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Northern Star (1837-1852), 20th June 1846, Edition 2 of 3, Page 7

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    • fwiwtem& towM* ^ _ 4Fn " rEIlTi1"- " -flffrihVrrtPtlfC*.
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      ' Fwiwtem& Towm* Was Given To Her Accord...

      ^ ' , THE NORTHERN STAR . f I tw , „¦ . . . . _ . „„ r . T-ii ¦ ,. „„< -

      Fwiwtem& Towm* ^ _ 4fn " Reilti1"- " -Flffrihvrrtptlfc*.

      fwiwtem & towM * ^ _ 4 Fn " rEIlTi 1 " - " -flffrihVrrtPtlfC * .

      * - Anaiwill War,Atleastinwerds, * #4b I...

      * - Anaiwill war , atleastinwerds , * # 4 B il—should sir chance ' so happen— -deeds , ) 1 TfithaU ffho war with Thonght ! "

      .»Think 1 Hear A Little Iird, Who Sings ...

      . » think 1 hear a little iird , who sings ! i . psople oyandBywiilbet & estro ' nger . ' --Biaojr . ' < LsTERN EUROPE AND THE EMPEROR J NICHOLAS ., so . "nr . ] 5 the Star of the 29 th . of November last , we cor 5 e 3 from the limes a long account of ihe

      HORRIBLE PERSECUTION OF POLISH ' NUNS , ' v ; * Y gljacted from the work before us . The author of ^^ ork was the first to make known in England aj horrible atrocities of that persecution , and for ^ doing deserres the thanks ef every hater of cruelty rtj oppression . In an appendix to the third volume fjjst published ) , we find a number of documents on . jis subject , confirmatory of the . account of this ijrrid iniquity , in reply to the statements of the ifosaan officials , who hare Taihly attempted tore-• jte the statements of the principal of the sufferers . With out reneatihg . the entire of the account given " in the Star of the 29 th of Nov . " . we may remind our

      igsders that the nans of aBasiban convent at Minsk ygre ordered by their apostate Bishop Siemaszko t „ conform to the Russian religion ; this they refo sedtodo . In conseqnence of tha refusal , they f & t seized , bound , driven before the whips of Cos jjeks , and finally imprisoned in " Greek" Convents , gere they were obliged to perform the most menial ogees , starved , fed on salt herrings and denied water to assuage their thirst , and flogged twice a-week jn the convents in which they were imprisoned , jjpy met with other victims— -non-conformist nuns of the same order , who , shared in . their sufferings . He floggingstook place in open shedsi where the na . ted victims wereexposed to the view of thebrntal inof

      ^ rnments their persecntor . Their flesh was torn jS their bodies in strips , and when any sank from exh austion they were beaten with sticks until they jsse again . Some of the sufferers died under the repeated flagellations . Others were killed by being tsaten with sticks , or met their deaths by being jirown down , kicked , and trampled upon . Another fav ourite mode of punishment was that of plunging g $ victims into a lake , and dragging them through jjje water until they were ^ senseles ? . On these oe ( ssons the nuns were dressed in a sort of chemise if cloth , similar to what is used for corn sacks ; a jjple sleeve united both arms , and thus prevented {^ stance ; ropes were fastened round their necks ,

      sad by these ropes they were dragged through the hie by executioners in boats . These "baths " anally lasted two or three hours , after which the victims were suffered to remain all night in-their vet clothing , shivering with extreme cold . Two of ' be nuns were drowned . They were employed Id dig out clay , and not understanding how to concoct an excavation , the earth feD in , and buried five jf tteir nuuber , who perished in this self-dug grave . Th > -y were also employed to serve the masons in conrjracting a palace for the renegade bishop , and while so emp loyed a wall fell , and killed eight of them . Omofthenuns was burnt alive inalarge stove , in which she was shut up after being compelled to light ihe ire . The crowning atrocity we will repeat at

      length : — When the Russian soldiers , and the nawly . made dea-<* ns , had heen rendered drank with brandy , all these idplcss nnns were turned out amongst them as incn . rably ohstinate to treat them as they thought fit . Then commenced a scene worthy of Pandemonium—the jhrieks and prayers of the victims mingling with the oaths , blasphemies , and ribaldry ef the crowd to whose brutal lust the ; were abandoned . "When the fury of these demons in human form bad

      tem exhausted , it was discovered that two of these anfartanate females were quite dead . The skull of one lailbesn crashed by the stamping on the temples of an inm-platcdneeL Tbe other was trampled into such a aass of mad and gore , tbat even its human character res scarcely recognisable . Eight others had ' one or several bones or limbs broken , or their eyes torn or trodden eat Of the whole number , the superior , a woman of iron frame as well as indomitable resolution , fared the C 2 St ; but she was not allowed to attend or console her mutilated sisters except on the condition of anostacv .

      They were afterwards marched out of Polock by sight aifoot , and chained two by two—even those whose eyes M been torn out , and whose hideous wounds were festering . Those whose legs were broken , or who were Umed , were sent forward in carts under the care of Cussacs . After enduring two more years of . torture , of the Hty-eight nnns ( thirty-four from Minsk , fourteen from Vitepsk , and ten from Polock , ) only fourteen survived , and of these eight were either lame or bhndsd . At length , embracing a favourable opportunity , four of the survivors effected their escape , and lie superior of the convent , Makresa Mieczisiawka , after surmounting great hardships and dangers , at length reached Paris , where she made known to stonished Europe the horrors which herself and her « ster-martyrs had suffered , and which onr readers Tulfiad fully detailed in these volumes .

      The minions of the Autocrat have affected to discredit , and attempted to disprove , the story of these abominations , if . be Bovtzsief , the Russian Envoy cAtr aordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Rome , presented two notes to the papal cabinet , the one before , and the other after the pretended inquiry into the matter by the Russian Government . In the firs * " note /* M . » e Boutejobf denounced the Abbess Mieczisuwska as an imposter , and in proof thereof quoted an error of a Polish journal published at Paris , which in announcing the scape of the Abbess mentioned that she belonged to a convent atifowso ; this was an error , it should have been Minsk not Kowno . The error was corrected in the following number of the paper , but though aware vf the correction , the Russian envoy seizes upon this OTorand triumphantly exclaims , "In order that a

      persecution could be instituted against the convent ef Badliannuns at Kowno , it would be requisite that such a convent should exist ; hat it is certain that no convent of Basilian nuns ever did exist in the town of Kowno , nor in the whole extent ofthe province of that name . " The $ ith ofthe sscond " note " is to the effect that no such person as Maxbbba Miechsliwska was ever abbess of the convent of minsk , or ever known there or elsewhere in Russian Poland . The " note" further states that "the Brother-general ofthe order , the Princess Etrr-HHossu . Giedtuc ; mentioned by her , died at Home 600 years ago . " The documents contained in the appendix to tae third volume of this work , contain full and complete answers to the -fabricated denial of the Russian . government . We can find room only for the following ey & acts from the answer by the Polish priests at Rome , to the second " note" : —

