South-Western American (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 19, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 17, 1852 Page: 2 of 4
four pages : illus. ; page 24 x 16 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
f
c
s- i.a
-
)
ft-
rH
P
g
'--
V
.' -.
"
SI
ii
?;
I?
THE SODTH WESTElK AMERICAN.
W
JOHN S. FORD EDITOR.
-" CITY OF AUSTIN. WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 17 1852.
'"V. B. PALMER of New York is our authorized Agent to transact
buantM for the American in throughout the eastern c ties.
A NAME. The prospectus promised to be forthcoming in the present
number is deferred. We have not settled -upon a tame. Our friends
hare famished a thousand and one very euphonious for a newspaper;
lo many we are unable to decide upon the nicest ami the best. By the
time the next number makes its appearance it is probable this weighty
matter-will be settled.
LADIES FAIR. A Fair will be held at the Methodist Church on
Thursday next the ISth of the cuirent mouth. A variety of articles
made by the ladies of this city will be offered lor sale. A supper will
be set and those partaking will be charged one dollar each. The object
of the Tair is to pay off the outstanding liabilities of the Methodist
church of this place.
The occasion will be suitable for gentlemen to display their liberality
and gallantry. The tables will be in charge of ladies. The man refu
sing to purchase when a fair hand offers what the witching smile of
beauty recommends must be cold hearted indeed The young beaux the
middle aged bachelors and the pleasa t looking widowers who love
"To sport an hour with Beauty's chain"
will of course give the alTair their presence and cordial co-operation.
BUSINESS. Austin presents a lively and business like appearance.
We saw the other day fifteen wagons in -iew in the streets at the sajne
moment; besides a goodly number of carriages &c &c.
-Large quantities of goods are beidgintroduci-diuto (he market. Messrs.
Peck &Co. Hancock Haynie & Co. Dietrich and others are daily receiv-
-jing supplies from abroad. They promise good bargains.
DEATH OF MR. WEBSER. The whole press teems with eulogies
upon the great orator jurist and statesman. Mr. Fillmcre communicated
the intelligence of his decease to the Heads of Departments in a very
touching and appropriate manner.
REVOLUTION. The Western Texan learns from Brownsville by an
extract fwmti letter that Pablo Castillo fiom Tampico is stirring up
another revolution. They claim to have S30003 on the way from Tain-
pico to defray expenses have refused to let auy Americans join them
and will have nothing to do with Ciravajal.
The Mexicans fear Caravajal because he was educated in the United
States and in many respects is an American in feeling. They can not
appreciate a man whose visual range is ample enough to include any
other country than Mexico and who does not pretend to find all that is
great and noble among their countiymen. They doubt any man who takes
another government for a model in preference to subscribing to their
vague and unsatisfactory ideas of republicanism. Hence his failure.
D There are now on St Joseph's Island says the San Antonio Ledger.
Eonvs three hundred men. A mystery attends their movements. The
troth is they are Cuban volunteers. A new invasion is afloat.
Qjp" The Brazos De.U aiiuuuuces tue death of Mrs. Eliza M. Miller
late consort of Dr. Jas. B. Miller.
J ELECTION.
As far as can be ascertained from incomplete returns the vote in this
State stands: For Pierce 4283
For Scott 1645 Pierce's majority5 2638.
The returns of a majority of the counties in the State have been re-
ceived at the State Department. They cannot be op.-ned until the fourth
Monday in November nevt after the election.
Hon. John M. Crockett has been elected to the House of Representa-
tives from Dallas county. The vote stood: For Crockett 297; A. Bledsoe
"120. Mr. Crockett resigned and ran again to test the popularity of his
course in relation to the Peters' Colony matter; so it is said.
Ninth Judicial District. Hon. John H. Reagan fiom what has been
learned has no doubt been elected Judge of this District.
Presidential Election No further intelligence on thissubject The
Picayune thinks Gen. Pierce has received 275 votes aJarge majority
out of 296.
PECANS. There is said to.be an abujidance of these nuts on the San
Marcos river. The citizens are gathering them in large quantities.
