New Hampshire Statesman

Important from Mexico.

Extract of a letter from an American gentleman in the Mexican capital.

Mexico, Feb. 23, 1823.

"On the 18th inst. an express arrived here from the mountains, stating that Bravo had taken possession of Guanaca on the other side of the mountain, distant from this 15 leagues, with a force of 3000 men. His Imperial Majesty summoned all his collective forces in the city and vicinity, amounting to no more than 1600 infantry and cavalry, and placed himself at their head. He, however, not eager to court a battle, has taken a position 10 leagues from this, at the junction of three great roads which lead to this capital. Since his encampment he has experienced a desertion of 200 men, with 14 pieces of cannon, and 70,000 cartridges. He despatched General Bustamante in pursuit, who succeeded in capturing 20 persons and the cartridges; the 180 with the cannon succeeded in joining Bravo.

"Last evening the guard of the Emperor's favorite regiment, No. 1, stationed in the Inquisition over the prisoners, Mier, Arny, Bustamante, &c. made their escape and all the prisoners moved off to places of security.—Thus you perceive, every thing is moving on smoothly, and the revolution will be completely effected without bloodshed.

"The Emperor when he started against Bravo, could not obtain a single volunteer from the capital; and I think, were he to remain encamped 3 weeks, he would be left without a body guard. The Republicans have set forth as an inducement for desertion, that all officers and soldiers who do not join their standard previous to a fixed period, shall be incapable of holding any station in the army hereafter, and most probably, receive no pay. This no doubt, had a considerable effect, as every day, small parties are moving off."

"While I am writing the duplicate of the above, a friend has come in to inform me, that the Emperor, having had his Council of State, all of yesterday, at his encampment debating on the necessary steps to be taken to secure to him his throne, came to the determination, of retiring, until Congress would re-assemble and decide on his fate. A new Secretary has been chosen, named Valle, and several new officers. Thus we are at present without a government. All the prisoners were released last night by the soldiery. When the guard was releasing Padre Mier from his six months confinement, he asked him by whose order he came to free him: the soldier responded by our own order. 'It is all well,' said the Padre, 'before three months I will have his Majesty's head brought to the block;' and were he to have his will, he would certainly accomplish his threat. He is an interesting old man; I visited him frequently while he was in prison. He has almost too much enthusiasm for this meridian, where things are not ripe for republican institutions."