      The venerable nan whom it pleases the author , of the additional note to call " the woman Mieeaslawska" never aanmed the title of Abbess of the convent of Kowno . We 4 jfj the Russian diplomatists to cite from among the naiterous persons who have seen and conversed with her since her arrival within the Emssian territories , a single witness worthy of credit who beard her take this quality la the first declaration made before the Archbishop of Posea , two months before hie publication of the article of * o » journal the Third of May , she took her true title of Ablwss of Minsk . The error into which the journal , the "third efMay , has fallen , was rectified the next day by that journal and bj the Uniners . The author of this second ¦ ateis forced to confess that , in thefirst note , it was

      care-JsUy concealed that in the said town of Minsk there did ttiist a convent of Basilian nuns , and to acknowledge tbat tas mother Makrena did not arrogate to herself an imflgi-B title , Tha * jj confirmed by the admissions of Russia hsrself the existence of this coavent , the reality of which *« been wilfully denied;—thus is confirmed the testiinony of the old inhabitants of Lithuania , and particularly * hat ofthe Sisters ef Charity at Wilna , as well as that of Eie Marquis de Harp , an officer who was in the service of * ae French army in 1812 , now resident at Home , all of "bom Attest the fact from having been eye-witnesses of Driven

      " . to speak ofthe convent of Basilian nuns at Minsk , the note gives its history frem 183 * , and pretends * aat at that period it was converted into a hospital . This a ssertion i 3 completely false . In 1835 , the convent still belonged to the Basilian nuns , and by the fire which in *« at year reduced Minsk to ashes , the convent suffered aeverdy . All tbe wealthy inhabitants of the town wit-. ^ l ^^ 11 ^ ^ ™ 81 ^ sisters Wawrzecka * ad I & morska , aemanaarg OT a receiving contributions t ^ t ^*??**** *** damaSes ** «««* had SMtemeu . It was not unffll 838 thatit was suppressed by the violent expulsion of the nuns

      lathe second place , the note joins irony to falsehood ln affirrnuigthatthePrinceEs BuphrosnkGiedyrnm who f » brought to life in 1833 , died at Rome more than six handred yesMngo . We inform the learned author of the 50 * . that Christina Clara Giedjmin , who took the name "Tinphroxma on becoming a mm , was viaitress general <* the order of Basilian neni j that she is the person deflated under the name of mother-general , a titlo whieh

      .»Think 1 Hear A Little Iird, Who Sings ...

      was given to her according U custom , and that she it wag whO'perighed ; miseraWy .. wh « n _ 6 he-wa 8 beingnanv yeyed to Siberia . It will be seen the author of the note is little versed in genealogies , although he pre tendsto hare consulted them . It will not be oat of place to make bun acquaintedwith . that ofthe nnh whom he persists ' in calUng the woman Mieczulawska ; MakrenaiIieczislawska belongs to a distinguished family of Poland , allied to the princely ramily of Wis ^ enstein . She is the daughter of Joseph Juieczislawska ' and Anna Jagiello , daughter of Casimir and Hedwi ge . She was born at Stoklisskij tbe estate of her parents fa the ancient palatinate of Trokl , ia 1764 . She is not the only member of her family who has suffered for religion . One of her brothers , CalixiMieezij " lawska , wno took the name of Onuphrus on entering the order of Saint Basil , was , on Ws refusal to forsake bis religion , put into a cart and so tightly bound that he wasglven toher accordmir *• custom , and that sh * ul

      perished on the way to Smdlensko . Twoofhiscompanions , Szozerbwiski and Chryanowski , ' died with him in the same cart ; and a fonrtb , ZoIkowsH , expired on arriving at Smolensko . We wiU add that the mother Makrena entered the order of Saint Basil at the age of twenty three , in the convent of Biala , of which her maternal aunt , Isabella Jagiello , was abbess . Several months afterwards she went to tbe convent of Minsk , where she remained and performed almost all the duties of the establishment until the moment when the abbess Kulesia , having become infirm , Makrena took her charge for three years , and succeeded her as abbess in 1823 . In her quality of abbess , she was present at the election of the abbesses of Wilna andBereswecs . Webavedestroyedonebyonethe allegations of tbe additional note , and we deliver the new errors with which it is filled , as its most cruel condemnations , to the iadjgnatiou and contempt ef all upright and impartial minoj . Home , April , IMG .

      But it will be said , admitting these cruelties to -have occurred , is it just to charge Nicholas with the responsibility © Facts which probably were the result of the barbarous zeal of his servants rather than of any commands direct from himself . Not so , the Tsar heard of these atrocities , for the victims petitioned him for mercy , whieh was sternly refused except on condition of changing their religion . In the published narrative of her sufferings , the Abbess says ;—Thennnshavhig addressed a petition to the Emperor Hicholas , received for reply the following ukase , which was read to them by the schismatic bishop . " VSAStl .

      "All tbat tbe . AreSJ-arcfli-aTCfiircy ( t . e . three times archbishop ) Siemaszko has done , and all tbat be shall do for the propagation of tbe orthodox religion , I hereby approve , confirm , and declare holy , holy , thrice holy ; and I order everybody not to dare to resist him in . anything . ' 1 also order tbe military authorities , in the event of any resistance whataoerer , and on tbe single request ofthe Arcbi-arcbi-arcbivey Siemaszko , at all times , and in all places , to furnish him as great an armed force as he shall request , and I sign this ukase with my own band . "HlCHOl & S I . "

      When be bad finished , be showed us our petition to tbe Emperor , in which we had protested tbat we were willing to abandon to the government our property and tbe pension promised us on leaving Minsk , but which had never been paid us ( about three sous per week ) , to renounce everything , in short , provided we might be allowed to diein the free exercise cf onr religion . Siemaszko unfolded the petition in tbe same way tbat he had unfolded tbe ukase , and with tbe same hand tbat held the paper be gave me so violent a blow with his fist on my face , tbat for nearly a year I could not speak distinctly , tbe cartilages of tbe npper part oi my nose having been grieroosly injured . "I will teach you , " cried , he , still threatening ra , — "l will teach you to write to the Emperor ! " .

      Included amongst the documents given in the "Appendix" is a letter of a Russian , M . Bakousisb , to the Constitutional newspaper , in which , answeringihe question , " Was it possible that the Emperor conld have commanded these atrocities ! " he says : — "The condemnations and executions which I have mentioned were all sanctioned and ordered by the Emperor . He certainly did not order Siemaszko to break the jaws of the poor nuns , but he ordered him to act with all the severity of the Russian laws , I am convinced that if the emperor had any decided wish to prevent such unjust audi sanguinary scenes of violence from being enacted in his empire , all these atrocities would not have taken place . " The writer of this letter gives an account of the religions persecution of the Roman Catholics and United Greeks

      similar to that which appeared in the Star of last Saturday , and narrates some acts of the thrice archdevil Siemaszko ( of which the writer was an eyewitness in the year 183 S ) , which shows that monster to be quite capable of all the atrocities imputed to him by the Abbess Mieczislawska . In commencing hialetter , the writer says— "lam a Russian , and I love my country . It is on this account that my best wishes , like those of many other Russians , are offered np for the success df the Polish insurrection . The oppression of Poland is disgraceful to my country , and its liberation might prove the commencement of . " . _ This is significant , and corroborative of the statements Jof the author of this work as to the revolutionary spirit gaining ground even amongst the Russian ' s themselves .

