Edgefield advertiser. (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, May 13, 1846, Image 2
O1TnczO1 'TUZ PICAYUNEx,
Saturday. May 2,.7j.p'clock, A. M.
DEPLORABLE NEWS!
FROM TILE "ARMY.
Col. Charles Doane arrived_ in this city at
an early hour yesterday morning, from Brazos
Santiago, which place he'left on the 28th ult.
in the steam schooner Augusta. Sixty miles
west of the S. W. Pass he was transferred to
the steamer Galveston. He is the beater of
despatches from General Taylor. and of a re
qilisition upon the G. vertor of Louisiana for
four regiments. -The previous news received
that the Mexicans had crossed the Rio Grande
-is fully confirmed, and a detachment of Amer
ican troops has been cut off. But for the de
tails we refer to the following account of opera
tions kindly funtished us by Col. Doane..
On Thursday evening, the 23d rust., Gen.
Tia lot received information that a body of the
Mexican army had crossed to the east side of
the Rio Grande, ata point souet2 oiles above
hi-; encampment.- Early oil the following
morning le despatched Capts. Thornton and
H ardee, of the 2d Regt. Dragoons, with a de.
tachinent of 70 men to examine the country
above and Capt. Kerr of the same regiment,
with a coipaiy t., examne the country below
the encanptett. The latter returned to camp
without having made any discovery of Mexi
cans.
The former, however, fell in with what he
considered to be a sconting party of the enemy,
but which proved in be the advance guard ofa
very strong body oftlhe enemy, who were post
ed in the chaparral. immediately in the rear
of Gen. Taylor's camp. Capt. -Thornton,
contrary to the advice of his Mexican Guide,
charged upon the guard, who retreated to.
wards the main body, followed by cap. Thorn
ton, when in an instant he f'.und himself and
command surrounded Iy the enemy, who fired
upon him, killing. as it is supposed, captain
Thorntotn, lbients..Kane and Mason, ard some
twenty-six of the men. and taking capt. Har
dee aisd the remainder of the cumand'prison
ers. The M exican coumander sent into Geu.
Taylor's cutup, a cart, with a soldier badly
wounded. with a message that he had no era
veling hospital with hiun and could not, there
fore, render the soldier the assistance which his
situation required.
It issuppoel that the detachment of the ene
my ot the east aide of the Rio Grande consists
of at least 2500 iten under the command of
Cols Carnsco and Carrabaujal, both old and
experienced officers, and that their object is to
cut Otl all communicatini between Gen. '1'ay
for and Point Isabel, the depot of piovisions.
In the execution of this object. they have fully
succeeded, and have thereby placed the Amer
ican army in a most dangerous position. as it
will be utterly impossibie for Gen. Taylor with
the limited number ot men now under his
command. say 2.0, to force sis way through
the dense chaparral, in which the enemy are
already strongly posted.
Oathe 22d. Geo. Taylor received from Gen.
Ainpudia, by means of a flag of truce., a con
munication in very ofleisive terms, complain
ing of his having blockaded te Rio- Grande;
to which be replied, that Gea. .Ampudia had
himself been the cause of the blockade, in hav
ing expressly deciared that utsless Gen. Taylor
commenced his retreat behind the N ieces with.
in twenty-four hours etter his displaying his
flag upon the left bank of the Rio Grande, he
would consider war as benl,- declared, and
would act accordingly. Gen. Taylor further
more stated that be- would receive nto further
communications troini thaiagiexican commnanler.
:unleesscouched in langqale ,more respectful
tow'ardithe GovcrnmentLfe t people ofkthe 11
-- Gen. Taylor's'postitnnflnthe rear-offiat '
moras, is sutlicidntly strtrg-to .wilhstafd tine
.essfully an attack of the whsole Mexican. force,
and commands the towr , which with the batte
ries already mounted, conid be razed to the
ground in an hour's time. Gen. Tayloir has
in camp full rations for 15 days, which lie
think can be made to last thirty days. by which
time le is in hopes to receive large reinforce
aments frotm Texas and Louisiana, upont ench
of whicht States he has made a requ'sition fhr
the inmedisate eqiiipm~enit and~ tr ansmission to
Point Isabel of four full regiments of militia.
It is thought by the stuperior oflicers of Gen.
Taylor's Army that 20.000 mess will be requtir
ed wvithiin a iery short period, as it is well
kown that the .3lexicana ny is daily .re'eiv
ing large reinforcemiets from the intmlor. It
was supposed by the Amnercanu officers thaat
G'en. Arisia reached Mataworas ott the even
in g of the 22dt uIt.. with a brigade; but up to
-the perasad of the writer's leavmig chap, no
communication had been received by Genresal
Taylor frost Gens. Atista.
