The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-03-13

seceae beyond doubt, that event will be followed
on this frontier rhe settler would not be safe without
adequate protection which this state is bound 70 provide
Capt HnI-You have taken Brazos Santiago; you hav
committed hostile act regard and your men as
enemies and therefore disposed 70 do anything
property at thaa place; and even then l will not
promise 70 destroy that property and what
not fully made up my mind whether shall go TO BRACES
with adequate force To drive out your troops
much superior in numerical strength TO mine Ny men
enjoy the advantage OF superior discipline; have a
complete equipment and the best field battery in the
country One Of my men ID equal 70 three Of your unds
cplned troope and can wipe yours out with as much
case as would figures from slate. There three
thousand United States troops in Texas They can do as
they choose but for me shall discharge my duty 70
Cen NlcHoIs-The Texans have not come here TO aght
you; but I not disposed to exchange bansers with
you or vaunt Of my military strength and no act Of
mine or the officers in the command accompanying me,
collision. When came here expected TO be received
and treated courteously, and have determined in view
tf the importance OF eecting my mission sacefuy to
be cool and collected and not take notice your
sulting tone and manner.
Capt Hull Qndignantly)-sir, can have you arrested
for treason by civil officer OF this city who has told
Gen NiuoIs--( Excited) Capt. Hill. II there is any
civil officer in this State who would dare arrest for
treason he would cat again the bread OF peace
upon its SOIL he would be hunted down. II am trail
Texas whom | represent, who arc traitors also.
Capt Enthusiastically 40 not recognise you in an
Official capacity; your commission wish TO communi-
with me- they should address me in writing setting
forth their claims AS told you previously, l now re-
peat for the arrest Of Coils. Ford and Mcleod.
Mr. WAIIER-By~ what right or upon what principle
would you order The arrest of these gentemenY
Capt. HnI-I would arrest them traitors to the
United States. for committing an act or war against my
government in the seizure OF the military post at BaZos
Mr. WAuER--Your act would be against every prece
dent of civilized warfare No civilized nation has yet
pr Of those who peaceful mission
q
placed themselves in the hands even Of enemies for that
purpose.
Capt. Hill made no reply
Capt HnL (renewing the conversation the Com
mssoners make Command for the transfer TO them OF
the federal property in my hands, including my light
battery and the small arms Of the troolsY
Gen NIcioIs-That question involves point Of major
impo in comparison to other features OF the ne
gatiaton will that subject 70 your satisfaction
when you shall have recognized my official position and
that Of my colleague.
i Capt HiII-In answer to that will say that IL 70.
ceivc orders leave the State, without precise instruc
t,ns what disposition to make OF the public proper
ty viii destroy rather than allow IT to go INTO your
possession.
Cen. Neuors--No law exists providing for this contln
gercy; and 10 you not under circumstan SEES feel
that could and should exercise some discretionary
power.
Gen NICHOLS argued in reply that no aS existed pro-
vidpg for this utpgency, ana he asked Cspt H. II he
DID not the circumstances feel that he could and
should exercise discrelionary power?
Capt uI answered that no would obey ORDERS be they
whai hey might
On TO bus room General Nichols, 10 pursuance
Of Captain Hs wish, addressed that officer letter,
stating hs miss on.hat he delegated by the people
Of Texas convention assembled I, provide for pro
fiction OF the RIO Grande fronter, aud TO receive all ord
and munitions there placed for ouch protec
lon. he bad ceme with sufficient number of men to
afford that D, election which was absolutely needed it
was deemed inevitable that the federal troops there
would be Withdrawn Immediately on the secession Of
Texas No of the Texas troops should occur 10 bring
collision with the federal troops. II necessary
the Texans should be assigned speedily to their deat
stations lie General NJ would therefore, ask posses
N.1Itk F,lnr
placed tie frontier for its protection, and that at
early day. Texas would In few days be out OF the
t'n or-an ndtpei dent repubc-and then the United
states in her territory for her protection would be
uIon eign fo they would be obligation to
afford that protection and having no duty to perform,
would doubtless soon be removed Texas regaros them
renos; but the federal property In their charge
placed in the state fer her protection, becomes her pro-
rerty her separation the Union aud ought to be
delivered peaceably to those authorized to act for her
This letter sent to Captain Hill at four p. on
Saturday 23d and General Nichols awaited reply unit
seven r. NJ Mr.. Waller then called at Captain Hill g
quarters to get written reply The Atjuant informed
Nr. Waller ii would be ready in few moments; but,
be ready Until morning Mr.. Waller told the Adjutant
Gen era Nichols could wait ard to hand the reply
Colonel Ford D would forward by express to Brazos
General Nichols reached the latter place daylight
Sunday nornpg, 24hi and was detained by stress Of
weather until the 25th at ii A. NJ, when he and Mr..
