The Sun.
London, England, 1846-06-01 00:00:00

THE UNITED STATES.

WASHINGTON CITY, MAY 14.—Events of great im-
portance are transpiring.
The Mexican army, under command of General Arista,
having crossed the Rio Grande Del Norte and sur-
rounded General Taylor, who was posted opposite Ma-
tamoras, the latter sent out a company of dragoons,
consisting of 63 men, as a scouting party. This party
coming upon some Mexicans charged upon them, were
driven into an ambuscade, from 13 to 26 killed, and the
remainder captured, with the exception of Captain
Thornton, who was in command of the party, and cut
his way through the Mexicans and reached the Ameri-
can camp in safety.

The news, as it reached this city on Saturday, the 9th
instant, was, that the Mexican army amounted to about
8,000 men, and had surrounded General Taylor, who
bas 2,300 effective men, cutting off his communication
with Point Isabel, whence all his stores and supplies
were drawn, and further, that General Taylor had only
15 days' provisions in camp. He had immediately made
a requisition on Texas for two regiments of mounted
riflemen and two of infantry, and also one upon the
Governor of Louisiana for four regiments of infantry.
The news caused tremendous excitement everywhere
it was received.
On Monday, the 11th instant, the President sent in a
message* to Congress, saying that a state of war existed,
and calling on Congress to recognise its existence, and
make provision for carrying it on.
The House of Representatives immediately took up a
Bill which had been reported in anticipation of
_ the diffi•
culties respecting Oregon, and amended it and passed it
before adjouruing. The preamble reads—
"Whereas, by the Act of the republic of Mexico, a
state of war exists between that Government and the
United States."
It then goes on to give the President power, in order
to prosecute this war—
To employ the militia and naval and military forces of
the United States.
To call for and accept the services of fifty thousand
volunteers.
To complete all the public armed vessels now in pro-
gress, and to purchase or charter, arm, equip, and man
such merchant vessels and steam-boats as he may think
proper to convert into armed vessels.
And it places at his disposal 10,000,000 of dollars to be
employed for these objects.
This Bill was finally passed by the House by a vote of
174 to 14.

The Senate, on Tuesday, took up and passed this Bill
with slight amendments by a vote of 40 to 2.
The same night the House met and concurred in the
Senate's amendments, and
On Wednesday, the 13th of May, the President sent
a message to Congress, announcing that be had ap-
proved the Bill, and that it was therefore a law.
A Bill has also been passed by both Houses, and ap-
proved by the President, to increase the rank and file of
the army to 100 men per company; they were 40 and 50
strong previously, so that this Act doubles the strength
of the army.
The following is a summary of the proceedings of
Congress since the &Tarture of the Great Western:—
On the 6th and 7th inst. the Senate transacted some
unimportant business, and then adjourned over until
the 11th.
In the House, on the 6th inst., a Bill was passed, mak-
ing appropriations for deficiencies in former appropria-
tion Bills.
On the same day also a Bill was passed, removing
discriminating duties from Java coffee imported into the
United States from European ports in Dutch vessels,
and also for the purpose of refunding certain discrimi.
mang duties which had been levied on Spanish vessels.
On the 7th inst. Mr. Giddings, of Ohio (an abolitionist),
made a speech, in which he endeavoured to show that
General Taylor had murdered certain deserters, who had
been shot in the act of swimming across the Rio Grande
to the Mexican camp. The House, however, refused to
listen to him, and p3t him down on questions of order,
having previously refused to receive a series of resolu-
tions on the same subject from John Quincy Adams.
The same day they also passed the usual annual ap-
propriation Bill for the Post-office Department.
An attempt was also made to suspend the rules for
the introduction of a resolution that Congress should
adjourn on the 13th of July, but without success.
On the 18th inst. the whole day was occupied in the
discussion of a Bill, which was finally passed, to retro-
cede part of the district of Columbia (the district as it
now stands is ten miles square, and is under the ex-
clusive legislation of Congress, having formerly belonged
part to Virginia and part to Maryland), which formerly
was part of Virginia, to that state.

