The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-15

much as move this great pillar and fundamental
principle in American Democracy.
From the .Nso Orleans Picawsne.
From the Rio Grande- Fight at Matamo-
j ras.
/ The fighting within the city of Matamoras
still continued when the Fanny sailed, the ad.
verse forces having been engaged with little in
remission, for more than week. Carvajal 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
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. Carvajals
staff, while entering Matamoras with flag of
trace, was fired on and shot through the hat by
was ordered under arrest by Col. Portilla, who
was in command. There are l04 wounded men
in Gen. AVOIDS 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 dischargeD and their apparent
proximity, think they are having hot work
Carvajal has but one FOUNDER against nine IL
FOUNDERS, but he plies his piece we'll. 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
OTHER
Below we give another letter, which gives
some particulars not contained in our other nc.
counts:
BROWNSVILLE, October %, 1851.
Up to this date neither of the contending par.
ties has obtained any decided advantage.
There is, apparently, determination on the
part of the forces under command of General
Avalos, to defend the town to the last extremity,
and, as far as | am able to learn, the enthusiasm
which prevailed Mt one time among Carvajals
troops, has very much subsided.-Carvajal now
has his head quarters in the market plaza, whence
he sends out his skirmishing parties, who ex-
change a 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 in 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. IL is positively known that the Devine
building was fired by order of Carvsjal, who
has very peculiar notions as to the means to be
employed for the liberation of his countrymen.
| During the confagraton, Mr.. Waddell, the
American consul, and some American gentle
men who were in his house, went out to en-
deavor TO save the goods-S20,0OO worth
which were in the Rasaca house. In this labor
they were assisted by a number of the National
Guard, who had thrown aside their arms in order
more effectually 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 " his countrymen
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 Carvajal's
men, and Mr.. w. was wounded by musket ball
| in the cheek.
Whatever patriotism may have at first char
acterized CaryajaPs movement, has now entirely
vanished. The movement Is simply an armed
invasion from the United States, and the persons
engaged in II are employed robbing 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 the
United States The presence Of the marshal and
United States attorney is very much needed here.
The most extreme distress exists among the
poor people who have been driven out of Msta-
morns From 200 TO 1900 women and children
have been compelled 10 abandon their homes,
and many Of them are entirely destitute.
Daring the hardest of the fighting, General
AVOIDS ordered every American in Matamoras
to confine himself 10 bis store or dwelling Mt the
same time commanding his troops 10 shoot down
any one who might be seen in the streets. The
cause for this was his belief that all the Ameri-
cans were sympathizing with Carvsjal, and ready
to afford him relief should an opportunity occur.
We learn this verbally.
correspondence had taken place between
Capt Phelps, the commander Of Fort Brown,
and Carvaja, the revolutionary leader in which
the latter said he had been informed that YES
sci belonging TO the United States was en- route
from the mouth Of the Rio Grande, with rein
forcements for Gen. Avalos, and solemnly pro-
testing against it as an outrage upon the rights
OF the people in whose behalf he presumed to
act
Capt Phelps replied verbally and In writing,
that this communication was Of so extraordinary
character that he hardly knew how to reply to
il, even Gen. Carvajal occupied recognized
official position--and in addition, he states
several specific charges, which are respectively
taken up, and answered by Gen. Caryaja, in his
accompanying reply. Capt. Phelps concludes.
by solemnly warning Gen. Carvajai in the name
Of his government against the consequences of
these proceedings. -
In another letter Carvajal concludes as fol.
lows:
In conclusion, | beg leave to assure you that
my respect Tor the institutions, flag, and people
that | should esteem IL one of the greatest
misfortunes Of my life IL had done or connie.
nanced aught that could Justly offend the nieest
sensibilities Of any Of her citizens. desire ~
cultivate the most amicable relations with that