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—gtMi 11l ■■ m ■■»■■ ■ ll 'r-T^»HI. ». .■■M
Tillß CONSTITLTIONALIST.
JAMES GARDNER, JR.
T i: RMS.
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{From, the Charleston Courier.]
The Loadou Times on Slavery.
The following is the article referred to
bv our correspondent “O. P. Q.” in ids
letter of the 4lh ult., published in Satur
day’s Courier. We hail it as an evi
dence of returning reason on the part of
the people of England on a question of
such vital importance to the happiness
and security of our own country. It is a
full indorsement of all that the S iutn has
e\er contended for as to the impolicy and
folly of interference with the institution
of slavery, hy those who are aliens to it
both in interest and understanding.
[From the London ’Pi/ues. Dec. 21.]
Among the erroneous systems which
experience is daily leading us to investi
gate, there is none that invites us more,
both by its interest and importance, than
that on which our colonial policy is built.
Beginning in carelessness and indiffer
ence, then rising suddenly to despotism
and excessive interference, continuing af
terwards in a perpetual vacillation be
tween tyranny and concession, it now
bangs trembling on the verge of utter ruin.
Nothing, indeed, can save our colonies,
except a hold, a comprehensive, and im
mediate reform; not one that, seizing
upon some particular and more promi
nent abuse, shall destroy and offer it up
as a sacrifice to appease the anger of an
injured people; hut a searching and a ra
dical reform, that shall not be content
with alleviating symptoms, but shall kill
the disease itself.
We speak, of course, not of internal*
and domestic changes, but of an alteration
of the whole course of policy pursued by
the parent Slate. The history pi various j
colonies, and more especially a compari- I
son of those which have enjoyed the bless- ;
ing of self-government with those that j
have been debarred from it, assures us
that iu the evils now threatening or actu
ally presented, we seethe consequences,
not so much of colonial folly, as oi imperi
al miSgovernrrierit. Indeed, we need not
go far for proof indisputable of this truth.
In the projected schemes of the Colonial j
office that have recently been announced [
111 this journal, there is contained an em- j
pie recognition of enormous evils long j
existent and no longer tolerable. If it,
be necessary now to annihilate the settle- !
ment of Norfolk Island, it is impossible ,
to doubt that its original establishment
was a false step. If it be necessary now j
to favor and assist the importation of im
migrants into the sugar colonies, we must
per force believe that the obstinate ptohi- j
bition against it was impolitic and tin- j
just. If it be necessary now to change :
the whole treatment of transported con
victs, what must be thought of that !
which has prevailed to the present day?
Finally, if it be necessary now to review
the very system itself of transportation,
we cannot easily exaggerate the miscon
duct of those who, having first laid down
an erroneous principle of action, handed
it on from one to the other, and couminu
ed it to the point of consigning thousands
of human beings to utter damnation, and
c?
a fertile island to almost irretrievable
ruin.
And if we look back upon the history
of these transactions —upon the experi
ment of Norfolk Island and the abolition
of slavery—we shall find it impossible to
discover one single circumstance of pal
liation or excuse in favor of the parent
state. It could not iiave been known to
those who presided over the destinies of
the colonies in the eventful period of
transition from bandage to freedom, that
the natural and inevitable consequence
of liberating compulsory labour was to
annihilate it altogether. Indeed, it was
parley through an apprehension of this
consequence that the plan of apprentice
ship was devised, in order that the plan
ters might not be at once and immediate
ly deprived of the means of cultivating
their estates. That plan suffered an ear
ly and premature death. The term of
apprenticeship was cut short, and the last
vestige of slavery disappeared in the Bri
tish coloneieson the Ist of August, IS3S.
Then was the time for the Imperial Gov.
eminent to have shown itself in the char
aclure of protector, adviser, and friend.—
Then was the lime for Great Britian to
have held forth a helping hand to the vic
tims she had sacrificed upon the altar of
a great principle. Bu 11 lie occasion was
not seen or understood; or, may be, it i
was disregarded. Instead of aid, she ;
gave an order in council forbidding her
subjects to procure from foreign shores
the labor she had virtually taken away
from their own. Seized with an impo
tent desire to abolish slavery throughout
the globe, she regarded with an almost
insane suspicion every vessel that ap
proached the African coast. Negro and
slave, to the apprehension of tnc Colonial
office and the morbid imagination of Lord
Palmerston, were terms synonymous.—
For three long years and more the absurd
prohibition was continued in full force.