"BLOCK OF MARBLE. Some of our exchanges we think the New
York Journal of Commerce jr. represents the block of marble forwarded
by the State of Texas to the Washington Monument as having been ob-
tained on the Rio Grande It is a mistake. The block came fro Ham-
ilton's Yalley Burnet comity where there is an immense quantity of a
first rate quality.
" Burnet county was created by a law of the last legislature and was
taken principally from Travis. Fort Croghan is within the limits
of that county. The country is very desirable and will problable settle
op very rapidly.
THE WEATHER. The weather is exceedingly mild. Summer
clothing has been worn during the day up to this time with comfort. It
is reported though not universally believed that six old maids have ac-
tually talked themselves to death praising the climate.
APPLES. Our Arkansas neighbors are beginning to bring in apples.
Every winter they drive a considerable business in that line. Here they
sell at seventy-five cents per dozen and are in demand at that
What hinders our own farmers from growing go-d apples ?
r- Si
ARRESTED. E. C. Travelsted whose escape noticed in the last num-
ber has been arrested and is in Brenham jail Washington county. From
this place he proceeded to the neighborhood of Round Top. where he sold
the pony he had stolen frorn Capt. Crosby to leave upon and stole a mule
from Moses Evaus. The "Wild Man-of-t he-Woods" soon pursued atid
hampered the poetic thief. He was in bad bnsmess when he got Mose
after him.
The sheriff of this county will start immediately for Travelsted.
POETRY. The following morceau was indited by a young man
of this city. To the regret and grief of his numerous friends ho died
immediately after having perpetrated the great work. He like a swan
expired before the melodious notes he had uttered ceased to vibrat-
upon the air and while echo was still catching the sweet sounds and
flinging them back upon his entranced soul his poor heart alas swollen
with harmony and deep emotion broke and he "gin up" the ghost:
The- 've caught him it is sed
That fellow they call Travels
- On Crosby's horse in vain he fled "
Tjhatlellow ttiey call iraveisrea. : -
rli Am i
With Evans' long eared quadruped
His thieving appetite he fed
But-Moses-" mule the wrong way ltd
That fellow they call Tiavelslcd.
A NEW ROUTE TO CHIHUAHUA. The Western Texan says Maj.
Emory has discovered a new wagon route to Chihuahua shortening the
distance fmm that place to San Antonio three hundred miles and adds :
This route strikes the El Paso road at the Leona Springs nine miles
west of the Comanche Springs. Maj. Emory has caused the survey ol
the route to be platted with the inteutiou of communicating to the Gov-
ernment at Washington. He represents it as one of the best natural
roads in the world; and is of opinion that it has been used during the
past long before his discovery and use.
MODEST FOR YOUNG LAWYERS. At the committing trial -of
Benj. H. H. Bults before Justices Ashly and Allen upon the charge of hav-
ing "aided Travelsted to escape T. S. Anderson Esq appeared on behalf
of the State and John F. Marshall Esq. for the defendant.
After the conclusion of the evidence the magistrates informed the gen-
llemea they would be very willing to hear arguments from them. They
both declined on the ground that the evidence was plain and could not
be elucidated by tb 3 one nor explained lo the benefit of the defendantby
the other. That course did more for the young attornies than speeches
ever so long could have done. Olderlawyers might copy the example and
do themselves no injury nor would their clients suffer from it. Most peo-
ple.love to hear themselves talk. Some think their smartness is judged
of by the length of time they can speak rather than by what they say.
Nine times out of ten the young lawyer who says little and to the
point out-strips in the end a contemporary who to use Three-Leg Wil-
lie's expression " has a perfect diarrhoea of words."
5'
MEXICAN AFFAIRS.
Recent accounts represent the condition of affairs in Mex-
ico as unsettled. There is a want of confidence in the ad-
ministration; and Arista has not the means to enforce obe-
dience to the laws nor tb give protection to the country.
