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A ~ i—• ■■ l ■—■■■■' . f L ,■■!■*!Myna■anup niw .—»» ” ' ' ''' "* Vassu ' ' -—*■' «—M»^^*WBBlW >^ ,l *^w^^a,ni ri*li mu i il . jfiwußM.M ii ii ... - .1 W.Sc W. S. JONES. AUGUSTA, GA., SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 6, 1846. VOL. IX--NO. 106. FRIDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 6. » The Editor of thfe Chronicle and Sentinel seems considerably riled at the charge that the Win'£P r sses, in endeavoring to make Annexa ii ,n unpopular, “are playing into the hands 1 0 ( British sagacity, and seconding the wily t schemes of British diplomacy.” The remark, , in all its force and effict, is fully deserved by the factious and Anti-American course ol lh-<se ! presses, the Chronicle included, and therefore 1 not a syllable is retracted.” . The above paragraph is extracted Irom the ' rejoinder of the Constitutionalist of yesterday, t to our article ol the day previous, and although 1 < we regard the article which we yesterday trans terred to our columns upon tin's subject a most j triumphant vindication ol the Whig press and ( party against such charges, yet it may not be improper to add a few remarks in reply to this 1 particular paragraph. No one is mote familiar with the truth of the i adage, that it is one thing to make a charge, and another and a very different thing to establish it; j vet, if mere dogmatical assertion,obstinately per severed in, could establish facts, we confess we know of no one who would ho more successful in establishing his positions than our neighbor. The Editor charged that the Whig press “ are playing into the hands of British sagacity, and ! seconding the wily schemes of British diploma- ' cy,” and attempted, very unsuccessfully, as we have already shown, to sustain his position by extracts from this paper, anti the Columbus En quirer. Upon this grave charge, we promptly joined issue, and we have the charge repeated with the addition, that “the remark, in all its force and eSect, is fully deserved by the factious and Anti-American course of those presses.” This may be sustaining a charge by proof, yet we had supposed that our neighbor was too fa miliar with the law of evidence to imagine it would be so regarded by the intelligent reader We know not what import the editor attach es 'o the terras “factions ami AnU-American.” We are aware that the presses of both patties at the North, to some extent, have manifested decided hostility to annexation, even since Ihe passage and acceptance thereof of the Annexa tion resolutions. Os this fact our neighbor is equally well advised, but itdid not serve hi -pur pose to make the declaration. So far as these particular presses arc concerned the epithets of the Constitutionalist may apply, Lin the at tempt to apply them to the whig press of the South has proven a moslsignal failure, and the same remark is true of many of the leading whig organs at the North. Asa paity,su far from the whigshavin? ever attempted, either be fore or after the passage of the annexation resolu tions,to “play into the hands of'Eriiish sagacity” or “second the wily schemes of British diplo macy,” they entered the late residential canvass with the following unequivocal language of Mr. Clay in his Raleigh letter inscribed upon their banners, and they faithfully maintained through out the contest its statements; “ If any European nation entertains anv am bilious designs upon Texas, such as that of col onising her. or in any way subjugating her, 1 should regard it as ihe impeiative duty of the G ivernment of the United States U oppose to such designs the most firm and determined Re sistance, to the extent, if necessary, of appealing to arms to prevent the accomplishment id any such designs.” If our neighbor can show that this language of the distinguished Whig standard-bearer, savors of Anti-American sentiment, wc shall most certainly acknowledge the force of his logic. Movement of Troops.— The Charleston Courier of yesterday says:—The steamer Cin cinnati left yesterday for Aransas Bay, (Texas) with Companies A and I, 3d Regt. U, >S. Ar tillery. Departure of the Steamer Great Britain. —The steamship Great Britain, Capt. Hosken, took her departure lor Liverpool at three o’clock, P M , Saturday last. She had litiy-three cabin passengers, a large mail, and twelve hundred bales of cotton, and packages of other articles, as cargo. Death of Judge Thruston. —The Hon. Buckner Thruston, Associate Judge ol the Circuit Court of the United States for the Dis trict ol Columbia, died at his residence in Washington city, on Saturday morning last, in his 83d year. Emigration in Canada. — The number of emigrants arrived in GLuebec, during the week ending August 23.1, was 22,805 —an increase ol 5,694 over the same period last year. Northern Maid. —The Savannah Republi can of Wednesday says:— We understand that Messrs, Brooks & Barden have notified the Post Master General ol their intention to give up the contract for carrying the mail between this city and Charleston, at the expiration of ninety days. They have been compelled to do this, we learn, in consequence ol the small re muneration paid for the service. The Post Master General has issued proposals for carry ing the mail between the two cities, alter the old fashion, viz: in two horse post-coaches, leaving Charleston at 10 o’clock, A. M., and arrive at