The New York Herald Newspaper, July 2, 1865, Page 2

to the aforesaid place, with our humble self as passen- ger, for the trifling consideration of five dollars, payable tm advance. One peculiarity of this section of the United Btates is that the peoplo all do # cash business, not desir- ing to leave it open to the consciences of travellers to be troubled with petty sins arising from breaches of pro- mise—to pay. Every man is trusted here just long enough for him to get his hand into his pocket and pay promptly for what he gets. This is known as the hand- to-pocket principle, and those who have tried it say it is the only principle that “pays” in Texas, Our fare being paid, the machine and the four other machines in front of it were put in motion, The drive—a distance of nine miles—lay along the beach, so close to the water that the spray from the waves was Constantly wetting the car- riage. This drive waa indeed a pleasant and romantic ‘one, and for salubrity could well be recommended to the tnvalids of all nations. Poor people can come hero, if they can get here. The people are not proud, and it doos not cost much to live, for thore is little or nothing 0 live on. In going to Clarksville we crossed the Baca Chica on a bridge lately constructed by the troops of the United Statea. This bridge connects Brazos Island with the main land, Near it are the remains of another bridge that was constructed by General Z. Taylor. Some of the old bridge és still in good condition, CLARKSVILLA, Arriving at Clarksville wo were ushered into the prosence of another Texas hotel proprietor—this time a hale and hearty son of the British Isle. He took our “little all,” well buckled up in two strong straps, and set it carefully aside, and in less than five minutes there- after two women, one man, and seven chilgron {two giris and three boys), were all at work getting us something to eat. While tho meal was being pre- pared wo sirolled out to 10k at the village. It did not take long to do this. The houses were few, low and roughly built, and the inmates about as ‘polished’ as heir buildings. Bronzed features and broad brimm d dats predominated among the inhabitants. At the dock ay the steamer Cora, discharging cotton that had been brought down from Brownsyille. A small detachment of colored troops constituted the garrisoning forces. On tho opposite side of the Rio was Bagdad, in al! the power of its newly acquired wealth, its oddly constructed ‘wooden buildings, filth and general degradation—morally ‘speaking. The meal which the host set before his guest was a good one, but in serving it up he remarked that overy- thing on ihe table—oven to the iable and the table cloth fhad boon purchased with specie on the Mexican side of tho river. INVADING MEXICO. His appetite appeased, your correspondent deemed 4t advisable to leave his native land. Not in tears nor in sadness did he do go, but with an alacrity that would have w. li compared with the movements of those who went to Canada when they were willing to sacrifice all their wives and their own relations rather than go them. selves to sustain the constitution and the laws made under it, Bofore leaving America we had to establish a specio aso, by changing a small amount of greenbacks for a considerably less amount ‘of silver. The chango was effected only as a matter of accommodation. No one of the residents wanted greenbacks, and perhaps they all would have declined taking them had it not been for a ow gentie persuasions in the shape of Yankee bayonets lose by: Thore boing no passes then required, we found no dif- * Aculty in crossing the Rio Grande from the American to the Mexican side. Small boats constantly ply between the two points. Each passenger has to pay to the ferry - aman one bit—1234 cents specie. MAXIMILIAN’S GRFASY HEROTS. On ontering Bagdad the first peculiarity that struck us ‘as specially romarkable, was the slovenly, dirty, greasy appearance of the imperial soldiery, These would no more compare, either in physique, cleanliness, and morale with our colored troops on the opposite side, than would a Texan pony with an Arabian thoroughbred. Such was roajly the difference between the two, Theo guards in Bagdad who were on duty were performing the samo in the moat listless, unsoldierly-like manner. Those who wer? not on duty savntered about in a uni- form that was a disgrace to any pation aspiring to mill- tary honors. Not even the persons of the soldiers were cloan. There was nothing about them but what was repulsive. They seemed to be devoid of spirit, scomed indolent, and were positively little better than a pack of greasy ragamuflins. It was not their dress alone that presonted every indication of inaitention, but iheir arms wero aiso in poor order and their manner of handling them in contrast with their other actions, In writing as 0, t must bear in mind that we confine our romarks ly to what wv hen raw at Bacdad, No doubt in other portions of Mexico the troops of the imporial party were well worthy of the name of soldiers. Amperial troops that we subs quently saw at Matamoros wore far different from those we met with at Bagdad, B/GDAD is adirty, Mithy place. T strects are ec red with slime and mud puddles. Ii is indeed no wonder that the place is jy one. itis only a wonder that any one an live all. ‘The storekeepers were offering their stocks of goods at astonishing low rates. Cotton undershirts could be Dovght for one dollar and-a half in specie, per dozen. Summer goods were so low that it was considered almost as cheap to purchase new articles as to have the old ones washed. Now that trade is dull, that tho confederacy has been annibilated, and cotton and spe ation, together with Dlockade running, has been apn-hilated, too, very many of those living in Bagdad were anxious and preparing to deavo Mexico and return to diferent parts of the United States, Already the tide of “emigration” had reset, and tho quartermaster at Brazos was beset by “travel- Jers’ to socure passage in government transports going to New Orloans. A MEXICAN PATSIORT AND HOW IT WAS ORTAINED. On attempting to recross the river to Clarksville, we found it impossible to do so without first securing a ‘pass from the ‘nilitary commandant of the post. This fune tionary wo hunted up and found after considerable dif culty. By wading through several pools of mud, going up one strect and down another and across two or three back yards (this is almost invariably the usual style of moving from street to ‘stioct in Bagdad,) we found the bullding in which was located the gontieman of many posses. The building did not present any particular ehow of harboring so much as even a miitary button, but rather app ared like a croxs Detween an airy private roa dence anda lager be:r salocn. Wo Wwokrd up, and then dewn, and, seeing no ono near at hand, bolted intoon apartment. The same was occupied by a lady, who met our searching, inquisitive givnces with a meaning amils, when in came a robust gentleman, io jong gown and slippers, with pipe in mouth, who ab- ruptly inquieed what we wanted. We told him wo wore in earch of the provost marshal or commanding officer of the post, He then told as to co up stars, and ‘we did so; but it was only after vomo additional search that we found the stairs, which were located in a rather out-of-the-way part of the bu Ming. ‘At tho top of the stairs we fo .nd a room, and in that room a variety.” There was a box, which s rved the urpoee f \ desk, and behind the box a savage looking Sroxican, inuttering to himself odd phrases, while he at tho sa ime jingled a pile of silver that he had that day taken from applicants for passes. The room wos divided into two parts, by a curtain, and our first im pression on entering it. Was to imagine it not dissimilar to a “fancy show’ as these are presented to the unwary along tham street, in the city of Now York. The young man who was jingling the silver received as with @ low bow, and inquired, in French, if we desired to got a pass. We told him that we ‘did, and showed him our United States passport and military passes, He examined these carefully, not having the wit to conceal his surprivo, ahd asked, /You aro a Yankee?”