davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
WAR MEASURES y

We shall be obliged 10 omit The unimpor-
tan parts of the the Presidents Message
but shall give all The paragraphs which are
Of interest.
The first part Of the Message reviews the
measures The President has heretofore taken,
10 negotiate for a boundary and secre peace.
in the course Of this, he states that the in
juries we have suffered from Mexico "have
been accumulaiing for more than twenty
years.
The President recoun.s the Mission OF
Mr.. Slidell--hs favorable reception by Her
rera--the rise of Paroles, as Military
Chieftaln--and proceeds TO state Mr.. Sill
dell's final application TO the Government o.
Mexico, and his rejection.
The President then states that he had or
dered an Army of Occupation TO take pos
between. the Nueces and the Rio Grande
which was posted at Corpus Christi. The
President then states the manner and III
reason why the army came into its presen
position on the Rio Grande. This we quote
as highly important 1t will be observed
that The President takes the responsibility
of that movement.
Meantime Texas, by the final action Of OIL
Congress had become an integral part Of GU
Union. The Congress of Texas by lis &C
Of December l9ih, 1886, had declared tn
Rio del Norle to be the boundary of til;
Republic. rs jurisdiction had been extenC
ed and exercised beyond the Nueces. Th
country between that river and the Rio d.
: Nore had been represented in the Congrei
and in the convention of Texas, had thu
: taken part in The act of annexation itself, an
: is now included within one Of our Congre
! sional districts. Our own Congress ha
e moreover, with great unanimity by the a
approved December 3Ist, 1915, recognize
, the country beyond the Nneces as part
our territory, by includingi it within our oN
revenue system; and revenue officer 10 r
: side within that district has been appontt
l. By and with The advice and consent OF Il
/ Senate. 1t became, therefore, of urgent
!, cessily to provide Tor the defence OF that pc
ton of our country. Accordingly, on q
thirteenth Of January last, instructions we
l. issued TO the General in command of the
&c troops 10 occupy the left bank of the X
del Nore. This river, which is the soul
> western boundary OF the State Of Texas
/ an exposed frontier.
Pr From this quarter invasion was thTeatene
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
From our Ertra of Friday.
IMPORTANT NEWS!I
Later from BrasOs SantiagO-Fight
between Captain Walker, of the
Texas Rangers and G,5OO MeXi-
cans. N

We are under obligations TO MIR Martin,
the obliging Clerk of The Cincinnati, which
arrived here at O'Clock las night. for extras
from the Picayune and Tropic Offices, con-
tanning the following highly imporlont news
from Brasos Santiago. TIE Clerk informs
US that The greatest excitement prevailed in
New Orleans on the receipt Of this news.
The following exiractot letter from gen
tleman in n. o. 10 friend in this city says:
ave have further news from the army OF
gloomy character, and Gen. Taylor is thought
TO be surrounded. Several additional parties
have been cut off,"
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

pressing sensation about my throat, togelhel
with feeling that something was passing
over my face which was not every way pleas
ant to me. | was not thoroughly disturbed
yet felt my situation becoming more and
more unpleasant, and, in dreamy isless-
ness, opening my eyes 10 see what was go
ling on, when--mercy on me! found an enor-
nous snake (well known in that region as
the 'Racer0 had wound himself about my
neck, and was bobbing his nasty head back
and forth upon my face, while his horrible
tongue was plapingIik lightning upon my
features! With yell of horror, sprung to
my feet! Fortunately, my presence Of mind
did not leave me, and be-lhought myself
at once of my knife Quietly drawing it
from my belt, L managed to pass it between
my throat and thesnake, until was sure thai
its point had reached beyond his widest fold !;
then, with sudden movement, turned the
back 10 my skin, the bIad to my enemy, and,
with vigorous thrust of my wrist, he was
laying powerless about my feet. Before |
had time to recover from my alarm, Hooked.
and mercy again! / found grander horror
upon mel Drawn by the scent of blood, a
tiger had found my game, during my sleep,
and was rampant and raging over his prey.
Never shall | forget the growl which he
gave when he first saw me. There he was.
rearing upon the game before him, his eyes
like balls of fire.i saw but one hope, and
that was TO recover the knife, which in my
first surprise, had let drop. l made one
effort to secure it, but my enemy kept
too close watch upon me, and darted
upon me before could reach it. As he
came, with laundering roar and flaming
eyes, gave myselfup for lost; bindly clo-
sed my fist and made a pass as he he reared
uponme. fortunately, my arm passed d.
rectly into his throat as he ripped my clothes
in threads with his iron paws, kept showing
my fist on-cn-on, until it was through and
through. by thuhder! Quick as lightning
seized his tail, riz up on my feet, gave hear
~ Jerk, and turned the tarnal beast clean in
side out! Strangers, thought | should a
humixed right on the spot; but lgot over IT,
and feel none the worse for fighting the IL
GER Who'll drnk?"--St Louis RereilIe
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
MORE PARTICULARS.

