The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-12-22
LATEST FROM TEXAS.

BY the arrival Of the steamship Neptune, Cap
tam Rollins, we have received Texas papers to
the 9th instant.
From an article in the Galveston Civilian Of
last Saturday, il appears that Mons. Violet,
whose travels have been chronicled by Maryatt
in his wilfnl and acknowledged literary larceny
from Mr.. Kendall, is neither more nor less than
certain adventurer who figured conspicuously
In Texas in the year lS42, under the title of the
Count de Narbonne. The Civilian gives quite a
history of the troubles and triumphs Of this indi-
vldual. The following extracts will serve as
specimen of the Counts talents in certain line !:
He was fellow of some tact and shrewd-
ness, plausible and insnuating, and seldom failed
to procure credence to his stories when first told
to strangers. How he first dropped down upon
tins city we do not know; but he first attracted
our notice by the number Of his followers and
the attentions that he received as live count.
lie passed counterfeit $50 bill upon the Ire
mont House, refused to redeem it, and was ar
rested, Count as he was deemed, for the trans
action. by some process, which we do not now
recollect, he succeeded in swindling Mr.. Barbe-
zat then French Consul here, out Of the amount.
lie then left for Matagorda, in company with
some French Emigrants, and the next we heard
OF him he was dashing across the country, as if
Tor lie, to see the Executive, with report
that himself and some emigrants had captured
Mexican vessel in some OF the western bays,
with arms, munitions, and provisions for an in
vading army, then supposed to be on its march
lor lexas. What account he gave of the affair,
on seeing the President, we do not know, but he
must have changed the story materially, as, in
stead OF returning to take possession of the spoils
taken no ha lad IN,
ting commission to treat with the Indians, and
took his way through the northeastern counties,
sWndllng people upon small scale as he went,
taking horse from one, saddle from another,
rifle, knife, or some other article from third,
and SO on, through the whole catalogue of things,
which he could use or carry with him on his
travels, paying his way in counterfeit money, or
bills drawn upon houses here to which he was
unknown, and gathering all the genuine money
he could In exchange"
Charles Hanniker was hung on the 8th inst,
at the Galveston navy-yard, for the murder of
Benjamin Tyson He confessed his guilt previ-
GUS to the day Of execution, but showed the most
hardened impenitence and brutal indifference up
to the last moment.
Ne,Us from the Rio Grande-Some Mexican
traders who lately arrived al Bexar reported that
the Mexican Government had, at the request Of
Gen. Woll, authorized the commissioners to
meet at Matamoras, and conclude the agreement
relative to the armistice. The commissioners,
when this order arrived, where on their way to
Laredo, and Immediately turned back to Mata-
moras. About two hundred supernumerary Off
GERS have lately been discharged from the Next
can service. Among these are Agaton, Antonio
Perez, and Seguin. There are about three hun
dred Mexican troops at San Fernando and the
same number at Matamoras. There are none at
the Preside, and very few at the towns between
the Preside aud Matamoras The Mexican Go
vernment has authorized several of the officers
lately discharged TO raise volunteer companies
and intercept smugglers between the Nueces and
Rio Grande. They receive no pay from the
Government, but are entitled to all the goods
hey capture except the tobacco, which is for
eited to the Mexican Government. Several of
The bands organized by these officers range be-
tween the Preside, Laredo, and Bexar, and on
ms account, lew traders venture TO visit the lat
ter city. Col. Seguin is residing at San Fernan-
do, and several Of the Mexican families who left
Bexar and went with Gen. Woll to Mexico, are
also residing at that place. They are anxious
to return, but are waiting to obtain the consent
Of the Mexican Government Telegraph.
The Brazos and St. Louis canal has been COM
menced.
Exchequer bills are taken at the customhouse
at par, and pass in business transactions at par,
though they vary from par to IS cents when sold
for specie.
A letter from San Antonio confirms the rumor
Of the death Of the notorious robber Agaton He
was killed by a company Of traders which he
was pursuing for the purpose of riaing.
General Lamar was in Galveston at the last
O. Bee
FROM RIO DE JANERo.--The brig Tarquina,
which arrived at New York on Sunday evening
lett Rlo de Janeiro on the 9th ult. Papers to the
9Th ult have been received. 1t is stated by Capt
Ludlam, that on the day he left, letter was re-
ceived from Monte Video, stating that the French
had blockaded that place. The latest dates from
Monte Video are TO October 10Th. 1t appears
that the French Consul (Pichon) had remonstra-
ted against the use of the flag of his sovereign