Glasgow Courier. — 1858-08-07 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

THE RECENT CALAMITIES IN MEXICO.  The subjoined communication from Mexico gives a picture which plainly indicates the approach of the last days of that republic :  "My views and predictions on Mexican affairs may have appeared rather gloomy, perhaps even exaggerated, and yet they fall far short of the reality. The whole ccrtintry presents just now a complication of calamities difficult to conceive for any but those who have the misfortune to reside in this ill-fated republic. Several thousand Mexicans are actively engaged in committing robbery, violation, and murder, and hardly a day but we have to lament some atrocity perpetrated by passes numerous sections of the • Constitutionalist army,' almost' entirely made up of notorious criminals I need only allude to the sacking of all the peaceful and inoffensive villages and towns that came in their way, and especially to the pillage of Guanajuto, which took place a few days since, in spite of the garrison stationed there consisting of about 300 men. The Constitutionalists, in much greater numbers, and headed by General Pueblita, who was himself formerly a professional highway robber, fought a regular battle with the garrison and killed about half of it in the first encounter. The remainder of the garrison, under the command of General Moray Villamil, retired to one of the adjacent hills, while the victorious ruffians took possession of the town, and immediately began their work of horror and destruction. The scenes that ensued are too disgusting to be described; they must, indeed, have been of a diabolical character to have worked the species of miracle which then took place—i.e., that even tla apathetic and cowardly inhabitants of a Mexican cita fired up with indignation, rose in arms to the rescue of their wives and daughters, and drove their hateful invaders out of the town, not, however, without very severe losses on the part of the tradesmen, whose shops were pillaged. Another populous town, Sale.manes, had suffered the same fate two or three weeks previously; in fact, similar scenes are to be seen now in all directions. As a matter of course, business is completely stopped in every way and in every direction; the highroads are quite lonely for want of safety, and, to Grown this mass of evils, there is no prospect of either of the contending parties getting the mastery, and thus putting an end to the strife. The largest city next to Mexico, Guadalajara, was lately besieged by the Constitutionalists, but General Miramon having arrived with a strong force to succour the garrison, the besiegers fled towards the Pacific coast, under the command of General Degollado. However, a severe contest had taken place in the meantime with considerable sacrifice of human life, and on one occasion the poor inhabitants of Guadalajara had to witness at the same instant of time one portion of the town set on fire, the whole of it threatened with destruction by a most terrific earth. spike, and a brisk fight going nin spite of all this. That earthquake took place on the 19th ult.' and its effects have proved even more destructive than those produced by the awful shocks which took place in 1845. " But in the midst of so many calamities, that which has produced the deepest and most painful sensation lithe premature death of the young gallant General Osono, which took place, after a short illness, in San Luis, just as he arrived there to take the command in chief of all I the forces destined to operate against Zuazua and Vid' aurri. The whole nation seems to look upon this as the severest blow to its peace and prosperity, for Osollo was the only man of promise among the endless list of Mexican Generals, and his loss has blighted all the hopes which were grounded upon his dauntless bravery, his integrity, and other eminent qualities. Osollo's 5. [ companions in arms, General Miramon young,. I but equally braveand honest, is said tube erather de. in judgment and prudence, and his recent conduct respect to some foreigners resident in San Luis ill teinly in keeping with that reputation. The yeas, General ordered such foreigners as refused to pay a forced loan levied by him to be pressed into military service and mule to march as rank and file! One of the victims w.ts as en resis k Lail, English merchant, Mr Davies, and of course such arbitrary and cruel measures gave rise to the most serious remonstrance on the part of her Majesty's Minister, Mr Otway."