Newspaper Page Text
disposition made of the wounded on Santa An
na's retreat from Buena Vista, ll has been cie
nieJ that the Mexican loss in that battle has,
been as great as at first represented—here is j
conclusive evidence that their loss in killed and
wounded was underrated in the statements first
published, and that 5001) would not more tiffin
cover it. After mentioning that hundreds had
died on the road, and were left unburied, the j
writer proceeds:
“ In the hospital at Agua Nueva, were left 59 j
wounded, two doctors, one medicine chest and
provisions for one month; in Incarnation 214 j
wounded, two doctors and two months’ piovi-;
tiffins; in Salado 42 wounded, one month’s pro
visions and necessary medicines, with three doc
tors ; in Ccdral, a hospital supported by the j
neighborhood and the authorities, 38 wounded, j
attended L>y a surgeon of the place ; in Mutchua- j
la 318 wounded, three medicine chests, one’
tierce of blankets, one hundred and fifty sheets
and tour doctors.”
The other letter is from the surgeon of the ,
regular hospital in ißati Luis. It was with the |
division of the army that retreated to this place
that the majority o! the wounded were carried.
He says:
“ It will soon receive 847 wounded, which,
added to the 587 here already, will make the
extraordinary number of 14w4. For all these I
have neither blankets, sheets, nor any of the ne
cessaries they require. The donations of cloth
ing that have been made to the hospital are not
sufficient for even two hundred of this number—
provisions arc also greatly deficient. In fact,
misfortunes encompass us on all sides, and the
measure of our suffering is foil.”
Mention is made in one of the papers of the
departure, from Zacatecas, to join Santa Anna
in defence of the raad to the capital, of a brigade
commanded by Don Santiago Humphreys. We
recognize in this most potent Don, no less a per
sonage than a cowardly villain, once a citizen of
Texas, who there styled himself Dr. James
Humphreys, and who murdered, in cold blood,
several years ago, in the city of Houston, a wor
thy man named Powell. After the commission
of this act he fled to Mexico. At the time the
Texans surrendered themselves prisoners at
Mier, Humphreys was the attending surgeon of
Ampudia, and no doubt his counsellor in deceiv
ing the Texans, and breaking the solemn pledge
by which they were induced to give up their
arms.
Tiie March to Mexico— Pcrote , Puebla,
Cohuila. —Speaking of the march to Mexico, the
Pennsylvanian says :
The population of Pcrote is over 10,000. It
is distant from Jalapa about 50 miles, and is
nearly midway between the capital and Vera
Cruz. There is no place of any importance after
passing Pcrote until you come to Puebla, a city
of 50,000 inhabitants, with a thriving population,
principally engaged in manufactures of lead,
cotton goods, glass, earthenware and soap ; with
numerous splendid churches; fine Spanish hous
es, with lofty ceilings, and ornamented walls,
broad, clean streets, and a cathedral, the interior
of which is a perfect blaze of gold and precious
stones. Mr. Thompson in his work, calls Pue
bla “ the Lowell of Mexico.” It is a walled city,
and is distant from the capital about 78 miles, j
I he only town of any note between Puebla and j
the city of Mexico, is Cohui’a, the ancient capi-1
ta! of a great independent Republic, which con-1
tamed during the time ot l>rt,*ac.curdii\^l
to his own account, 10,000 houses. It has de- ;
dined into a town of 6000 inhabitants. The
noted pyramid here is a work of art which, next
to the pyramids of Egypt, approaches nearest to
those of nature in magnitude and vastness. Its
base covers upwards of 48 acres of ground, or
about four and a halftimes more than the largest
Egyptian pyramids. Cohuila is 70 miles from
Mexico. The capital is a walled city, but is not
supposed to be susceptible of a stubborn defence.
It is a very wealthy city, and contains a popula
tion of 140,000, abounding in fine buildings,
costly churches, public squares, and broad and
regular streets.
05” The Buffalo Advertiser states that Lieut.
Woodruff’, ol the Topographical Engineers, who
has been for several years engaged in the sur- ■
vey of the Lakes, has been called to Washing- j
ton, for distant orders. It is surmised that he
will be directed to make an examination of the j
Isthmus of Tehuantepec, with reference to the
now much talked of ship canal to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
From the Jalapa American Star of the 2d inst.
FROM MEXICO.
By the arrival of the English courier, direct j
from Mexico, vve learn that the government has
authorised the raising of guerrilla parties !
throughout the country, and that they are in
structed to harrass the Americans as much as
possible. There are no troops at Puebla, and
the only Indication of defence at that was the
throwing up of a work across the road neat; the
city, and on this side.
So, then, vve are to have no more war, no
more honorable, fighting, and the only chance
of chastising the enemy will he to follow him to
the mountains, and drive him from the nooks
and corners in which ho conceals himself.—
What will be the result of this ? Is it possible
that Mexico can for a moment imagine that vve
will suffer the annoyance such a course will
give us 1 Never — never! And the people of
the country should ponder well on the conse.
quences to than, before giving countenance or
assistance to the measure.