Waller with four of the sick, the pilot Captain King and
quantity Of the artillery and stores taken the island
left in the Fisk for Galveston arriving here on Tuesday
Gen. Nohcis received reply to his last letter to Capt
Ii. and was not aware when he left II any had been
given He left Col Ford Brownsville labcrng jealous
~ carry out peacsaby the objects Of the mission. Gen.
Nichols speaks Of him as the right man for the right
place, very popular and influential on the frontier.
laeut. Col. Mcleod when Gen. Nichols left busy
terrifying his post ut Brazos santiago half Of his force
shovel 10 hand and in good coDdtfsn, and in short time
be would be able to resist successfully any attack Capt
Iiill might make Oh him. even though with force Of
COO or coo men.
col Ford and Gen. Nichols agreed, on parting at
Brownsville that the former should send express
Corpus Christi TO hurry forward the Mounted Rangers,
then the way and to ask for troops while Gen.
Nichols should come here aud take back the Rusk
mapy troops she couo carry comsor ysay 300-to
reinforce Col Mcleod at Bazos Santiago position it s
al important to holi.
PREPARATION AT FORT BRowS--A FIGHT EXPECTED
THE sECEssIoNIsTs ON THE DEFENSIVE.
The schooner shark arrived st Galveston on tho I'd
met, from azs Santiago She left that place the
21th nit ard brought up part OF tue she
end shot taken AZ BRACES BY this arrival the Galveston
Noirs has tho following -
BRAzos SANTIAGO Feb 81, 1851
despatch was received here iasf night from Boo sns
vile Ito the effect that he officer In commani at Fort
Brown, Capt iil contrary TO orders from Gen. rwiggs
Is preparing for ouensivo and defensive operations
The guns arc beng mounted on entertainments to-
day, that they should attack before reinforce
mcnts arrive will DC prepared the hospital
ties Oi q IA reception to them.
The steamer Daniel Webster hns not yet arrived though
Que She is anxios, expected ny frieads foes
Yesterday bearer OF dispatches 70 her, from Fort
Blown. into lines.
On the evening of the 25th Two mon arrested
suspciop o. being spies They proved 10 DO desertcrs
from Rnggold Barracks. 1hcy in the RANKS of
the Houston navis Guard
Tho follow ing extract from private letter OF the
9Th, from tie Rio Gfagde:--
There this morning from Col Ford, at Browns
vile, messenger, who told us that in all probability
would be attacked to night. The guards have been
doubled cannon planted nj the crossings aod all things
put o. a footing
The following s extract OF private letter OF the
9th from the same point
We still az work throwing up entertainments, AMI
VIII place battery Of SIX large twenty four pound
ces 10 position to dsy ana 10 morrow, when will defy
al opposition. there s probability that the troops
IUl Brown " III attempt attack us but they will
tnd thcrnsolyes In bad fix well fortified,
or a. least viii be by tomorrow IA 10 whip them with
perfect case The schooner Shark leaves ia
hour for Galveston with cannon, mortars bait and
shell Fort Brown is very str ,ngly fortified, with
hrts pieces Of cannon, among which the pieces that
formed Bages celebrated battery the bate of Buens
Vita our troops are prepared TO face the music.
The Mere also has tho following parsgraphs-
Capt. Frank Hubert Left Brenham saturday, with
company OF itty rangers for the Rio Grande.
letter from Gel Ford, a. Brownsv He states that he
had crf IN tn igch 10 sem IN