On the 9th inst. no business of public importance was
transacted by the House.
On this day, in the evening, news arrived from the
army in Texas of its being surrounded by the Mexicans,
and in great peril.
On Monday, the 11th inst., both Houses of Congress
met at at twelve o'clock. A message was sent to them by
the President on Mexican affairs. (This message is pub-
lished in all the papers.)
It was immediately opened and read. In the Senate a
debate sprung up on motions which were made to print,
it, and also to refer it to the Committees on Foreign Re-
lations and on Military Affairs.
The debate was opened by
Mr. Calhoun, who expressed his hope that the Senate
would give that high, full, and dispassionate considera-
tion to the subject which its grave character, and the
importance of the consequences which might result,
would demand. He, therefore, objected to printing any
unusual number (20,000 copies had been proposed) of
the message, and documents accompanying, until it had
first been printed for the Senate, and been fully con-
sidered by them, as the printing of such a number would
be considered as an endorsement of the message, when
they did not know what it contained.
Mr. Speight (of Mississippi) was ready to endorse
every word of the message, and believed the Senate
would also. He was also ready to vote any amount of
supplies.
Mr. Allen thought, as the President's message said
there was an existing war, it was no time to deliberate in
such an emergency.
Mr. Calhoun said he had accomplished his object in
part, which was to prevent action without discussion.
He was aware that the President said " war existed,"
but, according to his view, war could not exist without
the action of Congress, to whom the constitution confided
the war-making power. He distinguished between hos-
tilities and war. An invasion might be made, and the
President was authorised to repel invasion without war.
It was the duty of the Congress to make war. When
they declared war, then war existed. He would not in-
dicate earnestness by precipitation.
Mr. Sevier wished the message referred to the Com-
mittee on Foreign Relations, as did also Mr. Morehead,
of Kentucky.
Mr. J. M. Clayton, of Delaware, wished the reference
to the Committee on Military Affairs. He agreed with
Mr. Calhoun in his views respecting war. He was ready
to vote all the supplies which were necessary to defend
the country, while he would leave to another time the
discussion of the propriety of sending the troops beyond
the river Nueces and to the Rio Grande.

Mr. Archer, of Virginia, concurred with Mr. Calhoun
and Mr. Clayton, that there was no war. He would
vote any supplies for the defence of the country. He
thought the message should first go to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs, afterwards to that on Military
Affairs.
Mr. Benton, of Missouri, suggested a division of the
message ; that one part was appropriate to the one com-
mittee named, and another part to the other. The de-
fence against hostilities should be referred to the Com-
mittee on Military Affairs ; that of carrying on war
against Mexico to that on Foreign Relations.
Mr. Allen and Mr. Sevier both concurred in this
♦iew.

Mr. Cass took the same view, and made a speech com-
batting the idea put forth by Mr. Calhoun, that they
were not at war.
_ Mr. Calhoun approved of the division of the message
for reference ; it was proper. The repelling hostili-
ties required prompt, energetic action. The declaration
Of war requireldl gray's?, deliberate consideration. What
Mr. Cass repe ed was " the constitution," not observa-
tions of his.
Mr. Morehead, Mr. Cass, Mr. Davis (of Massachu-
setts), Mr. Sevier, Mr. J. M. Clayton,Mr.
Houston Of Texas Mr. Crittenen,aoldi
don (of Connecticut',took further part in this.dlleat,ng-
professing their readiness to vote any supplies whatever
which which might be necessary ; but the Whigs intimated
their condemnation of the conduct of President Polk,
and their intention at a future time to discuss it, while
they world not now endorse the message.
While this debate was progressing in the Senate, the
message having been read in the House, the Whigs wished
the correspondence also to be.read, but the dominant party,
by the operation of the previous questio!, which cuts off
debate, prevented this, while they immediately r
solved the House into Committee of the whole, and took
u a Bill which was entitled—" A Bill to authoriser theo
President i
to accept the Services of Volunteers, d r
other purposes ;" and which, as it made an appropria-
tion, it was necessary should be discussed in Committee;
and, having had the Bill read, the Committee imme-
diately rose and pas6ed a resolution that all debate in
Committee should end in two hours, and then went into
Committee again. In Committee, the dominant party
permitte 1 the orders to General Taylor frum the War
Department and the dispatches from the camp to be
read, which took up an hour and a half, leaving half an
hour for discussion. During this halt hour, Mr. Brin-
kerhoff, of Ohio, and Messrs. Holmes and Rhett, of
South Carolina, made some remarks, the former advo-
cating the insertion of a preamble to the Bill, declaring,
" Whereas, by the Act of the republic of Mexico, a
state of war exists between the 'United States and that
republic," and the two latter drawing a distinction be-
tween hostilities and a state of war, and urging that the
latter should not be declared without due deliberation,
inasmuch as it would leave the comaierce of the nation
exposed to depredation by privateers.
At the expiration of the half-hour the debate was,
according to order, terminated, and after some three
hours' voting on amendments and substitutes of all de-
scriptions, a Bill was adopted, with the following pre-
amble :

