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-XHE TIMES.
For President
Ueneral Znchnry Taylor.
" Between my government and a foreign nation,
! never ak a q iostion : M V GO YERXMEXT
tS ALWAYS RtOIlTrGen. Taylor.
FAYETTE:
SATURDAY, JULY 24, 1847.
THE DINNER TO-DAY.
We issue our paper for this week in ad
vance of our usual time.
we have been requested to state that
the order of procession as announced last
week will be observed. Other schools of
the place or county, than the one designs
ted, will bo assigned a place in the proces
sion, as they arrive.
Thirteen rounds will be fired between
day light and sun up.
One gun at 0 o'clock, A. M. as a signal
for forming the procession and when
formed, to continue tiring until the pro
cession reaches the ground.
Exercises to commence by prayer,
by
Rev. Thomas Johnson.
Welcomo to the volunteers, by Wm.
Hall, Esq.
Response on behalf of the volunteers,
Oration by W. .F.. Birch, Esq.
After first speech, two guns in honor of
the battle of Dracito. After second, three
guns for battle of Sacramento. After
third, one gun for battle of El Fazo,
The Committee of Order, Table Com
mitlee, &c, will be announced from the
stand, immediately after the arrival of the
procession on the ground. It is hoped the
gentlemen appointed on these committees
will strictly attend to their several duties
as much of the peace and harmony of the
day will depend on their efficiency
It is particularly requested that business
men, generally, close their houses from 9
o'clock until dinner is over.
THE DEMOCRAT IMPROVE
MENTS. The Democrat is backing water. In the
last number it says:
"We believe Col. Benton and we exactly
coincide on the subject or constitutional expend
lures by the National Government."
Col. Benton thinks the St.- Louis harbor
.should be improved by the National Gov
ernment. Sec his letter to the Chicago
xonvention.
The Democrat before the last, in a long
article on the subject of the convention,
and (he Washington Union's opposition to
it, distinctly took ground against the im
provement of tho St. Louis harbor. It
said: "The General Government may cre
ate expenditures for the safety of its ves
sels at the navy yard at Brooklyn, or other
navy yards, but to say it has a right
to build a harbor for St. Louis, is ridicu
Ions!" Col. Benton's letter had not been seen
when this was written. It appeared a
few days afterward, and we suggested that
its grumbling would cease but we had
no idea it would turn so short! One
week after denouncing the idea of the
General Government building a harbor for
St. Louis as ridiculous, it comes out and
says: "Col. B. and we exactly coincide on
the ubject!" We advise the editor to
dust his glasses, and read the Colonel's let
ter again. We think, upon a close exami
tion he will find that the course pursued
by the -party in this State, and our rep
resen'.atives in Congress, will not harmon
ize with Col. Benton's views. The Colonel
is almost a good Whig on this subject, and
his followers are falling into his wake fast.
We are not displeased at this; we go in
for internal improvements, National, State,
and Individual, ,- The hide-bound views on
this subject, are becoming easier. The
people are moving, and the politicians will
folf'ow. We shall not bo surprised, but
greatly disappointed, if the next President
ot the United Mates and Governor of
' Missouri are not both Btaunch internal im
provement men.
Hurra for Gen. Taylor and ' Col
Doniphan!
DO" Col- Russell has furnished a long
statement of affairs in California, to the
St. Louis papers. The principal effort of
the Colonel seems to be, to place Col. Fre
mont in a conspicuous light before the
country and there are those who think he
has rather overshot the mark. Col. F. is a
bold, efficient man, and is entitled to some
credit, but we fear his friends will over
dose the public stomach.
tOThe locos are making a great fuss
about the statement of Gen. Taylor, that
he will no be a party candidate. We never
expected him to be. The People have got
(he old fellow in charge, and they are de
termined to make him President. They
are decidedly anti Folktsh, and foim a
,'arge party.
