From Texas and Mexico.
Brig. Gen. Slaughter has been made Chief of Staff to Maj. Gen. Magruder.
From Mexico we have intelligence of an interesting and reliable character.
After the emeute of November 6th in Matamoras, which left Cortinas in power, with Serina as nominal Governor, and Ruez, the Governor, an exile in Brownsville, the latter proceeded to Juarez, in San Louis Potozi, and obtained a force of seven hundred men, with which he came back and undertook to regain possession. A truce was made, and it was agreed that he should resume the reigns, and that Cortinas should have full pardon on condition of his joining the Juarez Government against the French. Cortinas subsequently demanded a share of the public money which had been obtained by his own forced loan from the merchants of Matamoras. Being refused, on the 10th of January a fight ensued, lasting all night, and which resulted in scattering Ruez's forces and driving him out of the country.
At the latest dates, January 17th, all was quiet in Matamoras, Ruez being in Brownsville. Vidaurri has forbidden Juarez to pass through Monterey. He gives out that he will oppose the French, but it is understood by those who ought to know, that he will give in his adhesion on their arrival at Monterey, and he at once appointed Imperialist Commander of the Northern line. Juarez is at Saltillo. The French are at San Luis Potosi, and marching on Victoria. Vidaurri has four thousand men under his command at Monterey.
Yankee emissaries are stirring up the Mexicans against both the French and Confederates. Vidaurri will, however, arrange all that when the proper time comes.
In Northern Texas the wheat crop, which was supposed to be destroyed by the severe cold about the 1st of January, is coming out better than was expected. Some depredations have been committed by Jayhawkers, but they are being driven out by detachments of cavalry, and rapidly brought either to punishment or pardon, as their cases merit.
Quantrell and his men are wintering in Northern Texas. They will be heard from in due time.
Preparations for planting are general, and in much of the lower country corn is already in the ground. But little cotton will be planted.