Year: 1866

The Mexican Muddle.


The Mexican correspondence which we
published yesterday shows conclusively that
affairs in that region are fast approaching a
crisis. Maximilan's empire is crumbling so
rapidly that his stay there must be of short
duration. In fact it seems that the great ques-
ton now is who is to govern the country when
he takes his departure. The different factions
are at work, and the intrigues between the
chiefs Of each remind us of the former events
in that country. The generals are quarrelling
with each other about who shall be recognized
as President of the republic. The vicinity
of Monterey is especially agitated over this
question. General Ortega is now on the Rio
Grande, pressing his claim for the Presidency
on the ground that he is the only constitutional
and legal official Of the government. Juarez,
in the meantime, prompted by his prime min
lister, holds on to the Office with great peril
nacity, and is removing generals and issuing
proclamations against all of those officers who
are suspected with favoring Ortega. But in
the face Of all this the latter appears to be max
ing considerable headway, and his adherents
are daily increasing in numbers and bec0m-
ing more powerful The whole district Of
Nueva Leon, it is said, will soon pronounce in
favor Of Ortega. This will give that claimant
a foothold that will produce a marked effect
upon the contest between the factions, and will
soon decide whether the people of that coun-
try are desirous Of recognizing the constitu-
tional President or are determined to adhere
to Juarez.


While all this is going on among the liberal
factions the French troops are making prepare
tions for another battle, as if they did not in
tend to leave, as arranged and announced a
few months since by Napoleon. We are also
furnished in our European advices with the
details Of financial convention between
Macmillan and the Emperor of the French,
in which the latter is to take charge Of the
custom houses OF Mexico and to collect the
duties through agents placed under the pro-
lection Of the French flag. The time that
these agents are to remain there is to be de-
termined by Napoleon. All this looks as
though the French Emperor were preparing
the way, not to withdraw his troops, as hereto
fore announced, but to prolong their stay
until he reimburses himself out OF the duties
collected at the principal ports. All this the
toadying policy Of Secretary Seward mate
rally assists, and enables Napoleon to calcu-
late with certainty upon the extent which he
can go in his treatment OF Mexico. But the
appointment of General Dix as Minister to
France will now convince Napoleon that the
President is determined to turn over a new
leaf in bis Mexican policy, and that he can
no longer rely upon the assistance Of Seward
to get him out OF bis entauglements and ruin
Gus speculations in that quarter.


The affairs in the interior Of the country are,
in the meantime, in a sadly confused state.
Anarchy and ruin prevail everywhere, COM
merce is obstructed and the business of the
country either prostraicd or else subjected
10 risks and hazards which deter even
the most venturesome from engaging in
mercantile and other pursuits. This casnot
long continue. II the people have any spirit
left they will soon shake off this load, rise in
their might and relieve themselves of the incu-
bus which is now destroying the life Of the
nation. A few weeks must, in the very natur>,.
Of things, reveal exciting times in that corntrv.
for between the struggle to get rid of Maxi
milan and the French, and the contest for the
supremacy between the Jp,rez and Ortega
factions, crisis must. Soon be reached that
will be decisive as % the fate Of Mexico. The
governors Of TIE States have all. throughout
the strugslewith the empire, kept up war
fare IN. behalf Of the republic on their own
responsibility. They have maintained their
.. positions unaided, even while Juarez has been
travelling around trying to escape capture. II
is this action of the governors that has given
the guerilla character TO the warfare. II il be
true, as now asserted, that the governors Of
the several Statee are about TO proclaim in
favor Of Ortega, then we may soon expect 10
see concentration Of forces under his lead
that will soon obtain supremacy in that coun-
try and put an end both to the empire and the
wrangles Of the factions. This Just now s the
drift Of events. Time alone can tell how far It
will be successful.


AMERICAN AMBASSADORS ARRoAD.-We pub