Savannah on the next day, at 10 A. M., and re turning, leave this city at 1, P. M, Bid* are also invited for steamboats, with an expedited schedule to be proposed by the bidder. Ahead of the Magnetic Telegraph. —The Sb Louis papers are felicitating themselves up on the prospect that, when the Magnetic Tele graph is completed from Washington to their city, they will be able to report the speeches in Congress a lew minutes b fore they are deliver od, in consequence of the difference ol longitude between the two places. . usz&ss ~r>rr —rrr ~r*aa;i •• i ,th ■ < m umm i tii,i~i From the National Intelligencer. CAPTAIN FKfiMO.VT’S Rtel'OßT. 1 We are templed to give the annexed extract, i notwithstanding its length, on account ol the t graphic beauty of the description and the in- t teresting nature of the position and the scene de- 1 scribed. It not only gives a lair specimen ol ; Capt. F.’s powers as a writer, but it does very | great credit to him as a man ol the most human- , ized and correct feelings, capable of apprecia- < ting the beautiful in Nature and the elevated ‘ and dignified in moral conduct: < “August 12.—Early in the morning we left \ the camp, fifteen in number, well armed of c course, and mounted on our best mules. A 1 pack animal carried our provisions, with a cos- " fee pot and kettle, and three or four tin cups.— i Every man had a blanket strapped over his saddle, to serve for his bed, and the instruments i were carried by turns on their backs. Vv e ; entered directly on rough and rocky ground; r and, just after crossing ihe ridge, had the good i fortune to shoot an antelope. We heard the f roar and had a glimpse of a waterfall as we < rode along; and, crossingin our way two fine 1 streams, tributary to the Colorado, in about two i hours’ride we reached the top of the first row or range of the mountains. Here, again, a ( view oi the most romantic beauty met our eyes, I It seemed as if, from the vast expanse of unin- - teresting prairie we had passed over, Na ure had I collected all her beauties together in me chosen t place. We were overlooking a deep valley, ; which was entirely occupied by three lakes, j and from the brink the surrounding ridges rose ' precipitously five hundred and a thousand leet, < covered with the dark green ol the babam pine, i relieved on the border of the lake with the light i foliage of the aspen. They an communicated < with each other; and the green of the waters, i common to mountain lakes ol great depth, < showed that it wonid be impossible to cross t them. The surprise manifested by our guides i when these impassable obstacles suddenly bar- i red our progress, proved that they were among the hidden treasures ol the place, unknown < even to the wandering trappers ol the region, t Desc hiding the hill, we proceeded to make our ‘ way along the margin to the southern extremi- t ty. A narrow strip ol angular fragments ol rock sometimes afforded a rough pathway for our < mules, but generally we rode along the shelving : side, occasionally scrambling up, at a conside- < ruble risk of tumbling back into (tie lake. “ The slope was frequently 60°; the pines grew densely together, and the ground was co- i vered with the brandies and trunks of trees.— 1 I'i catr was fragrant with the odor of ihe pines; and I realized ih is delightful morning the plea- < sure ol breathing that mountain air which makes a constant theme of the hunter’s praise, and which now made us fee 1 as if we hail all 1 been drinking some exhilarating gas. The depths ol this unexplored forest were a place < to delight the heart of a botanist. There was I a rich undergrowih of plants, and numerous gav-colored flowers in brilliant bloom. We reached the outlet at length, where some fresh ly barked willows that lay'in the water showed ihat beaver had been recently at work. There were some small brown squirrels jumping about in the pines, and a couple of large mallard ducks swimming about in the stream. “The hills on the southern end were low, and the lake looked like a mimic sea, as the waves broke on satulv beach in the force ol a strong breeze. There was a pretty open spot, with fine grass for our mules; and we made our noon hall on the beach, under the shade of some large hemlocks. We resumed our jour ney alter a halt of about an hour, making our way up the ridge on the western side of the lake. In search of smoother ground, we rode a little inland ; and, passing through groves ol aspen, soon (blind our.-elves again among the pines. Emerging from these, we struck the -umiuiCof the Edge above the upper end of the 1 ke ... “We had reached a very elevated point; and in the valley below, and among the hills, were a numberoflakes at different levels; some two or three hundred feet above others, with which they communicated by foaming torrents. Even o our great height, the roar of the cataracts came up, and we could see them leaping down in lines of snowy foam. From this scene of busy waters, wc turned abruptly into the still ness of a forest, where we rode among the open bolls ol the pines, over a lawn of verdant grass, having strikingly the air of cultivated grounds This led us, aber a time, among masses ct rock which had no vegetable eatth but in hollows and crevices, though still the pine Ibrest con tinued. Toward evening, we reached a defile, or rather a hole in the mountains, entirely shut in by dark pine-covered