The Washington American. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 31, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 4, 1856 Page: 2 of 4
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asjjrógton^ntfriatt
0. W. CBAWFOHDj EDITOR.
WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY/ JUNE 4, 1856.
FOR PRESIDENT,
MILLARD FILLMORE.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
ANDREW J.DONELSON
1\
«FOR ATTORNEY <3 ENERA L,
Wm. ITSABMAIT, 07 RUSK.
FOR STATE TREASURER,
IW. A TARLTOH, OF HABBI80H. .
FOR COMPTROLER,
IS. B. C. B0BBBTSOH, OF BELL.
FOR ELECTORS STATE AT LARGE,
J. A. WILCOX, OF BEXAR,
ROBERT H. TAYLOR, OF FAOTUT.
«ASTERN DISTRICT,
7. "w. TLumear, of busk,
WESTERN DISTRICT.
THOO. W BLAKSt OF LEONA.
We mm requested to announce £. I. "French,
of Washington; Ja*. Wallace, of Chappell Hill; 8- 8
Hosaa, of Mill Creek; and John J. Jone , as candi
datas for County Commissioners at the ensuing election.
We are authorised to announce WillOt Holmes,
as / candidate for the office of Sheriff, at the Au-
gust election,
W« are authorized to announce 0. H. P. Garrett
as a candidate for the sOee of Tax Collector and Al-
ternar, at the August election, for WaAingtoo county.
fc#- W e are authorized to announce J. W. Battle,
s a candidate for r«-elecúoa to the office of DUtrict
Attorney for t)M Third Judicial District, at the ensuing
tafust Section. #
W We are authorized to announce J. Buckholts,
of Cameron, as a candidate for the office of District
Attorney for the Third Judicial District, at the ensuing
August election.
■7* We are authorized to announce 8am Ltiak, *s
• candidate for re-election to the office of County Clerk>
of Washington county, at the ensuing August election.
0* We ace authorized to announce Ju E Gray,
aa a candidate for the office of Chief Justice, of Wash
•fton county, at the ensuing August election.
Weareauthorizrd to announce Jaa- X. Dallas
as a candidate for the office ot ¡Sheriff, at the ensuing
August election, 1856. *p
IV We are authorized to announce C. Buster, Esq..
as a candidate for n-election to the office of Chief
Justice of Washington county, at the August election.
*3r Read the interesting letter from
«or publisher, Mr. Perkins.
fry Mrs. He Lockett, Sr. and W. J.
Pendleton, will take charge of the Ameri-
can daring the absence of the editor. All
we ask for them is latitude !
car Subscribers' names are falling in
upon us a thick as mists upon a mountain
top. We promise to give them a ^ value
received" paper.
'We are requested to give notice
that Dr. Flewellen's mill is now in success-
ful operation, and he is ready at all times
to supply his customers with the best of
' We were kindly presented on yes-
terday, by our friend Capt Hatfield, with a
lot of very good segars. We recommend to
all lovers of a good c smoke," his fine assort-
ment.
JG=£" There will be a Kansas meeting at
Independence, on next Saturday, the 7th
inst. Speakers wül be in attendance, and
the friends of the Sooth from all quarters
are invited to attend.
D$R
gratefu
. R S. Wiley, of San Andrews,
ful acknowledgments for the
assistance rendered Mr. Perkins in procur-
ing subscribers. Such disinterested friend-
ship is an occurrence so rare now-a-days,
that it «ornes " like soft descending dews
from heaven." The Doctor has our wish
that he may long live to enjoy the " bless-
ings of health, wealth and friends."
'We present, this week, the names
of several new candidates. These gentle-
men all run as independent candidates, and
against all caucus nominations, as they be-
lieve the people are better capable of judging
of the merit of their condidates than any
by. They are well known in the
as being gentlemen of high toned
morals, and worthy of the esteem of their
fellow-citizens.
100 XXAX TO TALK ABOUT.
Some individual, or individuals, a few
nights since, shaved the tail and otherwise
disfigured the saddle-horse of Mr. Becker
a music teacher in this place. Charity com-
pells us to believe that so contemptible an
outrage upon decency and self-respect, was
not perpetrated by any man, but by some of
the men-boys, of whom there are a score or
so about town.
JEST An event will transpire in our quiet
little town during the week, that will aston-
ish the gossip-loving people, and will give
them something to talk about for many
days to come. Jn order that their aston
ishment may not assume undue bounds, we
have thus kindly given them a hint in ad-
vance. Nous verrón*.
JET^Our devil got bis u foot into it," the
other day, when be thrust his ugly * mug
of a lace" under a pretty little bonnet, for a
" black gal" hit him ka-slap-dab right into
the mouth with a ball of soft soap. Served
him right for his curiosity in prying into
matters that did not concern him, for who
knows but the lace under that bonnet might
not have a K white gal's," painted, instead
•f a Uadc one's, with the natural color 1
FRANKLIN PIERCE'S ANTICEDENTS.
