Telegraph and Texas Register (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 14, Ed. 1, Wednesday, March 20, 1844 Page: 2 of 4

                                
EXTRACT
From the Speech of Mr. Clay on the Spanish Trcalp
in thtRov.il of Representatives April 8 1820.
I consider it too clear to need discussion that the treaty
is at an end ; that it contains in its present state no obliga-
tion whatever on the part of Spain. It is as if it had never
been. We ore remitted back to the- state of our rights
and the demands which existed prior to the treaty with
this only difference that instead of being merged in or
weakened by the treaty they have acquired all the addi-
tional force which the intervening time and faithlessness
of Spain can communicate to them.
The second resolution comprehends three propositions;
the first of which is that the equivalent granted by Spain
to the United States f )T the province of Texas is inade-
quate. To determine this it is necessary to estimate the
value of what we gave and of what we receive. This in-
volves an inquiry into our claim to this subject. I pre-
sume the spectacle will not be presented of questioning in
this branch of the Government our title to Texas which
has been constantly maintained by the Executive for mote
than fifteen years past under three several administrations.
I am at any time ready and prepared to make out our
title if any one in the House is fearless enough to contro-
vert it. I will for the present briefly state that the man
who is most familiar with the transactions of this Govern-
ment who largely participated in the formation of our
constitution and all that has been done under it who be-
sid. s the eminent services that he has rendered his coun-
try; principally contributed to the acquisition of Louisi-
ana who must be supposed from his various opportuni-
li 8 best to know its limits declared fifteen years pgo
that our title to the Rio del Norte was as well founded as
it wf to the island of New Oilcans.
Here Mr. C. read an extract from a memoir presented
in 1805 by Mr. Munroe and Mr. Pinckney to Mr. Cavel
o3 proving that the boundary of Louisiana extended east-
ward to the Perdido and westwaid to the Rio del Norte
in which they say "The facts and principles which justi-
fy this conclusion are so satisfactory to their government
as to convince it that the United States have not a better
right to the island ef New Orleans under the cession re-
ferred to than they have to the whole district of teiritory
thus described "
Tne title to the Perdido on the one side and the Rio
del Norte on the other rest on the same piinciple the
priority of discovery and of occupation by France. Spain
had first discovered and made an establishment at Pensa-
cola; France at Dauphine island in the bay of Mobile.
The intermediate space was unoccupied ; and the princi-
ple observed among European nations having contiguous
settlements being tiiat the unoccupied space between them
should be equally divided applied to it and the Perdido
thus became the common boundary. So west of the Mis
sissippi La Salle acting under France in 1682 or '83
fiist discovered that river. In 1685 he made an establish-
ment on the bay St. Bernard west of the Colorado emty-
ing into it. The nearest Spanish settlement was Panuco
and the. Rio del Norte about the midway line became the
common boundary.
All the accounts concur in representing Texas to be
extremely valuable. Its superficial extent is three or four
times greater than that ot Florida. The climate is de-
licious; the soil fertile; the margin of the rivers abound-
ing in live oak; and the country admitting of easy settle-
ment. It possesses moreever if I am not misinformed
one of the finest ports in the Galf of Mexico. The pro-
ductions of which it is capable are suited to our win t.
The unfortunate captive of St. Helena wished dor ships
commerce and colonies. We have tnem all if we do not
wantonly throw them away. The colonies of other coun-
tries are separated from them by vast seas requiring
great expense to protect them and are held subject lo a
constant risk of their being torn from their grasp. Our
an Mi" contrary nre united to and form a part of
deposit the best of thtm (Louisiana.) nas been formed
will transport on her bosom the brave the patriotic men
from her tributary streams to deftnd and preserve the next
most valuable the province of Texas.
We want Florida or rather wo shall want it; or to
speak more correctly we want nobody else to have it. We
do not desire it for immediate use. It fills a space in "our
imagination and we wish it to complete the arrondisse-
mentofour territory. It must certainly come to us. Tt.e
ripened fruit will not more surely fall. Florida is closed
in between Alabama and Georgia and cannot escape.