? We told him “Yes,'” whereupon he ealled an officer from behind the curtain, who glanced at our passport and t distuinfully laying these aside, glish, “Pour bits.” “What “Your pass,” Ne answered, There is my passport, wo again sald. “We enre nothing for those,” sad the ng to the parsport and parses ‘Wo want en you can have a pass,” The four bie pass secared, and with our pasaport, mili- passes and “remembrances” of Bagdad, we loft for ng here, we passed ail the guards, and ho river without interference, when rol WW tho guard had exomined nswered in the negative. He then called and examino the sd us to return to where he » pass, Whereupon We politely od States ft was not customary how @ pass or give ® coun his beat, The sergeant pass and allowed us to go but just before we got into the amall bont another cominissioned offiecr stepped forward and desired to jow how mach silver we hal, and to know if the ainount was over fifty dollars. We showed him a roll of grocnbacks; he shrugged his shou nd told us to on, distinctly uttering the word © Yank On the whole, with but one exception, the officers and soldiers mani‘oated a very pointed fealing of dislikefor "a visitor from Yankeour 3”? Wo have thus been particular in describing (he modus eperandi of crossing and recro#sing the river, becaurs it fs of iuterost, taken in connection with a letter of whici the following is:a copy. The reader's attention is par ticularly directed to the paragraph in the letter relating to the Belgian commander of tho port of Bagdad. In | explanation it may be well to estate here that thiv letter ‘was sont by General Slaughter, who commanded tho robel forces on the line of the Rio Grande, to the Assist @ot Adjutant General of General Magruder's district, and was thus intended for General Magruder's perusal and consideration. It is not necessary for us to criticise the Iqpter. By giving it close attontion the reader will dig- eovor its peculiar points and the points where the nation, a4 8 nation, is most Interested. The copy can be relied Upoa as being in all respects true to the original: — command istrict and department headquarters, that I have exerted ‘every means to retain and increase the feeling of friendship between the imperial and Confederate governments. Governor Vidaurri has been 4 ‘one of the ‘Coun. of the Natiog,” and bas font 4 red togive iomerybich be abel 0 mriow of thiapas Colonel 8. has n forwarded to district headquarters, 1! pract working was the return of three thieves re boneenee to be oswrtere from Jones’ battery), whose influence Wan great and. pernicious. This course on, the part Ue General Mojid together with the general {m1 that the arrangement had been made between us oF the re- turn of deserters, caused the United States Consul to address hletter of protest, which was far from proving Satisfactory to him in its rosults, an he obtained In reply obi 8 letter re- flocking severely upon the ach and cae Ne Mexicana. Tam Several instaneer in connect promise |a-cony of this correspondence, which, when ob- in promptly forward, The imperial commander of te portof (a Bolgtan), Lae eerd ta the eommand, faforms pg A Sep nar] instructions to permit all arma, ammunition and munitions of war, &c., to dntroduced and pane for the use of the confederacy Which are deslres ara Mejia, and prev aeater ivately exten f 4 parted to intzict headquarters. Shey Show an evident leel- conjectured by ence wi ch other. 1 regived information «few . Ir spondene Ath each : Jaurez, to the federals crossed the river into my district at Piedras Nogras on the 17th ult. T have a large party of scouts out en- deavoring to intercept him, If il, I hope to be able, through this means, to complicate matters between Mexloo ‘and the United States to such a degzve as to work to our ad- tenkage. ‘The'feling of all the fmperial officers on this frontier is surangly in Gur favor They. rok ur cause stcorgly alied to thal owen in many reaped i tend sil le which can be done without diecty bringing dir own in, contact with the rived States. : We ready, In the person of Mr. Querentes, a com- eee foreviamen eer aoe, Te not think that any com! ner sent by the general com- mranding the department could be of any service in Mexico, iri presume MF. Slidell has boon using every effort in his power to affect the new government. ‘Sovernor Vidaurri will, I feel certain, further our inter. ext inevory way in bis power, 40 longas he retains bis tai: mediato position, General Mejia, the present commander here, promised me todo all in bis power to ald us, I feel certain’ he entertains Tay an well wat ‘eres that the people on this frontier, well add here, 0 on ‘ with the exception of the Vedaurri rene ‘are all to the imperial fovernment, and all look 6 federal assiatance. el, ver ur obedient servan eee rey aie SUAUGHTERE Brigadier General Comma: “ox TO BROWNSVILLE”? It now became a matter of serious consideration as to how we were to reach Brownsville, It was a regular oc- eurrence for the stagea, between Bagdad and Matamoros, to be robbed, and hence we did not deem it advisable to go up on the Mexican side, On the Texan side no stages were running. After considerable delay wo succeeded in persuading a stage man to go up on the Texan side, and in conaideration for his services wo offered to pay him liberally, and subsequently did so. The distanco from Clarksville to Brownsville is twenty-nine miles, Tho road lies close to the river and is most of the way through open country. Fears were at the time enter- tained from two sources; onc that the stage would be robbed by prowling robels,'and the other that it would bo molested by thieves (rom the opposite side of the rivor. ‘Thus the reader will sco that travelling at this time and under such circumstances was in no wise a particularly desirable transaction, We started and proceeded on our course, The rond was the fin’st natural one we ever saw. The day was warm and the stn’s rays sufficiently penetrating to make travelling absolutely oppressive. On the way up we gazed long and steadily at the driver of the vchiclo in which we wore travelling, and he was a wild, uncouth being; but nevertheless generous and ex- ccedingly good natured. He spoke fair English, and was tolerably ready to enter into and carry on a conversation. He told vs of the people of the State, and spoke on the state of the country generally. Among other things, he said that General lico, of the rebel States army, who, be- fore the war, was worth about $30,000, was now able to say he poszessed $400,000, safely deposited tn the Bank of England. This amount he made during tho war and principally by specuiating in cotton. ‘Tho driver, in the course of the drive, became exceedingly confiden: tial and finaly proposed to tell us where to find seventy. n'ne bales of cotton, hid away, provided we would enter into an agccement to secure its shipment to market and , after the sale of it, to turn over half the amount realized, Not desiring to enter into any such specula- ton, we declined the partnership, and so the whore- abo 'te of the cotton remains a scerct yet, only known to the driver, who sald he himself hid it away, i PAL) ALTO. While en route to Brownsvillo, we crossed the Palo Alto prairie and a portion of the fiold upon which Genoral ‘Taylor fought a historical battle. ‘Tho scene of the on- kagement is now overgrown with bushes and presents anything but a cheeriul