Year: 1860

Mr Edaor-The city of Brownsville and its cit
izens are in some trepidation just now on account
OF the rumored vicinity Of Cortna and collection
Of his followers The foundation of this report is
not raceable to any particular source, but it seems
to have resulted from vague reports put in circula
ton by Mexican citizens of this place, who appear
to have peculiar dread of the bandit, because
they took particular pains to gather the witnesses
and information on which the indictments were
founded by the late Grand Jury against certain of
Cortina's men, and now confined in prison on the
charge of treason. This community is so anxious
on the subject of Mexican forays upon the town
and country, that score Of rumors are constantly
in circulation as to the probable time when another
attack is to be apprehended from Cortina; and, as
matter of course, found my speculations as TO
the movements on both sides of the river upon the
reports which reach me through apparently re-
liable sources 1t may therefore seem strange to
you and to other communities where law and order
prevail that we should live in such a state of un.
certainty, where the means Of information and the
possibility of defence are so abundant; but you
probably do not take into consideration that we
have but small reliance the activity of our de-
fenders and still less in the veracty of any person
who may bring us any news.


In consequence of this state of uncertainty this
people are now armed and equipped for any emer-
gency, and will defend themselves if attacked.
They are determined to work in the right direction
in the next outbreak, and the Mexican population
will stand poor show if it manfests anything like
discomfort. We have different community here
now from that which existed here at the time Cor
tina paraded these streets and shot down unoffend-
ing American citizens.


1t is said upon Mexican authority that Cortna is
| ambushed in one Of his hiding places near Reynosa
and that large party of his men are collected
the left bank of the Rio Grande ready to answer
| the summons of their leader whenever he may
| demand their theving qualities Of the truth
of this report have no means of aseertainng, but
there is one thing about it that is worth mention-
ing and that is that the people of Brownsville
very much alarmed at the prospect of another such
a difficulty as they had on the 2sth of last Septem-
4 her. The bandits could enter the town any night
and murder half the citizens and burn the greater
portion of the town before they could be checked,
and this, probably, coupled with the daring and
vindctve nature of the bandit renders the project
one Of probability in the minds of some of the hest
! people here. We do not fear the fight but we
| simply dread the carnage and outrage which might
result before any preparation for defence could be
made.


The garrison of this place is in a state of excel
lent order and discipline, and the officers and men
would no doubt do their duty as promptly as any
in the world but the midnight assault comes in
such questionable shape that its work is done be-
fore regular force feels itself justified in acting
on the offensive Then Gortna and and his men
move through country unknown in its intrica-
cies to the army to the citizens OF Browns
vile, and they have the further advantage Of
retreat upon foreign soil, into which our forces
cannot encroach without feeling at all times as
though they were trespassers. Under all these &C
cumulatea uncertainties, it is not to be wondered
at that the people of Brownsville teel their lives
and fortunes unsafe.


In my last wrote an account of man who had


been arrested here on an indictment for importing
free nigger from Mexico into this State for ser
vice, and afterwards selling the aforesaid darkes


to his brother. Collin was hisname, and he is now


at large, and for all know, on the track of othe


free niggers He was confined in the garrison
guard-house, with two sentnels to watch him ant


perfect Gordon Of soldiers around him at ever,
step. The U. s. Deputy Marshal concluded be hal


9 +" bird,' and evidently intended to hold on to hin


if there was strength enough in iron bracelets, o


virtue enough in soldiers bayonets. Golten KEEP


good conntenance, employed J. Tabor, Esq, a


his COUNSEL and appeared perfectly easy. Hi
counsel made every effort to release him on ba
, and to change his quarters to the county ja /; bu


the Marshal was nexorable, and promised to hav


one prisoner at the next term Of the o. 5. Bistrie