The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-03 00:00:00

MEXICO.-THE ISLAND OF SACRIP7CIOS.

(From a Correspondent.)
In the event (not at all precluded by the Presiden-
tial offer of negotiation) of a regular and complete blockade
of all the sea-ports of Mexico, by the ships of war of the
United States, the main force of the squadron will, in all
probability, be concentrated upon Vera Crux, and the
Castle of St. Juan 1.11101, and will lie at anchor off the
island of Sacrificial. The distance is only one)eague from
the town, and the castle opposite; the trositiosits therefore
conveniently within sight, sad out of shot. The boats pull-
ing for the Vera Crus coast will be fired upon, as a matter of
course, whatever their errand may be, if they run within
range of the guns ; and, although it is almost as difficult to
hit a boat as to hit a wild duck at a mile and a half, yet
the engineers and artillerymen of the Castle of St.
Juan Ulloa have had so much practice for years,
from the same fixed spot, that they would not
be at all unlikely to make a lucky morning's
work, if the American Commodore with his staff
should take a fancy for stretching their legs ashore,
and eating water-melons. During the last Spanish war the
goof folks of the castle contrived to hit the boats several
times at this distance. But off Sacrificioe the anchorage is
as safe and quiet a place to be broiled alive in, as any man
could wish ; and here, no doubt, the squadron will take up
their position previous to an assault.
With the present condition of the Island of Sacrificios, the
accounts from Mexico do not furnish us. That it might very
well be placed in some state of defence, so u seriously to
annoy and damage several of the enemy's ships, is certain ;
and, although this little sandhill would undoubtedly be
taken, without much trou'ule or loss to the assailants, the
small garrison might make their escape in canoes at the other
side of the island. In times of war every position should be
turned to advantage ; and what progress the Mexicans have
made in practical arrangements and mechanical details, may
be estimated by the present condition of their main works
and outposts, in comparison with their condition some twenty
years ego. Let us begin with a glance back at Sacrificios.
During the close of the war with Old Spain, in the years
1825-6, the Island of Sacrificios was a ghastly little patch of
hot sand, where pestilence and death appeared to have held
a long and happy reign. Along the sea shore there lay a
number of human bones, some quite white with age, others
horribly fresh. I thought it no wonder that the yellow
fever so constantly resided there. The sands glistened fiercely
under the sun, and were burning hot to the feet. It was
impossible to lo ik at some of the sand banks and stony
mounds, the light upon them was so intolerable. Our
eyelids instantly fell, and we put our hands up to our
foreheads. I should say that I had made this visit in com-
pany with two others, and we were all midshipmen in the
same man-of-war.

There were some insignificant remains of ancient ruins
upon the island, probably of ancient sacrificial temples;
but I much doubt if any marks upon any one stone, or any
three put together, would have enabled the most learned
student of antiquities to have decided what the buildings
had originally been. It was said, however, to have been a
famous place for human sacrifices in the time of the ancient
Mexicans ; and thus it derives the name from horrible tradi-
tions of that kind. Some urns had been dug up about a few
years before my visit, but nobody could tell me where they
were to be seen.

