The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-20

the morning after the attack was made. hut the
state OF the weather was certainly such as to rem
der the safety of the boats, if not the ships them,
selves, questionable. The tide was setting out
at the rate of FIVE knots, and there was every in
dication of a Norther.
| have seen remarks in the prints which are
discteditable to the officers who have authorized
their publication, and I have heard some of the
warmest give expression 10 sentiments equally
discreditable. with regard to this subject, hut |
have seen no temperate description of the affair.
which exhibits any good grounds for censure of tho
Commander-i in Chief. The following extrac,
from a note informing me of the attack, embraces
every essential fact concerning il.
Ii is from n gentleman whose position enabled
him to observe every incident. He says Con
the 9TH Of August we started for Alvarado-the
Potomac, Mississippi. Princeton Falmouth, Som
ers. Petrol. Bonita and Refer, in company-and
anchored of that place in the afternoon. All the
vessels except the Cumberland. and the Potomac,
tried the range of their guns, the f,rmer not b.
ing able to bring hers To hear, in consequence nj
haping bent The spring TO The anchor instead of
The chain.
Edwards dark, a body of troops came down
to the beach, and fred muskets at the schooners,
which were close in shore. The Refer then
shifted her birth, and sent a few shells amongst
them, when they precipitately retired. II was
then quite dark and n boat was sent to the
" Refer" with orders to cease firing, the others
having previously received such an order by SIG
nal" $50 far all was well enough, and hut
little grumbling was heard, bu, the next morning
when the signal appeared at the Cumberland's
miZen 60 Weigh and follow my motinns"-she
at the time making a ." straight wake" for San
Antonio (Lizardo)-curses not only deep, but
loud were heard in every vessel"
Now | have the assurance of two of the Com
manders engaged, that this cause of anger was
I'll founded, as the weather was so extremely
threatening as TO form the complete Justification
OF The Commodore. The place was not attacked !
owe Commodore Conner nothing. and on for
mer occasions, have expressed my feelings with
regard to him freely, but | am convinced that
great injustice has been done him. in this squad
ron, IN attTibuting TO him a policy and measures,
for which alone the Government of the United
States is responsible and | cannot hut throw nv
mite of vindication into the fund of exculpatorv
circumstances which his friends must he alum
dainty prepared TO bring forward. If Cummudore
Perry produce greater effects in future, observe
always 1t he have not increased. OF ADEQUATE
means, such as Conner has not enjoyed. ha We
wasted ink on this subject, and will drop it.
captain Carpenter, with two ur three ofhis Of
flcers and thirty seven of his crew arrived here n
lew days since, having been thirteen DAYS on their
march from Iuxpan They have been treated
with uniform kindness on their way, and speak
highly of the Mexican officers with whom they
have fallen in. Several of the crew ha I'VE contract
ed fever, and have suffered from :. garapates.'-
One of them, on board the John Adams, has died
since their arrival, and two or three others are
very low. Sixteen yet remain at Tuxpan, for
which place the cutter Forward sails this after
noon, TO bring them down for passage in the Re-
lief store ship.
As was 10 have been expected, the facts con
corning The wreck Of the Truxton fail TO justify
the reports which have been in circulation since
that event. Captain Carpenter is the mos, can.
did, and one at the most amiahle men that ever
mel. lie is ais, a sailor, and circumstances prove
mat he deserves 10 be appointed To another ship.
instead OF being punished for losing one. The
misfortune dIsiresses him exceedingly. and it is
almost impossible TO console him, as he fancies
himself much more censurable Than the circum
stances prove him TO he. 4 Court of Inquiry
VIII, OF course, bring out the facts, and | really
believe, will acqnit him Of all serious blame.
The execution of Samuel Jackson, the seaman
nf The ST Marys, whose sentence | referred 10
al some length in my last, took place on the l7lh
instant. with all The pomp and glorious circum.
stance OF judicial murder. Many were shocked
some were ashamed 10 witness the proceedings.
but the affair came off with eclat, and will doubt
less produce grand effects.
The RarItan arrived on the 23d. The vessels
now lying here are-The frigates Cumberland and
Raritan ; the sloop John Adams ; the schooners
Fllrt, Forward, Bonita, Petrol and Refer; the
Tevenuo steam cutter McLane. The steamer Vixen.
and a small prize vessel. The St. Marys and
Somers are blockading The harbor, and The Missis
siPPi is daily expected. The Adams will sail to-
day for Pensacola. if the weather will permit {;
and the Fllrt is expected soon to leave for Nor
folk.
The vessels at Sacri6cios are the Br. Friqate
EndymIon, Lambert; Br. SlOop Electra, Matt
land Br. Brig Daring. Matson Br. Fripate
Alarm. FrankIand SIP. Frigate Christine, LANES /;
Sp. Brlgantlne Jnanira, Mcmahon FIR. Sloop La
Peronse, Dubruil FIR. Brig Mercury. Debut. A
French merchant barque, Duvivier, ran the block
AIDE on the l4th inst, and now lies under the castle.
Very respectfully, INDICATOR.