      The author of this work absolves the Russian church from all general participation in these persecutions . Left to its own impulses the Greek Church ia Russia is one of the most apathetically indifferent to the conversion of the heterodox , and therefore 18 unmoved by that religions fanaticism which destroys the body in the belief that it is saving the sonl . These persecutions are part of the system , the object of which is to Russianise Poland , and make allwho crouch beneath the Tsar ' s sceptre , the slavesi of his spiritual as well as temporal tyranny Bravely does the author of this work denounce the base sycophancy of the English court and aristocracy in paying homage to the child-killing , woman-mur dering tyrant : — "At the time that these harmless

      and helpless women were undergoing their inhunun and protracted martyrdom , the Emperor Nicholas , the | author of thisidiaholio persecution , was w > ceiveCwith welcome Ton our English shores ; and his apologists should Mush'to remember , that whilst defending him , these poor females ( and heaven kmws how many more ) were expiring . in the most cruel tortures , mere nnits in the multitude of victims sacrificed to uphold a system which is not even intended to benefit nation at the cost of one another ' s Buffering , but solely to furt her the interest of one family , —the family of Romakoff , in which the father has murdered the son , the wife her husband , and ' the ton even in the present generation connived at the anastina & on ofthe father . ''

      The Tarxow Massacres. (From The Sefome O...

      THE TARXOW MASSACRES . ( From the Sefome of the 27 th of May , 1846 . ) The following at last is the report of an eye-witness who comes forward to attest on free French soil , the horrors with which tbe Austrian government has polluted its own fame , in unhappy Gallicia . Until this very day , nothing has reached us but the mangled reports , which found their way through' tbe Serman newspapers . The document we now publish , Will remain eternally annexed to the condemnation which aU mankind ought to pass upon that government of asussins . We call upon the independent newspaper-press

      to reproduce it ; No fear of its ever being contradicted , need to be entertained . Major Podolecki { PoddktiU is an honourable citizen , whose testimony is entitled to the full confidence of auhonestnien . Hera is his letter , it is impossible to refrain from shuddering at its perusal . " Having succeeded in escaping from Austrian butchery , and Austriam gaols . I feel it to bemy sacred duty towards 60 many unhappy victims , to trace a faithful account of those horrors , of which I happened to be an eye-witness . I shall relate merely what I have seen myself , withoui any admixture of even the most authentic verbal reports : bat I have seen only a minimum part of a catastrophe unheard of in the history of crime .

      After leaving lemberg on the 16 th of February , when passing on the 19 th through the village tf lodtova , in ttw district of Iaslo , I was surprised at the emotion caused ia tbe minds ofthe inhabitants by vague and foolish rumoars , arisingfrom unknown sources , purporting that in the village of Demborzhin , ( Demborzyn ) the nobles Wert massacreing the peasantry . Several inhabitants of Iodlova hastened thither , aad returned of course without having found the least disturbance ; but these rumours were a melancholy and premeditated preclude to the storm of the succeeding day . Having reached on the evening of the same day , the mansion of .... from which the owner was absent , I resolved in common , with M . Alexander ZdzinsW , who htd arrived before me , to remain therefor the night .

      On the followin g day I had , in order to reach the object of my journey , to ride over the same way I had come the day before . Beaching lodlova , I found there a crowd armed with scythes , pikes , andflails , at first I supposed this to baa revolutionary outbreak , burst forth before tbe appointed time ; but I was soon bitterly undeceived , as the crowd surrounded me , howling , that they were acting by virtue of an order of the government . i « w «««> vain to bring me before the lord ofthe village , or betore the land-steward * Theyreplied : " youare allrascals , , on wish to slaughter the people ; we have already arrested two of jour kind . " Lucidly for me , thematreof the village arrived , and ordered me to beiea to Demborzhiu , to the Commissary ofthe District f whohad remained there since the morning in search of suspected persons . * The land-stewards in GaUicia , are officers acting under the controul of government . ^ JArurrtpolice-director in AttSttia ,

      The Tarxow Massacres. (From The Sefome O...

      During this short trip , several peasants ; ' wh ' os & nilita- ' appearencegeemfi ^ top ^ ntjheni ^ out ajB _ dumis * edgoldierSi proposed several times to getrid of me instantly , in order to escape . tbe trouble ' of escorting ^ ine furthT ; ' hut the rnaf f * objected by placing himself in my sledgo ' and' accompanjing me to Demborzhin . ' In this last place several hundreds of armed peasants filled the court-yard , and the avenues ' of the mansion . I was introduced into the bouse Of the land steward . Soldiers kept watch in the lobby ; ^ gendarmes ffinanz-wachej filled the parlour , and in presence ofthe commissary M . Hayrofskf , ( HajronnM ) and of an officer of infantry , they were breaking open the chests and drawers , because the land stenard had in his fli ght taken the keys with t him . :.. _ . u .... ^„ . . _ , _ -. : _ :.

      After the usual questions about my name and surname , my rank or profession , and the object of my journey , the commissary caused me to be transferred to an adjoining room , where ! found two young men in irons . The gendarmes searched my boxes and my dress and although they found nothing which could lead to any suspicion , M . Hayrbfski intimated to me that I was to be taken to Iaslo , the chief town bf the district . In the afternoon we resumed our journey . The caravan , composed of several vehicles and sledges , contained , besides , SI . Hayrofski , the commissary , an officer , twenty-four soldiers of infantry , about ten gendarmes ' M . Bobrofski , ( JBobroiMfcl . ) the proprietor of the place , several women , ^ children , a" priest , two young men in fetters , and myself . I was placed between two gehdarmes , who watched over every movement I made .

      Thus we traversed two or three villages before we reached the highway between Silsiw and Iaslo . The villages and all the roads and bj-ways were guarded by armed crowds . At every moment the commissary and the gendarmes stopped to give secret instructions to the peasants . At the ford of larorzhe ( Jaxoorse . J a bloody scene made me shudder ; two mutilated corpses lay on a peasant ' s sledge without horses , left at a small distance off thehigh road . One of these victims was still breathing : it was M . Kuntzel , ( jfiTuiHrey a chief wood-keeper in the neighbourhoed . . After crossing the river we met ; with three peasants on beautiful horses . As soon as they perceived the bayonets of the soldiers they hastened to join lis and to deposeinto the hands of the officers of Government several pieces of silver plate and dresses of both sexes . Their hands and clothes besprinkled with blood , bore testimony to some recent crime .

