the President of a Republic like ours to be engaged in. For it went upon the principle that the strong could domineer over the weak, that the spirit of Mexico could he crushed by exhibiting the power of this country, and her lands w r ould, as a necessary consequence, easily fall into our hands. The people of this country have an example in Mr. Polk, of the danger of elevating one to the Presidency who lacks the elements of true greatness, and wants the moral power which experience, and well tested and useful public service afford. But was ever a calculation more sadly defeat ed in every possible aspect ? lit the first place, it is not certain that the representatives of the people will sanction the acquisition. If they do, no glory enures from it to Mr. Polk. He is totally l>y bvroo* of ins own w ar. tye plunged into the scrape to emerge from it witi, i.«w honor*, nerhaiis those of a second Presidential term. But alas, for him ! he is thought of only to be censured, while others, scarcely known before, have grown colossal in fame and popularity. This is another proof that the wav of the transgressor is hard. 'The affliction brought upon the country is, at any rate, severe, whe- ther it be or be not a just punishment for do-* 1 vatiug such a man as Mr. Polk to the highest station in the Union. What a miserable war we have been plunged into! Who does not rejoice that the imbecile dreams of a mad ambition have been blasted forever? No t*»*~ *>« reuenlance can atone for the evu which has been done. The Con-n --tution has been outraged—the deep wells of affection have been filled •» ltl> ....tori of bitterness, and lives, like stars falling from Heaven, have prematurely and rapidly vanished from existence. Mr. Benton and the Presidency. As a part of the history of the times, we pre sent to our readers the following letter of .Mr. Denton, in reply to the proceedings of a meet ing which was held in Columbia county, Mis souri, by which he was nominated for the Pre sidency : St. Louis, Mey 27, 1847. Dear Sih ; 1 take the first moment of leisure after my arrival at this place to answer your kind commu nication of the 13th of January, and to let you know how much I was pained at seeing the proceedings of the most respectable meeting of which you were chair man. It was precisely to forestall such manifestations in ray favor, that I spoke to the point of the next Pre sidency in my speech at Bonneville, in the summer of 1844 ; and all the sentiments which I then expressed remain in full force now, strengthened and confirmed hy all that has since happened. 1 then brought forward the glaring fact that in above fifty years’ existence of this federal government, the democracy of the North had given hut one President to the Union, and that one but a single term ; and this (of late) from a South ern oppositions Northern men. And I then took it on myself to say that this course of things would have to he changed, otherwise there would be an end of the Democratic party, or of any party founded on po htical principJes, and expressed my gratification that Mr. I oik s early and voluntary self-denial had cleared the way for a Northern Democratic candidate in IS4B. These were my sentiments in 1644; they are my sentiments now ; and are not to be abandoned at the election when 1 see a new scheme developed from the south lor the p-i mam-.., northern men from southern support for the presiden cy. The fire-brand resolutions introduced into the Senate towards the close of the late session, and their practical application to Oregon—by which we lost the Oregon bill, and leave the people of that territory a year longer without law or government—reveal t his scheme, and present a new test on the slavery ques tion which no northern man can stand, and which if adopted by the south, must put an end to all future support of northern democracy. Heretofore *vo the slaveholding States, have stood together upon’ two points—defence and compromise—the defence of pro perty and institutions and the compromise of the laws and of the constitution, and on these two points the great majority of the north, of both political parties, have been able to stand with us. But now a new po sition is to be taken —one on which no northern man can stand. Propagandist ll is now the doctrine of the political sect which assumes to be the standard-bearer of all the slaveholding Stales ; and to plant slavery, bylaw, in all the territories of the United Slates, even the most remote hyperborean—even in Oregon itself and against the will of its inhabitants— becomes the design and the attempt. The words of the resolutions, the speeches in their favor, and their practical application to the Oregon bill, all prove this, and show that the new doctrine is intended to he made a new political test to be applied to all Presidential candidates in time to come, and, like nil new tests, intended to super sede all former ones, and to constitute the sole crite rion for the trial of candidates. Now everybody must see that ifthis new test shall be adopted by the"slave holding States, there is an end to all political support of northern men in these States—that the present or ganization of parties must be broken up. and a new party formed, bounded by geographical lines, and resting on the sole principle of slavery propagandism. 