At length in December,lß4l, a poor|instaV
ment ofjustice was extorted from a new
Government desirous of popularity. Im
migration was thence forward permitted
from Europe; but Africa still remained
within the charmed line that the anti sla
very mania had attempted to draw around
a boundless tract of continent. This
small relaxation, however, was of apiece
with the orginal restriction. The inha
bitant of the “cool north” was sent to lan
—* h——'-c 1 ——
guish under burning suns and die of nia
lignant fevers, that the babarian denizen
of the torrid zone might escape the sha
dow of the fellers of bondage. Hundreds
of English gentlemen and Creole families
were pauperized, or made to struggle
with bitter adversity, in order not to shock
the peculiar sympathies of certain senti
menlial philanthropists. Nor did the or
der of 1843, permitting immigration from
North America, place the colonies in a
bettor situation, indeed, if we remem
ber right; that order was never carried
out. The first real and substantial boon
was that conferred in June, 1844, which
opened tiie Eastern continent to the plant
er of the West; but even this measure
came so late that few of its advantages
have yet been made available; and it is
not unlikely that the experiment we
announced on Ft May will for the most
part supersede it.
\\ ith respect to the abstract question
of introducing into our tropical colonies
the free and willing inhabitants of Africa,
the only difficulty that surrounds the sub
ject is the impossibility of getting at ibe
real objections to it. No one even super
ficially acquainted with our sugar colo
nies, pretends to deny that since the year
1838 labour always has been, arid still
is, most seriously deficient. It is quite
idle to say that the hands which were nu
merous enough and strong enough when
working with the shukles of a slave must
and ought to he amply sufficient under
the invigorating influence of freedom.
These are more theories. The unhappy
colonists have been forced lo sound and
have found them hollow. The liberated
negro in the West Indies does not tear I:.
He shows an occasional and imperfect
industry when the pressure of some par
’ ticular want or desire impels him to seek
the means of gratification. But as for
regular and continuous labour, it is not
to be expected from him. In course of
lime, perhaps, when the slave generation
is departed and others are sprung op in
their room “who have ml known bond
age.” the case may be different. We do i
not say that it will not be different. But
meanwhile, and pending the great ex
periment, the planter is ruined. Whilst
humanitarians at home are prating of the
| horrors of slavery, the free subject of
Great Britain is losing his land, his
money, his every means. Africa isguard
ed as it were holy ground, and Jamaica
is left lo waste. Such are the eflecks of
humanity that has not its foundation in
justice.
!
[ Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot.']
Washington, Saturday, Feb. 6, 5 P. M.
IN SENATE.
Mr. Dix presented a series of joint resolu
j lions of (lie Legislature of New York, in-
I strutting ibe Senators and requesting the
i Representatives to Congress, from that State,
to vole a proviso u* any bill which may be
| before brought Congress in relation to the
acquisition of more ter rite ry, which shall keep
slavery forever out of the territory in que.-iion.
Mr. B ighv submitted a resolution (which
! lies over) declaring the sense ot the Senate
| to hi ll at the action of the New York Le
1 gislalure, in reference lo*s'a\eiy, (as above
I recited) is in derogation of Uic Constitution
! of the United States.
Mr. Allen presented a petition from Ohio,
in favor of Whitney’s railroad over Oregon to
the Pacific; aLo the proceedings of a meeting
in that Stale, at which ex-Governor Shannon
presided, at which resolutions were adopted
justifying the war against Mexico, and the
measures of the General Government iu
relation to the same.
The special order—the three million bill
Was then taken up, and
, Mr. Johnson of mar) land. made a long and !
able argument on it.
When he bad concluded and taken his
sent Mr. Cliss took the floor and made a few
remarks, after which
Mr. Morehead signified his desire to ad
dress the Senate on the bill under discussion.
Whereupon the Senate adjourned, leaving
ilun the floor for Monday next.