Political anticedents, that for so long a
tirite have furnished editorial for the " organ
grinders" of the no-principle party, and
meat and drink for the political hangers-on
that crowd, like summer flies, around the
democratic slaughter-house, turns out to be
not exactly as high a card as they antici-
pated, and we hazard nothing in saying that
the wire-workers are put to a foil. When
Pierce came into office, upon the tide of
popular opinion, the culminating point of his
success seemed to be his position upon the
Compromise, many of his constituents sup-
porting him upon the belief that he was
sounder upon that all-important question
than Scott, rallying around him, however,
the factions, cliques and combinations who
were so antagonistic to these measures-—
whose voioe, arising superior to the general
cry of alarm, were, and are, and must stil!>
in the very nature of their existence, con-
tinue to be, for war and disunion, came
into office. Had not Gen. Pierce been re-
garded as safer and sounder upon the Com-
promise, by the grand conservative division
of the North, as well as the South, he would
never have been called to the occupancy of
the Executive Mansion, and we believe it to
be equally true that, had not the banded
power of Southern disunionists, and North-
ern fanatics, and traitors, and factions, from
every quarter, who stood by him in the
hour of his trials, been sure of his aid, the
Administration that his imbecility and
weakness has rendered into a burlesque,
had been conducted by a President capable
of understanding its duties, and fearless, as
the Chief Magistrate of the land, to uphold
and support the Constitution, and the dig-
nity of the Union, under any extremity.
In proof of our assertion, that these dis
cordant elements have made him what he
that he occupies and holds his position
upon the faith'of no political principles, save
a firm conviction and determination to dis-
tribute impartially the spoils of office among
the factions who bowed themselves to this
treachery, in the humble hope that through
their elective capacity they were dictating
to his will, we have only to quote from the
Washington Union, the leading organ of the
party, " that had the Democratic Conven-
tion which nominated Gen. Pierce, either
endorsed, or refused to endorse, the Com-
promise, he would have been defeated."
His course, then, upon the Compromise
would declare that he came into office un-
biased by pledges to keep down the slavery
agitation, and amenable to no law but the
law of self and party aggrandisement, yet
his pledges to preserve the peace, prosperity
and happiness secured by the previous Ad-
ministration, are recorded against him, and
by the obligations of his oath to stand by
the Constitution, he was honorably and
morally bound to comply.
The country had passed through one of
those fierce political struggles so threatening
to its existence and perpetuity, and the Fill-
more Administration had stilled the ele-
ments of disunion and fanaticism, and har-
mony was restored when Pierce came into
power. No maa ever laid 'dtfftrn the reins
of government more deserving óf the plau-
dits of his country, for no man ever entered
upon duty under circumstances more try-
ing. and the whole people were only anxious
that his successor might follow in his foot-
steps. In the onset, President Pierce set
forth in his inaugral a sound conservative
policy, which, had he carried out, and main-
tained, had made his Administration another
bright epoch in the history of the Union.
The measures advised were wise and poli-
tic, but he could not, or would not, reduce
them to practice. Talking for the Union
men, and working for disunionists—any
thing to please the one, and every thing to
subserve the interests of the other. His
first move after his inaugral, was to betray
every principle that he had prodaimed and
avowed as national and conservative. Pro-
fessing to be for the Compromise and the
Union, he gathers around him as his Con-
stitutional advisers, Freesoilers, Abolition-
ists and Disunionists. To Mr. Marcy is
given the chief scat in the synagogue.; -He
always has been the leader of the Freesoil
party in New York. Caleb Cushing, At-
torney General, is the chiefest of all political
apostates, and an Abolitionist to boot. Mc-
Clelland had nothing to recommend him but
his course upon the Wilmot Proviso, still,
he is Secretary of the Interior. Jeff. Davis,
the ranke'st Disunionist on rccord, is called
to the War Department, and Mr. Dobbin,
who could not be elected to the United States
Senate from his own State, when he was
the only democratic candidate, on account of
his resistance to the Compromise measures,
is Secretary of the Navy. Thus it is that
Gen. Pierce practices his Union and Compro-
mise principíete! Thus he fulfils his pledges,
by filling the Cabinet offices with the corrupt
leaders of corrupt and base sectional factions,
and meteing out to foreigners our most cov-
eted foreign missions, in place of native born
citizens. Gen. Pierce may be actuated by
motives honest and patriotic, but he cer-
tainly displays great lack of statesmanship
in his course towards National Democrats.
Gen. Jackson was never known to appoint
any one to office who was a nullifier, and
Fillmore's course in removing from office
men appointed by Gen. Taylor, because he
knew them to be Sewardites, and of never
appointing to office a single man who was
opposed to the Compromise, is an instance
of rare consistency, and Pierce had acted
wisely snd well for his country to have fol-
lowed his example.
w
'We wAld bo more than pleased
to receive some communications from the
"Samaritan Box," as some beautiful pro-
ductions, from still more beautiful minds,
glittered like clustering pearls before tibe
eyes of our reading public, through the
medium of our columns, some months since,
and we are loth to give up such valuable
auxiliaries in the great work of moral re-
form.
POLITICAL APOSTACY.
When Judas Iscariot betrayed our Savior,
so great were the pangs of a guilty consci-
ence, that.he went and banged himself."
