The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-27
AMERICAN AND MEXICAN TROOPS.


Washington. Transports were arriving with fresh
troops to reinforce Gen. Taylor and his "army OF
observation-disclosures the shadows of the shores
frequently DISTRACTED their prompt arrival and mme-
date landing. Before this period however general
must have army gilmore than GOO gsIlantmen, ex-
elusive of the Dragons which were marching under
Col Twiggs to San Antonio or the Alamo. A little
longer time, and General Taylor will be able to
ter more than 5000 picked regulars--without say
ing 4 word of the volunteers Of Texas or of Lou
isana, which he IL authorized II necessary, to call
under the wing Of his eagle. With arms and animu-
milton, and with provisions sufficient to support lhe
there is reason to believe that they will be able to
cope with, and to conquer, any force which the Mex
leans may attempt to throw on this side the Rio Bra
70. Their troops; too, will be compelled to march
through county which has no means to subsst
them and the transportation Of their own pro4is-
ions, fthey are able to obtain them at oil viii en-
cumber their progress and delay their arrival at their
point of destination.
One OF the best and highest officers in the service
has expressed the opinion, that 1900 United States
soldiers, under Generals Taylor aid Worth, will be
competent to keep at bay any number OF Mexican
troops who may threaten 10 cross the river for six
months. In this calculation he may possibly be
mistaken, and it becomes the duty of our govern
ment to provide ample to meet any emer-
gency which may occur. The administration is
precautionary preparation which the honor Of our
arms may require.
Although the regular troops are advahciRg 10 the
central point from various quarters of our country,
it is yet somewhat doubtful how many volun-
teers will 60 on from Louisiana II ic certain that
General Gaines has modified his original requisition;
but il is yet doubtful in what sense he has modified
his call upon Gov. Mouton--whether to reduce the
numbef Of volunteers, to change an absolute call
to the field INTO bare order to hold themselves in
readiness.
Speculation is still at loss to comprehend fhe real
designs ofhe Mexicans-if,i indeed they have formed
any Some of our politicians here insist upon it,
that the war win evaporate in smoke But, still,
it is not the safest policy TO act upon that un-
certain calculation. Prudence is the mother OF
safety; and we should act in the spirit of that
maxim, There may be little honor in beating the
Mexicans; but the disgrace WILL therefore, be the
~
them We ought to act as if they were certainly
coming upon us. No labor-no expenditure Of
money should lie regarded, when put in the opposite
scale with dishonor and defeat. The chances may
be against war: But Mexico may act tnder the
feversh excitement Of clamorous people, or under
the visionary hope Of calling in England and France
to mediate between us, and then interposlrg their
guarantees to any boundary which they may at
tempt to establish; not recolecting that will not
only be necessary for her to agree to me-
daton, and for those two powers to accede it, but
still more, for the United States to sanction the
movement with her consent.
As matters now stand, 1t is doubtful whether
Mexico will strike at ALL The New Orleans
"Jeffersonian Republican, Of the IS h doubts her
belligerent designs altogether. 1t says
Notwithstanding he high sounding proolsmations Of
rations yet for an invasive war further than the marshal
becomes available. matters may look less equiyocalr
II may anuse, if it does not enlighten our read
ers, to read the following extracts from the "Courier
des Flats Unis, of the 26h instant, which friend
has translated for our columns
Sin the report read to Congress On the Goth Of
proposes 10 grant 10 Ion lAulS
de la Rosa the fifteen millions, which he demanded
so imperiously; but, at the same time, restrictions
were suptradded, which rendered the collection i'm
possible, even f it were not so before. They
deavored to gid the pill for the poor treasury, by
simply substituting ono conjunction for another.
Authorization was asked to beg for the money at
home on abroad, and they have allowed it to be
obtained at home and abroad. But in COM
pensation, they refused the oppressive means which
the treasury considered necessary, and which may
doubtless be translated eTactions Merican
capitalists, or sacrifices, by usry, TO foreign CAPT.
iaiiss Thus, the committee insists that no more
than six per cent. interest should be allowed which
is much less than Mexican credit can command,
even in time of peace. They forbid the acceptance
of any proposal for less amount than million of
dollars; thus preserving the Mexican people entire
w from a forced loan, which could only be made for
small amounts. And, finally livestock secured on the
revenues of Mexico cannot be delivered until the
whole fifteen millions, to a penny, have been de-
posted in the strong boxes Of the treasury This
last clause would be sufficient, of ITSELF to put off the
loan, and consequently the war, until the Greek
caIends for there is not in all the four quarters
Of the world, single capitalist mad enough to
deliver his money, without receiving security by
hypothecation, TO government like that of
Mexico, which, were it ever SO honest, is not
sure Of existing, and consequently of keeping
its engagements from one day to another. The
plan for a loan (Which was at first nothing more
-
a patriotic joke. We may therefore be permit
ted to have n, faith in war--or, at least, that
the Mexcans will begin tiff Gas their Ministers of
Foreign Affairs and Of Finance tell us frankly they
will not and cannot enter the field until they have
obtained their fifteen millions.
1--WE are, in fine, more than ever convinced that
serious event is to be apprehended, unless chance
or imprudence, on one side or the other, should
bring on an unexpected collision. We have some
msgivngs in consequences Of the warlike ardor Of
the American troops, who appear anxious to cross
the Rio Grande, without waiting for orders from
Washington; but if we may credit a curious letter,
dated August T. from an officer Of the American
sloop-of-war ST. Mary's, then at Galveston, we
have illuminated General Taylor and his soldiers,
by surprising them capable of reprehensiblc meas
ure of attack"
'Would not one say, indeed, that we were about
to have second edition of the camp of Boulogne,
Of which NJ. Theirs has just traced the description
with his magic penn Questions of military strategy
are above our decision; but it seems to us, that II
-. a = IL A. L.. IL