The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-10
WASHINGTON, May 8, 1886


WASHINGTON, May 8, 1886
The news from New Orleans by the mail Of
this afternoon, is confirmatory of all that have
hitherto said concerning the position situation of
Gen. Taylor and the brave band of troops under
his command before Matamoras. At the latest
dates from his camp, 1000 picked troops, belong
ing to the enemy, had crossed the Rio del Norte,
eight piiles below him, and had cut of his COM
municaton with Point Isabel, where his maya
zines of ammunition and provisions were located,
under the protection of only 300 men. Contem-
poraneous with this demonstration at this point,
Gen. Arisa gave him but thirty-six hours to retire
from his position; and in the event of this notice
not being complied with, he was to be immediate
ly attacked. ! have as before repeatedly ex-
pressed in my letters, the most fearful apprchen-
sons for the safety of troops, not that they are
unequal to stand against odds in conflict with
the best troops in the world, but that the force
which may be brought to bear upon them may be-
larger than what might be expected The posi-
ton, too, which Gen. Taylor has taken up before
Matamoras, is one in which no military man Of
experience would risk the safety Of his troops.
His position, according to the map, is one which
an enemy might easily invest, by getting into his
rear and combining him between them and the
banks of the river, upon which he has thrown up
his breastworks and batteries In this position he
may be kept till he be either cut to pieces or
forced to surrender. Should he, however, sue
coed in fighting his way out Of the point of land
which he IS now in, he would require reinforce
ments of fresh troops to cover his retreat These
he has not-thanks either to the lack Of energy or
knowledge of our rulers in what properly apper-
tains to an army.
Taylors camp, fear will turn out to be buIa srsc
on the part OF the enemy to draw his attention
and part of his forces to that point, while great
er force may descend both on his right and
those points, which the nature Of the ground indi
Gates as seen on the map, his batteries facing Ma
tamoras would be of very little service to him, and
OF no injury to that town. as the attention OF the
troops would have to be given to the enemy on his
right, left and rear. am confident that this will
be the manner in which he will be assailed, and
fear forced also to surrender, for the want of pro-
visions and renforcements in time to protect him
from a superior force.
The body of Colonel Cross has been found four
miles above the camp, with several lance wounds
in it. Also, the death of Lieut.. Porter, it is said,
has been confirmed. l have learned, likewise,
that the President will probably send message
to Congress on Monday or Tuesday next, in rcla-
ton TO Mexican and Texan affairs. 1t has been
decided upon in Cabinet that he shall do so. He
has the outline of it already prepared.
The claimants on Mexico, to the number OF
some 1000 or 5000, intend holding convention
shortly i'll this city, for the purpose of taking the
subject seriously into their consideration and to
show to the country, in their proper light, the men
who are triing with their rights as American cit-
zens. 1t is more than suspected that there
some III high stations, who care more about Sc
curing certain lands in Texas, than Of demanding
from Mexico the amount Of money which she
owes, and which she has acknowledged to be
due to our citizens. This is a subject which will
not now enter into, but may at more convenient
time than the present. In the mean time, we
shall give Mr.. Polk every chance of doing his
duty, before we enter into the relative value Of
Texan and Mexican scrip, and the relative honesty
and fairness of the holders of each, respectively
The approaching provincial synod or council Of
the Catholic Bishops of the United States, in Bal
tmore, on Sunday next, has caused several OF the
most distinguished among them to visit Washing
the Right Rev. DR.. Odin, Bishop of Texas, and
the Right Rev. DR.. Quarter, Bishop of Illinois; Dr.
Spalding, of Kentucky, and the Rev. Mr.. White,
Of Baltimore There will be twenty-sx Bishops in
council this year, with equal number Of theolo-
gans, besides numerous body Of priests from
various parts of the country. The costume Of tho
clergy OF the Catholic church is very grand and
imposing, and where SO many of her brightest
dignataries are congregated, as will be the case
every day for the ensuing week, mt the cathedral,
the scene will be very attractive TO those who have
never witnessed anything of the sort before. 1t
will be Council Nice, of Constance or Trent,
epitomised. I understand great many persons
OF every religious persuasion, will visit the cathe
dra during the sittings Of the bishops many
from this city going there also. We have had
very cold, damp weather here for the last three
days, and while am now writing, the rain is
coming down in torrents.
The bill to retrocedc the town and county Of
Alexandria to Virginia, passed the House to-day,
by about thirty majority. ARIEL.