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From the Hitn.ilton 1C. W.j Spectator.
A FEMALE LOTHARIO.
Appearances -re > 'ten wry deceitful, but
never more so than when a i., !\ .-Mimes male
aitire, and In th;U disguise v isits one oi'her own
s x, and pours into li-r willing ear a portion of
il it soft, sweet strains of never ei ding love.— I
There is sntqethihgstrange and romantic about.
* e practice of the Indies in bin * love to each
oth-r. for which we could never account.—'!
Whether it is done through mischievous play- j
fulness, or from a more curiosity to know the !
MpcretsHf other hearts; or whether it arises i
from a desire to be revenged on the sex, by a I
portionof it who have never themselves been
favored with u Inver, they only know whoprac-
lico it.
We make the foregoreg temarks by way of:
introduei _ r a senes of courting adventures!
which lately fell to the lot of a buxom young!
Irish girl residing in this city. This maiJenofj
the would-be-masculine gender rejoices m the !
name of Eliza McCormick, and for the last i
two or three years has manifested such a parti- j
cular regard for a gentleman's coat and panta- j
]oonsthai she often promenaded tho streets of ;
Hamilton in full dress, even to a cigar and a j
crooked cane. Thus equipped, her next j
object was to look out for a stjeetbeart; ;
a business in which she seems to have been ex-
ceedingly fortunate, probably because she was
better acquainted with the strength of the cita
del and the method of conducting a successful
attack, than any of those whose dress appear
ance she had assumed. Bo that as it may, we
hive been made acquainted with six of her pre- i
tended courtships, and all with dressmakers, j
How many more she may have been engag
ed in we know not, but to three of those she !
•‘popped the question” of marriage—was ac-1
cepted, and one of them indulged so far in the 1
pleasing dream of matrimonial bliss, that 9he |
actually prepared her wedding dress. During !
the time that this female Lothario was carrying
her flirtations, she wis living as a servant in the
■city, and she invariably played her pranks upon
such girls as were acquainted witli the families
-in which she lived.
She assumed all manner of characters, and
had as many names ns a member of the London!
swell-mob. Sometimes she was a student of
medicine—sometimes a limb of the law—In one!
place she was abook-keeperin a dry good store j
—in another a gentleman of property lately ar-:
rived from Ireland, and was exceedingly hard !
tip for a wife. When she determined on a noc
turnal visit to any of the dear creatures whose
hearts she had so skilfully charmed, she always
went in her real character and dress, a day or
two previous, and after sounding the depth of
the young lady’s affection, for Mr. McKetlsie,
or Fitzpatrick, or whatever name she had assu
med, she would inform her that she had been
by this gentleman to say that he would visit the
object of his heart’s fondest solicitude, at a cer
tain hour of a certain night. This was playing
a double game. It enabled her in her real char
acter to find out the state of the girl’s mind, ana
in her assumed one, to use that information for
her own advantage.
The most recent love-making adventure that
this breaker of ladies' hearts was engaged in,
terminated rather tragically on Sunday night
last. Sho was engaged os a servant some two
months ago by a lady in the city, and at her
master’s house she became acquainted with a
young girl who was occasionally employed there
as a seamstress. When the acquaintance had
ripened into something like confidence she told
tho girl that a clerk in a certain store in town
was deeply in love with her, and that he walk
ed several nights in front of her father’s resi
dence whistling a peculiar tune, in order,if pos
sible, to get one glimpse of her pretty face. Ttie
bait was swallowed.
To be loved so ardently, and by a clerk, too,
made the young girl’s heart beat high, and
when she was informed that Mr. Crawford,
(the name the heroine bad assumed,) would
pass her dwelling whistling on a certain night,
6he awaited his approach with a kind of fever
ish anxiety, shaded with ho|ie. The qight came
and so did Mr. Crawford, alias Mi«s*Eliza Mc
Cormick, dressed in a suit of her master’s
clothes. He whistled his little tune—the door
of a certain honse was noiselessly opened as
ho passed, and the young seampstress, blushing
at her boldness, stood gazing at Ids receding
figure. In a few minutes he had returned, and
in a few more he commenced operations. He
was in love:—deeply, distractedly and incura
bly.
She listened to his ,avowal, gave him some
encouragement, and told him that she was free
from any engagement. This seemed, to revive
his love-lorn spirits, and after making an ap
pointment for another interview',' Mr. Crawford
departed. The parties met several limes sub
sequently, but the young girl was not so green
as her pseudo lover had expected. She sus
pected that Mr. Crawford was an. animal of the
femine gender, and she communicated her sus
picions to a young man of her acquaintance,
ivho, with a trusty companion, was ready to
pounce upon the unfortunate lover, the next
time he would make his , appearance. Last
Sunday night gave the desired opportunity—Mr.
