Tampico was important in more than one sense. It is the second seaport in the Gulf, and, next to Vera Cruz, the most important key to the metropolis. A considerable quantity of stores were there, which fell into the hands of the Americans. It was absolutely necessary that they should possess the place in order to the prosecution of the plans of the army. It was there that General Scott appointed his rendezvous, and made all his preparations for his masterly attack on Vera Cruz.
Now, all these advantages were secured by the energy, decision, and contrivance of Mrs. Chase, without the expenditure of a single dollar, or the loss of a single life. To gain the same by the ordinary course of war would have cost a million, or more, of dollars, and many lives of the Mexicans, at least, with, probably, some loss on the side of the attacking party.
The service rendered the United States by Mrs. Chase, has been highly appreciated, and gratefully acknowledged. The officers of the army and navy recognised it, not only by personal testimonials and commendations, but by changing the name of the principal fort at Tampico, and calling it Fort Ann in honour of its real conqueror. The press, throughout the land, accorded to her the praise of a proud achievement. The ladies of New Orleans, as the representatives of the ladies of the country, testified their high sense of her worth, and the benefit of her self-sacrificing benevolence, by presenting her a handsome service of plate.
She deserves all these testimonials, for she saved a city from the horrors of warfare. She continues to reside in Tampico, where Mr. Chase is still United States Consul, while Mrs. Chase is considered a benefactress by the people of that city, whom she is endeavouring to aid in the improvements which their intercourse with the Americans has taught them to value.
CHATEAUROUX, MARIE ANNE, DUCHESS DE,
Was one of four sisters, daughters of the Marquis de Nesle, who became successively mistresses of Louis the Fifteenth. She was married at the age of seventeen to the Marquis de la Tournelle, who left her a widow at twenty-three. She far surpassed all her sisters in personal charms, and was an accomplished musician.
Madame de Chateauroux displayed a character of great energy and ambition. Her sense of virtue always remained sufficiently strong to cause her to feel humbled by the splendid degradation she had sought and won; but though she had not sufficient principle to recede from the path she had taken, she resolved, as an atonement, to arouse her royal lover from his disgraceful lethargy. Madame de Tencin spared no efforts to make a tool of her; whose aim it was to govern the king through his mistress, by means of her brother Cardinal Tenchi. But Madame de Chateauroux had not acquired her power to yield it up to a woman, and especially to so clever and intriguing a woman. Far seeing, like Madame de Tencin, she was convinced of the necessity for some radical change in the government. Of the confusion by which it was characterized, she said, "I could not have believed all that I now see; if no remedy is administered to this state of things, there will sooner or later be a great bouleversement."
Though the aim of Madame de Chateauroux was good, the means she took to effect it were not equally praiseworthy. Reckless of
