Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-07-31
FAYETTE, MISSOURI, SATURDAY, 81, 81

From the NeC Orleans Picdyune of JUN 1lh.
AMERICAN PRISONERS IN MEXI-
CO-PROBABLE ADVANCE OF.
GEN. SCOTT.
We have, at last, direct accounts from
the American prisoners in Mexico, which
enables us to clear up the contradictory
rumors we have had in relation 10 them.
Letters were received here yesterday from
Maj. Gaines by his brother, A. L. Gaines.
dated in the city of Mexico, the 26th of
June, with the use of which we have been
favored. II appears from them that the
rank and file of the Prisoners have been re-
leased and sent to Tampico. These were
doubtless the individuals at Hueiula, as
mentioned in our last. The officers had
not been released on the 26th of june
We give the greater part Of Maj. Gaines
letter, which, it will be seen. throws great
| light on General SCOTS movements as well
as upon the fate of the American pris.
oners.
Cry OF MEXICO, June 26, 1S47.
Dear Sir | am very sorry that | have it not
in my power 10 advise you OF our release from
bondage. This execrable Government, in vic
ation Of repeated promises, and solemn en-.
gagement entered into with Gen. Taylor the day
after the battle Of Buena VISTA still detans Us
as prisoners OF war.
On the Sd inst, received note from the
Government to present myself at the castle OF
Santiago, our late prison, and there receive the
final determination Of the authorities in our case.
At the castle we were informed that we were ex
changed, and that we should depart next day for
Tampico-the officers only, without the men
and were directed TO go TO the palace, receive
our instructions, expense money, &c. &C.. pre-
| M n mr. A,
were told TO call the next day, and on the next
day we were informed that they were without
means to send US, and that we could not GO
Thus were our hopes blasted after having made
all necessary preparation on our part for the trip.
This disappointment was the more calling because
the reason assigned was known 10 be a mere
subteIuge, and it turned out that four days after
wards our men. one hundred and seventy in mum.
Der, were sent off to the same place without our
knowledge, which required a much larger sum
than it would have required 10 send the officers
Indeed. it would have taken very small ad.
ditional sum to have sent US with them, and that
we would cheerlully have paid ourselves By
sending off the men without our knowledge, they
were subjected to great suffering and inconveni
ence on long road to Tampco, without the
preparation necessary in the way OF clothing,
shoes, &c, which then in fact being furnished
them. The true reason why the officers were not
allowed 10 accompany them remains 10 be seen.
Since that time Uhe 4th) have heard nothing
from this internal Government, if Government It
may be called, but to day have received on as.
surance from Gen. Scott that Immediately upon
his arrival in the vicinity Of the city, which will
surely be within twelve days, he will make a
peremptory demand for US. IL aUiU be complied
1citb, as think. You may therefore look for
me early in August.
Gen. Scott we are assured has made every
possible effort to procure our enlargement, but 10
no purpose. His approach TO this city will GER
tanly take place in a very few days. His meas
ures preparatory TO moving are all taken, and
= Preparations nearly complete. He comes with a
force sufficient to accomplish his.obiect eIectual
ly.
| have received no letters from the States
except one from A. X, since my captivity, sc
: that the world as 10 me may be said to be hermet
calIy sealed up. Here follow passages of ma.
!ure altogether private and domestic, and the let
ter concludes as follows.
have the most positive information OF Gen
SCOTS readiness to move on this capitol within
the next three or four days. He will have ar
easy conquest.
S My intercourse with Gen. Worth is frequent
: BY his generous conduct towards ME, he has en-
f deared himself to me for life.
V Your affeconate brother,
r JOHN P. GAINES.
We regard these remarks OF Major Gaine
e upon the movements OF Gen. Scott as Of the ut
/. most interest. He is a cool and cautious gentle
man, guarded in what he says or writes, AM
E must have strong grounds for the judgement hi
= expresses as 10 the Mexican means Of defence.
We confess that our opinion as to'the degree 0
: resistance Gen. Scott will encounter from tn
u u Mexicans has been modified by this letter; bu
! that Gen. Scott would promptly and thorough
u fog the Mexicans when he met them. we hav
S never doubted This letter confirms the expec
ation OF our Vera Cruz correspondent, and G
n the editors in the city Of Mexico, that Gen. Scot
n would advance from Puebla about the last c
y June. We look eagerly for further arrivals from
e Vera Cruz.