Boon's Lick times. [volume], December 25, 1847, Image 1

About Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848

Image provided by: State Historical Society of Missouri; Columbia, MO

                
OFFICIAL . DESPATCHES.
Jlo. 32. Headers op tub Army,
Tacubaya, at the Gatet of Mexico,
Aumist 38. 1847.
Sir: My report. No. 31. cummenced in
the night of tho 19th instant, and closed the
operations of the army with that day.
The morning of the 20th opened with
one of a series of unsurpassed achieve
ments. all in view of the capital, and to
which I shall give the general name Kaf
tie of Mexico.
In the night of the 19ih, Brigadier Gen
eral Shields, P. F. Smith and Cadwalader.
and Colonel Riley, with their brigades, and
the 15th regiment, under Colonel Morgan,
detached from Brigadier General Fierce
found themselves in and about, the impor
tant position the village, hamlet or haci
enda, called, indifferently, Contreras Ansal
da, San Gerenano half a mile nearer to
the city than the enemy's entrenched Camp,
on the same road, towards the factory
Magdalena.
That camp had been, unexpectedly, our
formidable point of attack the afternoon
before, and we had now to take it, with
out the aid of cavalry or artillery, or to
throw back our advanced corps upon the
road from San Augustine to the city, and
thence force a passage through San Antonio.
Accordingly, to meet contingencies,
I ' ' , 1 ' 1 r-
B O N ' S
I C K TIMES."
ERROR CEASES TO BE DANGEROUS, WHEN REASON IS LEFT FREE TO COMBAT I T." JErFtnso.
Vol. 8.
FAYETTE, MISSOURI, SATURDAY, DECE.UI1EK 25, 1847.
Io. 43.
Major General Worth was ordered to leave.
early in the morning of the 20th, one of
his brigades to mask San Antonio, and to
march, with the other, six miles, via San
Auguslin, upon Contreras. A like desti
nation was given to Major General Quit
man and his remaing brigade in San Au
gustin replacing, for the moment, the
garrison of that important depot with Har
ney's brigade of cavalry, as horse could
not pass over the intervening rocks, &c,
to reach the field of battle.
At 3 o'clock, a. m., the great movement
commenced on tho rear ot the enemy
camp, Riley leading, followed successively
by Cadwalader's and Smith's brigades, the
latter temporarily under the orders or Ma
jor Dimick, of the 1st artillery the whole
force being commanded by General Smith,
the senior in general attack, and whose ar
rangements, skill and gallantry always
challenge the highest admiration.
The march was rendered tedious by the
darkness, rain and mud; but about sunrise,
Riley, conducted by Lieut, Tower, engi
neer, had reached an elevation behind the
enemy, whence precipitated his columns
stormed the entrenchments, planted his
several colors upon it, and carried the
work all in seventeen minutes.
I doubt whether a more brilliant or deri
sive victory taking into view ground, ar
tificial defences, batteries, and the extreme
disparity of numbers without cavalry or
artillery on our side is to be found on re
cord. Including all our corps directed
against the entrenched core with Shields'
brigade at the hamlet, we positively did
not number over 4.500 rank and file; and
we knew, by sight, and since more certain
ly, by ninny captured documents and let
ters, that the enemy had actually engaged
on the spot 7,000 men, with at least 12.000
more hovering within sight, and striking
distance both on the 1 0th and 20ih. All,
not killed or captured, now flew with pre
ciptation. Thus was the great victory of Contreras
achieved; the road to the capital opened;
700 of the enemy killed; 813 prisoners, in
cluding, among 68 officers, 4 generals, be
sides many colors and standards; 82 pieces
of ordnance half of largo calibre: thou
sands of small arms and accoutrements; an
immense quantity of shot, shots, shells,
powder and cartridges, 700 pack mules,
many horses. Sec, etc. all in our hands.
One of the most pleasing incidents of
tha victorv is the re-capture, in the works,
bv Capt. brum, 4th artillery, under Major
Gardner, of the two brass six pounders
taken from another company of the same
remment. though without the loss of hon
or, at the glorious battle of Buena Vista
about which guns the whole regiment had
mourned for so many long months! Com
ing up a little after. I had the happiness to
ioin in the protracted cheering of the gal
lant 4th on the joyous event, and, indeed,
the whole army sympathises in its just pride
and exultation.