aspect. The Palo Alto ranche is destroyed, ond there {3 nothing in the neighborhood tending in the stightest dogree to civilization. On passing up the read we observed on the Mexican sido of the r.ver several plantations having corn in and d) ng well. On the lino on which we travelled there was not one ranch being cultivated in ever so small a degree. BROWNSVILER. We reached Brownsville about nightfall. The city is ina yery dilapidated condition, Brownsville is to-day less BY ‘a third than it was six yours ago, and ils population has dwindled down to almost nothing at all, ‘The old fam iies, who were residents of the place before the war, and who were among the wealthy clasecs, have ail gone off, and now their houscs, unfurnished and cheeriess, retain unoccupied. ‘The present population of Brownsville is made up almost totally of French and Mexicans. On entering Brownsville the first objects that meot the eye aro several rows of thatched huts, occupied by native cana, The men seem indolent, and saunter about without regard to the lapse of time or any evident desiro to be interfered with by considerations of work or b-si- ness, while their wives attend to their household duties in alry and abbreviated garments suited moro to the character of the climate than to the dictates of modesty. Brownsville knows but one real street, Ou this is locatd tho stores, many of them now closed and unoccupied, and the hotels, also closed, Restaurants and barber shops make up’ tho main portion of the business estub- lishments of the place. Of the occupation of this place by General Brown's havo already heard. On assum‘ng com- mand here Gencral Brown issued the following order:— GeNERAL riELD ORDER—No. 2. Hzapquantens, UniTep Stares Forces, Brownsvitie, Texas, June 5, There having been a formal surrender made of all legalized armed organizations of the Confederate States, It is hereby ordered that ali persons hereafter captured In arms, making war against the armies of the United States, withtn ‘this dis- trict, Will not be recognized ax prisoners of ‘war, but will be treaied as common felons, and, until such time as the civil cor ii the civil law enforced, will bg subject to trial ommisaion, re-establishment of the elvil government as soon as ossible being of the utmost ortance, tt ia hoped that all food men wil unite in thelr efforts to. restore peace and quiet, ao that life and property may be protected from the hots of bad men; and. that all. pattiotle, honest persous witl unite for the purpose of harmonizing the diferences which have heretofore existed. Hy order ot Brigadicr General E. B, BROWN. I. B. Rusu, Lieutenant and A, A. A. G, REBEL RELATIONS WITH THE IMPERIALISTS, When this place was occupicd by the United States ‘orces went to its surrender the decam; of Ge ter, who commanded on the imme- diate frontier, several important letters fell into our pos- session. Your correspondent succeeded in getting copies of the letters aforesaid, and now lays them betore the readers of the Hgaanp, not merely asa mattor of infor- maton, but also for their carefif perusal, criticiem and consideration, ‘The first letter we will introduce is the folowing. It is from Goneral Mejia, ‘commanding imperial forces on the Rio Grande, to General Slaughter, in answer to a let- tor seut by the latter to the formor:— ‘TUE SLAVE QUESTION. Matamoros, Dec. 7, 1864. ch it is cortain’ that the stipu: respective to the delivery of Ott the Meaican, authorities ww’ Confederate authorities the Grexerar— * © * Alt lations made with Colonel ert Is have not ‘erminal have always deltvered to stolen property which n claimed, Allow me, General, wo fest to you that these agree- djusied yet, Cor two aerious dificulties have presented themselves in this respect. The Confederacy clatins as stolen property the slaves who have escaped {rom of thelr masters; but the laws of Mexico do consider as [ree the slave that puts a foot on our territory. I livery of the slav lure soldiers al of bearing arms; therefore if I should compromise iayself and deliver up the deserters, T would completly close thie door to fy is nmmensely neces- sary to my e the necessity to hunt up those whe e8 of war, come to seck & menis have not bec other steps necessary to secures sperdy's Stato, through their authorized agen other countries through the ports of Me consent of the Mexican authorities, = # ® | Dean Trowas Mesta, Genéral Command eee ernment may possibly refuge in Mexico. THOMAS MEJIA, To General J. B, Stavonter, Brownsville, AN OFFICIAL LETTER RELATING TO CONFEDERATE COTTON IN MEXIUO, If there over was a doubt that the imperialists directly aided the rebels in getting cotton out of Texas then that doubt can no longer exist; for here is a letter, 1 over she signature of in then respo Je authority, stating that such transactions were car- ried on with the consent of the Mexican authorities, There can be no doubt as to the genuinencss of these letters, for military office.s of our government can place it beyond dispute that such is the positive fact:— Heapquanrees, Weer Sus-Distnict, Texas, Hrowssvitus, Jan. 10, 1866, } puor to tate, for it days since the Judge of the mor noified a. of the ertain claima of citizens of Mexico against District usnession of he Comfedera at If payment wae not imads rompuly he 9 isauo his writs of at- fachment in the case and to order the selzure of eotton be- nd to take such longing to the Confederate governinent, tlement. Under these circumstances I feel4y my duty to urge you, if in your power, to stop any proceedings touching this subject until the Jnatter can be lald before the imperial government for its con- sideration gud decision, . . . * « The commerce now beng carried on by the Confederate th Mexico and done by the 8 Ww ¥ ctfully, bedient eervant, ee eee Rye BLAUGHTER, Brig. Gen, Com’g. To Senor Don Tnowas Masta, e,, &°. ‘The two following letters show plainly the friendly fooling existing betweon General Mejia and General Slaughter:— Heapquantens, West Son-Distnicr, Texas, nOWNSVILLE, Nov. 18, 1864, g-in- Chief, &e GENRRAL— I have not peuple it impro- ballenn you will wee by my eter to Colonel Be nies, that Canafer may have received encouragement from this side of the Rio G and officers of the Confederate gov- ati, 9 8 88 Neobasity which compete L regret exceeding! AM IMPORTANT LATTER, Heapquaure: Colonel Tw Mu. 5 Covowtu ct have the be a bulwark of your en gant nation, who by you to send for reasons stated in my communic . Benavadics. I feel cortain that your course was not dictated by any unfitendiiness to iny govern. Brent, and that you snd your government can look but with S\mpathy Apon'a gallant people striving for nevional exts(~ ence, whie| tld they be so fortunate as to secure, will be inst or mand solution of Congress eiaime that mo NEW sURK HERALD, SUNDAY, JULY 2, 1865. Haxapau. West Sup-Deernior, Texas, ownertuui, May 2, 1s f Gunnar ¢ * * T aim satisfied that thore fs an organ. ized band of robbers, whose operations estond to both of the Rio Grande, und.who are in communication with the Yankees bly act in conjunction with them. Recent developments render the conclusion inevitable that no organization conneeted in any manner with the government of the United States.can be supposed to have much regard for the interests and friendship of the imperial government of Mexioo, and that itis the common duty ai common duty and ihe common interest of your government and of mitic to break up ani disperse such organizations. I place troops on Se rieertge at Ene. and should be ives as follows a copy of an official letter writton by neral bye, oe and intended for and sent to Goneral Mayruder, Without ing to comment on the contents of the letter, he lays it as itis before the readers of the Hexarp, that they see how Texas looks from a mbol standpoint of view. It is not often that euch a “rarity” is offered to the public eye :— Hxapquartens, West Bue-Distaror, 72x: “Aprilt?, 1608-" b ROWNBVILLR, Colon: rHoass M. Jaox, Assistant Adjutant General:— Cotors.