      Further on we found bands moving in the vicinity of the high-road in divers directions , as if in search of somebody . / Whenever they perceived us they joined the caravan , to . disencumber themselves of their booty . Before the inn of Kamienista ( Kamienica ) the crowd was veiy numerous . Our caravan stopped . . M . Hayrofski alighted from bis vehicle , and immediately two unhappy ladies threw themselves at his feet to implore Ms intervention to save the life of a man who was the son ofoneofthem , ' and the husband , of the ether , A little while after the unfortunate . * . * . f , sustained by tht ladies , came out of the inn , but with a face so disfigured and mangled that his features were not recognisable . He was put into a sledge as weU as . a wounded old man and sent under an escort of a gendarme , into a neighbouring mansion ; the . ladies followed on foot . The gendarme soon returned and related that the mansion , where he had left the wounded and the ladies , was completely ruined and contained neither furniture , doors nor windows .

      Besides these victims , five corpses were found by us' in the inn ofKamenitaa . A friend of mine , if . Victor Bogush , { Bogus ; , ) was one of them . He was still breathing when we arrived , but he expired soon after . One' of the assassins boasted loudly before the commissary , M . Hayrofski , and in presence ofthe whole caravan , of having killed 3 f . Victor Bogush . "Xes , M . Commissary , " said he , "it is myself , Thomas Iardis , from the village of Eamienitza , who killed Bogush with my own band ,. I , who for ten years have served the Emperor . " The eommissary and the gendarmes talked familiarly and politely with these brigands . .. ' It was very late when we arrived at Iaslo . I was confined in the town prison with two other prisoners , who were suspected of revolutionary proceedings , and were in irons , notwithstanding the strength of the orison nails and the numerous watches posted at every outlet .

      On the following day I was brought into tbe ' governor's hotel . There , another commissary , . 11 . Paioutcbkbfski , ( Pajavzkowski ) drew up a written examination again & t me , and as the papers found on the preceding day in my valise gave proofs that I had legal affairs to attend to at the tribunal at Tarnow , and as moreover two government officers who knew me personally , deposed in behalf of my personal identity , I was let out of prison and bad ' s passport given to me for my returning home to the district of Zlotchof ( Zloczow ) . . But this I did not intend to effect as called elsewhere by duty . I resolved therefore to prolong my stay , in which I succeeded under different pretences , until the 26 th of February , although M . Frshybylski , ( PrzybylsU ) the captain of the district of Iaslo (*) , had himself commanded me to leave the place . During the interview I had on the occasion with this base and san .

      guinary man , I gave him an account of the deeds of horror ! bad witnessed on my way to Iaslo , of the frightful expressions ofthe assassin Thomas Iardas , and of the facility with which a stop could be put to all these atrocities ; the peasants obeying still blindly the government officers , the soldiers and the gendarmes . He fell into a rage and exclaimed .: "You have willed it yourself , gentleman ; I will have no pity for you . " Vainly I objected that his sentence could not refer tome , as I did not belong to his district and as I had for the first time in my life the pleasure ' of seeing him . He threw a tiger ' s look at me and replied : "Bah ! gentlemen ; you . are all alike , I know all of you well , and therefore be gone . "

      During my stay at Iaslo , more than ten dead and mutilated bodies were brought every day to the : town , besides a great number of wounded . Among tho slain I remarked M . Denker the proprietor of Gogo . ' , and his son ; M . Alexander Zdzinski ; M . Piershhalla { PitrszcMla ); a little boy nine years old , whose eyes had been torn out ; several servants , and even foreign working men ; Among the ill-treated were M . Nincead Pol , one of tho stars of our literature ; his brother Joseph ; M . Titus Prshenilzki ( Preeniefci ); Madame Pol , the wife ofthe celebrated author , M . Jordan and his wife ; andM . Mias , ancient French officer under the French empire .

      The carts loaded with prisoners , with wounded or dead bodies , always under the escort of the murderers themselves , stopped constantl y before the government hotel , were the ofiicers and gendarmes' received the living , releasing ' some of them and imprisoning others . The corpses were returned to the murderers for interment oh tbe spot where the murder had been committed ^ I saw agonising men asking for and receiving the sacrament on the wheelbarrow which had brought them before the government hotel and in presence of their assassins who after a whilereturnefl withtheir inanimate bodies . The most awful wretchedness reigned amongst the prisoners . The wounded and the dying were heaped without distinction together . It was not before the eve of my departure from town that the caves were transformed into gaols , by partitioning large subterranean balls into cells by fresh brickwork .

      Meanwhile the town was fast filling with those who in consequence of the proximity of their abode had succeeded in escaping from the slaughter , often by the help of their own peasants . Of their own peasants , I say , as in this systematic , massacre , each commune was emp loyed in the extermination of the inhabitants of some neighbouring mansion , but never of their own masters . Whenever the peasants showed a determination to save the life of their master , several other communes were summoned to combine together in order to overcome tbe resistance .

      It is an extremely false and erroneous opinion which ascribes these horrors to the revenge of the peasants against tbe oppression of their masters , The countrygentleman in Galicia was so isolated , so thwarted in all his proceedings by the influence of government , that he could do neither good nor harm to the peasants . No other oppression but that of the Austrian was possible . In fine the landed proprietors in Galicia were so far from bring inclined to oppress their peasants , that they expressed at each Diet at temberg , the wish of emancipating these selfsame peasants .

      There Is not the slightest doubt that the Austrian Government organised the slaughter by means of this calumny as atrocious as it was absurd , that ihe gentry were conspbingfortheextcrminationofthepcasants , In the first moments the thirst for pillage did not enter into their motives , as the peasants gave up the whole booty to the gendarmes and the civil officers , believing that they were acting in legitimate self-defence -, alike in this case to the people of Jerusalem , who in their sacrilegious blindness slaughtered their prophets , they murdered the very men who were labouring to give them liberty , property , and political existence .

      On tho 26 th of February the martial law was proclaimed at Iaslo , and orders were given to the suspected to laave the town before three o ' clock in the afternoon . To describe the terror and the despair ofthe unfortunate , who , driven from this last refujre , were given up to the mercies of an infuriated mob , which having acquired a taste for crime , had discontinued to give op the plunder and was ravaging and pillaging all around for its own profit would be a vain task . Some of those who were placed in this perplexity asked for passports to other Austrian provinces than Galicia ; and although tho government ofthe district bad no right to give any , they did it nevertheless in order to disencumber the town from all those whom they feared , without having a sufficient pretence for imprisoning them .

      The government allowed all these atrocities to be committed against the Polish nobility , by their abstaining from any intervention . It was however enough for a gentleman to be brought thither by the peasants , to be treated nke a criminal . But tbe government dared , or willed not to imprison those who had succeeded in escaping . Finding myself in this melancholy situation and judging it to be Vie only opportunity perhaps I would find for my salvation . I joined with the others in asking for a passport , and obtained one for Prague in Bohemia , where I found means of getti ng to France , this hospitable country which now constitutes the only refuge for political misfortune . Joun PonotECKt . From the ^ strict of Zlotchof . * " Captain of district" is a civil execute office answering to that of Lieutenant-Governor . Husti-colcu-chee , an Indian chief of the Semhole tribe , i » delivering leeturea on Christianity in Loufe . ville , Kentucky .