]lO US F. OF REPR E S E N TATI YES.
Mr. McKay reported a bill from the Ways
and Moans committee rn ;ans for
paying the in'erest on the public debt, which i
was read twice, pat into committee of the
whole, taken out, and by the House finally
read and passed.
Mr. Wihnot presented a’seriesof joint reso
lutions from the Legislature of the Slate ( t
Pennsylvania, against allowing slavery to ex
its in any territory which the United States
may heieafter acquire, in which slavery does
not exist —which were read and referred to
the Committee of the Whole, and ordered
to be printed.
Mr. Holmes, of South Carolina, reported a
bill from the Naval Committee, to increase
the Marine Corps of the United States, which
was read twice and referred.
Mr. McKay, from the Ways an 1 Means
Committee, reported a bill making appropria
tions to pay Revolutionary and other pension
ers, which was read twice and referred lo the
Committee of the Whole.
Mr. Preston King presented the joint re
-1 solutions of ihe Legislature of New York,
ins r cling and requesting the members cf
Congresslfrom that Stale to vote to keep sir,-
j very out of any territory tiiat the United
States may acquire, in which slavery di es
not now exist—which was read, referred to
i the committee of tiie whole House on the
! State of the Union, and ordered to be print
| On motion, the House adjourned.
Ship Mav York.
We are informed by the consignee of this
ship, that letters dated at Beau toil, N. C., 3d
instant, slate that she had not arrived there
up to that time, and it was supposed she had
proceeded to New-York. Vessels have been
engaged to bring tiie balance of her cargo lo
this "port. Tiie schr. Sarah—one of the
vessels chartered—with part of the cargo on
board, was detained at Beaufort by contrary
winds. .
It is requested that the consignees will
furnish the invoice value of their goods, with
all possible despatch, so as to facilitate a
speedy settlement of the affairs of the ship.
Charleston Courier, Oik itist.
The (ttforgia and Florida Boundary*
Tiie St. Augustine Herald contains a
resolution touching the adjustment of our
boundary with Florida, which was introduced
into the General Assembly of F lorida ou the
sth of January, but we have not yet learned
that it passed. It runs as follows:
Be it Resolved, by the Senate and House of
Representatives, of the State of Florida, in
General Assembly, convened, That the Gov
ernor be and he is hereby empowered to
employ Counsel on the part of the State to
institute legal proceedings against the State
of Georgia in the Supreme Court of the !
United States, to obtain a decision as to the |
boundary, in a dispute between the Slates I
aforesaid.
"‘'“AUGUSTA, GEO., I
WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEB. 10, 1847.
SCrThe Constitutionalist letter Sheet Prices |
Current, will be ready fur delivery Tills Morn
ing. at 9 o'clock.
O’ The letter from Victoria which we this
day publish is written by an officer of the
Richmond Blues, and will be read with inter
est by manv of our readers, although the
newspapers have already anticipated most ol
its details of army movements.
O’ The new company of volunteers raised
in our city, has organized by the election of a
highly competent and respectable set of offi- |
cers. We can cordially recommend all who i
are willing to serve their country in the ;
ranks, to place themselves under their com- | (
mand. The company is not yet full, and a j
few more volunteers will be received.
Mr. IK or rest in Othello.
A crowded house greeted the great Trage- j
dianon Monday night,his first appearance here i
in many years. It was incomparably the finest !
i specimen of acting we have witnessed on the
! Augusta boards. We will not attempt a criti
! cism. It was a chef d’ovxre in the histrionic
1 art Mr. Forrest won the breathless atten
-1 lion of his audience. A profound silence
reigned throughout the house, during the
most thrilling scenes of the play except that
it was frequently interrupted by a most pro
voking cracking of ground peas, which some
people had the bad taste to prefer to some of
Shakspeare’s finest passages, and the bud
manners to yislurb others whose tastes were
rather more intellectual. We would sup
pose that these nut crackers might have
found a cheaper and more appropriate place j
for their diversion than in the dress circle of
the Theatre.