" Whereas, by the Act of the republic of Mexico, a
state of war exists between that Government and the
United States.
And the Bill authorises the President—
To employ all the militia and naval and military
forces of the United States.
To call for 50,000 volunteers.
To finish all the public armed vessels now authorised
by law.
To purchase, or charter, arm, equip, and man, mer-
chant and steam-vessels.
And places at his disposal 10,000,000 dolls., or about
2,000,000/.

This Bill was passed by 174 votes to 14.
On Tuesday, the 12th instant, the Senate met at noon,
and the above mentioned Bill was immediately brought
-

*Tbo Daeusgt lingapP4, is 941'

in by the clerk of the House. Upon it a debate arose, in
which

Mr. Calhoun, Mr. Berrien, of Georgia, Mr. J. Clay-
ton, Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Magnum, of North Carolina,
Mr. Archer, Mr. Huttingdon, and Mr. Morehead took
part, on the one side, arguing on the impropriety of re-
taining the preamble, stating that a war existed by the
act of the republic of Mexico, in the absence of informa-
tion to enable them to decide that point, and when they
did not know whether the Government of Mexico might
not disavow the acts of the general commanding the

army.
On the other side, Mr. Allen, Mr. Pennybacker, of
Virginia, Mr. Cass, dr. Westcott, of Florida, Mr.
Houston, of Texas, and Mr. Johnson, of Maryland, spoke
in favour of the retention of the clause.
Several efforts were made to strike out the preamble,
but without avail, and the last vote on striking it out, on
the motion of Mr. Huntington, of Connecticut, was lust
by 18 ayes to 28 noes.
The Bill was finally passed, with several slight amend-
meats, by a vote of 40 to 2, several of those who voted
in the affirmative voting under protest against the inser-
tion of the preamble. The two who voted "no" were
Messrs. T. Clayton, of Delaware, and Davis, of Massa-
chusetts, both on account of the preamble. Mr. Calhoun,
Mr. Berrien, Mr. Evans, of Maine, and Mr. Huntington,
all refused to vote either way, because they would not
vote either for or against the Bill with the preamble, in
the absence of information.

The House, on this day, first took up and passed, after I
an hour's discussion, a Bill to organize a company of
sappers, miners, and pontoneers.
Afterwards, they took up and discussed the Appropri-
ation Bill for the support of the Military Academy at
Westpoint, New York, and after discussing it till four
o'clock, they took a recess until half-past seven.
At that hour they met, when the Bill " providing for
the Prosecution of the existing War between the United
Stages and the Republic of Mexico " was brought in
from the Senate with amendments, and the Bill was im-
mediately taken up and the amendments concurred in.
On Wednesday, the 13th inst., the Senate passed the
Annual Appropriation Bill for Fortifications, which had
previously passed the House, increasing, however, the
appropriation for fortifications at Key West and the
Tortugas, off the south point of Florida, from 100,000
dole. to 200,000 dols., and then took up one of the other
annual appropriation Bills.
The House discussed and passed the Westpoint Mili-
tary Academy Appropriation Bill, and then took up the
Army Appropriation Bill ; and a proposition being made
to increase the pay of the privates, in view of the war,
from 7 dolls. to 10 dolls. per month, a discussion arose
which had not terminated when the House adjourned.
In the discussion, of course the conduct of the Execu-
tive in sending the army to the Rio Grande was freely
criticised and condemned by the Whigs and supported
by the Democrats ; the Whigs, however, all declaring
their determination to stand by their country, right or
wrong, and do all in their power to maintain the honour
and glory of the republic.
To-day, the 14th instant, the Senate has not transacted
any business of importance, and the House has been all
day engaged in discussing the army Appropriation Bill,
the members making speeches about the war and its
causes.