On the part of the ppoplc east of tin. Sierra Madre there is
a determinate deposition to throw off the yolce of the Gen-
eral Government The matter may not be consummated at
an early day. but it will inevitably follow in the train of
events. The Mexican citizens living near our frontier have
seen too much of the practical workings of our government
to remain peaceful and contented under the worst form of ty-
ranny and military despotism that has ever existed on this
continent. They possess a sufficiency of the spirit of free-
dom to cause them to make yet another attempt. Their fail-
ures have arisen not so much from the want of patriotism
and a determination to stand by the cause as from having
begun prematuiely without concert of action and its sequent
organization.
It is fashionable to speak disparagingly of Mexican revo-
lutions. In the main they are despicable affairs ; there are
exceptions to all rules. Mexicans have .been found with
arras in their hand-- opposed to their oppiessors who wi-hed
well to their country who were willing to face any danger
incur any expense and suffer any privation to fiee their na-
tive land. They were entitled to the. sympathies of every
lover of liberty as well as the Hungarians or Cubans.
So far as the people of Texas are concerned they have
more at stake in the success of a revolutionary movement
upon the Rio Grande than those of any other portion of the
Union.
The action of the present government and authorities of
the Mexican Republic renders slavery in Texas insecure ; be-
cause the contiguous Mexican States afford lo lugitive slaves
asylums where they are treated with respect and with more
consideration than either Americans or Europeans. Slavery
in this S'ate is and will be. more or less affected by the mu-
nicipal regulations in force in the coterminous States of Mex-
ico. Many valuable slaves have fled from their masters and
gone beyond the Rio Grande geneially they are safe from
reclamation.
It was one of the primary articles of agreement between
Caravajal and his auxiliaries in the event of success on his
part to allow owners of runaway slaves to i educe their pio-
pnity into possession if wi.hin the limits of the territoiy con-
trolled by the revolutionists.
It was a matter to be presented to the consideration of the
Cabinet at Washington in case of failuie on their part to ne-
gotiate a treaty containing the necessary stipulations to carry
out the intention it was proposed ihat the new government
should pass ajavv declaring it felony for any fugilive Irom
seivitude toenter iis territories and making it the duly of the
authorises to imprison thorn and afford thoe c'aiming their
services every facility in aiding to recover them. Such a
treaty or enactment on the part of the government west
of the Rio Grsnde would place slavery on a secure basis in
Texas.
In making' these remarks it is not designed to be the apol-
ogist of General Caravajal. or ol those who acted with him.
His movement has been censured and abused fiom one end of
the United States to the other without ever having been
propei jy understood. ' It is now1 a matter of comment as be-
longing to thepast only. Of things' now tranipIringon the
Rio Grnnijrifgjttraqt from the Brownsville.Fl.ig of October
JuEJSrMBBScitetTient still continues with our neigh-
bors and' we still have a number of them as temporary guests
wi h us leport sets the number down in even numbers at
four hundred armed and equ ppid but Dame Rumor is a
busy body and not always to be believed. We were informed
of an occurrence which took place yesterday near the br.ck
yard above the town which is not very creditable to the par-
tiesiconccrned.in it and should nor. he permitted by our au-
thorities. We learn that several shots were fiied by a party
on this side at persons on the other bank of the iier. This
is entirely wrong and those guilty of it may find themselves
in trouble befoie they are aware of it. Disgraceful exhibi-
tions have recently taken place also -in our streets opposite
the Mexican station.
This excitement resulted from the deposition and arrest of
the. Ayuntamientb of Matamoros because its members would
not submit to ihe clothing of Canales with the unconstitu-
tional office of ' Commissioner adhoc duly invested with pow.
or above all law and above all responsibility." The persons
and friends of those who had made themselves obnoxious to
Canales crossed over to Brownsville to avoid consequences.
Canales aided by Avalos is working to force upon the. peo-
ple of Tamaulipas Jesus Cardenas as governor whom they
declare to have been elected contiary to the constitution and
the laws.
