The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1848-11-10
From the New Orleans Delta.
The Prisoner Of San Antonio de
BeXar.

humanity, have the effect of calling into ac
ton the finest traits Of our nature-the most
exalted virtues with which the mind of man
is endowed. See, how benelicient Charity
opened the wide portals of her well-flled
cranarieS, in this country, 10 feed the starry
ing millions IN Ireland when assailed Sy
gauni Famine; and how freely-how libel-
ally She gave Of her bounty, while regret.
ting the cause that made the Offering neces.
sary.
When an epidemic visits our own city.
and the destroying angelpasseS rapidly from
street TO street, and from dwelling 10 dwell
ing, what can more elevate our species in
the eyes Of the just and the good, than the
nnceasing and unsleeping efforts of benevo-
lent societies and individuals among ns?-
The stranger and the poor are the objects
Of their solcitude; these they seek ont in
their obscure dwellings, and taking their
stand betweenthem and the pcstilencc, leave
no effort untried that humanity and medical
skill can devise to defeat il.
The Mexican war, too, while it neccsSa-
rIly led 10 the destruction Of many valuable
lives--io public injury and private suffer
ings-how much that was noble in nature
did 1t eXhibitE How much that was vrtu-
ouSin feeling and generous III soul? Much,
much more than we could in the present ra-
"a sketch even glance at. One instance,
however, nay serve TO illustrate the truth
of the postnlate with W hichwe commenced,
and that we will proceed 10 narrate, avoid
Ing all attempts at effect and elaboration, e
indulge in which we are forbidden by our
prescribed space.
There came down TO This city in the month
OF November last, an old man it, the capac-
ity OF wagon driver, in the service of the
United States. lie was from the interior Of
Kentucky, where he had entered on his new
vocation, agreeing TO fill il for the term Of
six months or longer. His hairs were grey
and few; his face was furrowed, more even
from sorrow than from age, though time.
too, had LETT IFS traces upon him. He was
elligeht-evidcntly educated-and un-
suited by previous habits, for the station
which. in this instance, he had assumed.
Having 10 report himself TO Capt. IL,
in this city, before embarking for Mexico,
that gentleman was struck with his iitell-
cence and still respectable, though care
worn appearance. He .questioned him the
story Of his life :" which he briefly told, and
which we shall still more briefly repeat.
He was bred a physician; married when
young, one whom he loved and by " HON he
was beloved, and settled in P county.
kentucky. An only son was the fruit Of
that irairiaec--the only pledge OF that mu-
tual love. Following the bent Of way.
ward inclination, he emcrated TO Texas.
while that country was yet province vi
McXico-just before its people proclaimed
their Independence. Though young. he
played daring, if not conspicuous part.
H. the early struggles Of the coloniSts 10 sus-
tain their freedom, aud was made prisoner
10y the enemy in one of the earliest battles
that Of San Antonio de Bexar, we be-
lieve. lie was carried off captive to the
city OF Mexico, there immured in dun
geon, and finally sentenced TO work as a
prisoner for life, III one the Mexican mines.
The knowledge of his melancholy fate was
too much for his mother. 1t preyed upon
her mind, and through her mind, upon her
constitution not naturally robust She pm.
ed III grief for her only, her absent child
she sickened-sh died. The father. find.
ing himself thus bereit of his household gods
the branches Of his homestead Topped Off.
like blasted tree Oh desert hearth, neg
lected his PROFESSIONAL times he resorted
to the bowl as temporary assuager of his
crieis, and finally became bur,hen on his
hospitable neighbors, who knew him in his
better days.
When our army had entered Mexico
before even it reached the capitalists cap.
tive son was enabled TO write him letter,
telling him that for ransom of six hundred
dollars he could secure his liberty.
How or where the old man was to get six
hundred dollars under Heaven, he knew
not, but like Major Miller, when asked il
he thought he could capture'n certain bate.
ry of the enemy, she would iry!' As n
first step, then, III the accomplishment Of an
enterprise 80 dear him, he to enlisted. or
registered himself as United States team
ster for six months.
Capt. B., having heard his touching
but truthful story, at once felt the strong
parental affection which at his age prompted
him to undertake such n task, aud under.
too, such unpropitious auspices. He was
not man however. TO dampon his aSpira.
tons for the liberty of lis only son lie
rather felt inclined to inspire him with hope,
OF success; and with this view, promoted
him to the rank of wagon master. This
gave him an increase OF pay aud position
a little, at least, more suited TO lis years
aud hls former condition OF life. ln good
time, having expressed his gratitude TO Capt
b, for his sympathy and kindness, he
set out for Mexico, invested with his new
| command. lie landed at Vera Cruz, pro.
ceCded up with one Of the trains, aud reach.
ed Mexico without meeting an accident. OF
subjrctng himself 10 rcprimand.
by this time his story became known &c
Gen. $, Of the American army, who in.
tercsted himself in his behalf. He also en-,
listed in the old mans favor the sympathie,
fan influential Mexican General. and thrc'
the mutual efforts and exertions of both. o,
the paymcn, Of three hundred dollars-unc
half less than the sum originally stipulated
! lor-the prison doors Of the prisoner of Sau
! Antonio de BeXar, after twelve years cap.
tivity, were thrown open, aud the first Us,
he made Of hl, liberty was TO rush to the
arms Of his devoted father.
About three months ago, the father and
sou passed through this city. They called
on Capt. b. The old man, NTH tear,
in his eyes, thanked Kim FOR his Kindness
the SON expressed his obligations, aud boil
left for their home in the west on the mex
boat. No laurelled General left. Mexico q
happier man than the father did. None fell
he had achieved greater triumph than ihC
son. They are living in the village wher,