rocks. “A small stream, with a scarcely percepti ble current, flowed through a level bottom of perhaps eighty yards width, where the grass was saturated with water. Into this the mules were turned, and were neither hobbled nor picketed during the night, as the fine pasturage look away all temptation to sfay; and we made our bivouac in the pines. The surrounding masses were all of granite. While supner was being prepared, 1 set out on ? n excursion in the neighborhood, accompanied by one ol my men. We wandered about among the crags and ravines until dark, richly repaid for our walk by a fine collection ol plants, many of them in full bloom. Ascending a peak to find the place of our camp, we saw that the little de file in which we lay communicated with the long green valley of some stream, which, here locked up in the mountains, lar away to the sotuh found its way in a dense forest to the plains. “ Looking along its upward course, it seem ed to conduct, by a smooth gradual slope, . directly toward the peak, which, from long con sultation as we approached the mountain, we had decided to be the highest of the range.— > Pleased with the discovery of so fine a road , for the next day, we hastened down to the camp, were we arrived just in time for supper, 1 Our table service was rather scant; and we held 1 the meat in our hands, and clean rocks made ) good plates, on which we spread our naaccaroni. Among all the strange places on which we had occasion to encamp dnringour long jour t nev, none have left so vivid an impression on . my mind as the camp of this evening. The disorder of the masses which surrounded ns; ‘ the little hole through which we saw the stars r overhead; the dark pines where we slept; and t the rocks lit up with the glow of our fires, made a night picture of very wild beauty, “• Avgust 13.—The morning was bright and pleasant, just cool enough to make exercise 1 agreeable, and we soon entered the defile I had seen the preceding day. It was smoothly carpeted with a soft grass, and scattered over with groups ol flowers, of which yellow was the ? predominant color. Sometimes we were forced, . by an occasional difficult pass, to pick our way on a narrow ledge along the side of the defile, and the mules were frequently on their knees; r nit these obstructions were rare, and we jnur n a eyed on in the sweet morning air, delighted at >ur good fortune in having found such a beauti ful entrance to the mountains. This road con e tinued for about three miles, when we suddenly reached its termination in one oi the grand rtmimm rwan<gatapcscag»3Baaatjp i n ~~~ a— —a views which, at every turn, meet the traveller in this magnificent region. Here the defile up which we had travelled opeueo out into a small lawn, where, in a little lake, the steam had its source. Thi re were some tine asters in bloom, but all the flowering plants appeared to seek the shel ter of the rocks, and to be ol tower growth than below, as if they loved the warmth ol the soil, and kept out of the way of the winds. Imme diately at our feet, a precipitous descent led to a confusion of defiles, and before us rose the mountains as we have represented them in the annexed view. It is not by the splendor ol far off vie is, which have lent such a glory to the Alps, that these impress the mind; but by a gi gantic disorder ol enormous masses, and a sa vage sublimity ol naked rock, in wonderful contrast with innumerable green spots of a rich floral beauty, shut up in their stern recesses Their wildness seems well suited to the cha racter of the people who inhabit the country. “ 1 determined to leave our animals here and make the rest of our way on foot. The peak appeared so near, that there was no doubt ol our returning before night; and a lew men were left in charge ol the mules, with our provisions and blankets. We took with us nothing but our arms and instruments, and. as the day had become warm, the greater part left our coats. Having made an early dinner, we started again. We were soon involved in the most ragged precipices, nearing the central chain very slow ly, and rising but little. The first ridge hid a successions of others; and when, with great fatigue and difficulty, we had climbed up five hundred leet, it was but to make an equal de scent on the other side; ail these intervening places were filled with small deep lakes, which met the eye in every direction, descending from one level to another, sometimes under bridges formed by huge fragments ol granite, beneath which was heard the toar of the water. These constantly obstructed our path, forcing us to make long detours; frequently obliged to retrace our steps, and frequently falling airung the rocks. Maxwell was precipitated toward the face cd a precipice, and saved himself from go ing over by throwing himself flat on the ground We clambered on, always expecting, with every ridge that we crossed, to reach the loot ol the peaks, and always disappointed, until about 4 o’clock, when, pretty well worn out, we leached the shoreofa little lake, in which there was a rocky island, and from which we obtain ed the view given in the frontispiece. Wc re mained here a short time to rest, and continued un around the lake, which had in some places a beach of while sand, and in others was bound with rocks, over which the way was difficult and dangerous, as the water from the innumera ble springs made them