The Corpus Christi Star. (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 40, Ed. 1, Saturday, June 23, 1849 Page: 2 of 4
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THE CORPUS CHRISTI STAR
BY BARNARD $ CALLAHAN.
JAS. II. BARNARD .... CHAS. CALLAHAN.
CORPUS CH1UST1 SATURDAY JUNE 2.1 IS 19.
K7" We return our thnnks to Mr. Paulsen for late
TCow Orleans. Galveston and Matagorda papers.
1X7" Lt. Neill U. S. A. arrived in town on Thursday
evening last from Casa Blanca.
Oy Wo inadvertently omitted to return thanks to Mr.
Older last week for late San Antonio papers. This gen-
tleman came through in forty hours.
UP" We wish to direct the particular attention of our
readers to the article headed ' New Commercial Route"
in another column. It is taken from the N. O. Picayune
and will well repay perusal.
The Mails. The mail from Saluria came through on
Wednesday bringing papers and letters from Galveston
but none from New Orleans. As the New Orleans boat
had arrived at Galveston before the mail left wo are at a
loss to account for this singular failure.
Muskmelox. On Friday we received a present of one
of the finest muskmclons we have put tooth into this
season. It was from the garden of Mr. Tower who has
by this act shown himself a good Samaritan. " Blessed
are they who make glad the heart of the printer."
D3"" We have received the firt number of a new
paper called the Texas Republican published at Mar-
shall by T. A. fc J. Tatillo. It is a Democratic paper.
of a convenient size and well printed. Wo wish the
enterprising proprietors every success.
EF" Gov. Wood who is a candidate for re-election to
the office he at present holds was to address the citizens
of Victoria on Saturday last the ICth inst. We hope the
Governor will soon give us a call.
E5 Lieut. Michler or the U. S. Topographical En-
gineers arrived here on Monday last from San Antonio.
This officer it will he recollected is to survey a direct
road from this place to the headwaters of the Lcouaand
will leave here in company with Gen. Cazneau. The
dragoon escort under command of Lieut. Neill are sta-
tioned for the present at Casa Blanca forty miles up the
Nueces. Mr. Archer of San Antonio arrived in com-
pany with Lt. Michler.
Fou Laredo. Lt. Bee and Mr. Wassman left on
Thursday for Laredo with fifteen wagon loads of goods
for the Mexican market. By a reference to our adver-
tising columns it will be seen that Mr. Bee has yielded
to the wishes of his friends and allowed them to an-
nounce him as a candidate for the House of Represen-
tatives in the nest State Legislature from the counties
of Starr Webb Cameron Nueces San Patricio Goliad
and Refugio.
tt?- On our outside this week will be found Gen. II.
MoLeod's able address to the voters of the Western Con
gressional District. We call the particular attention of
our readers to this document and bespeak for it a careful
and attentive perusal. The general takes a rapid but
comprehensive view of the great questions of frontier
defence boundary and present ami prospective trade
and assumes a truly Southern stand upon the Wilmot
Proviso question.
Moee TnoniLc Comi.v.:. The Texas Times of the
23th of March contains a communication in which the
writer mentions that he visited Fort Wachita in the for-
mer part of March and learned that several of the small
Indian tribes in that neighborhood were preparing to
make a descent upon the frontier settlements of Texas.
He says this information may be relied on as he ob-
tained it from authentic sources.
The Raxgeks. On Monday last the company of
Rangers raised by order of the Governor was organized
and mustered into the service of the State. The follow
ing officers were elected by the company: Blackwcll
captain; Walker first lieutenant; Rankin second lieu-
tenant; and Aikcns third lieutenant. C. G. Bryant was
appointed Commissary and Quartermaster anil Dr. Swift
is the Surgeon. A detachment of the men. under Lt.
Walker have been stationed at Barranco Blanco and
small parties have been sent to Laredo and to Browns-
ville. By the Indian news in another column it will be
seen that Lt. Walker and his party have some work on
hand alrcadv.
IMPORTAlfT FOREIGN NEWS.
The N. O. Bulletin of the Sth iim. has thobllowing
telegraphic despatch dated Baltimore June -1 : Further
advices report a decline in provisions. Canadian ntrhirs
had been fully debated in Parliament and Lord Elgin
sustained. An amendment had been proposed to the
Navigation bill which will cause it to be modified and
probably defeat its final passage. The elections in
France took place on the 13th general result unknown;
nineteen Moderates and nine Socialists elected in Paris.