[Snbsequently to his leavinig the Camp on
the 26th salt. Cial. Doanie learnaed that General
Arista acidressed a polite ntote to Gent. Tayloar
itnfotiming bhim that lie, Arista, had assumsed
the commanid of the Mexican forces.]
At Point labeal grent fears were entertained
of a ntighit attack, whlicht from the present ex
posed situation of that pos~t could instl be other
wvise than successful ir condiseted with ensergy.
The post is defenided by Malijor Munroe, with
a detachmtenlt of 80 artillerists. There are also
at the post abhout 200 ntied wagoners and 50
laborers uider the ordesrs of the Quarteruster,
arsd some 1010 -itizes furnsishsed willh arms by
the U. S. Ordiniance saitiaer, organized sunder
the commanud of Ca pt Perkmts, and denonuna-t
ted the Frontion Guards. A comptany of 50
M'exicani cavalry wvere seen on the nighst oflthei
26th within five miles of Puinst Isabel They,
wvere supptosed to be a crps of observatioin
Thse body of Co). Cro-us was found on the
21st ult. aboim tharee msiles fromst Camp, fright
fulfly mdtttilated and entuirely destitute of clotlr
inig. The bodly of Liesnt. Porter, who was
killed somse days pres ious by at paurty of banditti,
uader te coinmsand of Rasmon Talconi, had
niot beets found
The prisncit'al aofficers knowns to be in comn
mianid of Mexican f orces, anid Genueral Arista,
Ampuidia, Mezias and Casiafes. Cols. Carausco
and Carajabal; atll mets or talenst.
The exsra of the G~alvestn News says that
requisitions have been masde uiponm the Gosvent
ora of Alabamat anid Mi issiilpp: for trooaps,
though our owns informanit say.- niothaing of this.
The News supposes that Gets. Taylosr would
oplers his fire uponi Matamisoros the mnornting of
the 28th uhtitno.
We have received an extra from the office
of the Galveston News. where the iintelligenice
was received bsy the steamiboat Mlonmsiouth,
with Capt. Calleti on baoard. a bearer of des
patches fromn Gen. .Taylor to Go~v. Henadersons
of Texas. calling upoo him tor aid We give
the letter to tihe Calvestons Committee in fusll,
as it best shows the urgenacy of the call upon us
all.
Leueroj Capt. Catlett to the People of
Gulteston.
On hoard Smeatmer Monmotuth,
Off St Jusepths, A pril 28, 1846.
Gentlemen-I am the 'eaer- of a com-s
muoication from Geni. Taylor to Gaov.
Henderson, requesting to tie imrmediately
reinforced by c-ompanies oaf foot Regimens.
M2y destination Is Victoria asnd thenee to
A ustin. I was instructed by the General
- -to send an expreas from the former place
by land to your city with commuauications
to Lieas. Kingsbury. end at -the same timse
o spread thes inifsrmation through. tbe
coutry. But it haing been left discre
ioary~ with me. and the MOQnm0utb tc*
ing available, I hae determined to send
the communications by her, and ,also to
you, in order to facilitate as much as po,
sible the sending on of troops. Gen. Tay
lor is id a very precarious sitnation at his
camp near .Matamoras, and an attack is
feared on the post at Point Isabel. I be
lieve a reinforcement of two hundred men
tsotuld save that ilace. This is vastly im
portant. as al large arsutnt of icomissariat
and ordnance stores are tapnsited there,
and, if that place should fats, .en. Tay
lor will be left w itbout resources of aby
kind.
I was instructed by Gen. Taylor to send
out from Victoria expresses in such direc
tions as I might deem moot advisable, so
as to have all the men possible on their
march to his rzipr without waiting the
orders of the Gr-ernor You a ill have
it in your power to leo to the Lower Bra
sos, Houston and Montg,..uery sooner than
an express can go from Victoria. I there
fore leave that to you. knowing that it will
be promptly attended to. I shall send to
Matagorda, Mexana, Richmond and San
Felipe. If you have an Cpporttiiity,
please send to Washington. I shall send
there from Lagrange.
The place of rendezvous fur the foot
companies is suggested by the General at
Galveston ; at which place there will be
provisions and forage. No party less than
400 should think of going through on the
direct road to Matamoras, as there is a
large force of Mexicans on the Aroyo Cola
orado, for the purpose of cutting off rein
forcements in that direction. Small par
ties can cross from Corpus Christi on to
Padre's Island. Arrangements are made
for crossing from the lower point of the
Island to Point Isabel.
