Florida army, and in this capacity, during two years, he rendered vast services to the country by quelling the atrocities of Indian warfare, and restoring peace and security to the southern frontier. In 1840, at his own request, he was relieved by Brigadier-general Armistead, and was ordered to the southwestern department. Here he remained at various head-quarters until government had occasion for his services in Texas.

Soon

of unholy and mad ambition, and rush on to certain death." He immediately threw a large body of troops over the river, in order to cut off all communication between General Taylor and his dépôt at Point Isabel. A detachment of 61 soldiers, under Captain Thornton, was waylaid by a Mexican force of ten times their number, and after a bloody conflict and the loss of many lives, was obliged to surrender. With but eight days' rations, and the country to the The project for the annexation of Texas, east fast filling up with the Mexican troops, which was first officially broached in the last the position of General Taylor became very year of President Tyler's administration, ac- critical. He at once resolved, at every hazard, quired more and more weight and influence, to procure additional supplies; and, leaving the until finally, in March, 1845, an act to that effort under the command of Major Brown, he fect was passed by both Houses of Congress, and set out with a large portion of his army, on the was soon after ratified by the Texian govern- 1st of May, for Point Isabel. He reached that ment. Mexico, although the independence of place the next day without molestation. Texas had been long before de facto secured, after his departure, the Mexicans opened their stoutly protested against the annexation. The batteries upon Fort Brown. The fire was special American envoy sent to the Mexican steadily returned with two long eighteen and capital to attempt an adjustment of this and other sixteen brass six pounders by the garrison, difficulties, was refused a hearing, and great which numbered about 900 men. The bompreparations were carried on by the Mexican bardment of the fort was kept up at intervals government for another invasion of Texas. In from batteries in its rear, as well as from the June, General Taylor received orders to advance town, for six days. The Americans, though poswith his troops over the Sabine, and protect all sessed of little ammunition, and having to mourn of the territory east of the Rio Grande, over the fall of their gallant commander, sustained which Texas exercised jurisdiction. He ac- the cannonade with unyielding firmness until cordingly marched into Texas, and in August the afternoon of the 8th, when their hearts were concentrated his forces, amounting to about thrilled with exultation by the answering peals 3000 men, at Corpus Christi. Receiving or- of General Taylor at PALO ALTO. ders from Washington to proceed to the Rio Grande, the general, with his little army, moved westward in March, 1846; and after consider-left Point Isabel for the relief of Fort Brown, able suffering from the heat and the want of food and water, reached the banks of the river opposite Matamoras on the 28th of the month. Colonel Twiggs, with a detachment of dragoons, in the mean time took possession of Point Isabel, situated on an arm of the Gulf, about 25 miles east. General Taylor took every means to as-ets of chaparral and Palo Alto. General Taysure the Mexicans that his purpose was not war, nor violence in any shape, but solely the occupation of the Texian territory to the Rio Grande, until the boundary should be definitively settled by the two republics.

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After encamping opposite Matamoras, the American general prepared with great activity for Mexican aggression, by erecting fortifications, and planting batteries. The Mexicans speedily evinced hostile intentions. General Ampudia arrived at Matamoras with 1000 cavalry and 1500 infantry, and made overtures to our foreign soldiers to separate from the Yankee bandits, and array themselves under the tri-colored flag!" Such solicitations were of course spurned with contempt. The American general was summoned to withdraw his forces at the penalty of being treated as an enemy; he replied that, while avoiding all occasion for hostilities, he should faithfully execute the will of his government. General Arista soon arrived at Matamoras, and, superseding Ampudia, issued a proclamation to the American soldiers, begging them not to be the "blind instruments

On the evening of the 7th, the American general, with about 2000 men and 250 wagons

and after advancing seven miles encamped. The next morning he resumed his march, and at noon met 6000 Mexican troops under Arista, with 800 cavalry, and seven field-pieces, in line of battle, on a plain flanked at both sides by small pools, and partly covered in front by thick

lor at once halted, refreshed his men, advanced to within a quarter of a mile of the Mexican line, and gave battle. The conflict first commenced between the artillery, and for two hours Ringgold's, and Duncan's, and Churchill's batteries mowed down rank after rank of the enemy. The infantry remained idle spectators until General Torrejon, with a body of lancers, made a sally upon our train. The advancing columns were received with a tremendous fire, and faltered, broke, and fled. The battle now became general, and for a time raged with terrific grandeur, amid a lurid cloud of smoke from the artillery, and the burning grass of the prairie. It rested for an hour, and then again moved on. The American batteries opened with more tremendous effect than ever; yet the ranks of the enemy were broken only to be. refilled by fresh men courting destruction. Captain May charged upon the left, but with too few men to be successful. The chivalrous Ringgold fell. The cavalry of the enemy advanced upon our artillery of the right to within close range, when a storm of cannister swept

them back like a tornado. Their infantry made | ralos to MONTEREY, where he arrived the 19th a desperate onset upon our infantry, but recoiled before their terrible reception. Again they rallied, and again were they repulsed. Panic seized the baffled foe, and soon squadron and column were in full retreat. The conflict had lasted five hours, with a loss to the Americans of 7 killed and 37 wounded, and to the Mexicans of at least 250 killed and wounded.

