The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-05-04

rib in the olden time.
Meanwhile it is supposed La Lave and his army
are crossing the country to fall upon the invaders
rear, bat that chief has not displayed lthe military
ability which to have been expected of him. and
it is doubtful to my mind whether he will accom-
plish anything or not.
This place remains firm, though there is some ap-
prehension of treachery inside the walls. Tonight
lit is now 10 p. M. the guards are doubled and
nearly the whole National Guard under arms.
Although Echeagaray may have 4 900 men he could
make no impression on Vera Crux-even waving the
romito-provided the garrison remain true to their
colors. Governor Zamora and others have gone too
far to recede and must either fight it out embark
We have strange, vague rumors from the city OF
Mexico. II is said that it is not improbable Osollos
be great defender Of the fath) and Lerdo de Teada
(tbe arch enemy OF the church) may come to an ar
rangement by which the former would step into the
Presidency, with the latter as Premier. Well,
nothing is too improbable for Mexico.
There is much talk, too of an American protec-
torate. Indeed, that idea appears to be gradually
growing upon the enlightened public mind In it
Mexico may. find at last the panacea of her woes.
Who knows?
We have a report that Cara has shot, at Tampico,
Generals Corona, Pacheco, fires, and some ten or
dozen other officers, who, it will be remembered he
made prisoners some three weeks ago. Ii SO, it were
an unnecessary and inhuman deed.
We have little information from the Northern
States, though it appears that the powers at Mexico
are still pushing forward vigorously the war of re-
subjugation.
Inc mails nave Deen detained Dy Ecneagaray LOT
some days past True he permits the dispatches oil
foreign agents to pass after brief quarantine, but
the correspondence of merchants and private ndivi
duals generally has no such privilege accorded.
close this hasty sketch Of affairs by giving it as
my deliberate conviction that this country will
have peace without foreign Intervention. If the
conservatives carry the day now, or patched up
pacication be had it would be but to smother for
brief space fires that will be to burst forth with
renewed fury. In no case and under no government
OF their own will there ever be anything like har-
mony. Mexico is too strong to be lbustered; so let
Us have that American protectorate.
VgRA CRUZ, April %, 1858.
Capture Of Oriza6a by Echeagaray-Mr. Coolidge,
Of Boston, amongst the Prisoners Instructions
Of Echt1garay to Haze Him Shot--Probabie Sue
cess Of The Efforts Made to SAGE his Lite-Ne-
grefes Force Pronounced IN Faror Of Zulodga-
american Interference, &C., &c.
left Mexico on the 18th instant by the diligence
for Puebla, where We arrived that evening without
hindrance. The next morning we left for Orizaba,
and about noon were stopped by highwaymen at the
barranca of Quichola. We were armed, and couple
of shots sent these fellows about their business and
they left to pursue way, which we did without
molestaton.
We reached Orizaba 81 nghtfall, and found it in
possession of Gen. Echeagaray, who had made a
forced march from Nopaucan and entered it by sur
prise two days before. Little resistance was made,
and Col. Alberto Lopez, who commanded, was made
prisoner witha portion of his staff Among the latter
was told was young man from Boston, by the
name of Sidney Coolidge, who had come out to
Mexico with Col Talcott's Railroad Surveying Corps
but who had left that party and joined the liberals
II was further stated that Gen. Echeagaray was
much incensed against him, and that he was to be
shot he next day.
Interest had already been made in his favor by
Mr.. Grandson, an English gentleman Of influence
settled in Orzaba, and at once sought him out to
learn the truth Of the case. He confirmed the ru-
NOR, and said that ne had seen the General but was
not satisfied with the result of the interview.
Immediately called upon Gen. Echeagaray, and
was very courteously received When informed
him that my business was concerning young
Coolidge, his countenance changed but he listened
to all had to say. His ground was that Coolidge
had come into the country with an amicablc charac-
ter, which be had thrown aside to take arms with
party fighting against the supreme government, and
that his instructions were to treat him with the
utmost rgor in fact, to consider him az libuster,
and 10 shoot him as SUCH l defended Coolidge as
well as was able, and before left the General
received from him tacit assurance that his life was
safe.
He readily granted me permission 10 see Coolidge,
and at once awaited myself of ii. found him con-
fined with other prisoners of war in the COM
men Jail He was very nervous, but seemed to be
assured when told him the result of my interview
with the General. He will probably be tried by
court martial, and sentenced TO some term of con-
fnsment, and, perhaps, penal labor. am told that
his friends reside in Boston, aud they may doubtless
obtain his release by exertion through Official quar-
tiers.
Among the prisoners I found another American,
young nan by the name Of Clement p. Garcia, son
Of John p. Garcia, Esq., Of New York He has been
in the country for some years, aud during the
war served General Scott az an Interpreter. He
afterwards established school near Jalapa
and has been residing there ever since. He was ar
rested for being puro, or liberal, and brought
With the army TO Orizaba. lie was not looked upon
in Che same !.ght A. Ccci:aate but vas Al the same
time kept in confinement with him and the other
prisoners. His life is in danger but IL is nncer-
tain when he may obtain bis liberty Both of these
cases are worthy the immediate attention Of the 20
ysrnnieht.
General Echeagaray entered orizaba with 1900
men, and the proximity Of this force led the liberals
TO abandon the town Of Cordoya which was occu-
pied by 500 men, under Cobos, the next day. We
found the mails and the diligences all stopped a.
Orizaba, but party OF us, being anxious TO catch
the Tennessee, succeeded, after great exertion, in
obtaining q wagon to carry through the contend
ing forces. The party waited for me while took
the necessary steps in favor Of Coolidge and Garcia
and at nightfa we started.
We passed through the advanced pickets OF Cobos
at Cordova, under an order from that General, and
expected TO find the liberals posted at the bridge
and pass Of Chiquihu'e. But on reaching that posi-
ton we found the barbados abandoned and he pass
and heights clear. Some leagues further on we
found the Mayor Of Cordova, with about 200 men,
in full retreat for Vera Cruz which place he entered
the next day.
Here the city is in much alszn, fearing an attack
frtm Echeagaray, but from what learned at Oriza-
ba | am inclined 70 believe that General will not
come down into the hot country a. his troops are
mostly from the high plains and are subject 70 yell
low fever. He will now probably turn his attention
10 the other line, and endeavor TO take Perote and
Jalapa. under the conviction that Vera Cruz will
fall when these have surrendered. Governor
Zamorra, however, says he will hold out till his last
cartridge is expended and his last biscuit eaten.
General la Lave arrived here last night, and this
morning the news came that the forces Of Negrete,
at the national bridge, had pronounced in favor of