It two hundred mot could be raised
even temporarily at Galveston, I am de
cidedly of opinion it would be better to
send them by the Monmouth-the. secu
rity of Point Isabel, is of the last impor
tance.
From the best information we can ob
tain, the force of the Mexicans is set down
at eight thousand certain, and reports go
as high as twelve thousand.
All communication is now cut off be
tween the camp and Point Isabel, except
by running the gauntlet. I came out in
the right of the 26th with a guide, and
was prowli;.g all night through chaparral,
swams and lakes. . -
Capt. Baker will be able to give you
all the particulars of what has happened,
the situation of Point Isabel, &c.
The old General is as cool as a cncum
ber, and has so strengthoned his position,
that I am of opinion nothing can move
him but starvation.
In haste, your obedient servant.
W. H. CATLETT.
Messrs Williaies and others.
N. B.-A propeller has left for N. Or
leans with a requisition upon the Governor
>f Louisiana for troops also, I have thought
a steamer might he leaving Galveston im
mediatelv for New Orleans, and for fear
the propeller should be detained, would
it not he well to state the facts to the Go
vernor, that the troops might be in readi
nest, by the arrival of the propellor, there
is ttomistake as to. the order, the eotain
till el p ; ours. a M.C
From the Picayn &l iust
THE SURPRISE AND DEFEAT OF
CAPT.'THORNTON.
The city was'thro'wn into a state of pro
found excitement yesterday morning by
the arrival of the steamship Galveston.
from Brazos Santiago, With later news
from the army,justifyintg the worst appre
ensions which had previously been en
tertained of the. critical position of Gen.
TIaylor's forces. We issued, immediately
rpon the receipt of the news, a second edi
ion of the Picayunb, laying a full state
nt of 'aflaira on the Rio Grande before
he reader. But not to omit anything
hat may relieve the atnxiety felt by all to
bain the smallest item of inflormation in
egard to tlhe disaster which has overtaken
apt. Thornton and his conmnand, we
ive place to the'followi'.g letter from the
amp. -In sorte particulars. it differs
rom the statements that have been laid
efore the public by the press of the city
and particularly, it sets down the loss oc
:asioned by the surprise of Capt. Thorn
tone command ns less than it is made by
any other report that we htave seen. Our
letters which we have frotm the army
brenihe the same calm spirit of determina
in as Lient. H-enry's, from which we will
o longer detain the reader.
CAMP? oRFosITE MATAMORos.
A pril 26, 1846.
Gentlemen-Knoaiing that tn the pre
sent excitedl state oif the public mind as
regards onr Mexican aff'airs and the wel
fare of our little army. thai most exagger
t'd reports creep into the public prints,
tereby carrying with 'hem sorrowv andI
nxiet y itnto the bosom of the frieuds and
relations of matny officers, I deem it my
duty to give you a htasty but correct ac
count of the ca'pture of Capt. Thornton
and a sqtaadron of the 2d Dragoons, by a
force of 2000L Mexicans under the com
mand of Getn. Torrejon. Gen. Tayler, on
the 24th, had received a report that the
enemty were crossing the rivecr above the
camp. Capt. Thorton, with his comn
mad, was sent out on the evening of the
24th to exatine the counmry above, and
see whether there was any tuth in the.
report. His command was composed of
Capt. Hardee, Lieut. hane, Lieut. Mason,
5 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 bugler, and 49
privates. His Mexican gutide returned
his miorning, stating that Ito had been at
tacked at 8 o'clock on the morning of the
25'h by a large number rof the enemy, and
that the whole commatnd was captured
or destroyed. The guide warned him that
ie was itn the vicinity of the enemy and
reftsed to proceed. He waited until night.
and nione of the partly coming in, he re
turned home. About 11 thtis morning a
private of the party was brought in in a
cart, He wras wounded in t wo places. The
man who brought him wvas the bearer of
a note from Gen. Torrejon to Gen. Tray
lr, the an ount of which was that "ott the
score of humanity he claimed the privilege
of sending into him two dragoona, who
were wounded in an engagement brought
on 67a charge from an American cavalry
officer against his comtnsnd, of 200 men,
as he had no flying hospital," He then
spoke of the rest being prisoners, and said.
's they would be treated with the consider.
Ation due priSoners of war, agreeably to
the custom of civilised nations."" kt"Is
the wounded dragoon we obtain the
16iing factai That. the charge was
in open ground ; that- when the cha ts
made, but a few of the enemy *e'
but as they dashed-over a hilt t hu
commend presented themselve'^ at
were fired upton, and immediately. trouts
ded and taken prisoners. -He, it
know what. became of Capt. -Tbreos;
Capt. Hardee and Lieur. Mason'ars-p;'
sonera. and are all well. He rew i.t.