Au;u»fit 4*a. ISrirfge Case-
The Baltimore Patriot of the Gth inst.
savs: —This suit, which lias been lor a
• ... c /'I
long time pending in the courts of Oeor- '
gU and South Carolina, and which, from |
the largo amount involved, has become |
a case.of great interest to the stockholders j
&0.,0f the Bank of the Slate of Georgia
and the Southern public generally, lias {
been docketed for trial in tlie Supreme I
Cour’, at its present session. Mr- 11.
Johnson appears in’tlie above case for the
1 a. polices, and Mr. Webster for the ap- ,
■ p, Hants.
The Washington Union ol the 6fh mst.
sa ys;—We are happy to learn that General
Haralson, who has been confined to his room
for tiie past week by sickness, is now conva
lescent, and will probably be able to resume
his seat in the House of Representatives iira
few days.
. “VICTORIA, 3d Jan., 1847.
“On the 14th December, we left Camp
Allen, one day after Gen. Twiggs—(when
I use the term “we,” it includes the Vol- |
1 untcer Division under Gen. Quitman.) —
! That day we sassed through Monterey, and
followed the Southern or Cadarete road,
passing through Gaudaloupe from Monterey.
I had often heard of a splendid cathedral in
some town similar in name to the above, but
1 found nothing save a church, and that a
common one. i his village is situated i*i a
most fertile valley, at the fool of the Saddle |
Mountain, on the etstern side of Monterey. I
This vallev, (for the above mountain is a
part of the Sierra Madre chain, within two
miles of which 1 now am.) extends some two
hundred and fifty to three hundred miles, and
varies from one to twenty in breadth, surpass,
ing any soil I have ever seen, in lertvjity. —
Its proximity to the mountains forbids the
idea that the usual curse of this climate
scarcity of water, would affect its value. In
the rainy season it may be too plentiful for
comfort or health, but nothing more, for it
cannot be overflowed. Ihe fruits which I
have so often mentioned as growing so plen- ,
i tifully around we found in the greatest abun- I
1 dance on every days’ march. The first eve- j
i ning we camped twelve miles from Monte- j
( rey. The next morning Major Williams re
quested me to ride back with Lieut. Ander- ;
son in search of Dr. Hill. We rode back
i to thecitv, and there found him with Lear- |
j kins, preparing to start with Gen. I. and
I Staff'. They had wandered away from the
! road on the day previous and got lost. We
j turned our bridle reins, and modestly follow-
I cd in the rear of the escort, for some twenty
five miles, where we left the General and his
party and proceeded on. We came to Ca
darcle there expecting to find camp. It wa s j
not there, and it was 100 late to examine the i
town. Suffice it to say, it is situated in the j
above mentioned valley, thirty miles from |
Monterey. We reached camp about 9 p. |
m., 5 miles this side of the city, with our |
charge, whose appearance caused considera
ble rejoicing among both officers and men.
Thus you see the men marched 23 miles.
My pacing poney was taken sick and left to
the mercy of a chance owner. The next
day, 16th, we were overtaken by and camped
with Gen. T. On the next we reached
Montemorales, or rather encamped at a pru
dential distance from it. Here we were to
rest one day to receive rations and recussa
late. The tents were pitched, and all pre
pared to take it easy. I had determined as
soon as rested, to go up and see , for
AUGUSTA WHOLESALE PRICES CURRENT, FEBRUARY 10, 1847.
ARTICLES. Ptr. Wholesale. ' ARTICLES. \Per. Wholesale. 1 EXCHANGE.