Texas may. Whether we get Florida now or some five
or ten years hence it is of no consequence piovidpd no
other power gets it; and if any other should attempt to
take it an existing act of Congress authorizes the Piesi-
dent to prevent it. I am not disposed to dispaiage Florit
da but its intrinsic value is incomparably less than tha-
of Texas. Almost its sole value is military. The pos-
s ssion of it would undoubtedly communicate some addi-
tional security to Louisiana and to the American com-
merce in the Gulf of Mexico. But it is not very tssi ntial
tojiave it for protection to Georgia and Alaban.a. There
cm be no attack upon either of them by a foreign power
on the side of Florida. It now covers those States. An-
nexed to the United States and we should have to extend
our line of defence so as to embrace Florida. Far from
being therefore a source of immediate profit ; it wouid be
the occasion of considerable immediate expense. The
acquisition of it is certanly a fair object of our policy and
ought never to be lost sight of It is even a laudable am-
bition in any chief magistrate to endeavor to iilustrato the
epoch of his administration by such an acquisition It is
l'ss necessary however to fill ihe measuie of honois of
the present cbiif magistrate than that of any othei man in
consequence of the large share which lie had in oltaini. g
all Louisiana. But whoever may deserve the renown
which may attend the incorporation ol Florida into our
confederacy it is our business as the reprtsentativi s of that
people who are to pay the prices of it to take care as far
as we constitutionally can that too much is not given. I
would not give Texas for Florida in a naki d exchange.
The fi i si proposition contained in the second resolution
is thus I think fully sustained. The next is that it is in
expidient lo cede Texas'; to any foreign power. They
constitute in my opinion a sacred inhentan. e of poster
ivhich we ought to preserve unimpaired. I wish it was'
if it is not a fundamental and inviolable law of the land'
that they should be inalienable to any foreign power. It
is quite evident that it is in the order of Providence ; that
it is an inevitable result of the principle of population that
the whole of this continent including Texas is to bi peo-
pled in procsss of lime. The question is by whose race
shall it be peopled? In our hands it will be peopled by
freemen and ihe sons of freemen carrying with them our
language our laws and our liberties; establi.-hing on the
prairies of Texas temples dedicated to the simple and de-
vout modes of worship of God incident lo our religion and
temples dedicated to that freedom which weadoie next to
Him. In the hands of others it may becon-e the habration
of despotism and ot slaves subject lo the vile dominion of
the Inquisition and of superstition. I know that there are
honest and enlightened men who fear that our confedeia-
cy is already too large and that there is danger of disiup-
tion arising out of want of reciprocal adherence between
its several parts I hope and believe that the principle of
representation and the formation of States will preserve
us a united people. But if Texas after being peopled by
us and grappling with us should at some distant day
break off" she will carry along with her a noble crew
consisting of our children's children. Thp difference'
between those who may be disinclined to its annexation to
our confederacy and me is that their system begins where
mine may possibly in some distant future day terminate;
and theirs iegins with a foreign race aliens to every thing
that we hold dear and mine ends wilh a race partaking of
all our qualities.
A Touching Incident in Real Life. The Cincinnati
Patriot relates an agreeable incident as having recently
occurred in that city. The editor states that on the 5th
insL a boat rounded lo the levee crowded with cart w hei Is
chicken coops and human beings bound for the upper
Mississippi An unusual number of Germans were bi-
vuacked in the engine room ready in case of an rxplo--aion
or collision for slaughter or for drowning like so
many animals cooped together in a pen. Among them
-was a sfow brown toughing German girl of sixteen who
.would weigh about 150 pounds. A heavy built young
man ot the same nation in ihe course ot the day strayed
along the shore and slopped ai the plank of the boat. He
heard the hearty laugh of the gin and u tell upon nis ear
as the joyful sound of other days. But a philosophical
German oops not go into tantrums at such an eveut. tie
walked carelessly aboard and down between the engines.
There had been no distressing love in the case; no eter-
nal vows; no plighted troth. In the hours of boyhood
and girlhood they had felt the rising flame of love; but he
had left the old father land for a new and better one with-
out severing any lasting ties. Fate had determined to se-
parate these friends ; these quasi lovers.