      [^Fle ;.^ R Ar Betki^ En.Themnited State...

      [^ flE ; . ^ AR BETki ^ EN . THEmNiTED STATES j - ' " y ^ " " -- "• = " - ^ ND ^ EXICO ; :: — --- « - - The intelligence from the United States relative to ttovwar Yfith Mexico ;* which has reached ua by the ( Britannia steamer , is interesting and important . Twp battles have been gained by General Taylor , though the disparity of force oh ; his aide was very great . The first was fought at a place called Palo Alto ^ or "The High Trees , " on the 8 th of May . and in this action the Mexican army was estimated at upwards . of 6 , 000 men , -whilst that of General Taylor amounted to only 2 , 300 ; the loss of the Mexicans was stated at about 200 killed and 4 QQ wounded ; that of the Americans , amongst whom were two or

      three officers of distinction , did not exceed fifty . The second battle , which may be looked upon as a continuation of the first , took place at the Resaca de la Palma , or " Palm Ravine . " close to the Rio Grande , both actions occurring in the rear of General Taylor ' s original position in tbe bend of that river , opposite Matamoras . In the last affair the loss : of the Mexicans exceeded 1 , 000 men , and Gen . Yega , who held a command , was taken prisoner . Although not officially declared it was probable that on or about the 18 th of May Gen . Taylor crossed the Rio Grande and invested Matamoras , which it was reported had been captured without firing a shot—the Mexican army having ' evacuated the place .

      We shall not conceal our regret at this most unfortunate contest . Anxious as we are to promote the principle of universal brotherhood , we must set our faces against all wars except those undertaken by nations in self-defence , or for the recovery of their rights and liberties . In the present case the force may be on the side of the United States people , but assuredlyjusticeisnbt . The whole affair of the annexation of Texas , was a fraud and a wrong , as great a wrong as was ever perpetrated by the English in India . But this is net all , not content with seizing Texas , the United States forces proceeded to occupy what was to say the least , "debatable ground , " not really belonging to Texas , and therefore , despite the

      act of annexation , not forming part of the United States territory . The Mexicans have been goaded into fighting , aud have only , done as every other race of men would do in their situation . The Mexicans are brave , as brave as the Americans or any other race , but they have not the natural force to enable them to successfully , contend against the Anglo-Americans . The Mexicans have been defeated , but we repeat right is on their side . However much we mayregretthiswaron other accounts , we regret it mainly because of its ( ira ) moral effects upon the United states . Territorial aggrandisement , ware oi conquest , and numerous armies , these are the worst enemies of Republican simplicity and human progress

      In the account of the battles , which will be found below , the reader will observe with disgust that the lying cant of " national glory , " forms the ready excuse for scenes of bloodshed and works of woe . There might be , th / re was , true glory in the simple minded ' noble hearted men of ' 1 G , baring the sword , and levelJing'the rifle in defence oftheir liberties , and the liberties of mankind , but there is no true glory in slaying hundreds of Mexicans , who merely stand in defence of their native land , We have one cheering reflection , some of the American people are not blinded by this blaze of gore-and-glory , they think as we think , and cry aloud against the iniquity of this war : true they are but the minority , but" Wait a little longer , "

      they speak out in a good cause , and ultimately they will make themselves heard . At a meeting of the New York National Reform Association , the following resolutions were adopted : — Resolved , That this Association , strongly disapproving of all war except in defence of our own homes and the equal rights of our fellow citizens , do deeply deplore the policy that has brought an armed force of the Republic in collision with the forces of our sister Republic of Mexico , on a territory in dispute between the two nations . Resolved , That ia the relations that existed between the two governments we can perceive no sufficient reason for perilling tho lives of that portion of our fellow citilow citizens who are so unfortunate as to be enlisted in the standing army .

      Resolved , That in the present juncture , fo unite the people in defence ot tbe Bepublic , the People ' s Lands ought immediately to be declared free in limited quantities , to the use of those citizens who are unjustly deprived of a foothold on the soil . Besotted , That until the equal right to the soil be established , those ought to be foremost in the National cause , with their parsons and property , in time of war , who hold the largest portion of the soil away from the landless . ; ' These are the principles of true Democracy , and in a democratic country ; seed , like this , sown must bring forth good fruit . We shall conclude with quoting two excellent articles from two excellent papers , organs of that portion of the working men of America who have the sense to see that the social

      arrangements ot the States require a thorough reformation , and that such reformation is likely to he re : tarded rather than hastened by wars of aggression and standing armies .

      WAR ! [ From the Young America . ] Thus we are involved in a war of which no man can foresee the end , or count the cost , and involved thus most univisely as it deems to me . Mexico was in trouble , and our rulers probably thought to take advantage ot her situation . Not a soldier should have been sent to the disputed territory till our title to it had been made clear to the people , and all chance to obtain peaceable possession had failed . Had Great Britain brought her big guns to bear on one of our cities at the time ofthe Maine boundary difficulty , we should not , I think , have remained quiet as long as the Mexicans did at Metamoras . " Do unto others , " and so forth ,

      But we are in for it , and must make the beat of it . The President has done well to ask for volunteers . And who shall these volunteers be ? I venture the opinion that they should be the men who are enjoying , under the protection of the government , rlahts that are not enjoyed by their fellowcitizens . aud those who are enjoying privileges at iheeayeHseofsiichas are deprived oftheir rights . And who are they ? The answer isplain ; they are those who hold all the land and all the property , and particularly those who hold land which they cannot cultivate , and property which has been accumulated through the forced labour of the landless and destitute . —These are the men who should now fill the ranfo as well as the offices of the army necessary to relieve those in peril and to restore peace .

      And how should the money bo raised ? Not by borrowing on interest , and thus enslave our children with an army of pensioners , Should this monarchical plan be resorted to , the landless , whose children would be called to labour to maintain the pensioners , should immediately raise the banner of Repudiation , and vote for it under all circumstances . This would be a sacred duty to their children and prosperity . The means of war should be raised by a tax on all the property of the country , every man paying exactly in proportion to what he possesses . Let these views be taken up and acted upon by the labouring classes throughout the country , and the war will soon be brought to a termination . The House of Representatives voted that the pay of the volunteers ( the privates , of , course ) should bo ten dollars a month : just what a lacklander in this

      city would havo to pay for house room for his wife and children , who , of course , would beat the mercy ef capitalists for their support ! But the Senate , ( composed of men getting eight dollars a day ) , reduce the price to eight dollars a month ! Of course , they only expect wealthy men to volunteer , and it would look well lor them to set the example . If , after all , there should be a deficiency of wealthy volunteers , Congress has only to declare the public lands free , and thus secure to every poor family the opportunity of a home , and the deficiency would soon be supplied . The National Reformers ' nave been for morelthau two years demanding this , act of justice , and no more appropriate time for ' ft could exist than tho present . Through numhovless ages the toilers havo been the degraded tools vrf taskmasters and tyrants . Let Ms be so no longer .