Kane as shot, and it is feared he ikil sd.
Before the cart left, one of ttw a
tioned died- From the hole of
it seems that he accuses Capt.
of having charged upon him. in
hardiv conceive ofsuch madness -a
ing 200 men with 63. and. it- i 'o pre
sume that he was surrounded- nd cberge
to cut his way through.'71'fmewlll ek'
it all up. E he capture "of-apt. ,Thorni
ton's party, and sad death;of:Lieut Po
ter and nurder of Cwl. Cross, aratr
melancholy commencementsof the
I say roar, for there is no doubt oitx
istence, and that unless an armap is
sig ied in ten days we ma-have s hd
fighting. The enemy are collet in
sorie cotisiderable numbers, an k
thejr forces may be estiiated wtt
at 5000, Gen. Taylor is rapid
forward his field tvork ; and i _n' it1
balt sent for 4(100 voltieers
sand frornLouisiana and two rCi.!'i
if they will give us a fair fight ,'S. r
doubt our ability to whip them; buti'
are going to give us a second"?
the Florida war, It will be a ve
affair.
Yours,. very truly,
W. S. HENRY. Lt. . 1
PREPARATIONS FOR THE t.
For a full understanding of the par
ations on foot fur sending a stronagforee of
volunteers from this city to ihe:Armyod
the Rio Grande, we insert the *follpwing
official requisition upon. the Governor of
the Stn'e, the letter of General "Gaines..
and the General Orders issued. front Head
Quarters of Louisiana Militia in rsponse.
therein. The Legislature of ite Satae with
commendable promptitude has discharged
its duty in the premises, by placingfoi.ds
in the nands of the Gdvernor .fitliepay
of the Volunteers; we would pajeularly
refer to the report of its proceedings in.
another column. The Legislatur ;has set
the example of speedy and judicious -ac
tion and it now remains for the "jahi tie
an ag our citizens to dischargeiheir d y.
Head Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp near Mritamoras. Apritl26 -
Sir: I have the honor to apprise you
that hostiliiies have actually comaibuced
between my forces and tbose of theMexi
caus and that I have need of the services
of a 4'ensiderablo number of vofupteers.
ft our regiments babe been. call&l rom
Texas.ut as there will be co siderable
delay in assembling them here mad as. my
furher oierations will, require stilisirong
er force, I have the honor. under the au
thority of-the War Departmeij."o call
upon the State of Louisiana fo(; ir regi
meats of infantry to be. ordered tutot.er:
vicetwith ttie most desepahtca f r the
sal.lmnentce
Gen. Gaines, a'ud request-hir t- give you
every .facility in the organization -equip
mient of these troops and forwarding ihem
to Point Isabel.- I sahjoin the orgauizas
lion of a regiment of volutiteeta' arnd res
pectfully desire that, it may he observed,
and that the number of presertibed officers
be not exceeded. The, battation4 may be
muustered into service at New Orleans, or
at Point Isabel. as most convenient. I.
bieg that they may be sent forward as ra
pidly as they can be raised. -
I would stuggest that a Brigadier Gene
t al be commissioned to comm-and the force
called from Louisiana,-ansd, from my
texperience of his excelleni-qualities as n
ufficer, I would be par'icularlv gratified
if Gen. Persifor F. Smith could be selected
for such appointment.
I cannot doubt that the gallant State of
Lotiisiana will respond with alacrity to
t his call on the patriotism of her sons. and
I feel assured that no effort wiill be want
ing on the part of the State authorities. to
oirganize the force and have it in readiness
to embark at the earliest praicticable ma
ment,
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obe
dient servant, Z. TAYLOR,
Bt. Brig. General U. S. A. Comd'g.
Hon. IsaAC Jotusori.
Gove-rnor Louisiana.. N. Orleanst. La.
Organizatnion of a Regiment of Vol.
Unters.-l Colutnel. I. Lie-ut. Colonel, 1
Major, 1 Surgeon, 1 '.Asstanc Surgeon.
3 Adjuitant, 1: 'Qsartermaastir,.with rank
of Lieut., andi l0 companies, eac'h havina
I Captain, 1 First Lieutenant,-I Secon t
Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2
Musicians,,and at least 50 privates.