The battle being won before the advan
cine brigades of Worth's and Quitman's di
visions were in siuht. both were ordered
back to their late positions Worth to at
tack San Antonio, in front, with his whole
force, as soon as approached in the rear by
Pillow and I wiggs' divisions moving
from Contreras through San Angel and
Coyoacan. By carrying San Antonio, we
knew we should open another a shorter
and better road to the capital, for our siege
and other trains.
Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles by a
cross road, Irom the rear oi oan Anmnm,
I first detached Captain Lee, engineer, will
Captain Kearney's troops. 1st dragoons
gupported by the rifle regiment, under Ma
ior I.orintr. toreconnitro that strong point
and next despatched Major General Pillow
with one of his brigades, (Oudwaiauer
to make the attack upon it, in concert witl
Major General Worth on tho opposite side
At the same time, by another road l
the left. Ll. Stevens, of the engineers, sup
ported by Lieut. G. W. omuli's company
of sappers and miners, of the same corps
was sent to reconnoitre the strongly forti
fied church or convent of San Sabh. in the
linm et of Churubusco one mile on. uen
Twiggs, with one of his brigades (Smith's,
1p the rifles and Capt. Taylor's field bat
tery, were ordered to follow and to attack
the convent. Maior Smith, senior engi
was desuatched to concert with
TwifToi the mode and means of attack
end Twigg's other brigade (Riley's) I soon
ordered up to support mm.
Keit ibut all in ten minutes.) I sent
Pierce, (just able to keep the saddle.) with
i J D;tlnn' tivinwin rnndncled liv
llisuripaus v - -v
r.mnt. Ie. ensineer. tv a iniro roao, a in
u farther to our left, to attack the enemy
right and rear, in order to favor the move
meet upon the convent, and cut off the re
treat towards the capital. And, finally,
Shields, senior brigadier to Pierce, with
tho New York and South Carolina volun
teers, (Quitman's battalion.) was ordered
to follow Pierce closely, and to take lhn
command of our left wing. All these
movements were made with the utmost
alacrity by our gallant troops and com
manders. Finding myself at Cnyacan.
from which so many roads conveniently
branched, without escort or reservo. I had
to advance for safely, close upon Twiggs'
rear. The battle now raged from the
right to the left of our whole line.
Learning, on the return of Captain Lee,
that Shields, in the rear of Churuhusco,
was hard pressed, and in danger of being
outflanked, if not overwhelmed, by greatly
superior numbers, I immediately sent, un
der Major Sumner, 2d dragoons, the rifles,
(Iwiggs reserve.) and Captain Bubiey s
troop, 2d dragoons, then at hand, to sup
port our left, guided by the same engineer.
About an hour earlier, Worth hud, by
skilful and daring movements upon the
front and right, turned and forced San
Antonio its garrison, no doubt, much
shaken by our decisive victory at Contre
ras.
The forcing of San Ant.mio was the
second brilliant event of the day.
Worths division being reunited in
hot pursuit, he was joined by Major Gene
ral Pillow, who, marching from Coyoacan
and discovering that San Antonio hid
been carried, immediately turned to (he
left, according to my instructions, and,
though much impeded by ditches and
swamps, hastened to the attack of Chuiu
busco. The hamlet or scattered houses bearing
ihis name, presented, besides the fortified
convent, a strong field work (tele de poni)
with regular bastions and curtains, at tho
head of a bridge over which the road
passes from San Antonio to the capital.
The whole remaining forces of Mexico
some twenty seven thousand men
cavalry, artillery and infantry, collected
from every quarter were now in, on the
flanks or wiihin supporting distance of
thesu works, and seemed resolved to make
a last and desperate stand; for if beaten
here, the feebler defences at the gates of
the city (four miles ofl) could not, as was
well known to both parlies, delay the vic
tors an hour. The capital of an ancient
empire, now ot a great republic; or an
early peace, the assailants were resolved to
win. Wot an American and we were
less than a third of the enemy's numbers
had a doubt ot the result.