very slippery, “By the lime wc had reached thelnithet side of the 1 ke, we found ourselves all exceedingly fatigued, and, much to ihe satisfaction ol the whole party, wc encamped. The spot wc had chosen was a broad flat rock, in some measure protected from the winds b\ the surrounding crags, and the trunks oi fallen pities afforded us blight fires. Near by was a foaming torrent, which tumbled into the little lake about one hundred and fifty led below us, and which, by way of distinction, we have called island Lake. Wc had reached the upper limit of the pir.ey region ; as, above this point, no tree was to be seen, and patches of snow la\r every where around us on the cold sides of the rocks. The flora of the region we had traversed since leaving our mules was extremely rich, and, among the characteristic plants, the scarlet 11 iwers ol the dodeealkeon denlalum every where met the eye in great abunrance. A small green ravine, on the edge of which we were encamp ed, was filled with a prolusion of alpine plants in brilliant bloom. From barometrical obser vations, made during our three davs’ sojourn at this place, its elevation above the Gulf ol Mexico is 10,000 leet. During the day, we had seen no sien of animal life; but among the rocks iieie, wc hcaul what was supposed to be the bleat ol a young goat, which vve searched for with hungry activity, and found to proceed from a small animal ol a gray color, with short ears and no tail—probably the Siberian squir rel. We saw a considerable number of them, and, with the exception ol a small tiid like a -parrow, it is the only inhabitant of this eleva ted part ol the mountains. On our return, we saw below this lake large flocks ol the moun tain goat. Vve had nothing to cat to-night. Lajeunesse, with several others, look their guns, and sallied out in search ol a goat; but returned unsuccessful. At sunset, the barome ter stood at 20,522; the attached thermometer 50°. Here we had the misfortune to break our thermometer, having now only that attached to he barometer. I was taken ill shortly alter we had encamped, and continued so until late in •he night, with violent headache and vomiting. This was probably caused by the excessive fatigue I had undergone, and want ol food, and perhaps, also, in some measure, by the rarity of the air. The night was cold, as a violent gale from the north had sprung up at sunset, which entirely blew away the heat ol the fires. The cold, and our granite beds, had not been favora ble to sleep, and we were glad to sec the lace of the sun in the morning. Not being delayed by any preparation for breakfast, we set out im mediately. “ On every' side as wc advanced was beard the roar of waters, and ol a torrent, which we followed up a short distance, until it expanded into a lake about one mile in length. On the northern side of the lake was a bank of ice, or rather ol snow covered with a crust of ice. Carson had been our guide into the mountains, and, agreeably to his advice, we left Ibis little valley, and took to the ridges again ; which we found extremely broken, at d where we were again involved among precipices. Here were ice fields; among whicti we were all dispersed, seeking each the best path to ascend the peak. Mr. Preuss attempted to walk along the upper edge of one ol these fields, which sloped away at an angle of about twenty degrees; but his leet slipped from under him, and he went plung ing down the plane. A lew hundred leet below, at the bottom, were some fragments of sharp rock, on which he landed; and though he turn ed a couple of somersets, fortunately received no injury beyond a lew bruises. Two ol the men, Clement Lambert and Descoteaux, had been taken ill, and lay down on the rocks a short distance below; and at this point I was attacked with headache and giddiness, accompanied by vomiting, asonthe day before. Finding my self unable to proceed, I sent the barometer over to Mr. Preuss, who was in a gap two or three bundled yards distant, desiring him to reach the peak, il possible, and take an observation there. He found himself unable to proceed further in that direction, and took an observation, where the barometer stood at 19,401; attached ther mometer 50° in the gap. Carson, who had gone over to him, succeeded in reaching one of the snowy summits ol the main ridge, whence he saw the peak towards which all our efforts bad been directed, lowering eight or ten hun dred feel in the air above him. In the mean time, finding myself grow rather worse than better, and doubtful how far my stienglh would carry me, I sent Basil Lajeunesse, with four ! men, hack to the place where the mules had . been left.” “August \b.— lt had been supposed that we r had finished with the mountains; and the eve -11 ning before, il had been arranged that Carson r- ■ imr !