Tho French army had not entered Rome. The Italian
question had been discussed and the Ministry defeated
in the Assembly by a majority of thirty.
There is. in the following paragraph an obscurity or
omission which we supply by the insertion of the words
" the French Government" as wc presume that is the
power alluded to. The French Government has ad-
dressed the Cabinets of Loudon St. Petersburg Vienna
and Berlin deploring the interference of Russia in tho
nllairs of Hungary and if diplomatic means are not suf-
ficient to check it it will appeal to the National As-
seinblv.
Mr F rancher (.') the Minister of the Interior had re-
signed and it was supposed would be followed by that
of the other Minsters.
Sicily has again revolted againt the Neapolitans and
the Neapolitan army had been defeated.
Fighting still continued in Hungary and the Hunga
rians were every where succcsslul and it was reported
were within two davs' march of Vicuna.
The Danes had suffered another defeat and had ac
cepted the mediation of England.
Every part of Germany was in a disturbed state and
revolutionary movements of a decided character had
taken place in Frankfort.
The Pope on learning of the resistance to the French
troops in Rome had declared that he could not return to
the city on such terms and at such a price ami sent a
message to Gen. Oudiuot and the King of Naples to
withdraw their troops. There was a terrible state of
atfitirs in Rome. The Priests were dragged from their
hiding places and hacked to pieces by the infuriated
people and thrown into the Tiber. The Romans were
in the highest state of excitement and prepared for any
emergency and it was thought no human power could
restore the Pope. The French army (new reinforce-
ments ') had landed in Italy and were marching on
Rome. The Russians were hastening to the assistance
of Vienna a Russian army had also entered Gallacia
120000 strong with 350 pieces of artillery and 2.J00
(2.1.000 ?) cavalry. Gen. Bern promises them a warm
reception.
A subsequent despatch under date of the Cth says
that the French have not entered Rome. Nothiii" im-
portant from Hungary. Emperor of Austria had en-
gaged to meet the Emperor of Russia at Warsaw.
P. S. We have received the N. O. Crescent of the
15th inst. which contains the news brought by the Eu-
ropa. The most important item is the defeat of the
Russians by the Hungarians. The battle took place at
the pass of Rothcrthiim and resulted in the complete
discomfiture of the Russians with the loss of C000 killed
and 3G000 taken prisoners with all their artillery ammu
nition and stores. A rising was expected in Poland.
The Roman troops have beaten the combined Neapo-
litan and Spanish army and compelled them to fall back.
The French army were waiting the result of some over-
tures for peace made by the Roman Republicans to the
French people.
An unsuccessful attempt was made to assassinate the
Queen of England on her birth-day the 19th of May by
a man named John Hamilton. He was arrested.
Indians Aoain. An express arrived here on Wednes-
day last stating that tho night previous a party of In-
dians came to Mr. Love's mncho six miles below San
Patricio and stole every horse he had about one hun-
dred head. From the size of their trail Mr. Love
thought there could not be less than four hundred of
the savages; but as this trail might have been made by
the horses in their company no certain conclusions
could be drawn from it. A party of fifteen or twenty
were seen near San Patricio about daybreak the next
nlorning driving some horses before them; and the per-
son who saw them recognized a negro in the crowd who
formerly lived near that place. This was supposed to
be a decoy party sent out to draw the citizens into an
ambush. On receipt of this news Lt. Walker of the
Rangers who was stationed at Barranco Blanco seven
miles below immediately started in pursuit of the In-
dium with forty men anil pa.cd through San Patricio a
short time after the marauders had been seen. Nothing
had been heard from him or his party at the time our
paper went to press hut unless the Indians are too
strong he will doubtless be able to give a good account
of them.
Canada. On the receipt of the news from England
announcing that the Government had concluded to sus-
tain Lord Elgin the excitement in Canada was tremen-
dous. An outbreak was anticipated but is supposed to
be deferred until the result of McXals mission is ascer-
tained. He was the bearer of a petition to the Queen
for the recall of Lord Elgin.
Volunteers Dkclinku. Tlic Secretary of War a
despatch from Washington says has declined prolfers
for raising volunteer forces to go to the protection of the
Rio Grande. He says he apprehends no outbreak re-
quiring additions to the regular force ; but should occa
sion ari-e for more force to ha called out. it will be called
from the State of Texas. So says the N. O. Crescent.
