Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-11-10
From the Orleans Gazette.

speedy execution their plans, long since
formed, for rendering the country on the
lower Mississippi invulnerable and unas-
sailable by foreign enemy. These plans
are intended chiefly for the security Of the
city of New-Orleans, and when they are
completed, no invading army will be able
to approach las formerly so near that the
sound Of their cannon can be heard in our
streets. We are informed that contracts
have been made and are making, for the
erection of extensive works to cover the
bay Of Mobile, and all the rivers and passes
which affords an entrance from the sea into
the Mississippi.
The attention which Mr.. Calhoun, the
present Secretary at War, has wed on
this highly important subject, will enhance
the reputation Of that able and upright mi.
mister, not only through this lower country,
but throughout the whole western terri.
tory, of which New-Orleans is at once the
citadel and the emporium.
The national government evince at this
moment, becoming anxiety TO promote as
well the general welfare as the society Of
This important section OF the union. A light
house, on a magnificent scale, has already
been commenced at the mouth of the river,
,,nI.r tho d;r..,,ons ,C tho fraoeur,, dan, a =
menl, aid in addition 10 the Notifications to
which we have ALLUDED, ample barracks
and arsends are about TO he erected at va
rious points.
Extract Of letter dated Natchitoches Sep.
tcmber 80.
"Last evening there arrived at this place,
an express from Nacogdoches, giving in
telligence of there having sci out from St.
Antoine, twenty Eve days ago, 200 Spa
niards, with three pieces Of artillery, 10
break up the establishment made al Gal
veztown, and destroy the works erected by
Gen. Lallemande. Their orders are to
proceed as far as Nacogdoches, and to de-
stroy the settlements made in that quarter,
and rout a number Of traders dispersed
throughout the province. 1t is generally
expected that they will come on TO the Rio
Honda if not opposed. There are num-
Der Of MN collected here, consisting Of A.
mericans and refugee Spaniards, who are
equipPing to proceed Immediately 10 op-
pose Them" [lbid.
Interesting asVs from the Polar expedition.
A, length the official despaches from the
ships employed on the discovery Of tie
northwest passage. have been received,
and we understand are most satisfactory -
They are dated July &c, at which time the
Isabella and tie Alexander were in lat rs
deg. 80 min. long SO deg. 80 min. W.
well over TO the American coast, the wea.
Their serene and perfectly clear. The va
ration OF the compass, by accurate obser-
vations repeatedly made on board both
ships, was S6 deg. and the dip 81 deg 80
min. which led them TO conclude, that they
were approaching very nearly 10 the mag
netic pole. 1t had been perfectly &slm-
the sea was smooth as glass for 3 or days,
and the current driited them TO the south
eastward, which raised their hopes of an
open passage round the point Of America,
from which quarter it appeared to proceed.
All the way up the middle OF Davis Straits
they skirted an unbroken field Of ice, but as
they proceeded il became thinner, and sp-
parently rotten, and they were sanguine
that The moment the breeze sprung up, the
ice 10 the westward would open TO them .
passage, and allow them TO reach the nor
thern shores of America. The utmost har-
mony prevailed among the officers, and
every part of the ships company, and all
Were in perfect health Such is the SUBJ
sta ce Of the accounts which we have been
able 10 lean. / here are abundance Oh pri-
vate letters 10 the friends aud relations Of
those who have embarked in this most I'm
Portan, and interesting enterprise. The
following is an extract OF one:
From his Majesty'ss s! ip Isabella, at sea, lat
IS, 25, long 80, z, variations SS, 40
July %,
Dear D., Tbi, is our last opportunity
this year, therefore | could not let it pass
without writing, although nothing has pass
ed since my last We are now to the north
ward Of all tie ships that are fishing we
see some long way astern; the boat With
dispatches is going Immediately TO one OF
them they have followed great way this