The New York herald., 1845-08-23

eastern Dank OF the hl0 Grande, has been in the
hands Of the Mexicans, but we understand that our
government have issued orders to General Taylor
to assai II and to reduce it at once and the same
time to take possession Of the whole east bank OF
the Rio Grande, from its to its mouth. This
step may present points OF International law against
us, OF which the Mexican govenmentwill endeavoI
to avail themselves; and if France and England be
called in arbitrators, easily guess how the
decision will 60. But 1t is question in our minds
whether the public feeling in this country would
tolerate the interference of England in any shape OF
form.
At all events, we are now in the beginning of !
great game among the nations This is the awaken
ing of the war spirit of the present century, lulled
for years and years past and it is, we understand
about to break forth In this city in the shape of
great public meeting, as soon as the news of some
settled determination on the part Of Mexico
is received. We see it stated in the government
organ that preparations are already making in the
the city of New York for calling public meeting
to support the government if wal with Mexico
should be the result Of the present movement We
have no doubt the popular feeling in all the Northern
States will be Of character and one complexion,
and that with the exception of the commercial IN
terest engaged in the shipping trade, all parties will
be in favor of carrying on the war with vgor and
spirit.
Such is the position of this important question,
and the aspect of affairs to-day. Itmay, however,
all be changed in less than wenty-four hours, by
the receipt of the next news from New Orleans
We are on the verge OF one of the most eventfu
periods of the present century, Of any former age
Within the decision Of the Mexican Congress, and
the action of the American government, we believe,
may be found that spirit which may change the des-
tiny of the governments of Europe and OF the whole
civilized world. II war between two great repub-
lies break out, and if the United States present
spectacle to the civilized world beyond the Atlantic
of vigor and power, it may alarm the governments
OF Europe, and produce reaction amongst the popu-
lar masses there, that will never stop short of
complete and radical revolution These are stirring
times.
SYMPTOMS OF WAR-PREpARArIoN FOR DEPRE-
DArloNs ON AMERICAN CoMMERcE.-The packet
ship ST. Nicholas from Havre, arrived at this port
on Wednesday last. During tine voyage, a very
extraordinary. incident occurred, and the interest
and Importance ''of which our readers will easily
Judge when we recite the details.
When in latitude forty-four and an half, and Just
as she was about to approach the south east bank
OIL Newfoundland the captain of the st. Nicholas
observed to windward two brigs sailing directly
across his course, which was from east to west
These brigs were evidently new, rakishly built,
were at this time close reefed and showed Spanish
colors. The wind was from the south east, blow
ing moderately and as favorable as possible to any
vessel bound either for Europe or any port on the
American continent. But here were these brigs
making due north, a course which would take
them TO Greenland. "Where could they be bound!"
What were they?" These were the questions
asked with no little interest on board the st. Nj
cholas, and the suspicious which had been awaken
eddy the appearance of the brigs was not at all dm-
nlshed when, as the wind shifted towards the west
and the St Nicholas diverged somewhat from her
former course, the briggs came within haing dis
tance, crossed.each others bows evidently for the
purpose of exchanging communications. Shortly
after this large square rugged merchant vessel APP
peared in the western horizon, and bore down TO-
wards the St. Nicholas. Again the briggs came
within speaking distance of each other, and now
seriously alarmed, the st. Nicholas crowded on her
canvass, and aided by the wind and the darkness
OF tae night made her escape.
The Captain and intelligent passengers of the St
Nicholas are firm in the belief that those suspicious
looking brigs were Mexican cruisers carrying let
ters of marque and reprisal. Circumstances GER
tainly Justify in great degree such a conjecture
What object could such vessels have had cose-reef-
ed and evidently cruising about, consistent with the
character OF peaceful merchant craft The latitude
in which they were observed also favors the suppo-
sition that they were prvateers. They were direct.
y in the track of all the packet ships sailing between
Liverpool, London, and Havre, and our Atlantic sea
ports We frankly confess that after carefully and
calmly looking at all the circumstances connected
with this curious incident we are ourselves disposed
to agree with the Captain and passengers of the St
Nicholas in their opinion as to the character of the
two brigs. Most of our readers are aware that re-
ports have been from time to time reaching us to the
effect that hundreds of blank letters of mai que have
been already issued by the Mexican government,
and are now in the hands of parties in Cuba and
elsewhere, ready to be filled up and acted upon the
moment that is declared Is it not, indeed. al.
most certain that the suspicious vessels seen by the
Captain of the St Nlchoascwere privateers, fully
prepared to make depredations our commerce as
soon as they could receive intimaton of the COM
mencement ofhostilities Ifthey were vessels en-
poyed in the peaceful service of legitimate COM
merce why would they have steered such course
why were they close-reeied when no necessity ex-
listed for it-why make such suspicious movements
One thing is certain, at all events better cruising
ground for the privateer than that to be found in the
atiudes where these suspicious-lookng Ibrigs were
observed, could not be found. There large portion
of the most valuable commerce of this country is to
be fallen In with, and is utterly unprotected, Yes,
unsuspecting aud confding reader, the whole of our
commercial marine employed in the trade with
Great Britain and France, this moment entirely
at the mercy of the marauder on the high seas.
Our numerous and stately European packet-ships,
the just pride of our merchants and seamen, laden
with the richest merchandise, and the still more
precious freight OF our mothers, sisters, daughter,
and dearest relatives, who may cross the Atlantic.
are entirely unprotected In case of the sudden
breaking out OF hostlnes between the United States