When Benedict Arnold proved false to the
trust reposed in him. by bartering the lib-
erties of his country for British gold, he was
received by a people who loved the treason,
but damned the traitor. But, in this, our
boasted age of refinement aud civilization,
political apostacy and renegad ism. are but
as necessary prerequisites to political pre-
ferment, and the value of the reward is in
exact proportion to the extent of the trea-
son. For instance; When an Honorable
Senator of the United States feels that his
present political position is not likely to
"enure to his benefit," he immediately com-
mences the rudiments of political gymnas
tics, and pursues a systematic course in the
science of "ground and' lofty tumbling,"
when he soon fits himself for the somerset
by which he vaults, or rather, leaps into the
Presidential chair. [We suppose that this
is she reason why Presidential elections
come on leap year.\ When a member of
the House of Representatives fixes his eye
upon the glittering salary and out-fit of a
foreigu mission, and the dazzling splendor
of a foreign court, he immediately squats
upon his hauqphes, like the clown in the
cfrcus, and overboard he' goes. When a
Cabinet appointment is to be secured, or a
Judgeship to be won, we find more clowns
in the ring, than there are places to be filled.
Congressmen, members of State Legisla-
tures, Ex-Governors, District Judges. Law-
yers, Doctors, Editors, broken down political
hacks, and pot house politicians, all rolling
and tumbling, vaulting and leaping, a perfect
heterogenous mass of political tricksters,
time-servers and paltroons, claiming merit
by virtue of treason, and reward for their
apostacy. The same system descends in
regular gradation, down to the merest petty
office to be filled by a county election, and
the dirty work of a dirty party is generally
performed by a babbling traitor and a knav-
ish apostate.
Now, this state of public morals is mainly
to be attributed to the fact that the great
mass of the political leaders and journalists
of the present day are wofully deficient in
that lofty patriotism, and unswerving in-
tegrity, that should characterize the leading
men of our country. With them it isa
general scramble for office, regardless of
merit, and of political promotion based upon
knavery, corruption and treason.
The powerful engine of the press is wield-
ed in favor of a system so atrocious in its
nature, so corrupting in its tendancy, and so
demoralizing in its influences. The public
mind should become thoroughly aroused on
the subject, and a free and enlightened press
should hurl its dread thunderbolts, more
powerful in its denunciations, because more
effective, against so ruinou3 and evil a polk:}'.
Let them hold up^to public exccration, every
traitor to his party. Let them pursue him
with a vengeance that is unsleeping. Let
them lash his back with a whip of scorpion's
stings, until he shall twist |nd writhe as if
he had a fortaste of the fires of that dread
damnation, which so soon awaits the accur-
sed traitor and apostate.
But, thank God, there are exceptions to
this general rule; and there are men who
have occupied high places in our government,
who have never yet been tainted with politi-
cal treason, but whose lofty patriotism,
whose purity of character, and whose un-
blemished integrity, enable them to stand
out in bold relief, brighter and purer from
the contrast of surrounding darkness.—
Among such men, " head and front," tower-
ing in his colossal height, above the common
herd, stands Millaro Fillmore, against
whose spotless character, the poisoned shafts
of a malignant and unscrupulous foe, scath-
less fall, and around whom, as the great
standard bearer of American principles and
American freedom, millions of patriot sires
and sons will rally on the Ides of November
next, and our country stand ''redeemed,
regenerated, and disenthralled *' from the
curse of political imbecility, intrigue and cor-
ruption, by the genius of universal Ameri-
canism.
AT ALL HAZARDS.
The American party in this city have all
along insisted that frauds upon the ballot-
box should be stopped at all hazards, but
the* Democratic orators insist that the elec-
tion on their part must be carried at all
hazards.
Here is a wide distinction to reflecting
people.—Creole.
"Carried at all hazards!" Well, if this
is aot unblushing assurance, we are unable
to find words to express it. We suppose
the Democratic party means by carrying the
election at all hazards, that it intends to put
into operation the same machinery and
means that placed Pierce in the Executive
mansion; the seme power that gave to Amer-
icans as ruler, that full embodiment of
Northern fanaticism—the Northern man
with Southern feelings—Martin Van Burcn.
And we divine in the President's course on
Nicaraguan matters, a decided predilcctidn
on the part of the administration, to carry
out the boast, lias the President again
secured the co-operation of the Pope, through
the pledges of Archbishop Hughes t If the
" election is to be carried at all hazards" by
the Democratic party, we woujd like to learn
their mode of conciliating the horde of
hungry office-seekers that cluster like sum
mer flies around the Executive shambles.—
The foreigners must have the lion's part
of the loaves and fishes, or else the rich
German accent, and sweet Irish brogue will
be bought up by the next highest bidder.—
To "carry the election at all hazards," the
fanaticism of Northern Freesoilers and
Abolitionists must be brought into con-
cert of action with Southern Democracy.
The immense power of the foreign vote
North and North-West, must league with
the factions of the South. Yet, such dis-
cordant elements must affiliate. Theelec-
tion must be carried at all hazards."