Private advices from General Taylor are said to have
been received by his personal friends, from which it is
believed that he would, within two or three days of the
dispatch of his last messenger with requisitions on the
Governor of Texas for four regiments, two of horse and
two of infantry riflemen, and on the Governor of Loui-
siana for four regiments of infantry, march out of his
camp, leaving five hundred men to defend it, and cut his
way to Point Isabel, there to await reinforcements by
sea. If this be the case, he will, ere now, either have
defeated the Mexicans, or have been defeated himself. _

It is believed here by some persons conversant with
Mexican affairs, that the Mexicans are not in as great
force as has been represented, and that they have left
Matamoras and crossed the river, with the view, not of
attempting to starve out General Taylor, but of trying to
captured Point Isabel and the stores, and also of fighting
General Taylor; because the blockade of the Rio Grande
by General Taylor has stopped supplies from going to
that town ; so that ,flour, at the last accounts, was
40 dolls. per barrel. If these suppositions of the views
of the Mexicans be correct, it is supposed that General
Taylor will fight and defeat them. This will, however,
be shown by further advices.
Public sentiment in this city, and elsewhere (as far as
I can learn), is unanimous in condemnation of the course
pursued by President Polk in sending such a small force
to the banks of the Rio Grande, and planting it right
opposite to a Mexican city with guns pointed at it.
The message of President Polk discloses the fact, that
on the 13th of January the troops under command of
General Taylor, then at Corpus Christi, were directed
to occupy the left bank of the Rio Grande, as above-
mentioned.

And yet the same message relates the fact, that about
the same date Mr. Slidell must have been instructed to
offer his credentials to the Government of General
Paredes, which duty he performed on the Ist of March
following.
Now, the conclusion which is drawn from these facts
here is, that while President Polk directed Mr. Slidell
to offer his credentials, he ordered the American army
to the Rio Grande, with the idea of frightening General
Paredes into receiving him.
Mr. Slidell had been refused by General Herrera, be-
cause he came as a Minister Plenipotentiary with full
powers, instead of a Special Commissioner, charged
only to settle the Texas difficulty. President Polk is a
very obstinate man, which obstinacy he mistakes for
firmness, and will never confess himself to be in the
wrong. He therefore thought, instead of recalling Mr.
Slidell and sending a Special Commissioner, that he
would direct Mr. Slidell to offer his credentials to General
Paredes, and that the latter, in view of the American
army on the Rio Grande and fleet off Vera Cruz, would
be frightened into receiving him, and Mr. Polk would
thus have the glory of having accomplished his ends.
The contrary has turned out to be the case. Mr. Slidell
has come back, and the Mexicans have crossed the Rio
Grande and surrounded the American army, and there-
upon President Polk sends a message to Congress,
stating that war exists, asking Congress to recognise its
existence and provide for carrying it on, and Congress
forthwith complies with his requests in suck form as is
elsewhere related. Such is the way in which recent
events are read here by very many persons.
The result of ail these measures it is very difficult to
foretell. If the Mexicans should have fought General
Taylor without being completely defeated, or should
gain any great advantage, the prospect of a long and ex-
pensive war is before the United States. If, on the con-
trary, General Taylor should completely defeat the
Mexican forces, and there should be alacrity and promp-
titude on the part of the President in making use of the
means placed at his disposal by Congress, it is supposed
that the Mexican Government may disavow the acts of
the army, make reparation, ask for a treaty, and ac-
cede to the terms of the United States, which will be
the left bank of the Rio Grande to about the 30th or
32d degree, and thence to the Pacific, including all
California.

There is another interpretation, or rather an addi-
tional motive for this action of President Polk, which is
freely spoken of here. This is in relation to the condi-
tion of the democratic party, which elected Mr. Polk
President.