They had sepaiated with regret but not wilh anguish
for fate had ordained it so The separation was mutually
supposed to be forever. But a kind remembrance of each
remained. The girl now saw her old friend approach-
ing. No exclamations no fainting and runing into his
embraces. But her vouncr face brightened up loan ex-
nression of welcome and joy. He took straight hold of
herthick hand and pressed it warmly into his own. No
kissing no tears and yet their two spirits communed
with each other in that moment nnd their two souls be-
came one. An hour after toys the editor we saw the
honest young man lead her offlhe boat and up Broadway
accompanied by five or six other youag men who were
all on their way to a wedding and a frolic. The jrirl
carried a bundle on her arm her only prope.ily. She
wore nothing on her head but her feet were shod with
wooden sabots or shoes. Her dress was warm and clean
and it became a bridal suit. No doubt they nre destined
to be happy unless their hearts belie the honesty and
goodness beaming in their fare
THE TELEGRAPH.
EDITED BY FRANCIS MOORE Jr.
Houston Wednesday JfBar.-QO 1844.
We have often been compelled "to smile" at the strange
and contradictory reports that have lately been circulated
by the journals in the confidence of the Government and by
the members of the cabinet in relation to the Annexation
Within the last three or four weeks all the journals in the
confidence of the Government have been advocating the
measure with the exception perhaps of the Civilian ; and
they confidently predict that it will soon be accomplished
It is stated that the Piesident is now a zealous advocate of
the measure and is doing everything in his power to ex
pedite the negociations for this purpose; and has fully
authorized General Henderson (who has gone lo Wash-
ington by the way of Red River.) to conclude a treaty for
this purpose. The editor of the Brazos Planter says
"that the Secretary of State said that in If ss than ninety
days we should form an integral part ef the United States."
A. gentleman who resides at San Felipe has also informed
us lhat Dr. Jones the Secretary ol State passid through
that place a few days since and stated to his fiiends there
that Texas would be annexed to the United States in fifty
days The President has also said that we should "need
no more Presidents." These statemmts are believed by
many of the friends of the Ex cutive. The editor of the
Civilian however who says his means of information are
equal to those of an' of his contemporaries stales in his
paper of the 6th inst.: "lhat the bubble (Annexation) has
exploded." He appears however to have recently
changed his opinion upon this question in a mpasure for
JieQuote3 without contradiction in his paper of the 16th
inst. an article from TheN7CJ. xcepnuinaii m wiiira-mJ
editor after giving some intelligence from Wasbinton
said to be from undoubted authority says:
"From another source equally entitled to belief we
learn that the annexation of 1 exas to the Union is now
placed beyond a doubt. The members of the Senate from
the Eastern States we are assured go almost unanimously
in its favor."
It would really be difficult to determine whal would be
the res lit of the negociations if ihey depended upon the in
telligence derived from the government or its organs re
latives this subject. There is only one statement elicited
from them which we consider important as having any
direct bearing upon the question. They all declare posi
tively that no treaty has yet bi en ratifii d by the Senate of
the United States and no resolution has been ndopted by
the Senate instiuctinsr oi requesting President Tyler to
conclude a treaty with Texas for Annexation. They be
lieve however that a majority of two-thirds of the Senators
of the United States are willing to ratify a treaty for this
purpose as soon as it is presented to them ; and they are
confident that the treaty will soon be presented to the
Senate of the United States because Gen. Henderson our
Minister will conclude thetnaty immediately after he
reaches Washington. We confess that if we based our
hopes of Annexation on such data we should not feel
at all sanguine of its ultimate success. We believe in-
deed we consider it certain that a majority of two-thirds of
the Senators of the United State's weie in favor of Annexa-
tion ; on the 13th day of Janiiaiy and for a week or two
previous when Mr. 7an Zandt wrote to Judge Terreh
mentioning that if he were authorized to conclude a treaty
for Annexation thirty five Senators would readily rati-
fy it. And if a tieaty had at lhat moment been con-
cluded with Mr. Upshur we doubt not it would have
bien ratified and Texas at this time would be an
integral part of ihe United Stales. The President
however at that time was of opinion that the best method
to secure ihe. accomplishment of this objpcl was to profess
to be opposed to the measure; and Mr. Raymond who
bore the despatches to Mr. Van Zandt stated in this city
while on his way to Washington that we could best ac-
complish our object by professing to be adverse to it. This
j policy reminds us of the jockey? who when tryingto sell a
poor horse always profess to value him very highly and
declare lhat they are loath to pari with him while at the
Same time they are secretly resolving lo jump eagerly at
the first favorable offe r. It is often the case that by ihisap-
paient coldness they discouiage puichasers nnd lose a
good bargain by ill-limed delay. We have some reasons
to feai that if the treaty is not yet ratified and no resolution
in favor of Annexation has been passed by the Senate of
the United States ihe measure will not be effected bytrea
ty at least during this session of the American Congress.
