Article Text
Lieutenant Commanding PESSACOLA, Jan. 12. Naval. The U S. Ship of War Eric, Lt. Farragut, arrived here on Thursday last from Vera Cruz 18th and Tampico 28th Dec. On the day of her departure from the laver place, Captain Farragut received a circular from Admiral Baudin, announcing his determination to blockade the coast of Mexico, but in consequence of his former declaration that the port of Vera Cruz was open to all neutrals, vessels would be permitted to enter the ports of Vera Cruz, Sacrificios, Antonio and Lizardo, but would not be permitted for the present to land any portion of their cargoes, any attempt at which would be followed by the immediate confiscation of vessel and cargo. Cruisers had been sent off the different ports for the purpose of enforcing the blockade -The Admiral's last letter was dated on the 22d ult, at which time the castle was in possession of the French, and the city, though abandoned by its inhabitants, in possession of the Mexican troops. The town was attacked on the 5th by the French. We learn that Commander Joseph Smoot takes command of the Erie. The U. S. Sloop of War Boston, C. E. Babbitt Commander, is also shortly expected here from a cruise to windward We omitted to mention in our last, that the Frigate Macedonian (now shortly to be expected out here) is to be the Flag Ship of the new Commodore (Capt Wm B. Shubrick) of the West India Squadron. We perceive that the officers assigned to the Macedonian, are: Capt. Beverly Kennon; Lieuts, S B. Wilson Ist, A. E Downes 2d, F. A. Neville 3d, J. C. Sharpe 4th, S B. Bissell 5th, Z. Holland 6th; Surgeon, Thomas L. Smith; Assistant Surgeons, S R Addison, J. Huntington; Purser, Ed ward T. Dann; Master, J. C. Walch; Professor of Mathematics, Jarvis M'Duffie; Passed Midshipmen, C. Steedman, M. S. Stokes; Midshipmen, C. Wager, J. L. Nelson, A. H. Jenkins, M. K. Warrington, J. D. Usher, J. C. Febiger, G. D. Lemoine, W. A Webb; Boatswain, C. Matthews; Gunner, C. Wade; Carpenter, D. Cass-weil: Sailmaker, James R. Childs. The Bank of Pensacola resumed specie payments on the 11th inst. on all its notes It is a pleasing fact, that the confidence in the Bank is such, that on the day of resumption the deposites in specie were more than five times the amount withdrawn. Gazette. The Florida Convention - Our latest intelligence from St Joseph is to Monday last, on which day the Convention were engaged in discussing the Constitution which had been reported by the several Committees. It provides, that the Governor shall be chosen for three years, and have been five years a resident in the Territory Senators must have attained the age of thirty, been two years resident, and are to be chosen for three years. Representatives must be twenty one years of age, have resided two years in the Territory and one in the county, city or town for which chosen, and are to be chosen for two years. The members were diminishing in numbers so, that it was feared that they might not accomplish the objects for which they were convoked. We shall publish the result of their proceedings after the adjournment-b. ST. JOSEPH, January 12.-The Convention closed its labors on the 11th instant, by the adoption of a "CONSTITUTION," which is to be submitted to the approral, or rejection, of the People of Florida, in May next There are. as we conceive, some objectionable features in it, but in the main, its provisions are salutary, and creditable to the good sense and moderation of the Delegates. Time and reflection are necessary to form a decided and correct opinion as to its merits. Its various features, before action is had by the people, will, no doubt, be elaborately discussed in the public papers. We shall, so far as comes under our duties, endeavor to approach it with moderation and a due respect to the enlightened body from which it emanated. Our columns shall be open alike to its advocates and its opponents. regarding either its rejection or adoption, as a measure pregnant with no ordinary consequences to the people of this Territory - Times. Iola and St Joseph Railroad Advices have been received, by the last mail, from Col. John G Gamble, now in London, that 300 tons of Iron had been shipped on the Eddystone, for the Lake Wimico and St. Joseph Canal and Railroad Company, that 340 tons would immediately follow in the ship Cygnette, and that the balance required to complete the road would be shipped by the first vessel that offered. Bills of lading for the Iron, have been received and the ships are daily looked for. The road will be ready for the Iron on its arrival-and we have been informed by an Engineer favorably known through the United States, that the Bridge over the Dead Lakes-is unsurpassed by any similar structure in the Southern Country If the ships above alluded to meet with no disaster, in 60 days the road will be ready for use The Union Bank of Florida has resumed specie payments on their bills under $5, and charge two per cent. premium on checks at sight, on the North or elsewhere. The Life and Trust has heretofore resumed. Where is the Bank of Pensacola? Can't Mr. Nick Biddle furnish her with small sums for specie change?-16. # FATAL WRECK OF A SPANISH SHIP. NEW ORLEANS, Jan 9. Melancholy Shipwreck and Loss of Life--The Spanish barque Argonaute, Captain Avila, bound to Havana, from Santander, went ashore on Gingerbread Key, on the morning of Tuesday, the 1st instant, at 8 o'clock. The captain, mate, crew, and seven passengers, (in all. twenty-four souls) took to the boats, and reached Cat Key in safety, leaving forty-seven passengers on board, all of whom perished. The Arab, Captain G Chase, brought to the city, this morning, sixteen of those that escaped, and the remaining eight went in the ship Leonidas to Mobile The names of those who perished can be seen at the office of the Spanish Consul. Too much praise cannot be given to Captain Chase for his humane conduct in taking off Cat Key Island. the surviving sufferers of the Argonaute. Those saved had subsisted 43 hours without food or nourishment of any kind. Eight of the above named crew were kindly taken on board the ship Leonidas, Captain Akerman, bound to Mobile, who generously followed the example of