Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1850-08-24
rhe "southern Republic."

The "southern Republic."
. We published in our last number an extract
from a letter of a Washington correspondent
of the New York Courier and Enquirer, OF
rather an extraordinary nature. The revela-
tons made were ridicpled by several papers,
without furnishing any thing satisfactory to
prove the falsity Of his assertions indeed, they
were specific and distinct to a degree far be-
yond similar statements from similar sources.
We give below an extract from q subsequent
letter from the same writer, repeating his
charges, and abiding to the wholesale imputa-
ton ofhis veracity.
Is it at all wonderful that an act of such trea-
sonable description as the one to which the let
ter writer alludes, should have been in contem-
p~lation, when it is known to the world that
it has been previously attempted. The design
Of Burr, originated at a time when all was
unity Of feeling in this country, and when no
one would have dared to speak Of dismember-
ment, or a States representative to talk about
secession. But now, this is the common topic
of Southern u~ltraists, and the most reasonable
conclusion to be arrived at is, that such a
scheme as the one mentioned below, at this
turbulent period, is not fabulous. That some
of these nefarious spirits are anxious in their
ambitious graspings to become notorious in the
manner here alluded TO, Climbing that the
present epoch is the most plausible period to
carry their project into operation) is not at all
improbable.
If the names of those engaged in this bust
ness of Republic-making should ever be expos
ed, we should not be surprised to find connect
ed with it, acme of our most eminent men,
humiliating as the assertion may be. The on
" cloud that ever Swallowed the fame of one
Of the greatest men and Generals Of this
nation, was the assertion, never satisfactorily
contradicted, that he was knowing in part or
wholly to Burr's designs. It has been s~atisfac-
torily ascertained, however, not publicly known,
that the person here alluded to, in 1873, was
connected with the late Gen. Mason, Of Vir-
GINA, in a scheme to separate New Mexico from
the mother country, and to form a new Re-
public in that region, extending to the Pacific.
| Gen. Mason visited New Mexico for that pur-
pose, and while there made known his design
and his plans to- distinguished American Off
Ger in the service Of Mexico, who was pledged
not to reveal the matter to his disadvantage;
who, however, discountenanced the project, and
from whom, after a long lapse Of time, this in
formation was obtained. It is not known pre-
cisely what caused the Illustration 0 fthis daring
| enterprise. But it seems to bring with force
to our mind this conclusion, that what was
| contemplated by distinguished men at a period
Of SO much harmony, would likely be renewed,
now that there is so much Of unruly passion
and discomfort spread throughout the Union.
But to the extracts of the letter below. We sin
cerely trust, that whatever more the writer is
informed of or knows upon this subject, that he
will not refrain from making it public, and by
no means to withhold the names of the promi-
nent actors:
WASHINGTON, August Z.
I was quite aware, in making the recent rev.
elation to the public, Of q reasonable overture
to Mexico, for the dismemberment of the Uni
on, that great surprise would be excited, and
that the country would be astounded, quite as
much as l was, when the authentic evidence of
| that infamous project was first submitted to my
inspection; but l certainly did not anticipate,
that facts which are susceptible Of undoubted
proof, should have been challenged b~yimputed
discredit. The character Of this correspondent
for reliability of statement, has, / believe, never
yet been successfully impeached; and l feel
justified in saying that it will shrink from no
scrutiny or comparison in this very important
respect. Ifmy labors have been directed to
one point, more carefully and scrupulously
thnn another, it has been in rejecting all rue
mors and speculations and in confning myself
strictly to authenticated facts. By pursuing
this course, I may not have been equally for
but / have, at least, the satisfaction of know
ing that the public has not been misled by any
representation which have undertaken to veri-
~. The evidence upon which the late disclo-
sure was authorised, was submitted to me in
the original form, and was accompanied by per-
mission to use the principal facts together with
the connection Of some Of the parties, reserving
the names Of others, through whose agency the
information had been derived. l take this oc-
casion to repeat what was said when the reve-
lation was first given to the public that it was
within the competency Of . committee Of Con-
gress to substantiate every fact alledged BY
me, and ia i much more authentic form. If the
newspapers which have 90 impertinently im-
pupned the truth Of the statements, have char
acter enough to command the respect of their
immediate representative or any other person
in Congress, Il is only necessary to ask : proper
resolution Of enquiry, in order 70 test the ques-
ton, and to relieve the public mind from oil
misgiyings. if any exist. As the coAdition of
my health may render = tsnnoI1y absence
necessary. if such a moyems ElenPlated,
| hope It will be undertake1A 2ietely. Il