Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-03-22


structions from the President or Secretary
Of War. or was the action of the officer in
command of the sloop-of-war Saratoga.
VIRGINIA LEoIsLATURE--A large number
of bills, mostly of a private character, were
passed on Tuesday. In the Senate, the bill
amending the Pilot laws in regard to the
Potomac River, was passed, and is now a
law. Among the documents presented, was
a memorial of Richmond merchants, relative
10 the tax on licenses; petition of citizens
of Fauouier in favor of direct trade; the
proceedings of the merchants of Norfolk,
and remonstrance against the passage OF
the one per cent. tax bill. The House of
Delegates passed bill Incorporating the
Bank of Richmond with capital of $780,
900.
Relations WITH MExIco.-Once more our
relations with Mexico are such as to excite
public attention, and in the opinion of many,
10 lead to further and continued difficulties.
The capture of Miramons war steamers by
the u. S. yessels--the repulse Of Miramon
at Vera Cruz-and the appearance Of U. ).
forces off the coast, will strengthen the Lib
eral Government for time-but will, pro-
badly, in the end, only exasperate the Next
can people.
The captured steamers passed all foreign
souadrons and the castle, without hosting a
flag, although ordered to do so by a shot from
the castle and other signals. The English
EtS cs s and ad Spanish h sg1sfrSps I'D nqf
lowed by the Indianoa, took Commodore
Marin by surprise. The engagement took
place by moonlight Three Americans were
wounded-one mortally. Fifteen Mexicans
were reported killed. When the action
commenced, Gen. Marin hoisted the Spanish
flag. The prisoners corroborate the report
in relation to the steamers havingcleared from
Havana as merchantmen, and hoisted the
Mexican flag only after they left Havana
Afterwards they mounted six guns each.
1t is stated that Mr.. McLane, our Minister
to Mexico, who sailed from Norfolk few days
ago, carries explicit and emphatic instruc-
tons to Vera Cruz to land troops for the
protection of the American consulate, and
citizens and property. He is also said to be
instructed to disregard the blockade, that
Miramon may attempt by vessels from Ha-
vana, upon the ground that 1t Is an obstruc-
ton to commerce. Orders Of a like charac-
ter, but less distinct, were recently issued TO
the commander of the home squadron, who
is now required to confer with Mr.. McLane.
The two captured steamers recently left Ha-
yana for Mexico, to aid the cause of the Mir
anon party, and it was reported that they
were fitted out by Santa Anna for that pur-
pose Our government, virtually treats this
armed expedition by sea as plratical. The
Juarez government had previously declar-
ed as piratioal this expedition from Havana,
and our own government has long ago COM
mitted itself to the policy Of recognizing on
ly Juarez, or the liberal party in Mexico, as
the legitimate rulers and with which 1t has
been treating.
The Washington Constitution says that
''the cause of the conflict with the Mexican
steamers, is distinctly shown. The Mira
mon steamers showed no colCrs. When re-
quired TO do SO by our ships bearing the ma
tional flag their reply was broadside and
"a yolley Of musketry The refusal to show
their colors when asked to do so. placed them
in the position of pirates, and their insolent
assault on United States ships proved that
such was their real character. The outrage
was promptly and gallantly avenged by
Commander Turner and the force under his
command, by the capture Of the two steamers
and their insolent commander, Senior Marin;
and the Constitution adds, I've doubt not
that the Government and people of the Uni
ted States will award TO our officers who
thus nobly sustained the honor of our flag,
that need of praise and approval to which
they are so we'll entitled"
Auartce in the Richmond Enquirer, from
the pen of one who has given much atten-
ton to the subject argues that no subject OF
legislative action more vitality wounding the
highest welfare of the State, or more insidi-
ously sapping and draining the commercial
hopes and vigor of her great scheme Of i'm
proyements, could have been introduced,
than the series Of measures whereby the
right to bridge the Ohio river at Parkers-
Sury and at Wheeling Is to be granted TO the
city Of Baltimore, and right to bridge the
Ohio at Steubenville is to be awarded to the
city Of Philadelphia. He would tell the L.
gislature of Virginia, that it should not be
deceived by the forms in which these cities
now approach the State Of Virginia. and IN
der cover Of which Virginia is about to sur
render the keys that secure to her own COM
merce the garnered wealth of the great West,
concentrated at Cincinnati.
The progress Of the scramble" as it is
called, between the "Hunterites" and the
.'Wiseites" 10 this State, is not at all relish
ed by the friends of Gov. Wise. They claim
that a large majority of the people are for
Gov. Wise.
The local elections in several Of the town
ships in Pennsylvania, show losses to the
Republican party. Speed the good work.
May the losses go On, until the party is bro