The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-25

Matamoras is still healthy. Few, compare
lively, OF our army have suffered from the diseases
most common in this climate. 1t may well be
apprehended, however, that the volunteers, UNI
used to the habits OF soldiers, and probably little
less subject 10 tue restraints OF discipline than re-
guitars, may have degree OF sickness among
them Our force Is somewhat scattered, the ge-
neral net having thought proper to concentrate at
this point. Several regiments are Mt the brazos;
Gen. Henderson, with his Texans, IS encanPeo
on the prairie between this and Point Isabel
Gen. Smiths fine brigade is near Fort brown;
most of the regular army is around Matamoras'
Col Wilson, with four companies OF the ilrst IN
fantry, is already at Reynoso, and Col: Baiie Fey
ton, with his regiment, IS al barlta' hiies De-
low
1t may have escaped general observation that
the work erected at Point Isabel, Tor the protec-
ton of our base Of operations, has been chrsten'
ed Fort Polk. Fronton, the name Of the little
Mexican village formerly there. Point Isabel, as
known to sailors, and Fort Polk, the military post,
are different names for the same place.
Much complaint is heard OF the miscarriage OF
letters and papers sent 10 persons here from the
United States would state that this evil, to some
extent perhaps necessary, might be greatly d.
minished if the correspondents at home would be
more explicit ii the direction of their letters Su-
prescriptions to officers, for instance, should state
their regiments, and if company officers, the
company to which they are attached. This would
the safe delivery of many letters that might
otherwise never reach their proper destination.
Many distinguished men of Texas are in the camp.
Gems. Lamar, Burleson, Hunt, and the Governor,
are among the prominent actors in the Texan
revolution. These names not unknown in
Mexico1 Among the eminent civilians IS Dr.
Ashbel Smith And that lover of adventure and
follower of Santa Fe expeditions, George Wilkins
Kendall, is now sojourning in the army of occu-
patton. His first exploit after his arrival, was 10
JOIN Capt Gillespie, ranger and Indian fighter
OF some mole, in an incursion Of l20 miles towards
Monterey. If no other advantage to the country
is derived from his enlistment in this most just
and holy war, literature will receive valuable
were gifted with only little of his graphic power
that my pen might draw for the Herald more
readable sketches from the Rio Grande.
Tomorrow will witness throughout the land,
limitations Many village orator dreams tonight
OF the Immortal honor to be achieved by the Ell
fort of Tomorrow. Many a child is impatient for
the mornings dawn, that his miniature artillery
to "accidents on the 4th," are now busted with
their pyrotechnics, who tomorrow night will
sleep the sleep that knows no waking.
The prescribed celebration will be observed
here. "A natOnalssaute Mt meridian. However,
Matamoras will witness innumerable evidences
OF our patriotic enthusiasm. l expect 10 beheld
more than one Of my countrynen quite overcome
with excitement Fandangoes will be numerous.
am told that it has been custom with Next
cans to regard the 4th of July great day in
the political calendar. In their eyes it was the
birth day of freedom in the West but now, since
we have become the degenerate sons of WASH
to invoke curses upon both the land and liberty
which date from the 4th OF July. X w.
No. w.
MATAMoRAs, (Mexico) July 6, 1876.
Though late events were calculated to arouse
the greatest enthusiasm, the Fourth passed here
very quietly. Small parties might be seen here
and there celebrating the day in dinner, and
drinking patriotic toasts and if any of them be-
came '.glorous," | do not feel called upon to re-
port. We were spared in great measure the
trouble OF making all the noise deemed indispen-
sable in our own country on this day. 1t happen
ed to be that OF the patron saint Of Matamoras,
ana the religious ceremonies in honor Of his saint
ship, quite echpsed our own little demonstrations
of patriotism. ALI the bells on the tower of the
great church, fronting on the Plaza, were ringing
through the day, accompanied by repeated dis
charges from small arms within the sacred edi-
hce. At night rockets rose in front of it, and the
church was illuminated by torches. The coinci-
dence IS the more singular, as the ceremonies of
the Mexlcans were so appropriate for the celebra-
hon OF our great anniversary. Indeed, had ar
rangements been made " to ORDER" they could
not have been more admirably suited. Here
may remark, what suppose occurs to travellers
in most Catholic countries, that nearly every day
Is distinguished in the religious calendar as worthy
OF some special observance. Hence, at almost
any hour the passer by may enter and behold the
mysterious rites OF strange religion; and solemn
and Impressive the forms which he had
thought TO be unmeaning mockeries, that not un-
frequently
:" He who came to SCOT, roma ms to pray.n
Lovely Senoritas here enter and cross themselves,
pass into the chapel and kneel before the image.
III dark eyes do, sometimes, peer from under the
American, it is not because the thoughts are on
things below. And many, without the pale,
moved by the scene, are 'almost persuaded" to
abandon the religion OF their fathers, for that of
the lovely worshippcrs before them.
On the evening preceding the Sd of May, grand
mass was held preparatory to the attack upon
the tort. The poor wretches were taught that
death by our balls was passport to elysum, and
the same prayers which elevated them to para
disc, sent us poor herecs to the realms of endless
night. You have been told that a priest accom-
panied them TO the field of battle. He was there
to encourage the responding to confess, and for
give in the soldiers dying hour. To the close of
the hrst day he continued at his post, but was
among the first to fly at Resaca, proclaiming to
his countrymen that their cause was no longer
favored OF God. Hundreds Of the enemy were
drowned In recrossing the river, and it was the
late OF this holy, but not brave man, sink beneath
It's waters to rise no more. Such is the supersti-
ton OF this benghted people, that they almost
questioned the powersyof the Almighty, when he
suffered them to be defeated with a priest in their
midst
Ifthere is apriest-ridden people on earth, we
are now among them, and | never behold the
long robes in the streets of Matamoras, without
the most serious reflections on the influence the
wearer has exerted upon the fats and condition
of Mexico. He landed with Cortes-the cross
was his banner-and from that period, as the
spiritual guide of the ignorant and creduous in
habltant, the power of the priest has been bound
less for good or evil. 1t was wise and statesman
like on the part of our President to respect the
hgious prejudiccs OF the Mexican people living
near our boundary. The two chaplains some
time since appointed for the army of occupation,
have arrived, and reported to the commanding
General. Besides the effect this will produce
IN convincing the Mexicans that we war not
against their religion, it is but just in providing
religious instructors to allow representation OF
every sect, and above all that of which there
greater number of votaries in the privates of
the army than of all others combined. This
lioera and just policy, it is to be hoped, is not to
Two hne steamers, suitable for the navigation
OF the NO Grande, arrived yesterday--the Obi z
Hatchee" and the "Troy" Part OF the regular
infantry has already started for Camargo and the
march Of the volunteers will soon begin.