The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-14

u,pio"a"o character to which he had been ID
pointed: The Minister, in his reply. under date
OF the 18th Of March, reiterated the aronmenis
o! MS predecessor, and in terms that NAV be con-
sioered as giving just grounds of offence to the
government and people of the United States.
oenied inc application of Mr. Slidell Nothing
therefore, remained for our Envoy but to demand
MS passports, and return to his own country.
mus the Government of Mexico, though
sopenniy pledged by official acts i'm October last
i" receive ana accredit an American envoy. vio
lated their pledge, their plighted faith. and re-.
used the offer Of the peaceful adjustment of onr
u'"'cuities. Not only was the offer rejected. bu,
"e inoignity OF It's rejection, enhan need by mani
resi- oreach OF faith IN refusing 10 admit the envoy
VINO came because they had bound themselves 10
receive him. Nor can it be said that The offer
was fruiless from the want of opportunity of die
cuSsing H. as our envoy was present on their own
soh' MOT can 1t be ascribed to a want of sniff
c'e"' Powers-our envoy had full powers To adj
just every question of difference Nor was there
roor ior complaint that proposition for settle
meht was unreasonable permission was not even
.Ne" our envoy 10 make any proposition what
e'ei' MOT can 1t be objected that we, on our
part, would not listen to any reasonable term. rs
their suggestion the Mexican government re-.
luseo all negotiations, and have made no proposi
ton of any kind.
In my message at the commencement of tho
present session, l informed you that upon tho
earnest appeal, both of the Congress and Conven.
ZION OF Texas. had ordered an efficient military
iorce 10 lake position between the Neuces and
me I)el Norte. This had become necessary IN
meet threatened invasion of Texas by the Mexi
cans, tor which extensive military preparation
had been made. The invasion was Threatened
solely because Texas had determined. in accord
ahce win solemn resolution of the CONGRESS of
tue Ohited States to annex herself to our Union
ana under these circumstances it was plainly mr.
onty TO extend protection over her citiyeno
and soil. This force was concentrated at Cornus
Cnrisli and remained there until after had no
ceivea such information rendered it probable
that the Mexican government would not receive
our envoy.
Meantime, Texas, by the final act of our Con.
gIess mad become an integral part of onr Union
me ne congress of Texas. by its action of Dec. 10
1000, had declared the Rio Del Norte tn bs The
boundary of that Republic. Its Jurisdiction had
Deen extended and exercises beyond The Nneces
Inc country between that river and the Dei
torto mad been represented in the CONGRESS- and
tne Convention of Texas, had thus taken mart in
TIC ACT OF Annexation itself, and is now ncluded
wlln'n one OF our Congressional Districts. Our
own congress had moreover, with great unanimi
~ oy the act approved Dec. 3lst. 1916. recng-
nisen the country beyond the Nueces as part of
our territory by including it within our own
revenue system, and revenue officer to reside
within that district has been appointed INV and
with the advice and consent of the Senate r.
became therefore of urgent necessity to provde fo
'he defence of that portion of our country A.
oo'uingiy on the 18th OF January last Instructions
were issued to the General in command of these
troops 10 occupy the left bank of the Del Marie
This river. which is the south western bonn
Gary OF the State of Texas is an exposed frontier
+ rom this quarter Invasion has been threatened
Upon IL. and IN Its immediate vicinity. in the
Judgment of high military experience. are the
proper stations for the protecting forces of the
Government u ''e
In addition to this important consideration
1o'e'ai otneis occurred TO induce this movement
fhno"g rhese are the facilities afforded by the
ports OF Brazos Santiago and the mouth of the Nj
Norte Tor the reception Of supplies by sea the
stronger and more healthy military positions tho
convenience tor obtaining ready and more abun-
oahl supply CT provisions, as water, fuel and
forage, and the advantages which are afforded bv
the Del Norte in forwarding supplies to such
posts as may be established in the interior and
upon the Indian frontier
me movement OF troops to Del Norie was
made by the commanding General, under positive
instructions to abstain from all aggressive ,c,c
towards Mexico or Mexican citizens, and In re-
gard the relations between that Republic and the
united States as peaceful, unless she shouh do.
clare war or commit acts of hostility Indicative of
a state of war. He was especially directed 70
rights. P'''o"ai
The Army moved from Corpus Christi on tho
IN OF March, and on the 18th of that month
arrived ON the left bank of the Del Norte onno
site to Matamoras, where i. encamped on com
handing position, which has since been strength
ened by the erection of field works. denot h,s
also been established at Point Isabel. near The
brazos Santiago, 80 miles in the rear of the an
camPment The selection of his position was
necessarily confined to the judgment of The Cen
eral in command
The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed
oellgerent attitude on the 18th of April Gen
afnpudia, then in command, notified General
Taylor to break up his camp within "a hours
and to retire beyond the Neuces river. and in
The event of his failure to comply with these de-
nands announced that arms and arms alone mnst
decide The question. But no open act of hostili-
~ was committed until the 24th April. On thar
Jay zen Arlsta, who had succeeded 10 the com
mand of the Mexican forces, communicated ,o |
General Taylor, that he considered hostiliGes |
and should prosecute them. A psrtv
1f dragons of So men and officers were on Tho
same day despatched from the American comn
up the Rio del Norte, on its left bank. to ascer
lain whether the Mexican troops had crossed ~
we're preparing to cross the river, became enoaoed