American telegraph., 1851-12-10

n
ing for markets. Their industrial system, un-
fettered by ancient usage, and by the pomp
and magnifcence which our social institutions
countenance, is essentially democratic in its
tendencies. They produce for the masses, and
for wholesale consumption. There is hardly
anything shown by them which is not easily
within the reach of the most moderate fortune
No government of fayoritism raises any manu-
factures to a pre- -eminence which secures for it
the patronage of the wealthy. Everything is
entrusted to the ingenuity of individuals, who
look for their reward to public demand alone
With an immense command of raw produce,
they do not, like many other countries, skip
over the wants of the many, and rush to sup
ply the luxuries Of the few.
On the other hand, they have turned their
attention eagerly and successfully to machinery
as the first stage in their industrial progress
They seek to supply the shortcomings Of their
labor market, and to combine utility with cheap
ness. The most ordinary commodities are not
beneath their notice, and even nursery chairs
are included in their collection of ''notions. y
They have beaten US in yacht building; they
pick our best locks; they show us how to reap
corn by machinery, and to make Brussels car
pet by the power-loom. Our coopcrs will hear
with dismay, and our brewers with satisfaction,
that by an invention of theirs, recently intro
duced into the Exhibition, one man can do the
work of twenty in stave making, and far more
efficiently. Such triumphs do not affeGE, per-
haps, the mechanical superiority Of the mother
country; but they serve to show that WHILE on
the one side, nations less free and enlightened
than ours teach us how to throw a lustre and
grace over the peaceful arts, our own children
are now and then able to point out how we can
improve and extend them.
|
| SANTA ANNA PASSING THE BLoCKADING SQUAD
| RoN.-Lieut. Semmes, in his "Service Ahoat
and Ashore gives the following interesting
account of the passage of Santa Anna through
the American blockading squadron at Vera
Cruz 1t win be recollected that the commander
of the squadron was specially instructed by the
President to allow the willy chieftain to pass
freely:
"Early in August, while the squadron was
| lying at anchor under Green Island, keeping
watch and ward over the enemys city and cas-
tie of Vera Cruz, the seaman on the lookout,
at the mast head of the st. Marys, then cruis-
ing on the blockade, deserted the smoke of
steamer As this was not the regular day for
the appearance Of any Of the English mail
steamers-which had been permitted to pass in
and out of the beeaguered port without ques-
tion, the English government pledging itself for
their faithful conduct as nuetrals-the smoke
u
| and deserted part of the Mexican gulf The
st. Mary's, in due time, placed herself in a
position to intercept the stranger in her ap-
proach to the city, and as the latter came up
within hailing distance, she ordered her to
heave to- while n boat was being sent on
board of her. The boat being in readiness in
few minutes, lieutenant jumped into her,
and with a few strokes Of his oars from the
sinewy arms of his seamen, placed himself
alongside the steamer.
"The steamer being evidently merchant YES
sci, the lieutenant was surprised to find himself
received with much ceremony and courtesy a
the gangway. Making his way on deck, anc
explaining the object of his visit to the captain
he was conducted to the cabin, where he wa.
ushered into the society of a circle of gentle
men, evidently Spaniards or Mexcans, from
their olive complexions, black hair and eyes
and pointed and curled mustachios. 1t was
obvious also, at the first glance, that most il
not all these gentlemen, although dressed in
plain or citizens Clothes were military men,
and persons of bearing and distinction. After
moments pause, the captain, us though he
had purposely prepared surprise for the board
! ing officer turned toward him, and making a
| graceful motion with his right hand at the same
time in the direction of one Of the gentlemen,
who, though Of the ordinary height and figure,
seemed by his commanding air and manner to
be the chief of the party, said, Allow me to
present you, sir, to General Antonio Lopez dc
Santa AWu.' The officer started back at first
in little surprise, but soon recovering himself,
advanced cordially toward the general and ex-
tending his hand, mutual interchange Of ci-
Whites took place.
q In few moments Sonora Santa Anna, Ia
second wife, a handsome blonde, with deep blue
eyes and auburn hair, and still in the bloom of
early womanhood, Joined the party and was
presented to the officer, who saluted her in re-
turn with becoming galantry and respect.
| General Almonte, late minister to the United
States, was also present as one Of the generals
suite, and speaking our language well, acted as
interpreter on the occasion. General Santa
Anna having explained briefly who he was-al-
though such explanation was entirely unneces-
sary-and that he proposed going into Vera
Cruz, with the permission of the Commodore,
the boarding officer, after sitting as long as
courtesy required, and perhaps little longer
than strict regard to duty permitted in hom-
age to the ladys charms--a petticoat being
quite an unusual sight to us rough blockaders,
about this time-withdrew to report progress
to his commanding officer, and to ask for orders
in the novel case which occurred.
"The commander, who had been prepared by
the commodore for the contingency, forthwith
despatched the boat back again, and directed
the officer at the same time that he should pre-
sent his compliments to Gen. Santa Anna, and
say to him, on the part of the commodore, that
he could proceed to Vera Cruz with his suite,
as he desired;' whereupon the steamer Arab
shot boldly out from under the lee of the block
aiding vessel and in an hour or two more landed
her distinguished passenger, big with the
fate of Mexico, safely in the desired haven.
That night the roar Of cannon and the bursting
Of rockets in the air testified the JOY Of the
tickle Vera Cruzanos at the return of their lost
Coriolanus; and it soon transpired that the
willy peacemaker, who had so handsomely duped
our Cabinet at Washington, had put himself at
the head Of the ultra war party and pro-
claimed--in common with acting President Sa-
las, whom he hastcned to join No quarter
| A ~.