Crawford was seized, but like a genuine Irish
man, he up with his list and knocked down one
of the intruders. When the scuffle was endod,
Mr. Crawford
"Stood coofeM'd
A maid' in all her charm*!''
She was taken t' the police office and locked
up during the remainder of tho night. On
Monday evening, as no per-on had appeared
against her, site was liberated and resumed fe
male attire. We hope that the shame and
tnorlificalion of a public exposure will have a
salutary effect upon her future conduct. Mias
McCormick is said to bo the same person who
figured for three weeks in the neighborhood ol
Galt a short time since under the disguise of a
sick tailor.
EARLY LOVE-A BEAUTIFUL EXTRACT.
The love of boys and girls is an object on
which gray-bearded men vent much spleen and
scorn ; but depend upon it, reader, where it
exists in r< ality, il is ihc violet of our short year
of existence. The ro.-e is beautiful, richer in
hues, fnll of perfumes and brightness, as she
flaunts her gay bosom in the ardent sun of June;
but give me the violetj retreating from the gaze
with her blue eye cast down ; the first sweet
child of the sweetest season; the tenderest, the
gentlest of all the flowers off the field, the em
blem of earn' -t and Innocent affection.
No, there is nothing like it. In all after
years we may lay our hand upon what joy we
will; pure and innocent it must be, to near the
comparison for a pioment—but I t::v, vver/.ay
lay our ,.i up >r> v ...t r y we \/nl fu after ex
istence, and shall ntyer find anythim; like thp
first flower of the heart—G. P. 11. James.
THE GEORGIA TELEGRAPH,
>I:t on, TneMint Slotting, January 1!, 1517.
03” We would call the attention of Merchants
and ot-ers, to the Advertisement of Messrs.
Sleeper & Fenner in another column. This
House stands high in public estimation, and we
doubt oot, that merchants and others in want of
Goods in their line, will find at this House an
assortment, equal, if not superior to most other
establishments of thb kind in the country.
EIGHTH OF JANUARY.
Friday last—the glorious eighth—the anni
versary of the Battle of New Orleans—the
crowning victory of the.last war was celebrated
by the volunteer corps of tho’city with their
usual spirit of patriotism. The day was unu
sually cold, compared with the mild and tropic
al season we had enjoyed previously. Not
withstanding the companies turned out with
full ranks.
The Military display of the day was follow
ed by a stiberb ball in the evening, given at the
Floyd House, where
The fair stars.
That gem the glittering coronet of mors.
Sheds not a light so mild, so powerful
As that which bar.,ting from the fairy forms,
8(>read a purputeal halo roc ml the scene.
And all ‘‘went merry as a marriage bell^b/
Qy’The remains of Capt. Holmes were to
leave Monterey on the 9th, in the charge of a
friend. It is impossible to say when they will
reach here, but we shall be duly advised of the
progress, and give timely notice. It is con
templated to celebrate the funeral obsequies by
a military and civic procession, and our citi
zens would be much gratified, could the several
Volunteer Companies of the Slate make it con
venient to unite with them on the occasion.—
Macau Messenger.
Commenting upon the above, the Savannah
Republican, of Saturday Morning, says: “We
are pleased to say that the suggestion at the
close of the above paragraph has been already
anticipated inour city, where Captain Holmes
had many warm and devoted personal friends.
It is in contemplation ^to send a delegation from
the several Voluntear Corps, as well as from
the citizens to be present and join in the solem
nities ofthe occasion.
G7*0. e i
battle of M
cm a d •- ><■
hero is n t c
: i> ikimdrovolunteers, at the
•y. exclaimed .,s lie hit a Mex-
,,, v. -I)—i you, take ibi t,
QT/^The Columbus Enquirer announces, up
on the authority of letters received in that city,
the death of Fleming G. Davis and Alexander
Scott, of the Georgia Light Infantry. Mr. D.
was from Columbus, and Mr. S. from Harris
county.
NEWS FROM THE ARMY.
