Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/553

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NOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
547

should the Mexicans be so backward in administering to their support; they, like the rest of the deserters, should all be hung.

Mr. Leverty, thie Canadian Frenchman, who was with Lieuts. Dutton and Hare, in the robbery and murder some time ago, is to be tried before the Mexican court.

Friday, May 12, 1848.—This morning there is no news stirring, but at noon there was an exciting rumor brought out from the city, saying that the city of New Orleans has been sunk by an earthquake; that there has been a tremendous loss of life and property. This is truly very alarming news, and many think that it may be too true, but I have my doubts about all those wild rumors; they are mostly thrown out for speculation. I see by the papers that Gen. Scott, our gallant old commander, arrived at Vera Cruz on the 1st inst., and embarked on board the brig "Petersburg" and sailed for New York, from whence he will proceed directly to his residence at Elizabethtown, N. J.

Saturday, May 13, 1848.—This morning is my birthday, having been born on the 13th of May, 1825, which makes me twenty-three years of age. The news from Queretaro is encouraging; the peace men say that they will have eighty deputies in attendance, sixty-five of whom are advocates of peace, and fifteen only upon whom Gen. Almonte relies for opposition to the treaty. This is the extent of the influence against the general views of order and patriotism which prevail in both Chambers.

Sunday, May 14, 1848.—This morning the report of New Orleans being sunk and destroyed is contradicted—good news. At noon the volunteer brigade encamped at Molino del Rey moved their quarters to San Antonio—a more comfortable and healthier place and far better water. They passed our quarters. I thought they were the hardest and roughest-looking soldiers I ever saw—none regularly uniformed and looked like raw militiamen.

This evening the report of Gen. Paredes having asked for his passport to leave the country is confirmed. The country