1 am not prepared (or such a slate of panics' 3 nor for the effect which it would have upon the harmony and stability of our Federal Union. 1 see great danger in this new move, and feel the necessity of meet ing if at once. In fact we must meet it at once, or not at all; for it is pressed upon us now, and will conquer us, if we do not conquer it. The Pre sidential election of 1848 is the crisis; and if the new test can be made to govern that election, I shall consi der the danger consummated, and that there must soon be an end not only of the Democratic party, but of all parties (bunded on principle, and, eventually, an end of the Union itself. Instead, then, of indulging a per sonal or local feeling in favor of particular candidates, let us, (the Democratic party) look to what the good of the Union and of the party requires, and wail to receive a candidate from that section of the Union . which has given but one Democratic President in near sixty years, and that one but for a single terra, and which is now threatened, so far as Southern vo ters are concerned, with permanent exclusion from the Presidential office, i This, my dear sir, is my plain and settled answer to your kind communication, and I wish you to make | it known to the members of the meeting of which you were chairman, among whom I see the names of many old friends, and recognize the voice of that pow erful county, which has stood by me in every trial from ray first senatorial election in 1820, to my him and last in 1844, and to which I owe many thanks, which it is my intention to make in person during the course of the coming summer. Respectfully, sir, youH^.ud WadeM. Jackson, Esq., Howard Co., Mo. It will be seen that Mr. Benton declines the nomination in favor of some northern Demo crat. Doubtless his preferences are with Mr. Van Burkn yet, or Mr. Wright. It will also be seen, that Mr. Benton is ut terly opposed to all-efforts or schemes, by which the South and the North may be politically arrayed against each other upon geographical divisions. We think he is right in this, and we approve the sentiment, let it come from what j source it may. In order, however, to keep I down a spirit of this kind, we cannot conceive the necessity for running a northern candidate j either Whig or Democratic in 1848. The i great point of irritation at the present time, is the question raised by the Wilmot I roviso. That declared, that the territory acquired from Mexico should be free. r l bis the South will never consent to. If the territory is acquired, the South is determined to stand hy liar rights. It requires no argument to show, that the North is stronger than the South. If, then, an issue on the Presidency were made between the North and South, the latter wou’d he voted down. The South could never elect a President. Nothing appears piaiuer to us, than that the North is united upon the W4lmot Proviso. Ihe South is united against it. Hence arises a ques tion of lurid and fearful portent. Mr. Benton thinks that if such a test as this begins in 1848. the Union will he in danger. This lest must never exist. It is madness to seek it. All measures calculated to produce this state ol things should be opposed and frowned upon by every pa triot in the land. We hope never to see the day that the poli tical affinities of southern and northern men shall be dissevered. Is it unreasonable in any man to be willing to give up Mexican territo ry, if such consequences are likely to result from its acquisition ? There is too much at stake to risk it. We prefer to hold on to things as they are ; and, to preserve harmony, we shall have no objection at the proper time to a northern Pre sident, by whom our rights will he respected tlll'l \V» tfVkr lk« I Ininn and harmony while our pathway can he lit up with a sunny ray of hope, and hence, we shall oppose every measure not radically at variance with principles calculated to disturb them. Reception of the Volunteers in New Or • leans, i • The proceedings in New Orleans, at the re ception of the Volunteers, to which we have devoted much space to-day, will excite a thrill of delight in every bosom. It was a proud day for that noble city, whose generous heart knows no bounds to her hospitalities, and most nobly has she demeaned herself. The Picayune, minding to »»„. H nd elo quent cjjeeeb of Mr. Prkntiss, says : “ Often as we have listened to him, never did tie ap pear to us more eloquent. As he desrrilted the *ffo rious deeds of the men he was welcoming, their faces wen- lit with an expr»->sriim of joy, but when he came