The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-09-11
THE UNION.

same rapidty as the Penon. third fort on the leii
bank, lofty eminence above The town. now IN SIGHT
next opened its fire. Towards inns new enemy the
steamers gun boats, and barges pushed at their utmost
speed gayer and spirited regatta seen.
Ii had all the ardor and impetnosliy oil steepe- chase
The evening was beautiful the was sending ITS de-
cning rays a OF as great natural beauty as
the eve could desire to rest upothe whole envened by
the rapid advance of steamers gun-boa and barges
the resoundng dip of many hundred oars the boom OF
the great guns and muskery and the deaenng cheers
which bespoke the mpetuous ardor by which all were
animated. The Mexican artllerists abandoned their
pieces and fled, whilst the lniantey nvaed the cavalry IN
the rapidity of their escape. Tuspan was taken at
gallop: Few prisoners were made There was neither
captulauon nor opportunity to caplalate Yet not har
not or woman molested. The public docu-
mens and order books were taken from the recently
deserted houses of the military commandment, General
Cos, and of the project Their private property was
respected Two Americans only were killed, and fifteen
wounded or the Mexican force, consisting OF 600 men
OF all arms most advantageously posted, much larger
number had fallen
On the day after the capture Of Tuspan, Commodore
Perry despatched vessel to blockade Soto de la Marina
another occupy Laguna another to Fontera The next
movement directed against the rver CoatZacoacos
which the Mexicans had prepared TO defend On the ar
rival OF the squadron off the river the guns OF the fort at
the entrance to the number of II, found dsman-
ted their carriages burned and every idea OF resistance
TO the American abandoned detachment OF the
squadron took possession of the river for distance OF 20
miles, without opposition. Not satisfied with preparing
in the Coazacoacos, the easiest means OF eechng the
long desired object OF connecting the Atlantic and "a
cine by means OF ndVlgaDe
seems have exhausted herself blessing and embe
fishing this noble river The slow and stately flow OF its
waters through its deep bed barely winding enough to
impar beauty offers the least possible opposition to nav
CATION while towards lis head waters the Sierra Madre
to bow in courtesy TO give passage to its stream
when art shall teach i to flow towards the Pacific as
well the Atlantic The virgin soil OF It's banks teens
with vegetable life in its grandes forms There are
found side by side with the VANILLA the balsam, the gum
tree and shrubs of rare medicinal virtue, evergreen and
other oaks, magnificent cedars, reaching four feet in
diameter mahogany and iron wood, which were formerly
carried the naval arsenal at Havana; and there, too
grew the stately pines which bore the flag of Spain TO the
heavens from the masthead of the Santisima Trinidad
Animal life teens with equal luxurance on the banks
of the wild turkeys, pigeons
parrots chacaClacas partndges ducks and other fowl
of delicious flavor, and fish of excellent quality every
where abound-among these are found, in uneXamped
numbers, the pike the mullet, the red snapper, the
sheepshead, and the delicious pomlano. Sea and land
tortoise are also found there Rice produces two crops
from panting corn is gathered three times year
The sugar., coffee, cocoa, and tobacco are OF excellent
quality The cattle and horses the best and cheapest
of Mexico Such is this noble river, now in possession
of the United States, and doubtless destined to figure
| largely in the worlds history
The last hostile expedition of the home squadron
directed against the city of Tabasco, situated about 10
miles up the river OF that name, and capital of one of
the most fertile and rich States of the Mexican con-
federacy Its inhabitants since the expedition of Corez
who met with great opposition at the mouth OF the river
have borne among their counymen reputation for OBJ
snae valor, Both the general and State governments
had made vigorous efforts to provide for the defence of
Tabasco Shortly before the attack, It's garrison was
said to have amounted $500 men, including regulars
and rancheros From desertions and failure OF supplies
they had been reduced to Coca force ample TO have
defended the excellent works which they had construct
ed against hreefod numbers. These works consisted
of fort of six guns the bank of the river mile be-
low the town, commanding the approaches both by the
road and the river; and in advance of this at favorable
positions the bank of the river, OF four breastworks
TO muskery intended to fire on the lotla as II
should reach them in succession and having deep bitches
in the protect their escape INTO the road leading to
the interior defences higher up the river Every arrange
mi nj haf art md
enable them to annoy the Americans, with The least pos
sble selfexposure TO augment the obstacles TO an al
tack, distractions had been sunk IN the rver little be-
low of the breasworks, intended to compel an aban-
donmen of the attack by water, and a debarkaon; In
which case, the Mexcans hoped for all easy Conquest
sailors embarrassed in an intricate and nearly npas
sable road, skirted almost everywhere with thckets,
crossed by succession of fortified lines, and harassed
BY clouds of skiful horsemen In addition the conf
dence which the Tabasquenos felt IN their deiences num-
bers and prowess, they counted as auxaes the tcros
of climate, considered one OF the most mnwholesome
of the coast. On these accounts the Iabasquenos,
strong in the confidence OF their ability repel an attack,
took every occasion TO invite it through their newspapers
and bombastic procamations It was at length deemed
proper accept their invitation, lest II they were allow
ed to boast with IMMUNITY, moral effect should be pro-
duced in the neighborng States advantageous to the
| Mexican cause and I'M furious to our arms.
| On the 18th June Commodore Perry entered the Ia
basco river with the steamers Scorpion, Spitfre, VIXEN,
and Scouge, towing the Strombol Vesuvius, and Etna
bombs the brig Washington, the schooner Sptre. laden
with Captain 1aylors cames for Tightening vessels over
bars detachmens from all the vessels OF the squadron
in their respective barges and ten Gpouner field
mounted on surf boats, ready either TO be used aioa or
landed The plan of attack prepared with great
by the Commodore; every contingency toreseen and
proyided against the mnutest details tine subject
of thoughtful elaboration Great and universal enthusi
asm pervaded the expedition There was the happiest
spirit of harmony and operation founded unbound
| ed confidence in the Skill forethought resources, and
stubborn gallantry of their leader If his followers had
confidence in him, he the contrary held in no
little awe by the Mexcansa feeling entertained for HIM
throughout the whole coast, and augmented by every
fresh contact The speech OF Bruno the Tabasco nga-
boo the people in the plaza OF labasco, on the day OF
the attack, attered hope dear to every Mexican bo
son-"Perry has landed go to bring him before you !"
He came indeed, but not as Bruno had promised.
The first nights sail of the otila, between the dense
w wooded and beautiful shores OF the Tabasco river,
was aided and enlivened by the sivery rays OF the
sumed picturesque form. The genial influences of the
scene and hour stirred gently IN every bosom. The
sailors gathered in groups round the avorite soryteers
Above the rattle of the passing waters, was family heard
on every SIDE from boat vessel the cadence of
love song blending with the so notes of the buge vi
| on.
BY the following morning the fotilla had reached the
cultivated portion of the river, where the fat SOIL instead
of bearing unprofaby its magnificent native vegetation
of enormous trees, decorated with gorgeous Towering
air plants, pendant moss, and nteacng vines and hav
no other preparation than that OF telling the timber and
burning it, to produce abundant crops OF sugar and corn
Near these plantations stood the cottages of the nhab
tants formed of reeds, matched with leaves and
empowered in groves OF orange, mango papaya, mamay,
aguacae, banana and the stately sapoe, afiording
once shade, subsistence, and rereshInent Fires for
cooking burning in front OF the cottages domestic