Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-02-29
FROm WAsnrNGrON.

WAsHIHGToE, Feb. 29.
Inconsequenes Of information received at
the War Department, from Gov. Houston, Of
Texas, Col Lee, who commands the Depart
Rent Of Texas, lis expressly ordered TO pursue
and capture Cortenas and his band, whether
they 60 into Mexico or not, the purpose being
TO strike decisive blow, even if other con-
sequences be involved. There are 642 men
belonging TO the infantry and cavalry, and
are stretched from Fort Brown, near Mata-
moras, 70 Fort Clark, about $50 miles above,
under competent officers, and with special in
structions as 10 vigilance. Information re-
ceived here represents Cortenss as an Ameri-
can citizen, who recruited his followers by
| opening the Jail OF Brownsville, and then
plundering on both sides Of the river. The
belief is that he has more Americans than
Mexioans in his band.
The authorities Of the President for the aid
Of our troops stationed near there to prevent
depredatiOns on American citizens and prop
srty said TO have been committed by marau-
ders and bsndittis inthe interest Of Miramon,
who were drilling and organizing for the
defeat Of the Liberal cause.
Orders have been sent to Capt Walker
commanding at Fort Bliss, near I'll Paso, no
tifying him Of this application, and directing
the purpose stated.
The Mexican Treaty was to-day taken up
in the Senate Executive Session, and read
according to the usual formAlity, which con-
sumed most of the sitting. It will be pressed
by Mr.. Mason daily until q vote be taken
Instructions were sent from the Department
of State to-day to Mr. Ward, our Minister in
China, requiring him TO remain at his post
and carry out Mr.. Reed s treaty. he had in
timated his intention to return.
Horace White, Of the Chicago Press and Tri-
bune, formerly Assistant Secretary Of the
Kansas National Committee, was before the
Senate Harper's Ferry Investigating Com
mittee to-day. The Executive branch Of the
Committee consisted Of three members resid-
ing in Chicago, Msssrs. ]. D. Webster, q. D.
Hurd and Geo. W, Dale, who transacted the
business with the authority Of the full or
gsnization. The aggregate sum Of money re-
ceiyed and disbursed by that body in 1856,
and three months in 1857, was about one hun
dred and twenty thousand dollars, of which
less than $1,000 went for the purchase Of arms.
Their dealings with Brown amounted to an
appropriation Of loo dollars in each, II boxes
of clothing and % Many revolvers for his
benefit of which the last mentioned never
reached him. All this transpired in the fall
of 1856. Witness had never seen Brown
since January, 1857. Brown never cOmmun-
icated to witness, or the Committee, any pur-
poses or designs against slavery outside of
Kansas.
Browns last appearance before the Commit
tee was st the Astor House, New York, in jan
uary, 1857, when he applied for 100 Sarpe's
rifles belonging to the Committee, and then
stored at Tabor, Iowa, with which to repel the
border ruffian invaders of Kansas. Pending
the discussion Of his petition, which was
warmly opposed by members Of the Committee,
the question was disposed of by voting the
arms back TO the control Of the Massachusetts
State Kansas Committee which purchased
and forwarded them to the National Commit
tee at Chicago, at the first instance. Brown
then proceeded to Boston, as was supposed, to
make application to the Massachusetts Com
mittee. Witness never saw him afterwards.
Witness was acquainted with John E. Cook,
Richard Realfs, and James Redpsth, none Of
whom ever Did him or the National Commit
tee a syllable about Browns plan. The Ma
tionsl Committee voted itself funetus of6eio
in March, 1858, and dissolved.