Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-08-30
MEXICO AND TEXAS.


We stated in our paper of yesterday, on the au-
thority Of letter from Mafnmoras, that Gen. Pa
REDEs was his march to Monterey, with four or
hve thousand men. The New Orleans Courier
says II it be true that Paroles is going to Cali
jornaa with five thousand men, it is hardly posi-
I BILE that the Government of Mexico contemplates
: an invasion OF Texas, for which object she would
: want every man and musket she can muster.u II
is evident that the Editor Of the Courier has fallen
into the error contained in the above remark. by
supposing that the Monterey to which Gen. Pa
redes is advancing is the city Of that name on the
Pacific, in Upper California, instead of being as is
undoubtedly the case, Monterey, in New Leon,
about sixty miles directly west from Matamoras,
and forty-five southwest from Mier, both Of which
latter places are on the Rio Grande In fact, all the
information we have, If we could rely upon its au
thentcty would lead to the inference that the forces
under Generals ARIsTA, PAREDEs, GAoNA, and Bus
TAMENTE we're marching to take up position on the
Rio Grande-we will not say preparatory to the
passage Of this river but undoubtedly with view
to such location as might render that operation
practicable, at more points than one, with the least
possible delay and difficulty We ought to add,
however, that we have no reason to rely upon the
late news from Matamoras. On the contrary, the
doubts expressed by the New Orleans press, the APP
parent absence of any information on the sabjectb by
Gen. TAYLOR, and our New Orleans correspond
ence, all 90 to confirm the impression that the re-
port of these warlike movements on the part Of
Mexico is most probably premature. We annex
the last letter Of our New Orleans Correspondent:
New ORLEANS AUGUST ls, lS45.
| Our city has been in great excitement the last
two or three days, in consequence of call from
Gen. GAINES upon the Governor for two regiments
of infantry and battalion Of artillery to proceed
to Texas 10 reinforce Gen. TAYLoR-though ii is
now said the artillery only are embark, and the
rest of the troops are to garrison the forts in the
neighborhood of this city. In addition TO this,
Gen. GAINES has called on the Governors of Arkan-
sas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky to hold
their volunteers in readiness. He does not do all
this under any direct authority or orders from
Washington, but considers himself authorized I'M
der his general instructions, acting discretionary.
No one knows what information he may possess,
that, in his opinion, renders such step necessary
| From the published accounts, and from the tenor
of the numerous private letters both from Mexico
and Texas no sufficient cause exists for the throw
ing this whole district of country into high state
| of excitement, by calling our young men and cit-
Zens from their ordinary ayocatons and business to
unnecessary exposure under burning tropical sun,
attended with consequent sickness and loss Of life.
Gen. GAINES is alarmist of the first water, and
am greatly mistaken if he does not 7. catch IT.
from the War Department for the present proceed
| ing If his call be acceded to, Uncle Sam will have
pretty bill Of expenses to foot, or, what is more
probable, will refuse TO have any thing to do with
it. on the ground that the whole proceeding was UNI
! authorized and unnecessary; and should presume
the different Governors, before responding to the
call, would either demand TO know the orders under
which he was acting, TO have such information
given to them would in their opinion render the
measure necessary without waiting for express au-
Ihority from the President
4 There is, however, one gratifying circumstance
attending the measure, which is, the alacrity and
zeal that is manifested by our citizens at large to
comply with the demand so soon as the official call
is promulgated. The difficulty will be not who
shall go. but who shall stay and much larger
force, without any distinction Of party, will offer
i than is required. II shows that the country can
always depend upon her citizens in case OF emer-
gency and if brave hearts and stout hands are
thus abundanty profered to assist or defend our
new fellow-citizens, how much more so would thew
be if the question the defence of our own i'm
mediate soil and frcsides against an invading foe
The newspaper paragraph stating that a Mexican
army OF ten thousand men were within eight days.
march of Gen. TAYLoR's position is mere vague
and unfounded report. The present Administra-
ton in Mexico hold the reins of Government most
loosely, and with trembling hand. There is no
irmness, no stability in their grasp but, like fright
ened mice in cage, they are looking round to see
where the next blow is to from, in the form OF a
revolutionary movement that is to strike them
down and set up others with perhaps anew form
of government in their place. Torn by domestic
jealousies and factons-in the midst of stormy
election for new President-with scanty, uncer-
tain, and fuctuating revenue-an empty Treasury,
and destitute Of organization and system, how can
promptness or energy of action be expected from
themi And yet, under all these unfavorable and
discouraging circumstances we are called upon TO be-
ieve that Mexico can and has organized and equip
ped an army of 10000 men furnished them with
clothing, arms, ammunition, camp equipage, stores,
provisions, horses, artillery, and all the numerous
and immense supplies necessary for an active cam
pagn of offensive operations and marched them
through hundreds Of miles of country nearly or
quite in state of nature, where even regular roads
hardly exist and where all their supplies must be
taken with them, requiring means Of transportation
to an extent that could not possibly be furnished.
The whole thing carries absurdity on the very face
of it. From the best information can obtain, do
not believe it would be possible to concentrate at
any one point sufficient Mexican force to look
General TAyLoR's command of regulars in the face,
particularly after he is joined by the I'd Dragons,
who have gone forward by land.