Head Quarters, Western Division,'
Neta Orleans, May 2. 1i846. -
Sir :-By a letter which I shave this
morning from Briitadier Getnerat Taylor.
announcing tho hostilities on the parr of
the Mexican forces near* - Metamoras, I
learn that in addition to the jeveral corps
of mounted and other Riffemen which he
expects soon to~ join hint frcna Texas. be
has reqnested of your Excellehcy four Re
gimenis ol Infantry, to embar-k as soon as
practicable for poiht lbabel.
I avail myself of the earliest occasIon.
to say that Cot. 'Hunt,:.Deputy Quarter
Master General, and other'9flicers of. the
Staff', on duty at this ciiy, are instruc'ted
to furnish prompily every supply thai may
-he required for the health and co'mfort.of
the four Regimentsrdesifred from the State
of Louisiana. They shall, rece've their
armis-and -fixed ammunition within the
ntext twenty-four hours, when the requi
site steam tranisportationiiylt be ready..
Gen. Taylor and his rnij Will he much
gratified to find amodetihe corps niow'
requested, officers arid2.mezsuch as thecy
had the satislaction to'fiad'ia the excellent
battalion lately commanded by Major
Gally.
1 am, with remlpect~youreob't. serV't.t
EDMU~ND P. GAINES,
Major General U. S. Armny,
Comm'g the Western Division.
To his Excellenen Gov. Johson.
P.S8--lookiior.a btplIiion of regular
troops from Jefferson -Bariiks, in a clay
or two; I 'wish to seodwtooini Isabel the
Regulars with the volenteers.
F- P. G.
BY THE GOVERNOR.
Head Quarters, Louisiana Militia,
General Orders, No. 1.
-Gen. Taylor commanding the U. S.
Army of Occupation on the frontier of
'Mexieb, has announced. to the Cot tnau
dar-in-Chief that hostilities have com
menced between hit forces and those of the
Mavicans; and under the authority of the
General Government has called upon the
S.ate of.'Louisiana to furnish four Regi
tmehtstff infantry, to join his army.
The General, in concluding his r.equisi
tion, says ; .-I cannot doubt that the gall
ant State of Louisiana will respond with
alacrity to this call upon the patriotism of
her sons." The State of Louisiana has
.never hesitated atany call on her patrotismt
:or. spirit, and is now as she ever has been.
ready tb devote'hor energies and her blood
for our common country, and the honor
.of its arms.
- Assured that the call now made will be
responded to by the citizen soldiers of the
State without resorting to a draft. for Re
giments of Volunteers will be received
and mustered i to the service of the tni
ted-State for ihe term of six months. un
less sooner dischaisged, and as fast As any
regiment or company is organized for the
purpose. its conimauring oificer will re
port to the Adjutant General at the State
House in Canal sir,-et.
each Regiment will consist of-1 Col
nnel, I Lieutenant Colonel, 1 Major. 1
Adjutant, .1 Quartermaster, . Surge-on, I
:Assistat Surgeon. Ana ten composed,
'each, as follows-1 Captain, 1 e'irst Lieu
tenant, 1 Second Lieutenant, 4 Sergeants.
4 Corporals. 2 Musici.,os, and at least 50
privates-it is desirable that the compa
nies should each he 100 strong.
.Tee Legislature, animated by the uni
versa) feeling of patriotism and zeal, have
already passed a bill,whch has been signed
by the Govern-,r and become a law, mak
iug dppropriation to aid in equipping the
force, and the Staff Department of the U.
S. Army are prepared to -urnish the corps
with arms. anaeqeqipage necessary. The
Major Generals andi Generals of Brigade,
are charged with the execution of this
order.
By order of the donitnanddr-in Chief
of the Militia of the State.
CHARLES N. ROWLIEY,
Adjutant and Inspector General.
Head Quarters, First Division, L. M.
New Orleans, May 2. 1846.
GENERAL ORDERS, No 5
-1st-In obedience to Order No 1, eme
nating from the Head Quarters of the
Commander-in-Chief, dated this day ma
king a requisition upon the State of Lou
isiana for four Regiments of infantry. to
reinforce the Army of Occupation under
General Taylnr, on the-frontiers of Texas.
The Major General commandiig the 1st
Division. L. M.. relies with confidence
upon the zeal and patriotism of the ci'izeo
toldiers of this -Division in promptly filling
the requisition wi:hout the resort to draft ;
and he hopes the required number of vol
uinteers will be immediately enrolled, and
that the officers belonging to the lst Di'is
on will forthwith take the necessary men
sures. to call into the service of the
:United -States - such .volunteers as may
v n n
and -Regitneurs. -
2nd-As soon as vrganized,.Lht eCom
manding otficers will report to Division
Head-Quarters, in order that they may be
mustered into the service of the U. States.