BAGGING—Gunny. j IT a LIME nbJ. ‘225 a Augusta insurance-and Banking Company,,, par
Kentucky 12 al4 MOLASSES—Cuba 'al. 26 a23 Bank of Augusta, “
BALEROPL—.ManiIIa •lb Bia 10 N. Orleans 3u a 371 Branch State of Georgia, Augusta, “
Kentucky 6a 7 NAILS—Cut, 44 to 2Ud 4iu 5 Bank of Brunswick,. “
BACON—Hams 8a 10 OlLS—Sperm, W. strained ] 130 a Georgia Hail Road, “
Sides 7 a 8 Fall strained d ... 125 a Mechanics’Bank, .... “
Shoulders 6 a Summer do.* 100 « Bank of St. Mary’s, .... “
BUTTER—Goshen, prime lb 23 a25 Linseed bbl. j Bank of Milledgeville, **
Country 12 a 15 Tanners 53 a Bank of the State of Georgia, at Savannah,. .. “
CANDLES—Spermaceti! 30 a 32 Lard 100 a Branches of ditto, “
Georgia made 12m 15 j 1*( > I AIDES bbl. *>st) a 400 Marine ami fire Insurance Bank, Savannah,. “
Northern do 11 alO POUTER doz. 225 a 250 B ra ,icli of ditto, at .Macon “
CHEESE—Northern 0« 10 PEl’Elf—Black Ib 24a \ Planters’Bank, Savannah, “
COFFEE—Cuba none PIMENTO.... Ola Central Bank of Georgia, “
K‘° , 8 ® ( ? RAISINS—.MaIaga bunch box. 225 a 200 Central K. R. & B’k’g. Co., Savannah “
*J ava V" n Muscatel 2 a Charleston Banks, “
I , rci . . Lagnaym.. 9a 10 RICE-Ordmary 100. 1 a 420 ,; a|lk of ( “
Ti f Shirtings, brown, 3-4 yd. 6t 1-air...... a _ Bank ot Georgetown “
« j: , '-. 8 . ' ia , ! r" ' r nme V-* a a Commercial,Columbia “
tL, , w a - s f french Brandies gal. 1:0 a 2 Merdtants’. at Clteraw, “
1 Sheetings brown. o-4 U u 5 Leger f reres 2, , « 3 BanU of , Ialll!)lir ,
| ... , Ideacheti, a-4 8a 2J ito Holland Gm . 120 a l.n) Alalmma N(ttes ,. S dis.
3 P U i TfT Jo “ Q K t-n °*2 Merchants’ Bank of Macon 5 (ii 0 “
1 (1 •••• 1 (L J N•’ HI lAI L dIV <llll- IjJ (( w .•% 'll) I c■ | i
1 FlSH—Mackerel, No. I bid. 1U a 124 N.E.Rum.bds. and brls 32 a 33 j, Commercial Bank, at Macon failed
Do. No. 2 8 a 9 Whiskey, Phil. & Balt . 30 a 32 no sale oii uncertain.
Do. No. 3 6 a 64 ’ Do. Ne w Orleans 28 a3O Bank of Darien and Branches.
FLOL R —Baltimore, 11. S none. j f Peach Brandy j 50 a75 Bank of Columbus.
Phila’d and Vir's none. SUGAR—CuIm Muscovado lb 8a 10 Chattahoochee Bail Road and Banking Company
New Orleans none. P. IE & St. Croix 9a 12 Monroe Rail Road and Banking Company.
Canal 7 50a8 00 Havana, white 10 a 11 '! Planters and Mechanics’ Bank,Columbus.
Georgia 5 5(V<6 00 New Orleans 1 Si a 9 Western Bank of Georgia, at Rome.
: GRAIN—Corn. bus. 65 a75 L<af. 1 12 al3 I Exchange Bank, Brunswick.
Oats ... 40 aSO Lump ; Jf u l2 Ins. Bank of Columbns.a l Macon .. no circulation,
I GUNPOWDER keg. 6 a ti SALT—Liverpool sack 137 a 130 Phoenix Bank ol Columbus.
| HAY —Eastern 100. Loose bus.: 35 u 40 CHECKS.
North River SOAP—American,yellow ]f> 5 a 6 On New'York, par.
JUUION —Pig 100. SHOT—AII sizes 1 150 a 175 ; Philadelphia,...
Swedes, assorted ton. 4lu 5 SEGAKS—Spanish M.|2o a3O 805t0n,...
Hoop PO. 7 a American 8 alO ' Charleston and Savannah,
Sheet lb Ha 10 TALLOW—American I 8 a Lexington,Kentucky “
Nail Rods .... 54a 6 TOBACCO—Georgia lb 4 a 5 Nashville,'Tennessee
LEAD —Pig and Bar 100. 6 a Cavendish 15 al7 STOCKS.