■ ■ ■Mill ll should set out at daylight, and return to break- ' fast at the camp ol the mules, taking with him all but four or five men, who were to stay with me and bring back the mules and instruments. Accordingly at the break ol day they set out, i W ith Mr. Preuss and myself remained Basil Lajeunesse, Clement Lambert, Janisse, and Descoteaux. When we had secured strength tor the day by' a hearty breakfast, we covered I what remained, which was enough for one : meal, with rocks, in order that it might be sale i from any marauding bird; and, saddling our | mules, tinned our faces once more towards j the peaks. This time we determined to proceed I quietly' and cautiously, deliberately resolved to I accomplish our object if it were within the com- I pass ol human means. We were of opinion I that along defile which lay to the left of yes-j terday’s route would lead us to the foot of the i main peak. Our mules had been refreshed by' the fine grass in the little ravine at the Island Camp, and we intended to ride up the defile as far as possible, in order to husband our strength for the main assent. “Though this was a fine passage, still it was a defile of the most rugged mountains known, j and we had many a rough and steep slippery p’ace to cross before reaching the end. In this place the sun rarely shone; snow lay along the border of the small stream which flowed through it. and occasional icy passages made the lootingofthe mules very insecure, and the rocks and ground were moist with the trickling waters in this spring ol mighty rivers. We soon had the satisfaction to find oversells riding along the huge wall which forms the centra! summits ol the chain. There at last it ruse by our sides, a nearly perpendicular wall of granite, terminating 2,000 to 3,000 feet above our heads in a serrated line of broken jagged cones. We rode on until we came almost im mediately below the main peak, which I denomi nated the Snow Peak, as it exhibited more snow to the eye than any ol the neighboring summits. Here were three small lakes of a green color, each of perhaps a thousand yards in diameter, and apparently very deep. These lay in a kind of chasm ; and, according to the barometer, v.c had attained but a few bundled feet above the Island Lake. The baiomctcr ht ie stood at 20.450, attached thermometer 70 u . “ Wc managed loget our mules up to a little bench about a hundred leet above the lakes, where {here was a patch of good glass, and turned them loose !o graze. During our rough ride to this place, they had exhibited a wonder ful .me (ootcuness. Parts of the defile were filled with angular, sharp fragments ot locks, three or four and eight or ten feel cube; and among these they had worked their way, leap ing from one narrow point to another, rarely making a false step, and giving us no occasion to dismount. Having divested ourselves of every unnecessary incumbrance, vve com menced the ascent. This time, like experienced travelleis, wc did not press ourselves, but climbed leisurely, sitting down so soon as we iound breath beginning to fail. At intervals we lead ed places where springs gushed from ihe locks, and about !,800 leet above the lakes came to the snow line. From this point our progress was uninterrupted climb ing:. Hitherto i had worn a pair ot thick moccasins, with soles ot parjieche; but here I put on a light thin pair,' which 1 had brought for the purpose, as now the use of our toes became necessary to a further advance. I availed myself ol a sort of combo! the mountain which stood against the wall like a buttress and which the wind and a solar radiation, join ed to the steepness ofthe smooth rock, had kept almost entirely free from snow. U p this 1 made my way rapidly. Our cautious method ot ad vancing in die outset had spared my strength; and, with the exception of a slight headache, 1 lelt no remains ol yesterday’s illness. In a lew minutes we reached a point: where the buttress was overhanging, and there was no other way of surmounting the difficulty than by passing around one side ol it, which was the fare ol a vertical precipice of several hundred feet. Putting hands and feetin the crevices between the blocks, I succeeded in getting over it, and when 1 reached the top, found my companions in a small valley below. Descending to them we continued climbing, and in a short time reached the crest. I sprang upon the summit, and ano'her step would have precipitated me into an immense snow field five hundred feel below. To the edge of this field was a sheer icy precipice; and then, with a gradual fall the field slop d off for about a mile, until it struck the foot of another lower ridge I stood on a narrow crest about three feet in width, with an inclination of about 20* N. sf° E. As soon as I gratified the first feelings ot curiosity, I de scended, and each man ascended in his turn; fori would allow one only at a lime to mount the unstable and precarious slab, which itseem ed a breath would hurl into the abyss below. Wc mounted the barometer in the snow ol the summit, and fixing a ramrod in a crevice, tin (tuled the national flag to wave in the breeze where never flag waved before. During our morning’s ascent, we had met no sign of animal life, except the small sparrow like bird already mentioned. A stillness the most profound, and a terrible solitude forced themselves constantly on the mind as the great features of the place. Here, on the summit, where the stillness was absolute, unbroken by any sound, and the soli tude complete, wc thought ourselves beyond the region of animated life, but while we were sit ting on the rock, a solitary bee ( bromus, th humble bee,) came winging its flight from the eastern velley, and lit on the knee of one ofthe men. It was a strange place, the icy rock and the highest peak of the Rocky Mountains, fi r a lover of warm sunshine and flowers; and we j pleased ourselves with the idea that he was the first of his species to cross the mountain barrier —a solitary pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization. 