The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-09-02
or srKxrcO---rHE CAP
ruRk AND IHPRISONTEENT or COR

right direction, and the final unity and
peace Of the Mexican empire il assured
Cortina has not only defed the authority oI
the central government, and thus encour
aged revolts in other districts, but con
stantly endangered peaceful relations be
tween the United States and Mexico. ii,
was the recognized feudal lord of Tamauli
pas, and the terror of his name was suprem,
in authority, not only in Matamoros, bu
for more than two hundred miles along the
Rio Grande ignorant poDulations deemed
him the master of the country. His de
pendants were numberless, and all the worst
elements of Mexican, Indian and American
society, gathered as smugglers and free
tries, confessed quasi subordination to Cor
tina. He was the recognized protector OF
white men painted red, and knew no law
save that defined by his love of plunder
and delight in the wild freedom of utter
lawlessness. To capture and imprison such
a chiefsain, in the midst of such a popula-
tion and at such distance from the capt.
tai shows how firmly fixed in the conf
dence Of the mongrel populations of Mex
leo must be the government Of Lerdo. Un-
der the pretext, the World saws of super
vising the payment of the troops of the
First Brigade, stationed at Matamoros,
President Lerdo dispatched thither an aide
de-camp, Lieut.. Ituarte, with secret orders
about Cortina for Col. La Barra and Lieuten-
ant Colonel Parrat These officers at once en-
ployed trusty persons to shadow. the re-
doubtable Cortina, and it was finally deter
mined to arrest him at his estate, the Rancho
de la Union, about league from the port OF
Matamofos, where, it seems, this worthy
chieftain has been accustomed to de-
posit his booty and smuggled goods.
Cortina left Matamoros with ten
followers for the Rancho, where some
forty more Of his followers were known
to be. Five minutes afterwards Lieutenant
Colonel Parrat, at the head of twenty five
horsemen, was in the sadie and galloping
after him, the collector Of the port giving
out that this force had been despatched in
quest of band of smugglers. The Ameri-
can garrison at Brownsville was under arms,
having been notified privately of what was
going on, as well as the Mexican garrison at
Matamoros, and signal was agreed upon
between the two commanders in case Of Cor.
tlna's escape. A watchman with fild glass
swept the country towards the rancho. Al
o O'Clock dragoon galloped furiously inte
the city and announced the arrest of Cor
tina, and at the same moment almost the
/ watchman reported, like Sister Anne, in the
story, "a cloud of dust rapidly approach
ing" This was caused by carriage driver
at full speed and containing Cortina anC
his captor, Lieutenant Colonel Parrat.
II appears that from some reason or othe
Cortina had no sooner reached his ranch,
than he rode out of it again, accompanies
by only two armed attendants. In this wa,
, the conflict for which Lieutenant Colonc
Parrat had prepared himself was avoided
Cortlna rode directly into the midst o
Lteutenant-C Colonel Parrat's advancing cav
airy, and was at once ordered by that off
Ger TO surrender. He drew pistol and re
u fused. The Lieutenant Colonel covered
him with apother pistol, and ordered hin
to dismount. Looking around, Cortini
saw himself surrounded by cavalrymen, ant
:, ungraciously enough bowing to the inevita
BILE, flung down his weapon and dismounted
He was at once carried into Matamoros an,
+ locked up in the artillery barracks. Thre
or four days of anxiety followed, durinl
which the countryside was understood q
be rising for the rescue of Cortina. On th
fourth a scoundrel named Portugal, alread,
known as murderer, was arrested on
charge of conspiracy to murder Lieutenant
Colonel Parrat and to deliver his chief. Ol
the fifth of July, in heeyening, the schoou
] er-of-war Juarez arrived, and on the sixth
early. in the morning. Cortina was sen
aboard under strong escort. With hin
were arrested and despatched to Mexico al
: ex-judge of Matamoros, Diego CASTILLO Mon
tero. accused of completely with him Il
, some of his extensive operations, and tn
, assassin Portugal above mentioned The
were all sent forward TO the capitai unde
guard, and Cortina, on his arrival there
was at once locked up in the military priso
, of Santiago Tleltelolco, there to await HI
) trial. After Cortina's arrest his rancho wa
thoroughly searched. No fewer than 700
, cartridges, with many rifles, pistols an
sabres, were found there, including Tols
; do ''sword of honor, . with superb Mex
!, can eagle in silver on the hilt, which wa
! presented to this egregious hero by the cat
' of Mstamoros IN 1854. The capture OF Co
: tina so emboldened the local authorities thf
the councils Of Matamoros and Roynosa Z
once gentto work to pursue the marandcI
,, Of all kinds who have SO long sheltered then
selves under his egis. Two cattle.reaven
captured at Reynosa, were hanged the de
! after his departure from Matamoros TO th
! profund stupefaction of all the country.
; The Mexican journals, not only at II
: capital but on the frontier, demand thi
the strictest possible justice shall be wreake
: upon this max, who, as one Of them enc
getically puts ii, tsfor fifteen years had lai
waste the frontier, sowed vice broadca
and despised the authority Of the republic
!, OF course Cortina win make hard fgl
for his life He is said 70 be worth eigl
: hundred thousand dollars in cash. besid
owning twenty estates. with many head !
: cattle and more than thousand aaddl
Z horses, and an unlimited credit j. stated
q have been opened for him with . CONNIE
: cial house in Mexico. All this only shoy
how formidable 4 parsonage this fronts
baron had become, and rejects the great
credit upon the Mexican goyernmsnf for
decided course with regard to him. He b
confided in his distance from the cspitai,
3 bis wealth and in bis local influence IS .
e reueiy ns Delano, for example, now CO.
= fides IN his hold upon the affections or q
fears, or both Of Grant- But Il is y