The fortified church or convent, holly
pressed by Twiggs, had already held out
about an hour, when Wonh and Pillow
the latter having with him only Cadwala
it a brigade began to manoeuvre closely
upon die the tele de pout, with the convent
at half gun shot, to their left. Garland's
brigade, (Worths division) to which had
been added the light battalion under Lieut.
Col. Smith, contined to advance in front,
and under the fire, of a long line of in-
lantry, ofl' on the left of the bridge; and
Clarke, of the same division, directed his
brigade along the road, or close by its side.
I wo of Pillow s and Ladwalatler a regi
ments, the 11th and 14 Hi, supported and
participated in this direct movement: the
other i lie vultieeurs) was left in reserve,
Most of these corps particularly Clark s
bngde advancing perpendicularly, were
made to suffer much by the fire of the tele
de pout, and they would have suffered
greatly more by flank attacks Irom the
convent, hut lor the pressure ot 1 wiggs
on the other side of that work.
This well-combined and daring move
ment at length reached the principal point
of attack, and the formidable tele de pont
was at once assaulted and carried by the
bayonet. lis deep wet ditch was first gal
lantly crossed by the 8ih and 5ih infantry,
i i.i u.. f
toiiiinuiioco, ici-pci uvci , iiy majui ?, uuc
and Lieut. Col. Jscott followed closely
bv the Gih infantry (same brigade) which
had been so much exposed in the road
the 1 1th regiment, under Lieut. Col. Gra
ham, and the 14th, commanded by Col
Tiourdale, both of Cadwaladei s brigade,
Pillow's division. About the same time,
the enemy, in front of Garland, after a hot
conflict of an hour and a half, gave way
in a retreat towards the capital.
1 he immediate results ot this third Big
nal triumph on the day were: 3 field
pieces, l'J-t prisoners,, much ammunition,
and two colors, taken in the tele de pont,
l inally. twenty minutes afier the. tele de
pont had been carried by Worth and r il
low, end at me end ot a desperate connici
of two hours and a hall, the church or
ronvenl the citadel of this strong line of
defence along the rivulet of Churubusco-
yielded to 1 wiggs uivision, and thiew out
upon all signals of surrender. The while
Hugs, however, were not exhibited until the
moment when the 3d infantry, under Capt
Alexander, had cleared the way by lire
and bayonet, and had entered i lie work.
Capt. J. M. Smith and Lieut. O. L. Shep
herd, both of that regiment, with their
companies, had the glory of leading the
assault. The former received the surren
der, and Capt. Alexander instantly hung
out, from a balcony, iho colors ot the gal
lanl 3d. Major Uimick, with a part ot the
1st artillery, serving as infantry, entered
nearly abreast with the leading troops,
Capt. Taylor's field battery, attached to
Twiggs' division, opened its effective fire,
at an early moment, upon the out-works of
ihe convent and the lower of its church,
General Piercefrom the hurt
action thirty minutes before the surrender
of the convent.
The immediate results of this victory
were, tho capture of 7 field pieces, some
ammunition, one color, three generals, and
1,201 prisoners, including other officers.
Captains E. A. Capron and M. J. Burke,
and Lieut. S. Hoffman, all of the first ar
tillery, and Capt. J. W. Anderson and
Lieut. Titos. Easley, both of the 2d infan
try five officers of great merit fell gal
lantly before the work.
The capture of the enemy's citadel was
the fourth great achievement of our arms
in the same day.
In a winding march of a mile around to
the right, this temporary division found
itself on the edgo of an open wet meadow,
near the road from San Antonia to the
capital, and in the presence of some 4.000
of the enemy's infantry, a little in the rear
of Churubusco, on that road. Establishing
the right at a strong building, Shields ex
tended his left parallel to the road, to out
flank the enemy towards the capital But
ihe enemy extending his right, supported
by 3,000 cavalry, more rapidly (being fa
vored by better ground) in the same direc
tion, Shields concentrated the division
about a hamlet, and determined to attack
in front. The battle was long, hot and
varied; but, ultimately success crowned the
zeal and gallantry of our troops, ably di
rected by their distinguished commander,
Biig. General Shields. The 0th, 12th. and
15th rcgimpnts, under Cul. Ransom, Capt.
