Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-02-24

for his government, and particularly for my
welfare.
Lin the meantime, drew plan of the city
and river, and had it sent to Commodore Con-
| ner and Captain McCluney, of the John Adams,
with correct description of all the forts, the
number of guns, a list of the troops aud how
they were posted, and every political movement
SO that through Mr.. Chase und his agent,they
knew every important movement in this section
of the country
They abused and issulted the American
name and nation to suchan extent that it often
caused me to retire and pray God for the day
of retribution. With the exception of my faith
full Amelia, had but little human sympathy,
as all the English influence was against our ma
tional cause. !
am, perhaps little prosy, but | well know
the sincere heart to whom these lines are ad-
dressed, and SO continue. daily watched, not
very Christan-like, for the moment, of retalia.
ton, hopingto be able, although alone in the
combat, to square accounts, with my fierce
debtors, and if possible, place myself and party
on the credit side of this ehtangled acs6ppf.
Santa Anna recommended to the GoSel1! 1en5
of Mexico the confscation of all American pr3b-
erty in order to carry on the war; and that all
Americans residing in this country should be
made prisoners OF war, as a fatal stroke to those
usurbing. pirates-the gentle name generally
applied to them-and that this garrison should
be reinforced with some three thousand more
troops. When | read this articlesin one of the
flaming periodicals, it was rather grating to me
in my isolated condition, | determined, how
ever, upon the old Roman motto
who would be free, himself must strike the blow;'
or, in other words, my case was at best help
less and now even desperate, land required des-
perate remedy.
Two spies came daily to my house, always
under the guise of friendship; and on one &C.
cason, one of the wretches believing that was
possessed of items concerning American move
ments, represented to him that 10000 trooys
were to join General Taylor atMatamoros, 3d.
coo more had been despatched to capture San
Juan, etc., and closed with remarking that |
would be compelled to close my house within a
day or two, as a force of $4,000 to 10000
troops was coming against this place-which
bit of romance SO frightened my poor Amelia,
that she thought the general here would call
me to account for it.
Next day had call from the captain of the
port, who wished to know the truth, and inQuir-
ed if Mr.. Chase had written to me to that eff
feet; and soon after some other of the high
functionares discovered me to be an important
charater, in their daily rounds. In converse
ton with the father-in-law of the general,
recommended to him an early retreat as the
wlsest course to be taken: and that same night
private post was dispatched to San Luis Pot
osi upon the strength of the information so rec
eived through me: the town of Tampico was
ordered to be vacated on the appearance of this
large force off the bar: scouts were sent in ev-
cry direction, to procure mules, etc., for the
conveyance of property to the interior, and two
schooner-loads were shipped to the city of Pan
uco; SIX hundred stand of arms were sunk, the
cannon were removed from the fort, and the
troops evacuated the place.
| then despatched to Com. Conner an account
of the state of things, and in triplcate to Hav-
ana under different covers to my husband ur-
ging his return forthwith. These were sent
by an agent, who supposed them mere letters
conveying wish to my husband to meet me
at Vera Cruz, to accompany me to Havana. |
spent restless night and morning, but 1t has
certainly brought It's reward. My letter to the
commodore was dated October ODD: he received
it October 9th, and Immediately called NEE
ting of his senior officers and laid my dispatch
before them. 1t had due weight. Provisions
were brought from Point Isabel and distributed
among the squadron, and on the 18th Novem-
Der they left Isle Verde, and on the morning of
the 1lth hove in sight, twelve sail off the bay
of Tampico. | was so confident of the coming
ofthe squadron, that in anticipation of their
coming, had flag staff made one week pre-
vlOus, and had it erected upon the house top, in
order to raise the first American flag hoisted as
a right over Tampico.
On my first sight of the fleet, my pent-up
feelings gave way, and wept as a child for
joy, seeing that God had brough. deliverance
to the captives, and in anticipation of soon see
ing the object of my affection, and also in graf
itude to Him who is mighty to save, and that
my feeble efforts had wrought So strangely in
our national welfare. Here | must pause, and
say cannot pretend to describe my feelings
at that time. Fortitude seemed to give way,
and in the midst of this emotion, again saw
the squadron nearing to the bar, the boats man
ned and the line passing (they standing their
own pilots over that intricate passage,) and
the broad-pennant flying at two mast-heads-
the blue and red. My faithful Amelia and myself
ran to MIR. Chase's Office and In solitude offered
prayer, then pulled the flag down and alone
rushed to the house top. carried it up and
tied it IN the line with my-own hands, and we
Amelia, myself and Mr.. Uder-hosted it
myself giving the first pull. Thus we defed
the whole town of Tdmpico. sent for some
of the Americans, but not one possessed cour-
VI hotiohui W lCuu d Hdbu.
In thirty minutes the ayuntamiente called up
on me and ordered me to haulit down. | re
piled it was raised as right of protection.-
They said had no such right. Irejoined that
twas matter of opinion in which we could
not agree. They said it was burlesque upon
their nation--a lady taking the city-and what
would the Supreme Government of Mexico say
L replied, very laconically, .Quien saber and
offered them wine under the new banner
They threatened the house. ran to its top,
and asked Mr.. Uder if he would stand by me.
lie replied, Yes Them said |, the flag must
remain, or all of us sent over the house-top, as
shall never pull it down or suffer any Mexican
to sully it by his touch l had been robbed
my store entered and piilaged of more than two
thousand dollars, in the dead of the night: and
when the regiment of Puebla entered this city
they entered my store and carried off goods,
and had no redress and still less sympathy: