The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-13


much move this great pillar and fundamen tal
principle in American Democracy.
From the .Nsw Orleans Picawns
From the RlO Grande-Tho Fight It Matane.
ras.
The fighting within the city of Matamoras
still continued when the Fanny sailed, the sd.
verse forces having been engaged, with little in
termission, for more than week Carvaisl was
advancing upon the west side Of the town, and
on the 30th October was within four squares of
the Plaza, where Gen. Avalos had his head
quarters. Here the latter was posted with eight
or nine pieces of artillery so disposed as to cover
each other The revolutionary leader had but
single piece, and was fighting his way from
house to house.
The Rio BRAVO Of the 29th says:
Yesterday Major Gonzales, of Gen. Carvajal's
staff, while entering Matanoras with flag of
truce, was fired on and shot through the hat by
one of Avalos' National Guards. The pol;roon
was ordered under arrest by Col. Portilla, who
was. in command. There are lO4 wounded men
in Gen. Avolos' hospital. From this fact the
killed may be inferred They cannot fall short
of half that number.
Gen. Carvajal ordered two of his soldiers who
had committed thefts to be severely whipped
yesterday, and issued the most stringent orders
for the punishment of those who should offend
in like manner. Such are the rules of discipline
and honesty enforced in this army of pirates and
outlaws. Will AVOIDS follow the example?
A letter from merchant in Brownsville to
the Picayune concludes thus:
have just been to the door to examine the
position of the contending parties. From the
rapidity OF the discharges, and their apparent
proximity, think they are having hot work
Carvajal has but one 6 FOUNDER against nine u
FOUNDERS, but he plies his piece WELL To-day
We are told, greater effort will be made, and
appearance indicate the fact. God grant that
this day may decide the contest one way or the
OF er.
Below we give another letter, which gives
some particulars not contained in our other &C.
counts:
BROWNSVILLE, October 20, 1851.
Up to this date neither of the contending par
ties has obtained any decided advantage.
There is, apparently, determine ion on the
part of the forces under command of General
Avalos, to defend the wn to the last extremity.
and, as far as am able to learn, the enthusiasm
which prevailed at one time among CarvajaIs
troops, has very much subsided-Carvaia now
has his herd quarters in the market plaza, whence
he sends out his skirmishing parties, who ex-
change few shots with the National Guard, and
at night return to the plaza
Matamoras had been twice fired, and large
quantities of goods burnt up
The first fire commenced ia the BUILDING.
known as the Devine building, consuming that
and the adjoining building, known as the Rasaca
house. The confagration commenced about 10
o'clock. 1t is positively known that the Desyine
building was fired by order of Carvaial, who
has very peculiar notions as to the means to be
employed for the liberation of his countrymen.
During the conhagration, Mr. Waddell, the
American consul, and some American gentle
men who We're in his house, went out to en-
deavor to save the goods--S2000O worth
which were in the Rasaca house. In this labor
they were assisted by number of the National
Guard, who h9d thrown aside their arms in order
more eheciually TO aid in removing the goods.
Mr. Waddell had his flag with him, while en-.
gagged in this business, and he is certain that he
must have been recognized by his countrymep
who were with Carvajl Notwithstanding this.
and while engaged in rescuing the property of
an Amerisan citizen from destruction, Mr. Wad-
dell and his friends were fired upon by Carvaal's
men, and Mr.. w. was wounded by musket ball
in the cheek
Whatever patriotism may have at first char
acterzed Carvnjals movement, has now entirely
vanished. The movement is simply an armed
invasion from the United States, and the persons
engaged in it are employed robbng those por-
tons of the town in their possession, and COM
hitting other excuses.
The plumber taken from the peaceful inhabit-
ants Is deposited within the territory of tho
United States. The presence of the marshal and
United States attorney is very much needed here.
The most extreme distress exists among the
pOOr nponla tuho have haa 1rvoo r.
moras. From 200 to 800 women and children
have been compelled to abandon their homes
and many of them are entirely destitute.
During the hardest of the fighting General
AVOIDS ordered every American in Matanoras
10 conhne himself to bis store or dwelling at the
same time commanding bis troops to shoot down
any one who might be seen in the streets The
cause for this was his belief that all the Ameri-
,ans were sympathizing with Carvajal, and ready
% afford him relief should an opportunity occur.
We learn this verbally
a correspondence had taken place between
capt Phelps, the commander of Fort Brown.
md Sarvajal, the revolutionary leader, in which
he latter said he had been informed { at ves-
vel belonging to the United States was en- route
rom the mouth of the Rio Grande. with rein
orcements for Gen. Avalos, and solemnly pro-
esting against Il as an outrage upon the rights
II the people in whose behalf he presumed to
ct
Capt Phelps replied verbally and in writing,
hat this communications was of so extraordinary
character that he hardly knew how to reply to
!, even Gen. Carvajsl occupied recognized
fficial position--and in addition, he states
evera specific charges, which are respectively
AIKEN up, and answered by Gen. Carvsjal, in his
accompanying reply. Capt. Phelps concludes.
" soleu My warning Gen. Csrvsjal in the name
# his government, against the consequences of
hese proceedings.
In another letter Carvsia concludes as fol-
ous. "
In conclusion, ] beg leave to assure Won that
ny respect for the institutions, flag. and peonJ.
4 the United States, Is so high and 80 sincere.
hat l should esteem il one of the preste.t
nlsfortnnes CT my life If had done or connie
"nced aught that could Justly offend the incest
Of any Of her citizens. I desire to
ultvaie the most amicabe relations with th.t
government and people, and trust thew will not
lew with total indifference our STRUGGLE with
diversity in the same path to freedom. which
heir revolutionary farihers have 40 noblv trod