to sjieak ofthe cypress being mingled with the laurel —when bespoke ofthe men who fell at Monterey and Buena Vista, and those who died without the sat isfaction ofsharing in the glories ofthe battle-field— the head fell, and n universal grief pervaded the as semblage.” The New Orleans press seem to have vied with each other, in the eloquence of their pan egyrics upon the gallant brave whose presence excited such universal enthusiasm on the occa sion. Col. Jefferson Davis was pre-eminent ly distinguished among the many heroic spir its. “ This gallant officer, (says the Times,) was the ‘ Cynosure’ of all eyes, all affections, yesterday. When he arose to address the mul titude in Lafayette Square, the enthusiasm was beyond all description, lie is an orator of more than ordinary powers. In contrasting the volunteer with the regular .soldier, he un hesitatingly gave the preference to the former. ‘lndividual zeal and coura- ■,’ said the honor ed veteran, ‘acting in mas overshadow all mere organized or professb I prowess.’ He was, as it were, inspired, wh speaking of the qualities for command, of Id Rough and Ready. ’ ” In truth, he seems to have captivated all hearts, and to have added much to his already distinguished fame. The “ National,''' alluding remarks : “Referring to Mr. Prentiss’ remarks iei«uv u ... ,i.„ dead, he spoke of Harden, Clay, McKee, and others, who had become cemented to him in the warmest per sonal friendship, as heroes worthy of the highest niche in the f ample ol Fame. After complimenting his fel low companions from other States, he for a moment dwelt upon the virtues of the old hero who had led them all to victory, and to whom they looked upas chil dren to a parent. Col. Davis said that Genl. Taylor had shown himself the distinguished soldier of the age, yet he was remarkable for' his kindness of heart and simplicity of habits, his strong judgment, and ex cellent sense. He alluded to the fact that Gen. Tay lor had shared the humblest soldier’s fortune in the campaign; that he had in every thing identified him self with his troops. He alluded to that hour ofthe battle of Buena Vista, when the day seemed, if not I ost, to be going against our arms —when Gen T-,v i lor, amidst the thickest ofthe iron hail, rode umu the I plateau, and calmly surveyed the scene. Vast as were the consequences of that hour, he appeared to fear no danger, expect no harm. From that moment said Col. Davis, the volunteer felt assured of victory’ The presence ofthat old man inspired a courage that could not be overcome; and not a soldier present said he pointing to the regiment before him) hut felt then willing to die rather than to yield an inch tie fieldTafw T‘ inU a d G °, L Davis ’ alo ” e 0,1 th « bat tle held that we learned to love Gen. Tavlor The excitement ofthe carnage over, the same soul that, could remain unmoved when his friends wore falling rtron’s ” ,WBS aSm,ld as the tender-hearted Death of Samuel Weir, Esq. The Columbia South Carolinian says :-“Mr E<Jit ° r ° f tUe Chro *Mc> died on ! Wednesday evening, the 9th in*., after a most painful and protracted illness. He had been or along time associated with the press, and in ‘‘I 8 f ath - the P” b 'i* has lost an able and sincere ° f ,n °^ a,S ’ and a journalist who hon cie tv A ' ydi9Charged hia duties to so waverinffl amag,Strate ’ he was finn and un loyal a 5 . partlzau ’ he was talented and y , a c,t,ze n. he was upright and honest— an as a nend, he was devoted and true His remains were attended to their resting place by a numerous concourse of our where ey received burial, according to the obsequies of the Masonic Fraternity, of which benevolent association ho was a prominent member.” 1 Early Hahvkst.—The fanners in Arkansas i ' commenced reaping their wheat the latter part | ■ of May, and the crop is represented to be a j very fine one. The editor ofthe Little Rock Gazette says theheadsof the wheat grown in J that region are as large and heavy as he has 1 ' ever witnessed. j Letter from Col* EchoU, I The editor of the Athens “ Banner •” has re ceived the following letter from Col. Echols, which conveys the first intelligence to us of \ | safe arrival at Brazos of Captain Campbell’s Company : New Orleans, June 4: 1847. i Dear Sir :—The 13th Regiment of Infantry (of j which I have command) is approximating to comple ! tion. I have seven companies now en route for the ! seat of war, numbering sjo or 600 men. The other : three companies are fast filling up, and I expect in a few days to leave this place for Point Isabel, then to | I Monterey, or Gen. Taylor’s camp. Capt. Wolford is i encamped near this place with 100 fine mounted sol diers. Capt. Campbell arrived at the Brazos on the 27th ult., and marched to Matamoros, where he will be stationed until I join the army. Enclosed I send you a sheet of Gen. Santa Anna’s j ! despatch letter paper taken from his carriage at the j i battle ofCerro Gordo. I send it not so