Sheet j.... 64a S j TWlNE—Bagging 2U a25 Georgia, 8 per cents 100 a 101
While Lead 1.... 74a 9 • ! Seine j ...' 3) a4O j Georgia, 6 per cents... 97 a 93
Exports of Colton to Foreign and Coastwise Ports, commencing Ist September, 1816.
gayaßM nix • C?i» flesmi. Aiobiic. N. Orleaa*. ,\cw York. Other Psrlt, Total.
wiiiTHEn exported. 1847.1846. 1847. 1846. 1847. 1846. 184 T 1846. 1847,1846. 16471 ism. LSI7. 1846.
Liverpool. .71 36578] 13870 i 53143 32586,; 12500 44523 103782 S 212723 “27313 2089 “ 7298
Unit
Glasgow and Greunock 5158, 2796 2065 1*261 1148: 1509 3900 12662 481;
Cork and a Market ! . 2229 1635 |_ 3109 18<>07 ) | 373 ! | ||
Total to Great. Britain 41736 16666 57737 35486 13648 46032 110791 243397 28!97 34035 2089 7298 254198 382914
Havre ’ 7558; 3627 27043, 15638 ~4i3 -t>g J3U3I '’329?6 5u16l J 7824 ( ” 312 j
Bordeaux, D 9 50
Marseilles I 1 326 j 448 29/1 8< I 3062
Nantes J f 5901 |_ 7>" 2156 j - 464 _ j| ! _
Total to France 7558- 3627’ 27525 16554 11308 13182 36816 53191 21310 22T13 342 ToTIT? I096(»9
Amsterdam 509 i 480; 275:
Rotterdam ; : i 53 634
Antwerp 1914 511 630 j 1832 1107 4688'
Hamburg ’j 333,: | 901 2907'
Bremen { ; I 1808; 2271;
Barcelona !i 1 ! 5208 i 82
Havana, &c 1 I 3591 10440 10860
! Genoa, Trieste, &c ,1 910] 2172| 4661 15310 29931 640 B: 4
Ghent. Ac 1 H i 1500 :
Other Ports ] 937[l j || 1129 874 117 492 386
Total to other foreign Purls 910 1826 6445 7444 3591 3)932 16367 17382 13752 192 386 f>3o)Hi 4054 t
I New York | ' 28516, 19759 53676; ' 25157 " 7833 ' iTfjsj " 1746 V 23874 I 3315 —6t»sß
Boston 108811 8248 ! 16622! 11358 10912 8317; 32874 436931 I 3961 7^
Providence 2315! 355 2258 1874 3366, 3563 \ 1585 i 1623 13451
Philadelphia 1031; 25251 80371 3087 ; 915; 421 2619| 3.804
Baltimore 1014 723 i 2858; 885 816, 2795 1515 1701 11 p'2l
Oilier Ports j |OM4> 9363253| 3885 2496 3100 806 j 4749 1 1366
Total Coastwise 54601 40978 83704 42661 27727 29174 57632 75463 U 3678 40753 2:17342) I99(»o7
Grand 'i’otal j04835< 61271 173792 i 101J46 60127; 92289 23720] 338118 66919,
Gen. Twiggs bad stopped at the village the
day before, and was doing this day what we
would do on the morrow. An express arriv- ,
ed from Gen. Worth staling that he was (
about to be attacked by 9.000 men. The 1
camp was all commotion; who had seen the
express, &.C., &c., was asked, ibis was
[ hushed by the promulgation of the order that
1 as Gen. Twiggs was about to leave with bis i
brigade for Saltillo, Gen. Q. would act as;
Major General and Cols. Jackson and Camp- ,
bell, of the Tennesseans, as Brigadiers.—
On the following day I w ent to the road to
see , as be was going back, but all ;
had gone. We look up the line of march
j on the 18th —nothing of note occurred —
1 passed through Linares on the 23d, and
drank neither eggnog or brandy, but only j
took Villa Grande on the 24th, Hidalgo on •
I the 25th. Christmas day I purchased from ;
a Mexican hunter, whom the picket had ta- ,
ITen and sent into me as officer of the guard, j
a wild turkey, for 56\ cents, nett weight |
1 was 14.* pounds. You had no larger turkey .
fur your dinner on that day. The hunter ;
was turned loose, gun and all. The march ;
became now an cary one to the men, lor as
we neared this place reports reached us of a f
| warlike character, daily inspections were j
I had and scouts were sent out, camp fires of
i the enemy and pickets were daily seen.