The most casual observer must conclude that the govern-
ment of Mexico is only one in name not in possession of
the real attributes of a sovereignty. 'Tis fast verging to-
wards anarchy. The remedies to prevent such a catastro-
phe will be the. adoption of a monarchy a more centralized
military despotism or to become an appendage a province of
some ioieign power probably Great Britain. In the hap-
pening of any of these contingencies she would be a
bad neighbor to the United States. General Arista seems to
have chosen Louis Napoleon as his model. He issued a de-
cree against- the freedom of the press in Mexico in every re
spect worthy to have emanated lrom the Prince President.
The whole of Mexico is distracted by petty revolutions.
Take her all in all. she is a libel upon republican government.
THE SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN. In another column is the prospec-
tus of that truly valuable periodical. To scientific men generally to those
tint give much a'tenfion to the application of the arts to the pursuits of
every day life' and to the improvement of every branch of useful indus-
try to the mechanic to the farmer in short to every practical man
"The Scientific American" will be a desirable work furnishing infor-
mation not to be found elsewhere.
Persons subscribing will find it much more than redeems any implied
pledge in the prospectus. It has more merit than its conductors claim
for it.
SUPREME COURT. Through the politeness of Gen. Tom. Greene
we are enabled to publish the proceedings of the "Supreme Court at the
September Term 1852:
Thursday Nov-11 1852. No. 37. Johnson et al. v. Erskine Chief
Justice irom Guadalupe county ordered to be heard on Saturday next
No. 127. Thomas v. The State from Travis onlered to be argued on
Thursday next.
No. 58. Fisk et. al. v. Norvell Administrator from Williamson the ar-
gument was commenced in this cause.
Friday Nov. 12 1852. No. 20. Cryer et al. v. Andrews et. al. from
Fayette argued for appellants and submitted to the court
No. 58. Fisk et. al. v. Norvell Administrator from Williamson in this
case the argument was concluded and the same submitted to the court.
Saturday Nov. 13 1852. No. 37. Johnson et al. v. Erskine Chief
Justice from Guadalupe argued and submitted to the court.
Monday Nov. 1 5 1852. No. 50. Horan v. Wahrenberger from Travis
in this case the appellee had leave to file an additional brief to be sub-
mitted to the counsel for the appellee.
No. 85. McGehee v. Shafer from Caldwell argued and submitted to
the court.
THE CRESCENT CITY AFFAIR.
The correspondence between the agent and the- president of the U. S.
Mail Steamship Compauy and the Hon. Charles M. Conrad Acting Sec-
retary of Staters given below.
To the plain unequivocal statements of the agent detailing the unjust-
ifiable and insultiug conduct of the Spanish authorities of Cuba towards
American vessels conduct in contravention of treaties to which-the
government of any European power would not submit; Mr. Conrad re-
turns an'evasive reply. Speaking in a manner calculated to impress the
conviction that our Government deemed these matters nothing worth
while to act upon.
His mention of Purser Smith is certainly not in proper keeping with
courtesy more especially as Mr. Smith has a sort of official connection
with the Government entitling him to a more respectful designation than
"the individual named William Smith." Now if Secretary Conrad had
individualized that notorious fellow. John Smith he might "have done
the State some service" and would have saved editors and other pains-
taking people a world of trouble.
Purser Smith is said to be a modest unassuming gentleman; and in no
wise deserving the sneer of the pompous Secretary
United Status Mail Steamship Compact. )
New Yuri Oot 6 1852. J
Hon. C. M. Conrad Acting-Secretary of State Sir: I have the hoiior to
state to you that we learn by telegraph trom New Orleans this afternoon
that the United Stites mail steamship Ciescent City Capt. Porter U. S.
N. on her arrival at Havana from this port whence she sailed on the 27th
ult with mails passengers and freight was peremptorily expelled from
the harbor without being allowed to have any communication with the
shore to deliver her mails or discharge her freight or to laud her passeu-
geis designed for that port; and that the protest of her commander was
treated with scorn. She was accordingly compelled to proceed with
her mails passengers and freight to New Orleans.