Rancheros axd Guerrillas. —Within the
Last few days vve have been advised of several
outrages committed by these parties upon our
men, and yesterday evening a body of them ap
proached near to the encampment on the Perote
road and killed an Illinois volunteer. These
men vve regard in the same light that our na
tion views privateers—entitled to none of the
privileges of war, and only lit subjects for the
halter.
Santa Anna. —ls Mexico pursues her usual
course towards unfortunate generals, vve sup
pose, ere this, Santa Anna has been thrown
■overboard for some more skillful pilot. But un
fortunately for Mexico, her ship of state lias
storms and billows to contend against of no or
dinary kind, and vve are really inclined to the
opinion that all who attempt to steer her clear
of the shoals of adversity, will be forced, like
him, to let the helm go and seek their own safe,
ty.
Santa Anna, vvv believe is still n--ar Orizaba,
fearing to go to the capital, lest t. e indignation
of the people should overwhelm him. He has
sense enough, and knowledge enough of Mexi
can character, to be well aware that it is unsafe
for him to confront that people lie lias so much
deceived. But in the meantime something must
be done—and though desperate the stake, the
game must be played. lie is endeavoring, vve
lenrn, to concentrate a fore to prey upon our|
rear, and has succeeded in gathering together a |
handful of worthless adventurers, who, prompt- ‘
ed by liia promises of plunder, have been in- ;
duced to enlist themselves under his banner.—
His force exceeds, we are told, 2500 men, and
will, in probability, shortly swell to 4000.
This last struggle with destiny will avail him
nothing. He can accomplish nought but plun
der, and probably the murder of a few unoffend
ing travellers, and if he be satisfied with such
renown, it is only characteristic of the name he
has borne for years among our people.
The man who tears to encounter the authori
ties—if there be any—of his country, cun pos
, sess no great terror tor us.
From the Jalapa American Star, May 6.
Gen. Quitman's appointment vve learned yes
terday, gives very general satisfaction to tliear
j my. We heard many officers and soldiers, our-
I selves, speak in warm terms of the general’s
I promotion.
j The Road Open. —Yesterday evening a
train of twenty-five or thirty wagTlns came up
Irom Vera Cruz, escorted by not more than ten
| men. One who accompanied it up says that
j there was no sign of an enemy along the road,
J nor did they think of any until they met the
: train bouiuKilOwa, under a heavy escort. The
j mail came up with this train, but vve were so
unfortunate as not to receive any papers.
l'itoii Mexico, dec. — We tire informed by
Lieut. Nichols, who arrived from Perote yester
day afternoon, that the present number ol troops
in lhe city oi Mexico, docs not exceed two
thousand. At Puebla every preparation is ap
parently making for the comfort and convenience
of our army when it shall see lit to occupy that
place. No armed force, save small bands of
guerrillas, is to lie seen on the whole route,
Lieut. Scmmes, IJ. S. N., has arrived in this
city. We understand that the Lieut, is on his
way to the city of Mexico, to demand the release
of Midshipman Rogers. If so, vve trust that his
I journey will lie expeditious, and that on his re
j turn, the gallant officer, who for months has been
I in the loathsome dungeons of the country, may
) be with him.
The Twelve Months Volunteers.— Four 1
regiments of the above troops will leave here
to-day for Vera Cruz, and although vve could j
wish that tho hoys would stay, and sec the af- j
fair through, vve cannot blame them for wishing ,
to see those dear friends at home, who for twelve j
long months, have been estranged from them. !
Many of those who now leave us, have been
prominent actors in every liglil since May j
last, and they will take from here the thanks
ol the army for the services they have rendered. !
In discharging these men at the time Ins does, j
Gen. Bcott has been actuated by feelings the !
most commendable. lie has been advised that j
Vera Cruz is now quite healthy, and knowing j
that in a very few weeks the vornito will set in, j
he dispenses with the valuable services of those !
men, tor the remainder of their term, rather than j
expose them to the epidemic. He would be j
glad, vve know, that they would re-enter the ser- i
vice, but is not at all displeased nt the alterna- j
tive they have adopted. In a few weeks they j
would have the right, of returning by law, and |
they i'y\>iur* their gratitude to the commanding
General, who has had the kind consideration to j
send them at a time when they will have no j
fever to contend with.
Three Tennessee, two Illinois, otic Georgia,
one Alabama regiment, and Captain Williams’
Kentucky company, arc the ones disbanded.
From the Vera Cruz Eagle — May 12.
Com. Perry, commanding an expedition in
person, sailed on Monday last, from this place,
but for what parts lias not transpired. YVe sus
pect, however, that he is bound for Ilunsacual
cos, i'rontera, Laguna, Sisal and Campeachy.
The weather at this place has been very
warm for some days past, the thermometer aver
aging 93 at one oclock in the afternoon. The
city being built and paved with such a large
proportion of lime, reflects the rays of the sun
in a most intolerable degree.
We h ave heard ol several cases of romito, or
what is represented to be that fatal disease, and
it behooves all who regard the preservation of
their health to be on their guard, in exposing
themselves to the heat of the sun, or indulging
too I rooty in any excess.