Gold Mor.r.iiN. A telegraphic despatch from Bal
timore to the N. O. Crescent of June Sth says that news
has been received of the discovery of an extraonlinarv
mountain of gold on the banks of the great Salt I-aku.
One thousand .Mormons were hastening to the spot.
Foe Camvobma Au.un. Lieut Beall having commu-
nicated with the Department at Washington it is said
will leave again for California in about a fortnight with
despatches for (oin. Jones and Governor Smith.
Gen. Belknap. Intelligence was received in Boston
on the 2d inst. from Windsor Vt. stating that on that
morning the physicians attending Gen. Belknap thought
it impossible for him to recover.
XT Telegraphic despatches from Washington of the
3d inst. state that the President has ordered some more
troops to the Rio Grande. We sincerely trust that no
more infantry will be stationed on this line.
NE W COMMERCIAL RO UTE.
Another Ranging Company. The Victoria Advocate
of the 15th inst. says that Isaac M. Johnson Esq. of
Goliad has gone to Austin for the purpose of obtaining
permission to raise a ranging company to be stationed
at or near the former place. The Advocate says that this
step is rendered necessary by the frequent depredations
of the Indians in that vicinity and adds that Mr. John-
son is an old Indian fighter and with such a company
as he could raise in the neighborhood of Goliad and the
adjoining counties he would soon drive the Indians
back to their homes. We hope the Governor will grant
the application as the frontier needs a dozen of such
companies for its protection and the sooner they are
raised the better;
Hon. T. Pilsbukv. This gentleman arrived here on
the 17th inst. from Saluria. Many of our citizens having
expressed a wish to hear him speak on topics of a public
nature an extempore meeting took place at the Corpus
Christi Hotel on Wednesday last. Mr. P. briefly reviewed
the various questions at present interesting the public
mind a railroad to the Pacific mail routes improvement
of our harbors etc. He took the ground that the Pacific
Railroad was a national question and expressed a belief
that the subject would be taken up and acted upon by
the next Congress. He detailed the difficulties expe-
rienced by the Texas delegation in procuring the different
mail routes through the new counties and vindicated their
course in tho matter; incidentally ho paid a high com-
pliment to Gen. Cazncau declaring that had it not been
for his presence in Washington the contracts would not
have been given out. After stating that he had not come
prepared to make a speech and only appeared before
them in deference to the wish of the citizens he con-
cluded amid cheers. He left on Thursday for Browns-
ville accompanied by Col. Castro and escorted by a
small put)' of Rangers.
Choleka among Tun EMIGRANTS. Intelligence from
St. Louis Mo. gives exceedingly gloomy accounts of
the emigration from that State to California by the way
of Santa Fe. Companies are crossing the plains accom-
panied by women and children and under every variety
of circumstances; sick and well in wagons and carts
on mules and horses and even afoot while the cholera
was sweeping them olf in great numbers. Out of one
company from New York of thirteen twelve died from
cholera. The greatest dissatisfaction and discontent
prevailed amongst the emigrants who had not yet started
from St. Josephs and hundreds were turning back tho-
roughly disheartened with the journey. Another account
states that the emigrants were already quarrelling and
fighting among themselves for the grass on the plains.
Crevasse in New Ouleans. At last accounts there
were some hopes of stopping the crevasse above Now
Orleans. The Delta of the 10th publishes a map of the
city with a line showing the inundated district and in it
the water is represented as washing the base of the St.
Charles Hotel.
Later. Since writing the above we have received
dates from New Orleans to the 15th. The crevasse was
nearly closed only a small opening being left. The
water was rapidly flowing olf from the city.
Esc.rE of a Prisoner from Havana. La Verdad a
Spanish paper of Jcv York announces the escape of
Don Cirilo Villaverdc from the prison of Havana where
he was confined on a charge of high treason and his
arrival at Savannah. Don Cirilo writing from the latter
place congratulates himself that ho is " under tho wings
of the American eagle."
Cholera. Tho cholera is rapidly spreading in New
York principally among tho respectable clasies running
its course in from eight to twelve hours. There were
thirty-nine cases and eleven deaths on the 3d inst. and
forty-seven cases and fifteen deaths on the -1th. In Bos-
ton three cases have occurred and three deaths. None
in Baltimore or Philadelphia.
