Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 13, Ed. 1, Tuesday, April 4, 1837 Page: 2 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Telegraph and Texas Register and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.
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TELEGRAPH.
COLUMBIA, TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1837.
We intend continuing the re-publication of the documents relating
to the situation of the country, at the commencement of the war, as
published in the first numbers of the Telegraph, issued previous to the
destruction of the press at Harrisburg. Our readers will excuse us for
feikingvthis liberty, when they consider that most of the old files of the
Telegraph, have been either destroyed by the Mexicans, or lost in the
confusion attending the invasion. These articles will be useful abroad,
in furnishing evidence of the events which led to the rupture with Mex-
ico, -and of the true grounds upon which we rested the justice of our
causes and at home in displaying to our children, some of the brightest
examples of republican virtue, which may stimulate them to imitate the
noble achievments of their fathers, should fortune ever place them in
like circumstances. Nor will they be uninteresting even to those who
largely participated in tho dangers and perils of the events to which they
relate, for the perusal of them in causing the recollection of a thousand
incidents which escape the pen of the historian, to rush on the mind, agi-
tate it again with nearly all the thrilling interest which called forth its
energies in former days.
Mr. W. P. Benson one of the prisoners captured at San Patricio
in February, 1836, by the Mexicans, has just arrived from Matamoras,
via. New Orleans. He states that the Mexican fleet, consisting of six
vessels, three armed brigs and 3 armed schooners, wretchedly manned,
by men ignorant of the first principles of seamanship, camo down to
Matamoros about the 1st of March and landed a quantity of arms, am-
munition and some provisions, for the use of the troops at this place.
These troops mustered only thirty six or eight hundred men, more con-
temptible in appearance that the captives of San Jacinto, which are now
lounging about the corners of our streets. They have only about 400
horses, very old and very poor, and no grain to feed them. General
Woll was almost constantly engaged in superintending a Monte-bank.
A regiment of volunteers rushed to join the troops at Matamoros
lately, all well hand-cuffed and urged onward by the well applied whips
of two regiments of regulars. A formidable army this to undertake
the invasion of Texas! our brave volunteers would make "a case" of
them in a twinkling.
The following are the names of the American prisoners who re-
cently arrived at New Orleans from Matamoros.
S. S. Cortes, of Philadelphia, Benson, of Ohio,
Bryant, of Texas, Pittman, of Kentucky,
H. Craig, of New Jersey, Francis, of Ohio,
G. Smith, of New York, Langaman, of Holland.
The remainder of the prisoners will probably arrive in -the Ca-
manche; their names are,
Jones, Ker, Hall, Copland.
They state, that the English and American merchants at Matamo-
ros at one time, saved them from starvation.
Bustamente has only been chosen an elector for president; the
presidential election took place on the 27th ult., no arrival since.
By the schooner Wm. Bryan, which arrived at Marion yesterday we
received our files of papers from the United States, up to the dates of 24th
ult., they contain little news of importance. The Seminole war has
been terminated by general Jessup. The Indians will soon be trans-
ported to the west. The Oseola who has figured like another Tecumseh,
in.the United States journals is now represented to be a very insignifi-
cant personage.
The report that senator Walker has fallen in a duel with Thomas
H. Benton, is said to be a fabrication.
An Indian savan is delivering lectures in New York, he come out
of de woods to contradict major Noah's assertion, dat de Indians be all
Jews.
On the first day of the session of parliament, a motion was made
in the house of commons by Mr. Hoy for copies" of correspondence be-
tweeu the governments of Great Britain, Mexico and Texas, and be-
tween the governments of Great Britain and the United States relating
to Texas.
Midshipman Waite, of the Invincible tossed two -bullets into the
window of a Mr. Thomas, in New York, this has been magnified by the
N. Y. Sun into, not a fish story, nor a moon story, but a love story.
An-nfortunatc rencontre took place at Velasco on the evening
of Friday, the 24th ultimo, between Lieut. J. T. Sprowl, and his com-
manding officer. It appears that the latter went with two or three sol-
diers to arrest the former, who being a powerful man resisted violently,
striking Capt. Snell to the ground and wresting his sword from him, up-
on which Snell instantly drew a pistol and shot him through the head
Lieut. Sprowl has since died.