much for its ; value as its curiosity. are entirely without any , late accounts from the army in Mexico, all seem to be j quietly waiting for the arrival of the new Regiments. : ! It is reported that a powerful Mexican force is col lecting to oppose Gen. Scott’s advance on the city, j If should be true, we may expect some hard | ! fighting yet in that quarter. Very respectfully, your | j friend and oh’t. servant, Robert M. Echols' 1 Hon. Hopkins Holsey, Athens, Gn. The United States and llraz.il. There is enough in the subjoined extract j from the Washington Correspondence of the i Journal of Commerce to excite alarm in the.j public mind, prepared as it is, by what has j . passed, for almost any quarrel in which the ; Executive may think fit, in the execution of its j newborn notion of “continental policy,” to in- i volve the country. Let us hope and trust that, \ for once, the correspondent of the Journal has I been misinformed, and that things have not gone | quite so far as he supposes towards involving ns in another war.— National letelligencer. Correspondence of the Journal of Commerce. • Washington, June 9, 1847. 'Che (iorernment appears tube on the ere of some ' difficult// iriik Brazil. Governments acting upon rash counsels can easily involve nations in war. 1 have seen and heard enough to convince me that the present Administration is assuming a tone of insolence I and menace towards the Government of Brazil that I will o course lead to a rupture —to the prevention of commercial intercourse, and, in due course of time, \ to trar. The principles set brth in Gen. Scott’s proclama- j tion apply strongly to Brazil; but the leading official j j paper advocated, at the time, principles going far be- j 1 yoiul llta ViAtu-*a luanifeolo, v.« vV\« <XuVy V 1 which we owe to our own principles, and to the sol emn obligations assumed by this Government in 1823, to extend and establish our own form of government over the Continent of America. The Brazilian Minister, it is said, will be recalled I by his Government, in consequence of his having explanations, instead of asking apologies, in re ference to the difficulties between the two Govern ments. I ’’ Crum the N. (J. Picayune, ILA mat. Santa Ft. A volunteer writing to the St. Louis Reveille from Santa Fe, gives the same deplorable pic ture of affairs there as is drawn by the writer ofthe letter published in the St. Louis Repub lican, from which we yesterday copied extracts. The correspondent ofthe Reveille, describing i|>o mtiilu of the dissipation and insubordina tion of the volunteers says, there were 1101 muic than *250 men tit for duty in Santa Ee. The remainder of the regiment was in hospital or had died. “In Taos,” lie adds, - Lieut. Col. Willock’s battalion is stationed, in other parts of the country are small grazing camps, herd ing the miserable and skeleton remains of our horses. No part of the army, thus scattered, if we except a small portion ofit in Santa Fe, has any energy and spirit, though if need were, all won hi fight as well as they knew how.— Still the vitality of our troops seems to bo gone entirely.” Col. Price, it is said, has several despatches addressed to Col. Doniphan by our Govern ment, which ho did not forward to Chihuahua. I as he would not take the responsibility of in curring the expense of sending a mail, and it is furthermore stated that he has made no com munication whatever to Col. Doniphan since : his departure from Santa Fe.thrts leaving Col. D. entirely ignorant of events in Santa Fe. and to rely upon Mexican reports for information. Nurabersofvolunteerofficers.il is represen- 1 ted, have resigned or abandoned their men. and a captain who resigned is keeping a grogshop in Santa Fe. Gambling houses and grog-shops are open under the immediate eye of the com mander, and are kept by officers and privates, without any attempt being made to remove such prolific sources of demoralization. The Mexicans, as we stated by the writer of the letter in the Republican, are great suffer ers by such a state of affairs, and are highly incensed, and the correspondentot the Reveille adds : “This feeling of discontent will gain strength i emong the poorer classes in the course of a few months, as their supplies of provisions will he i less than formerly, through the summer, owing : to the increased consumption since we have I Wn in the country. We have, it is true, paid them (or all wo taken, except the grass which our stock have eaten ; but the merchants j already have the money ; and though calico, muslin, trumpery, rings, beads, &c., are in more profuse abundance than ever before, yet the consequence will be empty stomachs and aching hearts. I have no doubt, whatever, that it they were able, they would cut our throats with a hearty good will. But they lack organization and competent leaders, anil are deficient not only in artillery, but small arms also. It will, therefore, be in our pow er, as thingsnow stand, to keep them down. From Tampico.