Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-27
the candidates for county offices will address
the people at NJ. Scion on Saturday next.
Affairs with Mexico.

In pursuance of determination of the Execu-
tive at Washington, General Scott has issued an
order for the concentration of all the disposable
force of the United States army in Texas The
assaults upon the people and the territory OF the
United States, by lawlsss bands from Mexico, Is
the alleged reason for this movement, but, as
the Secretary of War says in recent letter TO
the President, nothing can exceed the contrarie-
ty of opinion in relation to the recent transac-
tions on the Rio Grande. For many months
past there have been frequent rumors OF depre-
dations by Cortinas, quickly followed by more
correct information showing that the reports
were greatly exaggerated or sheer fabrcations.
The public have become iDcredulous in regard
to all intelligence from that quarter, and many
persons begin to doubt whether the so-called
Cortinas is not mere myth. Governor Hous-
ton, of Texas, has, however, lately made requl-
sition upon the President Of the United States
for assistance, threatening in case OF refusal to
to take the matter in his own hands, and in con-
sequence of this call the order alluded to has
been issued.
All the facts of the case are Involved in mys-
terry, but this much may be relied upon. that
when the army arrives in Texas it will lind no
enemy there to encounter. Whether the SOL
adiers will be quietly stationed along the frontier
to afford home market for the enterprising cit
liens of that section OF the Republic, OF marched
into Mexico to carry out Gen. Houstons IDEA OF
''protectorate," remains to be seen. Gen.
Houston foreshadows the latter policy in his let
ter to the President. Late intelligence from the
border transmitted by Col. Brown, the special a.
gent appointed to investigate the condition OF
affairs on the frontier, is to the effect that Cor
tinas has ceased his depredations, and that no
further trouble from his band of marauders need
be apprehended Gov. Houston, however, is &C
lively engaged in raising minute men in each
county, travelling day and night. The Indians,
it is again said, are numbering, plundering and
burning. We may expect some exciting news
before long.
In the meanwhile the important intelligence
has arrived of the capture of two OF Miramon's
steamers, at Vera Cruz, by United States YES
sels The particulars of this affair, as far as re-
ceiyed, are given elsewhere in this paper. Mi
ramon, it will be recolected, Is the head of the
Church or Constitutional party in Mexico, and is
wagiDg civil war with Alvarez, the Liberal
President. The former has complete possession
of tie interior of the country, while the forces OF
the latter are shut up in the seaports on the
Gulf and Pacific coasts. Our Executive has con-
eluded a treaty with Alvarez, which Is under
consideration in the United States Senate, and
its ratification is doubtful. The terms OF the
treaty are of course not yet made public,
All the reports from the Gulf go to show that
our naval officers acted strictly in accordance
with the law of nations in the affair with the two
Mexican steamers, and that the latter were the
assailants, but enough is not known about the
transaction to base decided opinion upon.
Later advices from Mexico state that reaction
had taken place in favor of Juarez. An inter
cepted letter to Miramon says the capital was
seriously threatened by the Liberals and asks for
assistance.