Wool, and Col. Morgan, respectively, of
Pierces brigade, (1'iliows division) and
the N. York and South Carolina volunteers,
under Colonels Burneu and Butler, respec
tively, of Shields' brigade, (Quitman's di
vision,) together with the mountain how
itzer battery, now under Lieut. Reno, of
the ordnance corps, all shared the glory of
this action our fifth victory in the same
day.
Brigadier
of the evening before under pain and
exhaustion fainted in the action. Several
other changes in command occurred on this
field.
Shields took three hundred and eighty
prisoners, including officers; and it cannot
be doubted that the fate of the conflict
between him and the enemy, just in the
rear of the tele de pont and tho convent,
had some influence on the surrender of
those formidable defences.
As soon as the tele de pont was carried,
the greater part of Worth's and Pillow's
forces passed that bridge in rapid pursuit
of the flying enemy. These distinguished
generals coming up with Brigadier General
Shields, now also victorious, the three con
tinued to press upon the fugitives to within
a mile and a half of the capital. Here,
Col. Harney, with a small part of his
brigade of cavalry, rapidly passed to the
front, and charged the enemy up to the
nearest gate.
The cavalry charge was headed by Capt.
Kearney, of the 1st dragoons, having in
squadron, with his own troop, that of Capt.
Mcltevnolds, ol the 3d making the usual
escort to headquarters; but being early in
the day detached for general service, was
now under Col. Harney's orders. The
gallant captain not hearing the recall,
dashed up to the San Antonio gate, saber
ing in his way, all who resisted.
So terminated the series of events which
I have but feebly presented. My thanks
were feeb'y poured out on the different
fields, to the ability and science of generals
and other officers to the gallantry and
prowess of all, the rank and file included.
But a reward infinitely higher the ap
plause of a grateful country and govern
ment will, I cannot doubt, be accorded
in due lime, to so much merit of every sort
displayed by this glorious army, which has
now overcome all difficulties distance,
climate, ground, fortifications, numbers.
It has in a single day, in'many battles'
as often defeated 32.000 men, made about
3,000 prisoners, including eight generals,
(i wo of them ex-presidents) and 205 other
officers, killed or wounded 4,000 of all
ranks besides entire corps dispersed and
dissolved; captured 37 pieces of ordnance-
more than trebling our siege train and held
batteries with a large number of small
arms, a full supply of ammunition of every
kind,&c., etc.
These great results' have overwhelmed
the enemy. Our loss amounts to 1,053,
killed 409, including 10 officers; wounded
R7C, with CO officers. The greater num
ber of the drad and disabled were of the
highest worth. Those under treatment,
thanks to our very able medical officers,
are generally doing well.
I regret having been obliged, on the 20ih,
to leave Major General Quitman, an auie
commander, with a part of his division
the fine 2d Pennsylvania volunteers and
the veteran detachment of United States
marines at our important depot, San Au
gustine. It was there that I had placed
our sick and wounded; the siege supply, and
baggnge trains. If ihcse had been lost, me
army would have been driven almost to de
spair, and considering tho enemy's very
great excess of numbers, and the many
approaches tothe depot, it might well have
become, emphatically, the post of honor.
Afier so many victories, wo might, wnn
but little additional loss, have occupied the
capital the same evening. But Mr. Trist,
commissioner. &c. as veil as myself, had
been admonished, byj thejbest friends of
peace intelligent neutrals and some Amer
ican residents against precipitation; lest,
Deeply impressed with this danger, and
remembering our mission to conquer a
peace ihe army very cheerfully sacrificed
to patriotism to the gi eat wish and want
of our country the eclat that would have
followed an entrance sword in hand
into a great capital. Willing to leave some
thing to this republic of no immediate
value to us on which to rest her pride,
and to recover temper 1 halted our victo
rious corps at the gates of the city, (at
least for a time,) and have them now can
toned in the neighboring villages, where
they are well sheltered and supplied with
all necessities.