3d.-The term of enlistment' will be for
ix mouths, unless sooner discharged.
4th.-AII necessary arms. equipments
and camp equipage will be furnished the
Troops by the Paymaster of the Depart
ments of the Ui. S. Army.
By order of Major John L. Lewis, com
manding 1st Division, L. M
CHARLES A. LABUZAN,
.Acting inspector ol Division.
C o ngr es s Ion a I.
Correspondence of tre Chairleston Couner.
Weat!N-ros, ApriI-30.
The country may 'hte congratulated on
the passage of the Bill. by the House, to
establish the Smithtonian Institution. It
was important to the hon-tor of thte country
that this trust, so many years ago accep
ed by the Government .abould he execu
ed ; and that if pruoonged ditficulties, as to
the mode or carrying it out, should pre
vent action, the money should he returned
to the British Court of Chancery, in oarder
that alhe Court mightt undertake the duty
of cenmplying with the will of the beneso
lent testator
The effort madle to resist the asump
tion of thte payment of the prmceipal and
interest of the fund, had few supporters tn
the Hottse.
The inte-rest which has acerned, amoun
ding to)atwo hundred and forty thousand
dollars, is approprintted for the grounds
and buildings Of the annual interest of
the fund, twenty thousand dollars is ap
propriated for the establishment of a Na
tional Librarv. There is a also to be a
Botanic Gartfen, and the grunds are givren
by the Govertnment. A National Museum
is to be connected with the Institution,
nd the collections of the E xploring Ex
pedition and of the National Institution
wll form a part of it. The plan may be
at any time, alted or amended by Con
grss,
May I.
Neither House -of Congress will be in
ression to-day. The House met yesterday
at nine o'clock, merely to adjourn. Only
6fteen members were in attendance. Many
members of the House have left the city,
on visits to their homes. The House will
e prepared, during their absence, for the
summer sesston
The Setnate was yesterday chiefly en
gaged upotn the bill to grat six hundred
thouattd acres of land to Mississippi, in
alternate seetions, for the pur pose of aid
ing the construction of certain Rail Roads.
A bill gran'ing nearly dounble that amout
of more valuable land, for a similar pur
pose, in Michigan, had already passed.
The State of Indiana has had eighteen
hundred thousand acres for the same pur
pose, and the other States which have
latds in theta limits, -claims a like quatn
tity.
Trhe bill was opposed on constitutional
grounds, but Mr. Calttoun showed the
...ants ofnlnds -for the purpose of impro.
ving the valuie of the remaining lands,
had always been considered constitutional.
May 2;
There was a violent gust last night, which
did some damage in the city and neigh
borhood. The circus, of Georgetown, un
der a spacious pavillion of canvass, had
attracted some thousands of people, and
the performance was going on -with spirit,
when, suddenly down came the whole pa
villion upon the heads of the spectators
men, women, children, horses, &c., were
crowded together-some shrieking and
some cursing-some cutting their way
through the canvass-forming altogether
a more extraordinary exhibition than the
spectators had bargained for, though many
wonders had'been- promised in the bills.
It was surprising to find that no essential.
damage was done, extending to the life,
or limbs ofariy of the throng.
The season is remarkably pleasant. and
the public grounds in the city present a
beautiful appearance. It was a part of
the original design of General Washing
ton. tba? all the publih grounds should be
highly ethbelished. After some years,
as I e general taste of the country increa
ses. the plan will be carried out.
Neither H.,ase of Congress was in ses
sion to-day. Many of the Senators and
members have left the city on visits or
excursions. s
Great preparations are making for the
National Fair. to be held' here by the
manufacturers, commencing the 20th May.
The buildin. erected for the purpose is
spacious and commodious.
May 5.
The business of the Senate war duvoid
of interest. Nearly the whole day was
occupied in the discussion rf the bill, to
provide fdr the adjustment of suspended
pre-emption claims, and it was at a late
hour recommitted.
Mr. Calhoun was anxious that it should
have been laid on the table, he pointed
out several objections to the bill.
The bill to supply deficieacies in the Ap
propriation for 1846. was referred to the
Committee on Finance. having came from
the House with amendments.
. In the House of Representatives, at the
earnest s 'licitation of Mr. McK.y, the
hill making appropriations to supply de
ficiences, was taken up. He said that
Genera, Jesup. had told him that very
-norning, that the appropriations for his
oflice, were quite exhausted. and that he
had to meet -the necessary eipenditures
for the Army in Texas, upon his personal
responsibility.