hearted multitudes, triumphal arches, splendid processions, costly banners, sumptuous festivals, and, in short, every mode of testifying love and homage was employed; but modesty kept her wonted place in his heart, and counsels of peace were, as ever, on his tongue. His prowess in conflict was no more admirable than his selfforgetfulness in triumph.

quest." The next morning the ten-hour's con- The victory of Buena Vista was the last and flict began. We shall not attempt to rehearse crowning achievement of General Taylor's milithe history of that fearful battle it is written tary life. His department in Mexico was enforever on the memory of the nation. The tirely reduced by it to subjection, and the subseadvance of the hostile host with muskets and quent operations of his army were few and swords, and bayonets gleaming in the morning unimportant. At the close of the war he retired sun; the shouts of the marshaled foemen; the from Mexico, carrying with him not only the opening roar of the artillery; the sheeted fire of adoration of his soldiers, but even the respect the musketry; the unchecked approach of the and attachment of the very people he had vanenemy; the outflanking by their cavalry and its quished. Louisiana welcomed him with an concentration in our rear; the immovable forti- ovation of the most fervent enthusiasm. Thrilltude of the Illinoians; the flight of the panic- ing eloquence from her most gifted sons, blessstricken Indianians; the fall of Lincoln; the wildings, and smiles, and wreaths from her fairest shouts of Mexican triumph; the deadly and suc-daughters, overwhelming huzzas from her warmcessful charge upon the battery of O'Brien; the timely arrival of General Taylor from Saltillo, and his composed survey, amid the iron hail, of the scene of battle; the terrible onset of the Kentuckians and Illinoians; the simultaneous opening of the batteries upon the Mexican masses in the front and the rear; the impetuous but ill-fated charge of their cavalry upon the rifles of Mississippi; the hemming-in of that cavalry, and the errand of Lieutenant Crittenden to demand of Santa Anna its surrender; the response of the confident chieftain by a similar demand; the immortal rejoinder, “General Taylor never surrenders!" the escape of the cavalry to a less exposed position; its baffled charge upon the Saltillo train; its attack upon the hacienda, and its repulse by the horse of Kentucky and Arkansas; the fall of Yell and Vaughan; the insolent mission, under a white flag, to inquire what General Taylor was waiting for; the curt reply for General Santa Anna to surrender;" the junction, by this ruse, of the Mexican cavalry in our rear with their main army; the concentrated charge upon the American line; the overpowering of the battery of O'Brien; the fearful crisis; the reinforcement of Captain Bragg "by Major Bliss and I;" the "little more grape, Captain Bragg" the terrific carnage; the pause, the advance, the disorder, and the retreat; the too eager pursuit of the Kentuckians and Illinoians down the ravines; the sudden wheeling around of the retiring mass; the desperate struggle, and the fall of Harden, McKee, and Clay; the imminent destruction, and the rescuing artillery; the last breaking and scattering of the Mexican squadrons and battalions; the joyous embrace of Taylor and Wool; and Old Rough and Ready's "Tis impossible to whip us when we all pull together;" the arrival of cold nightfall; the fireless, anxious, weary bivouac; the general's calm repose for another day's work; the retreat of the enemy under the cover of darkness-are not all these things familiar to every American schoolboy? The American loss was 267 killed, 456 wounded, and 23 missing. The Mexicans left 500 dead on the field, and the whole number of their killed and wounded was probably near 2000. History tells not of a battle more bravely contested and more nobly won: and well did the greatest warrior of the age, in learning it exclaim, "General Taylor's a general indeed!"

His last great deed had hardly ceased to echo over the land, before the people began to mark him out for their highest gift. He coveted no such distinction, and constantly expressed a wish that Henry Clay might be the chosen one. But the popular purpose grew stronger and stronger, and General Taylor was named for the Presidency by one of the great political parties of the country. During the political contest he remained steadfastly true to himself. He neither stooped nor swerved, neither sought nor shunned. He was borne by a triumphant majority to the Presidential chair, and in a way that has impelled the most majestic intellect of the nation to declare, that "no case ever happened in the very best days of the Roman Republic, where any man found himself clothed with the highest authority of the State, under circumstances more repelling all suspicion of personal application, all suspicion of pursuing any crooked path in politics, or all suspicion of having been actuated by sinister views and purposes."

