The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1848-02-23

Delawares, recently mentioned by some of
the papers in other parts of the State. All the
Indian tribes were perfectly quiet-no diff
culties existing either amongst themselves or
hostile demonstrations against the whites.
Our rangers are now very active and eftlclent,7
and there is no probability Of any disturb
unless it is created by some unauthpffzed
movement Of our own citizens W
lFron, The Ne,o Orleans Picay'sne, Feb. Ill
{ 1s,s FROM THE RIO GRANDE.
Ne,os frou chihuahua ~ Prospect Of Another
Engugemcnt- Capture Of a Party Of a.
n,ericdns- Hillary Executions at Buena
Vista and Saltillo
By the last arrival from tie Brazos we
have received several private letters, from
which we CLEAN number of items OF. IN
terest that have reached us from, no other
source, and which we have not seen else
where. Information had been received across
the country at Saltillo, which Indicate some
little work ahead for the American troops
sent from Santa Fe to take possession of
chihuahua. On the 18th of December they
were encamped at Ell Paso, from whence it
was understood they. would march about the
latter part of January. The Mexicans in that
part of the country, are making every effort
to oppose their march with strong force
At first they did not intend making any resist
ance whatever; but, emboldened by the long
DELAY Of our troops at Ell Paso, they set to
work in good earnest and have now con-
siderable numerical force and twelve pieces
of cannon. Should our troops continue on
their march, they will probably have second
edition of the battle of Sacramento.
Our readers will doubtless recollect that
some months since, our correspondent, J. E.
D., with Gen. Wool's column, mentioned that
MIR. James Collins, commonly known as
esquire Collins" who was interpreter to Col
Doniphan's command, and behaved with the
greatest gallantry at Sacramento and Brazita,
had started across the csuntry i'll company
than dozen, for Santa Fe. The expe-
dition was regarded as extremely haz-
ardous, both on account of the Indians
and Mexicans hut the old squire and
his veteran companion, who is eighty
four years of age, were undauntsd and deter
mined. The party were heard from short
time eince; and we regret to say they were
taken prisoners ut Presidio-del Norte by the
treacherous Conduct of a Mexican padre.
When near place, called San Carlor, on
the Rio-del- Norte they encountered four Mex
leans, out on an expedition after Camanche
horses, and inquired of them the distance to
San Carlos, where they wished to purchase
provisions. The Mexicans represented the
distance as short, and offered to guide them
thither On arriving at San Carlos, they werc
unable to satisfy their wants, and were adVis-
ed to proceed to the Preside del-Norte-the
Mexicans telling them that there was no gar
rson there, and that they had nothing to tear
The squire and party determined to follow
their advice, and set out; butt the meantime,
octa Ind
sent off courier to Preside, with the infor-
nation that party of Americans were. on
their way to that place. Ignorant of this cir
cumstance they due in time arrived at the
Presidio-were kindly received by the old
padre, and considered themselves perfectly
safe. Dinner was prepared for them, and
table spread at one end of a large "sdla,"
their arms being deposited at tho other.
While quietly appeasing their hunger, a party
of Mexcans rushed in, seized their arms, and
took the whole party prisoners. The old
priest appeared to be quito delighted with the
success Of his rusc, but received anything but
blessings from the party, who regarded him
as a second Judas Iscariot The squire and
companions were all conveyed to chihuahua,
and incarcerated in prison, where they still
remained Mt last accounts. Old Col. Ward
was very i'll, and some of the foreigners in
the place offered to become his security; but
the Mexican authorities inhumanly refused
to release him.
1forse's Telegraph and the English 1ele-
g,aphs-Mr. French, the President of tho
Magnetic Telegraph company, taking state
ment Of the expense of telegraphing one
hundred words to Liverpool from London,
distance of 225 miles, has made a comparison
of these charges with those on Morse's line.
"'rhe distance from Washington to New
York is two hundred and twenty five miles,
and a message of one hundred words is
transmitted ordinarily in fye minutes, but
sometimes in three and half minutes, at
charge of five dollars for the first hundred
words, but only three dollars and thirty three
cents for the second and for each following
hundred words. The comparative efficiency
of the American and English systems Of
electric telegraphs, is, therefore, easily stated
and comprehended: ed:-English telegraph, 100
words, 900 miles, 10 min. $s22,20; American
telegraph,, 100 words, 225 miles, min, SIS.
Philaaleiphta Leger, Feb. IL.
ASpanish Giant is now exhibiting himself