DC7The Chicago Convention was com
posed of some thrco thousand persons. The
business was conducted in a harmonious
manner a majority of the delegates set
ting their faces decidedly against all mat
ters foreign to the objects for which they
had convened. The resolutions adopted
by the convention will be found on our
first page. A committee of two from
each of the States and Territories repre
sented, was appointed to prepare an ad
dress, embodying statistical information,
to be submitted to the people and the gov
ernment. At the conclusion of the ses
sion, in reply to a complimentary resolu
tion, offered by Mr. Corwin, Hon. Ed
ward Bates made a speech which took all
who did not know him, and even his old
acquaintances, by surprise. It is univer
sally spoken of as being one of the most
splendid and happy efforts of oratory ever
heard.
When the convention had adjourned, a
meeting was organised, for the purpose
of giving the spouters a chance a rule
of the convention having kept them down.
A number of speeches were made by dif
ferent individuals, on various subjects. The
delegates left for their homes well pleased
As if to show our neighbor is not gifted
with prophetic powers, the convention did
not turn out to be a whig gathering.
TC7The citizens of Annapolis and a 4th
of July party from Baltimore, had a row
on the 5th. Guns, brick bats and bludg
cons were used, and several persons were
killed and many others wounded. Free
country this!
ILv rrosecuting the war with vigor,
Keeping General Taylor on his oars six
months, for fear he would thrash the Mexi
cans again, and grow in popularity with
his countrymen.
A dinner was given to Gen. Patterson
the other day, at the United States Hotel
Philadelphia, the price of tickets to which
was fixed at eight dollars.
The number of Immigrants that arrived
at N. York in May last, were 30,974; same
month last year, 18,532.
Important to Volunteers. The following
is an extract of a letter from J. L. Ed
wards, Esq., of the Pension Office, in an
swer to an application for the pension al
lowed for the services of a volunteer, who
died after being discharged from service on
account of ill health:
"It is proper to remark, as the deceased was
discharged on a surgeon s certificate of disability.
it must be shown that the disease, on account of
which he obtained his discharge, was incurred
after he entered the army, and while in the line
oj nis amy as a soldier.
Release op Mexican Prisoners. In
one of his letters from Puebla, Mr. Kendall
states that Gen. Scott has released some
ten or twelve Mexicans, who had been con
fined from one to ten or more years. So
long had somo of thcrn been confined, that
the original charges against them were
lost. Some did not know their offence.
One stated that all tho offence he had ever
committed against the law, was to strike
an officer for insulting his wife. Any one
of the poor wretches, we doubt not, is
better than those who placed them in con
finement. Bathing. Let no one neglect bathing
frequent bathing during this excessively
hot weather is worth more than medicine.
Virginia Wheat Crop. From various
parts of Virginia we learn the wheat crops
have been harvested without any damage,
and that the yield is good, both as to qual
ity and quantity.
Horses and Miles. About fifteen
hundred horses and mules have been lost
and stolen from the army, in the vicinity
of Vera Cruz, during the last month.
The Whigs of Georgia have nominated
Gen. Duncan L. Clinch as their candidate
for Covernor, and the Locofocos, Mr.
Towns. The Whigs also passed resolu
tions nominating Gen. Taylor for the Pres
idency. Important Truth. Wives who do not
try to keep their husbands will Ioso them.
A man does tho 'courting' before marriage,
and the wife must do it after marriage, or
some other woman will.
FROM THE PLAINST
We learn by a letter received in town
from a member of one of the Illinois com
panies, dated July 8th, at Gum Spring,
that the party of Indians who attacked
Lieut. Love was commanded by a Negro,
who was set free by Col. Sublette, of St.
Louis, some years since in the mountains.
He is said to hold a conspicuous station in
the tribe.
News is received by almost every express
from the plains of some new depredations
by the Indians. It is time some rigorous
and definite steps were taken to stop these
acts. The Indians are more dangerous,
and doing more mischief than the Mexi
cans. Capt. Ralls, of Rails county, has been
elected Colonel; capt. Lane, of Madison
county, Lieut. Colonel; and W. W. Rey.
nolds, of Gauge county, Major, of th new
regiment departed for Santa Fe.
IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO,
LATER MOM TH C ARMY OP OSS. SCOTT.
Gen Scott still at Puebla Gen. Cadwallader
and Gen. Pillow yet on the Road Latest
from the City of MexicoLost of Horse and
Mules at Vera Cruz Capture of Tabasco
The American Prisoners in Mexico An
American Paper at Puebla Surprise and
Capture of a party of Americans, fc., tf-e-From
llie New Orleans Picayune of the 8th.
The steamship Alabama arrived at an early
hour yesterday from Vera Cruz, touching at the
Brazos, fche lelt tho former port on the Jd ot
July, end the latter on the 4tli.
By this arrival we have direct edvices from
Mexico to the morning of the 29th of June, and
Horn Puebla to the 30lh.
Gen. Scott had not then been able to leave
Puebla. He was awaiting the reinforcements
under Gen. Cadwallader and Gen. Pillow, who
had not then arrived. Soma of the papers men
tion that Gen. Cadwalludcr arrived at Puebla on
the 30th. Letters from Mr. Kendall of that
date make no mention of it, though he was con.
siantly expected. He was at Perote about the
20ih, awaiting Gen. Pillow.
X he news Irom the city ol Mexico is very
ndefiiiite. Gen. Scott is said to have communi.
cated to the Government that Mr. Trist was
with him, and authorized to negoliute for a peace.
Santa Anna had been in vain endeavoring to pro
cure a quorum of Congress to lay Gen. Scott's
communication belore it. Mr. rvondnll s letters
rather encourage the prospects of an early peace;
but we have had access to letters Irom a very
responsible source in ihe city of Mexico, which
take a very ditturent view ol the subject. Ihe
writer thinks ben. Scott will hnve to march into
Mexico to secure a peace.
ihe censorship ol the press existing in Mexi
co prevents us from knowing what measures to
defend the city will be taken. Santa Anna was
to leave the capitol on tho 30th ult.,. intending
to pass three days in the country lor the boneht
ol his health. It is sad that every avenue ol en
trance into the city is fortified, but the writer in
Mexico, upon whom we very much rely, thinks
the American army will easily overcome all such
obstacles that the defenco of their fortifications
will only embarrass the Mexicans.
We ara unable to throw much light upon th
movements of Gen. Cadwallader, and General
Pillow. The latter is said to have been com
pelled to contest the road with the guerrilla par
ties, till he was beyond Cerro Gordo. Guerrille.
ros took advantage of every defile to resist his
progress. His loss is said to have been severe
The government of the city of Puebla has
been entrusted to Lieut. Col. Belton, of the 3d
Artillery.
Gen. Alvarez was at Atlixco on the 14th of
June with 300 Mexican cavalry. The star thinks
his lorces greatly overrated.
A correspondent of El Monitor Republica.no
writing from Puebla, says: "Gen. Scott, withlill
of his engineer corps and a number of other
officers, proceeded to Cholula the other day, and
after ascending the pyramid, agreed at once to
fortify the place." He thinks it is only throwing
salt to the fishes to fortify so out of the way a
place. The truth of the business is, says the Star,
that Gen. Scott never went there at all, but that
Gens. Quitman, Twiggs, Col. Harney, and
party of officers, hearing of the pyramid and
wishing to see the spot rendered so notorious by
the massacre of the Cholulans by Cortez, did go;
but the idea of fortifying was fartherest from the
thought.
The Star says there is three months provisions
in the city for the army, and that the fields around
the city supply all the forage necessary.
A Mexican named Hercdia has been detected
by his countrymen on his way from the capitol
to Puebla with drawings of the different forlifi
cations around the capitol. He was tried and
condemned as a spy and a traitor, and was con
demned to be shot on the 21ft ult. The fellow
made his escape the morning of the 21st.
The Mexicans are using every inducement to
make our men desert, and with some success, but
those who have deserted find little comfort from
their new friends. The Star tells of two drag
oons who ran off from us, but had not gone three
leagues, before some Mexicans came across them,
took their horses and stripped thcui of everything
but their shirts.