Iu perusing our exchange papers from the United States we are
.frequently amused in noticing the variety of rumors which have been,
by express mail, making the tour of the union. Now we take up a pa-
per and under a rude half formed picture of a horse at full speed, blow-
ing a cloud of moisture from his distended nostrils, and conveying upon
his back something; ten to one if either ourselves or the devil can tell
.what we find announced, the untimely death of Black Hawk, Pointdex-
ter, Louis Phillipe, or some other noted personage, whom grim death
has never yet thought of killing, though rumor has done it a hundred
times. Then scarcely have we closed the perusal of this "much ado
-about, nothing,1' ere Texas in capitals meet our eye, and with our ordin
ary anxiety to procure every item of foreign intelligence relating to our
'country, we hastily turn to devour some huge bugbear like the follow
ing1
" LATE ALARMING INTELLIGENCE FROM MEXICO."
Tampico, February 28, 1837.
. Dear Sir Notwithstanding the nonsensical rant in the American
papers concerning this country and the expedition destined to operate
against the Texians. You should know that the Mexicans and their
government, are resolved to make Texas enter into its duty, and they
will do so; everjr thing is now ready for the march of the troops; which
:are composed of 6000 infantry and 1200 cavalry with their correspond-
ing artillery, and the command is confided to general Bustamente, well
known for bis valor and patriotism. Although with great trouble there
-have been equipped 3 brigs, 6 schooners and twelve gun boats, and there
are expected from Jamaica two good steamboats and one brig, under the
command of William McKenzie, who served with commodore Porter in
the war of independence.
As soon as -these vessels arrive about 1000 men will be embarked
to operate by sea against Galveston, and the other troops, will go by land
to unite with them under the command of Bustamente.
' " P. S. The arrival of Santa Anna will not change in the least de-
"greethe aspect of thingsin Texas; because he has agreed with Busta-
f
mente and our government, and I repeat that the expedition will start I eminent, we cannot but rejoice at the re-establishment of publfc.order
about the middle of March, if not before. undpr so pnlirrhtpn u:lr t... , ...t. .j1.-1i.:.
about the middle of March, if not before.
This we suppose is now taking the rounds of the United States'
journals like some ten thousand of its predecessors of similar import, and
producing similsr consequences, frightening many good old ladies whose
sons are in our army, bringing more volunteers to our aid at this twelfth
hour, and last though not least, possibly procuring another imvortant
acquisition to our population, of those highminded individuals commonly
styled land speculators, who
" Left their country for their country's good."
In the meamime as the above intelligence is alarming only to land
holders, we will not perplex ourselves with conjectures upon the proba-
ble amount of victories which this puissant army of poltroons is destined
to achieve, or be persuaded into the belief that prompting from Mexico
will ever be required " to make Texas enter into its duty."
Died, yesterday, at Hie charity hospital, Mr. B. H. Smith, a native
of South Carolina, lately from Texas, and brother of Gen. Smith of the
Texian army. Piccayunc.
Charity requires us to state that Texas has never had a General
Smith in her service, consequently we cannot claim him.
Seguin, published in our last
osie
if
con gloria en los combates.
JOHN N. SEGUIN.