We understand that Capt. Wheat, late a lieu
tenant in Capt. Sneed’s company of Tennessee
cavalry, is making rapid progress in raising a
company ot light horse troops, for the purpose of
returning to the field, lie lias already 45 re
cruits, nearly twice that number of horses, and
contemplates soon to be ready for service.
An attempt was made the other day, by one
of l ho hands on board tho schooner Louisa, ly
ing oft’ this port, to murder tho captain. The
man was secured alter inflicting a serious injury
upon the captain, and lodged in jail. The affair
will be submitted to the Commander-in-chief for
his consideration and punishment.
Maj. Gen. Patterson and the Tennessee cav
alry and the Ist and 2d regiments infantry, the
3d and 4th Illinois, the Geotgia and Alabama,
and one company Kentucky volunteers, have ar
rived from Jalappa. A great number of the
troops embarked on the loth and 11th, and all
will soon set their foot again upon their own
native land. Gen. Patterson accompanies them
to the United States, but will return, to share in
the perils and glories yet to be encountered
This gallant General deserves more gratitude,
perhaps, than any other commander who lias
been in the service during the present war. He
has been a cripple for several months, most of
which time, his only means of getting about,
was by the aid of crutches During the fiercest
bombardment of this city, he was busy hobbling
about from one point to another, closely observ.
ing, giving directions where it was necessary,
and performing all the duties appertaining lo
his office, with as much despatch as if attending
to tho commonest affairs of life.
General Orders, US.
Headquarters of the Army, j
Jalapa, April 30, 1847. \
1. The division of the army, in this neighborhood,
will b<> held in readiness to advance soon alter the ar
riia! ot trains now coming from Vera Cruz.
2- J’lie route and time lor commencing ibe march, ■
will lie given at general Headquarters. *
’ 3. Maj. lVn. Patterson, alter designating a rogi-1
ment ot volunteers as part of the garrison to hold this
place, will pat his brigades successively in inarch, i
with an interval of 24 hours between them.
Brig. Gen. Tu iggs’ division will follow the move
ment. also by brigades.
•>. Each brigade, whether of regulars or volunteers,
will be charged with escorting such part of the gene
ral supply train of the army, as the chiefs of the gen
eral staff may have reartv U> send forward.
\M (!!J S©(D ©ll ©I M (0 © © TT □
C. Every man of the division will take two days’
subsistence in his haversack. This will be the gen
eral rule for all marches when a greater number of
rations is not specially mentioned.
7. As the season is near when the army may no
longer expect to derive supplies from Vera Cruz, it
must begin to look, exclusively, to the resources of,
the country.
8. Those resources, far from being over-abundant, i
near the line of operations, would soon fail to support
both the army and the population, unless they be gatli- 1
ered in without waste and regularly issued by quar
ter-masters and commissaries.
9. Hence they must be paid for, or the people w ill j
withhold, conceal or destroy them. The people, more- |
over, must bo conciliated, soothed, or well treated by ‘
every officer and man ol the army, and by its followers.
Id. Accordingly, whoever maltreats unoffending
Mexicans ; takes, without pay. or wantonly destroys 1
their property, of any kind whatsoever, will prolong
the war, waste the mean- , present and future, of sub
sist ine- our own men and animals as they successively i
advance into the interior, or return to our water de- :
pot ; and no matter what the season of the year, no ,
army can possibly drag after it to any considerable I
distance, the heavy articles of bread-stuffs, meat and
1 forage.
11. Those, therefore, who rob, plunder or destroy
the houses, fences, cattle, poultry, grain, fields, gar
dens, or properly of any kind, along the line of our
operations, are plainly thcenetnies of this army. The
General-in-chief would infinitely prefer that the few
1 who commit such outrages, should desert at once, and
light against us. Then it would be easy to shoot
I them down, or to capture and hang them.
12. Will the great body of intelligent, gallant and
honorable men who compose this army, tolerate the
few miscreants who perpetrate such crimes? Again
the General-in-chief confidently hopes not. Let then
the guilty be promptly seized and brought, to condign
punishment, or the good must suffer the consequences I
in supplies ami loss of character, for crimes not their
own.
13. To prevent straggling and marauding, the roll
I of every company of the army will he called at every
halt, by or under the eye of an officer. In camps and
i in quarters there must heat least three such roll-calls ‘
daily. Besides, on marches, stragglers will certainly !
he murdered or captured by rancheros.
I I. Tlie waste of ammunition by neglect and idle :
or criminal firing, is a most serious evil in this army.
All officers arc specially charged to seethat not a car
tridge be lost from the want ol care, or tired except by
; order; or otherwise fifty wagons of ammunition would
Ipiot suffice lor the campaign, and it is difficult to find
j ten. Let every man remember that it is unsafe to
1 meet the enemy without forty rounds in his cartridge
: box.
j 15. Every regiment that leaves wounded or sick
i men in hospital, will take care to leave a number of
1 attendants, according to the requisition of the princi
! pal surgeon of the hospital. The men least able to
: march will he selected as attendants. This rule is
! general.