A German and a Mexican have been tried by
a court martial for tampering with our soldiers
and persuading them to desert. .The Mexican
was acquitted the German found guilty and
condemned to be shot. Being recommended to
mercy his sentence was remitted.
The following narrative is from the Star of the
2-lih ult.:
"On Sunday morning last, the 20th, a party
of Americans not connected with the army, left
here for a hacienda on the road to Mexico -say
about eighteen miles distant. The object in view
by the party, eight in number, was the purchas
ing of mules for the Government; and after they
had bargained lor a number, to be brought in the
next day to Puebla, they prepared to leave, but
were prevailed on to defer their departure until
after dinner. The repast was served up in good
style, and after it was partaken of, the host re
fusing to receive any pay whatever, the horses
were brought out and the party mounted. They
were warned not to go to near a village on their
left, as some five or six hundred soldiers were
quartered there, and if we mistake not, a Mexi
can was preparing to accompany them along a
bye path in the mountains, when a party of lan
cers were discovered riding up to the hacienda.
The little party of Americans started off in a
slow gallop, their leader telling them to save
their horses until it would be necessary to run.
In this way they proceeded some distance, the
soldiers continuing to decrease the distance be
tween them, when it was proposed to go a little
fatter. A half a minute had not elapsed with the
increased gait, before they came upon another
party of the enemy, formed across the road. To
attempt to pass them would have been foolishness;
so they halted, and through their interpreter, in.
formed Ihe captain they were Americans, but not
connected wiih the army. The pursuing lancers
were now close upon them, and before a proper
answer had been returned, came charging down
the hill in such a manner as to leave the boys
doubtful as to their intentions; so they propared
themselves for an attack, which was soon com
menced by the Mexican force, numbering near
eighty men. After a brief engagement, during
which the Mexicans crowded upon one another
so fast that they could scarcely use their arms,
Mr. Dickinson, who had been severely wounded
in the thigh with a lance, touched his blooded
mare with a spur, and she made an opening in
the enemy's ranks, running down one or two
horses, and shoving the others aside so as to effect
his etcapa. During this operation, another of
the party, who had been unhorsed and wounded,
slid off into a ditch, where he concealed himself
until night, and got into the city next morning.
Dickinson wj chased by two lancers to the
river, close by, at which place ho shot the fore-
most one, and then making his wsy to an Indian
hut, concealed r.imseir until the next morning,
when ha started for and entered the city about
nine o'clock."
All the Americnns in this affair were wounded,
and one named John Kinsey is supposed to have
been killed. Another, named wallbridge has
written a letter back to Puebla Irom Atlixco.
He had been ordered to Mexico. The rest of
the Darlv. not named, are supposed to be prison
era also, although there was a report that all had
been shot. The Star does not credit this report.
The Star of the 24th ult., has the following
paragraph about the American prisoners in Mex
ico: The following paragraph ia extracted from a
letter, dated in Mexico, on the 17th inst.
"I observe in the 'Star' vou sent me, that it is
said that the American nrisoners are kept in con
hnemenl here, which is not the esse, mey
- . . . . . mi
have been at liberty for a long time past, and
saunter about the streets like other people. No
one troubles them 1 see Major Gaines and oth
ers, daily. The decree, ordering the other Ameri
cana away, was not extended to them and, as
far as I can see, has had very limited ellect, lor 1
observe the well known American residents
knocking about as usual.
"We were told yesterday, by a person who
had advices from Mexico as late as the 20th, that
the American prisoners were in confinement in
Santiago. It may be that our Inend ol the Kin
s not a strict observer ol auairs, and that the re-
incarceration of our men was not known to him.
It may even be that Majors Gaines and Borland
are at liberty and none others."
We give this paragraph as we find it. ihe in
ference from it. to our minds is, that the prisoners
were yet in Mexico es late as the SiOih ult. II
this were so, the report brought here on Tuesday,
from Tampico. is likely to be unlounded. we
regret that we have no means of clearing up the
doubt.
