Southern Christian Advocate

GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.

FOREIGN

New Orleans, April 3.—Latest from Texas.—The steamship New York, Captain J. T. Wright, arrived yesterday morning in 26 hours from Galveston, by which we received Galveston papers to the 1st inst. The most important item of news they contain will be found in the communication of the Hon. James W Robinson, bearer of a communication from the President of Mexico to the Government of Texas containing a proposition for an accommodation between Mexico and Texas. Judge Robinson was among the prisoners captured at San Antonio de Bexar, in autumn last and was released by General Santa Anna and made the bearer of the propositions for a settlement of the difficulties between the two countries. We extract the following letter and remarks from the Civilian and Gazette of the 1st inst. Herald.

Galveston, March 27, 1843.

To the Editor of the Civilian:

SIR—A few hours since, I arrived here from Vera Cruz, via New Orleans, and will leave immediately for Washington, to lay before his Excellency, the President " the basis," upon which the war between Mexico and Texas may possibly be terminated, which basis or propositions, emanate from, and bear the signature of Gen. Santa Anna, President of Mexico.

These being the principal basis of a projected treaty and other important points, to be submitted to the President, and the people, and if they should be adopted by them will give us among other important advantages, peace and a release of our countrymen now in prison, and a market for our staple product, cotton at 25 cents per lb. at the Mexican ports, in specie, or 40 cents per lb. at a distance from 250 to 300 miles from the coast.

In 1842. we exported 18,000 bales cotton of 500 lbs. each, and I presume 1843 will produce 25,000, this at 25 cents per lb, gives $3,125,000, and allowing $5 per bale for freight and charges, you have three millions per annum to form a "hard money" currency for Texas, and I apprehend it may be fairly estimated that our product of that article will be doubled annually for many years, growing out of the increasing emigration, and a market would also be opened for our beef, pork, lard, butter, corn and other articles in Mexico and Cuba. Time will not allow me further to debate upon this important subject, but I give you 'this hasty sketch, with the assurance that the proper authority will lay the documents speedily before the public.

Respectfully, your ob't servant,

JAMES W. ROBINSON.

Although inadmissible to the people of Texas, these propositions are as liberal as could have been expected at the outset of new negotiations, and had they have constituted the basis of the policy of Mexico towards Texas previously to 1835, the declaration of independence perhaps would not have been made. The face of things has altered since then, and Texas has proved her ability to grasp, what she did not even dare to ask or hope. Independence was forced upon her, but it is not therefore the less prized, or to be given up without a struggle. Nevertheless, we think that the propositions thrown out ought to be considered. They are in part full concessions of points originally in dispute, and indicate a spirit of "accommodation which it might be profitable to encourage. Texas has not sought war, and if it is to continued she does not desire the fame of having prolonged its evils. In addition to the proposition set down by Judge R., we learn that Santa Anna has expressed his willingness to consent to the following, viz:

'That Texas shall elect all her own officers, civil and military.

That the right of property in the soil, acquired by citizens under the present Government, shall be secured as also the right of property in their slaves.

That all public lands, mines, and minerals in the limits of the State shall be secured to the local Government; and

That no laws affecting religion shall be enacted.

These and many other points, including the subjects of revenue, trade, &c., are reserved to be discussed and settled by agents appointed for the purpose should Texas consent to entertain the subject.

Judge Robinson was released unconditionally, but no doubt for the express purpose of bearing the communication with which he was entrusted to Texas. Santa Anna stated that he would entertain favorably any commissioners sent from Texas, and on being told that none could represent us unless under the sanction of our Government, made no objection to such.

Gen. Thompson has asked the release of Messrs. Jones of Gonzales and Maverick, on the ground they are both his personal friends, and that the latter is a relative, and has been promised that they shall accompany him on his visit to the U. S. in April." There is a prospect that Judge Hutchinson will be also released. In relation to the other San Antonio prisoners there is no certainty, but it is believed that the circumstances under which they were taken will be justly considered by Santa Anna, on his resumption of the reins of Government.

Correspondence of the N. O. Morning Herald.

Extract of a letter dated Galveston March 28th, 1843

Editors of the Morning Herald,

Gentlemen:—'The Hon. James W. Robinson arrived here on Monday last from Mexico. He is the bearer of important propositions from Santa Anna to this Government, for an account of which I refer you to the paper you will receive with this, The propositions are liberal and should be accorded to by Texas, if for no other reason than to gain time and strength. What view will be taken of the subject by Houston, I am at a loss to conjecture. Should the proposition be rejected, it is probable that the country will be invaded this spring and our western frontier entirely broken up, but that the country will be conquered by Mexico, no one who is acquainted with its history, and the situation of Mexico can for a moment believe.

A report is in circulation which has gained considerable credence, that an army of 2500 Mexicans are to make Bexar their headquarters, for the purpose of annoying the country west of the Guadalupe and breaking up the settlements. Information had been received from Washington, announcing that Col. Butler. the commissioner on the part of the United States, had arrived with twenty men at the Waco village for the purpose of treating with the various Indian tribes in conjunction with the commissioners of Texas.

Flacco, the noted Lipan chief, to whom Texas was chiefly indebted for the friendship of his tribe, has been murdered. He had returned to the Rio Nueces to bring in horses left behind by the late expedition to the Rio Grande. His body was found in the vicinity of six Cherokees whom he most probably killed in the combat which terminated with his life.

The weather is still cold. Nearly all the corn, potatoes and culinary vegetables that were planted, have been destroyed; not only in this section, but through the interior as far as heard from.