The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-19
Interesting from YucntaM.

Interesting from Yucntan.
The brig Mary Ann Captain Wait, arrived at
this port yesterday, from Sisa whence she sailed
| on the 29h of March. BY this arrival, we have
received the following interesting letter from our
| correspondent:
SIsAL DE YUcATAN, March ., IS49.
There is quite an excitement in these regions in
fitting out an armed expedition against the port and
castle of Bacalar-the last strong hold of the In
dams The expedition consists of from 800 to 1000
troops, among which is company of Americans,
numbering about sixty-fve men, under command
of Capt. Robert Kelly, who is highly spoken of as
valiant and daring soldier, having been in the ar
my that invaded Mexico, and has seen some ser
vice here in Yucatan. On the 18th of last Decem-
Ger he was badly wounded in most obstinate
fight between the whites and the Indians. Since
them for particular reasons, the Yucatan govern
ment ordered all the American volunteers from the
interior to the capital, (Merda) where they were
all disarmed and disbanded, &c. There was much
ill-feeng and discomfort among the disbanded
troops. The government had sent about three
hundred of them to New Orleans by the American
ship Genesee; more pitiful set of objects is sell
dom seen than these poor devils embarking at
tale of hardships, and hopes and golden expecta-
tons basted-the golden visions with which they
came here were anything but realised on their de-
parture-haf starved, shocless, and nearly naked,
were many of them and nothing but lmprecatlons
from them was heard, against this country and the
expedition to Yucatan.
The inhabitants hereabouts speak highly of the
courage and bravery of the volunteers, and lind
but one fault against them, viz. THAT they are a
very drunken set of fellows, fighting constantly
among themselves, but still never meddllng with,
or insulting any of the inhabitants; and what is to
them the most astonishing Is, that they show
marked respect to all females, not offering the
slightest indignity nsult to any either by word
or deed. The few Americans that 60 with this ex-
petition have enlisted regularly into the Yucatan
service and are, all intents and purposes, Yucca
tacoes If they succeed, and become masters of
Bacalar, the war virtually at end with the In
dams, as they will be cut off from receiving NUM-
tons, &C., by which they are enabled Uhrough
Bacalar) to carry on the war. Bacalar is situated
so near Belize, in Honduras, that arms, powder,
&c. can easily be conveyed there, and there are
loud and bitter complaints made here against the
merchants and others of Belize, &c.
Did you ever hear OF prisoners OF war being sold
into servitude? Many of the Indians taken In this
war have been sent up to Havana, IN steamer,
formerly one of the packets between London and
Scotland, but under Spanish coors, On her last
trip up, she had one hundred and twenty-five
of these doomed beings. They do matters and
things in this country according to their way of
thinking.
The gold lever mas not EXTENDED 10 Dlsai-tne
people here generally believing it to be an Ameri-
can humbug
Bread-stnffs are very scarce-Aour being about
$25 per barrel. Corn is to be imported at nominal
duty, for space OF time, and much Is daily ex-
pected from New Orleans.
There is now at Sisal an American un'er very
peculiar circumstances Mr.. Church, formerly
chief officer of the American bark Atot of Boston.
The Aof was on her passage from Hamburg to
Vera Cruz, with very valuable cargo, and was
lost-stranded-on the Aacranes reef, about sixty
miles from this port. The captain and his wife
and seaman were drowned; the mate, (Mr.
Sisal, leaving at the Alacranes the second mate
and part of the crew. At Slsal he procured
lighters and assistance, and returned to the wreck,
where he, with the crew and the assistance with
him, succeeded In saving much OF the cargo, which
was In part sent down to Campeachy, the re-
mainder to Sisa; since when, most of It has
been Sold to the amount of thousands OF dollars
but he, poor devil, is not allowed one dollar,
and he is actually living h on charity Gyi,, Ing Ing
generously made him present OF sixteen doi.ars,
when he was acquainted with particulars, remark
ing that if Mr.. Church had been an Englshman,
and the vessel an English vessel, he would soon
put him in a way to recover his lawful due. This
was Capt. Wood, of II. b. M. brig Hound, and he
was one of those kind of men that take pride IN do
ing the correct thing. You must know that there
is no American Consul here, neither Is there SIN
gle American merchant or resident at Slsal or the
capital Merida with population of nearly $1,000
to assist or advise Mr.. G. Mr.. c. has been advised
to go down to Vera Cruz, and make his situation
known TO some of your naval officers; but It appears
he is in debt for board and Is not allowed to leave
He is truly in bad situation. The shipwreck OF
the Altof was "a great godsend to this community.
| see by your paper Che HeaidO of January
both, that at Key West, also, some effects from
the Altof were sold at auction, to the emount
of $4,000 and over. Surely II officers and crew
assist in saving goods to the amount OF one
hundred thousand dollars, they are entitled to
Lon
pensation afterwards by way of salvage, or other
remuneration. ! do not know who were the own
ers at Boston OF the Aoi but am IN hopes they
will see their servants redressed IN some way or
another. | hope, friend Bennett, you VIII, through
the columns OF your much-read and widespread
Herald, call kind OF attention TO this unforu-
nate Mr.. Church, and you can use my name IT ne
cessary, actually necessary, as have had many
interviews with Mr.. G., nc.
/ endeavored TO procure some papers for you, but
did not succeed. lucaan is now one OF the Mex
lean States to all lntents and purposes, and has,
understand, ample treasury. There is great
scarcity of bread stuff, the war IN the interior
preventing agricultural pursuits, Flour is very
dear, selling for $40 and upwards. But the I'm,
portation lies in the hands OF a few privileged
merchants, who, no doubt, know what they are
about In fact il is a complete monopoly. II Is
expected, however that large quantities Indian
corn will soon arrive from New Orleans, as 1t Is IN
a measure, admitted at low duty.
Produce for your market is scarce and dear.
Freghts are very low, and, as yet, your Calitor-
MIA fever does not rage here. All vessels arriving
from any American port are quaranlned.
1t is a great pity that such nation az ours can
not have Consul at tbs port and the sight OF an
American man o-war once IN "A lew years might
remind us that we have armed vessels which are
created or built for some purpose besides making
comfortable quarters for officers, &c. ! wish the
Brandywlnc with Commander Storer, was in these
waters. or some other good and efficient vessel OF
war. No doubt you have many such in the navy
and why not ma Ike use Of them or have they all
gone to California think you are all gone beside
yourselves. 1t was formerly said that John Bull
could be most easily gucd, but now am satisfied
that the Yankees are true descendants and have as
great swallows as any others. This il about all
have for you, Mr.. Bennett, at this time I; but more
anon.
Sporting Intelligence.
C,x1rssut. Coussg-There will be some capital