The Star reports that the Prefect of Puebla
recently ran off to Atlixco, taking with him all
the city funds. He published an address to the
people giving an explanation of his conduct.
By this arrival we have the result of Com.
Perry's second expedition against Tabasco. This
time he was entirely successful. We have a let
ter from a gallant officer enclosing to us a sketch
of the river Tabasco from Devil's Bond, so call
ed, to the city, showing the landing and march
of Com. Perry's force, which consisted of eleven
hundred seaman and marines and ten field pie
ces. An account of the expedition by an ac
complished surgeon in the navy, which accompa
nied the map. has failed to reach us as yet. But
the map almost tells the story. The town was
taken on the 16th of June. The expedition an
chored in a very sharp turn of the river called
the DeviTaBend, and was fired into by an am
buscadetTA' little higher up the landing of Com.
Peny ii-marked, upon the left or north bank of
the river. The route irom this point which the
commodore pursued is traoed on the map up to
Fort lturfcide, which ia a short distance below the
citv. The fort was manned by 200 regulars un
der Gen.'Echagaray, commandant general of the
Stale. The point is marked on the map where
Bruno s Civicos fired into the commodore s
steamer from an ambuscade; this is below the
Devil's Turn. The next point of interest is the
breastwork where Lieut. May was wounded. So
far our map tells us the story; the rest requires
but few words; the forts which defended the town
yielded to the guns of the fleet, before the land
expedition could get into action, ihe enemy
stood but one discharge of artillery. Lieut. May,
it is said, had his arms broken and one other offi
cer was wounded. It is said that none of our
men were killed and only a few wounded. A
sufficient force was left behind to hold the town,
and the commodore returned to the station off
Anton Lizardo on the 29th ult.
Our letters from Mr. Kendall were despatched
by him by a special courier, and reached Vera
Cruz the evening of the 1st instant. We have
a few Mexican papers by the same conveyance.
Puebla, Mexico, June 30, 1817
All the talk now is of peace, immediate
peace, with the great Mexican nation, and thosa
who talked but a short week since of revelling
in the halls of the Montezumas, now appear to
think they are just about as near the aloresaid
halls as they ever will be. 1 hardly know
what to think of (be matter. The arrival of the
heavy reinforcements, known to be on the way
for General Scott, combined with the loss of
confidence the Mexican leaders have in them
selves and their followers, have turned their
feelings to a degree, and the most belligerent
among them may now really be in favor of
coming to terms. Santa Anna himself, although
he will be very far from starting the ball, will
doubtless help to keep it in motion when it is
once under way. His very salvation depends
upon it. tie knows that he will be defeated,
and lose all, if he makes another stand; by
making cat's paws of some of the members of
Congress, and getting them to look with an eye
of favor upon propositions for peace, he thinks
that he may be able to second their movements,
if every thing looks favorablo, and finally him
self reap all the benefits that may grow out of it.
What the propositions are that have been made
to the Mexican Government, few hero know;
but what, with British interference, and the
timidity of the Mexican leaders, they have evi
dently been listened to.
Three days since and hardly a man in Gen.
bcott s army thought there was a hope of com
ing to terms with the enemy; now, the tune has
changed, and many of the officers are even talk
ing of the chances of avoiding and escaping the
vomtto on their way home. With all the cry
of peace, I am not one of those who think that
our affairs with Mexico are yet settled. A great
deal depends upon circumstances. Should the
upper train, containing as is supposed, a large
sum ol money, meet with a reverse, the Men.
cans would be emboldened to offer fresh resist,
ance; should Santa Anna find, on counting noses,
that a majority are against him in any commit.
tee appointed by Congress, he will be found
among the first to scoff at any idea of terms with
the perfidious Yankees; should, in fact, anything
turn up out of which the Dictator may make
capital lor himself, no matter whether for or
against the best interests of bis dearly beloved (?)
country, he will embrace it for his own aggran
disement. He wants lime, he wants to procras.
tinata, he wants to delay the approach of Gen.
