Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

The letter from a gentleman at Natchitoches to his friend at Natchez which appears in this day's paper will, if it be founded in truth, speak so unequivocally, to this country and its government that they must in self-defence lay aside all unnecessary ceremony with Spain. The policy of taking possession of Texas with in that case, we should imagine, be no longer thought questionable. If three hundred Spaniards have attacked our troops, and killed 27 out of 55, Colonel Perry and Major Gordon being among the slain (and so the letter states) Ferdinand and his whole posse of knaves and Jesuits will not be able to find in all their subtlety, a point of refuge, or a loop-hole through which to escape. Concession and atonement must be had.—At the same time we must allow that considering the state of the Spanish colony bordering upon our territories, and the temper of the parties who are struggling. it should be rash, without full enquiry to determine, whether the outrage alluded to was really a purposed act of hostilities by the royal party, authorized by the king. or a stratagem of the Patriots to involve the Spanish government in a quarrel with ours. We think too highly of the President's spirit and good sense to suspect him of slumbering upon the matter.

FROM THE NATCHEZ INTELLIGENCER.

Extract of a letter from Doctor John Sibley to Doctor John H. Robinson of this city, dated Natchitoches, August 8.

"Since my last, the Spanish, intercepted dispatches, taken by some Hietan Indians, who killed the two Spaniards bearing them, between St. Antonio and Labedie, have been more fully examined: They make it certain, that Perry and his party were attacked near the two cow pens in the vicinity of Labadie, on the morning of the 8th of June, by more than 300 Spaniards, and the result was, that after a desperate fight, 27 of Perry's party were killed, and 14 made prisoners, 12 of them being severely wounded; and that Perry and Gordon were among the killed. No other names were mentioned, except that the Spanish commanding officer was severely wounded. It appears from a paragraph in a letter, that Perry was detached to escort Gen. Bernardo Guiterez, whose presence in St. Agedro and St. Louis de Potosi was greatly desired. Arredondo, after a siege of 6 or 7 days, took by capitulation the little fort of Salo la Manna, in which was Major Pierre, of New-Orleans and the Patriot Bishop Mier, who were with the other principal officers sent towards Mexico. They state, that in the fort were 50 men, mostly inhabitants, who had joined Mina, and that Mina was overtaken 15 leagues distant, by an army of 3000 royalists; 600 of whom were cavalry. Mina's force was from 800 to 1000: He received them with great gallantry. The royal cavalry charged upon his infantry, who stood firm and threw the cavalry into disorder, who fell back upon their own infantry, and confused the whole. The cavalry could not be rallied again. Mina profited by their situation, and by their own account destroyed 200 of them. They retreated, and Mina pursued his route, towards Green Lake, where some patriots are strongly fortified, under the command of an ex-priest. Arredondo was unable to pursue him.

"Mr. Davenport received a letter from Capt. Kervan, written in Attakapas, stating that he had received information from Mexico contradicting the accounts brought to New-Orleans by Col. Bean, and at the close of his letter says: "I have this moment received accounts by a person in 4 days from Galveztown, stating that Gen. Mina had been very successful: and beaten Arredondo in two important battles, and that he was about setting off for New-Orleans to attempt again what he had been just ready to execute, when Col. Bean arrived, and brought the discouraging news from the vicinity of Mexico, which since appears not to have been true." The new establishment above Grand Ecore, called Fort Salden, is abandoned, it proved uncommonly sickly. Out of 105 who were there in June last, 80 of them were sick, while those at Fort Claiborne were healthy.

"All the troops in this quarter, are at this place, consisting of Fowle's, Riddle's and Beard's companies, commanded by Col. Trimble: who is now gone with Judge Johnson, on a 40 days tour into the woods, after a new stock of health; they passed the Caddo nation ten days ago, all well, and mending. Our troops are abundant, Natchitoches improving and the country in the vicinity settling: Between the Rio Hondo, and the Sabine, where, when you knew it, few people lived, now contains about 200 families, and about 400 families are settled on Red River, between the Conchetto and the Caddo country, and Pecan Point, including the Mount Prairie and the Prairie Dohan settlements: the waters of which drain into Washita, it is probable they will double in the course of one year. This new settlement will be of more benefit to this place than all the Spanish trade would. There are a number of people, mostly Americans, living at Nacogdoches, and are purchasing up Spanish land claims under the belief that the boundaries of the United States will soon extend beyond that place. Galveztown continues the rendezvous. Matagorda was found not to answer; there are about 200 prize negroes there for sale. Several persons in this state are speculating in them. They will be watched, and the negroes seized as soon as they are brought in. Twenty or thirty of them have been seized in Opelousas."