Death of Gen. Gaines. This veteran officer died at
New Orleans on the Cth inst. of cholera in the seventy-
seventh year of his age. On tho 7th his remains were
conveyed to Mobile for interment escorted to the rail-
road by all the principal civic and military officers in
New Orleans.
Exploring Expedition. Thd Houston Telegraph
says that Col. Johnston is preparing an expedition to
explore the country between the Pecos and the sources
of the Brazos. This region tho Telegraph says is as
much a terra incognita as the country around the sources
of the Nile.
Gcii. "Win. L. Cazncau a gentleman well and
honorably known in connection with the public in-
terests of Texas sets forth in emphatic terms the
neglected and defenceless condition of that frontier
in a letter to the commanding; general ot tins divi
sion of the army the late lamented Gaines.
One hundred persons of all ages and both sexes
have been killed or carried into a miserable capti-
vity during the past mouth or so and the border
mails and trade are almost broken up by the swarms
of Indians who arc ranging with impunity along
the whole American line.
Gen. Cazncau reminds the Government that it
is "bound by treaty stipulations not less than by its
manifest duty to its citizens to protect this border
from Indian aggressions" and asks protection for
his train of fifty wagons and eighty' persons with
which he sets forth from Corpus Christi " to open
a new commercial route fjom our ports on the Gulf
of Mexico to the upper valley of the Rio Grande
and the desirable markets of Northern Mexico."
This trade has hitherto taken the circuitous Mis
souri route in consequence of the shorter and more
direct line from Corpus Christi (or whichever is the
most eligible port on the Gulf) to I'rcstdio and
Paso del Norte having been entirely overlooked.
" Notwithstanding the obvious necessity" savs
Gen. Cazncau -of establishing a line of safe com-
munication between those exposed frontier points
and the nearest sea ports this duty has been neg-
lected although it is the most direct and feasible
route to California possible on our soil and if it had
been duly examined reported and protected thou-
sands of our citizens who arc now emigrating to
the gold regions by circuitous and imperfectly
known routes would have been spared ruinous sacrifice-."
There is but little doubt entertained that Gen.
Cazneau will open by his own resources this road
of five or six hundred miles in extent and divert
through it a large portion of the Chihuahua trade
to the Texas ports. He previously opened a wagon
road of M0 miles to Laredo and the central valley
of llio Grande with perfect success- and says with
justice that his party arc " entitled to the protec-
tion of our military force whether as citizens en-
gaged in our lawful pursuits and obedient to the
laws and power of which we now invoke the ben-
efit or as the voluntary pioneers in a work posi-
tively required by the general interests and which
ere this should have been effected at the public ex-
pense." AVc append a copy of the letter addressed to
Gen. Gaines and without knowing whether that
excellent public servant and genuine patriot took
any steps toward complying with Gen. Cazneau's
request we unallectedly think that he establishes
an almost irresistible and certainly a legitimate
claim on the Government for military protection
in the prosecution of his very laudable enterprise.
From what we know of Gen. Erooke the successor
ad interim ot Gen. Gaines we are sure that if the
concession be within his power Gen. Cazneau may
implicitly rely on that patriotic officer to do all that
is necessary to further his object. Picayune.
To Major Gen. Etmund Pendleton Gabus U. S. Jl.z
General The perilous and insufficiently guar-
ded condition of our Western border induces me to
solicit of you officially the necessary protection
for an enterprise of high public utility and in-
volving on the part of myself and associates the
safety of many lives and a considerable amount of
property.
"We arc about setting forth from Coqius Christi
with a large transportation tram my party alone
numbering about fifty wagons and eighty persons
with a valuable stock of merchandise for the Pre-
sidio and Paso del Norte to open a new commer-
cial route hitherto sealed and barred to our citizens
from our ports on the Gulf of Mexico to the upper
valley of Rio Grande and the desirable markets
beyond that portion of our border in the northern
States of Mexico.
Notwithstanding the obvious necessity of estab-
lishing a line of safe public communication be-
tween those frontier points and the nearest seaports
this pressing duty has hitherto been neglected al-
though this line is the most direct and feasible
route to California possible on our soil ; and if it
bad been duly examined reported and protected
thousands of our citizens who are now cmiTntiii"-
to the gold regions by circuitous and imperfectly
known routes would have been spared ruinous sac-
rifices. This omission closes to the commercial
and manufacturing enterprise of our citizens the
natural inlets to the profitable mines and markets
of Northern Mexico as well as the shortest route
to the Pacific.