The Bill was then after some consider
able discussion passed. and sent to the
Senate. and I 'have already shown you,
that it was 'here referred to the Commit
tee of Finance.
The remainder bf the day was taken
up in discussing the Bill. making ap
propriations for the Pot Otmie Depart
ment. The amendment of Mr. MbKuy,
to strike out 50,000. and insert 15,000 for
the Mail to Brenen, prevailed. r
it seemsjo be pretty generallytundedr
tool, ftrh the bill will be reporied'an't
the Post Office Comitee, to iro)ease
the rates of Postage, but it is rather late to
make theattem I should think.s- _
T he Soosati tslismaes- 'as. .litla.
interest to-the general reader.. The bill
to supply deficiences was finally disposed
of: the Senate in ibis instance having heetn
obliged to recede from it omne of the
amendments which the matter .had hieen
improperly clogged with.
The bill to establish courts of the Uni
ted States in Florida and provide for a
due execution of the laws of the U. Stpies
was ordered to he engrossed for a third
reading-the salaries of the judges were
fixed at $1600 per annum.
in the Htouse the hill to repeal the act,
of 30th August. 1842. imposing a duty of
20 per cent adualorenr, on Java Coffee,
was after considerab.le debate passed.
A question of privileges arose in relation"
to tho attendm ace of a membter of Con
gress on the Circuit Court of this district
-as a witness iin the delicate matter now
peotmng, wherein G.'v. Trhomjas of Md., is
indicted for a libel.
A resolution was submitted to the effect,
that any member who lad, or who might
he summoaned as a wtnes< by the Circuit.
now sitting in the District, has the leave
aftlie Huuse, during the present session,
IF hiemaw fit to do so.
This led to animated discussion, Mr.
Linn oppositng its adoption.
Mr. Holmes. also expressed the hope,
that the resloutioni would not be adodned.
Mr. Burt. at last offered a snubstitute for
the oriinial Resolution, wvhie'a was adop
red. uimply stating that the House having
received iliformnation, that one of its mem
bers had been served wvith a process, to
attend as a witness, in a criminal proceed
ing then pending.
"Resolved, That Mr. Hopkins, have
leave of this House, to at tend said Court."
The President has returned answers to
dhe Re'solutions of the H ouse. calling for
the correspoudence of Gen. Gord.,n, with
the Department of State, in relation to
the Slave trade by vessel., and citizens of
the United States, and thast asking whether
any stoldiers had beetn shot for desertion,
entd if so, under whose order, and by what
authority.
C'orrespondence of the Baltimore Sun.
\VAsHINGTON, May 1.
Circuit Court-U. S. v. Francis T hom.
as.-At eleven o'clock this exciting case
was taken up. With-in the bar were a
number of ladies,members of Cut. Benton's
and Gov. McDowell's families; several
Senators and Representatives, several:
witnesses from Maryland. among whom
I noticed Judge J. C. Legranel of your
eity. The witnesses for the U. S. and for
the defence- forty-seven in nutuber-were<
called. All wvere piresent, or wilt be in a
l'ew days, save Mrs. Linn of Missionri.
The motion that was mnade some four
week's since by the counsel for the aceuis
ad, that a coucriission he issued to take
her deposition, which then was partially
argued, was renewed by Gen. .Sones. The
General admitted that evidence taket by
such commission could never be-read save
by consent, 'and she stated his object was
to compel the. prosecution to. consent -to -e
such a coursebyv havin th.s..o..io.tad
and he. now. moved 'the court to-contiqu
tiehase till they should.consent.
TheoGeneral argued infavor ofihe cii 6 '
tiutance iu au able speech'of inoreothait"
three hojra in length.
He 'vas' followed by Gerieral- Waddy :
Thoinpsou of S, Carnlini. in reply:.hi _
gentleman commented with severity.upon
the conduct oftthe accused-in thus evading
a trial of these charges. which he.baahold
ly challenged and demanded through ;the
papers. He reviewed. the authorities cat
ed by Gen. J. atnd cottended that the court
could not continue the case sith. thisriew;
that the courts of Eugland never, sent
far save when the witnesses were beyona
the jurisdiction of the. court He also de
nied thit the defendant had sy legal
right to use the evidente of Mis' indse" -
to the point intended by him, (i: .4he
rendering her husband infamous;) t
stated that the prosecntion. woold .waie
all objections, feeling satisfied, of ibe total
inhocen'ce of the parties, and the wantof
foundation for the charges. The 'giiile
than spoke for more than two hourd.;:T
In tbe.alleged libel it is charged flist
Col. Bentou and his family permitted'Mis .
