The New Orleans Democrat. (New Orleans, La.) 1875-1876, 1876-04-11
IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO.

| Our latest dispatches are not ola nature
to allay the apprehensions created by
| the revolutionary movement in Mexico
| II the news is true the position Of the
American residents on the border is in
| deed precarious, as the Mexican leaders
seem to ignore all right, and appear dis
| posed to ride, without much ceremony
over the small band that carries the
United States flag near the scene Of ac-
ton. Yesterday Mr.. Diamond, nn
American citizen doing business in New
Laredo, was pounced upon by the ban
dtti chief Quintana, general in the
Mexican army, and required TO furnish
him with money. Upon his refusal to
submit to such an cxaction he was i'm
INJURED in u dungeon, with the significant
threat that he would be shot if the
money was not forthcoming Such out
RACES are committed by robbers and
banditti chicftains, outlaws who dwell
in caves and prowl about at night, but
never by officers wearing epaulettes.
In Mexico, however, it is different, and
our Government has been SO lenient
heretofore that Mr.. Ouintana imagined
that he could do exactly as he pleased.
Happily for Mr.. Diamond, the United
States Commercial Agent, whose name
we regret not to have seen mentioned in
the dispatches, took tho matter in hand
He saw the General, and loudly pro
tested against the outrage, but Quintana
sneered the civilian away without 50
much Us hearing him. The agent lost
no further time in parlcy with the
bandit and crossed the river to the
Texas side, from whence he returned
accompanied by Major Merriam.
From the dispatches VIC judge that the
interview between the major and Qun-
tana was not a passage Of compliments.
Tho general began by refusing to deliver
,lp the prisoner, and added that If Mr..
Diamonds store was broken open and
robbed by his soldiers, he would not be
responsible. Major Merriam inquired
whether he meant this as "a threat, to
which the general answered with
military sans faGon that che did
not wish to talk about it !"
That answer was too much for blue
coat and the Major quickly retorted
that, such being the case, he would i'm
mediutely get his command in readiness
to protect American citizens. Quintana
said: 'Do as You d-n please" 50 the
telegraph reports. Mr.. Diamond, how
ever, was released.
We reserve our remarks for another
day. We simply wish now to give u
statement Of the facts.
But this is not all An attack on New
Laredo was made yesterday by the
revolutionary forces, who were rcpulsed
after two hours fight. Later however
the attack was renewed and the battle
ragged fercely when our latest kilograms
came in. During the fight Major
Merriam had placed some twelve pound
howitzers in position on the bank Of the
river and guard was stationed at the
ferry.
Ouintana, it seems, took offense at
this precautionary demonstration, and
his troops opened such heavy fire
upon the guard that our soldiers had to
fall back. The howitzers, however, re-
turned the fire with alacrity, and after
q hot fight, says the dispatch, silenccd
the Mexicans. Our troops had two men
wounded in the fight and outside, stray
bullets inflicted severe wounds upon two
citizens and three women OF the place.
We do not know what has happened
since, but up to the present time Mexico
has to answer for the blood OF seven
American citizcns.