Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-05-21


n solemn resolution of the Congress of the United
States to annex herself to our Union and, under
these circumstances, it was plainly our duty to ex.
tend our protection over her citizens and soil.
This force concentrated at Corpus Christi,
and remained there until after had received such
information from Mexico as rendered il probable,
if not certain, that the Mexican government would
refuse to receive our envoy.
Meantime, Texas, by the final action of our Con-
grcss had become an integral part Of our Union
The Congress of Texas. by its act of December
10Th, 1886 had declared the Rio Del Norte to be
the boundary Of that republic It's jurisdiction had
been extended and exercised beyond the Neuces
The country between that river and the Del Norte
had been represented in the Congress and in the
Convention Of Texas, had thus taken part in the
uct of annexation itself, and is now included with
in one Of our Congressional districts. Our own
Congress had moreover, with great unaDimity, by
the act approved Dec. 3Ist, 1915. recognized the
country beyond the NeucCs part of our terri
tory, by including it within our own revenue system;
and revenue officer, to reside within that district,
has been appointed, by and with the advice and
consent Of the Senate. 1t BECAME therefore, of
urgent necessity to provide for the defence Of that
portion of our country. Accordingly, on the thir.
teenth of January last, instructions were issued to
the general in command of these troops to occupy
the left bank of the Del Nortc. This riyer-which
is the southwestern boundary Of the State of Tex
as--is an exposed frontier. From this quarter in
vasion was threatened; upon it, and in its immcdi-
ate vicinity, in the judgment Of high military expc
rlencc, are the proper stations for the protecting
forces of the government. In addition to this i'm
portunt consideration, several others occurred to
induce this movement. Among these are the ia
clliues afforded by the ports at Brazos Santiago,
and the mouth Of the Del Norte, for the reception
OF supplies by sea- the stronger and more beautiful
military positions, the convenience for obtaining
ready and more abundant supply of provisions,
water, fuel, and forage, and the advantages which
are afforded by the Del Norte, in forwarding sup
plies to such posts as may be established in the in
terror, and upon the Indian frontier
The movement of the troops to the Del Norte
was made by the commanding general, under posi-
tive Instructions to abstain from all aggressive acts
towards Mexico and Mexican citizens, and 10 re-
gard the relations between that republic and the
United States as PEACEFUL unless she should declare
war, or commit acts of hostility indicative of
state of war. He specially directed to protect
private property and respect personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi on the ] lth
of March, and on the 2Sth of that month arrived
on the left bank of the Del Norte opposite TO Mat
amoras, where it encampcd on a commanding posi-
ton, which has since been strengthened by the
erection of field works A depot has also been es-
tabllshed at Point Isabel near the Brazos Santiago
thirty miles in rear of the encampment The Sc
lection OF his position was necessarily confded to
the judgment of the general in command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed a
belligerent attitude, and on the 18th of April Gen
Ampudia, then in command, notified Gen. Taylor
to break up his camp within twenty-four hours, and
TO retire beyond the Ncuces river-and in the event
OF his failure to comply with these demands, an
nounced that arms, and arms alone, must decide
the question. But no open act of hostility was
committed until the Oath Of April. On that day,
General Arsta, who had succeeded to the com
mand of the Mexican forces, communicated TO
General Taylor that "he considered hostiltes com
menced and should prosecute them" party of
dragons, of sxtythree men and officers, were, on
the same day, despatched from the American camp
up the Rio Del Norte, on its left bank to ascertain
whether the Mexican troops had crossed, or were
preparing to cross the river, became engaged with
large body of these troops, and, after short az
far, IN which some sixteen were killed and woun-
ded, appear to have been surrounded, and compel
led TO surrender"
The grievous wrongs perpetrated by Mexico up
on our citizens, throughout long period of years,
remain unredressed and solemn treaties, pledging
her public faith for this redress have been dlsre
garded. Government, either unable or unwilling |
to enforce the execution of such treaties fails 10
perform one of its plainest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has become almost
annihilated. 1t was formerly highly beneficial to
both nations; but our merchants have been deferred
from prosecuting ii by the system Ct outrage and
eXtorton which the Mexican authorities have pur-
sued against them whilst their appeals through
their own government for indemnity have been
made in vain Our forbearance has gone TO such
an extreme as to be mistaken in its character Had
we acted with vigor in repeing the insults and re-
dressing the injuries inflicted by Mexico at the
commencement, we should doubtless have escaped
all the difficulties in which we are now involved.
Instead of this, however, we have been eXerting |
our best efforts to propitiate her good will Upon
the preteXt that Texas, nation independent as
herself, thought proper to unite its destnies with
our own, she has affected to believe that we have
severed her rghtfu territory, and in official proc
lamatlons and maniiesoes, has repeatedly threat !
ened TO make war upon us, for the purpose of re-
conquerng Texas. In the mean time, we have /
tried every effort at reconciliation. The cup OF
forbearance had been exhausted, even before the !
recent information from the frontier of the Del
Norte. But now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico |
has passed the boundary of the United States, has
invaded our territory, and shed American blood up
on American SOIL She has proclaimed that hostil- |
tiles have commenced, and that the two nations are
now at war
As war exists, and Notwithstanding all our eff
forts to avoid 1t, exists by the act Of Mexico her
SELL we are called upon, by every consideration of
duty and patriotism, to vindicate, with decision the
honor, the rights and the interests Of our country.
Anllcil atng the possibility Of a crisis like that
which has arrived, instructions were given in Au-
gust last "as precautionary measure" against in
vasion or threatened invasion, authorizing General
Taylor, if the emergency required to accept vol
unteers, not from Texas only, but from the States
of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee,
and Kentucky; and corresponding letters were ad-
dressed to the respective governors Of those States.
These instructions were repeated and in January
last soon after the incorporation of Texas into
our union of States" General Taylor was further
"authorlzed by the President to make a requiston
upon the executive OF that State for such of its
militia force as may be needed to rcpe invasion or
to secure the country against apprehended nva-
sion" On the I'd day of March, he was again re-
minded, in the event of the approach of any con-
siderable Mexican force, promptly and efficiently
TO use the authority with which lie was clothed, to
call to him such auxiliary force as he might need"
War actually existing, and our territory having
been invaded, General Taylor pursuant to authori,
ty vested IN him by my direction, has called on the
governor of Texas for four regiments of State