The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-13 00:00:00

THE CAPTURE OF PUEBLA.

" The news of the capture," says the Moniteur,

"having arrived by an extraordinary channel, the
official reports of General Forey cannot reach France
till about the 2d July, on the arrival of an English
steamer. The regular steamer due at St. Nizaire
about the 15th inst. most probably left Vera Cruz
on the 15th and 16th, before the fall of Puebla could
be known there. According to the plivate de-
spatches, the garrison of Puebla capitulated on the
17th, and on the 18th a division of the French fumy
began its march on Mexico."
It would flppear that the capture of the Fort of
Guadaloupe was the immediate cause of the reddi-
tioo, as the inhabitants were then placed betwee❑
two attacks. From the 14th May the fire had very
nearly ceased. The town began to be in want of
provisions, and the inhabitants, who had from the
very commencement requested General Forey to
spare the public buildings, strongly urged General
Ortega to surrender. Negotiations were entered
on that same day, and on the third morning follow-
ing the capitulation was signed. All the Mexican
troops were immediately disarmed, and are to be
sent, it is said, to Martinique and Guadaloupe until
the entire conclusion of peace.
The packet which brought the news of the sur-
render to New York took only nine days to make
the passage, as, leaving Vera Cruz on the 22d May,
it arrived at New York on the 31st. The North
American had left the day before for Liverpool, but
passing on June Ist Cape Race, Newfoundland, she
found there the despatch published by the Moni
teur, and which had been transmitted from New
York by the submarine telegraph.
The works before Puebla commenced on the 21st
March, and tf e first fire was opened on the 27th of
the same month. In 50 days, therefore, the city,
bristling as it did with formidable fortifications, has
been reduced.

The despatch announcing the fall of Puebla ar-
rived at Fontainebleau on Wednesday evening
about half-past eight, when the Emperor and Em-
press were still at table. At ten o'clock the town
was illuminated, and Bengal fires were displayed in
the park.
At Paris, last night, the public offices, theatres,
and a number of private houses were brilliantly lit

up.
The capture of Puebla is the great theme of com-
ment for the Paris journals of every glade of opinion,
all expressing a very justifiable exultation at the
successful termination of that very difficult under-
taking. The Constitutionnel expresses itself in these
terms :
"Nothing in the Mexican expedition has been
able to shake the firmness of the Imperial Govern-
ment, in the same way that nothing has been able
to tire out the heroic constancy of our soldiers and
their chiefs. Once more the French army will have
proved that to its traditional qualities which have
never been more brilliant—enthusiasm end impe-
tuosity of courage—it knows how to unite patience
in long trials and force to resist all the
rigours of climates and seasons— it knows
how to prepare and wait for victory. We never
were for a moment discouraged by the male-
volent inventions of a certain foreign press,
and the calculated alarms of some French journals.
During the last few days, even at the moment when
sinister reports were being redoubled, we made it
our duty to lay before our readers information that
could be relied on, and explained all our reasons for
counting on a speedy and decisive success. The can
non has again resounded at the Invalides announc-
ing the feat of arms which will be a glorious date
the more in the history of the Second Empire.
The subjoined extract is from the France :
"To the just pride of this great feat of arms is
about to be added throughout tho whole of Franco
a profound admiration for our soldiers. When an
army has only a frontier .o pass—when it fights on
the Rhine or on the Alps, its task is easy even amidst
all the fatigues of war; it feels the heart of the coun-
try near it; it hears its voice and the sweet echo of

its enthusiasm. Material resources are within reach,
and supplies and reinforcements may in a few days
prevent or repair checks. But at 4,00 G leagues from
France, a considerable army is isolated from all
the moral forces which support soldiers ; it is sepa-
rated from all the immediate succours which, at
certain moments, may decide its fate. It struggles
far away from those persons whose glance excises
noble ambitions ; it dies far from the sympathies
and reminiscences which soften the agony of fields
of battle,
and a distant land covers glorious re
mains which it will never restore. Under those
painful conditions, the French army has displayed
qualities which our military history perhaps never
before had the opportunity of bringing so pro-
minently forward. In other places it had caused
admiration for its dash, its intrepidity, and that
contempt of danger which astonishes lend daunts
enemies even when they do not give way. But in