Scott upon the capitol in short, he wants to
do anything which may aid and further his own
ambitious schemes.
There is some reason to suppose that Gen.
Taylor is advancing upon San Luis, although
there is no positive information to that effect.
With the American flag flying at San Luis and
Zacatecas, the inhabitants of the capitol might
be more disposed towards talking of peace
this, in case the inhabitants wish to save the
government from the disgrace of having it occu
pied by lot eslrangeros. But, as I have before
laid, these people cannot be judged by iny
rules which apply to other nations, and there
fore the effuct of seeing their foes upon every
ide, and knocking at every gale, cannot be
counted upon.
I miKht inn on lor hours wnn speculations
as to the present condition, and future prospect
of this, war with Mexico, but as it would all end
in speculation, I shall close with a lew remarks
which may be taken for what they are worth.
Santa Anna, tired of fighting the Americans, is
anxious to make peace with them, although
fearful of openly avowing it. The peace party
in the capitol the capitalists and property hold
ers sre also anxious, unwilling to support the
war longer, and taxed already beyond what they
consider their means. The military are anxious
to see the war continued, as the only means by
which tltey can support themselves; the leperos,
the ragamuffins of the country, care but little,
one way or the other, how affairs go, so that
they can steal enough to supply themselves with
blankets, chinguirite, and frijoles, and tortillas
sufficient to support ale. Ihe Indians care lor
nothing, and they ere the most numerous class,
so that they can sell their produce for silver, in
which they have sufficient confidence to bury,
and many of the other inhabitants of the country
will follow their example. The priests per-
caps I should have placed them at the top of the
list ere anxious to preserve their position and
their riches, although they may look upon us
as dogs and heretics: and thus you have a mere
inkling Ol ma leeung oi me aiuereni parues.
All these feelings and interests after taking
into consideration that all hate and despise us
vou mav mix up, and then make out the chances
for a neace.
I do not know that any one has reflected
much uoon this subiect, but to me it seems that
this thing of making a peace is to be a more
difficult matter than making war upon the Mex.
icans, and will be surrounded with greater per.
plexities. Texas has to be brought into ques
tion, other boundaries taken into consideration,
California is to be a bone of contention, indem
nications and costs ol war are to be caned
into account, and a thousand other matters will
be found in the catalogue of stumbling blocks
in the way of on amicable arrangement ol dim
cullies. The "three millions," after Santa Anna
has helped himself for he must be thought of
first will not go lar, in way ol salve or cordial
for tho many wounds under which poor Mexico
is suffering, and there will be other provisions
than Wilmot s lor increasing the sum.
Let me conclude this hasty scrawl. The talk,
as I said at the outset, is now of peace; but
it will all end in &anla Anna s advancement or
his utter downfall. In all his diplomatic ar
rangements whenever he has been allowed to
argue his point he has been invariably a win
ner; at this game, some how or other, he always
turns every thing to his own advantage, or at
least always has so far. How he will succeed
in his present scheme remains to be seen, but
he should, and probably will, be closely watched
A few days will bring us out of the doubt and
uncertainty in which every thing is at present
enveloped, and I shall make opportunities to
keep you inlormed ot every thing that trans
pires, li. W. rv.
CHICAGO CONVENTION.
LETTER FROM THE HON. THOS. B. BENTON
To Messrs. Wayman Crow, Edward Walsh,
Jas. ti. xealman, and others, a committee
Sec. .
Gentlemen: In my brief note addressed
to you on my return from Jefferson City, I
expressed the gratitude I should have felt in
going with the St. Louis delegation to the
Chicago Convention, and made known the
reason which would prevent me from hav
ins that pleasure.
The Lake and River navigation of the
Oreat West, to promote which the Conven
tion is called, very early had a share of my
attention, and I never had a doubt of the
constitutionality or expediency of bringing
that navigation within the circle ot inter
nal improvement by the Federal govern
ment, when the object to be improved
should be one of general importance.