’flie intelligence from the seat of war in
Mexico, copied into our columns this morning
from our N. Orleans exchanges, has an aspect
that bodes disaster to our arms, yet we trust
that exaggerated rumors have added to tho co
lourings of the reports and that the next arrivals
will clear up all apprehension for the safety of
that portion of the Army considered so perilous
at the date of the last accounts. The New
Orleans Bulletin of the 7th inst. remarks:
‘'Up to last evening, no further advises were
received from the sest of war, which leaves the
inlerence, mat no fighting bad taken place, and
diminishes the probability that Santa Anna was
advancing on Saltillo; or at any rate, that he
was so near to it, as the late reports would indi
cate. Something definite on the subject may
bo hourly expected. Our impression contin
ues, that-some error, or gross exaggeration, ex
isted in the reports that had been brought in to
Gen. Worth, hut even if true, and the Mexicans
make the attack, we feel well convinced they
will, as they always have been, when they came
in coutact with our army, get a sound drubbing.
Since the above was set up, the transport
steamship Alabama, Capt. Windle, arrived at
New Orleans from Brazos St. Jago, whence
she left on the 3d inst.
From the Evening Mercury of Thursday
last, wc take the following abstract of the news
by the Alabama.
The accounts by this arrival relieve all ap
prehension of immediate collision with the
enemy. The report that Santa Anna wes ad
vancing on Saltillo with a large force turrs out
to be an exaggeration, at the least. The Mex-
can troops which were seen are pronounced
only to have been a large foraging party, San
ta Anna remaining, with the body of his army,
at San Luis de Potosi. Gen. Taylor, in his
countermarch from Victoria, met on the second
day. Col. May, of the Dragoons, bearing this
version of the alarm, and Gen. T. accordingly
again turned on his steps and advanced to
wards Victoria. The forces in Saltillo have
been considerably strengthened. The Ken
tucky and Ohio Regiments, under Gen. Butler,
have marched there; and the Kentucky Caval
ry were to march on the 2-3d ult. Monterey,
also, under command of Col. Garland, is con
siderably reinforced.
Gen. Scott left Matnmoras on the 30th ult.,
for Camargo, and probably thence to Monte
rey, and the head quarters of Gen. Taylor.
The division under Gen. Wool, broke up
their encampment at Parras on the 18th ulr.,
and marched on Saltillo, and were expected to
enter the latter place about the 23d. The
strength of Saltillo on this junction of forces ta
king place, was full 6000 men.
Among the passengers of the Alabama were
Major Gen. Jesup and staff. Also, 240 sick
and discharged soldiers, .
The mortal remains of the following brave
and lamented officers and soldiers were brought
to this city by this arrival: Co), Watson, Capt.
Ridglcy, Lieut. R. II. Graham of the 4th In
fantry, Herman Thomas, of the Texas Ran
gers, George W. Pearson of the Washington
Battalion, (all under the charge of Lieut. Mills
of Baltimore,) Capt. Holmes of the Georgia j
Regiment, and Captain Gillespie of the Texas}
Rangers. -fin ,*•, ,
The Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee In
fantry are ut Victoria. There was no truth in j
the report that a Mexican force was stationed
there. The rumored forces of S*in* Anna ml
St. Luis Poto.-i, it is said have been greatly
exagereted. It Joes not if is stated in tlte last
pews, exceed 10,000 all told, and those poorly '
provisioned and having in their possession but
u scanty supply of Arms and Amuuition.
Gen. ocott was on Ilia way to the head quar
ters of Gen. Taylor which will be at Victoria, i
THE PEACE COMMISSION. > -
We tire rejoiced to see that the project of
j creating a sort of pseudo civil military com
mission in tho Army to supersede the authori-
|ty of the officers now in command, during the
war, meets with but little favor in or out of
Congress. In our opinion nothipg could be
more injudicious, or belter calculated to.em
barrass the service and protract the war, than
the creation of such a commission. The ser-.
pent which encircled the Laacoon, did not more
effectually crush out the vitality of the fcbmd
priest, than would this singular blending of a
civil commission \yiih military force destroy
nnd break down the efficiency apd spirit of the
Army. The creation of the office of Lieuten
ant General might enable some, scheming poli
tician, after our brave officers and. men had en
dured the. privations and disasters incident to
such a campaign, to step in and appropriate
the harvest of laurels won by them. But what
such a commission would do towards effecting a
victory or conquering a peace is, we are inclin
ed to think, not so easily shown.