—I_ have the honor to in! the Commandi General that I havo jot eres from a tour of inspection on the frontier line of this sub district. tour was made for the purpose of dition of the reer because of inl Car pectin ie ameter lnieneg command ‘rtfind throtghout (his district great depression a the minds in ot compistat ‘in thee the aprocmenie ars constantly belng ee ‘nO money over pald, or rer? mt) is ‘worthiosst ca to stock of other poople. Foremoat among these men are those who are known as frontier county wees hain 3 because they iminun live serosa an imaginary line, have an from all the to the war. ira. that they aro ne- seasary “ieee to, the ‘and children fr cei to womon from, Tina Tjoemtnaiek ae” aeetpinn knife of the Indian,” when it is known to the suthoritios of the Confede- @ States, and of the State also, that not an Indian points (one, a ma, ant at Golind), havingcotton, ne party of forty, under a Major Hunter (who I tes ted from San Antonio in October last), has gone to Chi- Bunbua, driving beeves in contravention to orders of General ‘The Conscript law, under, the present aystem. is a nullity, and the country is being filled with bands of lawless men, who are riding hither and thither pillaging, &¢., bul abore all are the hundreds of men detailed to haut cotton for con- ctors. ‘These men are getting rich, while their neighbors are dally losing everything, ‘The wives of coldicra write to their humbunds in the fleld to come homo and get a detail, be- cause Messrs, So-and-So are making fortunes, This neces. ‘sarily causes discontent in the army, A rigid application of the Conscript law and s more just discrimination in the mak: ing of details would at once materially affect this evil. * * +” «© ‘The combination of interested is 80 strong that nothing short of @ revolution will break lt up, any bert this frontier, we have a large number of men at- tached to tho Custom House, not one of whom, with the ex- ception of Lieutenant Colonel Gray, have ‘shouldered a mus- ket or drawn a sabre during the war. A good many of them deserted the country when Brownsville fell, and never re- turned until it was reoocupied. ‘They are all recetving their salaries in gold, and yet, unt ved. the Revenue laws were a nullity. The Custom House guards get two dollars yr day, and their duties are from seven A. until sunset. My sentries guard all er and prevent emugell to convince t! entinel ne he walks Peay, post, in the eun and in the rain, in the heatand in the |, poorly clad and badly armed, that it is a just government whioh pays him eleven dollars per month (worth nothing) and ra while it pays an inspector, sleeping In his comfortable room, gocasionaly sallying out to examine « box, two doltars per day In specte, and pickings, which past experience com them nmounts to about fifty dollars per day. Mr. J. Plicber, agent for Colonel Latham, 1s to be worth about two hundred thousand dolla ere is at least fifty thousad dollars visible. Two years ago one hun- dred doilars would have bought him out. His salary was one hundred dollars per month. I leave the commanding gencral to make the caloulations. ‘This is one example. There are many others. * * * * Mr. Gilmore, late colton ofloer at Laredo, after having filled hia pep. ene| poeketa, and finding Mexico ave safe place ud. took criminals, removed to New Orleans the oath. The list is too long tocnumerate. I presume they are all known bape re headquarters. * * © © ‘The deserters of Showalter's regiment alone are reported to have carried off five hundred horsea, and outrages wero Committed hardly excelled by Sherman's army, I remain, Colonel, very uly, &e., JAMES E. SLAUGHTER, Brig. Gon, Commanding. 2 “LAST DITCH"? LETTER. The faloring 9 cay of the last letter written by Goneral Slaughter to General Magruder, just provious to the surrender of Kirby Smith. It was tho last flicker on the bank of the Rio Grande, of that glorious (?) confed- eracy which reared its Pepe ayy peoeras on tho banks of the Potomac. In fact the Rio Grando was the last ditoh, and hence this was the last ditch lettor:— Heapquaarens, West Sun-Distnicr, Texas, Brownsvittx, May 22, 1865. Magee General J. B. Macruprr, Commanding District, &c.:— xMERAI—Herewith I send you a copy of an order and lotter which will doubtless strike you with some surprise. In publishing them T am aware that Iam ass sibility of suspending a fundamental law as well as assuring an authority not pertaining to my office. But, Genersl, we must recognize facts, We are without a legislative body to carry on the war we mast create or 8 of sustaining the army, Moncy is the Pr Uhese. in my opinion it ie the height extravagance urchaso paper on_ wi ai", MediSnrte Paice. “ratte Lies more bonds or sources from which money can be obtained. The frst “ King Cotton,” the price of which is now so low and destined to further decline, will leave, after paying freights tut amall profits, not near enough to repay the overnment for the loss of the men from the field in ws Ing crops and those who are now enj in hauling them. ‘Another soures tn direct taxation. fife ta the present tem- er of the pec pli be dangerous to try. Lastly, the tariff. le, W iy order explains | He either fears his fate too much, Or his deserts are small, ‘Who fears to fight it to the touch , otf rr JAS. E. SLAUGHTER, Brig: Gen, Commanding ‘There are somo who say that General Kirby Smith surrendered because he wanted to stop the flow of blood and for other humane considerations. Now the truth of the matter is, he held out until the very last moment for the purpose of fending rebel cotton into Mex! and then yielded because of the approaching pressure Yankee bayonets outside and the nearer power of dis- content, lawleesness and anarchy within. The two following letters tell plainly th what was tho feel- ing among the troeps of Kirby Smith's army as soon as the surrender of Leo and Johnston was known Heapquarters West Som Dae, Texas, Brownsvitty, May 19, 1865. Colonel C. L. Person, Cor Christi: riya } Cotoxet.: ‘The Commanding General directs me to way many of the troops of this. tfonwer bars been, demmorained by the late news of disast ppl ment, and have deserted t He desires to make such dis Hon vf tl Serre aome see t Say ‘accom ‘purpose, am, Cok lly. ¥ ee ET ee DIU aea't ‘Adj"t General. Hueapquarrers, West Sup. ‘Texas, Na ROWNAVICLE, May 2, 1866 Captain Gronce Parnice, Commandtiy ny, Golind:— JartAin—I am directed by the Bi Uetieral Com: manding to say that you will report with your company to these headquarters ax soon as possible, In your march to {his place, yor. wil! @laarm all the soktiers you may meet, and all those who have not the proper papers will be arrested and returned to these headquarters. Quite a number have left thie command within the last few days without leave, and it {s hoped that you may be able to appretend them. T am, ‘aptain, ver ully, de. TG ALDIAGH, Assistant Adjutant General. Your correspondent will conclude the introduction of copies of captured correspondence with the following, which is mainly published for the information of the xico :— encragregaan Sum Distaicr, , Tex, ROWNAYILLE, May 18, 1865. Colonel Thowas M. Jack, Assistant Adjutant Gener Coxoxxt—I have the honor to stete for the infor the Commanding Gener Mexico, arising from thi der command of General Negrete, before Matemoros, I was putation from General Negrete, to ascer- nowing me e pereonally a strong im- ob my omelal acta. Trem nts), that we were de- renient atextent upon Matamoros and ite port for pplics for this country, and if the liberals occupied tt it Id