/ O'Clock.
A gentleman, passenger in the Ellen and
Clara informs us that Gen. Taylor on the
29lh, had only six days provisions. The
Mexicans chased Capt. Walker and three
men within mile ofPoint Isabel.
The probabilities are that Point Isabel has
fallen into the enemy's hands. Major Monroe,
has distinguished himself by his prompt manner
in making such defences as were in his power.
The Mexicans can by planting ten pieces of
cannon ct BaIsos Bar, command the entrance
TO Point Isabel. The Augusta met going
out it'll troops. The Cage and Florida were
left at Point Isabel loaded with goods. The
night previous the Ellen and Clara leaving an
attack was expected on Point Isabel 1t was
expected that Gen. Taylor would cut his way
through and come to the relief of Point Isa bel.
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
Senators, Opinions.

On the reception ofthe Message. Mr. SEvlEH
moved 10 refer it and accompanying documents
to the Committee on Foreign. Relations, with
leaveito sit during POSSESSIONS of the Senate
and that they be printed.
Mr.. Speight moved to print 90 900 extra
copies.
MIR, Calhoun said that wo were placed in a
position calling for solemn consideration and
winch 1t might take years 10 terminate. He
hoped that the Senate would act with stlat calm
elaboration which became SO important a sub
ject and meet the crisis firmly and in a proper
spirit. lie hoped The printing would be con-
fined TO the usual number, and the Committee
Of Foreign Reati sns could then determine up
on the proPriety of printing an extra number
He was opposed to any precipitation.
Mr., Speght and Mr.. A Hen both opposed the
extra printing.
Mr.. Calhoun pointed the distinction be-
tween state of lhostilities. According to the
Constitution, war could not exist without action
on the part ofCongress. He may repel inva-
sion. but cannot make war without the advice
Of Congress.
Mr.. J. M. Clayton said tho Military Commit.
lee was, in his opinion, the proper one to refer
the subject to. The President had informed
US hal existed, and he was not going to
stop to enquire mhether we were at war &C.
co'ding to the constitution or not, but to vote
for supplies of men and money at once, and by
so doing he did not indicate any approval of tn
course of the President in bringing about such
state Of things. Our first care should be to
adops measures to defend the honor Of the
country, and to enquire into the causes after.
wards.
Mr.. ARCHER opposed the reference to the Mil
tary Committee. He was surprised that hi;
friend from Delaware had not discovered til,
tiles pointed out by the Senator of South Carroll
MIA. He did not understand the Message a,
saying that war actually existed, 1t could no
exist legally and constitutionally.
II we recognize the existence OF war, We
place it in the power of our Military Command
ers upon the frontier TO involve the country il
a war at their pleasure. He would remind TIL
Senate that an American vessel was destroy
a few years since in our own waters by an arm
ed force of Great Britain .sDid that constitute
stale of war between this country and Grea
Britain. Certainly not. and neither did the
tack of the Mexican troops.
Mr. Benton said tina, two distinct question
were presented in the message, One involving 9
the votingiof supplies and recognising the cal
made for volunteers, and the other in refer
ence TO the political relations between the tw
countries. He moved to refer much of III
message as related to the former subject TO the
Military Committee, and SO much as related t
.he latter to the Committee on Foreign Rela
lions.
Mr.. Sewer accepted the modification.
After protracted and highly interesting de
bate, the motion of Mr.. Sewer. as modified b
Mr.. Benton adopted.
The motion to print 10000 extra copies wa
then adopted.
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
EVANSVILLE. INDIANA THURSDAY, MAY 81, ls4o.

