Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-05-21
MEXICAN GRATITUDE.

The Picayune publishes striking letter from
Maj Gaines, one of the prisoners al Encarna'
cion, now lodged in the city Of Mexico. II is
dated April 3d. from The Castle Of Santiago =
The Pcayune refers with just severity 10 The
conduct OF Gen. La Vega, who, when prisoner
OF var himself, was treated by the Americans
with 50 much consideration, having been iur-
nished BY Gen. Taylor with letter Of Gre
dit on New Orleans and, while in that city,
having been entertained with the most prodigal
kindness and attention. Yet when he was mill
lary commandanl OF The city Of Mexico, Gen. La
Gaines and others, in The donjon oil Santiago, the
privileges OF parole, seldom denied to prison.
er Of war; but took no heed OF their distresses nor
gave thought TO their comfort.
We give an extract from Maj Gaines letter
to his brother in New Orleans:
awe reached the vicinity Of this place (Mexi-
COY on The 9th February, when our conductors,
learning that the civil war had broken out, de-
tanned us al point three leagues Oh for day
and 4 halt-to preserve US from The mob, as they
said but as we found Out, 10 save themselves, as
not knowing which party was uppeTmost they
did moi know 10 which they belonged. We reach
ed The castle alter midnight and were smuegled
INTO il with great privacy. A few moments alter
we entered, an alarm was raised By The discharge
of tour guns in rapid succession. We heard
some one say four men were killed and len had
escaped We now aScertained that We were
lodged in prison containing two hundred con-
vicled ieons. The escape made il necessary 10
change their cells, and they were brought out
and passed through the yard where we were,
chained Two and Two, and placed in safer dun
seons. The fight was yet ragins in the city, and
shall never forget my c1fTte into the city OF The
Azecs.
"The civil war lasted till about The 20lh ut
when the arrival Of Santa Anna put an end 10 it,
Whether there were many killed during the 20
days fight do not know; but II is said that a
great many old women, cats and dogs were slain
The instruction was Grd-send 10 Santa Anna,
as il furnished him small job after his dreadful
defeat al Buena Vista. He left here yesterday
with the shattered fragments OF his army, pre-
tending that he would immediate himself, il need
be. between this and Vera Cruz, should General
Scott attempt 10 march upon the capital
This nation, SO lar as Government is con-
cerned may be said 10 be annhilaled They are
wilhou, an army, money, or men capable Of rul-
ing. Santa Anna himself is said 10 be superior
II his counTymen only in The knowledge OF The
Mexican character and his ability in humbug-
cling them Whether peace would lollowihe cap.
lule of this city is extremely uncertain; amongst
our friends here the opinion is il will not.
"Gen. Scott having taken many prisoners al
Vera Cruz we are in daily expectation Of being
exchanged, in which case we will reoin the
army and probably return 10 the United States as
soon as we would had we never been captured
fSanta Anna appears 10 be as forseiul as his
friend La Vega, as il seems 10 have escaped his
memory that he had engaged with Gen. Taylor
for the release oflhese prisoneIs.-Eds
al have written you several letters since my
CAPTIVITY. Although in The city
OF Mexico have seen but little OF il-and Mat
hine through The iron grat,ngs0f The castle 81 San.
Raso. Whether we shall be INDUCED with a
view of il after our release know not. trust
we shallu