Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-03-02
WASHINGTON Items.

WASHINGTON, Feb. BIN consequence of
information received at the War department,
from Gov. Houston, of Texas, Col. Lee, who
commands the department of Texas, is expires
ly ordered to pursue and capture Cortinas and
his band, whether they go into Mexico or not,
the purpose being to strike u decisive blow,
even though other consequences be involved.
There are 642 men belong to the Infantry and
cavalry arms, stretched from Fort Brown. near
Matamora, to For Clark, about $50 miles
above, under competent officers, and with spe-
ciel instructions as to vigilance.
Information received here represents Corti-
mas as an American citizen, who recruited his
followers by opening the Jail at Brownsville
and then plundering on both sides of the river.
The belief is, that he hes more Americans
than Mexicans in his band.
The authorities of the State of chihuahua
recently applied to the President for the aid
of our troops, stationed near there, to prevent
depredations on American citizens and prop
erty, said to have been committed by marau-
ders and banditti, to the interest Of Miramnn,
who were drilling and organizing for the de-
feat of the liberal cause. Orders have been
sent to Capt. Walker, commanding at Fort
Bliss. near Elpaso, notifying him of this APP
plication and directing his force to be marched
into chihuahua for the purpose stated.
Horace White, of the Chicago Press & Tri-
bune, formerly Assistant Secretary of the Ma
tional Kansas Committee, appeared before the
Senate Harpers Ferry Committee to-day.
The executive board of the committee con-
sisted of three members residing in Chicago,
Messrs. J. D. Webster, II. d. Hard and Geo.
w. Dale, who transacted the business with the
authority of a full organization. The 'aggre
gate sum of money secured and disburscd by
that body in 1856 and three months of 1857
was about 100000, of which $4,000 wa:
fer the purchase of arms.
Their dealings with Brown amounted to al
| appropriation of $3.50 in cash, II boxes oil
clothing and twenty-five revolvers for his ben
eft, of which the last mentioned never reached
him. All this transpired in the fall of 1856
! Witness had never seen Brown since January
1857. Brown never communicated to witness
or the committee, any purposes or design:
against slavery outside of Kansas.
Browns last appearance before the commit
tee was at the Astor House, New York, il
January, 1857, when he applied for enc hun
dred Sharp's rifles belong to the committee
and at that time stored at Tabor, Iowa, will
which to repel the border rufhan invaders o
Kansas. Pending the discussion of the peti
ton, which was warmly opposed by member
of the question was disposed of by voting the
arms back to the control of the Massachusetts
State Kansas committee. which purchased ant
forwarded them to the National committee a
Chicago. Brown then proceeded to BostoI
it was supposed, to make his application to th'
Massachusetts committee.
Witness never saw him afterwards. Wit
ness was acquainted with John +. Cook, Rich
ard Rea!f and james RedPath, none of whom
ever told him or the executive committee +;
syllable about Browns plan. The %nationa
committee voted Itself functions and officer
in March 1888 ard disbandcd.
The Mexican treaty was today debated foI
several hours in executive session. Those wht
have not decided to oppose it, say that theil
minds arc open TO the conviction the fullest
opportunity will be afforded for discussion.
The House mileage bill. owing to the failure
to order Il vote on its passage, went to th(
Speakers table, and takes its Place the sixth
or seventh on the calendar.