Tri-weekly journal., 1847-12-04

wounded and made prisoners In the fury of
their savage exultation at this news, the mob
assaulted the consulate, sacked the store, and
carried off and destroyed, an immense amount
property. The proper authorities were duly
notified of this outrage by the British Consul
but no restitution or redress was afforded
Meanwhile Mrs. Chase was busily engaged in
preparing full and accurate survey of the city,
with all It's approaches, Notifications, &C. &c,
to be sent TO commodore Conner. She had OBJ
tanned an old survey of the river with sound
ings &c. To this she added full plan of the
city, with its forts, the number, position and
weight of the guns posted at different places
the number and position of the troops, and all
the other details of the defence. She also
sketched the face of the country for some dis
lance around, and accompanied the whole with
minute explanations
Finding herself narrowly watched by two
spies, who visited her daily, under pretence of
friendship, and were so officious in their atfen-
tons as greatly to embarass her movements,
Mrs. Chase conceived the idea of making them
confdents in her plan, in the hope that they
would make sucha reportofita swouldalarm and
embarrass the Mexicans. She accordingly, with
great seeming and secrecy, spread out her
draft ofthe city, telling them that its capture or
destruction ascertain-that animmense num-
Der of men would be sent against it, to attack
US on every side-that fifty surf boats would
be landed through the surf on the north side of
the bar to attack the rear, while lotilla with
five or six thousand men, would run up the NV
er in front of the city, which would thus be
placed between two fires-that as her house
was in most exposed position, in front of the
main garrison, and facing the river, she had
been furnished with due notice of the coming
events, in order that she might retire seasonal
| bly, from the place. She also gave them to UNI
derstand that, in addition to the forces sent
against the city, there would be reserve of
eight or ten thousand linen stationed on the south
side of the bar, 10 cooperate, if necessary, on
that side of the river. All this was done with
a tone and air of confidence, and with strict
injunctions of secresy. When asked if the plan
had been sent to her by Mr.. Chase, she replied,
evasively, that she could not expose her hus-
bands letters. This had the two-fold effect to
confirm her statements and to turn away suspi-
cion from herself,
Big with this grand discovery, the spies flew
to the commandment, and revealed the awful Sc
cret. A council was Immediately summoned
to concert measures for the defence of the CITY,
and confusion prevailed Some advised TO
sack the city, and leave it in ashes, rather than
leave anything for the Yankees, if they should
get possession. This the more wealthy Mexi-
cans well as the Foreigners, who had most to
lose, stoutly opposed. General Parrodi sent
off an express to Santa Anna, at San Louis Po-
/ tosi, for advice and assistance. Meanwhile
he brought in from the vicinity all the mules
and horses that he could procure, and COM
menced packing up the govt rnment stores, and
dismantling the forts, in order to be ready to
make his retreat in good season. So great was
the alarm, that several of the City authorities
called on Mrs. Chase, to learn, as nearly as pos
sible, the precise moment when the attack might
be expected.
The express retune from San Louis in sew
en- days, bringing an order from Santa Anna,
that Tampico should be evacuated ON the APP
proach of the American forces. The work of
demolition now went on most briskly. The
heavy cannon in the forts, amounting TO thirty
pieces, of various calibre, were all dismounted.
sixhundred stand of arms. and nearly one hun
dred quintals OF powder, which they had not
tire means of removing, were thrown into
the river. The gun boats were brought up from
the station above the bar 10 transport the ar
tillery TO Panuco, distant about ninety miles
, up the river.
/. A new difficulty now arose. When the
news Of the intended attack upon Tampico, and
OF its probable evacuation, reached the capital
General Salas, President ad interim, and Go
, meZ Faras, who was at the head ofthe cabinet
5 took instant measures to countermand the or
der OF Santa Anna. They felt the vast impor-
lance of Tampico, not only as port of entry,
but as the principal outlet TO the mining dis
? tricts of the northern provinces. They imme
diately despatched General Carey to assume
the command of that department, together
with General Urea to assist in raising a loan
from the British merchants, to place the garri-
son in suitable state of defence. Parodi re-
? fused to yield the command to Carey, and fear
ing the premature arrival of the Americans,
I FASTENED the preparations for his departure
4 These preparations Mrs. Chase watched with
intense interest and anxiety, sending her mes
ssnger from point to point to report the pro-
gress of the work OF destruction, in order that
She might convey exact intelligence of the con-
5 dition of the place to Commodore Conner, and
to her husband who had gone to Havana.
: When Parodi abandoned Tampico Carey
| made every effort toraise a sufficient force in
the neighborhood, to reft and defend the gar
/, rison. But Mrs. Chase forestalled his move
> ments, by instantly despatchinga trusty mes
I senger to Commodore Conner, to inform him
: that the door was open, and he had nothing to
do but to enter and take possession. Her let
2 ter to the gallant commodore closed with these
| words: ''If you come forthwith, and take tide
1 at the food the town is yours without the fir
: ing of gun"
f Without waiting for the army, Mrs. Chase
proceeded still further to win the title of 1.-THE
: Heroine of Tamplco' and TO assert her claim