The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-03-20
The News.

Highly important news from Mexico and the
United States squadron in the Gulf is published in
today's paper. Miramon's troops, stated to num-
Der between ave and eight thousand men, well sup
piled with artillery and military stores, were within
four miles of Vera Cruz the 2sth ult., and Mira
mon himself had several times reconnoitered the
city from the sandhls. His principal officers were
Generals Robes and Negrete. Nearly all the nom
combatants left Vera Cruz on the approach of
Miramons army. The garrison of the city numbered
between three and four thousand, commanded by
Gen. Iglasjas, with Ampudia as chief Of artillery.
On the night Of the 18th inst. Miramon attacked
the city in force, but was soon repulsed by the
liberals. The dates from Vera Cruz are to the
18th, but our dispatches contain no further men
ton of the battle
The most important news, however, is the ar
rival yesterday below New Orleans of the Mexican
war steamers Miramon and Marquee, as prizes of
the Gulf Squadron 1t will be recolected that these
vessels recently left Havana for Mexico to aid
reported that they were fitted out by Santa
Anna for that purpose. Certain il is, however, that
these vessels and the American Gulf Squadron
had battle off Anton Lizardo, and that the Mira
mon and MARQUEE were captured and sent to New
Orleans as prizes. Great excitement existed at
Vera Cruz in consequence of the conduct of the
American Commodore in this affair, and the French
and Spanish residents were particularly indignant.
The exequator of the American Consul at Vera
Cruz had been revoked, but no reason is assigned
by our dispatches.
By the overland mail we have advces from San
Francisco to the 2sth ult, but the news is Of COM
paratively little general interest. Business was
dull, the orders from the country being unaccount-
ably slow in coming in. Among the arrivals were
the ships Helen Brigham and Europa, from New
York. Accounts from Oregon mention series Of
horrid murders perpetrated by white men in the
neighborhood of Humboldt Bay upon inoffensive
Indians.
By way of New Orleans we have Havana dates
tothe 18th inst, but they contain no news Of i'm
portance The sugar market was dull.
In Congress yesterday the Senate passed the bin
fixing the postage on drop letters at one cent in
stead of two, and authorizing publishers to print
their papers the date when subscriptions expire.
resolution calling for information relative to the
Indian massacre at Mountain Meadow in Utah and
as to the present condition Of the survivors, was
adopted. A resolution having reference to the re-
ception of the Japan Embassy was adopted. The
Homestead bill, and the bill carrying into effect
the ninth article Of our treaty with Spain were
debated. In the House, bill authorizing
loan of $20,000,oOo for the redemption Of trea-
sury notes, and increasing the duties on imports,
and the Lighthouse and Executive and Judicial
Appropriation bills were reported from the Ways
and Means Committee. bill repeating the act
providing for the willett's Point fertilization was
introduced. Several amendments to the rules OF
the House were adopted 0n~Dmotion to take up
the Military Academy Appropriation bill, in order
to act on the amendment providing for regiment
OF mounted volunteers Oh the Rio Grande, Mr.. Cox,
of Ohio, delivered o speech on our relations with
Mexico.
Nothing of importance was done ia the State
Senate yesterday. In the Assembly the new city
charter was reported, and referred to the Commit
tee of the Whole. The majority Of the Committee
on Commerce and Navigation reported against the
Senate One Cent Ferriage bill, aud the report was
accepted by vote Of forty-fve to thirty.two. A
motion to reconsider was carried, and the report