The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-07
INTERESTING FROM NORTHERN MEXICO.

PREPARATIONS FOR WAR IN TAMPIco AND MArAMoRAs-
VICTORY BY v1DAuRRIs FoRcEs-MATAMoRAs DE-
cLARED FREE PORT, ETC.
By the arrival of the steamship General Ru.k at
New Orleans from Brazos Santiago, we have re-
ceived brownsville papers to the oath ut The
General Rusk brought S45,253 in specie on freight.
The Brownsville Flag of the 18th says:
AFFAIRS with our neghbors seem approaching a
crisis, Judging from the signs of the times as mani
tested in Matamoras and Tampico, the two extremes
OF the State of Tamaupas, which lies Just opposite
to u.s. we have seen 'bando' or decree from the
commander OF the reactionist forces dated at Tam
pico on the 9Th inst, in which every citizen between
the ages of II and so is called upon to take up
arms to repel the 'opposers of order, as Gen. Nor
emo Is pleased to designate the forces under Gov.
Cara. From this we should Judge that the consti-
tutionalists the city of Tampico, and that
the commandant at that place did not feel quite safe
The same decree holds out an invitation to foreign
residents to form themselves into companies for the
defence OF the town, with the promise of arms from
the arsenal OF the commandant. On the other hand
In Matamoras enlistments constantly going on
| for the ranks of the liberals
Our last advices from Monterey contain news of a
victory gained by division of Eidaurri's forces at
| some point between Monterey and San Luis, in
which many were killed and several important off
GERS OF the enemy captured, among whom were
commanded by Col. Martin Sayas, whose magma
nimity prompted him to relieve the two Generals
named above on their parole of honor. General
Cruz, it is said embraced the first opportunity to
|
| Puebla, it is said has been taken by the Liber.
alists.
| The Flag of the oath, says:
'On Sunday evening last, the people of Matamo
ros were made exceedingly joyful by the return Of
their commission with the welcome decree that the
hitherto neglected city of Matamoras had been de-
clared free port, for the introduction of every spe
cies OF merchandise free of all impost duties. We
have as yet been unable to gather the particulars
Beyond the fact that such decree has been sane
| toned, we are wholly in the dark We are ignor-
ant OF the source from whence the all-mportant de-
cree originated or by whom conceded-whether it is
intended to apply alone to fair sister, Matamo
ras, or whether it extends beyond, or how far 1t
is the prevalent opinion, however, that it embraces
the whole frontier, from the mouth of the Rio Gran
de to Piedras Negras, through the two States of
Tamaulipas and Nuevo Leon Coahuila.
BY this decree more fatal blow has been struck
at Tampco than can be done by the combined forces
of the Liberals, which are now marching against it.
This single paper missile is more potent than thou
sands of lead and iron; because by of it the
life OF Tampico-its commerce-will be withdrawn
from 1T and attracted htherward leaving the adhe-
rents OF Zuloaga in defence of worthless carcass
city with no resources. We believe also that instead
OF inuring, this decree will be very great advan-
tage to our frontier towns, because it will attract
the merchants of the frontier, who, though they will
eagerly avail themselves of its liberal invitation to
introduce their wares will be cautious in doing so
to any great extent until they become convinced of
the permanency of the movement.
We are credibly informed by gentlemen Just ar
rived from the scene of warfare, that Gov. CARA
and Gen. Garcia were encamped with their forces
between Altamira and Tampco. They were wait
ing the arrival of about 600 then on the march
to join them.
The purser of the General Rusk, in reference to
the decree declaring Matamoras free port in
forms the New Orleans Picayune that on the 2lst,
Pete Caracas, Commissioner from Gov. CARA ar
rived at Matamoras with the decree. Whether the
same privilege is extended to the other towns along
the frontier, he says, was not known when the Gen.
Rusk left.
Letters from Monterey, the purser says arrived at
Matamoras on the oath, stating that Vidaurri had
issued proclamation declaring that all persons
ing on property sold by the Church, (Which is sold
him 70 per cent. of the amount due it, which
would put him in in possession of Sl50,000 to
S2OO,OO0 The letters further stated that battle
was expected soon to take place between the Const
tutionasts and Zuloaga's party at San Luis Potos,
at which place about $4,000, 900, en- route for the
frontier, was shut up.