The Inaugural Address of President Taylor was redolent with old-fashioned patriotism, and breathed the very spirit of Washington. And his subsequent administration, though beset by sectional strifes of fearful violence, was conducted with wisdom, firmness, equanimity, and moderation, on great national principles, and for great national ends. Owing to his profound deference to the co-ordinate branches of government, and his inability to either dictate or assume, his policy in reference to some of the exciting questions of the day was not, during the short period of his administration, fully proclaimed to Congress, and pressed upon its adoption; but, though a southern man and a slaveholder, he had deliberately and explicitly declared himself in favor of the prompt and untrammeled admission of California into the Union. He was taken away in the midst of the controversy, just as he was about to submit his views upon the subject to the representatives of the people. His last public appearance was in doing homage to

Now, then, for it, neck or nothing! She is within sixty yards of us, and she keeps advancing. We turned the horses' tails to her. I knelt on one side, and, taking a steady aim at her breast, let fly. The ball cracked loudly on her tawny hide, and crippled her in the shoulder, upon which she charged with an appalling roar, and in the twinkling of an eye she was in the midst of us. At this moment Stofolus's rifle exploded in his hand, and Kleinboy, whom I had ordered to stand ready by me, danced about like a duck in a gale of wind. The lioness sprang upon Colesberg, and fearfully lacerated his ribs and haunches with her horrid teeth and claws; the worst wound was on his haunch, which exhibited a sickening, yawning gash, more than twelve inches long, almost laying bare the very bone. I was very cool and steady, and did not feel in the least degree nervous, having fortunately great confidence in my own shooting; but I must confess, when the whole affair was over, I felt that it was a very awful situation, and attended with extreme peril, as I had no friend with me on whom I could rely.

A

[From Dickens's "Household Words."]

THE YOUNG ADVOCATE. NTOINE DE CHAULIEU was the son of a poor gentleman of Normandy, with a long genealogy, a short rent-roll, and a large family. Jacques Rollet was the son of a brewer, who did not know who his grandfather was; but he had a long purse and only two children. As these youths flourished in the early days of liberty, equality, and fraternity, and were near neighbors, they naturally hated each other. Their enmity commenced at school, where the delicate and refined De Chaulieu being the only gentilhomme among the scholars, was the favorite of the master (who was a bit of an aristocrat in his heart) although he was about the worst dressed boy in the establishment, and never had a sou to spend; while Jacques Rollet, sturdy and rough, with smart clothes and plenty of money, got flogged six days in the week, ostensibly for being stupid and not learning his lessons-which, indeed, he did not-but, in reality, for constantly quarreling with and inWhen the lioness sprang on Colesberg, Isulting De Chaulieu, who had not strength to stood out from the horses, ready with my second cope with him. When they left the academy, barrel for the first chance she should give me the feud continued in all its vigor, and was fosof a clear shot. This she quickly did; for, tered by a thousand little circumstances arising seemingly satisfied with the revenge she had out of the state of the times, till a separation now taken, she quitted Colesberg, and, slewing|ensued in consequence of an aunt of Antoine de her tail to one side, trotted sulkily past within a Chaulieu's undertaking the expense of sending few paces of me, taking one step to the left. I him to Paris to study the law, and of maintainpitched my rifle to my shoulder, and in anothering him there during the necessary period. second the lioness was stretched on the plain a With the progress of events came some delifeless corpse. In the struggles of death she gree of reaction in favor of birth and nobility, half turned on her back, and stretched her neck and then Antoine, who had passed for the bar, and fore arms convulsively, when she fell back began to hold up his head and endeavored to to her former position; her mighty arms hung push his fortunes; but fate seemed against him. powerless by her side, her lower jaw fell, blood | He felt certain that if he possessed any gift in streamed from her mouth, and she expired. At the world it was that of eloquence, but he could the moment I fired my second shot, Stofolus, get no cause to plead; and his aunt dying inopwho hardly knew whether he was alive or dead,portunely, first his resources failed, and then his allowed the three horses to escape. These gal-health. He had no sooner returned to his home, loped frantically across the plain, on which he and Kleinboy instantly started after them, leaving me standing alone and unarmed within a few paces of the lioness, which they, from their anxiety to be out of the way, evidently considered quite capable of doing further mischief.

than, to complicate his difficulties completely, he fell in love with Mademoiselle Natalie de Bellefonds, who had just returned from Paris, where she had been completing her education. To expatiate on the perfections of Mademoiselle Natalie, would be a waste of ink and paper; it is sufficient to say that she really was a very charming girl, with a fortune which, though not large, would have been a most desirable acquisition to De Chaulieu, who had nothing. Neither was the fair Natalie indisposed to listen to his addresses; but her father could not be expected to countenance the suit of a gentleman, however well-born, who had not a ten-sous piece in the world, and whose prospects were a blank.

Such is ever the case with these worthies, and with nearly all the natives of South Africa. No reliance can be placed on them. They will to a certainty forsake their master in the most dastardly manner in the hour of peril, and leave him in the lurch. A stranger, however, hearing these fellows recounting their own gallant adventures, when sitting in the evening along with their comrades round a blazing fire, or under the influence of their adored "Cape smoke" or native brandy, might fancy them to be the While the ambitions and love-sick young bravest of the brave. Having skinned the lion-barrister was thus pining in unwelcome ob ess and cut off her head, we placed her trophies scurity, his old acquaintance, Jacques Rollet, upon Beauty and held for camp. Before we had proceeded a hundred yards from the carcass, upward of sixty vultures, whom the lioness had often fed, were feasting on her remains.

had been acquiring an undesirable notoriety. There was nothing really bad in Jacques' disposition, but having been bred up a democrat, with a hatred of the nobility, he could not easily