The Charleston Mercury of Saturday last
hits off this new project of a Lieutenant Gene
ral, in its usual happy vein. That paper says:
‘‘The President’s message, recommending an
augmentation of the regular army, and such
changes in its organization as to provide for the
needful compliment of efficient officers, and the
creation of a higher rank in the army to con
tinue during the war, was transmitted to Con
gress on Monday, and tho same day a Bill was
reported by the Military Committee of the
House, to carry out most of these recommenda
tions. It Savs nothing of the appointment of a
Lieutenant General nnd no expression of opin
ion on that recommendation escaped from any
member of either House. The message is very
cautious about the grounds fur such an appoint
ment—leaving them to be conjectured. 1 The
TTnion in commenting upon it, perhaps hints at
the true explanation. That paper says:
The Presu out makes another suggestion
which is calculated to command tho most re-
spectful attention. He refers to the miscella
neous composition of our forces now in the field,
made up as they are of regulars and of numer
ous volunteers; and he recommends a more ef
ficient organization of our army by placing at
their head a general officer, who, of course,
may be acquainted with the qualities of both
species ofjorers and calculated togive the com
bination the greatest degree of efficiency. We
have no doubt the proposition will he duly and
delibera rely weighed, without regard to indi
viduals, and with a single eye to the more effi
cient and successful organization of the whole
army. The President regards this appoint
ment as only provisional—to continue only du
ring the war, and to be dispensed with upon
the reduction of the army to a peace establish
ment.
We have italicized the words that scent to us
to indicate the pith of the mutter. There is a
want of somebody, of a “miscellaneous charac
ter,” to take command of a miscellaneous host.
Not that it is pretended, in words, that a regu
lar officer cannot or does not comprehend the
nature of a volunteer as well as of a regular
force; nor that a Lieut, General,perse, has anv
more authority within the limits of his com
mand, than a Major General Commanding;—
but that it is desirable to break through times-
tablished military rules. If simply an undis
puted head of the invading army was wanted,
why was Gen. Scott sent to Mexico, but for
this very purpose. As the oldest Major Gene
ral, no officer will question his right to com
mand. Nay, if nothing but this was desired,
why was Gen. Scott sent there at all? Gen.
Taylor was the Commander-in-Chief, without
any chance of dispute, and the sending a senior
officer there, did not give any new power to the
Chief of the army;—it simply displaced the in
cumbent. The appointment of a Lieut. Gene
ral would in its turn merely supersede General
Scott. For manifestly he will not get the ap
pointment. To suppose he would, is to suppose
that the President has sent n Special Message
to Congress urging upon them the necessity of
more effectually providing for carrying on the
war,—by enacting that hereafter, • Maj. Gene
ral Scott shall be entitled Lieut. Gen. Scott!!
We don’t suspect the President of any such
trifling. We presume be wishes to put some
body at the head of tho army, who is not now
in the army. Thus, in the crjsig of the war,
when, lor its operations, all tho quaiilies.of a
great Captain ere absolutely demanded,—the
quick decision, the comprehensive plan, the in
tuitive perception of the enemy’s strategy, the
self-reliance that comes of knowledge, trial and
experience,—in such a moment, we are to
place in supreme command, one who never
headed an army and never saw a battle. We
cannot believe Congress will sanction the re
commendation. For the good of the country
and (he safety of the army, we trust they will
not.”
CONGRE0S.
The proceedings of Congress up to our last
dates from Washington, are barren of much
general interest. The following Message from
the President, was sent in aud read in both
Houses on the 4th inst.:
MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United states;
In order to prosecute the war with Mexico
with vigor and success, it is necessary that au
thority should promptly be given by Congress
to increase the regular army, and to remedy
existing defects in its organization. With this
view your favorable attention is invited to the
annexed report of the Secretary of War, which
accompanied my message of the Sth inst. in
which he recommends that ten additional regi
ments of regular troops should be raised to serve
during the war.
Of the additional regiments of volunteers
which have been called for from several of the
States, some have been promptly raised, but
this has not been the case in regard to all. The
existing law requiring that they should be or
ganized by the independent actioo of the State
Governments has in some instances occasioned
considerable delay, and it is yet uncertain when
the troops required can be ready for service in
the field.
It is our settles-J policy to maintain, in time of
peace, as small a regular army as the exigences
of the public service will permit. In a state of
war, notwithstanding the great advantage with
which our volunteer citizen soldiers can be
brought into the field, the small regular army
must be increased in its numbers in order to
render the whole force more efficient.
Additional officers as well as men become
indispensable. Under the circumstances u pe
culiar propriety exists for increasing the offi
cers, especially in the liighpr grades. The
number of officers who, frqtp age and other
circumstances, are rendered incapable of ac-
ti\e service in the field, has seriously impaired
the efficiency of the Army.
From the Report of the Secretary of War,
it appears that about two thirds of the whole
number of regimental Field officers are either
permanently disabled, or are necessarily de
tached from their commands on other duties.
The. long enjoyment of peace has prevented us
from experiencing much embarrassment from
this.causejbutnow iti a.state of war, conducted
in a foreign country, it has produced serious
injury to the public service.