The junction of the two great systems of
waters which occupy so much of our coun
ty the Nortern Lakes on one hand, and
the Mississippi river and its tributaries on
the other appeared to me to be an object
of that character, and Chicago the proper
point for effecting the union; and near 30
years ago, 1 wrote and published articles in
a St. Louis newspaper in favor of that ob
ject, indicated and almost accomplished by
nature herself, and wanting but a helping
hnnd irom man to complete it. Articles in
the-6t. Louis Enquirer of April, 1619, ex
press the opinions which I therl entertained
and tha "report" of thel-perio published
in the same paper, to theJecTetry of War,
by Messrs. Graham and Philips, in favor of
that canal (and which ureport I wrote)
was probably the lirst formal communica
tion, upon authentic data, in favor of the
Chicago canal. lhese gentlemen with
Mr. John C. Sullivan, of Missouri, had been
appointed by the Secretary at War, to run
a line Irom the aouth end of lake Michigan
to the Mississippi. I proposed to them to
examine the ground between Chicago and
tha head waters ol tha Illinois river, with a
view to the construction of a canal by the
Federal government. They did so : and
on their return to St. Louis, submitted all
their observations to me; and hence the
publications in the newspapers, and the re
port to the Secretary at War. I mention
this to shew that my opinions on this sub
ject are of long standing; and that the na
tionality of the Chicago canal, and of course,
of the harbor at its mouth, are by no means
new conceptions with me. But, 1 must
confess that I did not foresee then what 1
have since seen the Falls of Niagara sur
mounted by a ship caoal! and a schooner
clearing from Chicago to. Liverpool!
The river navigation of the Great West
is the most wonderful on the globe, and
since the application of steam power to the
propulsion of vessels, possesses the essen
tial qualities of ocean navigation. Speed,
distance, cheapness, magnitude of cargoes,
are all there, and without the perils of the
sea from storms and enemies. The steam
boat is the ship of the river, and finds in the
Mississippi and its tributaries the amplest
theatre lor the diffusion of its use, and the
display of its power. Wonderful river!
connecting with seas by tha head and by
the mouth stretching 'its arms towards
the Atlantic and the Pacific Ivina in a val
ley, which is a valley from the Gulf of Mex
ico to Hudson i uay drawing its first wa
ten not from rugged mountains, but from a
plateau of lakes in the centra of tha contin
ent, and in communication with the sources
of ths St. Lawrence and the itieami which
take their course north to Hudson's Biy
draining the largest extent of richest (and
collecting the products of every clime.
even the Ingid, to bear the wnoie io a ge
nial market in the sunny south, and there
io meet the products of the entire world:
Such is the Mississippi! And who can cal
culate the aggregate ot its advantages, ana
the magnitude ot Its tuture commercial re
sults!
Many years aao the late Gov. Clarc and
myself undertook to calculate the extent of
the boatable water in the valley of the Mis
sissippi; we made it about 50,000 miles! of
which 30,000 were p.omputed to unite aboya
St. Louis, and 20,000 below. Of course,
we counted all the infant streams on which
a flat, a keel, or a batteau could be floated,
and justly; for every tributary, of the hum
blest boatable character, helps to swell noi
only the voIutib of the central waters, but
of the commerce upon them, Of this im
mense extent of river navigation, all com
bined into one system oi waters, ot. Louia
is the centre! and the entrepot of its tradel
presenting even now, in its infancy, an
tonishine and almost incredible amount of
commerce, destined to increase forever.- "
It is considered an inland town. Counting
by time and money, the only true commer
cial measure of distances, and St. Louis if
nearer to the sea than New Orleans waa
before the steam tow boat abridged the dis
tance between that city and the mouth of
the Mississippi. St. Louis is a seaport,
well as an inland city, and is a port of de
livery by law, and has collected $50,000 of
duties on foreign imports during the current
year: and with a liberal custom law would
become a great entrepot of foreign as well
as of domestic commerce. With the at
tributes and characteristics of a seaport,
she is entitled to the benefits of one, aa ful
ly nnd as clearly as N. York or N. Orleans.
