The Arkansas banner., 1847-08-16
From hs N Orleans Piedyune, August 2
 Later from Vera Cruz.

Arrival of the Steamship Massachusetts.
 The steam propeller Massachusetts, Capt Wood, arrived op Thursday from Vera Cruz, having sailed thence on the 23d inst, which is 6 days later than the departure of the New Orleans. The importance of the intelligence by this arrival is by no means commensurate with the general expectations entertained.
 In regard to the appointment of Mexican commissioners, nothing further is positively known, hut courier who came through from the city of Mexico with dates as late as the 10th July, says that no commissioners have been appointed by Mexico. The Sun of Ana huac of the 22d' inst.-,he la,es, paper we have received-says the city still abounds in rumors on the subject, though it does not give them. preierring to wait for authentic advces. The Sun, however, is evidently dis posed to think the announcement of the ap- pointment of commissioners premature.
 Before gathering such items of local news as we can find in the Vera Cruz papers, we give the following letter from our own intel- ligent correspondents
 VERA CRuz, July 20, l847.
 You may think 1t strange when l tell you that whenever steamer arrives from vour city, the first thing that is inquired for here is paper containing the la,es. news from the army of Gen. Scott and the city of Mexi- co; but such is the fact. 4 fellow who IS fortunate enough to gel good package of papers has to hide them, and then curse you poor editors in the presence of those wish ing to borrow for not sending him any.- When he gets chance, he slips off to some obscure place where undsturbe,l he reads the news fcAich passed by las o,cn door iro rerks before. So true is il that we get most of the army news from New Orleans.
 Those merchants who have occasional communication with their correspondents in Mexico, dare not make political news public here, as their friends are forbidden by the authorities of Mexico to write on political subjects. saw one letter ten days ago which gave the names of four large commercial houses, ihe heads of which had been sum- moaed before Santa Anna and severely rep rimanded for writing letters to their friends here giving the history of political events. The letters had been intercepted by parties of guerrilas, and the writers were politely informed that if they did the like again, they would not only be rendered to Inequalities of Castle Santiago, but considered as enemies and treated accordingly.
 On the night of the 18th inst, about nine o'clock, we had an alarm here that the Mexi- cans were upon us. Such stampede as It led to, have never witnessed before. The slamming of the doors and windows sounded not unlike discharges of muske,ry. Utter confusion prevailed. The women and chil dren screamed; foot races were run to the arsenal to obtain arms, and many incidents contributed 10 swell the excitement One man actually swan off three-quar,ers of mile .o a vessel, and a good many took to the boats moored at and near the Mole. hole was stove in the cuslom-house boat by some ol the frantic people in their hurry to seek place of safety. The excitement lasted about half an hour, when all returned to their homes, satisfied that there was not and had not been any attempt to retake the city. The man who caused the alarm has been sent to the Castle of San Juan de ulua.
 That Padre Jarauia, with between II and 1900 men, was within two and half leagues of this ci,y on the 18th and l7,h insl. No