An efficient organization of the Army, com
posed of regulars and volunteers, while prose
cuting the war in Mexico, it is believed, would
require the appointment of a General Officerto
take the command of all our military forces in
the field.
Upon the conclusion of the war the services
of such an officer would no longer be necessary,
and should be dispensed with upon the reduc
tion of the Army to a peaoe establishment.
1 recommend that provision be made by law
for the appointment of such a general officerto
serve during the war.
It is respectfully recommended that early
action should be had by Congress upon the
suggestion submitted for their consideration us
necessary to secure active and efficient service
in prosecuting the war before the present fa
vorable season for military operation in the en
emy’s country shall have passed awav.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, Dec. 29, 1S46.
MILITARY,
The Committee on Miitary Affairs^)f the
House of Representatives, reported the other
day a Bill to provide for the enlistment of ten
regiments, one of Dragoons, and nine of Infan
try, for the whole term of the war, or for five
years, as the term of enlistment.
The regiments so raised to be subject to the
regulations of the army, and all the officers to
be appointed by the President. One assistant
Major is also recommended, far each regiment,
now in service, to be taken from the Captains
of the Regiment.
Upon a proposition to refund to the several
States, the expense incurred by them for sub
sistence and transportation of Volunteers, nntil
they wore mustered into service. Mr. Burt, of
S. C. offered a resolution, which was adopted,
instructing the Militaiy Committee to report a
Bill making a general provision on the subject,
SENATOR PENNYBACKER.
Senator Pennybacker, of Virginia, was at the
date of the latest news, lying very ill at Wash
ington, of a complication of diseases arising from
dyspepsia. On Wednesday last he was not ex
pected to live,
HON. J. a. ADAMS.
We regret to learn says the Boston Courier
that this venerable] Statesman, in his eager
zeal to get well enough to go to Washington,
tried his strength too far ami foil while walking
bis chamber; bruising hi< person somewhat.—
His physician lias forbidden him to think of
going to Washington this winter. .
HONOR TO THE BRAVE.
The sad relicts of the brave officers and men
who have fallen in the service of the country in
Mexico, have been received with the profound-
est demonstrations of respect throughout the
country. In Columbus, Montgomery, Mobile
and New Orleans we uotice that prepara
tions are in progress to receive the remains of
the lamented Holmes and other brave officers
and men whose remains have been brought
back fur interment to the land of their birth
with the most distinguished honors, From the
Evening Mercury of Thursday l^t, we clip the
followingi
“Guns were fired from the Place d’Armes
and from Lafayette square at intervals during
this forenoon, and the flags at public places
worn at half mast, in token of respect to the
memories of the brave soldiers whose mortal
remains arrived here last evening, viz.—Col,
Watson, Baltimore Regiment; Captain Isaac
Holmes, Georgia Regiment; Captain Ridgely,
Flying Artillery; Capt. Gillespie, Texas Reg.
iment; Lieut. Graham, 4th Infantry; Messrs.
Thomas and Pierce, Texas Rangers.
A meeting of the joint committee of the Gen
eral and Municipal Councils, and of the I. O.
O, O. was held at the Council Chamber of the
First Municipality this morning, Thus. Zacba-
rie. Esq. presiding, and W. H. Wilder acting as
Secretary, Capt. Stickney offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted;
Resolved, That a Committee of seven be ap
pointed to take charge of the bodies now on
board the steamship Alabama, and convey them
to the Municipal Bn)) of the First Municipal;-,
ty, there to remain till to-morrow, after the fes
tivities of the day, when a civil and military
procession will be formed, under the direction
of Gen. J. L. Lewis, for the purpose of escort,
ing them on board the steamboat Declaration.
The Chair appointed the following gentle
men: Mr. Fabre, of the 1st Municipality, Mr.
Hawthorn, of the ?d, and JVJr. Nicometde of
the 3d.
Mr. Hillman and Dr. Gantz, of the I.O.O.F.
Capt. Stickney of the General Council.
Gen. John L. Lewis of the Military.
(Cf’A letter from an officer in the Army, da
ted at camp, near Monterey, which we find in
that able and spirited journal, the New Orleans
Evening Mercury, thus describes tho roads and
character of the country between Monterey
and Saltillo;
“The entire route from Monterey to Saltillo
lies along a narrow valley, varying from a
quarter to three miles in.extent, while or eith
er side bold and precipitous mountains rise al
most to the clouds. They are entirely destitute
of timber or vegetation of any kind, and the
scene at times was particularly grand and sub
lime.- On one occasion the sun was obscured
from our sight at 10 a. m. by these towering
heights. But I cannot dwell here. The whole
distance was gently ascending, and the road
rocky and broken. As our route for the most
part lay along a stream we generally found
plenty of water.