How vast the difference between the line
of action laid down by the American party,
and that adopted and advocated^y the
Democracy, we leave to Americans the re-
flection. The one would do away with fraud
upon the ballot-box at all hazards, the other
upholds the doctrine that at all hazards the
election must be carried. •' Look on this
picture and on that."
THE CHAXPTON CASE.
It is stated on good authority that the
President does not consider the apolegetic
explanation of Lord Clarendon, in reference
to the enlistment case, and his dismissal is
considered certainly about to be resolved
on.
Why hesitate longer ? Certainly ample
time has been offered for reflection. Does
the administration, 4ike Mr. Micswber, ex-
pect something to " turn up" from which to
manufacture capital ? We opine that the
Brigadier is in rather a delicate situation.—
THAT LIBRARY.
We learn that strenuous efforts are be-
ing made by Dr. Legrand and others, who
are deeply interested in establishing a " Lit-
erary Association" in our town, to procure
the funds necessary for such a purpose,
from the different Benevolent and Temper-
ance institutions of the place. This plan,
we think altogether inadvisable, and im-
practicable. from the fact, that there cannot
be obtained from these sources a sufficient
amount even to commence with, without
impoverishing their treasuries, and thereby
distroying their capability for usefulness,
and furthermore, a spirit of opposition will
be engendered by some who are opposed to
secret orders, aud more especially the tem-
peranco order, which will prevent them from
coming forward and rendering assistance in
so noble an undertaking.
We think it advisible to call a meeting of
the citizens of Washington and vicinity and
then take such steps as may be necessary,
for tho purpose of organizing a " Library
Association," independent of any other as-
sociation or secret order, where all can con-
tribute, and all enjoy the benefits arising
therefrom.
Upon consultation with our friend, Dr.
Legrand, who is so zealously engaged in this
noble work, he heartily assents to the above
suggestion, and we will ask that the citi-
zens of the town, and all others favorably
inclined towards the enterprise, to meet at
Uncle Bob's ball room on Wednesday night,
at early candle light. The ladies particu-
larly are requested to attend. Dr. Legrand
says, that he positively will not come, unless
the ladies will.
RATIFICATION MEETING.
A preliminary meeting of the American
party, was held at Independence a few even-
ings since, and a committee being appointed
to fix upon a day fot a more general meet-
ing, Saturday, the 7th of June was,agreed
upon. Several speakers will be in attend-
ance, and it is hoped the meeting will be
large ; at least we hope, and confidently ex-
pect, to sec a large delegation from all sec-
tions. North, South, East and West, meefr
ings have been held, and the result has been
an assurance of enthusiastic confidence in
American principles, and a universal ratifi-
cation of the nominations, With Fillmore
and Donelsotffor our standard bearers, and
a conwntrated u gathering of the clans,"
whfen the Ides of March shall have come,
, « The dMfhahall bo light.
The wrot^gjshal 1 be right,
And Bertram's might,and Bertram's right,
Shall meet on Ellaogowan's height."
The following communication will
speak for itself. If any of our citizens de-
sire to start for Central America, previous
to the time appointed for our boys to start,
a better opportunity will not be afforded.
Galveston. May 27th. 1856.
Editor American: Dear Sir—I have just
seen an extract from your paper, stating
there were some thirty men already enrolled
to emigrate for Nicaragua about the 15th of
July. I am now organising a company at
this placc, and intend to start about the 10th
of June.
I desire you to give notice that all those
who will join me at this place, at or about
that time, will be provided with immediate
conveyence to Nicaragua, for which the citi-
zens of this place have pledged themselves.
At a very enthusiastic meeting, held last
evening, by the citizens, a committee was
appointed to receive subscriptions and ad-
vances. and provide for the means of trans-
portation. There has been a considerable
amount already collected.
The government of Nicaragua, through
her agent in New Orleans, and P. R. Ed-
wards, of this city, pledge the payment of
all such sums advanced, in land, with eight
per cent, interest until paid; provided, the
government is sustained.
Submitting these facts to the citizens of
Washington county who are favorable to
the cause of Gen. Walker, and friendly to
free government, and requesting from you
a reply at your earliest convenience,
1 am, as ever, respected sir, yours,
JAS. M. DUNN.
The New York Post publishes a letter
from Baron Humboldt that satisfactorily
disposes of a report that that distinguished
man had become a convert to the spirit-
rapping humbug. He^says he has 11 a holy
horror of pine-wood spiritualism and pay-
Will theunterrified please solve the problem? chograpbic mysticism."
JEST We have this week, the pleasure of
announcing the name of Willet Holmes,
Esqr., as a candidate for Sheriff. Mr.
Holmes is one of the oldest citizens of
the State, and lived "through times that
tried men's souls, in the days of the Repub-
lic." He has been frequently before the
people for office, and has always been suc-
cessful as he doubtless will be in the pres-
ent canvass. He has always been a faith
ful member of the Democratic party, and is
yet, only being an American in feeling, so
far as the foreign plank in the American
platform goes. He disclaims being the can-
didate of any partys as he expects to receive
support from both parties, who are opposed
to caucuses imposing upon the sovereign
people officers for their government. He
never was a member of the American par-
ty, and consequently is no renegade; and if
beaten in the election, it will be attributable
to this cause. We trust the American par-
ty will concentrate on him, for of the two
who are aspiring to the office, he is least ob-
jectionable to the principles of the American
party.