By command of Major-General Scott:
H. L. SCOTT, a. a. a. g.
From the Maiaiuorus Flug, of the 15th inst.
Reported Duel. —lt has been rumored
here for several days that a duel had lakeit
place it) Monterey, beetweeu Capt. Montgom
ery, Quartermaster at that post, and Capt. !
Titos. F. Marshall, of Kentucky Cavalry, in j
which the former was killed. Wo are happy j
to contradict this rumor, which we do on the j
authority of a gentleman just arrived from Ca- I
tnargo. He states that there had been a seri- !
ous disagreement between these two gentle- j
men, and that a challenge had passed, but that j
a reconciliation had been brought about before j
an exchange of shots.
San Luis.— lt is stated in the Monterey Pi- j
oncer, upon the authority of a gentleman from i
San Luis Potosi, that but a few hundred effec-
I tive troops were in that city, and that the hospi
-1 tals were filled with the sick and wounded, xvho
: were dying for xvant of attention. A report j
reached there that Gen. Taylor was within
1 three day’s march ol” the city, which caused i
i hundreds of inhabitants to r union with their ,
! property.
I Robber captured.— Ramano Paz, a noto
j riotts Mexican robber and murderer, was cap- S
’ lured in the vicinity of Old Reynosa by Cap
tain Reid, of the steamboat Corvette, and j
i brought down to this city on Wednesday last,
■ where he is now imprisoned. It appears that \
he holds the rank of captain under Canales, an I
! visited the settlements near Reynosa for the |
j purpose of inducing or forcing the rancheros to ;
join his standard. The people were not dispo- j
j sed to join him, and sought an opportunity to I
! place him in the hands of the Americans.— |
This was effected by imforming Capt Reid of
j bis whereabouts and designs who collected a
force from the boat and made him prisoner at ;
j a rancho, where he had been quartered for sev
j oral days.
Gen. Urrea. —Gen. Urrca has issued a
proclamation to the citizens of Cadareyta, j
! very similar in tone to that of Santa Anna.—
lie calls upon the town for a contribution I
1 towards supporting the war ; and also orders j
under arms all able bodied males between the I
j ages of 16 and 45. Immediately after having I
issued this proclamation, lie set ofl'for tho city j
i of Mexico.
Advance of Gen. Taylor. —The Monte
rey Pioneer thinks that an advance upon San
Luis is designed by Gen. Taylor, as unusual j
activity prevails in all the departments, and
four trains, loaded with subsistence stores, have
: recently arrived at that place.
Died.—Lieut. Waters, of the Alexandria
company, Virginia Regiment, died, a short time
since, at the town ol China.
Escaped. —A young man named John Doss j
(an Amci ican, we believe) was confined in
prison on Tuesday charged with selling arms !
and ammunition to the Mexicans. Through
the insecurity of the prison or the carelessness j
of the sentry, lie effected his escape during |
Thursday night last.
Maryland Volunteers. —The Baltimore
Patriot learns, upon reliable authority, that tho
offer made by Gen. John Spear Smith to the!
War department, of the service of a brigade of
Volunteers from Maryland, to serve during the j
war, has been accepted. It is understood that
the two regiments which are to compose this J
brigade will be commanded, one by Gen. Tench !
; Tilghmun, ot Talbot county, and the other by j
j Major James O. Law, of Baltimore. Tne brig- j
: ade is to be commanded by Gen. Smith. Un-!
| der such commanders the military character of j
Maryland will be sure to be well sustained.
Gen. Taylor.— ln a letter to a friend in Baton
Rouge, the old Hero thus speaks of his nomination i
for the Presidency :
“ l must however, be allowed to sav, that 1 have not the !
vanity to consider myaelfqualified lor so high and responsi
ble a station, and whilst wo have far more eminent and de-j
serving names before the country, I should pn fei to stand
aside, if one of them could he raised to the first otlice in tho
gilt of a free people.
“I go for tho country, the whole country—and it is my J
ardent and sincere wish to see the individual placed at the
head of the nation, who, by a ttrirt observance of the Con-1
slimtion, can make us must pro-porous at home, as .well
• most respected abroad.** * I
FROM MATAMORAS.
The schr. Highlander, at New Orleans,
brings advices from the Brazos to the 14th.
Nothiug later was heard from Gen. Taylor’s
column.
Mr. Cushing was improving. It was his
right leg, and not his left that was broken.
It is reported that there was a movement on
. loot among influential Mexicans at Victoria to
proclaim the department ofTamaulipas inde
pendent. They had applied to the commander
at Matamoras (or men and money. It is
1 thought by the Flag that no aid will be given to
them.
There had been a riot between the officers
and privates of the Massachusetts regiment.—
It arose from some insubordination caused bv
! drunkenness. Order was finally restored.
From the N. V. Commercial Advertiser, 17th inst.
