New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-09-22
Late fr ON Laguna-An Act OF Treachery and
BnrbarttN.

ifon tlr Philadelphia Ledger ct wrdae.l,s
A letter from Laguna, dated the LIST inst. 10 a
gentleman IN this city, which has been politely furnish
I'd US gives sccOunt of act Of cOwardiee aud bar
bariy pcrpetra,ed by some Mexican soldiers belonging
the garrison at that place, upon four officers OF the
4 steaner Water Witch aud Capt I.ary, OF the
American schooner John Wainright upon thc night o
the 27th ult on their way from a ball The cowardy
character OF the attack may be inferred nom the Tact
that the Americans were but i've IN number unarmcd
and the Nucatsncse 80 armed men. Capt 1. received
severe wound the back Of the skull from "a cavalry
sword His lite considered in danger several days
bat he is now walking about Two oi the other officers
we're wounded but not dangerously Three OF the cut
throats were also wounded
On the day of the 9th ut Capt Totten command.
ing the Water Witch and all the officers attached o.
that steamer, among many other persons invited
70 ball got up in hurry in honor OF the reincorpo
ration OF Nucstan with Mexico, The ball was 10 take
place the evening ~ the former quarters OF Capt
Bigelow Capt To,ten and some Of his officers assist
I'D, As did also Capt Clary The former left al eooui
malt past ten some Of the officers who had but scarce
" arrived there remained longer and were every now
and then invited BY some of the tcNcen Military and
civil authorities 60 take something 20 drink. MeNi
can Lieutenant who there seems 20 have been par
cal-ry attentive 10 them IN the way OF Offering them
ehsmpsgne and other liquors.
Toward hSltpast one m the morning the ladies' com
menced to give out, and toward two the officers snt
Capt Clary lett the ballroom They aitcrward dvlded
ntO two parties each one taking different street n
the direction OF the seashorc when they were first sep
sraicly, then collectively attacked and rcattsckcd ty
ABOUT 'h4rN armed men NluCottn cuiutiel most
whom had cavalry swords. These baroafians then
drove them from part of the town TO the other.
making al every halt fresh attack upon them Capt
Cisry was the only one who had any arms about him,
IN the shape OF small Bowie knife.
A. soon As the s0diery had commenced the buichery
BY cutting right and EFT with their heavy swords Clsry
took hold ct his knife aud parted several cuts that
were aimed not only ~ hun, bu, al some Of his com
pan.ons lie soon however, found that the defensive
he had begun with could be of no avail against such
odds he therefore made desperate rush with his III
lie knife upon the body OF his assslants and these
though ten.foi IN numbers and well armed opened
End gave little way bat this CLEAN, OF hope soon van
ished The next moment Cisry's hosrse and exhaust
cd voice was heard crying out TO the officers save
yourselves Il yoa can, | have los; naser and my
knife gone tie was then lying on the ground *
hsus,cd. Other scenes followed which have no time
relstc. Capt Clsry WAS taken on board the Water
Witch and eit under the care ot A. J. White, who hss
shown bin every s,t,niion in his power and skiully
dressed his wounds which he has less than four
teen. including bruises
Cap; Nich0lsoa, commanding [ : schooner >araio
ga was Immediately informed OF the occurrence, and
arrived here from outside the bar SbOut o'clock IN the
afternoon ne mrs. sent Capt To,ten to the military
mander OF this place 70 hear what he had 20 say % the
arsir Tie thought il was very disssreeake one 20
calm MexicsnoO Capt Tot;ea saw be could not get
shy cut of him. and reported the conversation TO
Capt y. who was extremely voNed al the Occurrence
snd seemed have taken II % heart He then went 10
see the commander himself and told MN in strong but
disnined language that such massacre required an
immediate action ths: Il must be given saA that no
would not leave before II was given.
The military chief tried 20 get clear by taking ba,
Cspt Ms arguments were 50 short and clesT tbs, after
Lre while the former offered 10 inaici severe pun.
ishnent upon al those q a. might be i,und guilty
and furthermore TO send the whole body OF soldiers
now here back the interior within eight days Two
days were granted 10 the military commander Tor a
mock trial which ended yesterday Snd this mornin
two soldiers received hny lashes each, and two non
commissioned officers suspended
II is necessary to remark tha, three OF the most re-
spectacle persons here declared oath that on the
same night they had heard order given to toe guard
on the market place, thst they should not allow any
American 10 pass wihos, falling upon him and treating
him Ike dog.