The only advance yet made on this line was done
at my individual risk and expense. In furtherance
of my commercial pursuits I surveyed and opened
one hundred and thirty-eight miles of wagon road
from Coqius Christi the nearest and most eli"i-
blc port to Laredo and the central valley of the
llio Grande and thus brought into our trade the
whole range of towns this side of the mountains
and five hundcrd miles above the mouth of the
river by its channel.
To extend and complete in the unexplored direc
lion of the Paso del Norte this new and valuable
pathway of trade to and beyond the upper waters
of the Rio Grande I have in conjunction with
my associates incurred very heavy outlays in teams
and transportation equipments in addition to the
large first cost of our goods; and we feci entitled to
the protection of ourmilitary force whether as- citi
zens engaged in our lawful pursuits and subject to
the laws and iwwer of which we now invoke the
benefit or as the voluntary pioneers in a work posi-
tively required by the general interests and which
should ere this have been effected by Government
at the public expense.
"We ask General for your immediate and active
protection with the more confidence as our enter-
prise is an essential preliminary to mail and every
other communication between our important yet de-
fenceless frontier on the upper Rio Grande and the
sea coast. The United States Government is
bound by treaty stipulations not less than itsmani-
fest duty to its citizens to protect this border
from Indian aggressions ; yet travel has become dan-
gerous and commerce is intercepted cvcn.in close '
vicinity of the towns along the whole line. Men
women and children have been murdered in open
day; trains of wagons have been plundered; horses
and cattle are taken from their owners; mail car-
riers driven from their routes; and in brief all the
horrors ol actual warfare are at this moment en-
dured by the inhabitants along both sides of this
whole bonier without chastisement or redress.
Li embarking our lives and capital in an enter-
prise the results of which must in any case tend
fully as much to the public advantage a to our
private interest we have counted on semi-official
promises and the precedents of escort and protection
extended to the Missouri traders as well as on the
undeniable necessity of opening and giving security
to the shorter and in every military and national
aspect more important commercial route.
In doing this a population is invited to enter this
fine region and become a defensive barrier against
the savage tribes of the prairies. They can never
be subdued by mere forays into their wilderness; a
wall of settlements of brave and hardy frontiers
men must be raised against them.
In conclusion General allow me to add that the
military escort I desire would be rendering a ser-
vice already due the country and which lias been
too long delayed by the general lately in command
on this frontier in ascertaining and guarding the
best route from the coast. "Wm. L. Cazxeau. )
Gex. Taylor's Be.vevolexce. A "Washington
letter writer tells the following story of Gen. Tay-
lor: A venerable white-headed man 10-5 years old
having tottered up to the "White House early Jn
the morning had the good fortune to moot-the soldier-President
almost at the threshold. The cen-
tenuarian introduced himself; told Gen. Taylor that
he was feeble and that his blood was almost dried
up in his veins for the snows of one hundred and
tia winters and the effects of hard sen-ice in the
wars of our country had left him but a short rem-
nant of the evening of his long and eventful life.
Gen. Taylor moved by the patriarchal years and
voice and simplicity of the man shook him warm-
ly by the hand and said : " Well grandfather I
am glad to see you. Have you been to breakfast 1"
The old man replied he had not. "Well then
you must come and take some breakfast with mci'
"No your time is too precious. I desired only to I
see you to pay my respects; and I shall get a break- '
fast at the market house fori am a stranger among
these people and an old man must be satisfied to
do the best he can." " Well then you must
come and breakfast with me." " No your time is
too valuable and I will not trespass upon it.
Good morning General and may Providence guide
you." "Well if you will go" said Gen. Tayloi
extending his hand and slipping into that of thej
old man three half eagles " if you will go -God
bless you ; and see that you have a good cup of
coffee for breakfast and come up and dine with me
before you leave the city. And leaning upon nis
staff the old man older than this Republic of-
twenty millions of people by thirty years went '
with a grateful heart along his way.
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The Corpus Christi Star. (Corpus Christi, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 40, Ed. 1, Saturday, June 23, 1849, newspaper, June 23, 1849; Corpus Christi, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80232/m1/2/?q=tex-fron: accessed June 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.