Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-01-04

prepared 10 act on the defensive, should
il be necessary-hitherto ignorant Of
the fate Of their imissaries, rs Of the re-
ception they weae likely to meet.
In a ravine formed by the freshets,
having stream of some magnitude in
their rear, stood Col. Cook and his
men, confident that from this position
they could not be dislodged. Here
they waited the approach of their adj
versaries, doubtful yet whether TO re-
gard them as friends or ioes-impa-
tent for the order to fire, YET restrained
by their pacific Instructions from the
Texan government, they watched for
some act Of aggression to justify them
in testing the temper Of their guns, AT
this critical moment comes forward
Capt. Lewis, accompanied by neph-
ew of the Governor, (who speaks and
understands the English language welD
and begs Col. Cook not to fire, nor be
concerned. He assures him there is
no need Of engagement, as the Cover
nor is disposed to receive them kindly,
and that articles of agreement had been
already entered into for an armistice,
which might lead TO friendly alliance.
On the other hand, he represented the
Mexican force as numerous and strong;
that in an hour they would be surroun-
ded by FIVE thousand men, all armed
and obedient to their chief; that it was
vain to resist, and the Governor was
anxious TO avoid a conflict, and would
deal better by them than they had any
right TO expect.
These representations and assuran-
ces, coming from their own interpre-
ter. and supported by the Governors
nephew, exercised fatal influence.
They inclined to listen to terms of ca
pitulations, which were agreed upon
as follows:-they were to lay down
their arms, and return forthwith TO Tex
as; their persons were TO be safe and in
violate; the Governor was to protect
them against the populace-to escort
them TO the borders of Texas, and
there having restored to them their
guns, despatch them for their homes.
These articles were ratified in the
usual manner in such cases, the Texan
party, in good faith, surrendered their
arms. They were instantly seized,
tied and plundered Of every thing.
Even their uniform was stripped off.
Hats boots and shoes shared the same
fate, and in this condition they were or
dered to march under a strong escort
to the city of Mexico, distance near
two thousand miles, and answer to the
authorities there as prisoners of war,
They arrived here about ten days ago,
having suffered greatly from fatigue,
hunger and thirst. In this place they.
received as good treatment as could be
expected in their circumstances. Thou
restrained from all liberty, their person
al wants were attended TO, and by vol
untary subscriptions of both foreigners
and natives they were clad(near 100
men)in light but comfortable suit, and
sent forward on their dreary march.
They are'expected TO reach the capital
some inc in December next. Among
the prisoners is lad of the name Of
Coombs whose father INF Ky. twas nam
ed minister TO Mexico. The boy
heard Of this in Galveston and presum-
ed his fatherwould accept the appoint
ment he resolved accompany this ex-
pedilion 60 Santa Fe, and from thence
go to Mexico to join his parent.
The names of some of the officers
are Capt. Sutton, Engineer Hunt, Luz
book. 1t is not known whether he
was himselfde ;eived. The mostchar-
liable supposition is the latter, although
the result has not mitigated the suffer
ings nor lessened the perils of his COM
panions. He alone, unless Kendall
has been saved, remains with Armijo
in Santa Fe. He is doubtless detain-
ed to aid Armijo's operations upon the
party and Wagons in the rear. The
instructions Of the Texan President,
together with his proclamation TO the
inhabitants, private letters and other
documents were taken and sent TO this
place for translation. During this pro-
cess some suspicion Tell upon the for
eign residents, Two Of whom, Mr..
Thruston and Capt.Dryden, were
thrown into prison-the former was de-
tanned in durance about fifteen days,
and the latter is still in close confne-
ment uncertain Of what will be his SEN
tence. IT'S thought it will be death.
Much speculation has been had up
on the probable destiny that awaits the
prisoners. Santa Ana is now the chic
executive, having lately made himsel
absolute Dictator. When power i
once securely grasped, examples OF it
voluntary surrender have been exceed
ingly rare. Their fate will depenc
solely on his will and knowing hischar
acter, there is serious reason TO tea
that they will be ordered to execution
before they reach Mexico, la Col
| Fanning.-and unaccountable, and he
may dispose of them in some othel
way. Our latest intelligence from the
o,o;,ol :, ,bot he has ordered a force O