There are many indications that a reaction unfavorable to
Annexation hastakn place in the Northern Stales within
the lust two months and the arrival of the British Minister
at Washington with express instructions to open negocia-
tions relative to the Oregon Question wilh which Texas
is indirectly connected will tend to protract ifnot to defeat
the negociations which are pending. The resolutions
passed by the Senate of Massachusetts will prevent her
Senators from voting for the treaty and they were counted
upon as its supporters We have rec ived a letter from
an intelligent member of the Democratic paity in the
House of Representatives and he states that most of the
Democratic members of the Eastern and Middle Stattts are
opposed to Annexation upon the ground that il will streng
then the slave holding States. Without the votes of the
Democratic Senators of those States thotreity cannot pos- j "
sibly be ratified. The United Slates Senate consists at
present of 29 Whigs and 23 Democrats but fortunately a
majority of both parties with a noble liberality have acted
in concert upon this question regarding it as a great na-
tional measure and superior to all party-interests. The
friends ofthe measure however counted upon the support
of the Democratic parly almost to a man and if there is
any division in their ranks there is just ground to fe ar lhat
it may fail. We mentioned several weeks since lhat
some ofthe friends of Mr. Clay desired to defer the treaty
until after the election of Mr. Clay in order thnt he might
have the credit which will naturally attach to the
President under whom it is effected. If therefore the
treaty is not yet ratified and a majority or two thirds of the
Senators are not yet pledged lo ratify it we shall give up
all hope that any treaty for the Annexation of Texas to
the United States will be ratified by the Congress now in
session. Our only hope of success will irst upon the pro-
position of Mr. Black of Georgia to attach an amend-
ment to the Oregon bill; to allow Texas to be annexed to
ihe United States as a pail of the territory of Louisiana.
News from the United States. The Steamship
Neptune Capt. Rollins arrived al Gulveslon on hi lhh
inst. and brought files of New Oile-ans partis to ihe 9ih
mat. inclusive. They are fraught wilh details of woe and
disaster. We have seldom met wilh. so many accounts of
frightful and most Idmenlable accidents occuning within
so brief a period. On Friday the 1st inst  between 3 and
4 o'clock in the morning the- Sieameis Buckeye and De
Solo came in contact wilh each other near the mouth r.f
Re-d River and the former was so much injured by ihe
collision lhat she sunk to her hurt icane roof in five minutes
and sixty or seventy persons were drowned including
whites and blacks. The Bucke-ye was bound up the
Ouichita and had about 300 poisons on board.
Among the lost were a daughter of Mr. Hynes (ot
Alexandiia) aged 10 years his sister-in-law and Miss
Smith (a young lady raised by Mr. H ) Mr. Hynes also-
lost 15 negroes. Mi. John Blunt lost his wife child audi
7 negroes ; Mr. A. McKenzie lost his wife 7 childre n and
4 negroes; and Col. King lost 2 child. Mr. Beard at-
tempted to swim ashore with his nephew on his back both
were drowned.
There were a great many deck passengers both whiles
and blacks and but few of them were saved. '
The De Soto remained alongside the wreck until all the-
survivors were rescued and all ihe baggage and goods:
wh ch could be got out safe.
The following article from ihe National Intelligencer
gives the details ofoneof the most sudden and awful cata-
strophes that has ever been recorded:
MOST AWFUL AND LAMENTABLE CATAS-
J Rf PHE !