1 S days later from Europe.
The royal mail steam packet Brittannia,
Captain Hewitt, arrived at Boston last night
about midnight. .Site left Liverpool on the 4th
inst., and has accordingly made the passage in
twelve and a half days. By the magnetic tele
graph we have received the following summary
of the news—
Jlutton Market. —The price of cotton on
the-sailing of the steam ship Caledonia bad a
i downward tendency; since her departure prices
hare declined. The market had become flat,
the sales less, and speculators not operating.—
I .Several causes have produced this reaction. —
The prominent one, the restrictive measures of
the Bank, on discount bills, bearing the en
’ dortsemciit of some of the first houses of Eng
land who are said to have been engaged in
spqculatinn and shipping gold to the United
‘States; this movement has bad a must telling
; effect upon the manufacturing section of this
country, and the cotton market suffers under the
j pressure.
! Ibices of American from the 16th to the 23d
ult. declined $ pence to £ pence. Brazil,
Egyptian and Surat pence to pence and at
the close ofthe following week ending the 20th
a further reduction followed of J pence to j
on American and all other descriptions. On
the following day better accounts were recei
ved from London as to the state ofthe money
market, which gave an improved tone to the
cotton market at Liverpool, and the sales ol
that day amounted to about 7000 bales oi Ame
rican at an advance of | pence, one half of
which however, was on speculation.
Flour Market. —There has been some
fluctuation in the price of grain and flour during
the month, but prices have now settled down at
40s- for Western Canal flour, American red
wheat 10s. 2d. to 11s. 9d. and white at 12s. to
pjs. 3d. per bushel. Indian Corn 51s. to 523.;
red 525. to 535. During the last day or two
wheat has advanced 2d. per 70 pounds; Wes
tern flour Is. per barrel, Philadelphia and Bal
timore flour, 2d. In the Liverpool market the
demand for Indian meal is limited, and prices
have declined 2s. for 180 pounds on yellow, 2s.
on white. Yesterday, May 3, foreign wheat
obtained an advance of full 4s. per quarter.—
The flour trade was very active, and a rise of
2s. per barrel was established, while Indian
Ctfrn was sold at stis. to 58s. tor yellow, and
58s. to 60s. for white.
The relief which the Americans have sent
|to the starving Irish has been the universal
theme of eulogy iu Ireland, and of warm and
! generous sympathy in England,
j Money Market. —During the last night the
funds have continued uninterruptedly a down.
1 ward course ; the bullion in the bank still dis
appeared rapidly, the directors have been more
stringent than ever ; in fact, though they have
not publicly made any alterations iu their terms
of discount, they havo done what has acted
upon mercantile business with more sever
-1 ity; they have virtually declined to discount at
‘all, while the discount houses are charging 6A
|to 7 per cent for short dated bills of first rate
quality, 7,j per cent for bills running till July.
: The effect upon business has been almost to
put a stop to transactions of magnitude.
During tho last few days, however, the
Bank has discounted rather more freely and
consols have rallied a little. The improved
feelings lias been strengthened by the an
nouncement that the Russian Government has
resolved to invest upward of two millions ster
ling of its gold in the English funds. Still the
severity ofthe pressure is only partially reliev
ed, and it is evident that for some time to
come we can only expect a very stringent mo
ney market and a higher rate of interest.
To-day the effect of the investment of Rus
sian gold has been counteracted by advices
from the continent raising the price of corn
i prodigiously, and the entire stagnation of trade
in the manufacturing districts lias also hail its
effect; consols declined one per cent, in the
course of tho day, and tho marked closed
heavily.
The European Times says—“ Since we alltt
uded to the position of the Bank of England,
matters have become worse in the whole com
mercial world. From Cornwall to Caithness 1
and Gaps Clear to the Giant’s Causeway, are
, all up in arms in respect to our absurd mone
tary policy ; great is the triumph ofthe currency
doctors and great is their exultation at the cm
biaiassment of which is bringing many to ruin
and has already caused proud hearts to bow in
humble prostration.
The foreign events ofthe fortnight are not of
striking interest. In Portugal the Junta still
keep the Queen’s forces at bay. The insur
gents are now too powerful and wealthy to be
extinguished by force, and means are in pro
gress to buy off their hostility.
The Queen of Spain and her husband show
symptoms of enduring each other. They have
appeared together in public, and the reconcilia
tion is said to have given rise to great rejoi
cings.
1 The Government education schemes had
passed to a third reading in the House of Com
mons after a three night debate, almost without
j opposition.
A few days ago not fewer than 2000 emi
: grants sailed from Hamburg for New-York.—
In some parts of the country emigration is car
| ried on to almost an alarming extent, whole
! villages go away in mass, and become entirely
depopulated.
The last accounts from Ireland represent the
mortal career of the Lord Lieutenant as rapid,
drawing to a close, the Dublin Evening Post
holds out no hope of his recovery.
The Cork Examiner contains the following
shocking statement: “We this day witnessed a
most horrifying and appalling spectacle at the
Shandon guard.house, at the foot of Mallow
Lane. Under the sheds attached to that build
ing, lay some thirty-eight human beings—old
and young men, women, children, and infants of i
the tendercst age—all huddled together like so j
many pigs or dogs, on the ground, without any :
other covering but the rags on their persons, \
and these to the last stage of filth and hideous- :
ness. There they lay —some dying—some dead j
all gaunt and yellow, and hideous with famine j
and disease. We have seen many'sights efj
horror within the last month but never any
thing equal to this congregated mass of human
debasement.
