The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-08
NEWS FROM MEXICO.


Captain Smith, from Matamoras, we have dates
from that city to the 2lst ofJuy. Among her pas
sengers was Theodore A. Maltby, one of the Tex
ian Mier prisoners. He was badly wounded in the
head at that desperate and sangmnary tight, and,
after lying many months in Mexican hospitals, has
finally reached his native land in safety.
By this arrival we received no papers, but YER
bay learn that there are but 500 or 600 badly fed
troops in the neighborhood Of Matamoras-discon
tented fellows, who would run away at once if they
knew where TO go. Their commander, Gen. Garcia,
received order short time since to build fort in
the neighborhood, which would sford protection TO
the city. He picked out soft spot, where the dig
gng was easy, and set his men at work; but il is
stated that vessel can approach within three hun
bred yards without being seen, and throw bombs
into the fertilization till doomsday, without the least
risk. This thing Of selecting site for fortress,
because it happens to be easy digging, we believe
TO be new wrinkle in military science.
One gentleman, who has recently travelled by
land from the city of Mexico to Matamoras, informs
US that the inhabitants in many parts well as the
public journals, talk openly, and with the usual
bombast and fanfaronade, of invading Texas and
the United States at once. The undertaking is look
ed upon as one of the easiest and simplest things
imaginabe--to advance and vanquish, clean as they
go, even far as Washington city, is deemed mere
HOLIDAY work. II would be advisable TO bring able
engineers along with them, as many of the rivers
between the Rio Grande and the Potomac are diff
cult to cross to say nothing of other obstacles. The
facts are, that the Mexicans look for great assist
ance from Great Britain in a war with the United
States, and perhaps with some show of reason; bu,
even without this expectation, they would still In
duge in their vaporing gasconade.
Our informant states that General Paroles was at
San Luis Potosi when he came through, and had in
the neighborhood of :, 900 troops with him. These
were tolerably well uniformed, and the horses of the
cavalry were in fair condition After arriving at
Monterey, our informant heard that Paroles was
on his march towards that place. He has always
been Incorporate, though brave officer, and is said
to be now more addicted to liquor than ever.
Gen. Arista, who is in bad health, is still at Mon
terey and has about 1900 hafsarved soldiers with
him. They are mostly cavalry; but their horses
are represented as mere skeletons, not having had
any other food than grass for some time, and that
being Indifferent in the neghborhood. Arista can
hardly obtain money enough from the government
to purchase provision even for himself and officers
TO such straits is he driven while the poor soldiers
obliged to pick up scanty subsistence as best
they can. Two anecdotes have been told us, which
show the wretched condition Of the Mexican trea-
sury, and the extreme poverty of the officers of the
army. One of the latter lately sold his only blanket
10 an American for half its value. The purchaser
not wanting it, but giving him the money, us he
stated that he was absolutely in want of the neces
saries of life. Another officer asked gentleman for
the loan Of ten dollars; and on being questioned as
to what security he could give, offered his wife,
young and pretty woman of some sixteen years
He had nothing else to offer, and positively told the
gentleman she might remain with him until the
debt was paid Difficult as il would appear to be,
fully believe these stories; and these the peo-
pie who talk of overrunning the United States.
Sixty thousand such troops with sixty thousand
Banks of England to back them, could never reach
the Mississippi; and yet with half the number,
they talk of taking possession Of Washington.
Arista is in constant receipt of intelligence from
hn,
backwards and forwards. We have long known il
to be darling scheme with this general to effect
union between Texas and the Mexican States of
Coahuila, Tamaulipas, and New Leon--in fact,
with all the Rio Grande territory lying east, or this
side the Sierra Madre He has been anxious to
separate this section, at least, Of Mexico from the
central government; but, in order to carry out his
plans successfully, he knew that he must draw Tex.
into the scheme; and that he has correspondent
with influential men in the latter upon the subject,
we have ntmated above, we know to be true.
The annexation of Texas to the United States has
destroyed his hopes in that quarter; and what his
future plans are, we unable to say. The indie
pendence scheme he warmly favored, as this would
not materially interfere with his projects. Another
thing more than half inclined to believe that
Arista has been deeply engaged in the smuggling
business between Texas and Mexico, notwithstand-
ing all his procamatons against the contrabandiss,
and that large party of the latter have had his
cret protection both sides of the Rio Grande, and
all for consideration. The appearance of United
States troops in the southwest of Texas will, in
measure, break up this traffic; and this undoubtedly
chafes him. He is a tall, raw-boned man, red
headed, and with sandy whiskers, and looks like a
Scotchman. We know nothing Of his parentage,
but he would certainly never be taken for Mex
lean
The traitor Seguin was at Monterey short time
since, on his way to Camargo He styles himself
captain of the Bexar company, and probably has a
number of San Antonio Mexicans under him
Scguin was on the Texan side at the battle Of San
Jat into, and for long time hand-and-glove
with the Americans but in evil hour he deserted
them, and it is said that he now bitterly repents him
of his treachery.
The above are all the items Of the least import
ance we have been enabled to CLEAN from our in
formants. If we can believe the Mexican stories
80, 900 men to advance upon the Rio Grande;
but these stories must be aken not with grains, but
pounds of allowance We know full well that
many of the more influential men in Mexico would
not hesitate moment about plunging the country
in a war, with or without foreign assistance for
the sake of the opportunity it would afford to
slip some Of the money raised for its support into
their own pockets but whether these political gam
blers are to prevail, is a question. A few weeks or
months will tell the story.