There is a considerable portion of the democratic
party is the northern States who, so far from being in
favour of a tariff for revenue alone, in other words, of
free-trade measures, are opposed to them, and wish to
retain the present tariff, with its exorbitant rates of
duties. The whole of the southern and western
democracy, however, are in favour of free trade. The
northern democracy, however, are pre-eminent in
intrigue, and Mr. Polk himself has always had fraternal
relations with that section of the party, and, it is believed,
did not wish to disoblige and offend them by pressing
with all the weight of Executive influence (which, if
heartily exerted, is almost omnipotent here) the repeal
of the tariff of 1842. He knew, however, that if the
southern democracy once believed he had betrayed them
on this point, they would turn upon him and his Admi-
nistration and defeat it. Wishing, therefore, to conci-
liate the southern men by appearing in favour of the
repeal of the tariff, it is lelieved he has sought to accom-
plish the ends of the northern democracy by sending
these troops first into Texas, and thea to the Rio
Grande, so that at any rate heavy expenses would be
incurred, and if Mr. Slidell were not received perhaps
a war provoked, and thus reasons given to the northern
Es.c7 I,)r saying that they would not think of vot-
a reductionexpe nof the s
democracy
es, and atawmati; with such heavy and
either
believedon hand or in
increasing
some of the
prospect. This is now sincerely
southern democracy to have been a prominent
the course of action which Mr. Presidelesnttl%alke of
thought fit to pursue in regard to Texan and Mexican
affairs, with the additional one, that if it should be, as itn
reflecti v rftsaaatl
elg,ry,
el
eovbrniesyli ioteehnnv
eeodhcbiteishts
the tariff
wtadozumruti lhfri (nlo
nirbsioett
wry,
a: at successfulwar, it
wwaosuludn
st tshheor
tell
dis t no
rn
wueahr
ainreevairsnioenst
in; and tphraetsetnhterseesissibutlittle
prospect
t be
oos
af
r.n, even
if two or three weeks should see the relations
United States and Mexico peaceably settled. of the
In the meantime the call for volunteers in New Or-
leans has not been answered so promptly as it was
ot the number wanted, bad
sup-
posed it would be. 2,400 men were called for, and a
; but in four days
n bountyvol}' about
supposed that a draught would
of
1,200,0 dolor one-half
volunteered, and it was
been much excitement displayed,
halvne to be
Mobileathdeerferohmadth e militia.
and, for its size, more volunteers had offered than had in
New Orleans.
General Scott, the only
toI
li,nex l
tahse
troegtua
to
lkaer
service, has been ordered to proceed
command of the army there. The army is,
be composed of 50,000 men, to be drawn from
earn,
different
states, and concentrated as rapidly as possible.
A rumour has been in extensive circulation in this
city this morning that Mr. Pakenham had protested
against the declaration of war ; but it cannot be traced
to any reliable source, and is, we believe, entirely without
founJation.

THE OREGON NOTICE.—The question of whether or
not the President of the United States had given the notice
respecting the joint occupation of the Oregon territory to the
British Government, having formed a subject of controversy
in the English and American press, we have the satis-
faction of stating, upon the highest authority, that such
notice has been given, and that the Great Western carries
out, on her present trip, the answer of the British Govern-
ment, which, we have reason to believe, is of a conciliatory
and friendly character.— Willmer and Smith's European Times.
WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET, MAY 29.—The supplies
of all grain are extremely limited, with the exception of ,
beans. We had a fair inquiry for fresh wheat, at fully last
week's prices ; in common descriptions but little busines3
was transacted. The price of barley remains nominally the 1
same, the demand is however more limited, as most of the '
maltaters have ceased working. Beans dull for common sorts, '
but fine were easy sales. Oats and shelling each sold readily,
without situation in value. Malt in recalest.

PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESS.
(From the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Commons.)
FRIDAY, may 29.
STANDING ORDERS' COMMITTEE.
The following Resolutions were reported from the above
Committee :
That, in the case of Bain's Patents Assignments petition,
the standing orders ought to be dispensed with :—That the
parties be permitted to proceed with their Bill, on inserting
the notices for three successive weeks in the London, Edin-
burgh, and Dublin Gazettes; and that the Committee on the
Bill do examine, in the first place, how far such order has
been complied with, and do report the same to the House on
the That report of the Bill.
, in the case of the London and South-Western Rail-
way (Hampton Court Branch) Bill, amendment on third
reading, the amendment is of such a nature as may be
adopted, if the House shall think fit.
That, in the case of the London and South-Western Rail-
way (Chertsey and Egham Branch) Bill, amendment on
third reading, the amendment is of such a nature as may be
adopted, if the House shall think fit.
Report to lie on the table.