be blockaded by the French, and it would be impossi- ent to receive anything through that our interest for the party myself by @ direct or positive an- aw While T maintained strict neutrality, I veiled my intentions to such an extent as to reap the same results which would have been attained by actual axsistance rendered. General Negrete rained the siege and retired, being fearful of the re. sult should he he compelled to meetour forces. I am, very respectfully, &c.,&c, JAMES E. SLAUGHTER, ‘Brigadier General Commanding’ THR COTTON QUESTION ON THE RIO GRANDE. Upon the occrpotion of Brownsville by the Union troops, the rebel General Slaughter retired to Rio Grande City, without waiting to be paroled. The influence which swayed him to this course was not one so much of detostation to Yankee rule as of ‘onal interest. The truth of the matter seems to be, judging from incoming foports, that General Slaughter it to Rio Grande City for no other purpose than to litate the paseage of large amounts of cotton acrors the river from the Texan to the Mexican side, Report has {t that after the occu- mn. of Brownavillo, and after the surrender of Kirby mith’s army, two million dollars’ worth of cotton war rent to Mexico, At Brownsville only threo hundred and twenty thousand six hundred and eight pounds of cotton were secured, and this was coptured by the merest accident. As Johnston surrendered, tho rebels made up Jong trains of cotton, end gent these in the direction of the Rio Grande. So rmpid were the expiring “gasps” of the confederacy that Kirby Smith was forced to surren- der von before all the cotton trains had reached tho river bank, and the cotton had been transferred to the Mexican side. Brownsville having been ocoupied, the rebels sent out couriers and bad the slowly moving trains turned in the direction of Rio Grande City, It wae the cotton from these trains that was rent into Moxico after Kirby Smith’s eurronder. The cotton now at Brownsville was secured to us in consequence of those who had charge of the cotton train (not knowing that the Union troops were in the city) driving into our midst. It ts fair to presume that the imperialists are aware of the cotton being sent over the r.ver under the circumstances aforesaid. This being the case they aro aleo awore of the fact that the cotton in question is lawfully the property of the United states government, and that in permitting it to be Margy! smuggled acrors the Rio Grande they are a party to a theft of immense magnitude, and which may yet involve them in serious trouble. Tam told that there was considerablg cotton ia sufficient moment, togeth State, to lead to hosilikies boing initiated Even now the i ite respect entertained for them by the United an 5, and harboring and our Maximilian may draw to his standard many characters as Slaughter is known to be, but if war y of the people of Texas, try whiob he aspires to govern, would go asainst T met tn Brownsvill comp from she interior py yen ae come and deliver them yoke which 18 both oppressive and obnoxious. To this end they are preparing. il come, and if we rato was declared to-da} ; and more than a F Yankees will who attempted to arrest the fugitive ete nat ithout furthor States soldiers to protect him, an ey, without ful consideration, savagely “invited” tho {taperial officer to ve the camp, and he did so sans ceremont, before the evacuation of Brownsville the Brownsville Ranche-o newspaper mo" Doing issa'd there. Its editor, th Ff Grande, havi has beon sent uy ¢ Rio Grande, of Rio Grande City. Thi would have started much sooner could tho quarter- Captain &. F, Lombar, have procured steamers ps. Just now the Rio Grande is almost unprecedentedly high and rapid. Between hero and Clarkesville it has overflowed its banks and covered the prairie with water for many miles in extent, rendoring travel almost impos- sible. For the present expedition the Quartermaster has secured two small steamers—the Rio Grando and Cora, Accompanying the expedition are Colonel Charles Illinois, and Lieutenant Lyman, Black, Thirty-seven! rs 3 eral Stecle, who go as be mame ‘on staff of Major Ger paroling officers. axe ‘RADHL GENERAL WALKIR IN MEXIOO. There is a report from above that tho rebel General Walker has crossed into Mexico with a portion of his division, but the report needs confirmation. ported that the croésing was made at Piedras Negras. THR QUESTION OF THE KETURN OF THE PATTERY SOLD TO ‘THE OMPPRIALISTS, ‘The question as to the return of the battery which the rebels took over into Mexico at Matamoros, aite render of Kirby Smith, and sold to the imperialists for forty thousand doliars, is still unsettled. It is believed, however, that the battery will be delivorod to usin a tew days, or as soon as tho wishes of the Emperor are known, i) be organizing a xas, for the purpore of proceed- COLONRL 8. M. BAT late of the rebel army, is reported force in tho interior of ing to Mexico to help the liberal party. REFUGEES RETURNING TO TEXAS, Alarge number of persons daily arrive from Mata- moros and other parts of Mexico, intending to return to their homes in the interior of Texas__In order that the; re in safety, Genogal Brown organizes eac! party into a somi-military command and appoints a leader captain they agree to oboy, and ‘Aside from such travelling parties othor commands are ‘sentinto the interior for mutual and per- manent protection. The feeling man:fosted by all those who havo come over 40 far is one of gladnoss that the allsay that they want to go home and be peaceable citizens, None of then object to taking tho oath of allegiance. ‘TIE UNSETTLED CONDITION OF TEXAS. ‘The stories told about the “terribly” ungettled condi- tion of Texas arc ina great measurd exaggerated. Tho that have lateiy been goil made, not by Texan troops alons, but principally by sol- army from other 8 may roach ther to act as captain. This generally do 80. of the robel The truth of the soldier here was worse than badly treated. While was doing duty in rough and and always on bad fare, his superior officers were making ulating in cotton, and when the time came for she soldier to be pald his suporior officer “‘ac- counted" for all money received, and the soldier was Hence the privates, rendered despe- rate by want, pillag d indiscriminately, and committed acts of barbarism and robbery which, had they been roperly treated even by those who deluded them, would wo been avoided. The soldiers, as a majority, aro set- Tho wild, bad, vicious spirits will in a short thea a degree of peace and quict- xas—provided we do not havo war with Mexico—perhaps never known to it since the umo when the Territory was admitted asa State. ‘The idea that Texas is wealthy and prosperous is erro- neous, What wealth there is in the Stato is concentrated While the war bas been ing vastly more than the majority have been los ng almost their all, while a feow—and comparativel; few only—have been growing enormously ric State is not nowZnoted for plentifulness in The cattic have most all been horses caught and sold, and the corn has well nigh given jack of labor to cultivate the soil. Those who had labor used it to raise cotton, because this was easily sold, found » ready market in GARRIBONING THE BTATY. If there is any Stato in the Union that will be thorough- ly brought into submission to the laws of tho United States it is the State of Texas. Itwiil be almost entirely sorrounded with Union garrisons, and its interior will be pierced by detachments from the several commanding armics in the State. Already Galveston, Corpus Christi, Brazos, Cl ‘and probably Rio Grande City, ina short time Major General and have under his command sufficient ca’ ilate the discontented and destroy the robbers of the highway. ‘A GOVERNMENT PAILROA: It is proposed to build a rail ernment