The word translation in that communication is also an error if ap
plied to the above.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF TEXIAN INDEPENDENCE
The acknowledgment of the indp.nfindpnrP of Tovnc ir u r,.
ernmeut of the United States, is one of thosp nvnt!. whiVh niihn.mi.
and tne appointment ot Mr. AJ.OLL LAI3RAJNCHE, speaker of the it was his intention to nlace all th nriRnn. nt tho A;annu;J rn, '
and the appointment of Mr. ALCEE LABRAiVnFTR cnMwnr(i,
A ., UJ.1.1UIU1 Ul UIC
uuuse ui representatives oi mis state, to be minister plenipotentiary of
the United States to the government of the new republic, is an assu-
rance to the state of Louisiana that her interests have not been over-
looked in adopting this public measure. Further than that, the people
of the whole south will regard the annoinfmont of ATr T.r.v.,-,.,,.1,
proof of the president's solicitude to promote and secure their welfare
iu u. muuer which so neariy concerns tnem. it is worthy of remark
that Mr. Labranche is the first native of Louisiana tht l0 !,,
pointed to so high a diplomat-'c station as that of minister plenipotentia-
iy. iu iuiuwitiugu ui puuuc anairs, in nauits ot business, in soundness
of principles, in rectitude of mind and in peculiar adaptedness to this
station, no man is better qualified than Mr. Labranche, and the choice
reflects no little credit on Mr. Van Buren's discernment.
The Mexican question is not, however, without its difficulties. The
absence of general Santa Anna from the councils of the country, will
necessarily disturb the plans determined on at Washington between the
presidents of the two republics. And -vp.t an nriiVlo whiVU r ga .,
der the head of Merida in the Diario of the Mexican government under
uuiu ui .L-uuruur) io,ju5 receivea uy tne scnooner, .Levin Jones, which
sailed from Tampico the 1st of March, induces us to believe that there
will be no interruption of our pacific relations with Mexico.
After a violent diatrepe against the natrons nf TovJnn i;ha,r u
writer saj'S there has been "no tangible fact in this quarrel; and adds
it is not on account of the importance of the colony itself, but to vindi-
cate the honor and renown of the Mexican nation, outraged by a hand-
ful of adventurers and rajTn-amiifrirs. thnf fhp. war is tn ho rcr,...n,i.
not with a view to the colony and the value of its lands, ,which will al
ways ce a burden upon tne nation, trom the imprudence of permitting
the introduction of colonists of such a rhnvurtor wWh Vioc- hnn fk
cause of all the disgrace that followed. In order to maintain them a
powertul garrison will be necessary. On the other hand, it is impossible
that such men should remain united to Mexico. T wnc cniA cn .,,.
ago by a Mexican citizen The door once opened to the colonization of
una iku. leiiuujTY, it i& luevnuuie mat a new generation will hnd that
portion of Mexico, and that this new population will be incapable of
mingling with the Mexican people. Such is the language of a Mexi
can uttered nve years ago, and such is doubtless the reality of things
as they now exist. But we repeat, when these motives and others
more weighty shall incline the Mexican government to give up Texas,
it will be opposed, on the ground that such a step would be the effect of
fear. The supremo government alone knows and alone can do that
which is demanded by tho national interests we have merely express-
ed our opinions."
Such language, (though inserted under another head) published in
the official journal, clearly shows that the Mexican government has con-
sidered the subject under all its different points of view; and if, in re-
alitv. the national nride should rp.vnlt atraist n farm mnnoccmn w ..i
none of the considerations which may hereafter induce it o abandon a
territory, which never was neara ot till tne American colonists gave it
a value. Before that, it was prized at so low a rates that millions of
acres were given by the government in payment of petty debts or to
favor intriguing coteries. Not to mention the seventeen millions of a-
cres bestowed upon Wilkinson, what were the grants to Wooberry,
Grant, Zavala, &c. &., unless to transfer a whole province ? Can Mex-
ico then with a good grace make it a point of honor to reclaim posses-
sion of lands thus prodigally lavished? and to shed seas of blood in or-
der to repair her own irreparable fault of having detached Texas from
the Mexican republic? Is it then a vain title to sovereignty that she
claims? And over a people who have shaken off the tyranny of the
mother countrv? who acknowlp.drrn' ihn inAononAonno r n,.n(mnin
that separated from them as Texas has done.
We believe that Mexico, aware of her true interests, and now di-
rected by a constitutional government, under the presidency of such a
man as Anastasio Bustemente, will not rush into an endless war, for a
hopeless object. General Bustemente, who seems to have received a
majority of the votes, is not one who will sacrifice the interests of his
country to military glory. His fame as a soldier is sufficiently extended
to prevent him from wishing to increase it at the expense of his patri-
otism. For these reasons we think there will be a prompt and satis-
factory arrangement of our disputes with Mexico.
The reception of Santa Anna in the United States was cold and
formal: the honors shown to him were those only which were due to his
rank. It is doubtful Whether OP not ln will m- nrpfpnrl Jo nhstnmt him.
under so enlightened a chipfas RnKtpmpnfp. whn rarrfp W
country the fruits of observation made in a long exile in foreign,riatke..
Under his nrpsiflpnexr ATovinn Unn c.. t.i,. !. c r.:Til ifj
and durable tranquillity at home and abroad. N. O. Bee.
Qs. What do you think of Santa Anna's letter?
Ans. Policy, all very good policy.
mu r ., SANTA ANNA'S GOOD FAITH.
The following letter from general Santa Anna which we find in?
the government paper of Me.vinn. tho n;v, ji muz, ; 4u
striking commentarv upon his? ar fnith ,-,:., a u t j
dressed to the Minister at War- ' -us au-
YOUR EXCELLENCY: I addressed you in Teas on the 22dV
r'uucui uu. mierrni uiat navmg obtained my lib-
PTtv I writ: nhnut tn vicit !, TT:J cu, . .? . . J
-, . . v ;.. iu0 .illcu otatcs, and snould embark at Balti-
more alter having visited the canita AVhmf
I accomplished this long and painful voyage, following the steps of
those by whom I was accompanied, and I have arrived at this port today
in an United States national vessel, which the president, general Jack-
son, had the kindness to place at my disposal, in order that I might make
the passage safely and commodiously.
I leave to-morrow for mv countrv rpsidpncp nf Ar; j -.t
where I expect to be united to my family, of whose situation I have been
entirely ignorant for the year past. In that peaceful retreat, which I
have determined never again to auit. I ask vou to o-Ivp. mp n Aowa
count of the event, by which I was placed at the disposition of the ene-
iiry , imu uu mm nas transpireu during my captivity, and which has beea -
Errors. For the address of Col
read thus
Coinpaneros de armas!! Estos restos nun Iipmoi? fpnirln ol lirmm.
TIP Pnnnillr an Tiincline hAmliwnrf ff-tn A 1 .Hn T
v.w v-vw v, uuuliu uumuiui!) ovm uc iuo vuiitjums neroes que mu- v ""- "" iou uuuug iny captivity, ana wnicnnasDeen
rieron en el Alamo. Si. mis aminos, ellos nrefirinron mil vpppo mm-;,, the means of procuring for me somuchcalnmnvnnrl venrrnn T 1,11
que rendir la cerviz al vugo del tirano. Our nvpmnlo tan hrillnnfoi shall send vou all the documents uoon thntsnhipp.t. tkmnrrfc tha m0.i;.,
Digno de anotarse en las paginas de la historia. EI genio de la libertad of Coloncl Juan N. Almonte, in order that the president ad1inlerimina.y
parese estarlo viendo en su elevado trono, desde donde con semblante nave knowledge of them.
halagueiio nos sefiala diciendo, ahi teneis a vuestros hermanos Travis, n tne interval I shall devote my time in compiling and publishing
Bowie, Crockett, y otros varios.a quienes su valor los coloca en el nu- a a'.ocument detailing clearly the circumstances of the unfortunate cam-
lueiu uu uus ucrueji. .01 sutuuaus y cunciiiaaaanos, estos sun los enlcs i""o" lu ; 1("- J-"ia -vp is necessary to tne puDlic man, desirous of
meritorios a quienes el reves de la fortuna en la presentc campaiia en- preserving his reputation; and he should be ever ready to give the peo-
trefro sus cuerDOs alaferociade sus onpmifrnt:. ln3 mmloc lo,m an account of his conduct, and nlnpp it in n van'Mo n;n r ..:
semeiandolos a los brutos fueron atados de uins v firms Hoc lmoto efa more especially, should he do this, when nnssion Jq pnlictorl n.'nett,
punto en donde fueron reducidos a cenizas, yo os convido a que ponien- sna11 a,so lay before congress what I conceive the most efficacioua
ao por testigo 10s veneraDies restos oe nuestros dignos companeros diga- 1Iluai,t) lu terminate tne war, leaving itiem to adopt such measures as
mos al mundo entero. Texas sera libre, independiente o oerecorpmnt; tney may judge necessary.
