The Hillsborough Recorder

MR. JAMES CRAWFORD, who was shot by a party of robbers, while travelling from Mexico to Vera Cruz in March last, was a respectable and much esteemed citizen of Philadelphia. About five months since, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Andrews (assistant cashier of the United States' Bank) were despatched by the bank to Mexico, for the purpose of effecting some important negotiations. On their return from the city of Mexico to Alvarado, (as considerable danger was apprehended from an attack by robbers, on the supposition of their having a large amount in specie) they were furnished with a strong escort of 25 men, well armed, under the direction of Capt. Murray of the British navy. On arriving at Puebla, they were deprived of this escort by the public authority, and an inferior guard of 12 worthless men, badly armed, was substituted. A short distance from Puebla, most of this guard deserted them, and they were soon after attacked by a set of banditti of twenty five. Mr. Crawford was shot through the lungs, four of the party wounded, and a courier who had joined them at the moment with despatches for Capt. Murray, killed. Capt. Murray and Mr. Andrews appears to have escaped unhurt. The banditti made prisoners of the party, robbed them of everything, and being led by those of the guard who had deserted, deliberately marched them to death: but through the interposition of two or three who had some remains of humanity, they were after some hours' detention and cruel treatment set free. Mr. Crawford died in the arms of Mr. Andrews but a few hours after receiving the fatal wound.