The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-03-13
WASHINGTON NEWS

MEXICAN AFFAIRs-MISCELLANEOUS
The war Department received the following
letter on Saturday morning from Major Heintzle-
man, dated Fort Brown, Texas, February 10TH
giving an account of the recent engagements had
with Cortinas and his band of outlaws He saws:
since my letter of the 5th, have received Capt.
Ferds report of what took place on the 4th, when
ne crossed the river into Mexico to protect the
steamboat Ranchero, her way down. with a.
cargo valued at two hundred thousand dollars On
the "a OF February two companies of State troops,
captains Ford and Lttleton's, were placed under
my orders by Commissioners of the State of Texas
sent Captain Stoneman's cavalry to occupy the
country from this point to about thirty miles
ABOVE, and the two companies to occupy from there
up as lar as Ednburg. On their way they found
some OF COrtinas men depredatinp on stock and
Killed some of them. At Zacetal Rancho, opposite
La Balsa, he encountered thirty Mexicans, and
drove them across the Rio Grande. His party,
Win some Rangers, were fired upon from the
Mexican side, and one man was mOrtally wounded
In the meantime the steamboat which was near
by, was also fired into Captain Ford arriving
crossed the river with forty men and after a
snort sklrmlsh, kept up for about an hour, the
enemy was driven from his defenoes We had two
hangers wounded. The Mexican loss, according
to their own account is twenty y-nine killed and
forty wounded. Their whole force was one hun-
dred and htty infantry and fifty cavalry. Our off
GERS and men behaved admirably The next morn
ing, the better to protect the boat forty seven off
GERS and men crossed the river with their horses
and accompanied the boat At La Palmas two or
three miles down, they encountered a body of
armed men retreatlng before them. Some of them
belonged to the rural police. The larger portion
no doubt belonged to Cortinas After a short CON
terence with General Garcia, the troops recrossed
to our side of the river on the following day. The
dangerous excitement of the last few days has
somewhat abated. The troops will resume their
position on the river
Dispatches just received from New Orleans leave
the impression that the steamer lndianoa has been
tesainea at vera Cruz, and armed to repe the at
LACK anticipated from two small steamers sent from
havana. The owner of the Indanola was on board
ana news of the intended attack must have reached
vera Cruz by the British steamer which left Ha-
Vana TWO days IN advance of the war steamer. The
conclusion seems to be that the owner arranged
win the liberal Government for arming his vessel
and defending the city. The news due tomorrow
by the Isabel will be looked for with anxiety.
The Opposition members of the Wavs and Means
committee nave matured Tariff, and are ready to
report whenever the opportunity is offered. The
main features of Mr.. MorrelPs bill are preserved,
with various improvements. A loan of $50 OOO, ,OOO
to fund the Treasury Notes, forms part of the
measure.
1t is considered sure that the House Committee
on Territories will report in favor of organizing
the Territories of Dacotah, Nevada and Pixies
Peak. The latter Territory has been called "Jef-
ferson but this designation is not so much favored
as "Tohosa," an Indian name which means TDweI-
lers on the mountain peaks.''
Mr. Fenton, of New York, has been instructed by
the House committee on Revolutionary Claims to
report the bill to settle the claims of the officers
and soldiers of the Revolutionary army, and the
widows and children of those who died in the
service. 1t has the unanimous sanction of the
committee.
Mr.. Burlingame, Saturday evening, received in
tellgence of the death of his mother She died six
weeks since in Salem, Linn county, Oregon, where
her husband has resided for many years. In con
sequence of this bereavement Mr. Burlingame will
be absent from his public duties some davs.
Four hundred applications were made for ten
cadetships at the disposal of the President