Alexandria Gazette

From the Mexican Frontier.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
BROWNSVILLE, Texas, Oct. 27, 1851.—Carvajal with a body of about 300 Americans and some 200 Mexicans, arrived and took possession of Fort Paredes, about one mile above here, on Monday, 20th. The commandant at Fort Brown was immediately informed that a large body of Americans were crossing at that place to join him, armed and equipped. He immediately despatched Lieut. Cumming, with a small detachment, to prevent them from doing so.—When he arrived, they had just left the shore, and were going over for the purpose of joining Carvajal. He ordered them to stop, but they paid no other attention to him than to level their guns deliberately at him and his men. Ten or twelve also ran down from Fort Paredes to the bank of the river, saying if he did not let the boat pass they would shoot him and his men on the spot, at the same time levelling their guns. The Deputy Collector here seeing Lieut. C. and his men would be massacred on the spot, begged him to let the boat pass, which he did. Soon after Lieut. Gibbon arrived with a twelve pound howitzer, when no more attempts were made to cross. At 10 o'clock on Tuesday, 21st, they came down and took possession of the Gareta opposite this city, but took nothing of any value, as Gen. Avalos had taken the precaution to remove his guard and every thing valuable from it to the city. About 11 o'clock they made a desperate attack on the city, and fought all day, but were nobly met by the national guard, at every turn, and about 8 o'clock at night sounded a retreat. Only a few were killed on either side, the inhabitants fighting from behind breast-works and from the tops of houses, and the besiegers from such houses as they succeeded in taking. Some seven or eight several attacks have been made since, but with the same result—on Friday, particularly, they made a desperate attack and fought until about one hour before day next morning. During the night they set the city on fire, and in the course of a few hours the prettiest part of the place was a mass of ruins. One of these houses contained a large amount of valuable goods belonging to Messrs. Dillon & Co., of this city. The national guard attempted to save some of these from the burning flames, and after they had succeeded in rescuing a goodly number, the American Consul with some three or four of his American friends, went out with the intention of putting them under the protection of the United States flag, when they were fired on by Carvajal's men, and three of them wounded. the Consul pretty severely in the face; at last accounts the ball had not been extracted, and, in consequence, he was suffering very much. This looks as if the Mexicans were anxious to enroll themselves, as Carvajal said, under his banner and fight for liberty! "Instead of this they have fought like heroes, for their rights, their property, and their homes. Carvajal, by every artifice, has endeavored to treat with them, and by circulating false rumors get them to leave General Avalos and join him; but they know him and his party too well—too many of their friends have fallen in days past by his soldiers, several of whom have indictments against them for murder at this very time, and one particularly whom he has made Captain. To his last "flag of truce" and request for them to surrender, they sent him back word "that when he entered the city he would have to pass over their dead bodies." Brave men! Gen. Avalos is said only to have under his command about 250 men. The citizens, composing the national guard, have done most of the fighting so far; they number about 300 or 350. Gen. Avalos sent some months ago to the north for a large lot of rifles and about 30,000 caps for the same, expecting at the time, that he would very soon have use for them. He directed them to be sent to the care of Southmaya & Harrison, Point Isabel. When they arrived there this revolution was expected daily to commence. He sent down for them, but they were sent without the caps: he sent three several messengers for the caps, but received word they had not arrived.—in the meantime Mr. Harrison informed some of his private friends there, that he had them, but did not intend sending them to Avalos until Carvajal had taken the city, (being one of Carvajal's particular friends.) I trust all may view the matter as it should be.
The Americans in Carvajal's army have become desperate at the opposition they have met with, and have sworn to wreak their vengeance on all opposers after the battle is over, and have especially marked out several of the most respectable merchants of this city as the first. who would not stoop so low as to countenance this piratical expedition. Things have been carried so much farther than any one imagined. that even the best friends of these men are becoming disgusted.
It is said and believed that a mercantile firm has furnished them with two pieces of cannon and ammunition for the same. They also received but a short time before this insurrection broke out, over 1000 muskets and a very large lot of six shooters. Most of the muskets they have yet on hand, as the Texans who went over preferred Mississippi rifles. I learn this firm has disposed of all their pistols. Can our government look over such direct and open violation of its laws? Shall prominent merchants sell openly to a band of outlaws, cannon and munitions of war, to invade a friendly republic with, knowing at the same time what they are wanted for, and no notice be taken of it by the authorities? Surely if such be the case, our laws must be at a low standard, and their executors still lower. I trust this thing will be properly inquired into. One of these merchants. on the day in which arms were raised against Lieut. Cumming, at Freeport, remarked "that if the Deputy Collector had permitted him and his men to have fired into the boat, he would have shot him down like a dog" Such, my beloved friends of Virginia, and all peaceful and law abiding people, is the state of things here at present.
The officers at this post have done all in their power to prevent this thing. Government Boats have been kept constantly plying up and down the river with men and guns on board, to prevent all armed persons crossing, if possible: but all they could do has done no good. Their efforts are scorned at by the people in this place, impudent messages sent to them, and every thing calculated to wound the feelings of gentlemen, said in their hearing. The Rio Bravo has used towards them the most insulting language, and has published glaring falsehoods, and sent them out to the ever credulous world. as facts. It has attacked, and heaped the vilest language upon the Consuls of England, France, and the United States, upholding Carvajal in all his measures of whatever kind they may be.
Yesterday, a flaming extra came out containing a "letter from Gen. Carvajal in answer to one from Capt. Phelps," but the extra took the precaution of saying but little about the Captain's letter, but commented in the most friendly manner upon Carvajal's, which is one of the most barefaced things I have seen for many a day.
What I have written may be relied on, as I have given nothing but what is known here by every one, and commented freely on, by every lover of justice. I hope, ere long, that this whole affair may be seen in its true light by the world. A friend of mine received a letter from President Arista, a day or so ago: —from what he says, the thing is viewed in the City of Mexico, in a different light than on this frontier. I should not be surprised if something very disagreeable to both countries arises from this invasion of Mexico by Americans. More anon.
P. S. 11 o'Clock, A. M., Oct. 29.—Since the above was written, I learn that a party of Carvajal's men entered the city last night, broke open the Church and took every thing valuable from it, even going so far as to tear the dress off of the Virgin, taking the Crucifixes, &c.; the chairs were taken out of the Church, and are now being used in Carvajal's camp. I learn, Gen. Avalos took four of Carvajal's men last night, in the act of setting the city on fire: he gave orders for them to be shot to-day at 10 o'clock.