Southport Telegraph

LATE FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.

From the New Orleans Delta, May 26.

Through the kindness of the editors of "La Patria," we have been placed in possession of full files of 'El Republicano,' 'El Monitor,' and "Diario del Gobierno" to the 5th instant. These files are filled with interesting information: and were they to be considered a fair index to the popular mind, they would go to show that the "war spirit" is increasing daily, and that new measures are constantly being adopted to carry on the war with vigor and perseverance. Almost every number of the Mexican journals is filled with appeals to the people and to the authorities, urging action—prompt and incessant defensive action.

The papers complain bitterly of the course pursued by the members of the Mexican Congress. Many of them (from six to ten each day) were reported sick; about as many, or more, would not attend; and, at last accounts, some sixteen or seventeen members had left the capital without leave.

Don Vicente Romero was constantly endeavoring to arouse his brother members to a sense of the country's condition, but his eloquence seemed unavailing.

The supreme government appointed a committee to raise money by subscription, for the purpose of paying the expenses of the war. There were several thousand names on the list; and we see amounts from 25 cents to $1,000.

Don Manuel Montano has been appointed by the government, chief of the guerillas of Tulancingo and of the Linos de Apan.

The 'Republicano' of the 5th instant says that, by a letter from Orizaba of the 4th, they were informed that General Scott was sick at Jalapa, and would not move towards Puebla until the commissioners from the United States, bearing the propositions of peace, would reach his headquarters; that by that time he would have the necessary reinforcements; and that besides the wagon loads of supplies which the "guerilleros" had captured from the Americans on the road, they had also taken $50,000 in gold. The same letter says that the forces under Santa Anna were rapidly increasing, and that "his excellency" was only awaiting for the money which he had asked, in order to begin his operations.

A letter from Durango, dated 25th April, says the Yankees (Doniphan's command) had countermarched to Chihuahua, on account of intelligence received by them that the New Mexicans and "Paseños" (natives of El Paso), together with the barbarous tribe of Navajo Indians headed by the clergyman, had commenced an indiscriminate slaughter on all Americans in the place. This insurrection is said to have been so general, that even the women were in it, and entered a conspicuous part in cutting the throats of the "Texans." It was also reported that those very men, feeling elated with the result, were marching towards Durango, in order to avenge the outrage of Chihuahua.

General Bravo published a decree on the 6th instant, ordering every person having two or more horses in his possession to deliver one of them to the commissary, at or before the expiration of the sixth day.

By another decree of the same date, General Bravo (general-in-chief of the central army) orders all citizens, from 15 to 60 years of age, to enlist at the shortest notice, and be prepared to present themselves, armed and equipped, when they should be called upon.

El Monitor of the 4th says that the partisans of Santa Anna have sent commissioners to the different states in order to obtain votes for him to be elected president.

The same paper asserts that Gen. Canalizo had received orders to give up the command of the cavalry and proceed to the capital.

El Republicano of the 4th says that notwithstanding the ministry had promised to court-martial Canalizo, he still commanded the cavalry. His flight at Cerro Gordo during the battle, and his failure to cover the retreat of the Mexicans, were notorious, and yet he is unpunished, whilst Arista has been persecuted for the loss of the battle of Resaca, which was caused by the faults of others; when, too, it is well known that Arista was the last to leave the field of that disastrous battle and remained in the rear constantly, protecting the retreat of his army.

General Santa Anna has been joined at Orizaba by General D. Francisco Teran with a force of 500, and also by Generals Brito and Barenella, with some infantry and a park of artillery. General Alcorta, who has succeeded Canalizo in the command of the cavalry, is still at Chalchicomula with 1,300 cavalry and 500 dragoons from Vera Cruz, under Col. Cenobio. There are already 5,000 men here and guerillas forming rapidly. Two wagons with goods have been taken from the Americans, which gives great encouragement and joy to the poor fellows who are skulking about Orizaba.

Santa Anna has a battery of artillery mounted, under command of Col. Aguayo. Santa Anna needs only money and arms to give the Americans much trouble. "This great genius," says the admiring Mexican, "works from six in the morning until late at night, and is every day becoming more worthy of the national gratitude."

The Monitor of the 1st inst. says that some important correspondence was taken from the enemy which will afford the government useful intelligence. According to the same paper of the 5th, two letters from Aguas-Calientes say that some bands of guerillas from New Leon and Coahuila had attacked some wagon trains, which were taken, and that Gen. Taylor was wounded at the same time. (This is evidently untrue, as we have later dates from Gen. Taylor's division.)

Gen. Don Sebastian Guzman had taken charge of the works of fortification near the capital, and the three following points had been selected to be fortified between San Cristoval and Cuesta de Penitentes: 1st Cerro de Ixtapocoya, Chaleo, with those of Ixo and Teremingo; 2d Cerro de San Isidro, Ixhuatepec, and Cerro de Tevahuaclo; 3d Pedregal Viejo, Cerro de Gatalpeta, and Santa Cruz de las Escobs.

The Bishop of Oaxaca has sent to the government $20,000 for the expenses of the war. Several churches had delivered the greater part of their plate to the government in order that it should be melted into coin.

Don Pedro M. Anaya, President Substitute of the republic, published a decree on the 21st, declaring the whole district in a state of siege. In another decree of the commander of the federal district, it is prohibited to introduce any goods or merchandise in the towns or cities in possession of the Americans under a fine of from $1 to $500, which will be appropriated to the expense of the war. The sale of any provisions, goods, horses, or cattle to the Americans is also prohibited, under a fine of from $500 to $5,000, applicable to the aforesaid purpose.

A correspondent of El Republicano complains that there is lack of patriotism and disposition to resist the Americans in the States of Durango and Zacatecas.

According to the Monitor of the 21st April, the President Substitute ordered a "Yankee" to be incarcerated because he had the audacity to appear before his excellency and expose to him the advantages of entering into an amicable arrangement with the United States.

The village of Guadalupe was undergoing thorough fortifications.

Gen. Lemus died on the evening of the 20th ult. Gen. Joaquin de Iturbide also died on the 1st inst.

The state of Jalisco is to contribute 150,000 men for the time the war may last. The state of Guanajuato has promised $100,000 for the national guards and guerillas.

A recent order from the government directs that all the forces from the east and south should report to General Santa Anna as the only commander-in-chief.

Liberty of the Press—The military commandant of Mexico had issued a decree suspending the liberty of the press, so far as the discussion of political and military affairs, and of the acts of the authorities, was concerned, whilst the city should be in a state of siege.

English Mediation—It was understood at Mexico that the British minister had offered the mediation of his government to secure a return to peaceful relations between Mexico and the United States. The step, however, meets with but little favor from the papers, but, from the fact that their liberty has since been suspended, there is no certainty that it is equally discountenanced by the government.

The Clergy of San Luis Potosi issued, on the 28th April, to their "faithful hearers," a long address which is published in El Republicano of the 4th instant.