1 believed that a moment’s thought wou d have made us let him continue his way unharmed; but we carried out the law of this country, where all animated nature seems at war; and seizing him immediately, put him in at least a fit place—in the leaves of a large book, among thell nvers we had collected on . our way. The barometer stood at 18 293, the attached thermometer 44°; giving for the eleva tion ol this summit 13 570 feet above the Gull ol Mexico, which may be called the highest . flight of the bee. It is certainly the highest known flight of that insect. From the descrip tion given by Mackenzie of the mountains where he crossed them, with that of a French • officer still further to the north, and Col. Long’s • measurements to the south, joined totheopinion ■ ofthe oldest traders ol the country, it is pre sumed that this is the highest peak ol the Rocky i Mountains. The day was sunny and bright, i but a slight shining mist hung over the lower plains which interfered with our view ofthe I surrounding country. On one side we over -1 looked innumerable lakes and streams, the ; spring of the Colorado on the Gnll of j California; and on the other was the Wind - river valley, where were the heads of the i Yellowstone branch ol the Missouri ; lar i to the north, wc could just discover the 1 snowy heads ot the 'Prois Tetons , where r were the sources of the Missouri and Columbia 1 rivers, and at the southern extremity oftheridge 'he peaks were plainly visible, among which ; were some ol the springs ol the Nebraska or - Platte river. Around us, the whole scene had one main striking feature, which was thatol terrible convulsion. Parallel to its length, the ridge was split into chasms and fissures; be tween which rose the thin Jolt}' walls, termi nated with slender minarets and columns, which is correctly represented in the view from the camp on Island lake. According to the ba , ro meter, the little crest of the wall on which |" e stood was three thousand five hundred and seventy leet above that place, and two thousand seven hundred and eighty above the little lakes at the bottom, immediately at our , leet. Our camp at the Two Hills (an astrq | Domical station) bore south 3° east, which , wih a bearing afterward obtained from a fixed ! position, enabled us to locate the peak. The ! bearingofthe Trois Tetons was north 50° west, land the direction of the central ridge ofthe | Wind river mountains south 39° east. The I summit rock was gneiss, succeeded by sicnitie gneiss. Sienite and feldspar succeeded in our descent to the snow line, where we found a feldspathic granite, I had remarked that the noise produced by the explosion ol our pistols had the usual degree of loudness, but was not in the least prolonged, expiring almost in i stantaneously. Having now made what ob servations our means afforded, we proceeded to descend. We had accomplished an object of laudable ambition, and beyond the strict order ol our instructions. Wo had climbed the lofti est peak of the Rocky Mountains, and looked down upon ihe snow a thousand led below, and standing where never human toot stood be fore, felt the exultation of first explorers. It was about 2 o’clock when wc left the summit; and when wc reached the bottom the sun had already sunk behind the wall, and the day was drawing to a close. It would have been plea sant to have lingered here and on the summit longer; but we hurried away as rapidly as the ground would permit, fur it was an object to regain our parly as soon as posible, nut know ing what accident the next hour might bring forth. “ V/c reached our deposite ot provisions at nightfall. Here was not the inn which awaits the tired traveller on his return from Mont Blanc, or the orange groves of South America, wi th the ir re freshing j uices and soft frag ra ut air; but vve found our little cache of dried meal and coffee undisturbed. Though Ihe moon was bright, the road was full ol precipices, and fa tigue of the day had been great. We therefore abandoned tiie idea of rejoining our friends, and lay down on the rooks, and, in spite of Ihe cold, slept soundly. “ August 16.—We left our encampment with the daylight. We saw on out* way large flocks ofthe mountain goats looking down on us from ihe cliff’s. At the crack of a rifle they would bound off among the rocks, and in a few minutes make their appealanee on some lofty peak, some hundred or a thousand feet above. It is needless to attempt any further description of the country; the portion over which vve travel led this morning was rough asimaginaliou could picture it, and to as seemed equally beautiful. A concourse ol lakes and rushing waters, moun tains of rocks naked and destitute of vegetable earth, dells and ravines ol the most exquisite beauty, all kept green and fresh by the great moisture in the air, and sown with brilliant flowers, and every where thrown around all the glory of most magnificent scenes; these consti tute the features of the place, and impress them selves vividly on the mind of the traveller. It was not until 11 o’clock that vve reached the nlace where our animals had been left when we first attempted the mountains on foot. Near one ol the still burning fires vve found a piece of meat, which our friends had thrown avvav, and which furnished us a mouthful—a very scanty breakfast. Wc continued directly on, and reached our camp on the mountain lake a' dusk. We found all well. Nothing had oc curred to interrupt (he quiet since om departure, and the fine grass and good cool water had done much to re-establish out animals. All heard with great delight the order to turn our 'aces homeward; and toward sundown ofthe 17th, we encamped again at the Two Buttes. From the N. O. Picayune of the 30 th nil. Latest from Corpus Christ!