“On one of these narrow defiles thg Mexican?
had thrown up some defences, which were e-
vacuated after the fall of Moqteray. At Sal
tillo we found no wood of any kind, and were
under the necessity ol purchasing brush etiough
from the Mexicans to boil our coffee. This
they brought some ten miles or more upon their
bare backs, or upon pack mules, n$ is custom
ary in this country. At Monterey the orange,
limp, lemon, citron, etc:, prosper to pgrfection,
while at Saltillo (farther South) they do not
grow or do well. This is owing to the different
altitudes of the two places.”
From the New Orleans Evening Mercury, .Tan. 2.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT INTELLIGENCE FROM
THE ARMY.
By the arrival of the steamer Virginia, from
Brazos Santiago, we have been informed, t
our correspondent, that on the 24th an expre
arrived at Maiamoras, bringing the following
highly interesting intelligence from the Army :
“An express (Maj. Caldwell, Quarter Mas
ter) reached Monterey at 11 o’clock at night,
on the 17th, leaving again at 3 a. s$.. the fol
lowing morning,—in which General Worth re
ports, as he hears frein his spies, that General
Santa Anna is marching at the head ol between
twenty and thirty thousand men, and is within
three days’ march of Saltillo. He writes, also,
that he has sent expresses to Gen. Wool, at Par
ras, and General Butler had sent dispatches to
Gen. Taylor. 'They doubtless have mu robed
to join Gen. Worth.
“Ren. Taylor bad left Monterey, with his
suite, the day previous, his command having
set out for Victoria two days before his depar
ture.
“ The express leaving Monterey for General
Marshall, was forwarded by the latter to Gen.
Patterson, with despatches, at Matamoras, and
on its arrival, finding General Patterson had
marched for Tampico, il immediately started in
pursuit. Dispatches arrived here with this in
telligence to Gen. Jesup^ at 11 o’clock, a. m.,
and he. immediately left for the mouth, of the
river.
“Great excitement prevails along tlm ynl'ev
of the Rio Grande. Most of our posts, pa rtic-,
ularly at Matamoras, Cam.trgo and Monterey,
where a number of American citizens are re
maining, and have bqt few troops at present,
are arming and preparing for the worst. Sev
eral persons have been cut off, on the roads
above, and travelling is exceedingly hazardous,
unless with large parties.
“On any reverse to our arms, every Mexican
in the valley turns against us?
“The Alcalde at Matamoros, who predicted
the day our battles have been fought on, says
that Gen. Santa Anna will attack our forces on
Christmas day. If the battle should not be
fought before our forces can be thrown into Sal
tillo, or until Gen. Taylor forms a junction with
the forces at that point, we may expect one of
the bloodiest conflicts that our flag has ever
witnessed.”
From the New Orleans Mercury. 8th January.
LATER FROM THE GULF SQUADRON.
CAPTUTE OF LAGUNA.
AMERICAN PRISONERS RELEASED.
The Campeachy schooner Amal'o, a prize
taken by the U. S. steamer Mississippi off Al-
vaYadoon the 27th ult. is coming up in charge
of Passed Midshipman Burbot of the Mississip
pi, and a prize crew.
The Amalio brings sever-'d days later intel
ligence from tbe squadron, and we are indebted
to Passed Midshipman Barbour, and Chief En
gineer Wood, who also came on the Amalia, for
the lollowing interesting particulars:
Com- Perry arrived at Laguna on tiie20th
ult., with the steamers Mississippi, Vixen, Pe
trel and Bonita, and landed the same day and
took 900 pounds of powder, destroyed fifteen
cannon, and disarmed about fifty soldiers, aliho’
they affected to be favorably disposed to tne
cause of the Campeachians, 7’fie Campeacb-
ians had declared themselves entirely iad 1 pend
ent of Mexico, und had sent three Cntiuniss on-
erson the schooner Sisalnio to Com. Connor,
at Anton L'zarda, to request him to desist firom
any hostile measures against Yucatan, until
Commissioners could be sent to the Govern
ment of the II States, to obtain the recognition
of the independence of the Slate. These Com
missioners left Anton Lizard t on die 20th. to
return, but the result of their conference with
Com. Connor is not known.
We regret to learn that Purser A. D. Cros
by, ot the Mississippi, was lost from on board
the Vixen, entering Laguna, He was burieu
with military honors in the cemeterv of the
British Consul at Laguna.