—The schooner Morris, j Capt. Thompson, arrived yesterday from Tatn- I pico, having sailed tnence on the 3d iust. She j brought no mail. We learn from Capt Thomp son that the brig Hamlet went ashore in the breakers on Tampico baron the 30th ult. It i was supposed she would be got off bv lighter-! : ing her. The steamship Fanny sailed from Tampico \ ) for Vera Cruz on the Ist inst. Thos. Gibbons, of Baltimore, was mortally i stabbed at Tampico the evening of the Ist inst. i by George Norris, of Company E, Baltimore Battalion. Norris was immediately arrested and placed in prison. As this affray has been represented to us, Norris, who is much the smaller man ofthe two, was not the aggressor. Gibbons was employed in the (Quartermaster’s Department. The report we have of the health of Tampico j is very unfavorable. Many cases ofyeliovv fe | ver had occurred, and they were on the in crease. It is said, though we hope this is an exaggeration, that on the morning of the ‘2d inst. ! only one sergeant and two men out of Com- I pany E, Louisiana Volunteers, reported them- I selves for duty, the rest being sick. The Morris brought over forty men of Com pany A, Baltimore Battalion, under Capt. James E. Stewart. We have conversed with Capt. Piper, who arrived hist evening from Tampico. He thinks the representation made above of the sickness in Tampico too highly colored. The report as to the Louisiana company, especially, he 1 thinks exaggerated, and that there is very little j yellow sever as yet in Tampico— Picayune, < i j 1 \th inst. j ( From the N. O. Picayune IDA inst. Important from Mexico. --Santa Aant'i Letter of Resignation. Theschoonei Zenohia, Capt, Brown, arrived yesterday from Vera Cruz, whence she sailed on the 3d inst. The steamer Telegraph wast o sail from Vera Cruz in two or three days. By this arrival a copy of the American Eagl e of the 2d inst. was received in town, and through the kindness of a friend we have obtained the use ofit. It contains Santa Anna’s letter of resignation, which we give below as translated by the editors of that paper. Congress had not acted upon it at last accounts. The Eagle says that this resignation was f o j. lowed np by that of Gen. Bravo, as Vice-Pre*j. dent. There is probably some confusion in this. As we understand it. the Vice-Presidency was abolished to get rid of Gomez Farias, and has not been re-established. Gen. Bravo was recently in command at Puebla, and yet more recently was at the head of what is called the “Army of the Centre.” He may have resigned this post. The Eagle says that the election for Presi dent will take place on the 15th inst. Bv this we presume is meant that the votes will then be officially counted and the result declared. ’ have no further returns by this arrival, but the Eagle thinks Gen. Herrera will be the Presi dent. Gen. Scott reached Puebla on the 28th ult the day before Gen. Twiggs arrived there’ Everything was quiet in the city, our soldiers and the inhabitants being apparently on the best terms. ! A small reconnoitring party of our trooos had been metsome twenty miles beyond Puebla ! They had encountered no enemy so far The ■ Mexicans are erecting works a short distance th,s Slde of the capital, but the Eagle treats j them as unimportant and not likely to be com pleted. The Eagle gives it as a report that Gen. Al monte is a prisoner, on an accusation of hold ! iug correspondence with Gen. Scott. Beni. Thomas, se-geant-major ofthe Istln j fantry, died on Sunday, the 30th ult., in Vera I ™ z ‘ aild was buried on Monday morning with military honors. The sergeant was a valuable j officer, says the Eagle, and his demise was re ! gretted by all who knew him. It has been ascertained that only one man was kil’ed with Col. Sowers. The imprudence 1 ofthe colonel in venturing ahead of his party cost these two lives. A naval expedition against Tabasco, under thej commodore in person, was talked of at Vera Cruz as about to start at once. . The fol lowing vessels were mentioned as likely to compose it: The frigate Raritan, sloop of war John Adams, ship Germantown. theyEtna(now at Frontera.) the Spitfire (d 0.,) the Scorpion, and the gun-boats Bonita and Mahonese.