The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-30
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
From NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of the Sci.
Zure OF Miram0n's Fleet.-Our Squad.
r0n.-State OF Mexican Parties. TX


zure OF AIiramon's Fleet--Oar SQUAD
rOn..State OF Mexican Parties. TX
The exciting topic of news at this time,
in the commercial and political centers of
the east, is the intelligence from Mexico,
announcing the interference Of the American
feet, to prevent the blockade Of Vera Cruz,
by Miramon's political squadron, fitted out
at Havana, by the aid of the Spanish au-
thorities. 1t appears that months ago, our
government was informed by the United
States Consul General at Havana, that an
agent of Miramon was fitting out in that
city feet ofsteam vessels to cooperate with
the land forces in the reduction of Vera
Cruz; the feet to arrive off Vera Cruz and
commence bombardment so soon as it
should have been invested by land. Receiv-
ing information so conclusive, the President
at once instructed the American commander
in the Gulf that he recognized but one
Government in Mexico, and that he must
treat the Havana squadron as piratical
vessels, not sailing under the protection of
any recognized flag. Our latest advices are
as follows:
New ORLEANS, March 2l.-Miramon
paid $4,000 dollars for the two steamers
The steamers passed by all the foreign
squadrens and the castle without hosting
flag, although ordered to do so by a shot
from the castle and other signals. The
English, French and Spanish vessels of war
did not notice the fact. The engagement
took place by moonlight. The prisoners cor
roborated the report in relation to the
steamers, that they cleared from Havana as
merchantmen, and hoisted the Mexican flag
only after they left that port, and subse-
quently mounted guns.
Miramon notified the foreign vessels that
he would commence the bombardment of
Vera Cruz on the night of the 18th, and he
would not be responsible for the shipping
anchored under the castle. On the night Of
the 18th, the officers on the deck of the Gen.
Miramon heard heavy cannonading in the
direction of Vera Cruz.
There were captured with the two steam.
ers six mortars, six twenty-five Founders,
and 1000 stand of small arms. The steam
ers are worth 100000. They broke down
in the third day out, and put into Sisal.
The materials of war were stored away
below out of sight of the men, who were
ignorant of the destination of the expedition,
and who were forced into the service.
Marin's steamers returned the Saratoga
fire, and then tried to escape. The Indiana
la pursued, whereupOn the latter fired upon
her. The Indianola returned the fire, and
boarded the Miramon at the point of the
bayonet. A portion of the Indianolas deck
was carried away by the shot. The Mira
mon was then run aground, and the Sarato,
ga brought the MARQUEE to. The Picayune
ais Informed by French persons on board
that the fighting was done principally by
the officers, who were obliged to charge
and fire the guns, assisted only by Mexican
officers from the shore. The two steamers
had on board two hundred and fifty men,
and the killed and wounded amounted to
forty>fve. The Indianola and Wave had
eighty men each. The first engineer of the
Marques, an American, was killed. bar
Captain Turner asked why he fired on the
American vessels without provocation.
Marin replied that his men could not be
controlled. He knew the nationality of the
Saratoga, and understood her signals, but
the men fired contrary to his orders. Capt.
Turner replied, "You are entirely RESPONSE
bic for the outrage"
100000, mostly furnished in Havana by
the government, in accordance with a secret
article of the Almont treaty.
The prize steamer MARQUEE is anchored
opposite the city. Lieutenant Chapman
has received orders to remain here and for
ward his dispatches. He has also dispatches
for the British Minister. .:
Juarez's proclamation, declaring Marin's
expedition piracy, authorized any one to
capture it.
The Delta publishes the details of the
negotiations between the British and Mexi>
can governments. Lord John Russell pro-
poses an armistice, general amnesty, and
religious tolerance. If the proposition is
declined, England must demand of both par
ties 10 Mexico full indemnity due English
subjects.
Miramon has proposed the terms of the
armistice, and stipulates that England,
France, Spain, Prussia and the United
States shall be mediators for the establish
ment Of peace. Meantime, the duties of the
custom house are to be divided between the
two parties. Juarez returned Miramon's
communication on the Sd inst, with the de-
claration that the proposition was absurd
and inadmissible.
The New York Tr,bunes Washington
correspondent says, MARIAN, who was cap
tured with the Mexican steamers, was for.
merly commodore in the old Mexican navy.
Our government is possessed of information
of all that passed between M1RAMoN and
him, ard framed Mr.. McLANE's instructions
under that knowledge. He had credit for
$4,000 in one bill, which was subsequently
increased to purchase steamers and NUM-
tions, either in the United States or Cuba,
to cooperate with M1RAMoN when the
attack from land was made against Vera
Cruz. He left Havana under the Spanish
flag, which was the original colors of the
steamers, but hoisted the Mexican fac.