Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-11-03
Copy ofa letter sOr;iten BY q foreigner to
one Of his countrynen i" Vera Crus, "a
Frenchman.)
MEXICO, Sept. %, 1e
fTRANsLATED.1

MEXICO, Sept. %, 1s47..
MY Dear Sir: avail myself Of the de-
parture of the British courier to sketch you
the scene it has been my luck to witness in
the capitol and its enyirens.
The Mexicans having been heated at all
points and in every way from the 9th to
the 18th inst Gen. Santa Anna left the
capital on the 18th, and took the road Of
the interior. On the l4th, in the morning,
the Americans entered the city in a very
quiet manner, and Gen. Scott was already
in the palace, when, on sudddn, the peo-
pie Of the lower class commenced throwing
stones on the Americans from the tops Of
the houses, and from all the streets, while
individuals Of better standing fired from
the windows and balconies on the Yankees,
who were far from expecting such treat
| ment.
Gen. Scott ordered Immediately pieces
Of artillery to be placed in all directions, and
soon swept the streets with grape SHOT; but
this proved insufficient to subdue the insur.
rectlon. Gen. Scott then sent few COM
panies on divers points, with orders to break
open every house out Of which they should
fire, to put to the sword those found within,
and, lastly, to sack the property therein
contained. This order, which was exc
cuted with great moderation, (thanks to
the secret instructions of Gen. Scott but
in some cases with stern energy, soon put
down the insurrection. These scenes last.
ed three long and sad days-from the l4th
to the l7th; and assure you we were
much alarmed during the whole of the
i'm.
bued in other respects with prejudice to.
wards the Americans, agree in one point
that the American army has not done the
hundredth part Of the injury it had right
to do, and which European armies would
have done in similar circumstances. A
foreigner myself and having seen warfare
| in Europe towards the end Of Napoleon's
military career, l, judging by comparison,
give it as my sincere and candid opinion,
that ifa continental army had been stoned
and fred upon by the population Of a van.
ouished city, the inhabitants would have
been dealt with rather roughly. Now we
are tranquil; but it is sad tranquility, as
we fear new Disturbances
Our precarious situation will not change
| Tor the better until peoee be concluded. or
the Americans send about $4,000 men
moro. The army Of invasion is really too
small; for figure to yourself 1000 men in
city Of upwards Of 2O0,0 hestile souls,
and in Puebla less than 1900, to maintain
a population of more than $4,000. This
is really too little.
The Americans have covered themselves
with glory in all the battles fought in Mex
leo. They are all and each of them ne
roes. 1t is great thing to see handful
Of Americans cut their way through 800
miles Of dense population, and hoist the
s,ar-spangled banner on the domes Of this
capital. -..
General Herrera, exp President, has gone
TO Queretaro, where Congress is to as.
semble next month. He took with him
1000 men, and Santa Anna fell back up
on Puebla with 1900 horsemen. These
two bodies Of troops are the remnants Of
2O, 900 regular troops who defended the city
no longer than two weeks ago.
Some people hope that peace will be ad.
vocated by several members Of the next
Congress at Queretaro; but, for my own
part, do not believe it. The folly ofthese
people is not yet at an end. When will
they open their eyes to their true interests2
Never. This is my fear.
All communications with tho interior
are cut of: =