Mexico, the French army has more particularly
distinguished itself by its patience and its firmness,
which no fatigue and no disappointment have been
able to discourage."
The writer then refers to the heavy task that
still lies before the French troops, and ex-
presses the opinion that the cost of the war
ought to be paid by the Mexicans. He says
We have now triumphed over the most serious
obstacle of our enterprise. Henceforth the flag of
France floats over the walls of Puebla. The sur-
render of Gen. Ortega with 18,000 men is the pre-
lude to the fall of Juarez. Puebla opens to us the
road to Mexico. Shall we meet with fresh resist-
ance ? That is not impossible. Under any circum-
stances it is from the present moment rendered
powerless. The sword of France, before which
Puebla has just fallen, will be the instrument for
emancipating Mexico. The work was immense.
Our allies had abandoned us, and we remained
alone in face of a responsibility o❑ which weighed
the rights of humanity and the interests of civilisa-
tion. The work is now near being accomplished.
The Emperor, who has raised our national gran-
deur so high, has just elevated it another
step. We think, however, that we are
only responding to the public feeling in
expressing the wish that it may not be
sterile, since for so many sacrifices of men and
money we have a right to compensation. Under
another regime, it was said that France was rich
enough to pay for her glory ; that was easy to be
understood, for, as she had but little, she had not
much to pay. At present the case is very different,
and we should have too much to pay if we were to
support the cost of our glory. Let us levy it there-
fore from those whose insolence is now undergoing
the just chastisement inflicted by our victories."
The Nation employs the following language :

" Have our armies ever been known to fail under
the walls of any town, whether called Pampeluna,
Sebastopol, Magenta, or Solferino ? Victory every-
where attends the three colours, and victory is ever
rendered valuable by those progressive principles
which exist i❑ our character as in our national tra-
ditions. Those principles, which guided our gene-
rous policy in Italy, wili open to Mexico a new era
of prosperity and grandeur. The Mexican nation
is not with Juarez; it endures his yoke, and
trembles before his myrmidons ; but the day of de-
liverance is at hand; let Tampico, Sonora, Mexico,
and Monterey learn the fall of Peubla, that rampart
of a grasping despot, and the whole country will
rise as one man to welcome our soldiers. The
Roman legions, on their return from those distant
expeditions in which their eagles marched to con-
quest and to the deliverance of nations, gave to the
Scipios, Fabiuses, or Caesars, glorious surnames
which history has handed down to later ages.
Mexico, in her gratitude, reserves a like glory for
the name of him wno shall have delivered her ; she
will call him the Liberator."
The 3londe expresses the opinion that the success
in Mexico will greatly argument the influence of
France in South America generally. It says :
" The Mexicans have defended themselves with courage,
and everything shows that General Forey has acted with
as much energy as ability. The result decides the whole
question of the campaign. The Mexican army has lost its
best troops, and cannot henceforth offer any serious obsta-
cle to the French, Whether we go to Mexico, or whether
we spare the Mexicans the annoyance of seeing their capi-
tal occupied, we are prepared to realise the plan which had
been conceived when we sent an army to Mexico. If our
victory has been attended with labour it leaves us in Mexico
with a more imposing force. The malevolent reports which
had been given by the English journals are thus contra-
dicted in the most striking manner. France will learn with
legitimate pride this triumph of her arms in so distant an
enterprise, and which has been represented by many per-
sons as surrounded with insurmountable difficulties. This
glory compensates for painful sacrifices ; it secures to us in
Mexico and in South America an influence from which we
ought to derive an advantage for France and in the inte-
rest of the American equilibrium."
Both the Siecle and the Opinion Nationale rejoice
that the fall of Puebla has occurred at this critical
moment when the cause of Poland calls imperatively,
they think, for more vigorous measures than mere
negociation. The former journal has the following :

'• To the legitimate pride which must be inspired by this
fresh triumph of our arms, the country will unite a parti-
cular feeling of satisfaction in thinking that the capture of
Puebla has ens the termination of an enterprise the object
and bearing of which excited uneasiness in every mind. It
is scarcely probable that Juarez will continue an impos-
sible struggle. In a short time we shall have signed at
Mexico a peace glorious for our arms; our honour being
avenged, our fellow countrymen indemnified, and their in-
terests protected for the future; our brave army will return,
and repose in the bosom of the country from the fatigues
and perils of a campaign, all the movements of which every
Frenchman has followed with the most lively and constant
interest. When relieved from the weight of the war 'of
Mexico, our finances and commercial transactions will ac-
quire afresh impetus. The situation moreover in Europe
is grave ; France, when relieved from an expedition which
threatened to absorb a part of her forces, may speak more
loudly and extend her arm farther."
The subjoined is from the Opinione Nationale:—

" We rejoice at this impatiently expected success, although
we have always disapproved of the Mexican expedition.
We rejoice at it, because, when once war was undertaken,
France could only return victorious from those distant
shores ; because the capture of Puebla allows us to hope for
a solution which will terminate the expenses of this hazard-
ous war, and lastly, because France requires at present
more than ever to have in Europe complete freedom of
action and of movement. The Polish affair, in fact, which
is, of all other foreign questions, that in which our moral
and material interests are most deeply involved, appears
ready to quit the diplomatic phase, in order to enter on a
period of the most energetic coercive means."