expenge, is thus 2 Jeft in the lurch. time b> overcome, ani neas will reign in ‘To: in the hands of a fow, out because of Mex.co and brought IN TEXAS, road line, at from Brazos to Brownsvillo. because Brazos is a better harbor bo the boca of the Rio on the Brazos bar than doubt pot that if tho government decides to build tho railroad line referred to i consideration the propriety line from Brownsville to Houston, the same to Louisiana: Such lines are absolute! Night draft vessels than ‘There is moro on the Rio one. ‘@ war wo will need us time and money, we no not: haves war the travel over the pro- roads would fully pay their cost in the courso of a Establl a lino of railroad from it open to public tray a great them, and they in the end will sa posed very few yoars, Brownsville to Brazos, and and for the cheap transportation of merchandiss, and it ‘would at once do away with the lighte: Rio Grande; do away, also, with the from Matamoros to edad, except for local travel, and turn the now desert like Island of Brazos into a flourieh- Open a line of railroad from the Rio Grande to the Mississippi, and, under judicious management, the government would, in the end, mako a Very profitable incom» out of the investment. That we need such lines, and must eventually have them, no ono acqvainted with the military interests of this section can In addition we ought to have a railroad line from Brazos to Rio Grande City, 80 transportation of ing and prosperous town. for a moment doubt. as to facilitate aftord to construet” such we can, and there is where we would havo the advan- tage. Such a line would give usthe powcr for concen- tration of troops, with a view to flank movements, al No doubt some will say “Depend on the river.’’ Depend on the river! On a river that takes & stern-wheel steamer twenty-four hours to go from Clarksville to Brownsville, when by land tho distance be. twoen the two places can be made in four hours? No! if the United States is going to bea and going to properly protect its frontier, it must have the ra‘lroad lines referred to above. They will cost; but, whether in peace or in war, they will pay. One of the disfavor the construction of a from Brownsville to Houston that there would be no meaus of most inestimable, military nation, uring sufficient @ fact, and this It is not for me to YANAMB EMIGRATION TO MEXICO, nity to converse with @ great many ‘side of the river relative to Yankee They all want the auxiliary force i and dis- cuss the ‘matter’ in’ serious tones. They do not like liar style’ of ” “They are afraid the first game will be imilian.’? At first the and Matamoros were both at Bagdad ‘ itively im) tous Yankees. Now are ing dually more considerate, if not polite. ia intorest- to observe what a wonderfully conciliating effect the ‘ankeo bayonets have on our imperial neigh- bors. Nodoubt said bayonets would have a very so’ten- influence if we transplanted them to Mexican soil. 2 #2 8, bat are now going to commence larly eeween bere and tiene, San AAmonis and fie jrande City. Thoy will “drive” quite @ profitable business, a3 there are many who want to travel back to the embraces of “home, sweet home,” quite rapidly. Those who are returning from Mexico are doing so with light hearts. I Tt does take @ “iong”’ time to cultivate a taste for it. GENBRAL BUBIDAN has reached Galveston, accompanied by a portion of the membors of his staff. He is on a tour of inspection and will visit the Sp fact the Texas coast and the Rlo Grande. on the lino of New Oricans in the captured steamer Heroine. General Forsyth, Chief of Stall, ig not with hi but remains behind to “keep house,"’ #. ¢., “official juarters,” in Now Orleans. GRNRRAL JACKSON'S DIVIRION of the Twenty-fifth Army corps has been landed. Ono Portion of it has gono to Corpus Christie another por- tion to Indinnolg, and the rest to Brazos, General Jack- son is himscl’ at Brazos. Almost all the vessels that brought down the colored troops from Fort Monroo drew too much water to cross the bar at Brazos, Henco thoy had to remain at afchor outside while thoir freights were being lightered off. For several days no lighters could be found. There were none at Brazos except a small steamer, styled the Hancock, and several schooners that had come from New Orleans and unloaded tl lumber. The Quartermaster, Major McEntee, did every- thing in his power, but for a timo made but ‘little head- way in acoomplishing his purpose. At last he learned that there were soveral lightors at the Boca del Rio, tied up on the Mexican side. Tho lighters had been pre- vionsly used in lightering the blockade runners, and now remained without Cod py, age! because of the collapse ly after a very great deal of a seagletronge and persuasion did he succeed in pre- yailing upon two captains to bring their lighters into of the rebel concern. United ‘tates waters and charter them to the govern- mont. As soon astwo were hired others offered their vessels algo, and now the quartermaster is doing tolera- bly well in the lightoring business, Just before the roguiar lighters got to work, near nine hundred troops wo.e placed on board the schooner Alice Doll or Dale), of Now York, from the United tates sloamship Illinois. ' The schooner being loaded, a pilot undertook to tako it in over the bar. Just ag the schooner got in the midst of the breakers it rounded, aud rocked and thumped furiously. It was fast nightfall when tho schooner struck. Owing to the tide and the position of the vessel it was found impos- sible to reliove the sufferers. The soldiers were compel- lod to remain on the schooner ail night, their situatien in the meantime growing rapidly more perilous. By daylight the echooner had been so far washed upon the shoals as to permit some of the soldiers to jump over- board, which they did, and got safely to shore, on Pache Island, by swimming there. By noon of the same day the schooner was carried around the point of the island, and washed up on the beach, almost high and dry. The contiaued thumping finally broke a hole in her bottom, whereupon the vessel rapidly filled with water, All the soldiers and crow exc *pt ono (a soldier) were yes ofl in gatety, The soldier lost was drowned. The schooner went at once to wreck, VE-XELS OFF BRAZOS AND CORPUS CHRISTI. At last accounts the transport steamors wire ‘ind, ingston, Scott, Cassandra, Wilmington, Trade Montauk, Promotheus, Nightingale, kennedy and Thetis were off the ports of Brazos and Corpus Christi. The troops did not suffer much from the effects of the long voyage. Only a BT 3 Sie cases of fever occurred. Some u four or five only of privates died from ship fever. GENERAL NEGRETR'! DRFRAT. The report of Negreto’s total dofeat by the imperial- inte nt regarded as reliable by the Mexicans who are on is side of tho river. BRIGADIER GENGRAL JAMR3 R. BLACK has been assigned to duty as post commandant at Clarksville. on! have just been ias:ed by Major General Steele prohibitjng officers and enlisted men from proceeding across the tiver for any purpose whatsoover, without written authority from his headquarters. For a few days past some of our officers have ym over the line icles at Bagdad and MOTOR, The naval steamer Seminole, Commander Cleary, has to make purchases of necessary just arrived of Brazos, relieving the Princess Royal. THR PORT OF GALVESTON has not yet beon opened. Schooners that lately cleared from Matamoros for Galveston were prohibited from en- toring by the naval authorities. Hence the vessels atl ret to the Boca del Rio. GENERAL GORDON CRANGER has arrived at Galveston, He will make his headquar- ters there or at Houston. GENERAL WEITZEL will probably reach hero in the course of two days. He ig momentarily expected. GENKVAL MERRITT, it i reported, is to command all the cavalry in the State of Toxas, He will fist proceed to Shreveport, organize all the cavalry there, and then move through thio country for San Antonio, where he will probably establish headquarters for the present. ", MERCHANTS who drift along this way say that the price of goods will b> greatly enbancod after the opening 0! the Texan ports, The merchants ave expecting and preparing to do a heavy business with the soldiers. Just previons to the surrender of Kirby Smith tho fol- jowing named articles sold at Houstoa, by auction, for specie, at the rates specilied :— 48. per gross i gauntlet, Iniwas, 19840. 