France.— The news of Gen. Taylor’s victo- 1
lies was received with much satisfaction.
Great distress continues to exist. Bread is j
excessively dear, and it is* feared that during;
ihe months o.‘ May and June, provisions of all
kinds will be dearer than they have hitherto
been.
Mr. Bancroft, tine American Minister in En
gland, has been on a visit to Paris. Ori Sun-;
day the 14th, lie was received by King Louis |
Piiillippe.
Mr. lngersol, the United States Minister to
Russia, accompanied by Mr. Colin and Mr. In
gersoll, attache's of his embassy, were also re-,
eeived by the King at the same time.
Italy.—A diabolical plot to murder the 1
Pope has been discovered. It was first found
out by the French Ambassador, who revealed
the names ofthe conspirators to the Pope.
Their intention was to assassinate him while j
! giving audience to one of them who was ap
pointed to kill him. A Capuchin priest pro
sented himself for an audience. llis Holiness
requested his name, but before he was admitted
the Pope looked over the list of conspirators,
and found the name of Ihe Capuchin ; he im
mediately summoned his guards, who, on the
Capuchin’s entrance seized him, and on search
ing him found he had a brace of loaded pistols
and a poisoned dagger about his person. The
Capuchin was conveyed to prison, and many
arrests took place.
An Interesting I.etter from the West.
CORRESPONDENCE OF TIIF. MUSCOGEE DEMOCRAT.
Cleveland, Ohio, May 12, 147.
Mr. Editor: l perceive that you have but few
correspondents in this section of the Union.—
Thinking possibly that your readers might be in
terested in the description of a trip to the Upper
Lakes and in a sketch ofthe customs, manners,
&c. ofthe people ofthe West—the rapid growth
ol the villages, towns and cities, skirting this vast
chain of inland seas, I trouble you with this com
munication. Before entering upon this descrip
tion, however, I would premise that il is Gut a
few years since Lake Michigan was navigated by
vessels of any kind, to say nothing ofthe floating
palaces that are now to be seen ploughing their
way from Buffalo to Chicago, a distance of over
lOUt) miles through Lakes Erie, St. Ciair, Huron,
the straits of Michilimackinac, and Lake Michi
gan. This trip is now regularly made by the
larger class of steamboats in 8 or 10 days. Two
thousand miles to be performed in ten days, tak
ing into view the detention at the different ports
along the route, nun be considered good speed—
especially when it is known that in ihe early his
tory of steamboat navigation on these waters, the
lime usually consumed was one month. Sail ves
sels now make the trip in that time. I believe
that it was as late us 1802 or ’O3, that steam
boats commenced navigating the Upper Lakes.
Now there is a daily line to Chicago, one to De
troit and a third to Toledo on Lake Erie, exelu
sive of the great number of steamboats running
in no regular line. The waters ofall these Lakes
are whitened with sail vessels of every descrip
tion, from the sloop of 40 tons to the brig of 400.
The steamboats lunge from 400 to 1700 tons.—
Capt. Walker is now building one of the latter
tonnage. The length of her keel is 300 loot;
her breadth of beam 30 teet, and depth of hold
15 feet. These Upper Lake Boats, in the beauty
and style of linish, arc excelled by no boats in the
country. Those on the North River do not sur
pass them in any respect. They are generally
furnished with a full Band, that greatly enlivens
the dull monotony of a long voyage by their spirit
stirring strains. The ladies’ saloons are furnish
ed with a Piano, elegant rose-wood Sotiis, Otto
mans, Divans, together with even other article
of comfort or luxury of which the ingenuity of
tnan could conceive or invent.
The splendid steamboat Saratoga , commanded by
Capt. Stanard, upon which 1 took passage, was built
last spring. She is not of the very largest class of ves
sels—being some 200 feet keel—but is, in all respects
a jewel ol a boat. In neatness, comfort, and splendor
ol finish, she is unequalled on these or any other wa
ters ; she cost some $05,000. ller cabin runs the
whole length of the upper deck. She has 55 state
rooms for the first class of passengers, with three
berths each, in addition to two bridal rooms. These
bridal rooms, which are on the upper deck, are admi
rably adapted to the purpose for which they are de
signed. Each is furnished with a bedstead Sofa, &c.
with other fixings necessary to make the honey-moon
pass oft - pleasantly, should it chance to be spent on one
of these floating palaces of the West:
Cleveland, where I embarked, is a city', as you well
know, situated on tiie southern shore ot Lake Erie,
two hundred miles west of Buffalo, and 140 miles east
of Detroit. It is pleasantly located on high table land,
commanding a line view of the Lake. The streets 1
are regularly laid out at right angles, are broad and
well built up. Superior, which is the principal busi
ness street, is some 8 rods wide. The city contains
about 11,000 inhabitants, and including Ohio citv,
which is only separated from it by the Cuyahoga i iv
er, some 14,000. The public edifices are an ornament
to the place ; among these, are three spacious hotels,
which are unsurpassed by any similar establishments
in the western country. The “ American ” is four sto
ries high, and fronts on the main street 110 feet, run- 1
liing back 145 feet. It presents a fine appearance.—
The ” Weddel House ” is a magnificent building, lo
cated on the corner of Superior and Bank streets, and
is just completed. It fronts on Superior street 125
feet, and on Bank 165 feet, is four stories high and is
surmounted by three domes from which you can see i
out upon the Lake some thirty miles. One of the Bar
nums, of Baltimore, will open it in a few days. The !
