Tri-weekly union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-186?, 1866-10-27
The Southern Exiles in
Mexico.
THE COLONY AT CARLoTA PROS.
Porous.
Misrepresentation Corrected and the
Trnth Given.
A CARD FROM GOV. HARRIS, GEN.
PRICE AND OTHERS.

CARLoTA, MExIco October 10th, 1866
Editors Union and AmeTicaH-G ENTLEAIEN
We have noticed, with surprise, a large
number of gross Misrepresentation and
false reports, circulated in the United States
by newspaper correspondents, with regard
TO the condition of affairs here, and cannot
very well devise the motive moving parties
to so persistently and industriously mis-
represent our little colony. We have seen
it recently stated in the papers of that coun-
try, upon the authority Of one ofthose vera
cious correspondents, that this village had
been sacked and burned, and a large ma
jority of its inhabitants carried offas prison
ers by the Libdrals.
So far from this being true, there has
never been hostile foot within the limits
of our quiet little village since the begin
ming ofitssettlement. The village, and thecol-
onists who have settled around it, have been
free from acts of hostility from all quarters,
and have been permitted to proceed in the
improvement and cultivation of their re-
spective places without interference or mo-
lestation.
1t is true that some twenty odd American
cOlonists were surprised, captured and robbed
at Omealca, and carried off as prisoners by
/ bshuo VI SuCAiAAAslo, AL 41d) idSl, anu dDDub
a week afterward, six other Americans met
the same fate at the hand of squad of the
same band, at La Punta, but each of these
places are ten or twelve miles distant from
our village, and within about three miles of
each other.
For years past, Omealca has been held by
the Liberals as a sort of outpost Owing to
their presence, the lands of Omealca, though
appropriated to colonization, have not been
surveyed or sectionized preparatory to set
Element.
Early in the spring the Liberals with
drew, and twenty odd Americans immediate
ly "squatted" upon the estate. Some of
them are known TO us to be men of character
and worth, others known to have been some
what dissipated and reckless. Some of the
natives residing upon the estate, having
been harshly treated by some of the new
settlers complained to this guerrilla band,
then stationed not far below Omealca. The
| guerrillas Immediately moved upon the new
settlement and finding the men at their re-
| spective places, picked them up one by one,
until, in few hours, they had possession of
the whole party.
These Americans were detained by this
band as prisoners for few weeks, but upon
their reaching the presence of Gen. GARCIA
of the Liberal army, they were Immediately
set at liberty, the party that captured them
severely denounced for having interfered
with them, and they assured that so far from
being opposed to American colonization in
| Mexico, the Liberal party would give itall the
| protection and encouragement in its power.
They were most kindly treated by General
GARCIA, and every facility for returning to
their new homes, that the General could give,
was promptly furnished; but most of these
| gentlemen returned to Cordova disguised
with Mexico and Mexicans, and a majority
| of them have since returned to the United
| States, with feelings too much embittered,
and minds too much prejudiced, to give a
| fair and impartial account of this country or
the condition of affairs here.
Anotherclass of immigrants have returned
| to the States dissatisfied; mere adventures,
men who never accomplished anything any,
where, who came to Mexico without means
and with no fixed purpose except the resolve
| that they would not work, and upon the
Micawber principle watched and waited to
see if something would not turn up.
Many of these secured claims to lands
held them at speculative prices until they
sold or despaired of selling, and left the
| country in disgust because they could not
realize a fortune in it without labor or atten-
ton to business.
In answer to all that has been, or may be
said, prejudicial to this country, we have
only to say to such persons as may wish to
make Mexico their home, you can find in
this valley a delightful climate, and soil
abe f6 nd anywhere eaPs fHsT Refn
the cultivation Of the present years crops
have satisfied US that in view of the amount
and variety of crops these lands are capable
of producing, there is no country more desi-
rable for the permanent home Of an earnest,
enterprising, industrious people But fertile,
generous and productive as is the soil,
it. like the soil of all other countries,
requires to be cleared, planted and
to some extent cultivated to yield
large crops; hence none should come
here who are not willing to work and pre-
pared to endure some of the hardships and
privations incident to the settlement of all
new countries.
With rather imperfect cultivation, one of |
us (SToUDENMIRE) has gathered seventy |
bushels of corn off Of what we regarded as |
about an average acre of the field. This |
corn was drilled in rows six feet apart, and |
in August cotton was planted between the |
corn rows; and at this time the prospect for
a full crop Of cotton, on the same land, is as
good as we have ever seen.
Many very worthy an excellent men have
visited us, and were delighted with the
country, but had to return because they
could not procure lands in this valley, the
Government lands having all been taken by
those who came before them. Some of those
lands have been abandoned by the original
claimants as above described, and the most,
if not all, of US who remain here, being sat
isfed that our original grants were unneces-
sarily large, are ready and willing to divide
our lands with any and all earnest, indus
trions and true men who may wish to
make their homes with us, and upon
precisely the same terms that we obtained
them from the Government, thus placing
the new settler upon an equal footing with
ourselves in every respect.
We are resolved that no man of this
character shall hereafter leave this valley
for want Of land to settle upon until the
twenty odd thousand acres already appro-
priated to colonization here, have been
densely populated.
The Imperial Government is giving to
all the encouragement that
could be reasonably expected or desired at
its hands. The Liberal party, we are salts
fed, is not disposed to oppose or retard col
onization.
The only enemies, therefore, to our peace
and security hen are the little petty bands Of
robbers, that ar, to be found here as well as
in all other Spanish countries, yet, up to this
time, our village has not had visit from
one Of these, and as our neighbOrhood in
,lst.lk1.sss ISEsSa ls,.sslltr-s
the certainty OF our perfect freedom from
danger or annoyance from this quarter.
We have deemed it proper to make
this plain statement of facts to such persons,
if there be any who are disposed to cast
their fortunes with us and make Mexico
their homes. Ind in conclusion, we say to
you, if you cone to Mexico, come with funds J
sufficient to support you until a crop can be {
made, and CONT with an earnest resolve 10
go to work upoI soil that will respond to
the well directe efforts Of the husbandman, )
as promptly, generously and a bountifully '
as that Of any lad or country on earth, and .
come with the issuance that the various
crops Of Corn, Ctton, Rice, Tobacco, Sugar
and Coffee may IL be grown here most sue
cessfllly and pnftably. Respectfully, v
ISHAM G.. HARRIS, A. j. SCARBOR0UGH, | 4,
STERLING PRIZE G. MALCOLM
]. &. STOUDENMRE, ISAAC j. COURSE, b
r. ". COURSE, JAMES 4. HARRIS
m o. BROWN, r. NJ. CALHOUN n
J. NJ. GLASS J. II. ANDERSON :,
JAMES Z. BARON, r. A. BEAZLY
w. III. ADAMS. N. o. GREEN, 81
JAS u. WHITE, @. w. cox
W. q. JOHNSON, lexas W. SHER WELL Va | h
A, A. RuSSELLs A. BELL,