10 fie.; Indies’ goat SKCESSION MINISTERS’ VIRWS OF “SOUTHERN PRIRCIPLES.’ It is a romarkablo fact that in this State the men who pretend to be ministers of the Gospel, and who, by their calling, ought to be wise, humble and charitable, open to conviction and the dictates of reason, are, on the con- trary, prejudiced, bigoted and intolerant. They are the bitterest and strongest secessionists we have to contend in their notions and ac- tious, and about as meek and gentlc as a wild horse of the prairie, The Texas Chris'ian Advccate, in an article the present political situation of the South, says that President Johnson’s idea seoms to be that the Union is perpetual; that it was not dissolved by the socession of tho States forming the confederacy; that those Statee had a sort of fainting fit, “having hoa «nf et we te at the for their reato- ration to sound political health, In order that the reader may form an idea of the Texas Christian view of seces- sioniem, we Fubjoin in this connection the following ex- with. They are “aristocrat: on fultiil their fenetions oa et of one whole,’ an war wos 6.mply a sort ‘sharp practice” tract from the Caristian Advoca'e newspaper :— ‘This fainting theory ix ono of the fetnis of power. The 2 Buaie to, weoede {4 af Clear aa ® sunbeam; the pract| juestion, however, is, whether the might of the Sthors will find itconventent to let her do it. Of course it must work incouvenience to them, but not more, certainly, than we have an ablding con: fidence that the antl-cocreion doctrine ts the only one upon whieh « union of States can be maintained. The moral force ‘& compact would be goncrated by ite ween the States ht of right ot ‘to herself, Be that ns it m: Rdoption’ and the interplay of relations bel water for the engines. Such is not ean be demonstrated practic , r into @ disquisition on vague theories relative to this ject, but it is enough that sources that such a must suffice for the presont. THE QUESTION OF LABOR is one I hear but little said of, perhaps because the peo- le have nothing to say and promise to submit at once. just now the general topic of conversation is the Presi- dent’s amnesty proclamation, which, by the wa: raacally secession editor of the Ranchero across the river styles a “d— amnesty” affair. amnesty" affair for him if wo catch him over on this of the river. ‘The soldiers will hang bim as gure as fate, NO RESTRICHON® ON TRAVRL, ‘no restrictions to travel fcr citizens botween id Matamoros, Sinall bout constantly ply during the day between two countrios. Tt only costs a picayune to leave the United States for Mexico; @ bit in addition to ride cab from the ferry to (heroic) Matamoros. ores just row is quite brisk. Satancros and “importing” Aiready there 1s quite a demand for storos in Browns- Soon there will be quite a trade here. No doubt the amount of smmuggling, to avoid the Mexican du that will be done on the river for some time to come will It will take all of Man's army odo | : duty on the river and prevent the out go—free of duty— J T don’t mean niggors, but merchan- ave it from experienced lroad lime can be worked, and thi tween the two sh families are leavi furniture to this side. of “contrabands."” In order to prevent s'cknoss at Brownaville the streets are being cleaned and the city thoroughly and prot fo great an improvemont has and the general government, on this, bas, word, in our inion, this complexion ‘and thet it will must come,” if bl ist aud be univer ly diffused, we have of the most beautiful and he Nm “oon faith has Been, nnd thatthe republican practice ts pre- ards a full ackhowlndgment ot the right of rece ing ‘aa the only ground upon which republics may be mace rpetual, Forse will not do foally, whatever ‘may seem tu be he riumph fora time. We see no other way than that marked out in the Confederate constitution to prevent classes of States from combining, agninst claswes of States, each sirug- nern ling to gain the con! the ronment as an for fie" opnreesion ofthe Sthen the contrary cow: considering the Union ual, and oF «to. move by force the upparent cattaen of confiot, fa tie North ‘endeavoring to do with regard to slavery—appears to us tobe . polley which can only repeat itself Ta’ the mamue bivody foreve! “Mnitary ‘inasters do not change principles, Might makes right in-en accommodated sense: but there is a higher Hn ihe yt ie in this conflict, and no issue of stitutions; compare Cathoun's views of republicanism w' anything which haa beon written on the ats} North, and the conviction results that thi principle, Now, pringiples are always and always unite multitudes against Nevortheless they alway nally prevail; and for prevalence is proved and organized, by the trials thre whith they pass, No Southern man who has ever seen Kien. will be any more ashamed now, in the midat of div ter, than he was in the midat of success, to it up his faeo with ingenious boldness awd avow himself a believer in what calle “the Virginia school of polities."’ Vir. dinin bleeds and palpitates, but the resolutiong of 1798 have President Pict made the trip from iv 0913-0 per suiinen oct ind ‘Sein shoes, O13 “To ‘A well attended Union mooting was held at Houstem, bey end pay ‘The following resolutions were offered Resolved, That in the present ciroumstances in w! people of ‘are placed, and irrespective of past dit ences, to regard tbe ppeummption of one political and civil Pie ye a proper for restoration of passe, law, cede and! government ua- eee regrd eg Sy an promote the best interests and future prosper of oe Sls ‘Of ‘Texas to conform and jeg & oe Z eee restoration condition of our foul CoE de a tictlon and iaws of both the State and federad ‘Reaol: it would be in the - tanonolred, That tt would by pg Untied Slate mothories Mild order an election for civil State officers, to be held om The first Monday in August next, according to the Inws ta bi such and under ssuch ney may doom neccesary and proper, and so we ‘That in order to re-establish regular civil eee ea order a in aniaon with federal authorig, rity, as speedily as practicable, we recommend tho election Governor ead other State Salcers by the people, under ime constitution and laws in force in to be held at the time for such election in August next, unless a different time hall be directed therefor by the United States authorities, and we nominate for the office of Governor Hon, John Hao: 00 vin county. Tenclved, That the-people throughout, the State be invited to meet in their respective counties and take action on the matter embraced in the proceedings of this meeting. CONSIDERABLE COTTON was reported to be making its way to Galveston. Be tween throe thousand and four thousand bales were re- ported to be in the place a short time since. ‘A PARTY OF JAYHAWKERS attempted to rob tho penitentiary, at Huntaville, but were thwarted in their designs by the citizens of the lace, who banded together to the number of several undred and drove the jayhawkers off, The robbers wore after the cloth manufactured by the criminals im confinement. PARSENGERE are permitted to travel from Brazos to New Orleans om government transports; the fare is fifty dollare. Almost overy transport takes away quite a number of citizem passengers. GENERAL