On ihe morning of tho 21st, being about
to take up battering or assaulting positions,
to authorize me to summons ihe city to sur
render, or to sign an armistice with a
pledge to enter at once into negotiations
for a peace a mission came out to pro
pose a truce. Rejecting its terms, 1 tie,
spatched my contemplated note to General
Ninta Anna omitting the summons. Ihe
22d, commissioners were appointed by the
commanders of the two armies; the armis
tice was signed ihe 23J, and ratifications
exchanged Ihe2lih.
Ail matters in dispute between the two
governments have been thus happily turned
over to llieir plenipotentiaries, who have
had several conferences, and with, I think,
some hope of signing a treaty of peace.
There will bo transmitted to the Adju
tant General reports from divisions, bri
gadec, &c, on the foregoing operations, to
which I must refer with my hearty con
currence in ihfl just applause bestowed on
corps and individuals by llieir respective
commanders. 1 have been able this re
port being necessarily summary to bring
out comparatively but little of individual
merit not lying directly in the way of the
narrative. Thus 1 doubt whether I have
in express terms, given my approbation
and applauses to the commanders ot divis
ions and independent brigades; but I
their fame upon higher grounds the sioi
ole record of their deeds and the brilliant
results.
To the staff, both general and personal
attached to general headquarters, I wa
again under high obligations for services
in ihe field, as always in the bureaux.
I had the valuable services, as volunteer
aids, of Majors Kirby and Van Buren, of
the pav department, always eager for ac
tivity and distinction; and of n third, the
gallant Major J. P. Gaines, of the Ken
tucky volunteers.
I have the honor to be, sir, with high
respect, your most obedient servant,
WIN FIELD SCOTT.
Hon. Wm. L. Marcv,
Secretary of War.
A New Enaine, In this age of improve
menu, we are surprised at a new invention.
however wonderlul its ellects. tromjthe
following extract from tho Washington cor
respondenca ol the Ijincmwui I imta, a new
engine and propelling powers are to b
brought into use. It works on the principal
explained by Dr. Colton in one of his lec
lures:
"An ingenious Buckeye, Mr. J. P. Ecan.
of Dresden, Muskingham Co. has iust pat
ented an Electro-Magnetic Machine winch
will entirely supersede Ihe use ol steam foi
propelling power, or for driving anv kind oi
machinery It consists of series of mag
netized plates, of the requisite diameter.
which are connected together by screws,
thai are so constructed at to allow theplate
to be commuted into an almost solid mass.
or to be drawn out to a given length. These
plates are called a Contracting dU,jgnet,
they alternate with solid metal, and lorm n
sort of piston, which is woiked in a helix
answering to n cylinder, and winch, being
luly charged with ihe electric fluid, force
out the piston, which shoots itself back again!
by its own m ignetir.J contracting power,
thus giving motion to the machinery, which
can be built of sufficient force lor any ot
he purposes to which steam isnow applied.
.Mr. Eg Hi's machine requires no boilers.
no fuel, and but little attencietice, andean
he built at a cost, and workid at an rx
pense, very fur below any steam engine,
besides saving the bull: in cargo, the weight
in tonnage, which is indispensably neces
sary to the boilers nnd fuel of a stenmbont.
Now, I confess, this looks too linn! to be
swallowed; but the inventor can demon
strate the power end practicability of hi
machine, much more easy than Fulton
could, and first prove the power of slcurii.
and its adaptation to navigation. He is con
s'ructing one to run in ho extensive iron
manufactory in which he is engaged."
Kiso or the French. The Gazette Med.
ieale, published in Paris, speaking of Louis Phil
lippe, King of lbs Frtnch, says: "He rises at
4 in the morning al all seasons; works in his
cabinet, while fresh and clear, and therefore wild
ease breakfasts simply ihen takes a long walk,
whirh promotes a mild and sjlutary reaction to
waid the sk'n; at dinner has constantly half a
fowl dressed with rice, and for his drink lakes
only pure water, about which his Majesiy is very
particular. At iho end of bis meal he takes a
glass of old Boideaux wine. He sleeps on a
bingla mattrass, on a camp bed stead, hut nsver
tor more than six hours. Such is Hie sotier and
austere hie of our Sovereign, and with such a
regimen, men may live long. It is known 'that
Louis Phi I linpe has some medical opinions of
his own. His reinidies, however, are most inno
cent, and has the sanction or one ol the greatest
praclinoners by whom our art has been honored
Like Sydenham, in fact, the King mBy carry the
whole of a therapeutical eparalus in the head of
his cane. The lancet and opium are his great
remedies.
