The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-08-17

billy, or more gaining 10 my pfce han 10 moo my sell IN
a situation in which stern OF duty TO my own
character compels TO obude my private affairs on the
notice OF the public. Neither the position in which
stand, the necessity arising out of it, is OF my own
seeking Within the last few weeks almost every news
paper in the Union has substantially contained this stale
that "0vid Johnson heading list OF 81 others
have I'll been indicted Brownsville Texas Tor vola
ting The neutrality laws in regard TO Mexico, Ans
staensn ~ simple fact, irue but It's publication 10
ths form al this time. does BY no means convey COT
ret ida OF The truth Daily nquifes from friends mere
And numerous letters from those at Distance admonsh
me that the position ia which am placed wholly MS
coacsived few words OF explanation are necessary
10 psesen THE affair In liz light During the months
Of January aud February, A. d. 1882 there existing
s,a,e Of The utmost violence and CONSERVATION along
our RIO Grxnde frontier. Not night passed without
some robbery, arson, ASSASSINATION having been com
United on territory. between the Gull OF Mexico and
Laredo and the Nueces river The United States mail
coach was repeatedly attacked, the driver shot from the
box in sight OF Brownsville ranches burned, stock and
property carried of to the Mexican side. men killed
women nsu,ed and violated. and every ndgni,y offered
10 our citizens that savage fury could execute Mex
can malice invent These outrages discovered
10 have BEEN in nearly all instances perpetraed by ban
diti encouraged and protected BY The commanding gen
sra OF the Mexican army in the State OF Tamaulpas.
Our own government appealed fer aid but il rned
deaf ear ali complaints OF course. public feeling
was aroused TO the highest pitch OF indignation Every
man saw that il he preserved his property and lie
he depend on his right arm to do IT, is here
due 10 the truth state that The civil authorities of all
the Mexican cities and towns along the Rio Grands-
viz: Maiamoras. Csmargo Mer, and other places. con-
dsmnsd this system OF protecting the thieves and
aims who took refuge under the standard OF Gen Avaos.
who was hmseIf few years since highway robber,
and who n this time however. the government com.
sander These towns desired to live in amy with
the Americans. and, 10 effect this, disowned the ju-
risdiction OF Mexico and established an Independent,
examination under the supervisory control OF General
CaIysjal The authority OF The ayuntamientos OF
these cities covered the whole northern frontier, and
no person had right TO dctate or interfere with
their action They had been ground down the earth
by the military janizares Of Mexico their business
destroyed their people beggared. their houses searched
and the last dollar they had pundered from them
Tain Avalos and his troops in ideness and luxury. In
this condition Of things Cs.vsal, the organ OF these
independent iowLs invited American and other citizens
10 come to that side Of the Rio Grande and
in preserving order peace with the United States, and
soms litle remnant OF freedom 10 the dow rodden Mex
leans of that frontier This invitation seemed offer
sous chance Of arres,ng the deprsdaons Of the Mexican
robbers, and il eagerly embraced was among the
nsnbsx Of those who individually crossed the Rio
Grande, and tut ude aided in coEcerng
hsne6t tbs people OF both nations and 10 save the lives
Of husdreds from The dagger of the murderer. This
movement resulted decisive battle with the troops Of
the Mexican government near the city OF Camargo, on
abe river San Juan, the 23d OF February 1861 The
Mexican forces consisted Of nearly eight hundred OF their
best men, well armed asd equipped, including three hun
dred cavalry and four pieces OF artillery. under the
mand OF one Of the bravest and most experienced Off
Ger, in the whole srmy OF that republic The opposing
force under the command of Carvsjal, amounted to
about one hundred Americans and lile larger number
Msxcans with one twelve-pounder gun. commanded
the Americans aud the The fight began about
two o'clock NJ and lasted for three hours with de-
tsrmined fury characterized contest between the
sane numbers OF comtaiants AT the second discharge
Of the Mexican battery, four hundred yards or Mex
lean allies fed in The most daslaTdly manner, and ex-
coping General Cavajal and two Of his aids left the
whole brunt oil the fight upon less than hundred
Americans But most Of ihees Americans were Texas
raenen and sloously did they and their comrades bear
the heat and burden OF the day. After attempting TO
take our gun by spirited charge OF cavalry. in which
about forty Of the asssanls fell, drove them from
their position the sbrd fourth charge, took Of
their rsns and forced them abandon the field leaving
most OF their munitions, and many Of their dead and
wounded They did not halt in their fight ill they had
proceeded Than ten miles from the Of action
The Ion we had sus'ained in killed and wounded
anoun,ing 10 thryon men, bad 30 weakened DER small
force that could not take advantage OF victory
hsarine a. we did, that reinforcement OF one thousand
Mexican troops within day march OF CamaVo.
Tia Mexican loss in killed and wounded in this battle
nearly two hundred men. The concentration oil Mex
lean troops despatched BY the government that point
ntimdaed the large body OF citizens who were ready
10 join ss and left alternative but retire from
the ground which the Mexican battery, as we did
Al nidnight. and wait a favorable occasion This
was the head and front OF my offending, and nc
ntre."
few weeks after this occurred, in March, 1852 the
Eedssal court Brownsville The deputy marshal "a
psnsoaer oLAvalo's) summoned grand jury, the dis
act attorney. with much industry and zeal, and with
several thousana dollars OF secsservce" money from
WashinTton under his CONTROL and the Mexican consul
with sin more from that quarter, begun the work Of
Vengeance The spies. hired agents of Mexico. subs
died judge. and foul PAVED" pefoxges in her pay
ali came the labor with the jealous activity OF such
wor,hes. who are full feed now" and !" hope for
sores" The accused parties all on the spot, was
there the witnesses all there the facts fresh
in every mans memory; wounds yet green :"
and what the resutl Bills Of indictment were found
sgainsl six OF the accused parties but against me
although most Indignantly asssed and alter four
Gays Of the lime OF the grand jury TO the special exam
nston Of than thirty Witnesses my petty calpmnia
tors had The modification TO get but hr" Of that body
nj .ahksn to vote for true billiard tts grand jury.
Too. chosen BY themselves i ows il The members OF
This grand jury 10 declare that although synpathzng
with us kbusters," they were nevertheless honest
nsa and true PATRIOTS and dsch ged their duty 10 their
country like faithful citizens Here IL might have been
thought THIS matter would end; but not 40 at all The
sNstant let mat quarter OF the country new machina
Goas were set on foot-new subsidies were apped-,be
sesno depuy marshal selected a more portAosabk and
therefore more patriotic grand jurynew witnesses are