The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-07-08
STATE OF THE POLICE IN MEXICO.

We see it stated in some Of the newspapers, that |
the Mexican robbers treated the representatives of
Great Britain and the United States with unbecom-
ing severity; that they left the renowned British
captain standing in his Shirt and gave our minister
a thrashng into the bargain.
The story does the gentlemen of the road" some
injustice. Paul Clifford has given to the "minions
of the moon, universally, the character Of courtly
gentlemen; and nowhere do they deserve their good
name more than in Mexico. Governor Shannon
himself has favored us with pleasant account of
his roadside interview with them, and assures
that their conduct towards himself was marked
by that characteristic politeness and proprety, for
which they enjoy such welldeserved celebrity.
The governor had the luck to be robbed, both on
his way to the capital, and his return from it.
twas the last scene of the drama, which gave rise
to the ludicrous mistake of the Picayune
The scene of his interview with them, was some
leagues east Of the city of Pueba, where the road
not wide enough for two coaches to pass, runs for
quarter of mile through barranca, or ravine, cut
like canal with perpendicular sides The stage
was accompanied by an escort furnished him by
the Mexican government. But few moments be-
fore they entered the ravine, the captain Of the
escort rode up and informed him that he had pass
ed the haunts of the robbers, and was no longer in
any danger from them; and, having received the
customary "grat fcaiion," retired. From what inn
mediately after took place, there is every reason to
suspect full understanding and a collision between
the guard and the robbers. Five minutes afterwards
while the travellers were still congratuating each
other upon having passed through all the dangers of
the road unscathed, the stage suddenly stopped in
the middle of the ravne, and seven eight big
muzzled carbnes at once enlightened them as to the
treachery of their escort, and reminded them Of the
mutabiy of ounces from the purses of travellers to
the pockets of the roadside gentry. They were
politely invited to conference on foot, and, making
merit of necessity, descended from the stage with
as good a grace possible. The ceremony of
searching trunks and "handng over' then began. 4
While it lasted, Gov, Shannon had an opportunity
of observing the tactics Of his new acquaintances.
Around the stage were fourteen in number, all
masked and well armed, each with carbne, long
knife sword and pistols suspended in belts around
the waist. Seven remained on horseback, with car
bines leveed ready for action in Of resistance.
The others dsmounted to search for and select the
booty. In the distance were some fifteen or twenty
others, stationed sentinels The search was con-
Quoted with great order and decorum and accom-
panied with all the politest phrases of the Spanish
language When it was over, having duly admired
Gov. Shannon's crossword, and expressed their
appreciation Of its workmanship, they returned it to
him, together with his papers. Then, with many
apologies for the detention they had caused him,
they took their leave; not however, until they had
asked for him the blessing Of God, and invoked in
his behalf the protection Of the Blessed Virgin, tour
Lady Of Guadalupe"
Another more amusing scene took place imme-
diately afterwards. They had parted with the first
set of banditti but few moments, when another set
appeared in the road The conductor of the stage,
however, continued to drive on; addressing them, en-
passant with inexpressble naireie and mrth in his
manner, telling them that, unfortunately they were
rather too late; that the work had been already done
to their hand the robbery was just over the market
spoiled, and the goods riaed.
Gov Shannon lost, probably, on both expeditions,
in money clothes, &C., to the amount Of $500 or
$500.
These honorable evidences of the fine police
which prevails on the high-road between Vera Cruz
and the capital, is noble exposition Of the police,
good order, and strength of the government Of Mex
ico One would think that they would be much