Passed Midshipman Fitzgerald, formerly of
tbe U. S. schooner Flirt, but now attached to
tbe John Ad <ms, performed a most daring ex
ploit about three weeks since. 11 is vessel was
b ockadmg VeraCruz, and of a-dark night, he
took a boat and eight men with muffled oars,
rowed around the Castle of San Juun d’Ulloa,
landed, entered the water battery and examin
ed it; then rowed round again, went under the
drawbridge, and made a thorough recouuoisance
ot that point. This exploit has proved that
men may he landed from boats at nigfit, and
Midshipman Fitzgerald ascertained by his re-
conuoisance that the water battery iuay he eas
ily taken. * K,
The Amalio was taken olFAIvaraJo. togeiW-
er with the Spanish brig Isabella, both sailing'
from that port for Havana. Com. Perry, on
his return to Anton Lizardo from Laguna with
the Mississippi, looked into Tobascoand Alva
rado, and found that the fortifications of both
places had been repaired and much strength
ened since they were attacked by the squadron.
At Tobasco there were about 3000 troops, and
at Al varado about 4000. Notwithstanding these
formidable preparations, the general impres
sion is that Commodore Conner will soon at
tack the place.
On the arrival of Gen. La Vega at Vera
Cruz on the 15th. all the prisoners from the
squadron in the hands of the enemy were, re
leased. It is now ascertained that’but eleven
of the crew of the brig Somers drifted to the
main land when she was wrecked, and not six
teen, as was first stated. Midshipman Rodgers
was at Vera Cruz. He hael been tried by the
civil and military tribunals as a spy, and had
been acquitted by the former, but (ognd guilty
by the lutter. It was believed, however, that
the more lavorable verdict would prevail, aud
that he would be liberated.
Tbe health of theStjundron was good.
mqngldva.
Mr. Griff, author pf the interesting book en
titled “Commerce of the Prairies,” now attach
ed to the command of Qen. Wool, gives the
followjpg description of the city and vicinity of
Mopclovq, in a late letter to tbe Editor of the
Jjoujsvflle Journal:
"Though this was the ancient capital of the
State of Coahuila, Saltillo, 100 miles South, is
now- the seat of Government. Monclova is a
pleasant place, located (in lat. 23 deg. 54 min.,
and long. 101 deg. 38 min. West from Green
wich, according to actual observation) between
a ridge of mountains on the South, and a rich
valley on the North, beautifully watered by a
crpek made up from some large springs in the
mountain. The valley is filled with °fields of
sugar, cotton, wheat and corn, still partially
green. Singular as it appears, much of the
corn is stjll too green for use, and some even
in roasting ear The farmers say that early
corn produces badly here, running too much to
stalk; therefore, they prefer planting in May
and June. Some of the tallest corn I ever
ssw, L think, grows in this valley, and the pro
duce is equal to that of the rich lands of Ken
tucky. The population of the immediate town
of Monclova is between 5,000 and 6.000 r .
the jurisdiction, including many of the > u
rounding villages, embraces about 8,000
| i he town ol San Bunnaventtua, but 12or i-
> mdcs to the Northwest, is nearly as ! ar ' v ,
perhaps quite as rich us Motu lovju - ‘
still able to purchase sufficient supplies cfpf 1 ^ I
visions and forage in the surrounding country^
THE FREE LIST.
In the House of Representatives on th e \
inst., the resolution offered as a war me a *.' r
' in favor of taxing sonte of the articles a** ^
the free list was voted down and lost. Rnf^'
ing to this vote the Charleston Evening Nt; Ws
ot Friday last, makes t|iefoHo\ving just remark*
“The people will not be satisfied withm er ’
abstract propositions that Congress will 8U
port the war. The popular expectation i s
that the responsibility will not be shunned b\’
those whose duty it is to provide the ways and
means of getting out of a conflict with honor t 0
the country. If any portion of the people’s
representatives are apprehensive ofthedis.
p etsure of their constituents by one form of
taxation, let them propose another. If t h ev
refuse to vote for taxes on Tea and Coffee lg
them suggest some other mode of supply to'the
public exchequer. If they wili not d rturblhe
Tariff 1 , let them frame a scheme* of excise. If
they will net lux eatables,let them assess hous
es and 'ands. Some m heme of revenue must
be devised, and that speedily, if they would not
have t(ie naiional name dishonored.’
“The dilemma admits of no delay if an ex
tra session of Congress is to bes avoided. The
question of national finance in the present exi
gency is reduced wi hin very narrow limits.
