Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-05-10
CONDITION OF THINGS IN
TEXAS.

w t nllu III Tue L |. lCkeTluS Ea-
gle, letter from Mr.. Latham, its Ed
nor now at Galveston, Texas, as a
Volunteer, from which we copy the
following graphic account Of the pres
ent state of afairs in Texas:
In the first place | will endeavor TO
give you a true account of matters
about the War-or rather the no War.
But this will be hard to 10, as every
thing is in utter confusion, and no one
knows how things will progress. But
one thing is clear-there is no enemy
in Texas. About 500 Mexicans did
pillage San Antonio some three or four
weeks since, and retreated without any
other depredations, and have notsince
been heard of. The 10000 Mexicans
have not yet been seen, though occa-
sionalIy heard from as about starting
from Mexico. Sc. sc. &c. A Com
pany of aeveral gentlemen arrived here
Yesterday, six dl from San Antonio
who report the priests there say the
Mexicans army will yet come. Most
neople here still believe it. Some
four or five thousand Texans rallied
under different commanders during the
great excitement, but nearly all have
disbanded and gone home to attend
their crops-ready it is said, to rally
at moments warning. This is doubt
less so, if necessary to repel invasion
but from what l can see, hear and
learn; not a fifth citizen will rally to
invade Mexico. AT this time, there ar e
not 500 Texans in the field. They,
when under the invasion excitement,
were anxious to rush on and take
Matamoras. But Gen. Houston was
opposed to the precipitate rally of the
citizens-and before his proclamation
ofan offensive war reached them (he
finally yielding to popular desire)the
people disbanded and went to their
homes. There is great trouble and
disaffection among the general and his
friends. Houston gives the command
to SOmerVille, to which Johnson's
friends will not submit. They wan;
Gen. H. to select headquarters for
the people to rally, and let the men
elect their general-and so it goes.
There Is no harmony or union between
the government and the people all is
confusion. Too many are anxious to
dictate, and many DESTROYS to become
teaders-and until this spirit subside
nothing can be accomplished for the
general good of the country. Bur-
lesson, Johnson and SomerviiIe's com
mands are all Gissolved--and nothing
but invasion, in my opinion, will bring
them out again. | do not believe,
though may be mistaken, that 1000
Texans can be rallied to enter the
Mexicans territory. As for the taken
of the city of Mexico, or even an ex-
petition being raised here for that Lur-
pose--the very idea is not entertained.
Her mines and treasures are safe
the ancient castles and halls of Montez-
una will not sound with the tread or
echo with the voices of Texans chiv-
airy, for awhile at least. Matamoras
possibly, with another town. or two,
may be taken before the present excite
ement dies, but nothing further will be
done. The Texans seem 10 be wait
ing to ascertain how many volunteers
will come over from the States-so
far they number short of 300, Thew
are taken TO Corpus Christi, a place
bordering Mexico on the Gulf, as a
place of headquarters. The govern
ment is beggarly poor unable Of itself
to do any thing-you can form no idea
of its powerless condition. The peo-
pie rely not on the government for aid
and defence,but on lhemselves;Iand the
government sensible of its weakness,
relies entirely on their liberality and
patrlotism-they possess both, and
will exert them when necessary, to the
utmost extent.