The New York herald., 1845-08-30
NEWS FOR EUROPE
BY THE
OCEAN STEAMER
HI B E r N [ A,
FROM BOSTON.
AFFAIRS ON THE AMERICAN CONTINENT,
Our Foreign Relations.

critical position. II is utterly impossible from the
character OF our latest intelligence to ascertain with
precision whether the two countries at war or
not, or whether they may not be in belligirent po-
sHon in a very few days.
Our last accounts from Mexico are brought down
to the 9th of August We have seen letters from
Vera Cruz and from the city of Mexico of the ates
dates These letters talk with confidence of a war
between the two countres-that it IS inevitable, and
that the Mexican troops are ordered TO proceed to
the frontier of Texas in order to take up position
on the Rio Grande at once. Some state that
the projet OF loan OF fifteen millions has already
been passed by Congress, and that If the money is
not found III Mexico they will be able to negotiate
successfully in England. This, however, wants con-
firmation One letter which we have seen from
Mexico states that Bustamente is to be the Comman-
er-ln-chief-Fiesola 10 be Major General
ArIsta TO have command of the cavalry-Paredes
10 be the chief of the inlantryand that an army of
% or 10000 men is now in state of organi-
zatlon, and ready TO march upon Texas and the Uni
ted States These are the accounts which we have
received direct from Vera Cruz and Mexico. Yet
there is not a great deal Of confidence placed IN
their accuracy, and doubts are still entertained
amongst many persons, whether Mexico is able to
carry on Our government at Washington,
then, have no farther information than that which
the public already possess. Sometimes they think
that Mexico will be foolish enough to declare war
at other times, the contrary; yet in the midst of this
difficulty the President and his Ministers are putting
the army and navy of the United States in the strong
est position imaginable and at this moment there
are probably four thousand men in Texas under the
command of General Taylor In addition to this,
rpp AI.x n.1a,
have been called out by Gen Gaines, and it is stated
that directions have been sent to the Governors of
all the South Western States, to hold themselves in
readiness for reqssition, if necessary.
There has been great deal ospecnlation in the pro
liabilities of war being made by Mexico through the
sue oleters of marque and reprisa We have no cer-
tainty on this point more than the other II is sta
ted with the greatest confidence that letters of marque
and reprsal blank ones-were issued by Almonte
before he LETT this country several months ago. and
that numbers OF these letters already in Havana
in readiness be used the moment that actual hos
tilites commence. Our government have despatch
ed agents to every port and position in which they
can possibly collect any information on this very
point, for understand that it has been determin-
ed by the President, that the very first attempt to
carry out Mexican letter Of marque, will be very
severely treated, much in the case of piracy
Another very important oint is also involved
in doubt, and that is, whether Mexico will make ac-
tual war without declaration at all. 1t was
the opinion of Almone before he left this country
that the annexation of Texas actual war LEVIED
by the United States or Mexico, and that Mexico is
therefore justable under the law of nations to make
war both by land and water, without any formal
declaration If this be the view entertained by the
Mexican government we shall have no actual dec
laraon of war, but the first intimaon of the dispo-
siton of that power will be actual hostilites either
on the frontiers of Mexico or the capture Of Ameri
can property on the ocean.
Such is the extraordinary, mysterious and critical
position Of affairs between the United States and
Mexico This county is not afraid of Mexico
either alone, or backed by the secret friendship OF
France or England or any other power. Our gov
eminent is making the most active preparations to
repe any attempt upon the territory of Texas, and
the President is firm in the belief that the frontier
of that teri ory extnnds as far as the Rio Grande,
Rio del Norte or Rio Bravo, by all OF which desg
nations that long river is known. The first gun
that is fired upon United States troops-the frs
capture that Is made OF an American ship by priva
teer under Mexican flag, will only be the sigma
tor one OF the most destructive campaigns
against Mexico that has ever been known
Thousands and thousands OF men are offering
themselves to the government in all directions, and
from all the great cities of the country, in the event
of the actual breaking forth of that war On the
publication of a mere rumor in Philadelphia, Gen
Patterson, of that city, instantly offered his ser
with six thousand armed volunteers, to go TO Texas
New Orleans, and every other city OF note IN the
South and West, are fired by the same patriotic and
warlike spirit, and an army of fifty thousand men
can be instantly collected. Besides all this, the
Treasury of the United States full to overflowng
There are ten millions of dollars surplus the
hands Of the public repositories and on the
bling of Congress, there be no doubt that loan
of twenty, thirty or fifty millions could be easily
negotiated in the present nourishing condition OF
the nation.
II Is said that Mexico is instlgated in the course
of action which she has chosen by the agents of the
British government. Others again contradict this
intlmation-for the present the matter must remain
enshrowded IN mystery till events decide If, how.
ever, it be disclosed that Mexico is acting under the
instgation OF England, is assisted by British in
fuence British gold, feeling of hostility to Great
Britain will be enkindled here which may operate in
"a way and with degree that is little expected.
We are in condition not only TO bride Mexico
and to punish her for any attempts she can
make upon our territory or property, but we
have II also in power, without firing q
gun, through that great element of our commerce,
the cotton, to produce crisis IN the commercial
affairs ct England, that would finally bring forth
dissolution OF the social fabric of that empire, and
complete revolution in her government. This could
be effected in less thon SIX months; and where
would British power, and British influence then be,
either 10 retain possession of Canada, to make
any movement towardsthe acquisition of Oregon,
or, indeed, to maintain, in any point of view, her
ascendancy in Europe or Asal
Thus stand matters this continent at the pre-
sent tIme-n the most critical postion that they ever