Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-06-26
Affairs in Mexico.


| American gentleman ia Mexico:
2 MEXICO, 23d May, 1868.
h After sixty-three days of siege, Puebla
has yielded to famine, but not to force
, Excepting the Fort Of San Javien and
few squares in the suburbs, the French
were unable to gain by assault any foot
hold in the city. The siege was resisted
with extraordinary ability and heroism
and although tie Mexicans have lost
this strategical point, they have gained
confidence in themselves, and the respect
of their enemy and of the world An
attempt on the 9Th inst, to introduce a
convoy of provisions failed, and on the
10th Gen. Ortega sent a message to
Gen Forey that he was unable to defend
himself longer for want of food, and that
he would surrender the place if bis
troops were allowed to withdraw. Gen.
Forey stipulated that the Mexican troops
should retire TO Orizaba, and there re-
main inactive during the continuance of
the war. The proposition was spurned
by every General and linet officer. Dur
ing the night the muskets were broken,
the trunions of the artillery knocked off,
the banners burnt, the ammunition des-
troyed, and the army disbanded. The
government had assured the garrison
that provisions would be introduced, and
the siege was maintained according to
orders, otherwise an attempt had been
made by the troops to cut their way out
before their strength had become so re-
duced by famine. They had eaten their
horses and mules, and had been without
food for nearly four days. When the
order was given to destroy their arms,
some of the soldiers, thinking there was
treachery in the command, killed their
officers, and several officers and common
soldiers committed suicide to escape
falling into the hands of the French.
The loss of this army, the best ever
raised in Mexico, is a severe misfortune
to the Mexican cause. The remains of
the army Of the centre, about 10000 men
have arrived at the capital, and vigorous
measures are in progress for its defense.
There are still about two thousand cay
airy between Pueba and Mexico OBJ
structing the progress of the French,
guarding GefIes and the approaches to
the city. About $4,000 troops are at
Guanaxuato, one hundred and sixty I
miles northwest of Mexico, and orders
have been given TO all the states to hur-
ry up their forces. This war, thus far,
has been sustained almost exclusively by |
the city Of Mexico and the Federal dis
trict, containing about 100000 inhabi-
tants. individuals have paid enormous
war taxes in one instance as high as
$1,000 a month The city is very
strongly defended by forts and intrench-
ments at all the causeways, by which |
alone the city can be approached, and |
also by interior lines. Here the French !
cannot carry out their scientific systems
of parallels and earthv orks on account
of the water of the lake Tezcuco, which
rises nearly to The surface of the cause
ways ; and the valley can be flooded in
a few hours from lakes on higher ground
ia the vicinity. In other respects Next
co is not so favorable for defense as
Puebla. It has twenty-five approaches,
larger than at Puebla, where 5000 men
are enough to defend the city, and can
at any point in half an hour.
Beside the interior garrison of Mexico,
there should be an effective army of
10000 operating outside to keep commu-
nication open and the city supplied with
food. Whether this can be done remains
10 be seer. The government and the
people are determined to defend them
selves to the last, and if the city falls the
government will take itself to the inter-
ior. The people will never consent to
be ruled by the French Emperor or one
Of his creatures-never. And yet it
seems to be quite clear that Louis Ma
poleon is determined to conquer the
country. There are persons here in the
French interest who disclaim such an in
tention on the part of the French, and
yet they are fond Of suggesting to US
Americans that France will soon be in
position TO sell to the United States So
nora, Chihuahua, Tehuantepec, or what
ever slice of Mexico that will suit our
astes or necessities, whenever the United
States are ready to pay the commercial
value for the same.
Mexico is prize that will com
into our possession without buy {
ng it of the French The mass of the
Mexican people are republicans; they
late tyranny; they have respect for t
md sympathy with the free institutions /