MERRITT MADH CHIEF OF SHERIDAN'S CAVALEY, GENERAL ORDEKS—NO 4. Heapquarters, Mititary Drvision oF THE xw Onveans, La., June 9, 1866. Major General Wosley Merritt, United States ‘Volunteers, having reported to the Major General commanding for duty, is hereby announced as Chief of Cavalry for the ahaa Division of the Southwest, and will be obeyed and accordingly. By comma: acid Major General SHERIDAN. F.C. Newaatt, Assistant Adjutant General. GENERAL CUSTER will establish his headquarters at Aloxandria. New Infernal Machine. EXCURSION UPON THE MONITOR NAUBUO TO TEOP THE TORPEDOES—A NUMBER OF DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMEN PRESENT,’ ETC. It may be supposed by some that the day for making experiments with torpedoes and submarine firing appa- ratus has gone by, and that those who devote themselves to such improvements in the United States simply throw away their enorgy and lose their time. But that this would be an erroneous impression could casily be shown. It is an old axiom, “In time of peaco prepare for war.” . It is an equally applicable rule, “In time of war prepare for peace,” and in no better way could we lay the foundation of a solid and enduring peace than by being fully supplied with the best armies, the best generals, the best navy, the best guns and tho best of all the remaining paraphernalia of war. And additional interest ia at present attached to all new invem- tions in gunnery from the well known fact that the “Emperor of the French’ has lately been giving consid- erable attention to the subject, and on the 15th and 16ta of Mag last had some very intoresting elucidations of the scionce of submarine firing made under his direction. I8 is high time that European nations began to wake up to the necessity of improvement in a scienc? in which the Americans can outstrip the world. And it is no less im- portant that America keep her eye on the gun and take advantage of any invention that seems to promise 008 results. A series of very interesting exporimenta wore made im tho vicinity of Governor's Island on Tuesday last, ia which somo very important facts were elucidated and some interesting conclusions arrived at. A delegation of naval officers—consisting of Rear Admiral Gregory, Commodore ©. Ringold, Chief Engineer Wm. W. W. Wood, Capt. Joba L. Worden and Chief Engineers Williamson and Hoy accompanied by Captain Bythesea, Royal British Navy; Captain L. Maudet, commanding the French corvette La Phlegéton; M. Kichkin, Engincer of the Imporial Rus sian fleet ; Captain Heath, late of tho United States tor podo boat Spuyten Duyvil; Mr. Low, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of New York, and Mr. Van Os trand, Mr. Donald McKay, the eminent shipbuildor, of Bozton—and others took the steamtug Rocket at the Fuiton street ferry wharf, and proceeded to the li draught Monitor Naubue, lying in Buttermilk channel, After making the necessary preparations the command- ing ae Cogn Lag nay von beng bora Navy, ‘the Naubuc, gave the necessary and the tor moved out into the bay to the south side of Gover nor’s Island. At this poiut one of the percussion tors pedoes invented by Chief Eagincee. Wm. W. W. We and in use by the navy upon the James river and laces during the war, was discharged about twenty feet From the bow of the Monitor. It sunk to some depth and was Ignited by the pulling of a lanyard, Tho result was an explosion, tho violent upheaving of an immense — of mye belied nim ei jumn of . same juid some sixt, into the air. for some purposes, was deemed eminently anenneae is sim. ple in construction and not liable to get out order. The felmination of the contents of bo'ler-iron case, funnel ae at tho lower and heat end, is produced by the falling of a heavy ball from the upper end of the tube, inserted in the powder, upon @ common nipple, armed with a percussion ef Tho ball is confined to ita place and rests upon a 81 pin, which croases the tube transversely, and which is leaving the ball, or hammer,’ without support, pulling of the lanyard. Tho destructive agont carried @ chai of sixty pounds of gunpowder. The itself, when in use, is attached to a boom, which is made to slide out forward some twenty feet from the bow of the steamer, and from which it drops on a given sig- nal. After iad wg hepel Sees ved pth Se lanyard is pulled and the ex ion takes asin instance recorded. Of course, after onco depositing or lanting the torpedo, the vessel glides backward as from it as possible to injury or destruction, This is the same torpedo used by Lieutenant Cushing im destroying the Albemarle. After the trial of the percussion torpedo the Monitor proceeded to move shoreward, and ina short time twe new submarine electric torpedoes—also the invention of Chief Enginoer Wood—were successfully discharged, one hating been fired by Admiral Gregory in person. ' The firing was done with Mr. G. W. Birdsall's improved mag. netic exploding machine, through about thirteon hundred feet of India rubber insulated copper wire, immersed in the water tom convenient depth. Captain Heath, for- merly of the torpedo steamer Spuyten Duyvil, superin. tended the operations of the new torpedo and exploded one of thom bimeeif, and formerly used thom snecessfully in removing obstructions in James river. The electrical apparatus was in charge of Mosers, G. W. Schamm and J. G. Stevenson, The explosions were instantaneous, and their force be judged from the fact that they threw up a column water to tho height of tifty or sixty feet, There is not the slightest reason to doubt that the stoutest vossel, had she beon above the infernal machine, would have been blown up and injured in such a man- ner—even though plated with heavy fron armor—thas her sinking to the bottom must have speedily followed, She would at least have been rendered unmanageable, and for the time useless for offensive purposes. ‘The new torpedo of Engineer Wood may b> most readily described as a double boiler-iron cylind r—thas is, asmaller cylinder within a larger, to g:ard acainat the powder to be contained in the inner compartment contracting moisture, closed at both extremites and filled with from fifty to sixty pounds of gunpowder, Through one end of the cylinder pass the negative and poritive wires of a battery, or the common rubber insu. jated wire, leading to a battery, which may be i War can put these doc- trines to dexth. Whatever may we been our re South’ is right in Hed by minorities, located miles from the torpedo. “The electric spare reaches the firing apparatus w.thin the cylin der—which, it is claimed, far superior to that generally known as the platina conventrator— through the agency of a novel attenuator, composed of @ simple line of plumbago, drawn upon the end of a plece of wood. It is easy to perceive that, the ins:tlat‘on of the wires being perfect, it would be possible to explode the torpedo at any distance from the exploding instrument or battery. In ‘act, a cartridgo has already been exploded in the city of Washington from the telegraph office on Broad street, in this city, using the open telegraph wires as tho conductors. But it isnot necessary that the ex- plovion should be so fur from the instrument in any sup, posable case in offensive or dofensive warfare. All that is clained by the inventor is that the torpedo and the ex- ploder would be invaluable ag a means of harbor defence and for destroying an enemy's tron-clads. His claim seems to be well founded. Tho excursion was, on the whole, & successful and @ pleasant one, and those ongaged tn it roturned to the city well pleased with the trip and its exciting incidents. Thoy are unanimous in returning thetr thanks to Acti Master Gilbert Dayton, in command of the iron-cl Monitor Naubuc, for the vo A ga ‘by him so gra. ciously extended upon the ————