There was a stone building, about 100 fathoms distant from
the shore, which was called "the fort." We passed several
straggling soldiere,who pretended to be, and perhaps were, on
duty; and -f t T undergoing sundry interrogatoriestandcrosaing
several sand-banks thrown up by way of defence, we made
our way to the guard house. Here we found some dozen of
poor, wretched creatures of soldiers, several of whom were
evidently diseased, lying asleep upon their rusty muskets
under a stone portico. Their uniform was very un-uniform,
some having grey jackets, some blue, some dirty white, and
certainly there was not a perfectly sound garment among
them. Several were really in rags, and all had a sadly
faded and distempered look ; as if performing quaran-
tine, and with good reason for it. At this moment
three yellow-faced, hungry-looking young men (with a bit
of ragged tinsel sewed to the shoulders of their dirty white
calico jackets, over the collars of which hung their rat's-tail
hair) brushed by us hastily, and made off to a stone hovel
near at hand ; but not without my recognising them as some
of the "officers of the fort," who had made themselves of
consequence in the market-place of Vera Crux two days be-
fore, on the strength of new uniforms with a quantity of broad
gold lace down every seam of their jackets and trousers.
We now asked a little mulatto boy, who was rolling about
in the sun, and half covered with dust, to direct us to the
room of the Commandant° of the Fort. We followed him
to a long, dilapidated place, at the further end of which, in a
shady angle of the building, a sedate and dignified person-
age
was seated, with a long cigar, a short cloak, and no
trowsers. His cloak and shirt were of the same length, and
appeared to have been cut out and made together. His
long, swarthy, bony knees, were very conspicuous, as he
sat with one leg over the other, puffing his cloud. In what-
ever part of Mexico his birth-place might have been, he
was manifestly an extract from old Spun. The room was
paved with red tiles, having many broken intervals of sand.
He rose from the wooden bench, or form, in the middle of
which he was sitting (it was the only article of furniture
in the apartment), and nowise disconcerted by the sod
den introduction, advanced to meet us with a solemn and
courteous air. His hair was long, and of a dirty black, and
his large moustachios were badger-colour. He received us
with an easy grace and self-possession that would have done
justice to any local circumstances of rank, and form, and
• full dress ;" welcomed us to the Island with a sententious
Spanish compliment (simply to the effect that his house, him-
self, the Island of Saerificios, and all that it contained, were
at our service) ; invited us to a glass of aguardWnte ; and
apologised, slightly, for his morning dishabille, saying that
the weather was exceedingly hot at this time of the day.
As for the sand-flies and mosquitoes, which were hovering
and singing round his tall, naked, scraggy legs, no doubt he
was used to them.
This miserable garrison, two or three stone hovels, and a
grog-hut kept by an old Indian and his family, consisting
of his wife, a boy, and four or five very doubtful-looking
daughters, constituted all the inhabitants, and all the
" defence" of the island of Sacrificios, commanding"as it does
the only passage for ships of war in their approach to Vera
Cruz. Such was the state of defence, be it remembered, at
a period when the Spanish squadron was expected daily,
and all the forces of the republic of Mexico would be called
upon to make their last straggle with the enemy.

RUINS OF NlNEVEH.—lntelligence has been
received that the Mocha of sculpture lately found in the
ruins of Nineveh have been safely got on board the Cormoran
at Belson. The vessel sailed from that port on June 1, on
her way to France. She was to pest in to Bourbon on her
way borne.

Osborne
-how

Tuesday, from Broadiaacis.
The Queen and Prince Albert, accompanied
Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, left Osborn•
at half past eevea o'clock yesteeday morning, to en3he
the royal yacht. The Lord Chamberlain went on be,,
yacht, in attandanee npm the Queen. Her Majesty di,
depart from Cowes till yesterday morning, when she
*Wed on her trip to Jersey.
Lord John Russell took his departure from Oslx
house yesterday morning, and returnee to town.
Her Majesty the Queen Dowager, accompanie
her Royal Highness the Princess of Prussia, and his SI
Highness Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, left her tumid
Marlborough-house, at twelve o'clock yesterday, to p
visit to her Royal Highness the Duchess of Glouccuts
Richmond. After visiting the Duchess of Gloucester
illustrious party drove, in open carriages, to liew.gar
and visited their Royal Highnesses the I)uke and Ductal
Cambridge, and the Hereditary Grand Duchess of Mee
burg-Strelits, at Kew.

