Virginia Free Press

Escape of the Texian Prisoners Confirmed—By the arrival at New Orleans, of the schooner Brazes, from Tampico, the report of the escape of the Texians captured at Mier is fully confirmed. They rose upon their guards, succeeded in taking their arms, killed a great proportion of them, and made a hasty retreat towards Texas. It is stated that four or five thousand Mexicans had been despatched in pursuit of the Texians. At the latest accounts they had not overtaken them. The Mexicans were ordered, in case they should recapture the prisoners, to put every man to death.

Death of Senator McRoberts. The Hon. SAMUEL McROBERTS, Senator in Congress from Illinois, died in Cincinnati on Monday, aged about 40 years, after a short illness, resulting from a cold taken in crossing the Mountains, on his way home from the session which has recently closed.

Up a gum—The Charlottesville Advocate of Saturday, republishes one of Mr. Gilmer's Whig speeches, delivered in 1835 in its class hardly less curious than Mr. Wise's at Louisa. The speech like Wise's, is a violent and even intemperate denunciation of all Mr. Gilmer's present opinions, sympathies and associations. He was in those days 'every inch a Whig.'—Richmond Whig.

We beg leave distinctly to say that the President, so far from desiring a third party, expects in six months that his Administration will be sustained by three fourths of the Democratic party in the country.—Madisonian

The New York Express says—“We are informed that McKinley, one of the most prominent in the Somers mutiny, who was brought to this port in irons, yesterday commenced action against Com. Mackenzie for false imprisonment, in damages for $10,000

The "Spectator," a weekly paper published at Washington city, has hoisted the flag of John C. Calhoun for President. One of its recent articles having squinted slightly towards Tylerism, the Globe protests that so far as the Spectator gives any countenance to Mr. Tyler's pretensions to the support of the "Democracy," it does not represent the wishes or sentiments of Mr. Calhoun.

A Horrible Murder. The New Orleans Picayune of the 17th instant gives the particulars, as detailed by the captain of a steamboat, of a most horrible murder, which, for the sake of humanity, it is to be hoped are greatly exaggerated. They are indeed too revolting for belief:-

A man by the name of Stewart, residing at Cypress Bend, Arkansas, just above Columbia, was some time since robbed of a negro, by, as he supposed, some wood chopper of the vicinity. The circumstance, it seems, threw him into a violent and uncontrollable rage, and, failing to catch the thief or recover the negro, he swore that his dogs should eat the first wood chopper that ever again ventured upon his ground!

Only a few days since, some poor wretch of a woodchopper stopped at Stewart's door about night fall, requesting the shelter of the roof till morning. Stewart admitted him, and soon after let in upon the man a parcel of savage young pups, securing the doors against his egress.— These, however, the poor wood chopper managed to keep at bay, upon which Stewart turned in his full grown dogs, urging them to rend and tear the unhappy man to pieces. Driven to desperation, the poor wretch for some time kept off even these; when, like a very fiend in human form, Stewart rushed in with his gun and shot down the stranger. The remainder of the story is almost too revolting for pen to write or eye to read. The demon, Stewart, actually kept his oath! It is given to us in veritable relation that ere life was yet extinct, the ravenous dogs flew to their horrid repast, and tore the unfortunate man limb from limb! The frightful narrative almost sets belief at defiance.

Stewart instantly fled, and a reward of $1,000 is offered for his apprehension; part by the Governor of Arkansas and part subscribed by the citizens of Columbia. The neighbors found the bones of the poor wood chopper scattered about and picked clean by the ferocious dogs.

Confirmed—The Herald—(Ark.) paper of the 14th inst., fully confirms the details of the above awful murder—they are even more horrible than those given above.

The Opelousas Murder.—By a late Opelousas Gazette we have received an account of a most horrid murder that was perpetrated near Bayou Boeuf some weeks ago. It seems that Mr. Robert McGanney (the murdered man) was riding with the overseer of a plantation, who called himself B. B. Mitchell, for the purpose of looking at some land that he wished to buy. Mitchell, knowing that his companion had a large amount of money on his person, and being urged by cupidity, watched his opportunity and shot his companion with a rifle through the head.

After picking his victim's pockets of $1700, in cash, and a draft on a house in this city for $700, he covered the body over with bark, and placing it in a cane brake near, he secreted himself in the woods for the night. The next day he took passage in the Gen. Morgan for this city. A few hours after he had arrived here, he came on board the boat again, with a handkerchief full of specie, and told one of the officers of the boat that he had just got his check cashed.

After this, some days were spent by him in dissipation in the lowest haunts of vice in this city. He visited balls and other public places, and never sought to conceal himself until he learned that the officers of justice were in pursuit of him, when he suddenly left and was heard no more of. It is presumed that he has gone to Texas:—N. O. Picayune, 19th March.

Western Armory.—Mr. Casey, member of Congress from Illinois, writes that the Commissioners have reported in favor of Fort Massac for the location of the Western Armory; that the President is in favor of that location, thinking it the best point in the West. Mr. Casey, believes that the Armory will be located at Massac, Ill.

The Germans moving for Henry Clay The "Vaterland's Wächter," a German Anti-Masonic paper, published at Harrisburg, has raised the flag of Henry Clay. The "Lehigh Patriot," another similar German paper, has withdrawn its advocacy of General Scott, and proclaims for justice to Harry of the West. The Scott papers are all following the noble example set them by the brave and talented General himself, and supporting the Nation's choice—HENRY CLAY!