tween this government and Mexico to an
early and amicable adjustment; and, in this
view, shall be prepared 10 renew negoti-
ailons, or 10 make propositions oil her own
| transmit herewith a copy of the cores
pondence between our envoy 10 Mexico and
the Mexican minister for foreign affairs; and
SO much of the correspondence between that
envoy and the Secretary. of State, and be-
tween the Secretary of War aud The Gener-
al in comrDand on the Del Norre, as are e.
cessary TO full understanding of the sub
ject.
JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON. Nav Itb. 1916.
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

From til New Orleans Iropic ertra, Of
May 9Th 10 o'clock, A. III.
The Mary Clare left the Brazos on the
20ih ulr., and reports that Captain Walker
with seventy-five men Of the Texan Rang
ers were nearly all killed and taken prison.
ers on the 2Slh ult., about twenty miles
above Point Isabel, by superior force OF
Mexican troops, amounting to about one
thousond five hundred.
P. S.-Sincc writing the above, VIC learn
that Capt Walker, with three men, succeed
ed in reaching Point Isabel at 4 O'Clock P
nj. on the 2Sth ult.. and immed ately applI
ed 10 Mai Thomas for four men and announ
ced his determination TO proceed 10 Genera
Taylor's camp or die in the attempt.
Fellow CITIzENs!!-flereis another in
element TO arms and proceed TO chasiIs'
the peridious Mexicans, who ravage on
Territory, and thus take the lives Of on
brave men who have rallied on the iloniie
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
From the Baltimore American. May ID.
Important frozn Washington.

PASSAGE OF TIE WAR BILL BY TIE HOUSE.
The War BILL for raising $4,000 volun-
teers, and approprialing $4,000 600, has
passed the House by ia TO IA. The Pre-
sident is also authorized 10 enlarge the Ma
Wy, by completing unfinished vessels, pur-
chasing steamboats,, &c.
The Bill for The increase of The Army has
passed both Houses
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
From the N. o, Picayune Extra of the 9th


inst, Q i o'clock, A. NJ.
The brig Ellen and Clara arrived this
morning from Brazos Santiago, having aal-
ed on The 29h ult.-one day later than the
schooner Augusta. There had been no
fight between Gen. Taylor and the Mexi
cans.
Capt. Walker, gallant Texan volunteer
and now captain in the service, had been
driven into the post al Point Isabel by the
Mexicans. With his small command he had
sailed forth and encountered the main body
. of the Mexicans-not less than 1900 strong.
Most of his men being raw recruits, refused
10 stand BY him aid made their escape
Twelve men, however, remained firm, and
with this little handful, Walker kept the
Mexicans in check for half an hour By
this lime, six Of bis men had fallen by his
side, when his horse was shot under him, and
he with his surviving men effected their es-
cape and reached the post at Point Isabel In
safety. Above thirty Mexicans were killed
IN this engagement
This engagement occurred on the 26th
Capt Walker ani--irA.- Lilo Il ( l
clock in tie afternoon of that day Ills
original force, known as Texan Rangers,
amounted to abo III IS men.
Tie next day Capt. Walker volunteered
with fout men TO carry an express through 10
Gen Taylor. The attempt was thought al
most foolhaldy but he persisted. The result
was not known Wien Ike Ellen and Clara
left
The Mexicans pursued Capt. Walker ii
his relret till they came within range Of The
guns Of The post when they in turn ininedi
aiely reueaied. The post is very strongl!
acknowledgements TO the exertions of Ma
iors Monroe and Saunders. With 50(
men to defend The post, il is believed it cal
be made good against 30C0 Mexicans.
There are now about 5000 Mexicans tn
American side OF the Rio Grande-one hal
above and one half below Gen. Taylor's camp
The greatest apprehension now feit Tor tn
American position is, that the Mexlcans ma
erect fortiications which will command Brazo
Santiago The natural Formations Of tn
ground is most favorable for such purpose
The men would be effectually protected fror
any naval force by natural embankment c
sand, md the position could only be Carried b
actual storm OF the works. Thess works woui
perfectly command all vessels entering the Br'
EOS Santiago as they have to follow the cham
Within few feet only of the position whic
would be occupied by the enemy's guns.
The schooner AURORA left Brazos Santiag
the evening of the 28th uilmo, wi III despatch
for the this port, but il is feared she has bee
lost, in violent gale, with all hands on boar
We arc indebted for ha above pnriicul al
so hurridly thrown together. to DR., N I. Briggs
surgeon in the army, who came passenger q
The Ellen and Clara.
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