This is not the iirst instance in which the ships of this company and
the American flag have been subjected to injury and insult by the Cuban
authorities. The Ohio commanded by an olhcer of the United States
Navy and conveying the Government mails was ordered without causa '
or provocation and against the protest of her commander to an unsafe
and hazardous anchorage under the guns of the More Castle or forthwith
to leave the harbor without being permitted to land her mails or freight
or to obtain her usual supply of coal. The Faleon also commanded by
an American naval officer and conveying the mails was tired upon and
boarded on the high seas by a Spanish vessel of war. The Philadelphia
also having on board the United States mails entered the post of Havana
her usual place of coaling and obtaining supplies in distress destitute
of coals and provisions sufficient to pursue her voyage and with many of
her passengers sick after being ordered to quarantine and having pro-
ceeded thither sne was ordered several miles outside and then perempto-
rily driven from hei anchorage without being allowed to receive on hoard
her coal and provisions then alongside for want of which her passengers
and crew would be subjected to suffering and was compelled to go to sea
to ihe imminent danger and safety of the ship and with fatal consequen-
ces to many of the persons on board.
This systematic course of insult and outrage has been followed out-by
expelling the Crescent City in the service o the Government of the Um-a
ted States and commanded by an American naval officer from the har-
bor of Havana denying to her all communication with the American
Consul or with her consignees or to land her mails passengers or freight.
The conduct of the Cuban authorities by their repeated and wanton
acts of aggression not only causes a serious interruption to the delivery
of the mails but great pecuniary loss to this Company in disturbing its
business and contract arrangements with the Government and is harrass-
ing and highly injurious to American citizens passengers shippers and
consignees: annoying aiid prejudicial to the trade aiid commerce of the
United States and calculated if not designed to disturb the amicable
relations existing between the two governments More than this we
cannot but regard it as a gross insult to the American flag derogatory to
the national character and in violation of the faith of treaties and of our
nationaf rights. i
The pretext on which this last outrage has been perpetrated is the al-
legation that the purser of the Crescent City made a publication in an
American newspaper of some of the statements of which the Cuban au-
thorities complain. The allegation is unfounded; but if it were true we
know no right on the part of a foreign Guvernment to dictate to an Ame-
rican citizen in his own country what he shall utter or abstain from nt-
teriug through the American journals.
It has ever been the ami ot this company to avoid the semblance of
anything that could give offence to the Spanish authorities of the Island
of Cuba. Its commanders and all persons in its employment have been
uniformly instructed to abstain from all interference in the affairs of that
Government and 1 have no reason to think that these instructions have
not been fully complied with. - "
We have forborne to call the attention of our Government beyond tha
reports of the commanders of the steamers to the insults bv Cuban offi-J
ciak to which the ships of this company and the American fla" have
been heretofore suljected from a desire to avoid everything thatmight
lead to irritation between the two Governments and from a belief that a
Knowieoge qiuie uuiounueu nature utjlie allegation on which they pre
lenaeu to act woniu prevent ineir Tepetiiiou JJut we feel it due nut
less
and the interests ot American citiens engaged in a peaceful atid lawful
commerce to bring these facts to the consideration ofthe American Gov
ernraent ; and to ask whether whilst the steamers of'ottier m tious are
allowed freelv to enter the port ot Havana and to maintain theircommer-
cial relations and business intercourse unmolested the Cuban authorities
are authorized to exclude or forcibly ejei:t American vessels and esne-
:lf.. tkA.. nmnlj.t'U.l .r 1 I... ...I..I .... FT - Ir.. .
ui.inj muse Euii'iu;" " -"c praiaiscivKo ui ule uuueu stales upon pia.
test or idle assumption withuut contravening the treaty and postal ar-
rangements between the two Governments and the manfwnt rirrtit f
our unueus: ror u sucu oe me siaie 01 tilings our commerc& with the
Spanish possessions on this continent is altogether at the mercy of any
caprice or prejudice or arbitrary dictum of Ihe colonial authorities. And
we beg also to solicit as American citizens in the service of the Govern-
ment and required 'iy it. to deliver its mails protection ami redress or to
be allowed to redress the grievance and repel the insult to our national '
flag with such means and in such manner as we shall deem equal and
due to self-protection.
1 have the honor to be with high respect your obed'ent servant.
By order of the United States Mail Steamship Company.
