The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-03-23
The Crisis in Mexico.

The crisis which is to settle the fate of tn
contending factions in Mexica, if not tn
whole future Of our relations with that coun
try, has evidently arrived. BY our dispatch
es it will be seen that Mramon, the militar,
head Of the Church party, has laid siege t.
Vera Cruz, the head quarter of the Liberia
party, while Miramons headquarters, tn
city Of Mexico, is represented to be surroun
ded by the Liberals. IT. this position of at
fairs we see, at glance, the attitude Of
final struggle between the two parties. Tn
happily our information is too meagre in re
gard to the strength Of the respective force
TO enable US TO Judge of the probable result
Miramon's besieging army before Vera Cru;
is estimated by Mexican correspondents a
oOCO men, with numerous train of artiller,
and munltion stores; but one of the Havan;
papers in Mramon's interest puts his strength
at 5000 to 5000 men. The Liberal garrison
consists of 5000 1000 men and with thu
protracted opportunity enjoyed by Juare;
since he was notified of the intended attack
j, IS probable that he has put the city in
good state Of defense. 1t would appear ut
,erly impossible, then. for Miramon, on thi
statement of facts, to capture Vera Cruz
But We have already been notified of on,
instance Of tre.chery in the Jdarez garrison
which is characteristic OF Mexican soldiers
and it is not improbable that recurrence O
these peculiarly Mexican arts Of war vii
override the other elements which enter int,
the struggle, and ultimately decide It's fate.
But our Government. strange to tell, ha.
already counted in among the parties of thi.
Mexican crisis. Miramon, it seems, had pre-
pared 70 operate against Vera Cruz from tn.
seward as well as the landward side; anc
for this purpose had obtained the services O.
two vessels Of war, the steamers Gen. Mira
mon and Marquee, from Havana, Of whose
sailing We Were notified about a week ago
The precise relations Of these Spanish rein
!orcements with Mifamon's army we do no,
know-whether the men were volunteers
hired as individuals. or forwarded through
tie connlvaEce Of Cuban authorities, nor dc
we know whether the steamers were purchas
ed or temporarily engaged by Miramon.-
But however these things NAV be. it has beer
extensively understood that our Government
had sent ont orders that 10 respect should
he pad 70 the Contemplated blockade O.
Vera Cruz by these Spanish Steamers. One
reason given WAS, that Mramon. having
properly 10 nava! force. could not accom-
pl!>h a genuine blockade, according to IT.,
requirements laid down by writers On inter.
national law. But whether these order,
locked TO anything more than a quiet Gisre
gard Of tie blockade, or whether they had
ever reached their destination. their lnpor
tance is entirely ovtr>hadoNel bv the cap.
tule @. both the Spanish steamers by on,
var steamer Saratoga. after bre. actions. or
the morning Of tEc Gtn inst. The prize.
were hc.O" New Orleans, at our latest a.iyi
o.s. his IS the sum OF our information with
respect 70 this serious at:.ir-bcing much
too limited 10 serve as the basis Of any com.
ucut>.
With resar! 20 tie general position Of
matters Z. Vera Cruz. oar iu!urma,io.i COME,
down 10 The l3:h. Mifamou commenced hi,
attack on the night of the .th. bu, vas re-.
pulsed by the Liberals. who were reported I.
br Consistent Of a successful resistance. Tn,
town Ct A.varado, IN the neishborhood of
Vera Cruy. was sad to be in the po>srssio,
OF Nl,amon. ", shall shortly. doubtless
have fuller information, when viii he looked
tvr with srea. ic>t.-Eoston youinai.