Instantaneous death by the buisting of one of the large-.
guns on board the United States ship Princet n oft
Secretary Upshur Secretaey Gilmer Commodoies
Xennon and Vigil Maxcy Esq.
In the whole course of our lues it has never fallen to
our lot to aunounce to our ieadeis a more shockiuu ca-
lamity shocking in all its ciu-u instances and concomit-
ants than that which occuned on board the United.
Stales ship Piinceton yesterday afternoon whilst under
way in the river Potomac fourteen or fifteen miles be-
low this city.
---"Yesterday was a dajLapjlpiiited by the courtesy arnE
hopitelily of Capt bTOCKTON TJiTuiliiunacr-ot rrre rmw
ton for receiving as visiteis to his fine ship (lying otf
Alexandiia) a great numbei of guests wilh then families
liberally and numerously invited lo spend ihe-day ou
board. The day was most favorable and the comjany
was large and brilliant of both sexes; not less probably
in number than four hundred among whom weie the
President of the United States the heads of the several
Departments and their families At a proper hour after
the airivel of the expected guests the vessel got under
way and proceeded down the liver to some distance be-
low Fort Washington. During the passage down one
of ihe large guns on board (carrying a ball ol 225
pounds) was filed more than once exhibiting the great
power and capacity ol that formidable weapon ol war.
The ladies had taken of a sumptuous repast; the gentle-
men had succeeded ihem at the table and some ol ihem
had left it; the vessel was on her return up ihe rier op-
posite the fort whpre Capt. Stockton consented to fire
another shot from the same gun. aiound and near which
to observe its effects "many persons had gathered though
by no means so many as on similar discharges in ihi-
morning the ladies who then llnonged the deck being on.
thi fatal occasion almost all bit ween decks and out of
reach of harm.
The gun was fired. The explosion was followed be-
fore the smoke cleared away so as to observe its fi cts. by-
shrieks of wo which announced a dire calamity. The
gun had burst ala point thiee or four feet liom the breech
and scattere-d death and desolation aiound Mr. Upshur.
Spcretaty of State Mr. Gilmer so recently placed at the
head of the Navy Comiuodoie KEXNONone of its gallant
officers Virgil Maxcy lately returned fiom a diploma
tic residence at the Hague Mr Gardner ol N. Y.
(formerly a member of the Senate ol thai Slab) were
among the slain. Besides the'se seventeen se-umen were
wounded several of them badly and probably mortally.
Among those stunned by the concession we barn not all
seriously injured were Capt Stockton himself; Col-
Benton of the Senate; Lie ut. Hunt of the Piinceton ;
W. D. Robinson of Georgetown. Othei peisons also
wei e perhaps moie or less injured of whom in the hoiror
and confusion ofthe moment no reitain account could be
obtained. The above are be-lieved however tocompiise
the whole of the persons known to the public who weie
killed or dangerously or seriously hurt.
The scene upon the deck mav more e-asily be imagined
than described. Nor can the imairmaiion nicture to itse If
the half of its hoirois. Wives widowed in an iusiant by
the murderous blast! Dauyhte-issnntun with the heart
rending sight of the ir father's lifeless corpse! The wail
ingsof agonized females! The piteous grief of the un-
huit but heart-stricken sp'-etatoia! The wounded st-a-men
borne down below! The silent teais nnd quivering
lips of iheir brave and honest conuades who tried in vain
to subdue or conceal their feelings! What words can ad
equately depict a scene like this?
The bodies of the killed remained on board the ship
last night. They will be brought lo the city this morn-
ing. The question of Annexation is s ill as unsettled as here-
tofore. The papers do not indicate that nuy progress has
been made in the negociation r lating to it nor that Con-
gress is disposed to act upon it immediately. The United
State's Gazette' remarking upon the late reports that n
treaty of annexation had been ratified by the U S Senate
says: ''We do not think that the S -n.ete of the United
States has performed any such act but we do believe that
it is ready to do it we mean a majority of that body."
The Senate of Massachusetts recently adopted the follow-
ing resolutions relative to this subject without a dissenting
voice :
"Resolved That the power to unite an independent
foreiun State with the United States is not nmono- the
powers dele-gate'd tothe General Government by the Con-
stitution of the United States.