The Earl of Elgin had an interview with
Grey, yesterday, at the Colonial-office,
Mr. Willahere, M.P., and the Mayor of
Yarmouth, had an interview with Mr. Tufnell at
Treasury yesterday.
Lord Seymour had an interview with Sir Get
Grey, yesterday, at the Home-office.
Despatches were sent off yesterday evening f
the Colonial-office for the Governor of Ceylon.
A deputation front the Society of British Ar
waited on Sir George Grey, yesterday, at the Home -o
with reference to the application of the society for a
charter of incorporation.
The Commissioners named by Her Majesty
inquire into the criminal laws of Jersey, haring an
in that island, the States astembled on Thursday, the
of August, to receive them, and the Commissioners i
meneed their labours on Monday last.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO GUERNSEY.
(From the Guernsey Star of Monday.)
• The packet of yesterday brought her Majesty's ant
addressed to the Lieutenant-Governor; immediately
receipt of which his Excellency communicated with
various authorities of the island, requesting that they wi
make known, as widely as possible, that he invited
people of Guernsey to meet him the next day, at two o'cl
p.m., oa the New Ground, to hear her Majo
moat gracious message to them on the occasion
her recent visit, which message the Lieutenant-Gove
bad it in command from her Majesty to deliver
soon as possible. In consequence of the above, a very larg
semblage of all classes took place on the New Ground
afternoon. A portion of the centre of the ground
fenced in, within which were stationed the members of
Royal Court and clergy, and others. A few minutes be
two o'clock, two carriages, containing the Lieuten
Governor's family, entered the enclosure, and shortly at
wards his Excellency came on the ground, accompanied
' his militia staff—the whole in full uniform. The Lieuten
Governor having taken his place in one of the carriages,
loudly cheered by the assemblage, and a band stationed
the ground struck up " God save the Queen." His Es
lency then spoke to the following effect:
" Inhabitant& of Guernsey—faithful subjects of Qt
Victoria—of the Queen of the great British nation whic
spread over the whole globe, I meet you by her Msjes
command to tell you what were her sentiments when
landed on your island, as conveyed to me by the Seater
State. At first I intended to have made this communirsi
to you by printing the letter, but I thought that I would
allow any newspaper editor to stand between the Queen
her people. I therefore determined, as being more respec
to her Majesty and to you, to speak to you myself, and t
nobody can deceive you. It was suggested to me
I should put off this communication till to-morn
but the Queen came suddenly, and in leas t
twelve hours you were ready to receive her—i
then should we require more than double that time to rte
her gracious communication t In the reception which
gave her Majesty there was not much form or regale]
but there was good will, and more was not to be expected
am deeply indebted to the militia of the island and to all
inhabitants for the manner in which they received
Majesty. Your reception was better than mere form—
worked with good will—you worked with the heart as •
as with the head, and when these go together work is t
and handsomely done.—(Cheers.) Be relent, and I will
to you the impression which your reception made on
Majesty. I shall first read you the letterof Sir George GI
The Lieutenant-Governor read the following letter :
" Whitehall, Aug. 28, 184
" Mr—l have the honour to inform you that I have received
Queen's most gracious commands to take the earliest opportunii
expressing to you, as Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey, her sew
the affectionate loyalty with which her Majesty was received ups
occasion of her late visit to that island. The feelings of attache
and devotion to her Majesty's person and government so comp
cooly exhibited upon that occasion by the inhabitants of Guernsey
been, lam commanded to assure you, peculiarly gratifying to
Majesty, and lam to request that you will, as Lieutenant-Covet
of the inland, make known these her Majesty's sentiments to here
ful subjects there. I beg to offer you my congratulations upon 77
having witnessed the loyal demonstrations which have called
this gracious expression of her Majesty's sentiments, and imp
upon you a duty, which, upon every account, must be gratifyin
your feelings.—l bare the honour to be, Sir, your obedient sere
" Major-Gen. Napier, dm. tkc." " G. Gar
When I received this letter the post was just closing, bu
would not wait. I took upon myself to answer for
people of Guernsey. I know them well, and lam cent
I was right. If any man or any men wish to give his
their thanks to her Majesty, let them draw them out,
give them to me, and I will send them (Cheers.)
The Lieutenant-Governor then read his letter,
"Ilavilland Hall, Guernsey, August 30, 1641
"Sir,—l have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your lc'
of the 28th instant, conveying her Majesty's sense of the affection
loyalty with which her hLtiert, was received upon the occasion of
lats visit to this island. I will immediately cause this, her Majes
sentiment to be made known to the people of Guernsey, and in tl
behalf as well as for myself, I express our profound feellnan of gr
Oration and pride at this expression of her Majesty's sense of
humble but heartfelt efforts to display our attachment towards
Majestv's person and government. I remain, air, your most obedi
and faithful servant, "Ww. Num, Lieut.-Governui
" Right llon. Sir G. Grey &e., Ikc."
"I hope," continued his Excellency, "that in who
wrote I expressed your sentiments—if not, let any one e
write a better acknowledgment and I will forward
(Loud cheers.) I will cause these letters to be printed
English and French, and a copy to be posted on the doom
every church in the island." (Cheers.)
The Linens/4szer GOVSENOR then proposed three the
for Prince Albert, which were heartily given. Cheers w
then given separately for the militia, for the Royal Cot
for the clergy, and the ladies of the island, after which I
meeting dispersed, the proceedings occupying somethi
less than half an hour. During the reading of her Majest
letter the male part of the assemblage stood with their hei
uncovered.

