The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-02-20
TAMplco, Jan 10, 1847.

-- TAMplco, Jan 10, 1847.
GENTLEMEN: AS all ewes are now
turned towards the seat of war, ant
particularly Tampico, and all kinds o
news is caught at with avidily, | shal
improve every opportunity Of sending
you the latest news. The steamship
Massachusetts sails this morning fol
New Orleans, by which | shall senc
this.
Tampico is becoming daily more
Amerlcanized. Stores and dwelling.
houses. and private rooms are in grea,
demand, and pretty tall prices are ask.
ed for some. The principal hotel 10,
Americans here is the Italian ronda,
q large and commodious house, kept by
Messrs. Smith & BealI. 1t was for.
merly kept by Don Papa CariIla, who
closed it when the Mexicans left the
city. The dining room is about 60
feet long, and the whole ceiling is COW
cred with large squares OF stained glass
of a variety of design.
To the eye Of a person who has new
er been in Mexican city, Tampico
presents very picturesque appear
ance, and all whom have heard speak
on the subject say that they were most
agreeabIy disappointed with the APP
pearance of everything they saw
There are many large and beautiful
houses to be seen in different parts OF
the town, the most Of which are occu-
pied by government officers, store
houses, and soldiers quarters. In one
square have seen houses that were
each painted ola different color.
The most agreeable sight that first
gree,s the eye Of a stranger after cross
ing the bar. is the beautiful American
flag flying from the top ola lofty staff,
which occupies the exact spot, in the
centre Of the plaza, that was intended
for statue Of their wooden-legged Gen
eral Santa Anna. 1t was raised by
Mr.. A. j. Clifton, the harbornaaster.
The square or plaza is paved with hard
stone, cemcnled together, and sun
rounded with square brick posts. COW
cred with plaster and painted red, all
Of which was the work OF some Of the
Texan prisoners taken at Mer, many
of whom were afterwards inhumany
shot on the bank of the river al the
foot Of the plaza. In aroom facing the
square may be seen many charcoal
scrawl on the walls, written by the
poor fellows during their imprisonment,
breathing vengeance against their ty-
rannical jailors. In one corner Is a
rude sketch of Mexican hanging. and
underneath, "Death to all lyrants, and
death before dungeon" 'ltis a long
lane lha. has no turn," &c, &c.
Great disappointment is teIt by the
officers here, at not receiving papers.
which they know are mailed regularly
TO them. | heard some officers con-
versing about it, when one remarked
that the reason was, that It was the
regular practice of some, at the open
lug of the mails at Point Isabel and the
Brazos, for each 10 grab rs many pa
pers rs they could carry off, and peruse
them at their leisure, which accounted
for the loss Of those directed 10 Tam
pico and where some remarking
that the boys at Tampico might consid-
er themselves lucky if they got their
letters: they all said this was fact. If
SO, a stop should be put TO it, for the
editors of the papers get blamed when
lhey do not deserve it. If our friends
at the north knew how anxlousIy every
mail is watched for, they would not
omit sending letters and papers every
opportunity. think a couple Of hun
dred old ones would sell well just no ",
if sent on here. have but just time
to send you a list Of all the vessels in
the port up to the sailing of the steam
er, which leaves at noon.
Yours. truly, E, }. d.