In their country's service TO ARMS,
THEN WITHOUT DELAYM! Be prompt to
ayenge, and rally with ardor to do gallant
service for your Couniryi!!
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

BALLS IN OLDEN TIMEs.--'' Did you ever
90 TO military ball2" inquired lively girl
of an old soldier.
"No, my DEAR" replied the old revolution
airy, in those days the military balls came 10
u.s."
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21
Correspondent of The Baltimore American.
WASHINGTON. Nav IL,

The Mexican news exciies great interest
in the city, as il is reflected upon by all
classes of persons. The President is more
blamed for ordering The removal of the troops
affom Corpus Christi to the neighborhood of
Alatamoras. The Hall of the House this
morning was fulIto OVERLOOKING with special
tors-the ladies' occupying their privileged
seats in great numbers, and the other part Of
The House being full 10 overlooking.
The House met at IL O'Clock, several
Senators and the Vice President being a.
mong them, and nearly every member in his
seat.
General ScoTr, having been charged with
ordering The removal of The troops from Cor
pus Christi, denies il as | understand, ex,
- -
Department. In regard to the act Of removal
lie was not even consulted.
The Senate Chamber was as crowded as
The House, and the House War Bill will pro
badly pass there Tomorrow. Bill to in
crease the rank and file Of the Army passed
10 Jav
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

A good word is an easy obligation, but not
TO speak i'll, requires only our silence, which
costs us nothing.
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
PHILADELPHIA, May | lth, p. ~
There was a sad falling off in the prices
of stocks TO-DAY; U. States SIS sold al 80,
Penn SIS at 633 6f.
The excitement on the subject of The
Army Of Occupation continues to increase.
The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-05-21

TRINITY CHURCH CLoCK.-The clock
of Trinity Church in New York, will be put
up in about a month. 1t will weigh nearly
1000 pounds, and the estimated cost is
$4,000. The following description of il is
given in the Morning News.
The works are supported by a frame ten
feet long, four in wealth and six in height,
with cast iron tuned pillars. The escape
ment is the usual one, and is regulated by
pendulum 30 feet long,wiih ball of200 lbs.
weight attached, making "a vibrations in a
minute The barrels, upon which are wound
the weights, by ropes of IA feet in length
each, are three in number and are about two
feet in diameter. The weights are several
" of 1000, 700 and 500 each, one of which
propeIs the time and the other two the slrik-
ING movements both the hours and quarters
being chimed. The pendulum itself is OF
white pine, saturated with hot tallow, and
so contrved that the atmospheric change
will have no effect upon it. The escapemest
! wheel is of brass, exquisitly finished, and the
| escapement ofthe finest hardened steel, fit
tel TO he furnished with massive jewels,
which will nearly make it indesuuctible. II
is to be placed some forty-four feet above the
clock faces upon the tower, and will connect
with the hands by bevel gear and long con-
meeting shaft. Ii is calculated 10 run eight
DAYS, and will be wound with great facility
by one individual, having very ingenious
piece of mechanism whereby the woaks are
4 kept moving whilst The clock is being wound
up. This is said to be the largest clock in
the United States, and is the workmanship
of Mr.. Rogers
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17
Cs-Ihc ne,es .from .Herico which W. publish
To-day, viii attract the rea2er's attention.
sCCIDCNTS.

The body Of JAcoB OrpEKsorx was found
drowned in small stream near Little George.
town, in this CoSnty, on Saturday morning
las, An inquest was held over the body, and
verdict returned, as we learn, # death from
drotrni,g. This poor and unfortunate man
was very Incorporate, aud doubtless fell into
tie water while drunk. and while under the
Influence Of a drunken fit" was unable 10
extric4te himself, and there died. The water,
we understand, was only a few inches deep.
This is another awful warning to the drunk
ar.s--will il be needed by them2
Mir pnuIPTHRocxMoRToS, laboring man,
while engaged a, a thrcshing machine in the
southern part Of the County, few days since,
was accidentally caught in the machine whilst
in operation and had his leg dreadfully torn
and acerated We learned from gentleman
from the neighbolhood yesterday, that he was
dong as wei as could be expected, and ii was
likely that he would save his leg, though he
would be cripple for life
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17
PENNSYLVANIA TARIFflTES.