On the evening of the 29th tiie Field
Officer ol the day, Col. Campbell, who had
gone ahead with the Mustang Cavalry, re
-1 ported that we would be compelled to light
for our camp. Tired by the long march and
thirsting for water, we little cared how nu
merous they were. The ranks w'ere closed j
and scarce a murmur was heard along the
line. The guns were examined without or- j
ders, cartridges placed in the pockets for con- j
venience, and each eye was seen turned to
i the neighboring height, scanning closely its ;
1 sides. The cow quietly browsing on the j
I distant hillside was watched with suspicious j
i eyes, and some daring horseman would dash
through the thick chapparal to obtain a bet-
I ter view of the supposed Fancier. The
smoke curling from the root ot some distant
; Ranch, was pointed out by the strict observer .
: and allowed by all to be the camp of the en- j
emv. We neared the village ot Dt. Garcia j
or rather a Frenchman s hacienda, but the
enemy had vamosed. They had Iclt that ;
morning. We encamped in peace, posted
pickets, and stationed sentinels. Had you
now seen us you would have supposed vve
I were in our country, around camp files, kin-
I died from American forest; soon the camp ;
; was hushed in sleep, and the wearied soldier,
| bound by slumber’s chains, wandered in im
-1 agination to the comforts of the home he
j had left behind. The moon shone brightly
and glimmered on tiie long line of bayonets i
stacked ready for the morning’s march.
The captain, John and myself were sitting
on a log in front of the fire, telling tales ot
bye gone days. Suddenly the report of a
rifle broke the silence of the night air— two
followed —each breath was suspended, the
long roll of the drum recalled us to our senses,
I f a il in. fall in! was heard along the line, ihe
men sprung to their guns and soon the dark
forms were extended in regimental line,
each officer at his post awaiting the coming
of a General or an aid. Very soon the dash
ing adjutant of the division rode up to Col.
Redd, words were exchanged and on he pass,
ed. Commanders take charge of their com
panies ! attention company; by the left flank
left pace; by file left, march,each captain ut
tered, and soon the Jong line was broken, one
long loud ringing shout was uttered, the
camp was again quiet, and here ended the
false alarm. On the 27th we entered Victo
ra. The enemy had left the day before 4000
strong, whilst in the city, they had acted in a
most disorderly manner, showing no respect
for persons or property. Now these very same
people who were turned out of their houses
by force to furnish quarters for their own
1 armies, are now paid by their enemy and con
j querors, an enormous rent for the same build,
mgs. When we entered this town it was
1
i with banners flying and music. Forming on
! three sides o( the Plaza, w-e saluted the ban
; ner of the stars and stripes as it slowly as
j cended the staff on the government house
1 where ?o lately the banner of our foe was
i unfurled to the breeze. Many ol the natives
| were lookers on. They seemed astonished and
■ surprised at our boldness in advancing so far
jin their country with so limited a force. We
j marched out of the town, the band playing
i “'Hail Columbia !” On the next day, B. Co.,
will) D. and 11. of the Georgia and G. and C.
of the Mississippi, was sent to garrison the
city, Major Williams commanding, under tiie
title of Governor. We are now in comforta
ble quarters, men and all, silting on chairs,
eating from tables and some of us sleeping
on bedsteads. On the 4lh, yesterday, Gen.
Taylor marched through town, from Monte
| rev. His column had not encamped when
, the advance of Gen. Patterson from Mata
■ moros came in on the opposite side and soon,
his whole force passed by our dwelling,—
the whole force of our army is concentrated
i here. Victoria is a place ot no military
; importance, save for the concentration. It
is a central point, being equidistant from
Monterey, Camargo, Malamoros, Tampico,
and St Louis. Gen. T. would move immedi
ately, but Gen. Scott is now in the country
somewhere, vve know, but from him Gen. I’.
has received no orders, and if he moved it
i might hamper Gen. S. We remain here a
! short time, move perhaps on Tula, but within
| 10 or 15 days all will vamos to Tampico and
from thence you are to convey the news, no
us.