Honey Moon. the origin ol this word is so
little known 4 yet so highly interesting, thai we
are constrained to Rive an account of it. It is
traceable to a Tuetonic origin. Among the Tue
tones was a favorite drnk called Methtglin: ll
was made of honey, and was much like ihe pies
ent mead of some of the European countries.
The same beverage was in use among the Sax
ons, as well as another called Marat, which was
aUo made of honey but flavored with mulberries
These homed drinks wcie used in great abundance
ai fir,vn!a. Amnii? tha nobililtf the mjrria?-;
- - " a j --- a
ceremony was celebrated a whole lunar month,
hu h was called a moon, during which Hie festi
val board was well supplied wi.fi honey drink;
hence this month ol festival was culled the lion
ey moon or honey month, which means, a month
oi festival.
Exposed to the severest fire of the enemy, by wantonly driving away the government
the captain, his officers and men. won uni- and others dishonored we might scatter
versal admiration, but at lencth. much disa- the elements of peace, excite a spirit of na
bled in men and horses, the battery was Itional desperation, and thus indefinitely
by superior orders, withdrawn from tht I postpone the hope of accommodation.
To day A man's life is a lower, wiih a stair
case of many sieps, thai as holo-leih up, crumble
snccessivalv behind hnn. No going back the
past is as an abyss no stopping ior ine pres
ent perislieui: but ever liasiemng on, precarious
of to day, and in one little word, our life, what is
it but TO DAT.
Soi emu Thought. We see not, in this life
ihe end ol huii-au actions. Iheir influence never
In everv widening circle it reaches he
vond the grave. JJeaih removes us Irom tin
m and eiernal world. Time determines wliai
shall be our condition in thai world. Every morn
in? when we go forth, we lay ihe inonlilerin.
hand on our destiny, and every evening when we
have Hone, we have left a deathless impression
rn nnr rharacter. We (ouch not a wire but i
hraiei in eternity, iot a voice but reports
the ihrone of God. Let youth, especially think
nl these things, and let every one remember, that
In this world, where character is in its formation
state, il is a serious thing to speak, to think, to
set.
Patest Hen's Nest. A most wondeiful in
vention is this last from the prolific Yankee
The nesi is constiucted wiih a false bottom
u hir-h allows the egg to psss through and then
rinses. The hen indulge in s prematura cackle
turns round to survey the result of her labors, and
finding nothing there, very nstutally supposes
hrolf mistaken and layt soother t
CONDITION Ol'' FK.VNCE.
A letter tiorn an American gentleman re
siding in France has been received in B s
ton, from which we make the lolLming in
teresting extract: UnsUm Journal.
'We are in n singular position politically.
It appears th:l all ihe members of the gov-
rnment corrupt themselves. 1 hero is n
want ol confidence every where, nnd an uni
versul nviiaise. Hul there is iv iu th;-
bought th-it Gjd reijns. ids l'lessjr.g
have been poured out in great profusion.
I here is an overil.iwing ol all good tnuip
whi'-h (ho earth produces. The plains
have groaned with the weight of the har
vest, which is nearly secured. Potatoes ore
magnificent, pears un i apples are in endless
prolusion, nnd grapes in masse;, litessed
be God, the poor may eat bread this venr.
As I journeyed along yesterday, mv heart
was all'ected by contrasting the benevolence
and goodness of God, who is calling on all
to rejoice in his prolusion of biessing, with
i dastardly tyrannical government and it-
iron-hearted tools, who seem lo delight in
ieepening the lines of sorrow ou their ie!
ow mortals brow in clothing him wi'h
shreds and tatter, an! wringing into his
cup the verv drees ol earth'v bilternes-s."'
