The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-03-28
Fron, tie " 0. Picayns
The News from the Gulf.

We have been complaining of want Of news
from the gulf 1t has come suddenly and in
startling shape The long dulless was broken
by the abrupt arrival of two captured steam
ers, prizes TO the American squadron, with
prisoners The sensation was great. Ii
sounded like war and in the first meagre
announcement, without any explanation of
the causes of the strange occurrences it was
thought that hostilities had commenced with
some of the contending factions in Mexico
and the navy of the United States had taken
part.
The subsequent details, published last
evening, show that it was only the repression
by the United. States vessels, of Spanish
filibustering expedition against Mexico, in
which Americans acted under the sanction of
the regular government, in promptly repelling
wantOn assault on the American flag.
All the facts connected with this enterprise,
collected in last evenings paper, show that
these vessels were sent from Havana with sup
porters and arms and munitions to co-ope-
rate with Miramon in his projected attack
upon Vera Cruz. They cleared as merchant
vessels, mounted their armament and changed
their flags afterwards, and made for port in
possession of the enemy they were engaged
to attack. They crossed the harbor, of that
port, in face Of the fleet, refused to show
colors, and made for an anchorage where
there was no port Of entry and the landing of
goods was unlawful. Pursued aud question
ed, they fired on the American flag, and were
summarily punished as pirates This conduct
deprived them of the right of protection to
the Spanish flag, which they had abandoned,
and exposed them to be treated as they were
by Capt Turner, of the Saratoga, acting under
the orders of Com. Jarvis
Captain Jarvis took the responsibility of
this act OF summary punishment, and will
throw himself on his countrymen and their
Government to sustain him in dealing with Wig
rand promptness in such sudden emergency
The question will be purely a domestic one.
Spain will not interfere for vessels that had
denationalized themselves by change of flag,
and under the pretcnce of peaceful COM
merce, be taken themselves to piratical prac-
| tices-concealing their flag-firing into a ma
tonal vessel of a friendly power. Miramon
might complain Of the loss of his expected
| succors, but Miramon is not the head of the
Government which we recognize, while all
the acts Of Capt. Jarvis were done with the
sanction, and rebound to the advantage of the
lawful Government. We should have thanks
and not complaints from Juarez
The domestic questions will re raised by
some as to the extent of Captain Jarvis's au-
thorty for what he has done and there will
| be good many to censure him that he had
| the energy to act with spirit on his own mo-
| tives, and to question whether he did
not carry his own energy too far as civilians
in the law courts sometimes impeach a mans
acts in self defence, by curiousity analyzing
whether his blows back were not a shade too
many to protect his own person. But in these
| discussions the gallant Commodore will have
besides his legal detences, the strong moral
support of a widespread conviction through
out this country, that it is time to try whether
| the disorders Of Mexico, to so much affiict
our commerce, endanger urinterests, and ha-
rass our people, will not yield before a reso.
lutte Americans position.
The effects of this act are, however. to be
estimated apart from its responsibilities to
public opinion and the public authorities at
home. What effect is it to have on the affairs
of Mexico The prevailing opinion appears
to be that with the breaking up of this expi-
dition, the chances for Miramon of capturing
/ Vera Cruz are utterly gone. The vessels and
their cargoes must have cost the party large
sum, and the total loss is heavy drain on
their finances, and ominous of the total failure
of the enterprize on which so much was
staked. 1t is hard to find out the exact truth
from Mexican accounts but it is to be credi-
ted that the misadVenture should dishearten
the whole party, and encourage those who
were in Miramon's rearto make a demonstra-
tion on the capital and hope to take it. The
Constitutional party will, therefore, gain ad
berrents as well as spirit, and may gain serious
if not decisive advantages.