      THE WAR ! [ From the Albaiv / ^ ti-JlenUr . ) We can see no good reason for waging a war with Mexico . From first to last it has been aogressive on our part . Th ' e "Army of Occupation " under Gen . Taylor , Was ficnt to tho frontiers of Texns , or rather into the Mexican territory itself , for the very purpose 0 f provoking a war , that the Gen . Houston ' s ao--d Gen . Cass ' s , and a thousand other equally vilh » jnons Land Pirates , might " revel in the Halls of w , Montezuma ' s . " It had no business in its posit ? on on the Rio Grande , which is not within the linr , ts of Texas , and for that reason alone it almost & tewed to be captured , although we would not f jave had it left to suffer , but would have had it projected and withdvavm from ite position as

      [^Fle ;.^ R Ar Betki^ En.Themnited State...

      soon as possible without further encroaching upon Mexican . tcrritory ,. i 3 r ( W !^ J , tliatnone hut , the : pirati , cal land jobbers nnd ' siiive holders for whose sole benefit this demonstration of * hostility was ' made , cotild have been summoned to do common soldier work , make themselves food for powder at eight dollars a month , and after all not find even so much " glory ' - ' in the service as to be thought worthy of being named in the bulletins of "killed , wounded * -and missing . " In the name of the LANDLESS we protest against the prosecution of this war for the acquisition ' of new territory—commenced with tli 3 atrocious design of " enlarging the area of liberty , " by extending , strengthening and perpetuating chattel slavery , a system which , even if it be admitted to be less degrading , poverty-creating and inhuman :

      than the " wages" system or slavery , is still a monstrous violation of natural right , and should be abolished as speedily as may be by some gradual plan of emancipation which would result in the colonization of the emancipated on the Public Lands . Toiling Jacklanders have nothing to gain bysMc / t a war . There are millions of acres of territory , dearly purchased by the blood of our forefathers , now -unoccupied , which they dare not to cultivate , even to obtain bread , unless they have bought it from the Government , or from a speculator . " They have nothing to gain by any way , not undertaken to free the land , but to' prevent any but slaves—slaves , weary of -toiling for taskmasters who live in i palaces which tliey have not built , fare sumpteously on viands which they have' not prepared , and are arrayed in garments which they have not manufactured , but which they have

      all , ; by force and by fraud , by every conceivable means of torture and deception , ( the lash , tlie pillory , the branding iron , the stake , pious sermons in favour of " law and order , " and well thumbed folios of political economy , all full of political cant about the mutual dependancc of the labourer and capitalist , and how much gratitude the former owes the latter , ) wrting out ot the unwilling labour of their chattels aiad hirelings—to prevent svny but slaves from' tilling it . i And to the toiling lack-landers , one and all , ; who may read this , we say , ; be not deceived by any frothy declamation about " patriotism" and " honour , " from the war demagogues . Take no part in this murderous strife . Let those fight for slave territory who would be the aimers of the slaves . —Up , up , with the banner , ' " NO LAND , NO MUSKET , " and rally around it , and cling to it , till the " whole boundless continent" is yours , and vott are placed in a position where you may proclaim the JUBILEE OF

      FREEDOM , the INALIENABLE AND INVIOLABLE HOiMESTEAD , throughout all the world , to ail the inhabitants thereof .

      Official Despatches From The Army. The F...

      OFFICIAL DESPATCHES FROM THE ARMY . The following " are the official despatches from General Taylor , in which lie details the important incidents of the campaign , from the 7 th to the 12 th instant . The Jurst , dated May 7 , at Point Isabel , merely states the arrival of a , detachment of recruits , and announces his intention of marching that day on his return to the camp , which . he had left under the command of Major Brown .

      • Head QtTARTEns , Abhy of Occdpatiok , Camp at Palo Alto , Texas , May 9 , 1846 . Sir , —I have the honour to report that I . was-met near this place yesterday , oh my march from Point Isabel , by the Mexican forces , and after an action of about five hours dislodged them from their position , and encamped upon the field . Our artillery , consisting of | two 18-poi » ndcrs and two light batteries , was the arm chiefly engaged , and to the excellent manner in which it was manoeuvred and served is our success mainly due . The strength of the enemy is belived to have been about 6 , 000 men with seven pieces of artillery and 800 cavalry j His loss is probably at least 100 killed . Our strength did not exceed

      all told 2 , 300 , while our loss was comparatively trifling , four men killed , three officers and 37 men wounded , several of the latter mortally . I regret to scy that Major Ringgold , 3 d artillery , and Captain Page , 4 th infantry , are severely wounded , Lieutenant Luther 2 d artillery , slightly ao . The enemy has fallen back , and it is believed has repassed the river . I have advanced parties now thrown forward in his direction , and shall move the main body immediately . In the haste of this first report , I can only say the officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner throughout the action . I shall have the pleasure of making a more detailed report when those . oi ' the different commanders shall be received . .--.-. am , Sir ,

      # Z . TAYLOR , Brevet Brigadier General , U . S . A „ commanding . The Adjutant-General , U . S . Army , Washington , B . C . Head QtrAarens Abmit of Occupation , . Camp at Resaca de la Palma , 3 miles from Mutamora « , 10 o ' clock p . in ., May 9 , 1816 . Sir , —I have the honour to report that I marched with the main body of the army at two o'cloclt to-day , having previously thrown forward a body of light infantry into tho forest which covers the . Matamoras road . When near the spot where I am now encamped , my advance discovered tbat a ravine crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy with artillery . I immediately ordered a battary of field artillery to sweep the position , flanking and sustaining it by the 3 d , 4 * . h , and 5 th regiments , tier

      ployed as skirmishers to the right and left . A heavy fire of artillery and musketry was kept up for some time , until finally the enemies batteries were carried in succession by a squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry that were on the groaud . Ho was soon driven from his position , and pursued by , a squadron of dragoons , a battalion of artillery , 3 d infantry , and a . light battery , to the river . Our victory has been complete . Bight pieces of artillery , with a great quantity of ammunition , three standards , and some one hundred prisoners , have been taken ; among the latter , General La Vega , and several officers , One general is understood to have been killed . The enemy has recrossed the river , and I am sure wiU not again molest us on this bank . The loss of the enemy in killed has been most severe . Our own

      has been very heavy . [ Here follow the names ofthe officers killed and wounded . ] The extent of our loss is not yet ascertained , and is reserved for a more detailed report . The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supplement to the cannonade of yesterday ; and the two taken together , exhibit the coolness and gullantry of our officers and men in the most favourable light . All hare dons their duty , and done it nobly . It will be my pride , ia a more circumstantial report of hoth actions , to dwell upon particulnr instances of individual distinction . It affords mo particular pleasure to report that the field vrork opposite Matamorns has sustained itself . handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment of ieo

      hours . But the pleasure is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indomitabto commauder . Major Brown , who died to-day from the tfftet of a shell . His loss would be a serere one to the service at any time , but to the army under my orders , it is , indeed , irreparable . One officer and one non-commissioned officer killed , and tea men , wounded , comprise all the casualties incident to this severe bombardment . I Inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large number of pack mules left in the Mexican camp . I am , Sir , & c , Z . TATLOll , Bt .-Brigadier-General Commanding , The Adjutant-General of the Army , Washim-ton , D . 0 .