The flag of Nicaragua consists of three
stripes, two of sky blue, with a white stripe
in the centre. In the midst of.the white is
a circular device of the seal or%e State, and
the representation of six volcanoes, in token
of the volcanic range of Nicaragua.
For the Washington American.
THOUGHTS.
A matron sat and sadly mused,
On the wealth of love, ye t clustering 'round
Her lone and weary heart. The gentle wavelets
Oflove yet laved the seat of life, asthe ruby tide
Ebbed and flowed around it; and oftimca
Caused those amethystine eyes to bathe
Themselves in dewy tears.
That she had no glorious earlhly shrine
Whereon she could bestow the holy
Passion of her soul. Uncountered and unheeded
Treasures clustered 'round her heart of hearts,
And ripened into fruit for heaven.
Youth and beauty both have passed away,
Tet a precious dower of rich and rose-hued
Thoughts flashed through her pensive mind;
And oftimes the bird-notes of gladness gush
From her laughter-loving lips.
Age may dim those azure eyes,
And blanch that rudy check ; but jouth
Will hold his empire still Within
Her soft and sunny heart.
GLENDORA.C** •* *.
Cameron, May 23d, 1856-.
Dear Crawford: The District Court of
this county convened at this place on Mon-
day last, Judge Baylor presiding. I am in-
formed that the civil docket is very light,
and of minor importance, but that the Crimi-
nal docket is heavy. The "Great Cow Book
of Texas" was opened last Wednesday
morning, and it was found that some forty-
five or fifty true bills had been found by
the Grand Jvxry. This is a sufficient warn-
ing. I think, for stock raisers to be honest
in their dealings with each other, and before
marking and branding, to " be sure they are
right, and then go ahead." This county
will not be represented in the Huntsville
industry institution this session.
I learned from a friend, full particulars
of the origin and termination of the Ellison
and Pool difficult}', on Williamson's creek,
which is as follows:
For several years past, the Ellisons have
rendered themselves obnoxious to the citi-
zens in the section of the country in which
they lived. It is said and believed by a
large majority of their neighbors, that Jim
Ellison enticed off and harbored a negro
m?n belonging to Mr. Pool. For some
time past he has been in the habit of shoot-
ing and maltreating his neighbors' stock.
He is charged with the killing of a man by
the name of Phelps, for his money, conceal-
ing his body in the hollow of a tree, on the
San Gabriel. The evidence. I am informed,
is circumstantial, but sufficiently strong to
satisfy the community of his guilt. Phelps'
horse was found dead, and Phelps has not
beeu seen or heard of since seen at Jim
Ellison's house, some time in March last.
The citiaens met in council, and passed res-
olutions requesting the Ellison's to leave
the country. They refused. A com pan j- of
gentlemen, some time in April, went to the
house of one Stewart, a "striker'' of the
Ellison's, arrested him, and extorted from
him the fact as to the killing of stock, but
he denied any knowledge of the murder of
Phelps. During the struggle to arrest
Stewart, one of the Paul pflHy was shot,
but not fatally. Stewart promised to leave
the county at a giren time, but instead of
complying, he went to the Ellison's, and
rallied a party of sixteen men to fight it out.
The citizens held another meeting, request-
ing the Ellisons to leave the country; a
committee was appointed to wait on them
and receive their reply. They did so, and
the Ellisons promised to leave by the 15th
of this month (May), but instead-of doing
so. fortified their house and asked for a
tight. On the 18th the Regulator met and
proceeded to the residence of the Ellisons,
camped near their house at night, and on
the following morning at about daybreak,
began to advance on Ellison's residence,
and when within about one hundred yards
of the house, the Ellisons began to fire—
shooting Crain, Smith and Ross : the attack-
ing party then retired, and thus the parties
stood on last evening. None are wounded
dangerously.
It is rumored here this morning that
another fight took place yesterday, and B.,
of the Ellison party was killed.
The wheat crops are unusually good in
this county this season, and in fact the crops
generally arc excellent. Yours, &c.,
G. W. PERKINS.
watrr to the axles |6f Our wagons, winch
makes it slow movingjjj&llet a gentleman on
the road leading an nma horse ; bantered
him for a swap; his horse proving to have
but three legs, and mine only one eye; got
twenty dollars to boot, that being considered
the difference between a one-eyed one. and
three-legged one. He. however, proves to
be of the Cleber stock, and you know that
three legs of that stock is worth more than
four of cold blood. I immediately named
him Judge W., after a certain distinguished
gentleman of your county, who sports an
extra leg. Took liim to the smith's shop at
Round Top. and got his leg repaired. I
doubt if tile gentleman can get old grev
eyes fixed as easy. Pitched our tents three
miles west of Round Top, for the night, on
the Bastrop road. After supper called on
some ladies ; returned to camp, and listened
to a song or two from Dr. Clark, and re-
tired for the night.
