The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1847-01-09
THE HEROINE OF TAMprCo.

history of the federal party
THE HEROINE OF TAMPICO.
Leifer from MIS-. Chase, the Lady ,cho hoisfed
The First American Flag at 1an,picoj
The New Orleans Evening Mercury contains
the following interesting letter from Mrs Chase,
the vile of our former C"nsnl AT Tampco, The
heroic part taken by this lady in the evenls which
led TO the fall of Iampco, by furnishing valuable
information To- Cum Conner, &c. has been hut
partially made public, and ON perusing it our rea
ders will agree with The Mercury. that smuch
less praise has been bestowed ON the nuble con
duct OF this courageous and patriotic lady than
she deserves, and we trust that uur Government
in consideration Of the very distinguished services
which she has rendered at the peril of her life,
will unhesilaliogly reward her with enduring
honors.'' t,4
"TAMPIco, Dec. ID, 1886.
My Esteemed Friead:-A great change has
come DER the spirit Of my dream-at least within
the last nonih-sa that almost doubt the evil
dence of my own senses. we having at this mo.
ment some twenty sarl of vessels in the river
Panuco-steamprs passing and re passing, the
sight ct which paws me in pari. for my six
months solitude and suffering. am not a be
lever in Purgarory. but I think have rassed
through that ordeal by residing in an enemy's
country alone. not only hostile in feeling. but
subtitle and unprincipled.
- My dear friend. sea reeIy know how to reply
TO your friendly solicitnde toward me and mine
especially. In beginning my imperfect 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 expul
sion, agreeable tn the decree Of tke Eth Of Nav
last and in compliance with that act he had only
twenty -four hours notice Ia embark or eight DAYS
| To retire twenty leagues into the interior He
prndently chose the former. and embarked forth
with on hoard of the ST. Mary's. the bloekadng
vessel off the bar Of Fampico, leaving some eighty
thousand dollars IN his Store with no other prutec-
lion than such as could afford and two clerks, one
of whom Mexican-and, in accordance with
the true spirit of Mexican chivalIy, commenced
robbing me. In fact, my annoyances were SD nu-
merons that cannot give you them in detail. hut
merely sketch an outline, knnwing the sympatby
you feel for my perilous position In this new dra
ma. Ia the next place, Inez de Primera Ias,an
rIa. by order Of the Commanding General, passed
me notice that my privileges ceased as the wife
of The American C.nsul. and my store must be
closed. | replied to him in the most decisive
manner, that was not only his wife, bat also his
constituted agent-!n addition to his was
British subject, and. as such, neither The Judge
nor the General. could deprive me of nv natural
rights. as the English law admitted of no aena.
tIon-saiing that any infraction on ills prerogarve
would be hastily chasiised by that Government:
referred
learned lneZ To the Law uf Nations
Thus defeated and exaspera ted, was no,
allowed TO send an open note to my husband, then
off the bar. But, thank G"d, who tempers the
wind To the shorn Iamh," He directed me. and
| concerted plan which again defeated their hos
tile purpose, and sent by slralsgem nine letters in
eight weeks. and through The same means received
replies. But those things were daily making in
roads upon my health and my spirits. which
fill 1oI e.,
Knowing The intensity Of his feelings fur his nov.
eminent and particularly for my welfare.
4" | IN the mean lime drew plan of the city
and river. and had il sent to Com. Conner and
Capt. McCluney Of the John Adams, with cur
rect description of all the fprts. 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 important movement in this section of the
country.
/" They abused and insulted the American
name and nation to such an extent that it often
caused me To- retire and pray Gud for The day of
reirlbution. With the exception Of my faithful
Amelia | had but little human sympathy, as all
the English influence was against oar national
cause.
." ! am. perhaps. lille prosy, but well know
the sensitive heart 10 whom these lines are ad
dressed and continue. ! daily watched, not
very christian like fr The muu,eni Of retaliation.
hoping 10 be able, although alune in The combai.
II" square accounts with my fierce debiofs, and
if possible, place myself and party on the credit
side of this enianged account.
Santa Anna recommended To The Govern
meni OF Mexico The c0h6ScstuD Of all American
property IN order TO carry ON The war, and that
all Americans residing IN this country should be
made prisoners Of war, as fatal stroke To those
osDrping piraies-the gentle name generally ap-
Piled to ihem-and that this garrison should be
reinforced with some 5000 mure iroops. When
] read this article III one Of the hamIog peri0di
GALS II was rather grating to me in my isolated
condition. determined, however, upUn the old
Roman motto
"Who would be free, himseifrDust strike the blow
or, in other words, my was at best helpless
and now even desperate, and required desperate
remedy.
Two spies came daily TO my house, always
under lie guise Of friendship and on one coca
sion, one Of the wtefchcs believing that | was
possessed vt Items concerning American move
Uenfs. ! represented u him that 10000 troops
were to join Gen. Taylor at Mstamoras 10000 |
more had been dispatched To capture San Juan,
etc, and closed wiih reparking that would be |