(ao I nCl 11rtr1ll1Wrtn i4a
The unfortunate situation in which tlm nriennm-a nf .,, t:.w,
find themselves, calls for the compassion of the government, and I im-
plore that compassion for them, in the most ardent manner. The little
pecuniary assistance which is afforded them by the'way of New Orleans '
enable them to subsist, and procures the vestments which are indispen-
sable. Thote unfortunate men have lost thpir lihprtv nnd ;f toq j.
come to their aid when they are in such great distress, it will result in
discouraging the most ardent defenders of our country's cause.
vju my uBpunure irom i exas i was mtormed by Mr. Samuel Houston,.
Mexican Consul in New Orleans in order that he might send them to
Vera Cruz. But, as another expedition has been spoken of, since that
time, under the command of his excellencv th npnprol nf rliiricV,,, nA
Nicholas Bravo, it is probable that Houston has changed his mind; and
that, I, myself, would not have been placed at liberty had I deferred six
days longer my departure, for the lower classes in that country are ve-
iy uumui.
The pleasure I feel in again treadinp- uoon mv nnfivo lnr,A -iftn-
the many outrages and tribulations I have endured; that pleasure,'.! say,
ivfic pnncirlprnTilir r1imiric-Vml mlinn I ...,. ;C 1 .lj. .1 " -'
...... ...vv ..y y",j,,""-u iu j. "ao luiuiiiiuu mat mere weresome
individuals, believing mv disjrrace was so mnrli'ilip irrootop vX t
had betrayed my country and compromised her independence "Vlhat,
betray an object so dear to my heart. I who have so often IcoghT to
(ttciutveutt mwuiiiuie; vouiu it not De Dettcr that 1 should perish in.
the midst of mv enemies, than that I should hp thp mt p r. "
m m - I - w Mw A44U.4A&. VI 1
serious and unjust an accusation coming from my own fellow country-
man? In this case as well as in many others I have been the victim-
of calumny, and in order to vlace mvselfbevond the. nmrpr nf 7,n ..
ges I should protest to your excellency, and in the face of the entire vorld
una. j.yuiuuuM my iwcny vnuiout suuscntnng-to any conditions whatever;
that cither before or since that conjuncture, I have not made with anyone,
let him be who he may, any contract that might bring reproach upon the
national independence or honor, or nlace in np.n-nn.rdn thp iniprrib, n-r
the territory; that accordingly could havegiven no guarantees wIuQecet to
any muiumuui or government reianvc to ttiose pretended stipulations, and
before consenting, cither willinelv or throvph fnrr.t. in .tr.ii , sv7v,v.n.
I would have suffered a thousand deaths before subscribing to such terms
j.um uAcei eiiuy win ue pieasea to mane Known all these tacts to
the president ad interim, and io felicitate- him on amnnni nFthn
which reigns throughout the republic under the auspices of the new
fundamental laws which the nation has enacted ihrough the medium of
their representatives.
I pray you, your excellency, to accept thcassurance of my high
considerate and profound esteem. God & Liberty! Vera Cruz, Feb-
ruaby zuth, 183. ANTUNiU LUJTJSZ DE SANTA ANNA.
Flt03I BUEXOS Atres. Rv thn arrival of thp sliin Milo nnntnin
Hepbourn, we have Buenos Byres papers to the 31stof December.
