Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-08-13

PosilioE ne small Deuy OF natives and Eu-
ropeans that opposed their advance were
defeated and dispersed Governor Salcedo
General Herrera, aud number OF other offi-
GERS Tell into their power as prisoners OF war.
Thus far the expedition succeeded beyond tue
hopes of the rndertakSrs, and contrary tove-
neral opinion. Mauy of the inha biianls, insti-
gated by discomfort, or aluied by hopes OF
gam, aud the novelty of the scene. joined the
assailing party; which ia the spring OF 1913.
was augmented To above twelve hundred men,
uiee hundred Americans, six hundred Spa.
ni'h Cieoles, aud the residue Of Indians, form
ed tie motley band. No acts Of violence had
oeen exercised ou the persons or property of
Tue native Inhabitants, or expressions uttered
that could wound their feelings, and shock
their prejudices. Those who Judged from mo.
mentary events, thought ultimate success
scarce subject of reasonable doubt but
reiiectius men could not fail To anticipate, the
trne issue OF an undertaking founded upon
such slender basis, and supported by such in
adequate means without funds, except those
drawn from dept edatlou, without union, and
without the oai, VI even counieBan of the
ohiteh States government, the very idea Of a
completion OF their object wac temerity.
II, NOT Que OF The least obstacles against which
the republicans party Gas they called them
serves had to encounter was the want of "A Lead
er OF experience and capacity, who united
political and military talents, with commaud-
ing cohciiidlius manners. Such a man they
had not. Bernardo, the nominal heal was
an unletteret man--without talent or princi-
pie lhe other officers were merely on the
common level
But Iuaugre their weakness, arising from
their d'snnion and their very small numbers,
some oil these extraordinary events might
nav" occurred which often have decided The
i"te OF empires. aud by cIowuing the enter
PiiZe WIN success give lis sanction in the
view of mankind. The Spanish colonsts,
since tue aDdlcatioD ct one Of their monarcbs
anu the captivity OF another, has been in We
7! unsettled stale. The vast fragments OF the
once mighty ichy Of Spain, seemed 10
nave lost their cohesion, and approached TO
rapid dissolution. Many instances have &C.
Cured where armies, laOoiing under similar
or more insuitei able difficulties than the Anne
fican Spanish, had 10 resist, and though op-
Posed 10 Ii greater disparity of force, have b,
prudence anu good fortune, succeeded. There
u, ho"e'ei, happily iinnt beyond " hich man
can never advance with lmpanity there are
principles lie cannot violate without desery
ing. anu IN most instances, meeting coutiiyn
punishment. Governor Salcedo, aud General
nefrsra, with their companions, who submit
!sa themselves prisoners OF war; and were,
thehceiorth, consequently under the most So
TENN OF all projections, which the most sacred
compact could afford, had right TO claim and
no doubt expected to receive, the treatment
que TO their rank and situation. The general
custom OF modern nations IN their mild pepa-
rous and humane conduct towards utisSnrrs
OF War, Is the most brilliant and usptnl re-
manning trait OF the ages Of chivairy, and docs
honor TO modern improvement Of nlanneis
al Is stiiPped OF lis worst horrors, and when
ne 'nmuii OF battle is over, The victor and
'dhqushed, resume the warm intercourse of
mutual philabtlrophy. Contrary hew ever. 10
all The rights OF hospitality and Justice. and
10 contempt oil every principle that on cht 10
su'ue human condnct, Salcedo and Herara
WIN several eleven or twclve) OF their unior-
tuhate FELLOW prisoners, were nassacred in
coid blood near 81. Antonio de Behar, by il /.
said, lie orders OF Bernardo 1luS inhu,nan
anu iNpoitic act sealed the tate OF The ente! =
prize lie human bosom shudders al the re-
ci,al Of such atrocUus barbayi,v. Most II nor
all, vi The Americans belonging to the expe-
oIlioh, aiscilinI,d any cooperation in lie
uepu Bernardo was removed, and the COM
iiiaHo given To aIoiier SpaniaId. but "a morta.
wound was inflicted OH the reputation aid
views Of the party, that no skill could cue
colndehce was at an end-disCi piine disre-
sdrded- and OH Tie 18TH OF August. 1873. this
III assorted mass, encountered about 20 mile.
mest Vi 81. Antonio, II regular force under
brave aud experienced leaders, and was in
;uOmenl routed
Inc situation of the Americans were TO the
last degree hopeless sad disastrous; -four hum
dret hiiies from the borders of tue u States ::
Victorious and justly exaspcrated enemy m,
theii rear. death, IN all iIs accumulated Ter
rors, presented itself IL their terrified in,aui-
ha'ioh, or what Was still more dreadful i'm
theT apprehension, lingering captivity i'm
spanish dungeons seemed to be the only sIier-
''"p'S SUNNI ny t6cIlUHS almost SuDeInIi-
mau, traseIsed the v idu expsuse between 81
ahtohia de Beilar and lhe Sabine river. aud
escaped into Louisiana. But many Tell iuio
me hands OF theIr pursuers. The situation of
.h"Se captiVes was indeed depiorabie; all
hopes OF ievISiting their native country WIS
banished from their expectations Nv lie fri III
fnl pictures that had been presented 10 their
minds of the Spanish uatiou. A protector m
eApectedis appeared to save from destruction
'liS uespaiiing remnant, 10 revive the drUOp-
Hos. DIM
restore 10 ihcm their freedom and their homes
II was Tie Spanish geneIai-dispia,ing in the
Heid tie sk.i Of an experienced captain, and
III Ficio'S, ihe qualities of tie most anIabie
humanity towards men. that, without provoca
ZION or legitimate object, had invaded his
country. Despisins the narrow Minis of
Pohcy that lead 10 severity, the suspended
sword was sheaIhed, aud he presented himself
10 h's captured enemes,a as "a friend TO soiace
them Ia Their mis!OItunes and TO relieve their
vans. ne wounded were lie aied, aud the
hungry led whilst the angry passions excited
DS war ana revenge Snbsided. The svInpa-
tnies OF hatdre felt the most diSinter cd hos
pitaiiiN exercised In despite OF the preIndlces
OF nation and religion
II was now scene upon which tho mind
couid dwell with pleasure. Itwaha displaN of
TIE Desi eInotIOnS OF the human heart "A uGbip
performance Of all the duties itspired by ,he
mos elevated sentiments OF honor, or taught
ny Tie puIeSt precepts of cItistiauity In :.
word, their invasion vas forgiven nv tl,e in
JnIed party, their mistaken motives pI,ied and
ne prisoners supplied with food, ana sent TO
lheIr native country in peace
ohcii an exhibition of talents, bravery, great.
ness OF mind aud generosity OF sentiment. if
ihdut upon tDeaire more within the view of
mankind, would secure 10 IIlefoudo the ,lcpd
OF an immortal name bat IT tie remoteuess
oi Tie scenes, and tie small interest the bu-
ma" Ihihu VIII iake in The event, must con
saga 10 oblivion one OF tie noblest actions ,I,at
ever uIn hohor TO human nature there il one
reward tiie world cal, neither entrance M ,t;n,-
b!si', III rs the heart fell consciousness ofiaSine
tti'Ofheu an act, tEat Kings and conquerors'
nave seldom equoiIgd, anG an act tIiai affords
rth'cI"'S DeSohd al, human raise! lie
n ,.. ~ ';''S generous and ;nagHaniInOms sol