We perceive that the Loco Foco T,s3iGites
in pENssYLvASIA are generally heco~nc very
Submissive and are rapidly falling in lcys with
the nov Act We see that Tory lsGIRsoLL,
in his Address to the people OF his District,
promises great things to PENNSYLVANIA from
amendments winch will be offered next win
tar aad sanctioned By Mr. PoLE, touching the
Cccl aad Irc, interests Of that State, Mr.,
McCAEDiEss, the Loco Foco Candidate for
Congress from the Pi.ts5lrg District. also pro-
.aiscs his to his Constituents, and gives as evi-
Gence Of il, conversation which lie held with
Mr. MckAT upon the subject since the pas
cage Of the Act of 1876. Some Of the Loco
ltocos, howe yer, in other sections OF the State,
ar afeG.aing l5uaiciatiCn in their resolutions.
Bur what OF tin the next Presidential Can
vass they viii all "be right" and as loud for
the Democrats Candidate as ever. II Penn
Sylcn,ia wants PRoTGcTIoH TO AMERIcAN ls-
p.srnY, she VIII vote for " higs-they are the
on tue friends to Ptotecuon--ltis one Of the
Ccrdinal points o. then crcs!. lfnot, she will
repnlia,c Wings and eject Loco Tocos.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17
THE WEATHER. CROPS. &C.

We have had for several days past the hot
test and most oppressive spell Of weather that
we ever remember to have experienced al this
season Of the year. The mercury has ranged
from $50 to $50 at noon--followed by exceed
ingly oppressive nights. A delightful change
however, has taken place, and at the time we
are penning this article, "wednesday morn
ing) the mercury is POP lower than yesterday
morning al the same hour.
The Corn crops, however, have been bene-
fitted very much by the warm weatha-the
grain has matured very rapidly. and some that
we saw yesterday, during a ride to the coun-
try, is fiji for ''ihe crib" 1t is all now, we
should suppose, beyond any deleterous effect
from frost We passed rheat field Of MIR
JoHs McKowE's, near Gerardstown, which
was sown Gown about TWO weeks ago with
Mediterranean Wheat, and it is up and looking
qults pretuly.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17
AWFUL CALAMITY.

Steamboat Burnt and Loss of Life
The Philadelphia U. S. Gazette has the
following telegraphic despatch from New
York, dated at eight O'Clock on Thursday
night:
The new and excellent steamer Ex-
celsior, that has been plying for shor,
tiue on the Hudson, between this CITY
and Coxackie. (about 20 miles below AL.
hany,) burst her boiler thus evening, Just
after leaving the wharf on the North River
She had large number Of passengers on
hoard and but few Of them escaped, ex.
cep, hv leapiDg overheard into the stream,
as the boat was almost Immediately envel-
oped in flames.
The burning vessel drf,ed directly in
the direction Of the shipping at the piers,
and il was only by great eXer,ions that
she was prevented from communicating
fire to several valuable ships but one
vessel schooner. was injured by the
flares.
The Excelsior is now on shore, and
burned to the waters edge.
II is not known how manv lives have
is not less than from twen,v-f -four to thirty.
Al that Jumped overheard were saved
The Pennsylvania Inquirer also has the
following despatch -
The steamboat Excelsior, with forty
passengers. plving between this city and
C"xackie, burst her larboard boiler this
evening after she left her dock. She i'm
mediately took fire and became a total
loss.
An old man named Wvnanis, Of Orange
county, was killed. William and James
Van Wari engineers, and William Hull
ship carpenter severely injured, and taken
to the hospital One of the fremen,
named James, is missing. The boat was
insured, More lives, no doubt, Lost.
Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-09-17

0c-The "HARRIsoH REPUBLicAs" makes
quite light over ''the farce" Of the STAUSros
CosvEETIoS, and say the people Of his Coun-
~ are quite careless about the subject. and
are willing 10 wait I'LL after the next census.
Well, we viii see perhaps they will become
quite ANXIOUS about the matter before that time,
and want help from quarters where they may
not get it. The Legislature will give them
further evidence OF their love for North Hes
tern ''irgi,aa at the next Session, and then
they will become ''re,y keen" again for Con-
yention. IT is time the Uea had learnt little
experience from the past hnibuggsry of The
East. They honey them up before the meet
ing of the Legislature with promises "of a
wisely liberal legislation" but take care when
they do meet, 10 send them home with ''ileas
in their ears" Perhaps the "RePublicdn" and
others by striking the Convention Flag, expect
10 get the Right Of Way to Psfkersburg, -
Well, We will see.