Mr. Walker has n commended, and the
President has signed, the loliowing financial
measures in regard to Mexico:
1st. Jhe export duties enacted by the
Mexican Government before the war. are to
be levied by our officers as a military con
tribution.
2d. Whenever it is practicable, all in
ternal property taxes of any description,
whether upon persons or property, enacted
by the Government of Mexico, or by any
department, town or city thereof, are to be
collected by our officers and appropriated
s a military contribution towards decay
ing the expenses of the war, excepting tran
sit duties, which are a check upon com
merce.
The export duties on the precious metnU
are as follows: Gold, coined or wrought, 3
per cent.; Silver coin, 6 do; silver, wroughi
or without Mexican certificates, 7 do.; gold
ore or dust, 3 do.; silver ore, 7 do.
N. B. When the precious metils ore ta
ken from a city in our possession, the d -itj
must bs prepaid, or is charged d ub!e at l!u
part ol exportation.
Neveb do it. Never osk the aga of an un
warned lady when she is past five and twenty.
Never show your protesitd bill to a man yon
want to borrow money of.
Never expose your poverty to a rich reiaiion,
f ou. would have him treat you as a cousin.
Never let it come to tha ears of a rich and
hildless relative that you secretly pray for h,s
sudden nd premature dissolution.
A ever tell a man he s a tool, in liie n.-st p:ace
he won't believe you, in tha next you mane him
your enemy.
ISevrr 3peak ot the gallows to a n.an w.iose
father or grandfather had been hanged; nor o!
ihe corruption of office huldcrs to a gjvermncni
defaulter.
Never speak of the "tune that tm-d men s
souls" lo one of Tory oncestiy; nor of ilia battle
of New Orleans to one who thinks the army of
England invincible.
Never attempt w quiz a man in company who
might retort by kicking you down staiis.
Never let your friend know, wh-n you drop
in lo lake a friendly dinner with him, that your
laridia ly "blocked the game" on yon, because
you had not paid her your last week's board.
Never impose secrecy on a man to whom
you communicate anything in con (Hence; ha is
sure to tell it lo some friend if you do.
Never lake a newspaper without paying for
it. It's the shabbiest acl you can possibly be
guilty of.
Women and Meji. Women are more preco
cious than men in the Bit of pleasing and cie
ceiving.
Women among Women make the worst ac-nua'ntances.
Women think more ill of each other than men
do of ihm.
From the New Orleans Picaynno of the 4th.
THE RECEPTION OF GEN. TAYLOR.
Yesterday was the proudest gala day
we have known in Ihis city. New Or
leans gave Gen. Taylor a reception emi
nently worthy of her chnracler for public
spirit, liberality, and patriotism, thus man
ifesting the profound appreciation of her
citizens for the illustrious soldier who is
now their guest. By the happy accident
of her situation, New Orleans was the first
city to welcome home the hero of Buena
Vista, and she has done it with a heartiness
and enthusiasm which could not be sur
passed. Yesterday our people told the
world their pride in the distinguished citi
zen who has made Louisiana tbe residence
of his choice; and they spoke to him ihe
general sentiment of the country grati
tude for the great services he has rendered
the Republic as a soldier, and their vet
higher admiration of him as a brave-hearted,
sagacious, and honest man. New Orleans
may be proud thus to have given expres
sion to the generous admiration cf the
whole country. Il was done spontaneously,
and most worthily.
It would be endless to enumerate in de
tail every proceeding of the day incident
lo the reception. It engrossed all hearts
and hands from morn nil midnight, and
nothing was thought of but measures to
render the reception grateful lo the feelings
of the honest old soldier. The very heav
ens smilud upon the grand pageant. After
a period of prolonged and rude inclemency,
tho skies were clear again and the sun rose
as unclouded as that of Austin litz. It was
easy to fancy that a ruling Providence
smiled benignantly upon the olfi;ring of
the gratitude of a free people to him who
had f niglit their batiks end won their
victories. All classes and both sexes par
ticipated in the ovation. It was computed
that the Place (TAnms and the levee nnd
streets contiguous contained nt one time
forty thousand spcctatois. The streets
through winch the procession moved were
.densely thronged with ptiiic-nt masses wait
ing f .-r a sight of the old hero. The bal
conies, tiio windows, nay, the house-tops,
were crowdtd with people. Beauty beamed
upon the General from the moment ho
I iiiih'i!, and n thousand bright eyes grew
brighter and wept teats r.f exultation and
joy at the sight of a true hero. It is im
possible to describe that sih-nt enthusiasm
which pervadr-d all, and cr--.i!d find no ex
pression nrii quale, evi n in tho showy pa
geaniiyrif the day. But c must proceed
to the details, only regretting that we must
confine i.re!vrs to a meagre enumeration
of principal incidents.
