The New York herald., 1865-04-11
Our NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

Bulzr, March IA, 1865
We have late advces from LIE SAL Yucatan, informing
us Of arrival there Of four thousand Of Maxim xn
troops composed OF half Begians and half Mexcans en-
route for Ziyancan or Bacaar pronounced Bak hala-a
small but picturesque Indian village situated IN the inte
nor the Laguna de Bacaar, and distant from the Ro
Honda eighteen miles, with which stream it % con
sseted by small creek. This village is the capital Of
che Nazena or Maya Indians, but the residence Of
Tue the head chef
The object Of this expedition is the capture Of the
capital conquest Of Yucatan for at present and since
1s4s, Mexcans have hed Uut small portion OF the
state-mmediatey around Merida But little&s known
e< kazensl tribe. Although this colony only sepa
rated frorA them by the Rio Honda, have but ttle
intercour &th them, and that Of contraband charac-
cor, and consists chiefly in furnishing them with
nunton for which they pay in gold at moro than war
prices.
The following particulars, gathered during visit
among them two years ago, will perhaps convey
account OF their military is possible
70 obtainTheir population Is varously estimated at
from four hundred and fifty five hundred and twenty
I've thousand or this fifteen thousand constantly
under arms, aud may be called their standing army.
Their consist principally Of Mexican muskets flint
locks and the invarabe nache They have thirty
pieces of artillery brass, captured from the Mexicans
and composed, far as saw Of sig and twelve pound
saers taken in various engagemen1 They have also
brass band composed Of the materials Artllersts
and musicians the only classes Of prisoners they
% not kill These forced into their strictly
guarded, but kindly treat d. The Magena tribe worship
wooden cross which, through the loqust powers
n U an no tn the
te cross are faithfully executed to the sacrifice Of
Me and all thew hold dear.
was carried before it. and the object of my visit de-
nanded by this wooden god. The cheat was well per-
formed, and would do credit to professional ventrilo
quis AS soldiers under the dire tons Of the these
Indians are brave TO rashness and in their unges and
mountain atnesses II unit d. capable of successfully
resisting any army that can be brought against them
whether Mexican or European To climated troops
Che almost fatal Their forte lays principally
In guerilla and bush ngiting At this they have re-
atedly fought Mexican and Amer troops -four
Aunired Of the latter wi single exception,
their backs to tho Zoe They have deadly hatr TO ali
Nexicans and with them neither give quarters
They rapid and expert In the bush monkeys each
man carrying his commissariat, and are not
troubled with tents or camp equipsge Their
military tactics Their scoutng would do credit 70 any
army and TO approach the inhabt portions OF their
country without their knowledge is impossible The
country 10 one vast swamp Jungle without roads,
and impassabe TO any but Indians or bushmen. Maxi
milan will find to his cost that TO snbugate them will be
as difficult q task as TO subjufate Uncle Abraham.
The history Of these people prior to obtaining their
liberty slavery Of the most nhuman and revolving
character, and their former Mexican masters have de-
served at their hands thousand fold treatment
thsn they have meted out to their prisoners whom
bush and chop tn m 10 piec with the usachee. Did
space permit could relate acts Of nhuman treatment
from their former that would make Camanche
o. Blackfoot Indian blush for shame. They obtained
their freedom in 1s4s through the political factions Of
Merida Some enerprisng would be President conceived
the brilliant idea OF armng and using them against
the then sting State government The results proved
success ul and he became President The or exed
President followed in the footsteps Of his predecessor and
armed few thousand more, and with them drove
his opponent and back and forth like shuttecock
these poor Indians used tools By the different
political factons until finding out their power and
furnished by their masters drove them from Bacalar and
almost out Of the country From that time the pre-
sent they have held the most Of the State notwthsand
ing repeated efforts made by Mexico 10 the
territory.
The Mexican government few years ago made ar
rangements with the planters OF Cuba to sell all they
could capture into slavery, but have able
make single shipment The history o. Yucsan for the
past fifteen years-written IL is many bloody
hed-wIil not warrant Nr Stevens assertions that all
traces of the daring and warike character of their
tors entirely gone longer and more familiar
Qusnance with them would have doubtless corrected
caian abound. Priesrat and slavery have made them
susp cous Of all strangers to whom they will not
ncate the secrets OF their history country Many Of
them write fuenty their language, and know
that among them there Is written history extending
Tar back into the past aud Is unreasonable sup
pose that their wild jungle hidden from the eyes OF
The white man, may st II exist cities In all their
ancient spendor In defence Of Their homes and liberty
they have indie shown themselves worthy descendants
Of the brave Montezuma