The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-10
Ihr Mexican tOnst.

we lind upon enquiry from those
who perfectly understand the sub
ject of the Mexican coast, that from
its peculiar formation it is almost
wholly protected from assault by our
vessels Of wa. Vera Cruz, Tampi-
co, Alvarado, Tobasco and Sofa La
Marine, are the five ports of the
coast of Mexico, that presents in
ducemcnts for an attack. Tampico
is an important place for the ship
ment of specie and dry goods. Al
varado, less than forty miles distant
from Vera Cruz, is a very rich town,
and was opened as port of entry at
the time the French was blockading
Vera Cruz. A large number of YES
sells got into that port in safety at the
time of the blockade. Tobasco, con-
tanning POI u'ation of 200 inhab-
itants, is the great logwood and CO.
Goa port of the country-it is situa-
ted on fine river ninety miles from
the sea coast. In November, 1912,
Com. Moore went up to this town
with the Texan steamer Zavala, the
ship Austin, and the schooner Bar
nard, and levied a contribution on
the town Of $4,000, which was
promptly sent off to him. Soto la
Marine is a port between Tampico
and the Rio G.ande; during the
French blockade a great deal of spe-
Gle was shipped from this port, and
a large quantity of goods entered for
consumption by the country.
I OF these five ports Vera Cruz is
the only assailable point on all the
coast, except the river Earthquakes
by any sloop Of war of our navy, in
, consequence gCMe Shoai waicr on Mt
iars. The coast of Mexico may
therefore, be considered for the pre-.
sent, almost secure against the reacl
Of our navy, and will continue so un.
til vessels drawing very little water
or transports, are constructed, suit.
ed for an attack. Our vessels o
war on the coast, are now distribu,
ted as follows: The st, Marys, of
/ Tampico; the frigates Raritan anc
Mississippi, off Vera Cruz; bri:
Lawrence, OFF Rio Grande; Somers
off Alvarado. From the shallowncs.
of the bars protc citing the harbors o
the Mexican citizens, our vessels o
war are obliged to cruze off so ia
:, from the coast that they are serve,
as the French were small craft rul
in, in spite of the blockade. Thi
is illustrated by the incident of tn,
Eugcnia, Captain Briscoe, which raj
into port in spite of the firing of tn,
sloop Of war Falmouth. This Cap
tain Briscoe, understands the coas
well, and will probably take his owl
way in spite Of all opposition; hi
brig can sail where our vessels can
not, consequently he can, exccp
wien not at sea, evade pursuit
If the war with Mexico is TO b,
continued, and become one of ag
erosion, instead of defence, tn,
Government must promptly set abou
constructing such vessels TO aid thos
aAoat in efficiently carrying out thei
purposes, and not only distress tn
enemy By stopping commerce, bu
also be able to destroy their cite
and towns.
The Texan navy consisting of thrc
small vessels, with heavy armament
for their size, were built by practi
cal men to operate on the Mcxica
coast. They can 90 with IMMUNITY
where none of our vessels carryin
the same weight Of metal, can ap
proach. They have been CAREFUL
examined by an officer of our nav
and a ship carpenter, and found nc
only worth repairing, but necdin
nothing that cannot be done in on
own port. We trust, therefore, tina
l. they will at once, be lowed iror
Galveston to this place, and put int
dock to be fitted for immediate sci
vice, or that Government will orde
the construction of vessels, that wi
. make our naval demonstration on tn
; Mexican coast worthy Of our arm
and calculated to strike terror to til
| Mexican people.-N. 0. Tropic.
Wh0t FONy,-Hali a dozen brotl