The Mississippi Creole

TAMPICO.
Its Position and fortifications.

As it is generally understood that the Administration at Washington have resolved to attempt the capture of Tampico, the following extracts from two letters which we find in the New Orleans Tropic, will be read with interest. They were written on board a man-of war off that port on the 28th and 31st July. Though somewhat old they were not the less important at this juncture. The writer says:

"The people here have on more than one occasion, manifested an intention to declare against the authorities, but so accustomed have they become to tyranny that they carry their measures of opposition but little beyond a grumble or a threat, and lie down again. The slightest inducement held out to them by an agent of the U. States, would lead to the most desirable results.

I have a letter this morning from an authentic and impartial hand in the city, assuring me more firmly than ever, of this fact, and giving me a pitiable account of the state of affairs there. With regard to the defences of the place my correspondent says:—"On the street running from the Lagoon to the river, Panuco, there is a garrison containing six hundred troops, and in the said street there are three pieces of artillery pointing to the river, and attended by a number of poor objects just ready to drop to their parent earth.

On a mound on the opposite side of the lake there is a fort and two pieces of cannon, and on the canal which leads from the river into the lake, there is another composed of sand bags. Outside the town there is one other, which is in a state of dilapidation. In landing there would be little to contend with; indeed many of the native Mexicans are ready to change their task-masters."

At the bar there are about two hundred men under the command of Gen. Cos, of Texan memory. Parroddis is still Commandant General and Col. Castilo, mayor of the place. The whole force at the bar, in the city and in the forts, consists of but one thousand and twelve men, of whom two hundred and fifty are commissioned officers!

This picture is neither flattering to the Mexicans nor the vanity of their enemies the Yankees as but little glory is in reserve for the captors of a place so guarded, but glory is less an object with a true American than the discharge of his duty. The natural defences of Tampico, nullify somewhat its advantages in iu moral and the physical defects of its military protectors. The approach to the city is guarded by a bar ol an average depth of less than ten feet of water, and over which a dangerous surf is setting for the greatest part of the time. I have known a boat to employ four days in ineffectual attempts to cross the bar. Then the channel of the entrance is a perfect labyrinth, and a single gun well served and manned, could effectually protect it against two or three boats, or one schooner of proper size. These things will entitle the capture of Tampico to great respect, even if its defences should be reduced to far below their present strength.

We take the following extracts from the letter of August 21st.

The force occupying the defences of this place remains about the same as at the date of my last. Including officers, bands of music, and sappers, the whole regular force is five hundred and fifty. Of militia there are four hundred and sixty on the muster rolls. In all 1020 of which number two hundred and forty-five are commissioned officers, an increase of 5 since my last.

Fort Andonega is armed with One brass 24 pounder, two brass 16 pounders, one 12, and two 8 pounders.

The fort on the canal has four 16 pounders.

In the city are six 12 pound field pieces.

The fort on the bar has four 32 pounders, I believe, and the gun-boats three, one Spanish 14 pounder each.

Gen. Parrodis still commands, and has with him Curial, Cos, and Morela. i-Savannah Rep.