—Arrival ot the Alabama—No Fighting yet. In order to allay all anxiety which may be felt on the state ot affairs at Corpus Christ!, we hasten to give our readers the following: By the arrival early this morning of the last sailing steamship Alabama, Capt. Windle, from Aransas Bay, we have intelligence from Cor pus Christi up to Wednesday evening last. One of the editors of the Picayune came passenger . in the Alabama, and brings the latest news. The most important intelligence, perhaps, is the non confirmation ofthe many late exciting reportsrelative to the movements ofthe Mexican army, and the probability of an engagement . between the forces under Gen. Taylor and the Mexicans. So far, there is no prospect of a . fight. Gen. Taylor, himself, does not antiei • pate such an event. Gen. Arista is at Mala morns with about 2000 men entrenching himself, and knows of Gen. 1 Taylor’s position. It is believed that if Arista had marched at once upon Gen. Taylor when the latter first landed, he might easily have over ; come him, and so on with other detachments as 'hey continued to arrive ; but it is now too late. . Our army at Corpus Christi at thislimc number . some 2000 strong, and is in a condition to resist four or five limes that number of Mexicans. ■ The country, too, between the Rio Grande and > Corpus Christi cannot now support an army in 1 an attack —one of the principal impediments be i mg a scarcity of water, of which there is little ? or none at all. ; On Sunday, the 24th instant., the Alabama - anchored off St. Joseph’s Island, in 53 hours . from the Balize, with the troops and volunteers ; from this city. On the passage there was a lit ; tie rough weather, with considerable thunder . and lightning, but no accident occurred, and all ■ arrived in good condition. The next morning all the troops landed and [ went into campon St. Joseph’s. On Tuesday, . the volunteers, Maj. Gally’s ami Capt. Forno’s • companies of artillery embarked for Corpus . Christi, 35 miles distant, on boanl the steamboat f j Dayton, and joined Gen. Taylor’s encampment i j the same evening. t ' When the Alabama left Aransas Bay, the . {traops on the Island were preparing to start lor s I Corpus Christi, and probably by this time they i I have all been removed, except a lew to protect 5 the stores, &c. The Monmouth and Dayton, i however, were busy in transporting the stores, . and soon everything will be removed. r The brig William Ivy, which was chartered in this city some time since, to take two compa r nies of the 4th Infantry to Aransas Bay, arrived . on the 25th inst., just before the Alabama. On . their passage slie encountered a squall which • knocked her on her beam-ends; but she forlu -1 nately righted in a few minutes without damage. ] Previous to the storm, one ol the soldiers on ? board of her, in a fit of mania-a-potu, jumped r overboard. A boat was lowered and went after ? him, and though he resisted, he was picked up, ; taken on board and tied. When the squall i struck the brig he was released, in order that he » might not drown if thrown into the water ; when i he again jumped into the sea and was lost, r The brig sailed on the 26th inst. (or Matagorda, d The schooner Ecward b. Lambden, with >1 Quartet MastcUs stores, from New Orleans, arrived al St. Joseph’s on the morning of the 25th. The schooner Swallow, from this port, with army property, for St. Joseph’s Island, was wrecked about the i2th inst., after getting over the bar at Aransas. She had no pilot on board, and was following the steamboat Monmouth in t when the under current swept her into the break ers on the eastern shore of the Island. Every thing on board belonging to the Government, as well as the private property ot some ol the offi cers of the army, (excepting a lew articles in a damaged state,) was lost. Vessel a complete wreck, but no lives lost. On the morning of the 26th inst. the U. S. brig Lawrence, Commander Jarvis, arrived from the Balize, and came to anchor off the Is land of St. Joseph’s. All well. When the Al abama lelt, the Lawrence expected to sail on the 29th, yesterday, for Pensacola. The schooner Mary Wilkes, from this city, arrived at Aransas last Wednesday, having on board Col. Whistler and Major Stannilord, of the army, together with horses, stores, &c. Mr. Ringgold, who passed through this city some time since with despatches to Texas, arri ved at Aransas on the 24th, from Galveston, in the Texan revenue cutter Santa Anna, with despatches for Gen. Taylor, and proceeded at once to Corpus Christi. He also came pas senger in the Alabama. On Monday, the 25th, we had news of the ar rival of the 2d Regiment of Dragoons, under Col. Twiggs, within four miles of Gen. Tay lor’s encampment, which they were to have joined last Thursday. They were very lortu naic in their long march with their horses—not having lost any. There were, however, two or threedesertions. They heard and saw nothing of Mexicans on their route. Near San Antonio there was a large body of Camauches, (about 300 in all,) seme ol whom visited Col. Twiggs. They seemed friendly and much delighted at the idea of the United States making war against Mexico. 