Danbury Times

The War.

FROM MEXICO.

The N. O. Picayune is in possession of papers from Mexico, and a letter from the squadron by the schooner Mittis, which arrived yesterday from Anton Lizardo. Congress has authorized the Government to raise fifteen millions of dollars to carry on the war, by hypothecating, or if found necessary, by selling the church property. A communication from the Vicar General, protesting against the measure, was laid before Congress, but it was carried by a vote of 55 to 31 on the proposition to hypothecate, and 44 to 35 on that to sell. A rumor had reached Vera Cruz that Santa Anna had been assassinated by his troops, on account of his opposition to the plan adopted by Congress to raise money. Whatever might have happened to Santa Anna, the reason assigned for his rumored death appears erroneous. He wants money for his troops, and cares but little for the enmity Congress creates for itself in raising it.

A letter from San Luis states that on the 25th Dec. despatches sent by Gen. Taylor to his Government, which had been entrusted to a Frenchman, were received by Santa Anna. The Frenchman was met by a party under Canales, and was killed, either in defending himself, or attempting an escape. From what is known of the intentions of Gen. Taylor about the time the despatches must have been written, the writer is grossly misinformed of their contents, or they were written with the intention that they should fall into the hands of the enemy and deceive him as to Gen. Taylor's intentions.

La Vega's brevet rank of Brigadier General has been made eternal for his conduct at Resaca de la Palma, and a motion has been made in Congress to present him with a gold medal.

In the Indicador, of Vera Cruz, of the 13th ult., Don Pedro M. Herrera informs his companions in arms that, at his urgent solicitation, the Governor of Puebla has consented to assist the garrison of Vera Cruz in its present straitened situation, with a subsidy of $100,000, from $20 to $25,000 of it to be paid every month, and the first remittance to be made in a fortnight.

Nothing appears to have been said recently in Congress concerning the peace proposition of the American Government. The proceedings of that body, however, bear ample evidence of the thorough ascendency of the war spirit. The correspondent of the Picayune says: "a copy of Mr. Webster's Philadelphia speech was transmitted to Mexico, and gave lively satisfaction. It is fully believed that the administration of Mr. Polk is tottering to its fall, and that a professed anti-war party must soon come into power. It is imagined that Polk will save himself by purchasing a peace on any terms which magnanimous Mexico will grant."

Some are so extravagantly credulous as to believe that the arms of our government will soon be paralyzed by civil war. Opposition articles are published in most of the newspapers, and are calculated to do more mischief in Mexico than would be the case in almost any other country, as there is nothing too extravagant for the easy credulity of these people.

According to the despatch from the Governor of New Leon, the rear guard of Col. May, lost in the defile of Santa Rosa, was cut off by a party of 25 men and boys, inhabitants of San Pedro. As is represented, almost their only weapons were the stones rolled down the heights by them. None of the rear guard appear to have been killed, as the whole, eleven in number, were sent prisoners to San Luis Potosi.

The troops at San Luis are represented by a Mexican letter writer to be well armed, clothed and equipped.

It is now generally believed in Vera Cruz that an attack will soon be made upon that place, but no reinforcements have lately been introduced. There are about 1000 men in the castle, and 1800 regular soldiers in the town, besides the militia or national guard, who may be set down at 1000 more. I see by an official statement that there are now in the whole state of Vera Cruz, 5000 regulars. The National guard now in progress of organization will amount to 14,000 men of all arms. These last, however, are yet to be provided with arms, and are now scattered over so large a space that, even if they were properly organized, they cannot be collected in Vera Cruz in many weeks. The castle has a supply of only a few day's provisions, and the garrison is supplied from day to day from Vera Cruz. During the prevalence of the northers they are actually in want, as the communication with the shore is then intercepted.

The French bark Anaix, which succeeded in eluding the blockade on the 4th instant, was laden mainly with contrabands of war, in fulfilment of a contract with the Mexican Government. She endeavored to obtain a cargo of gunpowder in New Orleans, and failing in her intention, she then proceeded to London, and took in a cargo, and brought safe into Vera Cruz 180 tons of gunpowder. She had discharged about eighty tons, when she was driven on the reef of the Castle by a heavy norther and bilged. Hopes were entertained of saving the rest of her cargo, as the packages are said to have been very well secured.

It has been proposed by Sen. Gamboa in Congress, to prohibit entirely the exportation of gold and silver without express permission of Congress during the war with the United States.

Col. Harney has been ordered to Monterey to command a brigade.

Gen. Butler is in command from Parras to Camargo and has Gen. Wool and Gen. Marshall with him.

Gen. Taylor is in command at Victoria, including Gen. Butler's command and Gen. Patterson's at Tampico.

BRAZOS ST. JAGO, Jan. 30.

All is activity here. Gen. Scott will leave in about six days for the seat of future operations. Col. Harney is being court-martialed to-day for disobedience of orders. Col. Baker left for the mouth of the Rio Grande yesterday. We had Gen. Worth here five days ago; he is now encamped at Palo Alto.

Correspondence N. O. Picayune.

Tampico, Jan. 25. Gen. Patterson's entire force is now here, thus leaving the entire country between this and Monterey unoccupied by our troops and open to the Mexicans. It is said they are punishing severely all those who are known to have favored the Americans upon the road. This is very unfortunate for the poor Mexicans. I hear it reported that Gen. Valencia has orders to retire from Tula to San Luis upon the approach of any American force. You will soon learn news of greater interest than this amounts to.

From the Phil. U. S. Gazette

IMPORTANT FROM MEXICO. In another part of this morning's paper, will be found an extract from the New Orleans Bulletin, in which the editor of that paper mentions that he has seen a letter upon which much reliance may be placed, stating the probability that Mexico will propose terms of peace, which will be probably accepted by this country. We place great confidence in all statements by the Bulletin, because we believe that its editor has enlarged means of information. In the present case, his information corresponds generally with the tenor of a letter now before us, in which the writer, now in the city of Mexico, states that the difference between Mexico and the United States will soon be adjusted. He believes that Mexico needs money more than she does land and that she will willingly part with California, in order to obtain some equivalent in cash; and she will expect, of course, that no difference between the real value of California, and the money which we pay to her, shall be all the compensation which she can be made liable for, either for former spoliations or cost of present war.

The News From Mexico. We place but little reliance on the reported assassination of Santa Anna—we think it improbable, for every reason, and particularly for the one assigned for the act on the part of the soldiers.

The proceedings of Congress for raising 15,000,000 of dollars from the church property, is a measure of the highest importance, if it succeeds. It is very evident such a proceeding will be very badly received by the whole of the church, and thus come into violent collision with such a powerful and influential body, shows a strength and determination on the part of the Government which we were not prepared to expect—it also exhibits a firm resolution to sustain the war.

The measure, however, is not yet consummated, and the attempt may possibly prove politically fatal to the party in power who are the actors in it.—N. O. Com. Bul. Feb. 4.

Col. Harney's Arrest. A correspondent of the Picayune says Col. Harney's arrest was in consequence of his refusal to comply with the orders of Gen. Scott. Gen. Scott ordered him back towards Monterey, with two companies of his command, leaving the remainder under the command of one of the colonel's officers, and the consequence was, a positive refusal on the part of Col. Harney. By an order from Head-quarters, a general court martial will assemble at or near the mouth of the Rio Grande, on the 30th inst., for the trial. The refusal was based upon the ground that Gen. Scott had no right to take from him the command he was entitled to by his rank, and give it to an officer several grades below him.