The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-11

proved December 9lst, lo45, recognised the
country beyond the Nueces a part Of our
territory by including il within own reve-
nue. system and revenue officer, to reside with
IN that district, has been appointed by and with
The advice and consent Of the Senate. l; became,
therefore, OF urgent necessity 10 provide for the de-
fence OF that portion of country. Accordingly,
on the thirteenth Of January last instructions were
issued 70 the general In command Of these troops 10
occupy the len bank of the Del Norte. This river
which 10 the Southwestern boundary of the State
OF Texas--is an exposed frontier. From this quar-
Ter INVASION was threa1snodj upon il and in it's I'M
MEDIATE vicinity, in the judgment Of high military
expenence, are the proper stations for the protecting
forces OF the government In addition to this i'm
porant consideration several others occurred 10 in
daoe this movement. Among these the facilities
afforded by the ports at Brazos Santiago and the
mouth Of the Del Norte for the reception of supplies
by SEQ, the stronger and more heathfu military POI
si,icns, the convenience for obtaining ready and
more abundant supply Of provisions, water, fuel,
and forsge, and the advantages which are afforded
Pos,s a. may be established in the interior and upon
the Indian frontier.
The movement Of the troops 10 the Del Norte
ws~ made by the commanding general, under posi-
tive Instructions TO abstain from al aggressive acts
tovsrds Mexico, Mexican citizens, and to regard
the relations between that republic and the United
States peaceful, unless she should declare war; or
commit acts Of hostility indicative Of state Of
lie yes specially directed 10 protect private proper
~ and respeci personal rights
The army moved from Corpus Christi on the llth
of March, and on the 25th Of tina, month arrived
on the left bank of the Del Norte, opposite to Mat
amonas, ~hsre Il encamped on commanding posi-
t,on which has since been strengthened by the
lion Of Geld works. depot has also been estab
hshed At Point Isabel, near the Brazos Santiago,
thirty miles in rear Of the encampment The selec-
ton Of his position Was necessarily conhded to the
Judgment of the general IN command.
The Mexican forces al Matnmoras assumed
bolgcrent attitude, and on the l2lh Of April Ger
". Ampudia, then IN command notified General
Taylor 10 break up his camp within twenty -four
hours, and 10 retire beyond the Nueces river and in
the event Of his failure TO comply with these de
decide the question But no open act Of hostility
committed until the twenty fourth Of April.
On that day, General Arista, who had succeeded to
the command OF the Mexican forces, communicated
to General Taylor that "he considered hostilities
teommeneed and should prosecute them" A party
Of Dragons Of sixty-three men and officers were
the same day despatched from the American
camp up the Rio del Nore, on its left bank, to ass
certain whether the Mexican troops had crossed or
were preparing TO cross the river "beoame engaged
with a large body Of these troops, and after short
affair, in which some sixteen were killed and wound
ed, appear to have been surrounded and compelled
20 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 dsre-
garded. government either unable unwilling
to enforce the execution Of such treaties fails to per-
form OF its plainest duties.
ouroommeree with Mexico has been almost annihi.
lated IL was formerly highly beneficial to both ma
TONS but merchants have been deferred from pros.
ecuting q by the system Of outrage and extortion
which the Mexican authorities have pursued against
~ a -. - a
eminent for indemnity have been made in vain.
Our fo~bearance has gone to such an extreme as to
be mistaken IN its character. Had we acted with
vgor in repelng the insults and redrcssing the nu
res inflicted by Mexico at the commencement, we
should doubtless have escaped all the difficulties in
which we now involved
Instead Of this, however, we have been exerting
our best efforts to propitiate her good will. Upon
the presext that Texns,a nation as independent as
herself, thought proper TO unite its destines with
our own, she has affected to belle Se that we have
severed her rghtful territory and, in official procla-
nations and manifesoes, has repeatedly threatened
to make war upon US for the purpose Of reconquer-
ing Texas. In the mean time, we have tried every
effort at reconciliation The cup Of forbearance had
been exhausted, 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 territory and
shed American blood upon the American soil She
has proclaimed that hosilities have commenced and
that the two nations are now at war.
As exists, and, Notwithstanding all our efforts
to avoid it, exists by the act Of Mexico herself, 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.
Anticipating the possibility of crisis like that
Which has arrived, instructions were given in Au-
gust last, "as precautionary measure" against
INVASION, threatened invasion, authorizing Gene
ral Taylor emergency required to accept voun-
nnsf t. e. A.
Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and
Kentucky; and corresponding letters we're address.
ed to the respective governors of those States.
These instructions were repeated; and in Janu-
airy last, soon after the incorporation Of "Texas
into our union Of States" General Taylor was fur
Their authorized by the President to make requi.
siton upon the executive Of that State for such of
its militia force as may be needed to repel invasion
or TO secure the country against apprehended inva-
sion." On the ID day Of March, he wa, again re-
minded, Gin the event ofthe approach Of any consid-
cradle Mexican force, promptly and efficiently to
use the authority with which he was clothed to call
to him such auxiliary force as he might need I"
War actually existing, and our territory having
been invaded, General Taylor, pursuant TO author
ity vested in him by my direction, has called on the
the governor OF Texas for four regiments of State
troops-two to be mounted, and two to serve on
FOOT and on the governor Of Louisiana for four reg
iments OF infantry, TO be sent TO him as soon as
practicable -
In further vindicaton OF our rights and defence Of
our territory, invoke the prompt action Of Con.
gress to recognise the existence Of the war and 70
place at the disposition OF the Executive the means
Of prosecuting the war with yigor, and thus hasten
ing the restoration OF peace To this end recon.
mend that authority should be given TO call into the
public service large body Of volunteers to serve
for not less than six twelve months unless sooner
discharged. "A volunteer force is, beyond question,
more efficient than any other description OF citizen
soldiers; and IL IL not to be doubted that a number
far beyond that required would readily rush TO the
field upon the call Of their country. further re.
commend that liberal provision be made for sus
tnining our entire military force, and furnishing il
with supplies and munitions Of war.
The most energetic and prompt measures, and
the immediate appearance In arms Of a large and
overpowering force, are recommended to Congress
as the most certain and efficient means ofbrngng the
existing collision With Mexico to a speedy and sue
cessful termination.
In making these recommendation, ! deem Il
proper 10 declare that IL 10 my anxious desire moi
only 70 terminate hostIlities speedily but 10 bring
all ms a., -