On the 0th of November, the chambor of senators in Santiago,
Chili, invested the President of lhp. rnnnhlirv Jonnnin Pripfn with ovm
, j , , x w., ...w. liuu-
ordinary powers until the 31st of Mav. for thp rmnishmpnt nf rpwn;n
conspirators against the government, among whom is one Nicolas Cuevas,
nuu iiuu iHieuiuiiuu uie me oi one or tne ministers.
The anniversary of thp dp.ath of TVnrrpcrn. fnrmprlir n-nvo-mnw f
Buenos Ayres, who was shot by order of Lavalle, was celebrated on
tne lotn oi jjecemoer witn every demonstration ot mourning.
The Universal of Montevideo, of thp 13th DprnmliPr mvnc !;
ces trom the frontier of Tacuarembo dated the 5th, in which it is said
that the two parties engaged in civil strife in the Brazilian province of"
Rio Grande, seem alarmed about coming to action. Both gave out that
a decisive battle was to take place, but when the two armies approached
each other, both manoeuvred to avoid an engagement.
ine washerwomen ot .Buenos Ayres had given a lour daj-s festival
on the beach called Washerwomen's Land. Red and white flags such'
was the appellation given to the colored handkerchiefs waved from
the Recoleta to the Baraca. around which thp. yy7rrr?ntncplcdnn nn
the third day the ladies received with jn-pat solp.mnitv n -whito flrr .;!,
the inscription F o 31, Federation or Death, and bore it with incessant
cheering to head quarters. On Thursday, the fourth day, the flags of
all nations, British, American. French. "Rmilinn nnA pni.innnc. TOo,r
on the beach, the band of the Marine Artillery played for the revellers,.
wiju uu. vjumrauuuces, wanzes, cielitos, minuets, &c." with much
spirit and precision. "A minuet." savs thp "RriticK Vnohot w.nc wnlto
by a dark gentleman and a lady of the same complexion, which elicited
shouts of applause." The women wore mostly red jackets and hatsr
and some of them marched at thp hpnr? nf mwpecinne hoti ,n
washing machine with a stick, in place of a drum.
Tk T::u t-i.- .i , . . . . . ...
.me .luilou jraLivei oi me oist December, says that intelligence-
was received from Valparaiso to thp 9.9A "Nnvnmhn On tht a,t wo
embarked for the Island Juan Fernandez, in the schooner Peruvian, one
of the Peruvian vessels detained by the Chilian Government, several
Officers engaged in the latft nttpmnt l rnvnlminn nn xvhn warn nlron .fer
at Chlloe. General FrifirP. nnrl rnlnnnPs Pitrm !tnr TTrKictoniln ornn-''
imVtAi 'I1! .. t 1 . jja -
sell lrom public affairs. But if the nation has really declared in favor mong the number. They have been sentenced to ten vears banishment.
Or rillSiRmpnfP- hie nnromnuint .. -. 1-J u.. 11 tU nnn f il T1!. r t .. . w.. .
---,. b-....mi,aunuuuuuu uy aw mu laiuiuo ui mu j. hu news irom rcru is rather more important. The crew ot the
country, will restore the same degree of prosperity which existed when Peruvian corvette Libertad, stationed at Guayaquil, is stated to have
he was overthrown by Santa Anna uriflor the pretext of liberalism. mutined and resolved to go over to Chili. The schooner of war Yana-
Ihe administration of Bustemente had its faults but he gave or- cocha, would it is said, likewise accompany her. Thus a secret expe-
dcr to the finances and subordination to the army: he chose his minis- dition has been frustrated, which these vessels were to compose in con-
ters among honest and enlightened men. Free opinion made no pro- junction with the brig of war Congresso, which had sailed from Callao
grass, but the national affairs proceeded with a regularity never before to join them. The Peruvian general Garma-ra, who fought the battle-
witnessed. Jt we regretted the overthrow of the federal plan of gov. of Yanachoca against Santa Cruz, was in Cuenca with a large number
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Borden & Moore. Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 13, Ed. 1, Tuesday, April 4, 1837, newspaper, April 4, 1837; Columbia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth47926/m1/2/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.