      HuAnQi'AETH ' . s , Abhy . or Occur mow . Point Isabel , ( TexaMMny 12 , 1816 . Sir , —I am making a hasty visit to this place for the purpose of having an interview with Commodore Connor , whose squadron is notv at anchor off the harbour , ami arranging with him a combined movement up the river . I avail myself of the brief time at my command to report that the main body of the army is now occupying its former position opposite Matamoras . The Mexican forces ars already disorganised , and I shall lose no time in investing Matamoras , and opening the navigation of the river . I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the morning of the llth inst ., of the severe wounds received in the action of Palo AltO .

      It has boon quite impossible as yet to furnish detailed reports of our engagements with the enemy , or even accurate returns of tho killed and wounded . Our lois is not far from three omcera and forty men killed , and thirteen officers and 100 men wounded ; while that of the enemy has in all probability exceeded 300 killed ; more than 200 have been buried by U ( on the tiro fields Oi ' battle . I have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to recover the command of Captain Thornton . The wounded prisoners have been sent to Matamoras , the wounded officers on their parole . General la Vega and a i » w other officers have been sent to New Orleans , having declined a parole , and will be reported to Major-fteneral Gaines . I am not conversant with the usages of war in such cases , and beg that such provision may be made for these prisoners as may be authorised by law . Our own prisoners have been treated with great kindness by the Mesicna officers . I am , Sir , & c ,

      % . TAYLOR , Bt . Brig .-Gen ,, 17 . S , A ,, Comman & Aig . Tho Adjutant-General of the Army , Washington , D . C . The following account of tho actions of the 9 th and 9 th , appears in the New York Courier aud Enaufrer . It is dated Camp , near Matamoras , May 18 *—- Wo left this place at 4 p . m . on the 1 st , for Poiatlsabel , to bring UP our train Of supp lies of provisions , and am . munition , leaving the fort garrisoned by 550 men under Major Brosvn . IVe went sooner than we intended , aa wc were fearful the enemy would attack that place . We marched until two at night ( 20 miles ) , laid down on our arms until five a . m ., and left for IsftbeU ireachiug it at

      twelve m . On the third , the enemy threw over the Rio j Grande about 6 , 000 men , opened his batteries upon thej fort , and remained in waiting to fight us on our return , which we were well pleased with . They kept wp tinbombardment until we relieved tho garrison on the e \ 'i of the Gth , having thrown 3 , 000 shot and shells into the work . Our excellent engineer arranged his defences so well , that only two were killed and two wounded during tho Whole time . Unfortunatel y tho gallant Brown was killed while we were fighting our last battle , and about two hours before we routed the enemy , On the 7 th wr started back , with a train of over 300 wagons , containim ; a vast amount of property , and expecting to fi ght for in pX & VSStiWi AbWt I p . m ., on the 8 th , when about fifteen

      1 Miles From Isabel, The Advanced Guard ...

      1 miles from Isabel , the advanced guard saw a party b ' I J 4 ejEic « n . cnya ? y y . iri .. tIie . eJfiirts ^ of ^ he , cha |) j > afal . „ .. Oui- liiie of battle _ was ' immediately ^ formediwthe prairie ; with eur rfcht resting on the chapparajj wftieh first approaches our road at this point . We advanced , and soon became convinced that the Mexicans were in front in preat numbers , and they were in position for bsttle . We were -Immediately formed in the edge 0 f the nood ' on our rirfjt ; and as about 1 , 000 of the enemy were advancing in battle array , dispositions wove made for his reception . Wesoon found that this was a feint , and that the main body ( 8 . 000 ) were off to the left of the advancing party , and that they had some pieces of artillery . We again formed ¦ our lino in the prairie , supporting our right flank upon the wood , and moved forward several hundred yards towards the enemy ' s advance . As soon as our train had

      arrived and been parked , we moved to attach them , with Major Ringgold ' s battery of artillery oir . thc right , Captain Duncan ' s battery ( tlie one I belong to ) on the left , and two 18-pounders in the ccn re . Having arrived within 800 yards ofthe enemy , he opened his batteries and poured a terrible firempon us . Wc waited patiently for a few seconds , in order to . see the number and effect of his guns ; and then our . batteries played bristly and beautifully for about two' hours upon his columns of cavalry and infantry , and caused him to fall back . Our batteries gradually advanced , supported by the infantry , who unfortunately was not within musket range , and wereexposed to a galling fire without an opportunity of returning it . The 8 th infantry and Captain May ' s cavalry being on the left ofDuncan's artillery , Buffered very geverely in this part ofthe action . About 5 p . m . the prairie

      took fire on the left , from our battery , an < l extended along our whole lino , so that the ttvo armies were concealed from each other , and the cannonading ceased for about half an hour ; Wc had moved forward our whole line , and were occupying the ground the enemy held at three o'clock—General Tornijohti , with a large body of lancers , attempted to turn our ri ^ -ht and get to our train , but was repulsed by the Sth infantry , and a portion of Ringgold ' s artill- ' ry . During tho suspension of the firing , the field was cleared of the dead and wounded ; carriages removed and repaired , and ammunition supplied and water procured for the men who wore suffering much from thirst , as tho whole prairie was in a blaze and the day was intensely hot . Our whole force ; having moved to the right , a severe cannonade was opened from all the enemj ' s guns upon this portion of the field and

      did a good deal Of execuIioir—Major ^ Kinggold , a vno ~ t accomplished officer , was mortally wounded , and his horse shot under him , while supporting . this part of our line . This furious onset was evidently made on our right to draw us there , while the enemy's right wing : was moving , under the dense volumes of smoke which rolled past us , to turn our left . Happily they were discovered , and our batu ry , supported by the-8 th Infantry and Ken's Cavalry , moved round the burning grass , and opened one of thu most destructive fires of roun d shot and Shrapnel shells , that troops were ever exposed to ; and in a few moments from i , oao to i , soo infantry and cavalry , who were formed twice for a chai-g-e , were in full retreat . Each of our shells contained 72 balls , and they supposed nnr infantry wore firing , and opened a brigade of infantry upon us . We soon dispersed

      them ; We killed a great many horses , and destroyed ono band of musicians by a shell . At this juncture our batteries on the rig hi were charged by thcene my ; a id the troops who had just put the enemy ' s r : ght to flight , were called to support our own right , Tho battalion o : der Col . Childs formed square . The enemy advanced , delivered his five , wounding Lieutenant Luther , 2 nd Artillery , and then retreated , receiving in return the fire of the square , and a charge of grape from the 18-pounder . As it was how long after sunset , and quite dark , tho enemy ' s fire ceased , and we encamped for tho night upon - the ground where we were , and which the foe held at 3 p . m . The battle began at 8 . o ' clock , and closed at half-past 7 ; and our army behaved in the most gallant manner . Not ah officer or soldier flinched ; but on the contrary , they were cool and ardent to be led to the fight . Our little army has covered itself with glory . We mourn the loss of many brave msn—Captain Page was mortally wounded