Loans cannot find t. kers unless revenue is pro-
vided to pay tlte interest and redeem the prin
cipal. The produce of direct taxation will
come too slowly imo the Treasury to be avail-
able for warlike exigencies. Unless then the
public chest is replenished by loans sustained
by adequate income—by revenue exceeding
expenditure—the credit of the government can
not be made available, in this emergency.
What then is to be done? As a present re
source we can perceive no escape from the di
lemma, hut in the imposition of duties the pro-
ceeds of which can be rendered available at the
shortest possible period. It remains for Con
gress to select, iu the range of articles of gen
eral consumption, those which will produce mo
ney to the treasury, with »he least inierrup-
tidns to or restrictions on commerce-”
CHARLESTON a? WILMINGTON RAIL ROAD.
The Wilmington Chronicle of Wednesday
last, states that it was informed verballv that
the Rdi authorizing thaPtown to raise $200,000
for the purpo-e of aiding ir, the construction of
a Rail Road to connect with the South Caroli-
na roads, passed its second reading in the
North Carolina Senate on Saturday, without
opposition,
Correspondence of ibe Baltimore Sun.
■ WASHINGTON. J.nu.ry 4,h. 1847.
As T predicted, ihe message asking for the
appointment of a superior General Officer, to
take command ol our increased army, went in
to the Senate and House of liepres relatives to
day, and was referred to the Committee on Mil-
itary Affairs, From what I learn, an eflort will
be made to kill h in Commutee, and if that
liimiijd not be successful, it may yet be killed in
the House. Tbe Senate I believe, is more
tractable, and will not easily opro.se any thing
the President may a-k “iu support ofth? war.’’-
T'bt.t is the ground on wiiich Geo. Cass and his
friends will not only vote for toe creation of'the
rank, but also fur Col. Benton, whenever he
sh dl come before (he Senate ust|ie proper per
son to fill it.
It is believed that immediately after die ap-
pointment of Col. Benton to the Lieutenant
General-sl ip, Generals Scott and Taylor will
resign, and it is the intention of the Whigs, and
perhaps a portion of the Democratic partv, to
bring Gen. Taylor at once forward as a candi
date for the Presidency of 1848. The watch
word is to be “Rough and Ready superseded;”
the battle cry “Down with political Generals
aud with all parlies!”
Q hers there are who see in this movement
of Col Benton, nu onslaught on our w hole
army, which is to be sacrificed to the volunteers
in the same manner that its generals and regu
lar officers are to be superseded by civilians
and politicians. Of course every one magni
fies his fears and appretiensions, as it suits his
fancy or his purposes. For my part, I appre
hend no immediate danger from &ucre a move,
beyond the influence which it may have on the
spirit of our army; but regret the precedent,
because of the danger which there might be at
some future period, in the appointment of a par
tisan leader to the command ofa jarge rqijitarv
force.
True, the President asks for the creation of
the new military dignity only pendente litc,and
expressly states that it shall bq abolished after
the conclusion of peqce, but the opponents of
the measure pretend that this would not pre
vent the army from being tampered with, if the
Commander c(ip?p to do so.
There k; not niucii force in this argument,
considering that the army itself would be dis
banded with the dismissal of the General; but
the case may occur,—and the last news from
Mexico seems to give color to the belief that it
will,—in which the Piesidential election may
take place during the war, effecting thereby not
only those which are actually in the fieldi but
also their friends and relatives at home.
But it remains yet to be seen what the House
and benate will have to say- in the premises; and
I still venture to predict that the measure ’will
be lost.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN HOLMES.
I he late arrivals from Mexico bring us the
painful intelligenceof the death oflsancHolmes,
Captain of the “Macon Guards,” of the Geor
gia Regiment. It is no newspaper common
place, in the writer to say, that this intelligence
smote upon his heart with a deep and chilling
force.
Our association with Captain Holmes had
taught us to respect his high and honorable na
ture, to admire the evenness and amiability of
his temper and the urbanity of Iris manners; to
love him as one who was “evety inch a soldier,”
and of whom it is no disparagement of ;tis sur
viving brother officers to say, he "as trie best
informed officer in the Regimental line. Death
could scarcely have lighted in the whole Regi
ment, upon a man, v/lto wfll create so great a
void, in the hearts o: his friends, and so terrible
a one in the ciopiesiic circle of which he was the
light, the stay and the happiness. And it is
here, that the heart is most wrung! For who'
can tell what sacrifices to patriotism the loved
ones, tbs devoted wife and children of Captain
Holmes, have made to the country ? Is not tho.
ottering too great for a single family to bear ?
Let the public, so far as >t possible, break
the force of this stunning blow, which, while it
lacerates heurts and causes moral wounds which
W: