New-York daily tribune., 1866-04-07


GuerriIIns in Tint Ci,y-Assnssination on
OF the Description of the
District Of uuasteca-Ay Servant An
tenie-A Mexican Posada-Mexican
Dinner and BnIl-Conversntion of a
Mexican General with Antonio-l
Hire the Posa6a.
From Our Special Correspondent
CITY OF MEXICO, March 2, 1866
The existence of civil war in Mexico has given
birth to three sets Of men, who well deserve to be
described-the patriot who fights for his home and
country the Indian who fights because he is compelled
TO by force BY stratagem and the leader Of band
who fights to satisfy his yengeence and to fill his
pocket These three classes Of do not exist nds
criminatey all over the country their number as well
their mode OF warfare varies according States and
localities Assuming the character of resistance along
the American frontier 1t degenerates into lawlesSneSs
in the interior But in shape or another, under the
garb Of robber OF an assassin, or OF patriot the
principle is the sameon one side opposition oforelgn
Invasion desire 10 preserve the institutions OF the
country and love Of fatherand; on the other, attach
ment among certain class to these very institutions
from enlightened affection for them. but on ae
count of the scope that they offer TO the evil instincts
and passions of human nature Hence 1t is that you
find in Mexico three classes Of men OF very distinct
opinionsone having embraced imperialism IN despair
OF Republican institutions suited 10 the peoples the
second believing yet in Republican institutions and
sincerely attached TO them; the third aud the most
numerous, perhaps, only desiring lmpunty lhe pro-
fessions Of highwaymen. of nduging in prOngHeiGna
<ntOs, and in a life Of fproagaey and idleness.
In this letter deal with the second class and relate
to you an episode illustrative OF Mexican patriotism,
such as it has shown itself since the establishment
of Imperialism The uprising of the province genu
tne onei the leaders are able e population devoted;
in short every element of opposition is truly national in
Its spirit and character.
In May 1864. was travelling in the State of Tamau
hpas engaged in the survey Of certain mountainous
regions, supposed to contain great mineral wealth.
went first TO Vera Cruz and thence to Iampieo, on
French transport which was carrying provisions and
ammunitions to Col Dupin the commander Of the
counter -guerras in that State After q fortyeight
hours trip spent most pleasantly in conversation with
French officers the most agreeable ellOwtraveers in
xhe world, landed in the latter city, which found
occupied By about 300 rst setting out on an exped
dition into the interior. Every nation on the gioDe
seems to have contributed to the formation OF that
corps saw during my short stay there the blue eyed
Ango-Saxon side by side with the Parsian the Greek
shonldering the German the Italian the Spanish the
Dutch the Swiss and The most amusing sight
10 me- at least, was the disdainiul ar win whleh
the Confederate eibowing musket on his shoulder
the let black children Of Abyssnia who proud OF tner
athletic stature and physical advantages looked at nn
with commiseration.
The CITY Of Tampico, although Of recent foundation
fhe year 1894 being, believe, the date OF its birth is
pleasany situated al distance of six miles from the
sea- on the left bank Of the Panuco River which meets
at that point with another river the Iamesis. These
fwo streams the most important Of Mexico. are nayi.
gable the Psnuco for $50 miles in the interior the Ia
Iness for two hundred miles and run in the di-
xecon Of San Luis at distance OF four hundred miles
more. The land along these two rivers is OF great fer
tity beauty, IampcO itself, surrounded by Ich
country and favored by the presence OF these two great
fuyia streams, derives immense advantages from it's
position; it is already commercial point Of great i'm
portance and must become the first harbor of Mexico
To get into the mountainous region OF Tamsupas, II
necessary 10 cross that portion OF the tieds eaeH
sss which under the name OF Huasteea, included four
districts and is located in three different Sates-the
District of TuxpGn aud Oz1uama in the state OF Vera
CRUZ the District Of Huauta in the Province OF Mex
ico and the District Of Taneanhuity depending on the
State of San Luis POtOsi. As ground of resistance,
the Districts OF Huasteca offer immense advantages.
They are far from the capital their population is igDo'
rant and superstitious the climate insucraby hot the
water scaice the atmosphere unhealthy. the roads
practicable and natural defenses innumerabe. The
inhabitants consisting chiefly Of Indians-a race tor
.neDted and reduced to subsection by the rapaety and
ruety Of Spanish nyaders-are besides noted for their
I'd Of the white race and for their opposition TO an
h@a> OF foreigners.
4nyaSo. IS being about to depart for Huasteca Twas
The Uooi '-oceed at all speed to the place I was
On hurry 20 II de- the city itself was anything but
pleasant II was then bSndit ol s so1s q ueI
a1vcntnrers H. 'Ian T0ri. Spanish bull
lfe6ters and gamblers from every fual er. Ihese on
seourines of society used TO meet IN paces OF pnbhc
Sesort ooffeehouses bal.rooDs gapolng no & saloons,
hsre excited BY cOpious poatlons aDd Dy the IRE OF
si passions they gave themselves up 10 excesses OF
ss most reyolting kind Every morning the pages OF
Ca, Tapieo Gazette we're Redeemed by the news Of some
sresh murder. The victims were generally sodiers be
longing TO the counterguerrllas OF Col Dnpin THIS
indicated clearly the nationality OF the assassins Who
elise could they be hut MeIicahs ere nc. Mexlcans
coming every day from the country clad In their CANDY
ooored jackets and ample trowsers under pretext Of
Soringng vegetables 10 market; and were not these
game b In seen in bathrooms in the evening dancing
side By side with the unsuspectng French soldiers who
were found dead In the streets the next morning with
stab through the hearti The bodies OF half dozen
were taken up In single week curing NY stay lam
co and borne mournully BY teir comrades 10 an IN
glorious grave These bloody executions awakened the
vigilance Of the French officers and incre scd the igor
OF military rules No one was allowed TO come 10 i'"h
without giving security for bis conduct Stores OF D
1c resor were closed Suspicious characters were ex
peTad. However, new measures brought forth new
dangers. The scoundrels. unable TO disturb pubic
order inside continued to trouble II outside dHey y
whe- protected by the luxurapt vegetation OF tne
froJics they would with impunty fire upon everybody
veElt in the outskirts Of Tampico, and even IN the
city T. In consequence the trade OF the aguadors.
or W. carriers who fetching water from springs
two r,s from the city was at end, and the inbab-
itns airing gusrrllas bullets were compelled to dip
fher 70 shrn these dangers and fnconyenences
nca ed mixedbr breed Indian Of the name OF Antonio.
a nan Of great muscular strength and OF an energy
equal to bis strength: Antonio was born IN huas. %
teca. Like his f0refathers he had projecting cheek
shones fine eyes mouth Of considerable SIZE and aset
f wi ite sharpened teeth, OF which crocodile might
have s,.en Jealous. He spoke broken Spanish and
.sve,ci Indian dialects and was-e thing precious to
!me-scouainted with the country i had 10 visit and
With the people living In it. Iagreed TO give him two
shiIings day aud to provide him WIN horse IN eh
shsnce or Which he promised me free fare aaonR the
road eplsnty Of pulke and O reasonable quantity OF
We isft Tsmpico in broad daylight, for nights here
rs dangerous on account OF the stc lion az
Tiger like Robinson Ctusoe had proVioea n,y sen
vfth large palm parasol a. screen agsnss Ine
we'd hot glare Of the sun as well as against ae
-Sors rans recuiar to the tropical regions Antonio
bose aim had been tanned by constant exposure ana
xrhose hrayny naked arms hrm and elastic as lhule
srnbber would defed fhe heat o. retoft mthaee
xsnohed nwardly at what he considered an act OF OF
tGaso. uworfbv a man. He could not imagine how