Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-10-29

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until six months pay and rations were advan-
ced to him, deem it sheer moonshine! Frank
Pierce refused to remain in the United States
Senate because his private affairs demanded
that he should earn something by his profess
sion. For the same good reason he refused
the appointment of Attorney General OF the
United States But when he found his coun-
try at war, and he believed he could be useful
in the field, he cast aside his lucrative profess
sion for the time being, and, giving up the
comforts of home, accepted a commission,
which confer no more honor than that of At
torney General, and rushed to the seat of vom-
ito, of danger, and of war Such is Frank
Pierce, whose greatest fault is, perhaps, in
stead of being covetous, as charged, that he
is too careless of his money! His recent ad-
mirable letter, published in the Boston Post,
giving plain, unvarn!shed, modest account
of his doings since he has been in Mexico, is
characteristic of the man. Whoever read it
will not be apt to charge its gallant author
with meanness or covetousness | say this
gratuitousy OF a political opponent, because
have for years past noted and liked the cha
racter of the man, in all but his locofocoism
consider his the best military appointment
which Mr.. Polk has yet made. ". 0. Pic
Description Of ChapMtcpec Chapu!tepcc
have been captured by the Americans, after
the most desperate resistance ever made by
the Mexican army, the following account OF
that place cannot fail TO prove interesting:
Chapultepec is the Aztec for s. Grasshop-
pers Hill" 1t is an prophetic rock, rising
near the former margin of the lake that sur
rounded the city of Mexico, and is one of the
,,Ia Ia, al l,-t ho
tarred on their emigration from the north in
had foretold that such a resting place would
be denoted by their seeing an eagle devouring
4 serpent on Il rock, and at Chapultcpec this
prediction was verified. From it they beheld
the eagle on one of the rocks in the lake, de-
vouring a serpent. The event was at once
symboized on the flag and coin of the nation.
The hill is surrounded by a belt of noble cy-
press trees, one Of which, known as Monte
zumas cypress, from having been planted be-
fore OF during the reign OF that Prince, meas
ures tifty-one feet in circumference
ChapuItepec was the favorte country resi-
dence OF Nontezumas and his courtiers. 1t
contains remains of gardens, groves, tanks and
grottos, which bear evidences of its past mag
nifcence Here Nlontezumas rerired from the
heat and dust OF the city, TO enjoy all the lux
uries that wealth and power could procure, or
art devise 1t was selected by he Spanish
Viccroy as the most beautiful place in the val
ley of Mexico for a royal residence, and the
modern palace (ately Il military schooD was
built by the Viceroy GaIvez
From this palace one has q charming view
of the whole valley, the capital, the lake and
the volcanic mountains which rise in the dis
lance like great wall surrounding the en-.
chantic picture. in Anglo Saxon hands this
valley may be made as impregnable as Gibral-
tar.
Bombs or cannon planted on the hill Of
Chapultepec commanded the city, the princi
pal roads and the acqueduct. Hence the at
tack and capture of that point by Gen. Scott
before making any denomination upon the ci
ty. Once on the hill, the taking of the city
could be effected without seriaus loss of life