— Should the sloop of war Albany arrive in time she will probably join in the expedition. W e will not detain the reader longer from the letter of Santa Anna: Mexico, May 29, 1847. Your /Excellency —Since my return to the Repub lic, V \\ave Wad V>\iv one grand and sacred object in view, which ha» solely occupied ray mind —for which object the Nation recalled me ; it was the defence, the integrity, the indcoendence of my country. My ef forts were unlimited, and 1 worked incessantly for this object. On my arrival I found nothing—neither ar my nor resources. I succeeded in my exertions, final ly, and procured both. 1 gave the nation to understand that I was taking charge of its government, in a manifesto published on the 22d inst., in which 1 related the successes which have attended our arms up to my arrival in this capi tal, and also the motives which moved my return, and the benefits that might result from it. I arrived at the head of only part of an army, in the greatest destitu tion and disgrace, in order to reinforce this garrison, and entered with the full power to obtain every thing that was necessary for its defence. So successful have 1 been that 1 can now* with pride say, that the city of Mexico is prov ided with means of defence to resist. all the efforts to subdue it which the enemy can now command. • have always refused supreme power, except w | cases of emergency, whereby the interests of the na tion might be endangered. At present cmamstances require from me a sacrifice of all I possess, which sa crifice is even attended with danger and a gloomy I prospect, besides disgrace attached to it; this is no less than the consecration of myself, by marching for- I ward and setting at defiance the calumny and perfidy j of my enemies, and with deeds of valor revenging myself against them for their venomous imputations. This I am ready and willing to perform, if in any way the result thereof can benefit my beloved coun try. lam fearful, however, that such will not be the result; and I have come to the conclusion, that by 1 holding the seat of the chief-magistracy I will be j fomenting impediments against the attainment of mj most ardent wishes. _ . . The enemies of my country have emissaries in every part of the Republic, whose artifices mislead and cre ate distrust and calumny to such an extent that ins impossible to convince the Mexicans other than that am an insuperable barrier to my country’s welfare and I particularly that ray love of power will ever be t curse to its tranquility. , It is easv to perceive the reason why they spreac j such reports to my detriment—men who are afraid t ! defend the country wish for peace, and are teartul they will not enjoy it as long as I am at the head * | the Government. They are well aware thatmy** i termination has been to put down the ditleren pa ■ which have endeavored to destroy one another, 1 which, even now, have entirely forgotten the comma: 1 danger, in order to be benefited by such dmm hoping that a change may place them in po wer . ‘ free them from their responsibility to the nation, foreign enemy’s policy is to foment such a IVI - order to obtain it, they have selected me a.- most probable person by the ruin of whom it may - obtained. lam consequently a target for the >a - parties. Therefore ray position is full of but Ido not fear it. The difficulty lies W pre ■ me from doing what I could to save the (y The intrigues of a revolution are well known. _ that account the enemy are now advancing ww Puebla and Mexico, as they have been give derstand that a revolution would take P® u 1 capital. With one act alone I can stop such at tion, which I consider is the most important ser* can render the Republic —that act is my P nation as President pro tem of the BepuD • which my nation has honored me. lam > l! .f j suaded that this resignation will save the country respectfully request the Sovereign Congress immediately ray resignation, and to declare in order to appoint a person well qualified '° 1 , fl f ( the above responsible office. I have discn“r j duty towards ray country as far as in my Py • ■ have dedicated my life to it—my fortune an my family, ns well as my own reputation—®) has been s t «..r .md my limbs lost in its defer.' now with pnde I forever resign my pubm 1 without fear of disgrace, and conscious that vices have been faithful and patriotic. I nan ' ‘,| ie j; the world where lot may place me, I can raise with pride, and with satisfaction carry a has never been stained with shame —- ,ut ) ® B . trary, they will see me a faithful and patriotic can, who in all his actions has striven tor > being instrumental in elevating his nation 1,1 P ty and honor. . Your Excellency will report the same to reign Congress, in order that it may accept o signation, for which 1 will remain yours req» with the highest gratification. God and Liberty! T _. ANTONIO LOPEZ BE SANTA A^ e . To their Excellencies the Secretaries of t p * Congress. The Honored Dead. —The living h** a reception such .as befits the brave | t |, r(> iigii carried the national banner in tri,,m P . e on-' a conquered country ; let us now p repect for those who fell beneath its ‘ |j e jj bodies of McKee and Clay and V the public arsenal. No joy ou> g reL e their return to the bosoms ol their No sound of rejoicing, nor clanl ■ TC e * come, nor boisterous gratitude can P cold ear of death. But it •• P» for whom they perished in » ,or f ct j n g tl,e! homage to their virtue.- v r■ I O l ‘ r: I ashes° The conim.rtee «fthe Gener | cil, we understand, will meet w-day 1 der of the proper mode ofthe fj I VVehave been importuned to sugg ■ nrietv of having a civic rather tnai ■ I I
