The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-07-04

corps IN this country, and afierward Minister of
War for Louis Philippe, on his ascending the
French throne. taft
Gen. Taylor in his letter to the Secretary of
war pays him the following compliment -
wonld call the attention Of the department
particularly to the services of the Engineer Off
Ger. Captain Mansfield. whose untiring vigilance
and zeal IN perfecting the defences that he had SO
ably planned. cannot be too highly praised.''
INTERESTING FROM THETA PLATTE.
we extract from the Union, part of an in
'erestIng letter giving the history of the Difficult
ties and war on the La Platte II is the clearest
most comprehensive, and most impartial account
we have seen, of this unfortunate STRUGGLED
:" will begin by stating that abou, six or eiob,
years ago the French as you are we'll aware
blockaded Buenos AyFes, as measure IN frce
mat government to indemnify some Frenchmep
tor some spoliation. said to have been committed
upon them by Rosas At that period all WAS
tranquility in the river. Oribe was Presiden,
ana Rlvera commander in chief of the troops of
me independent province of Banda Oriental.
(Mon'evIdeo its caPisa.) Rosas was then, as
now. governor, or as voa may say dictator of the
province of Buenos Ayres; and they saw. ruled
as sconrge; but that was their own look out
other nations had nothing to do with il. The
French continued the blockade and made MANY
prizes. which We're taken into Montevideo far con-.
domination. Oribe refused permission to have
them condemned in his port, and this. they saw.
was the hrst cause of French interference in this
place This is the ostensible one. Montevideo
contained at that time, as now, several thousands
of French, Basqnes and Italians strong faction
was created agains, Oribe; and these fS1eiooers
were induced to take up arms and throw them
selves IN the arms of Rivera who, already at the
head OF the native troops, (mostlv blacks. \ Tins
| found himself IN sufficient power to usurp the
government. Oribe soon obliged to fIy.-
some KIND OF an election took place. and Rivera
proclaimed PRESIDENT. Oribe fled to Buenos Ayres
and was taken under the protection of Rosas. and
| believe, became one of his generals ahon,
this time. the French withdrew their blockade of
buenos Ayres, having in some manner settled
their affairs WIN Rosas: who now thew saw
turned all his attention towards subiupatinp this
province, either to annex it to his own or to Gain
lasting Influence in its administration. Others
say his Ill feeling towards the province arose from
lis aff"rdlng shelter to number of his country
men VINO mad become obnoxious to him, and who
had Joined Rivera (who had always been his
enemy) in working the Buenos Ayrean govern.
ment all the III they could. Finding all his com
plants unheeded, he determined upon the over
throw OF Rivera, who, he judged was the sole
cause OF all the encroachments on his province
and the dIssensons at home against his admins
tration. lie raised an army and placed il under
.ne command OF orioe. who Immediately landed
in the upper part Of this province and carried Tho
country Wherever he appeared, thousands JOINING
his standard. He re- entered as the lawful p,ss;
dent, and his reinstatement was the sole cause oe
Rosas acknowledged Interference The s.rmy
moved along; and having acquired the full pos-
session OF the whole province, appeared under the
walls OF Montevdeo. Had Oribe then marcbad
on, all would have been in his possession but
from some cause or other. he delayed. A strict
defence was instituted. Rivera arming all the
French, italians. and refugees from Buenos Avree
Oribe then encamped within three miles ~ ,ha
wall, and laid down for regular seige. Some
time alter, Rivera attempted to prevent Oribe
from taking possession Of Msldanado, "a small port
about 4O miles below.) He was defeated and
Obliged To ny the country, his own troops al Mon
ieVideo refusing TO receive him within the c;tv
after his defeat The government was coo,inusd
oy inc wee president, and the siege and defence
continued on: Kosas now brought his squadron
10 blockade the port, thus completely cutting off
all further supplies. What they had on hand
was, IN Time, almost consumed the inhabitants
, were even obliged TO feed on dogs, cats, &c.
| linus reduced, IN very short time the town
would have capituiated, and Oribe would have
again been folly reinstated ; and then he proposed
TO allow them fair election. At this state of az
AUS an al once, the English and French appeared
as pac'bcators, so they called themselves. All At
once. they saw Rosas' ambition, and determine
ton to destroy the independence of this province
OF Uruguay. which they (the English) had guar
antied IN some treaty with Brazil They pro-
tested against Rosas' right Of blockade: and.
aI'eT heayy correspondence of advice threats
&c, which Rosas unheeded, they seized and dis
mantIed the bockading squadron; turned their
crews adfht: received several Of the vessels into
,ne'I service and, finally, the united forces Of
England and France blocksded Buepos Avres
The documents that have sent will pun YOU in
possession VI alb the particulars Of this last move
meDt, which took place last fan. The ENGLISH
nave also landed the I'D and 45II' regiments, and
party OF royal marines, amounting TO near two
thousand men; the French have also landed few
hundred of their sailors, (who are halfsoldiers
half salloT,) and their ministers and adnitals
sway all the cosnses of the city. Besides these
troops, there are about one thousand blacks and
two to three thousand French Bssques, and I.sl