''Resolved That the Commonwealth of Massachose its.
faithful to the compact between the people of the Unittd
Sl.ite-s according to the plain m aninn and'intent in w hich
il was understood and acceded to by them issmce-ely
nxious for its preset valion. But lhat it is determined as
doubts not the other States are to submit to undelegated
powers in no body of men on earth. That the project of
the annexation of Texas unless arrested on the threshold
may tend to drive these. States into a dissolution of the
Union and will furnish new calumnies against republican
governments by exposing the gross contradiction of a peo
ple professing to bo free and yet seeking to extend and
perpetuate the subjection of iheir slavrs."
We are glad to find that these resolutions have not met
with a favorable response in other sections of the Union
and it does not appearthat even the majority ofthe people
of Massachusetts approve ihem. The threat of a dissolu-
tion nf the Union comes wilh an ill grace from Massa-
chusetts whose great champion "stood proudly eminent"
among the opponents of nulification a few years since.
The odious principles that gave rise to the Hartford Con-
vention seem again lo sway the Senate of that ancient and
justly respected "Commonwealth." It must be humiliat-
ing in the extreme to a true patriot to see her again stand-
ing in opposition to the majority of her sister States not to
advance the common weal of the great confederacy of
which she has ever been an illustrious member; but to
ulvance the narrow minded nnd illiberal schemes of a
few factious fanatics.
M '.tamoras The Schr. Emblem Capt. Kinney ar-
rived at New Orleans about the 6th inst from Matamoras
hiving lrft the Brazos Santiago on the 21st ult. The Re-
publican says:
"General Woll has his head quarters at the PassosRio
Grande having 1500 men at that place. In the neigh-
b iring stations he has about 3500 men. making about
5 000 troops under his immediate command There were
1U00 men at Matamoras and reinforcements were daily
coming in there as well as at Rio Grande. It was the
g-neral be lie fat Matamoras that nothing definite had been
arranged btweeen Mexico and Texas; and the fact of
Woll's moving his head quarters to the Pass of the. Rio
Grande seems to give color to the impression. Busi-
ness generally was very dull at Matamoras there having
been veiy few arrivals from the United Slates for some
time past"
We think the above statements are very inaccurate.
A few months since General Woll had only seven or
eight hundred mn under his command at the stations
on the Rio Grande above Matamoras and only four or
fie hundred in Matamoras. There we no large bodies
or troops at any ofthe. towns North and East of San Luis
Potosi from which he could have obtained large reinforce-
ments; and we should doubtless have received information
if reinforcements were despatched towards the frontiers
from Mexico or other places South of San Luis Potosi.
Gen. Woll may have received reinforcements of five or
six hundred men within the last three or four months; but
we are confident his whole force on the Rio Grande does
not exceed fifteen hundred men. The Mexican Govern-
ernment is making no preparations lo refit its navy. All
the sail vessels are still dismantled and the steamboats are
still lying attheir old moorings without fuel or military
stores and with barely sufficient seamen to keep them in
repair.
Nicholas Biddle Esq whoso long exerted an almos1
contiolimr influence over the Financial affairs of the
United State? died at his residence in Andalusia on the
Delaware on the morning of the 27th ult. in the 59th
year of his age.
The Gaines case which has long been pending and
"""H nroat interest in the United otaies. has. says me
New York Sun been decided m tavor oTllie
Messrs. dames.
Literary Works. J. M. Jones has received at his
Literary Dep6t at Galveston several new and popular
novels among which are Guarica the Charib Bride Love
and Money Camp Charlotte the Book of Beauty High
Life in New York and several Periodicals.
Mier Prisoners We received a few days since a
letter from one ofthe prisoners at Perote and were grieved
and mortified to find it filled with details of the sufferings
and privations of these unhappy men. They are still
treated with the greatest cruelly many of them have not
clothing sufficient to protect them from the inclemencies of
the cold and changing climate of the elevated regions
where they are confirii d ; and are also deprived of whole-
some food. Their rations are hardly fit for dogs. Within
the last two or three months twenty ofthe prisoners have
died and at the last accounts sixty-two were in the hospi
tal. All lhat were able to work w ere employed carrying
sand nnd other articles to repair the walls of the Castle.