furniture which lias just arrived, cost some $20,000. ;
The New England House is another spacious edifice, ;
located nearer the steamboat landing, and is just com
pleted. It is also a credit to the place. The public i
Square contains ten acres, and is beautifully’ orna
mented with shade trees, and is surrounded with fine j
private residences, generally painted white with green i
blinds, which show enchantingly through the rich toli
age in which they are embowered. This is the case I
with the private residences generally, many of which ;
exhibit great beauty, taste and elegance in the style !
of architecture. The city is principally settled by .
New Englanders, who have brought their manners
and customs with them. The streets, owing to the
nature of the soil, are always dry and pleasant.—
Among the houses of public worship, are 2 Presbyte
rian, 2 Methodist, 3 Episcopalian, 1 Baptist, 1 Univer
salist, 1 Dutch Lutheran, 1 Scotch Presbyterian, 1
Bethel, &.c. Cleveland is a commercial place, and
derives its chief importance from its extensive trade
and commerce. The value of the property shipped
annually, is estimated at $5,000,000. This arrives
by the Ohio Canal, which terminates at this point.—
The exports and imports amount to some $10,000,000.
annually. It is no unfrequent occurrence to a ce in j
port at one time, 10 Steamboats, as many Propellers,
40 sail of Vessels receiving and discharging cargoes.
The amount of wheat in store this spring, upon the
opening of navigation, was estimated at 1,000,000
bushels.
We glided smoothly over the “blue expanse of
Erie’s waters,” and in a few hours began to ascend
the beautiful river of Detroit, which connects Lake
j Erie with St. Clair. This stream is nearly if not quite
a mile wide. As we entered the mouth of the river,
| Maldin, a British garrison on the Canada side, appear
-led in sight. There are some troops stationed here to
| protect her Majesty’s dominions. A British armed
: steamer had just left the dock, and our captain caused
j the stars and stripes to be run up to the mast head as
she passed. The usual salutation when our own boats
meet another, is to ring a bell. The red coats appear
in groups in front of the garrison, as we sailed by.—
We continued our course up the river—Michigan on
one side and Canada on the other. The division line
between the two countries was strongly marked, and
might have been noticed by the most casual observer
—the improvements on the American side were much
better than those on the other; the dwellings present
ed a much finer appearance, and the farms were under
a much better state of cultivation. The old fashioned
wooden Wind Mills, in the shape of our modern light
houses, are still to be seen on the Canada side.
Detroit now appeared in the distance, with her tow
ering steeples and glittering spires. It was settled at
an early day by the French, and although it has ma
ny splendid public edifices of modern style of archi
tecture, still it exhibits many characteristics of an old
French town. The roofs of the old French houses
have a steep pitch—almost perpendicular—and show
a striking contrast to those of more modern origin,
i The streets ol Detroit, unlike those of Cleveland, after
i a rain are almost impassable. Jefferson Avenue is
the principal street for business; it is almost as wide
as the main street of Cleveland. Amongst the many
1 recent improvements, is a splendid edifice for the ac
commodation of the Catholics. Detroit contains about
10,000 inhabitants, and is gradually increasing. A
Railroad is in course of construction across the pen
insular, in the direction of Chicago, and two-thirds of
the distance is completed. The export trade of De
troit is augmenting—2so,ooo barrels of Flour were
in .-tore this spring ready for shipment upon the open
ing of navigation.
Our stay at Detroit was short—the captain being
\ anxious to get over the flats of St. Clair that after
noon before dark. This is the most difficult pass on
the whole route; the water is shoal, and vessels draw
ing over 9 leet water find it impossible to pass over
without lighting. Congress has repeatedly made ap
! propriutions for cleaning out the channel, but your
! Southern Presidents, much to our annoyance, have
i generally vetoed them. We made the trip from De
! iroit in about three hours, in time to get over the flats
i before dark; we ascended the river St. Clair, having
passed over the lake ol the same namp. Before en
tering Lake Huron, we made a stop to wood. These
Boats consume on a trip to the Upper 1-akes and hack,
from 4 to 500 cords ol wood. Being the last stopping
place for this purpose until we get into Lake Michi-
I gan, we had to take a sufficient supply to last us
liirotigh. This is a great country for Pine Lumber,
! and several steam saw mills are driving a profitable
] business. It is shipped to the lower country. As we
! proceeded up the fit. Clair river, vegetation grew
| more and more scarce. Peach trees were in bloom
] when we leit Cleveland, hut before we reached Fort
( Gratiot, which stands at the head of the river, com
manding the entrance to and from the same into Lake
11 uroli, scarcely a sprig or hud was to he seen. Fort
i Gratiot is a lovely spot. The buildings are white and
present a neat appearance. We pushed our way into
j Lake Huron, winch is some 25U miles long, and con
t tinned through its whole length, reaching the cele
j orated Island of Mackinac on the morning of the sec
ond day. It was Sunday ; the snow was falling brisk
ly—the ice in the straits which had commenced mov
ing out,and the snow drifts which lay on the ground
to the depth of two and three feet, gave all the indi
| cations ol winter. In the mid-summer this is the most
delightful spot on the continent, and is becoming cv
| ery vear more and more a place of fashionable resort.