NATIONAL. PROVIDENT INSTITUTION.
A special general meeting took place yesterday at t
London Tavern, for the purpose of receiving a report fr,
the directors with regard to certain proposed alterations
the rules of the society, pursuant to opinions expressed at
annual meeting in December last. Mr. LIIIMINOTON te
the chair, and having stated the circumstances which led I
directors to the consideration of the subject, the props
alterations were read by the secretary. Their principal
jests were to extend the number of directors to fifteen, th;
of whom were to retire annually, but become immediat
eligible forre-election; to disqualify the medical officers w
might succeed to the next vacancy for a seat at the board
directors ; to appoint members who may not be direct
auditors; and to qualify the members to call a special me
ing at any time, on the requisition of fifty members, half
which number were to be resident not leas than fifty mi
from London. On the motion to confirm these amendmei
being put to the meeting, Mr. Tyler proposed as alteratic
to the clauses to which they was referring " that the instil
lion should bo under the management of twelve directors
and " that two directors, not being trustees or present medi,
directors, shall annually retire by lot or rotation, such ret
ing directors to be ineligible for re-election for two yean
The question thus brought forward gave rise to much cl
suasion, Mr. Tyler, Mr. G. Thompson, and other gentlem
advocating the necessity for the pursuance of a liberal cons
of policy, by which the affairs of the society would be mo
completely under the control of the members ; and describe
the benefits arising from the occasional introduction of "
ns
blood" into the direction. The chairman and his as
potters on the other hand contended in favour of t
advantages derived by the present and societies general
from the permanent connexion of gentlemen with th,
board., who, from increased experience, became more fitt
for their office, and, besides, gave an appearacce of so
bility to the institution, which could not be maintained
continually subject to change. In support of this opinio
the present prosperous condition of the society was instant
as an undeniable proof of its proper management. Sever
gentlemen thought that the adverse opinions on the matt
might be united, and a resolution was proposed by N
Angell with that object, but was eventually lost, the amen
meat of Mr. Tyler being carried by a small majority.
amendment was then proposed and carried, providing th
the trustees should be elected by the directors from their oi
body, and another was proposed by Mr. Tyler, giving the mei
ben power to convene • special meeting at any time on t
requisition of twenty-five persons only, and without regard
their place of residence. The feeling of a large part of tl
meeting appearing in favour of the amendment, the directi
withdrew their own proposition on the subject, but otli
persons not being satisfied the question was put to the vo
and Mr. Tyler's proposal carried. An amendment to isnoth
clause in the alteration of the committee was proposed
Mr. G. Thompson, and carried after a lengthened discussic
It vested the power of altering the laws of the society in t
members, and not in the directors as formerly, reserve
however, to the latter the formation of by-laws for their cr
guidance. The remainder of the rules, as amended by t
committee, were agreed to. The discussion of the yarn
questions occupied upwards of five hours.