THE POLISH REVOLUTION.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Polish Fund Committee, Sussex Chambers,
10, Duke-street, St. James's, June 12,
SIR,—I am directed by the Polish Fund Com-
mittee to forward to you the enclosed copy of a
communication which they have received from the
Polish Committee in Paris, and to request that you
will have the kindness to give it publicity in the
columns of your journal.—l am, sir, your obedient
servant,

CHARLES SZULCZEWSRI, Secretary.

POLISH COMMITTEE IN PARIS.

MT LORD.—The national Government of Poland, with
the view of rendering more useful and efficient the generous
assistance lent to her cause by the numerous societies
established in different countries of Europe, has just namad
a committee in Paris whose duty it will be to correspond
with those societies, and who will alone be authorised by
the National Government to receive all the funds that may
be subscribed.

In conformity with a special decree the committee is
composed of Prince Ladislas Czartoryski, Messrs. Severin
Galezowaki, President of the Polish National School at
Batiguolles ; Joseph Ordega, ancient delegate of the Na-
tional Government; A. Guttry, deputy of the Grand
Duchy of Posen; and Achilles Bonoldi, delegate of Lithua-
nia, who will act with the concurrence of M. L. Woloweki,
member of the French Central Committee for the cause of
Poland, and Count Xavier Branicki, President of the An-
cient Polish Relief Committee.

The National Government, whilst expressing its grati-
tude for the active sympathy of the French, English, Bel-
gian, Swiss, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Italian, and
other committees, as well as for that of the public journals,
who have kindly offered to receive subscriptions, requests
the continuance of this work so nobly commenced.
It further begs of them to place themselves in communi-
cation with the Polish Committee at Paris, and to forward
the monies collected to the secretary, Mr. Joseph Ordega,
8, Rue des Petites-Ecuries.

In virtue of the same decree of the National Government,
all other committees formed by the Poles abroad shall cease
their operations from the preseut date. Henceforth no
Pole shall be allowed to collect funds destined for Poland,
unless provided with a special authority from the Polish
Committee in Paris, under the national seal.
The undersigned members of the committee hasten to
acquaint you with this organisation.
ACHILLES BONOLDI, ALE.KA.NDRE GUTTRY,
XAVIER BRANICKI, JOSEPH ORDEGA,
L. CZARTORYSKI, L. WoLowsKi,

S. GALEZOWSKX,
To the Must Honourable the Marquis Townshend,
President of the Polish Fund Committee.

PARIS, May 28, 1863, No. 8, Rue des Petites Ecuries.

PRINCE ALFRED.—Lieutenant his Royal High.
ness Prince Alfred joined her Majesty's screw cor-
vette Racoon, 20 guns, Captain Count Gleichen at Ports-
mouth yesterday, as her junior lieutenant. His Royal
Highness paid a visit to Vice-Admiral Sir Michael Sey-
mour, G.C.8., Port Admiral and Commander-in-Chief,
Rear-Admiral G. Elliott, superintendent of the dockyard,
and to the Royal Naval College. His Royal Highness
afterwards returned to town on short leave. About the 20th
inst. the Racoon will sa;l for a three months' cruise on the
coast of Scotland, at the close of which Prince Alfred will
commence his course of study at the Royal Palace of
lolyrood,

(rfn.rt ormlat

HER MAJESTY.

VISIT OF HER MAJESTY TO THE EXHIBITION.
WINDSOR CASTLE, June 12.
The Queen paid a second visit this day.to South
Kensington.
Her Majesty left Windsor at half-past nine in a
special train by the Great Western Railway, and
drove from the Paddington terminus to the western
entrance in the Exhibition building, 5.n Prince
Albert-road. Her Majesty was here received by
the Royal Commissioners of 1851 ; by Mr. Bow-
ring, secretary to the Commissioners ; Captain
Fowke, who designed, and Messrs. Kelk and Lucas,
who erected the building.
Her Majesty spent a considerable time in visiting
the different parts of the building, and hearing ex-
planations as to the mode in which, if purchased by
the Government, it was proposed to appropriate it,
in which her Majesty was deeply interested.
Her Majesty then passed again through the Hor-
ticultural Gardens, and by the Prince's statue to the
conservatory, and left by the entrance in Kensing-
ton-road.

Having paid a visit to Baron Marochetti's studio,
where her Majesty remained some time, her Ma-
jesty left London soon after twelve, and arrived at
Windsor at 25 minutes before one.
However trying these visits may be to the Queen,
her Majesty will be deterred by no fear of personal
pain or fatigue from seizing every opportunity of
marking the warm interest she takes in works to
which the Prince Consort devoted so much time
and labour, and of joining as she may in whatever
tends to do honour to his memory.
Her Majesty was accompanied by their Royal
Highnesses the Princess Helena end Princess
Louise, and attended by the Marchioness of Eiy,
Lady A. Bruce, Lieutenant-General Hon. C. Grey,
and Major-General Hon. A. Hood.
His Royal Highness Prince Alfred, attended by
Major Cowell, left the Castle this morning for
Portsmouth.