THE FRENCH IN MEXICO.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1781, 21 October 1862, Page 3

THE FRENCH IN MEXICO.

EOUT OF THE MEXICAN ARMY. PROPOSALS FOR AMERICAN INTERVENTION. (From the Correspondent of the Altu. California.) City op -Mexico, June 21. For nearly, a month communication with Acapulco has been interrupted, and even the Colimo and interior mails have been robbed by' gangs of outlaws, as all the available troops are concentrated at the seat of war — to wit, in the neighbourhood of Orizaba. > General Ogazon, with a body of 7,000 men and some minor divisions from Marela and Oajaca, has joined General Zaragosa's army which numbered on the 14th inst. about 16,000 men, making him confident of further success. Nevertheless, he acted with prudence and loyalty when he addressed General Laurencez, permitting him to surrender on any terms he pleased , provided he would leave the country. But the -French general would not, of course, listen to such a proposition, bad as was his situation — short of provisions and entirely isolated in a foreign country. He referred Zaragosa to M. Dubois de Saligny. the French commissioner, who, together with Almonte, acted as dictators and. heads of an invasienary and independent Government. The consequence was, that on the 14th a general attack on the French .. position^was resolved on; but General Ortega having been prevented from taking the position designated to him — the Cerro de Borego, a small elevation which commands the northern gate of Orizaba — as the said hill could only be occupied the day after, where the French quietly permitted the Mexicans to erect their battery of twenty-two guvs, when, early on the morning of the 16th, they surprised this division, which occupied the elevation, and, by thus breaking their centre, routed the whole Mexicau army with terrible slaughter. Several generals had but a narrow escape, and if the French had had any cavalry, the result would. have been still more disastrous. However, the left and right wings had time to retire in good order, and as the famous Cuinbrea de Alzunzingo were but a few miles on, they made good their retreat ; but though reduced from an offensive to a defensive warfare, the Mexican army will have nothing more to fear for the present, The guerrillas on the Vera Cruz side of Orizaban, however, have not lost their time. They have seized every convoy with stores, and burnt numbers of waggois with- provisions, of which the French were in great need. The troops at Orizaba are on half rations, and the poor citizens ■ are in a starving condition, as eatables have adf vanced to famine prices. General Almonte, who styles himself "Provisional President," has appointed a Ministry of very doubtful characters, aud his Secretary of the Treasury has issued a decree creating 500,000 dollars worth of paper currency, from twelve and a half cents to five dollars a piece, which must be taken, under the heaviest penalties, while a forced loan of 50,000 dollars must be paid, in cash or merchandise. All the traders at Orixaba. Cordova, and Vera Cruz have shut up shop in consequence. President Jaurez appears not to be disconcerted by the late mishap, and every man capable of carrying arms is pressed into the service, to defend the country^ Trade is paralysed, most of the shops are closed, and everything looks dull. The following is extracted from a private letter :— . Mexico, June 22, 1862. My last to you was under date of 22nd May. Since then matters have become horribly mixed up in this country. This se-called friendly intervention of the French has caused the most intense suffering, and commerce is at a . standstill, Nq goods have reached the capital from Vera Cruz: for over nine months, and our city is fast becoming destitute of the actual necessaries of life. The reviews I send you will give you a clearer insight in regard to the manner in which the French have, managed their invasion, This morning we have reports that the Mexican troops made an attack upon Orizaba, but were repulsed with heavy losses. Since the 16th inst., no news from the seat of war ,^'- or the army, has been published. As I before ~ stated, our situation is growing daily worse and.: ■' worse ; and, to the etornal shame of the French , Government be it said, they are united with and"; protecting the reactionary or priest party. Should they succeed eventually in establishing, a moni archy here, I shall most certainly close up my ; business and leave. ... .,"