“Extract of a letter”

Date

6-22-1812

Newspaper

The Times

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 2

Newspaper Location

Charleston, South Carolina

Serial Number

413

Abstract

Report from Nachitoches on the conditions on the Louisiana-Mexico border. Mentions unrest and lawlessness. No mention of earthquakes.

Transcript

EXTRACT OF A LETTER From a gentleman at Nachitoches, on Red River, to his friend at Fort Columbus. That belt of country between the Rio Hondo and the Sabine, called Neutral ground, has been so infested with robbers, thieves, and murderers, that no one was safe in traveling through it, without an armed escort. These Brigand's have all been Americans, and some time ago were said to exceed fifty in number. Several robberies and murders have been committed. The Spanish troops from Nacodoches, have made several incursions on this side of the Sabine, and taken and plundered some parties of Spaniards of opposite politics on the Neutral Ground . Gov. Claiborne has advised [unreadable] extend our civil authority to the Sabine. A patrolling party returned yesterday, which had been sent from here to arrest some robbers-but could not find them. "I have this morning had a visit from Col. Manchack and Col. Bernard, who arrived here yesterday with their attendants. They are Spanish gentlemen from beyond the River Grand, (Rio Bravo) attached to the Republican or revolutionary party, and delegated by the Republicans of two provinces to come into the United States for some supplies. Col. Bernard will remain here for sometime, and endeavor to negociate with some American merchants, for the delivery of certain articles at a place agreed on, at or near the mouth of the River Grand, where there is a deposit of money to pay for the articles so delivered.-They want MUSKETS. These gentlemen inform me, that Mexico, by the last information, was invested by a large Republican army, under the command of Gen. Ryan and they had every reason to believe, the city was taken before this. A gentleman has this minute read me a part of a letter he has just received from Trinity River, mentioning, that accounts were received there of the fall of Mexico, that Gen. Ryan had taken it, and that all communication was cut off between that cry and Vera Cruz, and that Vera Cruz must also [unreadable] taken. Col's. Manchack and Bernard, and their party, were pursued by a Lieut [unreadable] and thirty-five men, who overtook them at Bayon Pierre, in the settlement-but with ten men only, they intimidated their pursuers by their bravery. Col. Manchack, I believe, last night or this morning, received an invitation to return to Nocogdoches, and put himself at the head of the soldiery there, who would obey his orders against their present commander, captain Domingo, an European, and go with him against all the out posts at present under European commanders. There were lately 800 troops at Nacogduches; many of, whom, it is said, have deserted to join the Republicans, as well as those at St. Antonio. "These two Colonels, with whom I have just had two hours conversation, have no doubt but the Revolutionary party will succeed through all Spanish American. They say, that their accounts from Chili and Peru are the same. That the Republicans are in possession of the provinces of Montrey, New Leon, and c with all the mines. They inform me, that there were four American Gentlemen who manage the artillery in General Ryan's army, and sustain the highest reputation; one of whom was lately killed by a cannon ball.-They do not distinctly recollect their names-but believe Smith and Patterson are two of them. Smith is brother to Lieut. P. H. Smith, of our army. Patterson is the son of Colonel Patterson, of Tennessee. They went into that country last year from St. Louis."

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