Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-02-18
" TAMrICo. Dec. IA, 1916.

My esteemed .friend:- great change
has come DER the spirit of my dream-at
least within the last month-so that | almost
doubt the evidence of my senses, we having
at this moment some twenty sail of vessels
in the river Panuco-steamers passing and
repassing, the sight of which pays me, in
part, for my six months solitude and suffer.
ing. / am not believer in Purgatory but
think have passed through that ordeal, by
residing in an enemy's country alone, moi
only hostile in feeling, but subtil and un.
principled
" My dear friend scarcely know how to
reply to your friendly soicitude toward me
and mine especially. In beginning my inn
perfect narrative, one great misfortune seems
to accompany me-my pen can never keep
pace with my feelings. You will have been
aware of Mr.. Chase's expulsion, agreeably
to the decree of the 10Th of May last and
in compliance with that act he had only
twenty-iOur hours notice to embark, or eight
days to retire twenty leagues into the inte-
rior. He prudently chose the former, and
embarked forthwith on board of the st. Ma
RVS, the blockading vessel off the bar of
Tampico, leaving some eighty thousand dol
lars in his store, with no other protection
than such as could afford, and two clerks,
one of whom was a MeXican-who, in ac-
cordance with the true spirit of Mexican
chivalry, commenced robbing me. In fact,
my annoyanccs were so numerous that can
not give them in delail, but merely sketch
an outline, knowing the sympathy you feel
for my perlous position in this new drama.
In the next place, Inez de Primera Instan-
cha, by order Of the Commanding General,
passed me notice that my privileges ceased
as the wife of the American Consul, and my
store must be closed. ! replied to him in
the most decisive manner, that was not
only his wife, but also his constituted agent.
In addition to this, | was British subject,
and, as such, neither the Judge nor the Cen
eral could deprive me of my natural rights,
as the English law admitted of no alienation
stating that any inlraction on its preroga-
tive would be hastily chastised by that gov
eminent; and, in confirmation of my asser-
ton, referred the learned IncZ to the Law
of Nations
"Thus defeated and exasperated, was
not allowed to send an open note to my hus-
band, then off the Bar But thank God,
who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,
lie directed me, and | concerted a plan,
which again defeated their hostile purposes,
and sent by stratagem nine letters in eight
weeks, and through the same means received
replies. But these things were daily making
inroads upon my health and spirits, which |
most carefully concealed from my good hus-
band, knowing the intensity of his feelings
for his government, and particularly for my
welfare.
" in the mean time drew plan of the
city and river, and had it sent to Commodore
Conner and Capt. McClaney, of the John
Adams, with correct description of all the
forts, the number of guns, list of the
troops and how they were posted, and every
political movement, so that through Mr.
Chase and his agent, they knew every i'm.
portant movement in this section of the
country.
"They abused and insulted the American
name and nation TO such an extent, that il
often caused me to retire and pray God fol
the day of retribution. With the exception
of my faithful Amelia, | had but little sym
patty, as all the English influence was a
gainst our national cause
&C | am, perhaps, little prosy, but | wei
are addressed, and so continue. | daily
watched, not very chrstian-like, for the mo
ment Of retaliation, hoping to be able, al
though alone in the combat, to square &c
counts with my fierce debtors, and if pos
siblc, place myself and party on the credi
side of this entangled account
"Santa Anna recommended to the Gov
eminent of Mexico the conliscation of al
American property, in order to carry on tn
| war and that all Americans residing in thi
country should be made prisoners of war
as fatal stroke to those usurping pirates
the gentle name generally applied to them
and that this garrison should be reinforce
with some 5000 more troops. When | rea
this article in one of the flaming periodicals
it was rather grating to me i'll my isolate
condition. | determined, however, upon tn
old Roman motto:
"Who would be free himself must strike the blow"
or, in other words, my case was at best helT
less, and now even desperate, and require
desperate remedy
"Two spies came daily to my house, al
ways uuder the guise of friendship; and o
one OCCASION, one of the wretches, believin
that | was possessed of items concernin
American movements, ! represented to hiI
that 10000 troops were to join Gen. TaylC
at Matamoras, 10000 more had been di
patched to capture San Juan, etc; an
closed with remarking that / would be con
} PEELED to close my house within day or two
as force of 81, 900 to 10000 troops wa
coming to this place-which bit of romano
sofrightened poor Amelia that she though
the General here would call me to accour
for it.
"Next day had call from the capital
of the port, who wished to know the trutl
| and inquired if Mr.. Chase had written I
me to that effect and soon after, some otl
| err of the high functionares discovered n
to be an important character, in their dali
! rounds. In conversation with the fathe
n-law of the General, ] recommended
him an early retreat, as the wisest course
S be taken and that same night aprivate pc
was dispatched to San Luis Potos upon Il
i e a, ,nr