AMERICAN SLAVERY.
At a numerowals-attended public meeting whi
took place last night in the National Hall, High Holboi
Mr. G. Thompson, on being called to the chair, stated G
it had been convened for the purpose of affording Mr.
L. Garrison, President of the American Anti-Slavery As
elation, an opportunity of showing that, by sanctioning
even conniving at American slavery, they would be retal
ing the cause of human freedom throughout the world, a
confirming the thraldom of three millions of persons in t
southern states of that country. Mr. Garrison was the a
ginator of the movement for immediate and uncon
tional emancipation throughout the United States, and,
order to promote it, bad made many deep sacrifices.
Mr. OaaateON, after alluding to the persecution he
endured as the humble avenger of the wrongs of the bb
man in bondage, and having expressed his sympathies w

erk, and his dais le be idealist with
dam io tith oosalryf yesseeded Se thew
st Ansarieth dowry twirusbasty bassemia
Omaha of Americas islipsadesee in 1778,
L gravely lad selereOg asoorted it to
1- bath the* an saes were alike, that
tle wee obsolisese te God, aad tit* they
deg up is ones sad dedszing thruseives
sit Reties. At the period of that de.
chose there were so leas Ohm 800,000
set saes who were simply laboariert leader
*who Wire *Mei ea a aelheloble One.
ran without as_ leiseh_pe *maths as was
wish el the MK Had they deep doss
bow, or shows • disposition te wash their
ad Iniquity ? No • a the esetvery, the
tad increased to 3,000,11111, wheats thin
trier, and whale theses el bad
topeles. At the time et the algals d
titutioa, they bed 18 Bastes-7
Now they had 28 Btatee-13 ao7=l
e sad 16 slave Stara. (Hear.) The value
then was about 200,000,000 of dollars;
shout 1.600,000,000 of dollars. The area
than =3,000 square miles, it was now
es. Thus had slaverylncreseed is Ante-
•it cried " Give, give, and Wu the grave
*tidied (Hear' hear.) As the alterptiag
and slavery, it was as prepeolueus as
incite fire and gunpowder, wasif
America declared itself ballopmdar,
ed, and still awaited her resaresesies, is
hoped to have the aid wed 41111.4.110di11a
oof England. (lbw. tore .) The Awl&
their career in math * mum sal with
den* to rid thus of theireel throth
sir lips, tail is caeca-
ad wade a
the
of
/rider, for by that shivery wt use-
man in Anwriss wee sot wily deprived
subjected to be paid** mai tortured to
rant owners to a law
dby the slave- vas, any
o Africa for slaves was a pirate, and
as a pirate. He had ire heritstios,
what he had already adored to
g thousand times, that trons hale Polk
at slaveholder every sue of observed
pirate—(cheers) ; for he esselered an
ol as an African, and it was tly
to enslave the re r the other. Her,
ad begotten in America the mehoolent
of castes, rendering every coloured in-
t being, and making the white mat eater-
sr of work that he would prefer keeping
ogether by begging, or stealing, or any
it was the evil influence of slavery; it
and industry a crime, and reconciled the
es that struck not only at the root of all
I religion. It had been said that slavery
lee of republicanism, and if he thought so,
the monarchy of Great Britain, or
cy of Russia. They were, no doubt,
Lmerica, but it was there a slave
7, otherwise they could not go hand in
ir R. Peel had said republicanism would
is country, and to prove it appealed to the
lent io America ; but ho forget that pro-
a belief, while republicanism was from
-corn-law movement was a republican one,
oped the people of England would obtain
are which were calculated to extend their
eh a tyrant aristocracy withheld, and jus-
so by pointing to the inequality between
s and the British freeman. It was therefore
ple to cry out against American slavery ; for
Went that it made them contented with a
apotic form of government rather than har-
em in their owe hands. He could assure
sympathised with them, and would hear-
a to overthrow the unholy
and state, to obtain an extension of the
and to get rid of the horrible law of pri-
which, after slavery, nothing more deserved
id.
resolution, moved by Mr. Lovett, and
'erry, was does adopted by the meeting:—
'. beers Irma to the address delivered by
as the sekleet of American slavery Cave
ek fee liortodekenins,
IlloradreseisAyb with thiamin
Wry upheld by iria er the mimed
• die andetion of Seth yeller err* NM the
r sr kir of thill=s ark; *ay. thaw
e aims this ty of ressrdlog their
it Steer rid maohlsai, adalivel
Ma three madame et their
mil rompie glue eetwerisee as
leperra, aid Mardi the rend epee et draw-
-1 world. That the reetter_ wens their deep
Gordan mad his Wirral, alleepre la their
ours sad per embier to rims
teeof Amery, sad resameed the=
d kingdom to aid la tit grid work of hum=