The Enquirer

South America.

New Orleans, Oct. 5.

NEWS FROM MEXICO

From the Red River Herald, printed at Alexandria, Louisiana.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman of the first respectability, in Nacogdoches, to the Editor, dated Aug. 13, 1812.

"We are now in the peaceable possession of Nacogdoches—the inhabitants receive us with open arms. Col. Bernardo commands here—we have as many men as we could desire for the present—in a few days we will probably move on further, as our forces increase every day, almost incredibly—Sambrano has retreated to St. Antonio, it is said, accompanied only by two men—his wool is here, and his mules and horses will probably fall into our hands in a short time."

A letter to a gentleman in this place, dated Nacogdoches, Aug. 13, 1812.

"My dear friend,

This is the first moment that I can catch from the various and interesting duties and occurrences, since my arrival at this place. We crossed the Sabine on the 9th, and turned our faces towards the setting sun. Our march was conducted with great order and regularity, and unmarked by any event of moment. We arrived here the 12th. We were met and embraced by all the inhabitants. They are full of confidence and gratitude, and animated by a generous and noble ardor in the cause of their country. There is no distrust, no jealousy, all is harmony and concert. We have explained to them the nature and object of the revolution, and the extent of our views.

We have assured them that private property will be as sacred as their temples—that opinion will be free, the laws inviolable, and religion venerated—that we came to break the chains of the enslaved Mexicans, and to leave them as free in the establishment of their mode of government, as in the worship of their God.

The whole party appear inspired with the most disinterested attachment to the cause, and fully impressed with the magnitude of the enterprise.

Col. Bernardo is animated with the noblest enthusiasm and purest patriotism that ever glowed in the bosom of man—he fires and inspires. Col. McGee who commands the troops unites to a handsome person, engaging manners and the most conciliatory address. He is a gentleman of education and very considerable military acquirements. He is accompanied and aided by his friend Mr. Murray, who possesses all the qualities that constitute the soldier, and is every way worthy the esteem and popularity he enjoys amongst the troops and inhabitants.

Captain Kemper is engaged in securing the country, and will probably advance as far as the Trinity.

This place contains 80 or 100 houses, is situated in an open and elevated country, with a beautiful undulatory surface and delightful prospects—the land rich and the climate healthy, but every thing bears the marks of the wretched policy of their government. The people are every where we are informed, ripe for the revolution, and wait anxiously our approach, to flock to our standard, and hail us as deliverers. We shall rest here some time for the arrival of our friends on the way, who are hourly joining us—we wait also the arrival of the press, the books, charts, &c. which we trust are now on the road. In looking back to the country of my birth, I cannot avoid feeling the honest solicitude for its fate amid the mighty conflicts that seem preparing over Europe and America. I am animated with a hope that we shall live to see the latter entirely disengaged from the former.—I shall be sufficiently rewarded if the adventure in which I am engaged shall eventually have some effect in this great work.

You will hear from me again in a few days, when I have more leisure. It is painful to cast a parting look behind, and to repress, as a soldier must, all the tender recollections that rise on the mind and swell the heart. But adieu—I'll look forward 'to laurel'd victory, fame, & freedom.'

Today and forever unalterably yours."

Alexandria, August 29.

We have little additional information to present our readers this week, on this interesting subject. We learn since our last advices, that the wool & mules brought in by Sambrano have fallen into the hands of the republicans. There were between five and seven hundred sacks of wool, and between eight hundred and a thousand mules, which it is said are very valuable. Query—might not those sacks contain something more valuable than wool?

There are at Nacogdoches five companies completely organized, under the immediate command of col. McGee—The number of troops at this time is 500, and recruits arriving almost every hour.

September 5—Two companies of the troops lately at Nacogdoches have been ordered on as far as Trinity, to possess themselves of and occupy that place until the arrival of the main force. From this place they will proceed with all possible dispatch to St. Antonio. The party increases every day, and the most sanguine hopes are entertained of complete success.

Gen. Ryan's force in the vicinity of Mexico amounts to between 15 and 20,000 men—and it is expected an attempt, if not already made, will very soon be made on this last remaining prop of decayed monarchy in the west.

Mexico taken, and the republic triumphs!

A quantity of the wool taken from Sambrano passed this place a few days since for Natchez. It is, we learn, to be exchanged for arms and other military stores necessary to the more complete equipment and accommodation of the republican party.

The Following is the Address (by Proclamation) of Col. BERNARDO, to the Republican Volunteers at Nacogdoches.

Fellow-Soldiers & Volunteers in the Mexican Cause.

I desire you to receive from me the tribute of my private feelings, and also as the agent of my Mexican brethren, my warmest and most sincere thanks for the activity, zeal, promptitude and courage that you have shewn in the obedience of those orders which you have received from your officers, acting under my command; and I flatter myself with the idea, that the line of conduct, which you have hitherto observed will be continued in, to the discomfiture of tyrants, to the emancipation of the Mexicans, and to the complete success of the enterprise you have undertaken, which will crown your exertions with glory, honor and fortune. The consolation of the justice of the cause which you support, of the fame and immortality which awaits your success; the idea that all the civilized nations of the world look on your actions with admiration and good will; the reflection that the future happiness or misery of a large portion of the habitable globe is now in your hands; will, I am certain, prompt you on, & shew your enemies, & the enemies of liberty in every part of the world, that the spark which lighted the flame of independence in the northern parts of America is not extinct in the bosoms of the descendants of those who fought, bled and prevailed over tyrants; and will at the same time establish, beyond the possibility of a doubt, your individual liberty, for the attainment of which for others, you have volunteered your lives, your property and sacrificed all your social connexions.

You are now, Fellow Soldiers, in peaceable possession of one of the out-posts established by European tyranny the more effectually to enslave the oppressed Mexicans. This possession has been obtained without bloodshed on your part, from a consciousness in the minds of the cowardly instruments of tyranny, that they never can prevail in arms against the brave, free, and independent citizens of the U. S. of America.

The pusillanimity of conduct in the engines of despotism has left in your power, in a weak and defenceless state, all the citizens of the post which you have gained. Your conduct to those citizens has met my entire approbation. It has done honor to yourselves, as men and as soldiers, and if continued, will be to you, a force more powerful than all the arms in the world—as it will conquer their minds and force them [should they ever feel a doubt] to declare that you are to them as friends, as brothers, and as protectors against those who have held them enthralled for ages past in bondage the most ignominious. From the information which I have received from different quarters, I flatter myself that your stay in this place will be short; that your numbers will increase to a sufficient extent, and enable you to seek the tyrants in their own strong holds, and force them to acknowledge this long enslaved country as a free, sovereign, and independent government.

When this event takes place, and the time is not far distant you are to look for the reward of your sufferings and difficulties in the enjoyment of all the rights of honoured citizens of the Mexican Republic.