The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-12-26

VIC t38 y y ~ o4S III
believed, Tor The most part, to be toe
shoaI for navigation, even BY fiat boats
But little is known of this country along
the coast except that it is wild and
much cnt up by streams emptying into
the shoal lakes.
TAMPICO UNDER AMERICAN GOVERN.
MENT.
An INTERESTING LETTER.-The Charles
Ton News, (extra,) of December 18th,
furnished Us with an interesting letter,
dated Tampico, November 26, from
which we make the following extracts
;"We arrived off the bar on Sunday
forenoon, the god inst. and were loud
Iycheered'by the fleet lying there as
we passed them. We returned it. and
the band struck up "Hail Columbia. y
We were compelled to wait three or
four hours for high water 10 get in
the river, which we effected about dark,
with the assistance of the boats from
..When we landed, the American flag
was hoisted, and our column of 500
men. displaying the regimental colors
Of the Sd artillery, marched into the
square. surrounded by thousands of 81
lent and stupifed Mexicans. The
command on shore was transferred BY
Com. Conner to Col. Gates, and the
usual mutual exchange of compliments
was made. The city surrendered with
out resistance. The Mexican soldiers,
after destroying the armament of the
forts and throwing into the river some
5000 maskets, evacuated the place.
leaving the inhabitants to take care OF
themselves. II seems that report
had reached them that General Taylor
was advancing with 10000 men on the
other side of the river; the appearance
of the boats of the fleet confirmed their
impression, and, like Falsiaif, they ar
gued shat discretion is the better part
OF yalor," and left the naval command
er undisputed possession.
ave are now here holding the SUI
preme authority; and though our num-
bers are small, still we endeavor to
make our foothold secure, by strength
enIng the for,i6cations, one of whicc!5: g: Is rs
about 800 yards and the other one mile
distant from the city. We are also
fortifying the roads and avenues lead
ing TO the city.
"fhe command stationed here now
consists OF companies B., Lieut.. An.
derson; D., Captain Brooks. and F.,
Lieutenant Arnold, Of the Cd artillery.
Companies d., Captain T. w. Sher-
man, and H., Lieut.. Steptoe, of the
Sd artillery. Companies A., Lieut..
Miller, and K, Captain Hunt, Of the
4th artiilery-in all about 500 effective
men. We are all busily engaged at
work on the forts, which were disman-
tied by the flying enemy, and placing
the city in a state of defence against
their return, which is more than prob
able. Should they attack US it will
probably be with amuch superior force,
but they will find Us, like your noble
State motto-Animis optbusque pardti.
.Tampico is situated on point FORM
ed by bend of the river, having a
lagoon in the rear. The houses are
built of stone, handsomely plastered
and painted; the roofs are chiefly OF
slata, consequently the cistern water is
pure and good. The reservoirs are all
they have to depend upon. The river
water, though fresh, is unfit to drink,
and is used only for cattle. Water is
brought from the country on mules or
donkeys, and retailed out. The streets
are remarkably clean-the stores are
well filed with merchandise, and their
cafes are remarkably neat and genteel.
The inhabitants who remained are
mostly OF the poorer classes, and num-
Der about 5000.
The market is well supplied with all
the necessaries Of life, which we pur-
chase at very cheap rates. Good fresh
beef4 cents per pound, milk l2i cents
per quart, and vegetables OF all kinds
as cheap as can be procured in your
market. Though the inhabitants are
somewhat sullen, still they prefer that
we should remain among them, as we
pay for everything we get, and they
would be compelled to furnish their
own. troops at much more reduced
prices, with very little chance OF being
paid, for they state that the arbitrary
exaction of their military chieftains is
robbery in its worst form.
1.-THE honor and glory of hosting the
American flag at this place belongs to
a icoman-and Mexican woman too.
She is the heroic wife of Mr.. Chace,
Yankee, who is consul here. While
her husband was on board the Prince
ton, this brave and noble lady planted
the American standard on the house.
top with her own hands; and though
.k-~.tono1 h., Tho Mavicanu rvho shnf