The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-04-02
Highly Important from Mexico.

gentleman just arrived at Washington, from
Mexico, has handed us the following article. 1t
may be depended on.
In these times OF great excitement in favor of the
American citizens, held in servile bondage by the
| Government of Mexico, and also for the Texian
prisoners, | think a short and simple statement of
the country and its condition, its revenue. and It's
wealth, will be of interest to the people Of the Uni
ted States; and as your paper is more extensively
circulated and read, than any other, give you the
facts as they are.
In the city Of Mexico, and around l., at this
time confined criminals (not as prisoners of wary
| nearly 800 men, comprising the Texian expedition.
| Amongst them some or 10 who claim the pro-
lection Of the United States Government, and that
on the ground that they accompanied the expedition
only as traders that they were not enrolled, nor did
they know or think thst the expedition was any
| thing but peaceful one. These American citizens
| are heavily chained with chain the size of an OK
chain or as is called in the United States log chain
They are made daily to work in the city, cleaning
out the dirty sewers and if they do not work well
the lash is freely applied to their bare backs-for
they are nearly naked, as they only depend on the
charity of the few Americans who are in Mez ce for
their clothing In that condition are they daily led
out-not so much for the work they do to degrade
Them in the eyes Of the people. The Texans and
Americans are all treated alike, amongst these is
Mr. Kendall of New Orleans.
They have given 10 them 25 cts. per day to subsist
on-and il 10 about half enough to purchase them
the necessares fe and fears are entertained that
they will eventually siarve to death, as the tyrant
Santa Anna dares not kill them. The papers OF the
day have given you a full statement of their
| tbA ,l,a, ,,I.o-
prisoners until their arrival at Me xico tn at
statement written by Mr. Thomas Falkner, a
subject Of Great Britain, gentleman of the highest
character and responsibility, who liberated i'm
mediately by Santa Anna, on his arrival at Mexico.
| The revenue of Mexico is only from four TO six
millions of dollars although the duty on all and every
thing is very high-but the Col!eco. Of the Customs
charge for the trouble of collecting.
You will see running abou, the streets of Mexico,
boys of from twelve TO eighteen years Of age, who
are officers high in command in the army; they get
their commissions by the force and eoquence Of
gold Every thing is purchased with it here, and
this is the patriot who shrinks with horror at the
thought Of being bribed. II there ever lived ty-
rant, that man is Santa Anna: ifthere ever lived
man who never had in him one principle OF honor,
virtue, or any principle tha, could be considered a
redeeming one, as a man or gentleman, that man is
the reptile, who supreme dictator, and virtually
"a king-Sauta Anna. He acknowledges no pow
er but his army-no law but his will. He makes or
breaks all laws at his pleasure and under this ty-
rant are the American and Texan prisoners DOOM
ed to drag out, God only knows how long, a mser.
able existence.
The soil and climate Of Mexico are of every va
riey; the low tropical valleys which produce every
TUT and flower that ever grew under the Heavens /:
the su ,ar-cane spontaneously grows from wear to
year, producing almost pure syrup from its Juice
The table lands are superior in soil and
productions to the lands of the United STAT, 8
| when cultivated; the plains are covered with in
mense herds OF cat lie and sheep; the mountains a .
] covered with goats and Gne timber; and their bow