At daylight the shipping in port hoisted
their cobns. Every e-.! ai:d steamboat
was arrayed in llas ami streamers, giving
a brilliant nppt anitice to the gi aeeful cres
cent which formed the pott. Before 10
o'clock the thunder of cannon fn ni the
public square announced the commence
ment of the formal proccee dings of tho
day. The Committee of Arrangements
went on board the s'.i nm.-dnp Mary Kings
land, and proceeded to the barracks for
their distinguished suest. Little delay oc
curred theie. Tin: General and his staff
were ready, and at ab- nt 1 1 o'clock they
embarked, and I he proud ship, escorted by
r fleet of steamboats was promptly under
way for tin: city. The w hole fleet passed
up the stream in frr.r.t of the town, as far
ns Liif'ayctie, where they turned and came
down to the whatves in front of the Vlnce
J A rims. I lus pail id me pageant was
perhaps the mcst spl- ndid of I he whole.
There were fourteen luge and elegant
boats which shared in it, each decked out
w ith every variety of llag, and their ducks
crowded with passengers. The vessels from
every land, which ut il. is season crowd
our whaivrs in tiers three deep, were
dressed in bunting of vr.rioiis colors and
fanciful device?, t.nd the enthusiastic tars
on board, not willing to be outdone in tes
timonies of devotion to the hero of the
day, lined the rigging, manned the yards,
and swarmed upon the trucks, and they
cheered as ihe Mary Kingsland swept past
them with all ihe heartiness of American
sailors. We should mention, that as the
fleet of steamers passed up the river nnd
back again, salutes c f artillery were fired
from each municipality, ns well as from
Lafayette and Algiers. The church bells,
too, rang forth their peals, and ihe thou
sands upon thorsands of spectators who
lined the levee, broke forth into loud hur
rahs as the Genet al passed them.
Much credit is due to Captain Junius
Bccbe, the manager of the sicam towboat
line, for liie use of many of llieir boats,
and his cxeitirns to give completeness to
ihis part of the display. The steam craft
ranged alonti in the foil owing order: First
came the Mary King-land, Capt. Davis,
decorated like a Swiss giil for a ball, with
a streamer or an ensign at every available)
point, and bearing the galhtit General, his
siad' and the Committee of arrangements;
the ship American was towed by the tow
boats Ocean, Capt. McLane, and the Por
(;oie, Capt. Dism y, all gaily attired wiih
llags; the steamer Missouri, Captain Twitch
ell. H en loomed up wiih her gigantic pro
portions; the low boat Caledonia, Capt. Pin
negar, wiih Ler decks crowded with ship
masters, and a sumptuous collation upon
ihe table next met the view; then came
ihe steamer Lonvoy, 1 apt. Oarnson;
steamer Majestic, Capt. L're; low boat Con
queror. Copt. I teuton; towuoal Mimmer
ville, Capt. Whitney; towboat Panther,
Cupt. Kinney, with ilicnevv ship St. Louis
in tow; the tovviir.ai southerner, i-apr.
Whann, and the U. S. stcutner Colonel Clay.
Tho steamers Old Hickory nnd Patrick
Henry arrived in pml during the trip,
when they al once rounded to and joined
the line towards ihe conclusion of tho dis
play About half past 12 o'clock the Mary
Kingsland reached ihe wharf, when ihe
General and his party walked into tho
i'lace iTArmrt between iwo lines of sol
diers, which extended from the wharf to
the triumphal arch, under which he was to
be received by the Mayor on behalf of ihe
city. ' . .