      by a six pound shot . Major Ringgold died soon after the battle . The Sfh infantry ( General Worth ' s regiment ) lost 22 killed and wounded . Onr battery had four men badly wounded—one slightly wounded ; four horses killed—ono wounded , and two earriagesinjurcd by their shot . The shot flew thick and fast , and my horse came near being shot under me . I then dismounted , and a 12 pound shot passed within three inches of my face , and cut down f mr men behind me . I was never cooler in my whole life , and was satisfied that it was no boy ' s play to fight Mexicans , for thcirartillery is capital . Our whole force was only 2 , 209 , and' 10 'pieces of artillery ; and our infulltl'y and cavalry was only broughtinto action in small numbers , on one occasion . Our loss does wot amount to 50 , while thatof the Mexicans wasSOO and 400 wounded . Their dying prisoners , their officers , their ojSciol reports , and their masses , prove that they had 7 , 000 men , and 12 pieces of artillery .

      Iu the battle of the next day , 9 th , wo captured nine pieces—6 , 9 , and 12 pounders-i-dismounted one ou tho Sell , and they carried two to Matamoras in tlie night . Gen . Arista , one of the first generals in America , was present in person , and took a very strong position . All was of no avail ; and Mexican masses , although well directed , could not prevail against American character . We had few men ; but they were ; good . and true , and achieved results most glorious for our arms ; . Such was the battle of Palo Alto , or the battle ofthe High Trees—aad , taken in connection with the results of the 9 th , furnishes a bright pairo in the volume of American history . On the 0 th at dawn of day , the enemy was seen moving slowly off to the right , and appeared to be taking lip a new position . We determined to give them battle again , and moved out into the plain in line of battle . Wo

      soon found the dead and dying in numbers . Boxes of ammunition , muskets , dress caps , swords , lances , & c , strewed all over the field . Wc found their hospital , which exhibited proof of the terrible'flrn of our guns , new made ) graves , and limbs , df c . Tfe halted , sent parties of observation in advance , buried the enemj ' s dead , took care of their wounded , and started at two p . m ., for Fort Brown . We had yet nine miles of dense chapparnl to pass through , and onl y one narrow defile to more in , which afforded the enemy a number of strong positions for disputing our advance . At three , our advance was fired upon , and the armies engaged immediately , and ftmght for three hours . The batile of Ks-aca de la Palma , or tho Palm Ravine , which resulted in the entire and complete rout of the foe , the capture of one general , a number of officers , nine pieces of ordnance , 400 mules with

      their saddles , dsc , all their ammunition , supplies , baggage , arms , & c , and enabled us to fleepon the banks of the Bio Dravo , Our loss is about 150 in this battle . Tho enemy's , including those drowned in the Itio Grandein the retreat , not , far from 1 . 000 . They are completely broken up . This was the finest Mexican army that ever went into the field . The croup : ; came from the city of Mexico , and were well equipped and fought well ; hut not quite as well as ours . In the stconfl battle wo only had 1 , 700 men engaged and eight pieces of artillery . Our batteries were GO yards apart , and were in a complete hailstorm of ^ rape and canister-shot . The trees were cut and the limbs stripped off their branches and leaves . It literally rained lead and iron , until wc charged their guns and captured them . We lost a number of officers , and a great many wounded ,

      On the 18 th of May , after the- battle of Resea de la Palma , General Taylor visited Fort Polk , where he consulted with Commodore Conner . A joint plan of co-operation was determined upon between the army and the fleet . On the Uth- General Taylor returned to his fort , opposite Matamoras , with 700 men , mounted on the horses and mules captured-from the enemy at the bauieof Bio-Grande .

      ( JroiB , the flew York . Herald , May 31 . ) Lalesv Intelligence psom THE SEAT OF WAB . — The steam . sliip Alabama arrived at New Orleans on the 22 ndinstant , iwfovty-tive hours , from Brasos de Santiago-She sailed thence on tho 19 th inst . Official intelligencehad reached Point Isabel , of the capture ofthe Mexican town of Butlta . without , opposition , by Coiotiel Wilson , with four companies of . regulr . rs and throe companies of Alabama and-. Louisiana volunteers . It appears that General Taylor was to ore's the Rio ( h'tmde on the I 8 th inst ., and invest Matamoras . 2 , 000 Mexican troops had

      been sent to march out of that city , and as no cannonading had boen-heariiat Point Isabel , it was supposed that the ilejioans had evacuated tho place , and allowed General , Taylor , to-take quiet possession of tha houses and . squares . It is said that General Smith ami his troops had cainmsnced their march to . the Island of Boca Cliica , to cross the Kio Grande at its mouth , and then advance up tSe rirer , oathe Mexican side , to form lljunct Oil pro * bably with General Taylor ' s forces as they cross oppu > ite Matamoras . It is reported that the Mexicans arc in % starving condition .

      The MEMCA . K . PBOrhE , —The population of Mexico is . estimated at 9 , 000 , 0 GO though , it probably does not exceed t , 000 , OUO . Though it contains sevural mixtures , the greater partiou are aborieinal Indian * . Annm ? , st the rest are . European Spauiayds , Creoles , or n . uives descended from Europeans . * Mustrjos , <> r descendants of Whites and Indians ; Jiumbasor iiescs-ndantsof Negroes , and Indians ; Muluttocs * or descendants of Whites and N > groos ; mixtures of these varieties , Negroes , aud a few-Malays from China aud the i-: lnnds of the Irwiiaa Ocean , especially tlie Philippines , a Spat-ish colony . The Negroes aro not nunwi ' ous , US slavery was never

      extensive in the Spanish continental wlonivs , and was abolished on the separation of Mexico from Spain , in lolflk In character , the Indians , who constitute seven-tenths of . the whole population , are iuto ' tligvnt , docile , p-.-acctul , rather industrious , and very ingenious iu mechanic : srts , especially those of painting , carving and moulding . They are gentle , kind , and hospitable ; and though incemp , « -ate , liko all the American Innians , nor th or aomh , they exhibit no violent or ferocious propensities when intoxicated . They exhibit capacity for improvement under good government , and would qnavrel with no go » eminent that protected them in person and property , and encoura .-ed them in developing their resources , mental and

      physical . The Banchebos of Mexico . — The Rancheros , , >; n-6 of the material of the Mexican army , are half Indian and half Spanish in their extraction ; jaunt , shrivelled , though muscular in their frames , and dark and swarthy viaaged as thoy are , these men are the Arabs of tho American continent . Living half of the time in the saddle , for they are unrivallsd horsemen , with lasso in hand they traverse the vast plains in search ofthe buffalo and wild hors » . Tho killing of these animals and the preparation and gala of their hides are their sole means of livelihood . Their 1 costume generally consists bf a pawof tough »» d « 'eggiM , L with sandals of the same material , bound together WUU

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 20, 1846, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_20061846/page/7/