The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-21
THE pAILY UNION.
From the correspondent Of the unIonl
HAyASA, May 8, 1876.

| HAVANA May B, 1916.
The city full of rumors concerning Gen. Taylor
| and the Me xicaD government. IL was currently re-
ported that an engag ement had actually taken place
| between General L. and the Mexican forces and
that the former had been badly used in the contest
Private letters from Vera Cruz of the LIST instant
| deJail these rumors, and fears are entertained by
| well informed persons that ohlclal accounts would
| reach Vera Cruz on the I'd verifying these rumors.
state these reports items OF news, not believing
myself that they have any real foundation. In the
first place il is not at all probable that any collision
| has taken place; and secondly, Gen. Taylor is too
we'll prepared for the assault to be badly beaten
| as rumor asserts. The greatest anxiety, however,
| is felt both here and at Vera Cruz for the ultimate
safety Of Gen Taylor's command. IL is asserted as
fact that the Mexicans concentrating upon the
frontier a large body of troops, and much too large
| for the small force Of Gen. Taylor, if not for the
| frst certainly for the second attack. Besides the
summer is coming on, and our troops will suffer
very much from the oppressive heat OF the climate
| II the GROCERIES in the neighborhood Of the camp
are not wholly broken up, you may rely upon II
| they will prove a more formidable enemy to our
| forces than the Mexicans. The use OF spirits in a
| latitude as low as go must work inealcuable in
Jury; and in this respect the enemy will have great
advantage, as they are not addicted at all to this
| practice They have been warned all their lives Of
| its evils.
| The steamer from Vera Cruz brings decidedly
| unfavorable intelligence for Santa Ana. But Il il
said that the ex- President Is not al all affected by
the intelligence. He remains very quiet at his re-
treat a few miles outside the walls Of the city, pur-
suing his fayorite amusement OF lighting cocks, and
occasionally attending a dancing party of an even
| ing with his beautiful young VITA He expresses
himself as being uncoacerned about Mexican affairs,
and talks Of arranging more agreeable quarters for
future residence the city. Certain II Is, the
assertions of the press TO the contrary notwith-
standing, he does not believe that the day of his
restoration is very at hand, though he eyi.
IDENTIFY counts upon It as one Of tho certain events
of the future The intelligence from Mexico seems
| 10 have put a perfect quieus upon the monarch-
| cal party and project OF that country, and more
| than sustains my previous opinions expressed TO
| you that the effort to establish government in
Mexico Of that character would prove an utter
failure II the project itself found advocates in the
higher walks Of life, It was not for the sake OF
| monarchy, but To effect some cherished object
| through the agitation OF that question. That the
| royal treasury of Madrid has made sunary small
| investments in this new stock, is now placed be-
| yond peradventure. Money has been shipped
| from this capital and the local government here
entertain no doubt, has been instructed to hold IL
self its energies and It's means IN readiness 20 coop
crate in carrying out this plan. Nor is this at all
| surprising; II is no more than might be expected
and no more, indeed, than they may justify them
selves in doing with hope of bringing back 70 the
| fold lost sheep Of the Spanish monarchy. The
| question Of economy in making such investments is
very different question. and one, too, which the
| guardians OF the treasury alone ought TO settle.
| Havana is one Of the finest and most busnesS-
like cities Of the Great West, for il constitutes, TO
all intents and purposes, much part Of the con.
tinent of North America IN its industrial relations as
| New York or Boston. II contains many objects Of
great curiosity to foreigners in Its complete FORTH
| cations its fine military and pleasure grounds its
magnificent public buildings, its elegant private
residences in the construction Of which money has
not been spared in rendering them all that beau
| tify and ornament But admit all these generous
displays Of wealth for the comfort and convenience
Of the people you look in vain for that institution,
| without which people can be happy or vlrtuous
mean, Of course, a general system Of education
| Though there are schools in Havana, and they
| abound here TO greater extent perhaps than any
other part OF the island there can be said to be no
encouragement given to education. There are men
here, too, of education and intelligence; but these
constitute the exceptions-nOt the rule. IL Is said
the government, without positively prohibiting
schools find means TO discourage their introduction,
believing too much education 10 be wholly inconsis-
tent with the continuance of the existing relations
b-tween Spain and Cuba. Without at all designing
to analyze this matter, it 10 plain TO see that the
government of Cuba is 30 framed TO exclude from
a participation in its benefits the poorer classes oil
the Community. l oQnnot better ilustrata mp views
than by detailing story which is current here, and
which reflects the greatest credit upon the present
captain general. poor man in the country had
nobeman in carting sugar to Havana. He had got
his employer in debt TO him in the sum of S. 600.
| constituting the entire amount of his goods and
chattels. The nobleman, on being called on for q
settlement turned of the poor fellow, and absolutely
refused to pay. Shortly after the arrival Gen. o.
Donne the poor man called on his excelency, and
stated his The captain general properly re-
piled, that the institutions of the country were open
to him, and that the matter was quite out Of his
jurisdiction. To this the workman rejoIned, that
ne knew all this; but continued that if he prosecuted
| the nobleman he would soon be ruined, and never
obtain his money. To close the story the captain
general promptly paid the whole amount of the bill,
and sent for the count, and inquired OF him If he
knew such man. "Yes,n he replied ''and mis-
cradle fellow he is; turned him Off" "You did not
pay him" True, there is a small amount trde
due him" "This may be a trihe to you,n rejoined
the captain, Shut it is the poor mans all, which |
have paid, and which trust it will be perfectly
| venient for you to refund at an early day" 1t Is
needless to say the money was promptly paid.
Here was the remedy which ought to have been
afforded by the institutions of the country. Since
writing the above, | learn that the rumor Of en-
gagement between the Mexican and American
troops was current at Vera Cruz three days before
the departure Of the steamer. Gen. Alvarez, Of
Acapulco, and Gen. Moreno, have declared against
the existing government. The former Of ,hess
persons is said TO be person Of great strength in
Mexico, and Gen. A monte expresses the opinion,
that he will be found too strong for the government.
Your readers will recolect that Gen. Alvarez de-
clared against the government during the admins
tra,on of the Department of War by GEL Almonte
He was then deemed too strong and was nrgot-
ated into submission, which it is thought he Is not
now likely again 10 submit to. The Spanish consul
general of Mexico came passenger in the steamer
and ASSERTS unequivocalIy that the scheme Of mon
archy has already proved itself an utter failure
finding few advocates on the one hand, and deter
mined opposition of the great Of the people
the other believe the project has been abandoned
here, and will not again be revived.