About twenty years ago, I moved in tho
Senate, and obtained an appropriation for
a survey of the Rapids of the Upper Missis
sippi; it was probably the first appropria
tion ever obtained for the improvement of
the upper part of the river. About twenty-five
years ago, I moved, and succeeded
in the motion, to include the Missouri river
in a bill for the improvement of the western
rivers; it was the first time that river had
been so included. Thus, on the important
ilems of the Chicago canal, the Rapids of
the Upper Mississippi, and the Missouri riv
er, I was among the first to propose to in
clude them within the circle of internal im
provement by the Federal government; and
in favor of such objecti 1 believe all the de
partments of the government to be united.
Confined to them, and the constitution can
reach them, and the treasury sustain them.
Extended to local or sectional objects, and
neither the constitution, nor the treasury
could uphold them. National objecti of
improvement are few in number, definite in
character, and manageable by tha treasury;
local and sectional objects are innumerable,
and indefinite, and ruinous of the treasury.
Near 20 years ago Ihe treasury was threat
ened with a demand for $2,000,000 for ob
jects of internal improvement, then applied
for, and many of them of no national im
portance. The enormity of the sum balk
ed the system; and so it must be again, if
the proper discrimination is not kept up be
tween local and national subjects. It ia
for Congress to make that discrimination;
the President cun not: he must reject, or
approve the bill as a whole. Here, then, ia
the point at which the friends of the system
in Congress, must exert all their care and
vigilance. No arbitrary rule can be given
for the admission or exclusion of proper ob
jects; but really nutional objecta admit of
no dispute; and, confined to them, I appre
hend but little danger of losing a bill, either
from Executive vetoes, or for want of volet
in Congress.
Very respecfully, Gentlemen,
Your friend and fellow-citizen,
THOMAS H. BENTON.
Sunday. The following memorable
events took place on Sunday:
The battle of Palo Alto was fought on
Sunday, the 8th day of May.
The American army arrived and took
position in front of Monterey on Sunday,
the 29th of September the battle com
menced the next morning.
The battle of Del Norte, New Mexico,
was fought on Sunday, the 24lh of Jan
uary. The battle of Buena Vista commenced
on Sunday, the 21st day of February.
The surrender of the city and castle of
Vera Cruz was made to Gen. Scott on
Sunday, the 28th day of March.
The battle of Sacramento, Chihuahua,
was fought on Sunday, the 28th day of
March.
The battle of Cerro Gordo commenced
on Sunday, the 18th day of April.
Cobn Soup. Pick out the silk carefully from
the 'roasting ears' and with a sharp knifa cut the
centre of the grain lengthwise of the cob, and
then with the back of the knife scrape out the
hoart and milk of the corn leaving the husk on
the cob, have ready as much boiling water as will
make two thirds the quantity of soup you want.
Throw in the cobs and let them boil about tern
minutes, take out the cobs with a skimmer and
then add your scraped corn, salt to taste, a pint
of sweet milk to a quart of the soup and a table
spoonful of butter. If butter is scarce a small
piece of bacon or pickled pork boiled in the wa-1
tcr previously to putting in the cobs will answer
the purpose. Those who like cayenne oi black
pepper can and either, when served up half a
dozen good sized ears will make a quart of soup
very rich.
Just before the landing of the troops from
the Pride of the West yesterday, we saw
issuing from the crowd a most martial look
ing hero one ot the Missouri boys, on a
gallant steed; he dashed up the levee at a
rapid rate, bearing aloft a large banner
the start and stripes closely followed by
another mounted individual bearing tho
small black flag captured from tho Mexi
cans, decorated with a skull and crossed
with bones, and he was followed by a third
whose horse and saddle were decorated
with skini and furs, presenting a wild and
frightful appearance. The contrast be
tween the banners is about the same at
that between the nations to which they be.
long. $t. Loiii Union,
