The Northern Galaxy

FROM THE ARMY

From Mexico

A BATTLE.-HOPES OF A SPEEDY PEACE.

By Telegraph to the Tribune.

New-York, 2 P. M. July 30,

By our Telegraphic Dispatch from Richmond, we have important advices from Mexico, including Vera Cruz dates to the 18th inst.

Gen. Pierce, having marched from Vera Cruz with 2,500 to reinforce Gen. Scott, had a collision near the National Bridge with a Mexican force estimated at 4,000, who were defeated with a loss of about 150, Gen. Pierce (the Dispatch says) returned to Vera Cruz for reinforcements.

SECOND DISPATCH.

Gen. Scott still remained at Puebla at the last advices. Gens. Cadwallader and Pillow were at Perote. There had been a collision at La Haya, in which the Mexicans were worsted as usual.

The Mexican Government is said to have appointed two Commissioners to confer with Commissioner Trist. Santa Anna is supposed to favor Peace.

Col. De Russy was recently surrounded and attacked by 1,200 Mexicans at Huejutla. His position was at first critical, even perilous, but he cut his way through the enemy with the loss of 60 killed and 20 wounded.

From the Sun of the Anahuac of the 8th.

What Course will Gen. Scott Pursue?-The late intelligence we have received from Mexico of the correspondence between Mr. Buchanan and the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, treating of peace, has, it seems to us, altered the course which Gen. Scott was to pursue.

We have deferred our remarks until now, because we were afraid to be too hasty in our speculations.

It seems most likely to us that Gen. Scott will not advance any farther until he receives orders from Washington to do so. But will the cabinet at Washington give this order? We doubt it very much, because it would throw more difficulties in the way of the negotiations.

It must have struck the mind of every one who has read the correspondence above alluded to, that the tone of the Mexican government has altered very much, if we should judge from the few lines addressed to Mr. Buchanan by the Mexican Premier, in answer to his propositions of peace.

We do not see, in his letter, any of that arrogance which in every instance before, has characterised the Mexican diplomatic correspondence--but on the contrary, a pretty polite, though short answer, in which he declined answering to the arguments of Mr. Buchanan, until Congress, to whom he refers the matter, and who have solely power to decide, shall have acted upon them. In a note which he addresses to Congress, he presses them to take immediate action upon them.

But in the mean time what is General Scott to do? Will he take up his line of march for the capitol while there are hopes entertained for peace? This is not at all probable. We therefore come to the conclusion that we will not make a step forward until all hopes of concluding a treaty of peace are lost.

The Commercial Times has authentic intelligence of these details, almost literally correct. The Republicano remarks upon this intimation that it believes the Americans have compromised their action beyond measure; and even if they win triumphs upon triumphs, those very victories will be their ruin.

Gen. Taylor's Idea of Prosecuting the War.-The following extract from the letter of Gen. Taylor to Gen. Gaines, written in November last, presents the views of Gen. Taylor as to the manner of prosecuting the war, and the benefits to be derived from the expenditure of blood and treasure necessary to flog Mexico into a peace. It is not without interest at this time especially the passage in italics.

"If we are, in the language of Mr. Polk and Gen. Scott, under the necessity of conquering a peace-and that by taking the capital of the country-we must go to Vera Cruz, take that place and then march on to the city of Mexico. To do so in any other direction, I consider out of the question. But admitting we conquer a peace by doing so, say at the end of the 12 months, will the amount of blood and treasure which must be expended in doing so, be compensated by the same? I think not, especially if the country we subjugate is to be given up; and I imagine there are but few individuals in our country who think of annexing Mexico to the United States."