McDowell to be seduced hy's certain:ind =.
vidual, and that they, knowing this,.prd
cured her marriage with him-Gov:.Tho
mas. It is therefore proposed by the de
fendant to prove this fact-by Mrs. Lion,
whose husband, it is alleged, committed
the sedoction of the lady previous to het
m arriage with Thomas. . -
The coudtel in the case are, P Barton:
ey, Districi Atturuey; Hon. J. J Cri
tendon of Ky., Hon. Waddy Thompson %t
f S. C., and B. R. Fendall,-Esq.. forthe -.
prosecinihon ; Gen. Walter Jones and A,
P. Mauisby, Esq., of Md.. for the defence.
* r I r
ESDGEPIELD C. H.
WEIWNESDAY, MAY 13, 1816
Couln.-Our advices from Haisibgg, bear
ing date the 10th inst., upon thh'?Ibjsetftte h ,
great staple says i "We had but a oderate
business doing in Cotton the past week, b a
not being disposed to purchise at the asking
prices of holders. For the last two rhe, .
days there has been mnre desire manri-atedyib, :
dealers to increase their stocktst i rates,6 ;@t.,
holders in the mean- time has becomeie trs ;
firm and demand Higher pgices; t.ieons 1
quence hds been, -that very lin was sold or.
Friday and Saturday. This increased conf .
deuce on the part of holders is on aceountof
the-advices from Liverpool to the.19th uilt.. by
the. .mbria, shewing en advanee in.tiat mar
ketidT to d.' It is difficult. to give correct -
potationi. at this tinie in 'orl markit. I will
herefore remark thaitalegsrange -from 6 to-7jd
md:.that a stricdy 1:oice .article.wilItbhing8;
if the~poetig b'~ttirt" ~rds
. orfredce. fmnt.has beer received, u to da
ine. brit we will continue them' in the neit-'
umber. ,
A deseivedl chastisetenn has beeni inflicted
spon air. " Touch inc not," by "The Lady's
lipper " We warn -"The Lady's Slipper,"
ewever, to be careful, and to be as orild as
he poroocation will adit- of.A
5Much has bien crowded fromog 1in
a-day, by the war news. and the proceedings,
f the Southern alethodtst Conference, whtels
Sof more importance at tis time, and wichu
will command more attenation than mry, thing
ie that cetrid occupy oor sheets.
Weare sorry to be compelled to pustpsne a
ommunication from " Saluda." We shall aii
rays be happy to give his pieces a place in the,
dvertiser; and we should not regret to have
wo articlis'from..hitm, from our iia..
We acknowledge the receipt of many fiYor.
'rm the ladies of our village, forthe past'weekl
a the shape of Strawberries. Sweet Cake~,
vel wishes, and various other delicacies, wijlk
eaugiful flowers. roses, and the sweetest nose
~nys; and we earnestly hope to merit a lohg.
ontinuance of the same. .~
To the kindness of Mrs. EDNimnD Psuwew
aeyetatd Tw ofteawibd.re indebted for thte largest 8t-rawberries~w A
sundred and three grains.
Dr. TuoxAs LAKE of this District, has-sest
s several of the largest spring Taeps wee
ave seen this season. One of themnweighed:
pond and a quarter. and one of them~arn
ured in ctrcumiference, sixteen. inches-anda
lnaer.
The gendlemen whobrouight themtonas, said
that they were growing every day~ and thatL
hey would be much. larger. than they are at
present. lHe also stated, that Dr, Lake hied
egon loads of them, which we understood -
nean, that. ho- had very large quantties -f~
Mr. DAIIEL, AmBsy, of this viltege, has late'
f itished a Leadher Horse Coliar, which w
onsider a g&re.at improvement enanywe haveJe
er seen.. - -
LiUke that, for wich.Mr.. Cuis.of Colui
>in; has. obtained. a patent; the Collar.Kandt
james are both in ong:. ha; it materially dilferaC
*r-o Mr.: Cttrtis' inventioo is 6tliciNPStil
l'he Itameeare flist eut out iinepixepared iijkn
tr common wagon or plough hames,. and thetrn
hey are handsomely Buen theid~Olif so5.55
a make as nice and cheap :a so~ritanc
an e found is the uoitrj. The qollareouzsQ
t bottoaud atp, soistob bie'de 10 6 -
Imost, any liorse, 4nd op as to be-put on ii n
ek without the least -minoneenience to
river, amtt wighout the leastinjartothe nafr.
We tike pearesi. recotmn
ir t the.publie, because we i k i w: res
useful inventioni to 'every ha dj~as