1 hey in formed Col. Twiggs that they were going to wards the Mexican borders and intended hos tiliues against the Mexicans. The daring of these Indians is well known. A conversation not a little amusing occurred while they were in the Dragoon encampment. They seemed to admire the horses very much, and asked Col. Twiggs if they would be allowed to steal any of i hem. The Colonel, in hi? usually eccentric manner, told them that it they took any of his horses he would hang them. The Camanches did not relish this style of “ plain English,” but asked if they might not steal the Mexicans’ horses. The Colonel said they might steal what they pleased from the lattei, but not to trouble anything belonging to the Americans, or he would string them up. Some days ago a soldier, whose name was not given, went out from the encampment on St. Joseph’s Island to hunt, and was lost, it is supposed that he was bitten by a snake, or that he lost his way in a cane brake and perished. He was a faithlul and trustworthy man. Search was made lor him but in vain. Dunns: a thunder storm a few days ago, a tent was struck bv lightning at Corpus Christi, and a valuable servant belonging to Lieutenant Bragg, of the Artillery, instandy ktded by the fluid. Others were considerably stunned, but they recovered. Lieut. G. W. Lay, came passenger in the Alabama, having despatches for the Govern ment from Gen. Taylor. The schooner Florida was at Aransas, to sail for Pensacola last Thursday. This is all the news of the slightest impor tance which we were able to gather. So far every thing at Aransas and Corpus Christi is quiet The troops and volunteers are all well, and in fine spirits. Gen. Taylor, as we have al ready stated, does not anticipate a collision with Arista or any other Mexican force. He will throw detachments of the Dragoons forward be tween his quarters and the Rio G r ande from time to time, so that it will be impossible for an army to advance upon him without his being apprised of the fact. With the men under his command, and the excellent pieces of artillery— two twelve pounders and six sixes—taken down by the volunteers, from this city, his position is, in every respect, perfectly safe from any attack the Mexicans may think ot making upon him. Deer and other game are plenty in the vicinity of the post, and the waters abound with the finest fish and oysters, P. S.—The Alabama aot into the South- West Pass last evening at 5 o’clock—43 hours from Aransas, Saw on the bar, bound out, ships Nashville, (nearly out,j Trenton, Ameri can, Swanton and Beilin. At anchor, in the Pass, ship Charlotte, with laborers for Corpus Christi. The steamer Creole was seen off the South-West Pass last Sunday, for Aransas, but she had not arrived when the Alabama sailed. Saw nothing of her on the trip. The steamship McKim arrived yesterday from Galveston, and brought a fall mail of let ters and papers, but not later than the advices al ready received by the Undine. In place of re sorting to our files, m e make one or two extracts from our own correspondence, received by the McKim. We cannot find any farther intelli gence than has already been received here. Houston, Texas, August 22, 1845. Gentlemen: —We are not as yet disturbed in the least by the war rumors which seem to be waking you up in New Orleans. The Mexi cans make no showing on the frontier. The last accounts from the Rio Grande represent that the few ragamuffins lingering in that vicinity were in miserable plight. We learn from Austin that the Convention had nearly concluded its labors, and would pro bably adjourn before the close ol this month. Up to within a fortnight we have had one of the finest seasons ever known in Texas. The crop? were never so promising: the corn, which exceeds the crop of any previous year, is already made; and the crops of co ton, especially in the river bottoms, were neve: belter; in the uplands, however, it is beginning to suffer for want of rain, and must fall short a good deal, if it con tinues dry much longer. Here and al Galves ton it is very dry, having been without rain for two months. The health of both places, how ever, continues remarkably good. 1 never knew it more healthy anywhere than it has been both here and at Galveston this season. W. [Extract ] Austin, August 9, 1845. We hope to adjourn in about ten days. Much of the Constitution has already been engrossed, and therefore not subject to be amended but upon motion to reconsider, i think we shall have it in such shape as will please our friends in the United Stales, and be acceptable to our own people. Mexican Vessels of War. — About 18 months since Messrs. Brown & Bell, extensive ship builders ot this city, received an order from the Mexican Government for six schooners ol war, of about 80 tons burthen each. They were completed about six months since, and lay at the ya'd of Messrs. Brown & Bell, await ingan order from the Mexican Government, accompanied with the money which was to be paid lor ’.hem. The order came, with a plea of inability to pay. About two months since however, three of them were paid for and dispatched, and the other three now lie at Messrs. Brown & Bell’s yard, awaiting a like demand. — N. Y, Herald.