15th.'—All hands rolled up at day break,
shifted our animals to fresh grass, got break-
fast and commenced moving at half-past six
o'clock. The roads are improving. Most
of the crops in this section look as if they
were siiffering from dry weather. Made
nineteen miles to-day, and camped on Pin
Oak creek, near Parson Rennick's; slept
out in the open air, for the first time since
we left; like it better than the tenk
16th.—We had just completed giving our
animals their corn, when a drove of hogs
came upon us more terrible than poor Nor-
vel's band of robbers. We fought them
manfully for a while, and it was doubtful
which side would gain the victory ; hut. like
Nap jlean at Waterloo, we were destined to
defeat, and from the same cause the emeiny
receiving rcinforoements. It seemed haid
that we should pay a man for corn to feed
his own hogs, but so wags the world—
our misfortune was his gain. We made ten
miles before dinner ; tried my hand to-day
at bread making—-was speculating whilst
mixing it whether all knowledge that a man
gained (no matter how) would not be
useful to him sometime during life ; made
but a short drive this evening. Our Cap-
tain traded off a horse lie got from Col. Bill
A—n, for a mule. The horse was playing
his hand for more than it was worth, and
' scattering his play" so bad that it was
impossible lor him to hold out much longer;
camped for the night at a school house near
widow Hill's • musquitoes in abundance.
17th.—Got but little rest last night, in
consequence of ticks and red bugs annoying,
or knawing me. They very forcibly
brought to inind the following lines. I
quote them, but do not know the author:
" Oft in the stilly night
When slumber's chain's would bind mc,
I feel the cussed bite
Of something crawling around me."
Yet, I cannot agree with the remark of
Gen. Twiggs, when he passed through
Washington on his wav to Mexico, that
chance of hog willow, and a plenty of
musquitoes, interspersed occasionly with
scattering trees. An incident occured to-
day, which forcibly reminded me of an an-
ecdote that I heard in my 3-outh. A ceig)
tain colored geinman, in one of our Northern
cities, by the name of Cuff, gave an enter-
tainment one night to iiis friends, at which,
dancing was included. In the midst of the
dance, when the fiddler was doing his best,
and the dancers were tripping it on the
light fantastic heel, Cuffe suddenly rise?
from his seat, stamps upon the floor, waves
his hand assumes a majestic attitude, and m
a commanding voice, orders the Mr. Mtisi-
cian to "stop." The music ceased in the
middle of a demiciviquiver, and all is hush-
ed and still. Cuff, with folded arms, sur-
veys his assembled guests for a moment,
and then orders the music and dancing to
go on. When the dance was concluded,
some one asked Mr. Cuff, why he ordered
the musician to stop? '-Oh nothing,
thoíitT" Sa3'S CUff! ' on,y to show my al-
lhe face of the country improves as wé
advance. I was taken violently sick to-day
m consequence of lying down in the prairie
in the hot sun. to wait for the wagons. I
shall try not to be guilty of sinh n impru-
dence again. Camped to night tour miles
on th$ East side of the Gaudalupe. on the
road to New Braunfels. This section oí
country is settling up quite fast, principally,
however, with Germans.
21st.—Crossed the Gaudalupe. about 9
o'clock at the lower crossing. The water
resembling very much the San Marcos, but
not so blue, the current was stronger. Was
disappointed in the appearance of New
Braunfels, it not looking so well as I have
heard it described; the houses were indif-
ferent ; the streets muddy, and the appear-
ance of the place did not suit me ia any par-
t icular.
Four Mississippians joined us yesterday
the}' made some good trades here in saddles
and firearms. After you leave the town
on the San Antonio road, you pass through
a lane Fettled altogether, 1 believe, by Ger-
mans ; camped for dinner at the end of the
lane, and found some excellent water in a
mill; made but a short stay and pushed on
to the Cibilo, or Sea Willow, as it is called
in English. Instead of this being a fine
running stream as I anticipated*I found the
water standing in holes with a rocky bed¿
Camped on it for the night.
22iid.—Took an early start in order to
reach San Antonio for dinner, it being six-
teen miles; very pleasant country, until we
reached the Salado, pronounced in English,
Salough, four miles from San Antonio. We
crossed a little above where Caldwell, or. as
lie is more properly known, by old lexians,
" old Paint" had his fight with the Mexicans*
I was disappointed in the stream from the
sound of ;ts name. 1 had likened it to Bun-
yan's Slough of Despond, but it proved to be
Correspondence Washington American.
FXNCimrGS OH THE ROAD TO NEW MEXICO
Camp, San Pedro Springs,
Two miles West of San Antonio,
Eoitob American :—According to mjr
promise, I send you pencilings up to this
time. The hurried manner in which they
were written, as well as the inconvenient
mode of writing, and my want of experience,
must be my excuse for their imperfection.
May lltb.—Our trains left Washington
at 12 M., and reached the vicinity of Inde-
pendence that night and camped. In con-
sequence of a severe indisposition, I was
not able to leave until the next day, and
then I was scarcely «ble to sit on my horse.