Among the late victims to disease was French S. Grey
Esq.. formerly a noted lawyer of Bexar and highly es-
teemed for his ge-nerosity probity and talent. His death
will be be bitterly regretted wherever he was known.
He was captured w hile attending his professional duties in
the Court at Bexar in the fall of 1842 and had been in
ciptivity nearly two years. His remains were decently
burned in the ditch of the Castle of Perote. Mr. R. G
Waieis was lately released thiough the intercession of
Gen. Thompson and returned to Texas on the Neptune
a few days since. The prisoners have eiven un all
hope of obtaining relief from our own government
and the late news from our Commissioners has only
served to increase iheir despondency. It is perhaps
to be regretted that any hopes were excited by govern-
ment that the intercession of these Commissioners
would obtain the release or mitigate the condition of
thi'se prisoners. For if these hopes had not been held
out the friends ofthe prisoners would doubtless in many
instances have forwarded funds to them to relieve their
most urgent wants. The Commissioners have now been
in Mexico negociating about five months and we do not
hear that thi'y have effected anything towards procuring
the release or relieving the sufferings of the prisoners
It is lamentable also to reflect that Government has done
ru.thing for their lelief. We have been informed that a
joint resolution was passed in secret session in Congress
authorizing the President to forward a (tw hundred dol
lais to Mexico to procure clothing and food to supply the
mime-diute wants ofthe prisoners: but after several weeks
had elapsed il was found lhat nothing had been done by
the Presid-nt and a resolution was passed calling on him
lor information respecting the subject. In answer to this
resolution he sent into the House of Representatives a
message and several letters from the clerk of a mercan-
tile house in New Orleans containing hut a tissue
of abuse of Gen. Green the member from Brazoria. The-
members of the Housa were so exasperated at this pio-
cedure that lhe-y immediately passed a resolution direct
ing the Chief Clerk ofthe House to return the message- to
the Preside nt as unworthy to be admitted on record as a
part of the journals of the Hoejse. Even the warmest
friends of the Executive were so convinced ofthe impro-
propnety ofthe conduct of the Piesident that they would
not defend him and voted in favor of the resolution
It was accoidingly returned being we believe the
only message that was ever before sent back byelther
House to any President. After tbjs Vbill was introduce
in open session to appropriate fifteen thousand dollars fos.
the relief of the prisoners; an impression has prevailed
and we were informed a few days sjnee by a member of
Congress that this law did not pass. We are happywhow-
ever lo state lhat this is a mistake. It did pass and was
approved by the President on the 5th day of February.
It appropriates fifteen" thousand dollars foi the relief of tbo
Prisoners; and requires the President "forthwith to
employ every means in the reach of the Government to
feed and clothe our unfortunate countrymen" So little
however has been done to carry it into effect that one. of
the officers connected with the-Treasury Department in-
formed its n few days since that he did not believe any such
law had been passed. It is well known that a large
amount of specie has recently been received al the Custom
House at Galveston; nnd there can be no doubt that one
or two thousand dollars could be forwarded to Mexico im-
mediately by the Collector of that port if the President
should give the order for this purpose. Corigrrss-has
nobly done its duty in making the proper provisions for
the reliefof the Prisoners; and we will yet hope lhat the
President will do likewise. We will not indulge the
opinion that he desires to withhold the means that have
been thus 'liberally provided to feed and clothe our im-
prisoned and suffering countrymen.
Corpus Christi. A small boat arrived at Galves-
ton a few days since from Corpus Christi and the passen-
gers brought news that our Commissioners Messrs.
Hockley & Williams had returned to that place. -They
are hourly expected at Galveston. Nothing has transpired
relative to their negociations unless peihaps the fact
that there were no rejoicings on their return indicate s that
they have not accomplished all the objects of the mission
The Mexican trade seems now to be entirely concer
trated at Corpus Christi. Scarcely any traders now
visit Bexar Victoria or any other Western towns
but great numbers almost daily visit Corpus Christf
and goods to the amount of many thousand dollars have
receutly been sold at that place. Several vessels with
large cargoes of goods have lately sailed directly to this
port from New Orleans and other ports in the United
State?. The Mexican officers stationed on and near the
Rio Grande compel the traders to purchase licenses from
them to trade at this point and it is said that the Mexican
Government has given these officers permission to sell li-
cences to the traders and the sums they receive for
these are applied in payment of their salaries. Col.