JANUARY 6, 1846.
Col. May, with a party of dragoons was sent
!to Labradores, on the southern side ot the
i mountains, about 25 miles from Linares to ex
amine a mountain pass. When he was pass
ing through a mountain gap on his return,
the sides of which were from 6 to 700 hun
dred feet high, a mine exploded in his rear
separating his rear guard from h<scommand,
the sides of the mountain appeared alive with
men shouting and cursing. They rolled stones
and rocks upon him. The Lieut, command
ing the rear guard came up to May, and re
ported it cut ell, he was ordered back and re
fused to go.He has since been court martialed
(charge cowardice,) his name was Sturges,
and has lately graduated. Our boys are al
lowed the privileges ot the city—no duties,
save those of guard, which are very ardu
ous, every three nights. They behave them
.-ehes as gentlemen ami soldiers. They are
all in perfect health and fine spirits. My
situation in town enables me to lake advan
tage of many opportunities for improvement,
which in camps I could not do. You would
never have received this lengthy letter had
1 been in my lent, I moreover see many of
the officers of the army, Page, Little, Han
son, an Dorn, Dana, &lc. I have seen
Gardner several times, he has improved very
much in health and personal appearance.—
lie is now Adjutant to his battalion.
“JANUARY 7, 1847.
‘'l am in luck; last night the wind blow
ing with more force than our March tem
pests. 1 understand that the tents, all, were
blown down, and it is very cold without
doors, but comfortable within. Yet it would
be mure so if we had fire places, an article of
convenience and contort which is not to be
found in Mexico. The kitchens are smoke
houses. They have fine bake ovens and ex
cel in baking bread. In some of the houses
you find every article of comfort to be seen
in our own, musical instruments of all kinds
and ornaments. Dul ’tis seldom we see
these things, us the wealthier classes have
vamosed to the Mexican side of the moun
tains. 1 am comfortably situated, blankets
and clothing, plenty toeatand fine company.
Nevertheless,! occasionally wish for home
and its luxuries, though for the Stale of
Georgia I would not return before rny com
pany. Toll that I often wish sire were
here. The pure atmosphere causes the
most distant objects of vision to appear very
near. All the tropical fruits in perfection,
and an enterprising farmer would have a
succession of garden vegetables the year
round. \Ve now have green corn, green
peas, beans, potatoes and cabbages.
“\Ve will certainly be in Tampico in twen
ty days. You rs,
COMMERCIAL.
latest dates krom lIveR.P00l,::::::::::::: jaw 4
LATEST DATES FROM Ua vRE:Jan. t
Augusta Jftarltct, February 10.
COTTON.—During the past week we have had
a quiet market, and prices a downward tendency.
Purchasers seem more timid in their operations,
and show no disposition to enter the market at the
range of prices demanded by holders, w Idle on tha
other hand sellers have shown no desire to exhibit
their samples at prices which would meet the
views of buyers. In this state our market has con
tinued during the week, and will no doubt so re
main until the next steamer’s advices come to
hand, now daily looked for. In the present un
settled state of the market it is difficult to give cor
rect quotations — those given l>elo\v show a reduc
tion of full }c. on all qualities, but we would re
mark, that although a majority of holders would
sell at them, they are not low' enough to meet the
views of buyers, who are demanding a reduction
from last week’s prices of i a 4 cent on all qnali
-1 ties. The sales of the week sum up 4015 bales,
which were disposed of as follow:—120 bales at
i 10, 16 at 10L 177 at 10}, 111 at 101,209 at lOi, 195
at lOi, 93at 9 11-16, 530 at 10!, 180 at 10r,H79at
11, 319 at 11}. 380 at 11}, 95 at li 5-16,180 at 111,
176 at Hi, 5 at Hi, 33 at IU, and 67 at 12 cents.
We quote for square bales—
Inferior, —a— Middling fair, 11 all}
Ordinary, 10 a 10} Fair, 1 Halit
Middling, lOjalCl Good fair, Ilia—
By the tables we publish this morning, made up
’ to the latest dates received, it will be seen that
the receipts at the different ports show an increase
■ ; over last year’s up to the same period, of