I however, in company with Simon Suggs,
of Sugg's creek, succeeded in reaching the
residence of S. R. Roberts, Esq., very much
fatigued. We enjoyed the hospitality of
Tim and his lady and after an early break-
fast. started on way with their best wishes
for our success. The rain came down in
torrents during the night, and right glad
was I to find myself in such comfortable
quarters.
13th-—Reached Long Point before our
teams had got under way from where they
had encamped the previous day. It seems
that a certain gentleman and his fair daugh-
ter had so entertained the party with music
and anecdotes, that they were loth to leave.
It, however, seemed to have a different effect
upon our Captain, who has been very sick
all day vomiting. In consequence of the
roads being so heavy, we have made but
six.miles to-day, and have pitched our tents
on th3 west side of Union Hill. Captain
Wood no better; suffering severely. We
found here rather a queer specimen of hu-
manity, by the name of Biyor, remarkable
for the shortness of his back, and the length
of his legs and arms. He seems to think
himself the principal roan in the settlement;
keeps a small store, sells rot gut, or red-eye,
ginger cakes and eggs. He moved to be an
old acquaintance of friend R.Í. having been
with him in the Santa Fe expedition and
consequently a prisoner in Mexico. It is
many years since they met before, and right
hearty were their greetirgs. John B
suffered qui*e extensively and they both
felt the efleots of it sensibly.
14tb.~Struck our tents and commenced
moving at 7 A. M. Our Captain much im-
proved. The roads are awfully muddy, and
W asnmgton on his wav to Mexico, that - „ • * , I , V,
Texas was overrated for" everything except a hne running stream, clear and cool. For
the above insects ; started early this morn- tI,e last ,fort>' or fift* ",,les> wt? Uave P*88?1
ing and reached Bastrop to dinner. The roads! °ryer 'here ,s on the
leading to this little city are very bad and ^0,0' God's earth-barr.ng the musquitoe.
muddy, and most of the streets within the l™ber m.ght make it more valuable, but it
limits of the corporation am but little better; i ":o"ld afd none to its beauty. We arrived
sauntered abo.it the city for an hour or two | f S*n Ant0™ a'ha f Scamped
called on a few acquaintances; witnessed f°r d'n«er 0,1'ts.de of ^the r,ver about
the bravery of red eye by a fight or two in a m,le fr°m ^vn j heard of our other wag'
front of a grog shop ; laid in some supplies,1 ons t°" the °,ther s^e.®.f V?e r¡ver 5 P^
&c. We found bacon cheaper and better [stakes and "*ent to it in the evening ; we
here, than in Washington. Our boys found ¡ ar.e 110w 9a111?, f mile and a half from the
an ice cream saloon and laid in a supply for c,t* 0C.£• ^^encksburg road., where I
a season. It was the remark of our Cap- iara ««¡'bbhng these lines, w.th one end of
tain after we left, that he believed the grog a Plank rest'nS a "un?P andf *e oth?r
shops were none the gainer by our visit.-1 tbe RTOunud- fund<:r the shade of a 1m e oak;
Crossed the river about 4 o'clock, and approach to the city from no quarter
camped about two miles from it (although *et'tha Í have ,fen' « pleasant, surroun*
it took us four to get there, the main ro!d ed &s U l* on a 1 sldf ^ mif^t'
being t-o muddy to travel) near the resi- ^u cannot see the c.ty until you get to it;
denceof Mr, Burleson, brother of the Rev. "A thoc.ty is as unpW^ant as tbe "hub'
U TinrW-m ' , bubs" are. as friend Delk would say.
18th.—Sunday morning; all hands called . 23rd.-Visited the city to-day ; Irom a
up before light, and started about six ; rx>de closer exam.nat.on, it dose not improve
this morning Several miles by myself-my ■ fr0.m farst s,Sj£ ;the streets are so narrow
mind involuntarily went back to the days and uncv®n 5 the s.de-walks so irregular %nd
of childhood, everything connected with it encumbered, tlmt they do not seem adopt-
came up so forcibly, that 1 seemed once «d to Amer.cans who are accustomed to cut
more to be enacting its scenes over again.- a Wld? a? the>" ^ l,hrouf',f?5 th«*
There stood the old weather-beaten man- do not /,lk® t0 cramped and that is the
sion of my forefathers, at least a century ' ^ are found here. If a city
old ; there the meadows and the lanes with ?,ould b* la,d h<ire m A'uencan style I
the r huge stone fences ; the old well in the £h,nk Jt ,wKouId increase 'fL T*° trade
Imp with "its moss-covered bucket "where heremust be lm,nense> such numbers get-
lane, wUh its moss coveiea bucket w n^re, ting their out-fit for travel besides the sol-
I had often taken raanv a cooling draught; ,. * . , . i ? \
é.u ii ^ r, '„,ilrt,ft c\t^«,i d,ers Quartered here who neccssanly spend
the old sycamores, m whose ^badj considerable monev. More business V
often played ; the large gran.te rock, in the ^ tQ be doi ,;ere than ejther H P
rear ef the house; the old orchard vv 1th its £ Gaivcston. Tüe stocks of the merchants
delicious fruit; the roar of old ocean, hear-
ing its surges against the rocky shores, and
last though not least, my father, mother,
brothers, sisters, and in3r old aged and help-
less grandmother, all forming one happy
family circle, and then come the reflection,
where are we now 1 Most of them had paid
the debt of nature, and now he burried be-
neath the cold sod, whilst I, it seemed, as a
stray sheep, thousands of miles from my na-
tive home, and journeying still farther to-
wards the setting sun, to the habitations of
the red man of the Wegt. Surely, thought
I, if man's life could be pictured to him in his
boyhood, he would think it but a vision.—
Passed a number of wagons loaded with
lumber for New Braunfels, and met scores
of empty ones going for the same article.
