Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-08-08
old Marcy put to him that very irrelevant in

old Marcy put to him that very irrelevant in.
terrOgatory.
Referring TO the Mexican war, we are re.
minded Of an incident in which the Governor
was paid OF in his own coin. After the battles
In the valley OF Mexico, before our army had
entered the city, there was, for a long time, al,
interruption of all communications between the
army and the Government, the guerillas hold
ing possession of all the roads to the coast. The
hrst person who came through after the battles
was James L.. Freaner who had been sent to
the scene Of the war from the news-room of the
New Orleans Delta as correspondent. He was
the author Of the celebrated Mustang letters.
which embody by far the most accurate descrip-
tiOns that have ever been published of this war
Freaner was intrusted with General Scott's s
dispatches relative to the battles of Contreras
Churubusco, Chepultepec, &c, and, indeed, all
the operations of the army after leaving Puebla.
and his orders were to deliver them to Cover.
nor Marcy 8 own hands Immediately on his ar
rival at Washington, without sleeping or stop
ping by the way. Freaner fastened the inclo-
sure containing the dispatches to his body, and
proceeded on his perilous journey Killing sew
eral horses on his way by hard riding, and pass
ing through innumerable perils, Freaner reach
ed the United States in safety, and fastened to
Washington, which he reached about twelve
O'Clock at night. Dressed in the Mexican cab
allerO style, with long beard and uncombed
hair, not having changed his clothes since he
left General ScOtt's camp, Freaners appear
ance was not calculated to leave very fayora-
Bile impression on the minds of civilians In
deed, more desperately misunderstanding
character was never before seen at the peaceful
seat OF our government.
1t was not, therefore, without just cause that
when he proceeded, at twelve o'clock at night,
to the private mansion of Secretary Marcy and
violently rang the bell, that the servant who
OOpnph the door hrayv haak in al
fearful a Fra Diavolo; and to the inquiry
whether Mr.. Marcy was in, replied that the
" "Governor had gone to bed and couldn't see
anybody, and especially such as him "Get
out OF the way" replied Freaner, showing aside
the frightened menial show me the way to
the Governors bed room or Ill cut off both
your ears" The terrified servant pointed the
direction, and Freaner stalkcd up stairs and
knocked at the door of the Secretary's cham
Der. Presently hoarse and indignant voice
was heard from within.
. Who's that who dares to intrude on my
slumbers in this way"
James l.. Freaner' was the answer
Who in the devil are you was the next
rather churliSh query.
i am bearer of dispatches from General
Scott.
Well, sir, replied the Governor, .'come
around in the morning and deliver your dis
patches IN business hours, and don't come here
like burglar to alarm my family
Can do 1t, sir-orders imperative-Gen-
eral ScOtt-nOt Sleep-deliver in person
were the words that reached the now almost
furious Secretary through the key-hol There
was no alternative; he had evidently encoun-
tered as strict construction as himself and
could only be relieved Of his presence by re-
eeiylnS him in person. So he opened the door
OF his bedroom and there beheld n specimen
OF hirsute humanity, which, at that hour of the
night, and under the circumstances, might
have alarmed a man of even greater experience
IN the trying scenes of war, than the hero OF
ROusses Point
The Governor drew back in horror, while the
savage intruder could not suppress a chuckle
at the queer appearance of the venerable poll
ucian, In his white night-cap and long shirt.
This mutual surprise was soon interrupted.
however, by the ''brigand's'' disengaging some
object from a very complex arrangement of his
inner garments and handing darkened stained
package to the Governor who received it rather
suspiciously- Our Fra Diavolo, with an abrupt
=" "bHenOs nOces," then hurried down stairs.
and. opening the door, proceeded to his hotel
before the servant. who had gone for police
officer to arrest the burglar, had returned
The next day the first official intelligence Of
the great victories achieved by our gallant
army in the valley of Mexico was given to the
world. That intelligence was contained in the
package which Governor Marcy had received
in the mysterious and alarming manner we
have described.