so heinous a crime. The performer of that cowardly deed
was a Frenchman, living among the Indians of the west, who, for the sake
of a paltry sum of gold, came to the aid of the rebels with many
thousands of the savages. His next step was to enter St. Francisco, and
there the horrors he committed recall to our mind the bloody deeds
performed in his country during the great revolution. But what could be
expected from a Frenchman? Fonseca was executed as a malefactor, the
city plundered, the booty divided among the red warriors; besides an
immense sum of money which was levied upon the other establishments, or,
to say better, extorted, upon the same footing as the buccaneers
of old.

"The news having reached the central government of the west, General
Martinez assumed upon himself the responsibility of an expedition,
which, under the present appearances, showed his want of knowledge, and
his complete ignorance of military tactics. He was met by ten thousand
Indians, and a powerful artillery served by the crews of many vessels
upon the coast--vessels bearing rather a doubtful character. Too late he
perceived his error, but had not the gallantry of repairing it and dying
as a Mexican should. He fled from the field almost in the beginning of
the action, and had it not been for the desperate efforts of the
cavalry, and truly wonderful military talents displayed by three or four
young officers who had accompanied him, the small army would have been
cut to pieces. We numbered but five hundred men in all, and had but a
few killed and wounded, while the enemy left behind them on the field
more than twelve hundred slain.

"The gallant young officers would have proceeded to St. Francisco, and
followed up their conquest, had the little army been in possession of
the necessary provisions and ammunition; but General Martinez, either
from incapacity or treachery, had omitted these two essential
necessaries for an army. We are proud and happy to say that Emanuel
Bustamente, the young distinguished officer, of a highly distinguished
family, who conducted himself so well in Yucatan during the last
struggle, commanded the cavalry, and it is to his skill that we Mexicans
owe the glory of having saved our flag from a deep stain.

"Postscriptum.--We perceive that the cowardly and mercenary Martinez has
received the punishment his treachery so well deserved; during his
flight he was met by some Indians and murdered. May divine Providence
thu