The land over which we traveled to-day
was poor and unproductive. Reached the
musquito prairie in the evening, and also
the musquitoes, and camped one mile West
of Cedar Creek—twenty-three miles from
Bastrop. The land in this section, looks as
if it might be productive, but they will have
to rely on ditching or hedging, as there is
no timber, except some scattering muskcet.
It is, however, a good stock range, aud is
well wattered.
19 th.—V\'e are early risers. Capt. Wood
calling us up every morning by light or be-
fore; never enjoyed a night's rest better
than last night; like this camping oul \esv
well; I begin to get the hang of it, as tne
boy did by the new school-house ; feel sat
isfied that it is the hi althiest life a man can
lead ; seems to be more in accordance with
nature. Camped for dinner to-day on Plum
creek. One of Capt. Wood's wild mules
got loose and we had fine chase over the
prairie after it; it, however, detained us
over one hour. Soon after we started, saw
several at our right, they attempted to cross
the road in front of us; took a race after
them on my Cleber horse, run up within a
few feet of them, but having no rope, and
my revolver being unloadpd. I let them go.
Traveled this evening in the valley of the
San Marcos; like the country better than
any I have seen ; struck a musquito range
about 4 o'clock, and from that time until
sundown, they were more numerous thau I
have ever seen them. The Mississippi
swamps were no whar; pulled off my coat
and fought them "from my horse with one
hand whilst with the other brushed them
from my face, so that I could sec the road.
We took a left hand r.oad and left the vil-
lage of San Marcos five miles to the right
in order to escape muddy roads and bad
crossing; camped for the night a mile and
a half from the river. The night was so
cold, that it took all our blankets for cover.
20th.—Crossed the San Marcos at seven
o'clock. It is the prettiest -stream I have
yet seen in Texas ; the water js cool and re-
freshing. It looked so blue in approaching
it, that it has the appearance of being much
deeper than what it is. Our r^pte to-day
was over rolling muskeet prairies, a smart
1
are generally large, and goods are cheaper
than in Washington, especially in the sad-
dle and harness line. Our company have
laid out at least two thousand dollars.
24th.—Nothing doing in camp but fit-
ting up firearms, and getting in our stores.
25th.—Sunday.— All is quiet; some few
of our men have gone to the city to attend
the ltomish church, and get a look at the
pretty Signoritas. I employed the whole
day in writing.
2Gth.~Most of onr men were in the city
this morning getting supplies and hauling
them to camps. Some trouble to-day by
one of our men, all caused by red eye. The
Bible, or Shakespeer 6ays, if they had no
other name to call rum, they'd call it devil,
and if tbere were some other still worse, I'd
call it by it. The individual refered to, has
left, and I suppose you will soon see him
again in Washington. To-morrow the 27th
is the time set apart for starting, and you
will not hear from me again uutil we reach
El Passo. Yours, &c. II. B.
THE RESPONSIBILITY.
The Louisville Journal commenting
upon the late riot of tbe Turners at Cov-
ington, Ky.,saj8. the amount of the asser-
tion that the Know-Not hingism is to
blame is simply this, that, if foreigners
want+ly murdered Know-Nothigs the
Know-Nothing8 are responsible for it.
Undoubtedly if there were uo Know*
Nothings to be murdered, Sag-Nichta
wouldn't murder them. And if tbere
were no property to be stolen, there
wouldn't be any stealing. Stealing i
one of the results of property; and prop-
erty holders, we suppose, must be held
responsible for the acts of theives.
In Louisville, on the 6th of August,
the foreigners wantonly shot down quiet
Americans at the corner of Shelby and ^
Madison i-tretts, but they wouldn't have,-^^
done so if there had* been no Americans.
Of course the shooting was one of the
results of Americanism, and the Ameri-
cans were exclusively responsible for
being shot.— Creole.
The New York Mirror says when the
Padre sent by Walker as Minister to the
United States arrived in that city, he lost no
time in calling on B shop Hughes, before
whom he knelt and received a blessing. On
risiug to his feet, the Archbishop, not known
ing exactly the official position of the Padre-
said: " Do you know anything of that cut-
throat Walker?" The Padre bowed and
replied: ' He is my friend—I am his minis-
ter"—and hastily left, with a '• flea in his
ear."
Mankind are split into compaqiefi, which
follow ther captains, but see little of ttytiv
generals.
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Crawford, G. W. The Washington American. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 31, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 4, 1856, newspaper, June 4, 1856; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth181951/m1/2/?q=%22Perkins%20%26%20Company%22: accessed May 1, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.