M. 0. ROBERTS Agent.
OmcE or the U. S. Mail Steamship Company
New York October 23 18o2 I
Ton. CM. Conrad Acting Secretary of Stale Sir: Mr. Roberts had
the honor to address you on the 6th inst in relation to the course of the
authorities of th- Island of Cuba towards the .steamships of this comoanv
and especially in relation to t' e Crescent City:
1 await your reply to this communication to determine the course ofthe
company. The 27th inst. being the sailing day of tlje next steamer for
New Orleaus. via Havana we are daily inquired of whether mails and
p issengers can.be allowed to land and whether the Cuban authorities
are to be permitted to continue the course towards the ships of this com-
pany of which the Government of the United States have been hereto-
tore apprised. I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient
servant GEORGE LAW President.
Department or State 1
Washington Oct. 25 185
To George Law Esq. New York Sir: Your letter of the 23d inst' has
been received. As no intelligence has reached this Department "from
Cuba since that which was brought by your steamer iljias no means of
knowing the intentions of the authorities of the Island other than what
you possess yourself and cannot therefore inform youfcSther mails or
passengers will be permitted to laud there or not It may however be
inferred from the past proceedings of the authorities that mails and pas-.
sengers conveyed in the steamer Crescent City will not be permitted to
land there m case the individual named Wm. Smith should remain on
board of her. -
I am. sir very respectfully your obedient- servant
(siSnedj C. M. CONRAD Adf!n Secy.
THE CRE?CENT CITY AFFAIR AGAIN.-TheN. O.True Delta-of
November 7th contains an account of a fresh misunderstanding with thfl '
Cuban authorities. This elucidates the reason of Mr. Conrad ambini.
ous communication to Mr. Law. He was afraid or ashamed to avow ths"
truth. It need not be wondered at should the present administration senti'
an humble apology to Her Catholic Majesty of Spain for having allowed
the "individual named William Smith'- to sail on board the'crejoenV'
City at all promising that in future none of the bipeds of the United?
States bearing a cognomen so objectionable ai.d offensive as "Smith -shall
be suffered to land at Havana peradventnre the act should excite
the ireful indignation of Her Majesty's trusty and well beloved subject
the Captain-General of Cuba. . '
Later from : Havana. Arrival of the Crescent City. -The U S steam-
ship descent City Lieut Davenport U. S. N comnfandmt Led he?e
this morning from New York via Havana. The ibflowTugls the PuS
memoranda ot another difficulty at Havana betweea.the officers of the
vessel and the Cuban authorities :
n;A-frCrfp"! Cit Spproa"he.d the Moro the pilot came off and en-
quired f Cap Porter or Purser Smith wa on board. Upon being inform-
ed that the latter was on boa.d he declined taking the ship in and S
ST t th S!"P Wlth0'- assistance. As sooas 'the anchor .
Mr 4Se caMn"t he Prt "anie alongside and after teaming that
Mr. Smith was on boar.! he stated that no communication could be had
with the shore until he returned from a visit to Captain General. Upon
his return he stated that the mails and passengersjor Havana might be
anded bnt that no other person would be permitted. Captain Davenport .
then showed him a letter from the American consul just received which
advised him fhnMho vlifi!( t.ll.".itv t.l t..... m...i u.. .i.i:
except that Captain Porter and Purser Smith wmld not be permitted to
.. r.. . .... t.. oliiu aa a Humane mat me mans anu
passengers for Havana might be landed on this one occasion but that if
Mr. Smith returned in the shiofromNtuv Orlpniw imi.nmm;mi; nrM .
be permitted with the shore ; that the Spanish minister at Washington
had written to the Captain General Tp-thattne Secretary of State had.
assured him that Mr. Smith should positively not be permitted to go out
again in the steamer to Havana.
"Capt Davenport told him there must be somn mistake about this rr
tW
?l
f
I
$ I
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Ford, John S. South-Western American (Austin, Tex.), Vol. 4, No. 19, Ed. 1, Wednesday, November 17, 1852, newspaper, November 17, 1852; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth79746/m1/2/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.