Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-05-29

tween the two countries, andup to this boun-
Diary you are TO extend your protection, on
y excepting any posts on the eastern side
thereof, winch are in the actual occupancy
of Mexican forces, or Mexican settlements,
over which the republic of Texas did not cx-
crcise jurisdiction at the period of anncxa-
ton, or shortly before that event. Ii is ex-
pecied that, in selecting the establishments
for J our troops, you will approach as near
the boundary line--the Rio Giande--as pru-
dence will dictate.
Here is the beinnlng Of the wrong done to
Mexico, and the real cause of the war which
is now going on, and which must be prose-
cnted with the entire energies of the nation.
Had the army remained at Corpus Christi,
| (though upon the west bank Of the Nucces,)
there would have been no conflict Of arms.
| Three weeks later, in letter dated Aug.
] 23l, General TAYLOR is instructed TO regard
the crOSsiRg of the Rio Grande as an Rrd-
SION cfMc Unifed States. and the COM
mencement Of hostility. In the same letter
Cen. Tay Ior is empowered 10 call on the
Governors Of Alabama, Mississippi, ana Lou
isiana for any volunteer force he may desire,
an1 the Governors of those three Siates,nnd
Of Tennessee and Kentucky, three days af-
ter, are made acquainted with tho authority
thus conferred on General Taylor
August 81, General Taylor is again told
BY the Secretary Of War that crossing the
Rio Grandc will be regarded as war. 1t is
added
Mexico having thus commenced HOSTILE
ties, yon may, in your discretion, should you
have a sufficient force and IN condition 10
do so, cross the Rio Grande, dispense orcap-
ture the forces assent ling 10 invade Texas,
defeat the junction Of troops uniting for that
/ purpose, drive them from their positions on
either side Of that river, and, if deemed
practicable and cxpedipnt, take and hold
possession OF Mntamoras and other places
in the country.
In October (6h,) General Taylor is in
s,ructed to 'approach as near the Western
bank Of Rio Grande as circumstances will
permit
We now come TO a most important letter,
which shows that the Department of War,
and the Executive. knew that the occupa-
ton Of the Rio Grpndc would be regarded as
hostile act.
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington,
January -, 1916.
Sir: am directed by the President 10
instruct you to advance and occupy, with The
troops under your command positions on or
near lie east bank ofthc Rio Del NOrte,
as soon as it can be conventy done, with
reference 10 the season and the routes by
which your movements must be made. From
the views heretofore presented TO this de-
partmen', it is presumed Point Isabel Will
be considered by you an eligible posllion.-
inns point, or some one near II, ana points
opposite Matamoras ana M'er, ana IN Inc
vicinity OF LAREDO, are suggested Tor your
consideration.
In the positions You may taHe IN carry
ing out these and other movements mat may
De MADE, the use CI llle no Gel Nor'e may
De very convenient, II not necessary. should
you attempt 10 exercise the fight which Inc
United states have IN common WIN Next
co to illt i'ee NAVIGATION OF inns rWer' {" IS
PF0OdDtc ma -let'co ~o"" "fcrPoSe
rGS'"o"ce. 4 o" "" NOT o''eMPf 90 eyorce
'" 49, ''SI. 'V''"o" ."t' usl'"a' d I
"e u' u'''o"' "oo'e
1"n ~ a"I ""n T,'Io. ~ desna,rh I.,aJ
1""', ''" I''"' ayr ~ " c' u' w.
i''' So US r " .,
. 4. 4 :. ., =, ,,..,l,,.
-" ~ ~, "o Wv r Iii Ill.,
-: ,,'o Jaa.,.',,l,
li,I;co Ao,.;,,, os met ma r. M nos;t;re
dcjo,o,;oy of ,ro,: ~, Committed ann orrrt
ac,ofhos,;It;ex ! dana, 70 al ot libcrty ind,
my instructions, particularly those of July
Slh, to make a toy1c0rd more to the Rio
: Granite, THhOM authority from the Var
Department..
In case forward movement should be
ordered or authorized, | would recommend
the occupation o! Poin, Isabel and Laredo,
as hes, adapted TO the purposes of observ-
ing the course Of the river and covering
the frontier settlements of Texas. Point Is.
abel is accessible by water, and can be SAFE
y occupied by two hrigltes OF infantry, with
SnilahI" force OF held ar'''"ry' On me
arrived of the steamer llarnry, shall order
a careinl reconnaissance OF Brazos Santiago,
as ceoesSlrv rrelminhry measure to tie
Occupation of Poin. Isabel
The following not very p rophciic post
script is in the letter of October 1
.p. S.-It is proper to add, that should
any auxiliary force be required | propose To
!; = ~