The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1864-03-01

President Jsarss ~ declared the State
fof TsmauIipss under msnisl NV, and ap-
pointed one Emanuel Rau military Gov
efnor. Cortioas opposed him, for what
particular reasons I am not Informed.
Rois raised . considerable force to assert
his claims, and moved against Matamoras.
After good deal of parleying, in which
l believe both parties claimed that the
other had acted in bad faith, no agree
ment could BE- made and the 6ph, com.
menced.
Cortinas. though the weaker party in
point of numbers, proved himself the
abler General routed Ruiz, compelling
him, with . number Of his follower, to
seek protection this side of the river. In
the meantime Cortinas held the city until
he received his appointment as Governor
ss before stated. H
| This would seem to be a doubtful
policy, but suppose il was the only way
! the Juares government could get along
with Cortinas, and what weak govern
ments are sometimes compelled to do.
The merchants of the city, with that
generosity for which they are always dis
tinguished, also with that sensitivencss to
their interests which makes them fsvon-
Bile to the powers that be, proposed this
presentation to the Governor in honor Of
his appointment and ~ . testimonial Of
their respect for him. With US it would
probably have been . sword, but among
the Mexicans saddle was = thing of
great importance and often of much more
value than the horse under it. The sad
die in question is fine one, made after
the Mexican pattern, highly ornamented
with silver, and cost $4,000. Quite I
party Of US went over; ve were cordially
received, conducted into large room,
whore were assembled the eossm.ciastes
(uerchspts) .of the city; vere introdaeed
to the Governor and : large number of
other gentlemen, mercantile and military.
After time, an elderly well dressed
man of aldermanic proportions, arose,
addressed the Governor, and proceeded
to make the presentation speech, to which
Cortinas responded in very few words.
Both speech and response were applaud
ed. We we're furnished with q very
courteous interpreter Who seemed very
desirous to put Us in possession Of all that
passed.
This done, the table was spread, glasses
placed upon it, refreshments brought 10.
The health of the Governor was proposed,
and drank. Other complimentary tosss
followed. We were called upon for
sentiment and the following wa. given !.
May this meeting. sad the union Of the
two Hags-the stars ana stripes and Mex.
lean colos were displayed together =. the
head of the room-tend to cement the
warm and permanent friendship between
the two governments" This was inter-
preted to the meeting, and drank with
grea. enthusiasm. The Governor, through
his interpreter, said to us that be appre-
ciated the sentiment and wished it to be
understood that his government and him
self were friends Of the United States.
Corteaas is a regular Mexican, does
not claim, believe, to belong to the old
Castilian stock, which are the F. F. VS.
Of Mexico. He neither reads nor writes,
but he possesses coursge aud dctermina-
ton, by which qualities be has won the
confidence Of his soldiers 70 such an ex.
tent as to make him q powerful friend
or formidable foe. He opposes the French
and has no sympathy with the Confedsr-
stes. Hehas protected our Union people
here from the rebels, which virtues cover
Z multitude Of sins. tss
The clty OF Matamoras is dfeary,
dirty looking place. Since the Aght,
many of the houses are battered aud per-
forated with shot. The streets are mar
row. and the buildings constructed with
little architectural skill, and still less
taste. In the suburbs, many Of the houses
are made Of mud walls and are covered
with thatch. The fues are usually moth
er earth. and the people use chairs bat
little, sitting squat on the ground. Some
of our old soldiers who were here twenty
years ago with Gen. Taylor, say the
city is neither SO large or SO good in ap-
pearance AZ it then was. m
Industry and thrift are unknown, and
have not seen neat, clean, plain house.
wife in this country. and yet this il one
of the principal cities Of the Mexican Re-
public. A person cannot resist the re-
fsetion that this is far short Of our civi-
lixation. Isit the decay that our young
Rnnuh1ic is fallino infn1 II roh.lI;o. -. !