Pile air is bracing, the water pure and limpid.and the
I scenery wild and majestic. The Fort is situated on
j a high bluff which overlooks the surrounding counlry
i for miles. All the buildings connected with the gar
! rison are white anti are kept in admirable order. The
i walks to tiie Fort are beautifully laid out and paved
| with white pebble-stones, which are common on the
Island. In the town, which lies below, there is no
| thing particularly interesting. The Indians resort
here to trade, coming, in their birch canoes, in many
i instances, a great distance. In the summer season a
steamboat runs twice a week between Mackinac and
j St. do St. Marie, or the So, as it is commonly called.
| Here copper speculators embark for various ports on
Lake Superior. This would be a delightful trip lor
some of your Southern friends to make this summer.
l lt would pay them well; the scenery', for grandeur,
1 wildness and sublimity,stands unrivalled; abundance
) of white fish and trout are caught in this region, and
| they are a luxury that would make an epicure’s mouth
! water.
We left Mackinac, after a short detention, proceed
! ing on our way through fields of ice, until we got
through the straits ol Michilimackinac. Alter wo
1 had fairly got inlo Lake Michigan, our progress waa
no further impeded by the frozen element. 1-ake
Michigan, you know, is some 400 miles long, running
1 almost directly south from the straits. We soon there
fore began to feel a sensible change in the climate.
1 We stopped at the Manitou Island to wood. Here wo
met the steamboat “ Louisiana,” another floating pal
ace, hound down ; she had a great number of passen
! gers going east—merchants of Illinois and Missouri
after their spring supply of goods. She also had a
• volunteer company on hoard destined for Mexico.
The next day at noon we came in sight of Milu.au
hie, in the territory of Wisconsin, a flourishing city of
11.000 inhabitants ! This place was only laid out in
1835. Is there any town in the country a parallel to
; the growth of this place? The streets are wide and
well built up. The principal business street runs par
; allel with tiie river, and with its bustle and activity
1 presents all tiie characteristics of a metropolitan city.
The houses, which arc principally brick, are of a straw
color, and present a singular bit fine appearance;
j many of them are elegant. They have one or two
public houses that would do credit to any town or city.
4’lie Government has done little or nothing for the
harbor at this place, but private and individual enter
‘ prize lias, in a measure supplied the deficiency, by ex
-1 tending into the Lake wooden piers to the distance of
several hundred feet. Wisconsin is rapidly filling tip
with the best kind of inhabitants. Every steamboat
that makes the upward trip, lands upon her shores
from 800 to 1000 emigrants. Her soil is as fine as
j any in the world, and oilers great inducements to set
i tiers. The next place that we reached was Racine, in
the same territory. It contains 3000 inhabitants, and
: presents a fine appearance from the Lake. It is sus
tained by a fine country back, as is also Southport, 10
1 miles further on. with about the same number of in
• habitants. These towns arc of but recent origin, and
rapid growth. Little Fori is a place of about 1500
i inhabitants, in the State of Illinois. We reached
| Chicago in the night—the end of the route.
Chicago is a city destined to be of great coramer-
I eial importance. Its growth, like all western places,
has been most rapid. In 1832, the season of the Black
! Hawk War, it contained but thirteen families, and it
j now contains fifteen thousand inhabitants! It has ma
ny splendid edifices, both public and private—some
16 churches, and many valuable public schools. The
Illinois Canal will probably be completed this season,
which will give fresh impulse to the growth of the
j place. Wheat and other kind of produce are now
: brought to the city in teams, and it is no unusual oc
! curreuce to see from 10 to 1500 of them in the streets
of Chicago, in one day. A gentleman informed me
that he counted, in one instance, some 2700.
It is only a few years since that this new country
, raised a sufficient amount of produce for home con
sumption, but it now sends oft'every year an increas
ing surplus. It is estimated that the amount of Wheat
in store at the different ports on Lake Michigan, this
Spring, ready for shipment, is some 2,000,000 of bush
els. 800,000 bushels will be shipped from Chicago
alone ; 500,000 from Michigan city ; 250,000 from St.
Joseph; 175.000 from Milwaukie; 140,000 from Ra
cine, 140,000 from Southport, &c. &.c.
But, Mr. Editor, I have extended this letter beyond
the limits originally contemplated, and must close,
having given yeu but an imperfect sketch of the
country bordering those inland seas. To be properly
j appreciated, it must be seen. OHIO.