Kinney has the entire control of ihe trade and so great 13
theconfidence ofthe Mexicans in this gentleman that many
of them on their arrival at the fort go immediately to him
and deposit their money in his hands and depute him as
their agnt to make all purchases .for them. By this
means thty evade the impositions and frauds that might
otherwise be practised upon them by transient traders who
have no interest in common with :he proprietors of the fort
and merely visit it lo dispose of their goods to the best pos-
sible advantage with the view of leaving it as soon as they
have sold out."
Bexar. The inhabitants of Bexar were thrown into
a state of great alarm about two weeks since owing to a
report circulated by some tiaders from the Rio Grande
claims-ufhuaT GenerarWoIl with twenty five hundred men had
crojsed the Nueces and was marching upon Bexar. This
report was believed by several-of the most influential and
oldest citizens of Bexar and they hastily made prepara-
tions to abandon the place and retire to the Colorado upon
the first notice that the enemy was within sight ofthe city.
Spies were sent out who after exploring the country
around discovered no traces of the enemy. On their re-
turn the alarm subsided and the citizens resumed their avo-
cations with renewed confidence. This illfdted town
now presents none of the activity and business that
formerly enlivened it. The trade with the Rio Grande
has been so long interrupted that few merchants continue
in business and few goods are to be found in the place.
The inhabitants have so often suffered from the various
marauding bands that they have become discouraged
and seem indisposed to mako any exertions to relieve
themselves from embarrassments. Even on the Ranchos
near the city few persons are employed ; and the main
object of the citizens appears to be to raise merely
sufficient corn- to supply their immediate wants. A few
weeks ago some lawless Texians s'tole nearly two thou-
sand her.d of cattle from the Mexican rancheros near the
city and drove them towards the Colorado Capt? Hays
started in pursuit of them and has probably ere this re-
covered the cattle. Many of the Mexican families were
greatly exasperated on hearing that a law had been passed
to punish those who had joined Gen Woll and fought
against our troops during the late incursion. Fifteen or
twenty men left the city just before Capt Hays returned
and went to the Rio Grande They expect to obtain the
protection of the Mexican Government and som'e even
threaten that they will return with a Mexican army to
take vengeance on the Texians. Their threats however
are impotent; the Mexican government has more impor-
tant affairs to attend to than to redress-thrrr-pmended
wrongs. They howevpr may occasion some mischief by
joining with some of the robber bands of the Rio Grande
and commit outrages on some of the frontier settlers.
Capt. Hays will be compelled to 'exert all his vigilance to
defeat their schemes. About seventy German emigrants
have lately settled on one of the ranches below Bexar
and are busily engaged in agricultural pmployriients.
The entei prise and industry of these settlers contrasts
singularly with the apathy and indolence of the Mexicans
around them.
National Road Congress at the late session passed
a law "to open and establish' a National Road" lo be
styled "the Central National Road of the Republic of
Texas." But instead of traversing the ce ntral portions of
the Republic his merely to extend from the mouth ofthe
Elm Fork of the Trinity or some place fifteen miles be-
low it to the bank of Red River opposite the mouth ofthe
Kiamisia This road if it should be opened will be of
great advantage to emigrants who may desire to settle in
the Cross Timbers or in the upper pans of Robertson and
Milam counties. The contractors who are to engage. in
opening this road are to be paid in public lands at the
rate of IbO acres for every mile. The road is to be at
least thirty feet wide and all bridgps are to be at least fifc
teen feet wide. The stumps are to be cut within twelve
inches of the surface of the earth. But the act does not
specify that any ditches shall be cut to drain the swamps or
marches through which the road may pass. Unless great
caution is used by the Comm-issionois in laying out the
sections so as to include some potlions of woodlands
and streams in each section the road mav be opened
I
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