No. 446.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, July 12, 1875. (Received July 22.)
Sir: The official journal of the government, the Diario Oficial, of this afternoon, announces that General Juan N. Cortina was, on the 1st day of May last, ordered by the President to come to this capital and give a report of certain affairs on the northern frontier. The order was communicated by telegraph, and the general answered, asking for an extension of time when he should present himself, which was granted. This time having elapsed, the order was again sent to him, when he replied, tendering his resignation from the Mexican army. The President refused to accept the resignation, but again repeated the order, reserving the question of his resignation to be determined after compliance with the order. Having failed to obey, on the 18th ultimo his arrest was ordered, and on yesterday it was carried into execution, at the Union ranch, near Matamoras, in the State of Tamaulipas. The Mexican schooner Juarez sailed from Vera Cruz for Matamoras on yesterday to bring him to this city, where he will be placed upon trial for disobedience of orders.
This is the most decisive step yet taken by the Mexican government for the restoration of order on the Rio Grande border, and if it results in the permanent removal from that locality of Cortina and his punishment, I have no doubt it will have a salutary effect.
I am, &c.,