Iowa news. [volume] (Dubuque, Upper Mississippi Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1837-1841, 1838-06-09
writings we have extracted them. Some

/ lllc III III lux OuShoObs AAAs
Van Buren, is not the author of them;
nor is hc-(more hated by the Fedeal-
lists OF our day than any other man.
the "Great Eapunger", the author.
The hand which pcnned thcsentimcnts
at the head Of this article was that Of
him who was "iirst in war, first in peace,
and first in the hearts Of his cuuntry-
men," "our owned loved WASHING
TON" The letter was written to
7homas Slime, one Of the Signers OF
the Declaration Of independence, from
Maryland, and is dated February 10th
1897 --[liichmond Qa.) Jefersonan.
ADVENTURES AND ESCAPE OF COL. WAR
TON FROM MATAMoEAs.
We have obtained from the lion.
VIM. II. Wharton, late minister pleni-
potcntiary from Texas 10 the United
States, some particulars Of his distress
ing captivity and miraculous escape
from the dungeons of his Mexicans
oppressors.
On the 18th of April last, after fight
Of more than seven hours, the Indepen-
dencc Of which he was passenger, sur
rendered to two Mexican Is gun briggs.
The combat and capture took place al
most in sight of the Colonel's resi-
dcncc from which he had been absent
for many months on mission TO the
United States. He was carried to Ma
tamoras and confined for four months
in low damp and dark prison, where
he was almost suflocatcd with heat,
continually tormcntcd with flcas, ex-
ceedingly incomnodcd by the stencil
of the hospital, which was next door to
him, and deprived Of the rest every
night by the screams Of the scntinels
uttered every Is minutes within few
feet Of his head. For four months
such was his situation, dependent, for
subs!inencc entirely upon his own re-
sources, shut out from the light Of heav-
en- except what the narrow gates Of
the dungeon admitted, and denied even
the privilege Of medical aid, when Ian
gushing undd' an illness brought on
by the rigorous privations Of his cap
tivity. His escape, however was at
last effected, the details Of which cam
not now be made public, for fear COM
promitting the safety of the magnani-
NOUS individuals residents Of Matamo-
ras, 10 whose aid he was indebted for
delivcrance.
On escaping from prison he was
compelled by the treachery Of his guide
to remain hid ia prickly pear ticket
for eleven days, within hearing of the
drums and scn,inels of Matamoras,
and very often approached within
few yards by the soldiers and Indians
in constant search for him, tempered
by a magnificent price of 5000 dollars
set cut upon his head dead or alive In
this thickct oflhorns he could not stand
erect, being taller than most fthe bush
es, for fear Of being discovered, nor
for the same reason could he build a
shelter against the burning rays Of an
August sun, almost within the tropics.
During three days and nights he tasted
neither food nor water. His sudcrings
under this privation were inaxpressi-
bic, and such as none can realise unless
! by experience. After suffering IL days
in this situation, guide furnished him
with horse and he started OH his
Journey home. Doubling the fidelity
Of the guide, he dismissed him, and
set out for home a distance Of GOO
miles without provisions, pilot or
knowledge Of his route, when after Is
days he arrived.
! On asking Col. Wharton how he
sustained himself under heavy trials Of
heart, body and mind his reply was
that he existed undo. the hope and
confidence that day of retribution
and vengeance would arrive,
"Whcn prone to the dust his oppressors should be
hurled,
Their nature Withdrawn from the world''
! He was firm believer in the truth
of a sentiment uttered by him in his
first speech for his country, delivered
in this city in December, ls35-it was
this: "That the ball of revolution
now started in Texas, would never cease
to roll, till the heights ofBunker's Hill
should be answered by kindred pleas
re-echoing from Cape Horn & proclaim
ing glad tidings Of the emancipation o.
. trueAmericans from shackles of civil &
religious oppression" 1t was an ar
!. dent conviction Of these truths that an.
, :mated him in the struggle, and sustain
, ed fainting nature under the pressure
! Of unmitldatcd sulierings.--[ N. Q. Bul