The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1845-08-08
Po,i,cue.. os IN, Mexican Thieves.


The Union, correcting report in some
Southern paper to the effect that the Mex
lean robbers had treated the representa-
lives of Great Britain and the United
States rather harshly when they were
waylaid, says that these robbers are very
polite, and would scorn to treat a gentle
man with severity.-They only want his
money-that's all which they take
with great kindness and cordially. The
Union proceeds to give this account from
the life of Governor Shannon:
The scene of his interview with them,
was some leagues east of the city Of Pue-
bla, where the road, not wide enough for
Two coaches TO pass, runs for a quarter Of
mile through barracanca, or ravine,
cut like canal with perpendicular sides.
The stage was accompanied by an escort,
furnished him by the Mexican govern
ment. But few moments before they
entered the rayine, the captain Of the cs-
cort rode up, and informed him that he
had passed the haunts of the robbers, ana
was no longer in any danger from them !;
and having received the customary graft
fcation,' retired. From what Immediate
ly after took place, there is every reason
TO suspect full understanding and col
lision between the guard and the robbers.
Five minutes afterwards, while the tray
ellers were still congratulating each other
upon having passed through all the dan
gers of the road unscathed, the stage sud-
denly stopped in the middle of the ravine,
and seven or eight big muzzlcd carbines
al once enlightened them as to the treach-
cry of their escort, and reminded them Of
the mu,ablity of ounces from the purses
Of the travellers to the pockets Of the road
side gentry. They were politely invited
TO a conference on foot, and, making a
merit of necessity, descended from the
stage with as good grace as possible.
The ceremony of searching trunks and
handing over then began. While it las
ted, Gov. Shannon had an opportunity Of
observing lhe-t,s"-,v.f - new acquain-
tances.
Around the stage were fourteen in mum
Der, all masked and well armed, each
with carbine, long knife, sword, and
pistols suspended in belts around the
waist. Seven remained on horseback,
with carbincs levelled, ready for action in
case Of resistance. The others dismoun-
ted, to search for and select the booty.
In the distance were some fifteen or TWEEN
ty others, stationed as sentinels. The
search was conducted with great order
and decorum, and accompanied with all
the poltest phrases of the Spanish Ian
guage. When it was over, having duly
admired Gov. Shannon's dress-sword,
and expressed their appreciation Of its
workmanship, they returned it to him,
together with his papers. Then, with
many apologies for the deiension they
had caused him, they took their leave !;
not, however, until they had asked for
him the blessings Of God, and invoked
in his behalf the protection Of the Bles-
sed Virgin, 'our lady of GaudaIoupe.'
Another more amusing scene took place
Immediately afterwards. They had par
ted with the first set of banditii but few
moments, when another set appeared in
the road. The conductor of the stage
however, continued TO drive on address.
ing them, en- PEASANT, with ineXpressible
naiuete and mrth in his manner, telling
them that, unfortunately, they were rath-
er too late that the work had been al
ready done to their hand; the robbery
was just over, the market spoiled, and
the goods rlned.
Gov. Shannon lost, probably, on both
expeditions, in money, clothes, &c, to
the amount of $500 or 5000.