Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-07-17

war, yet anxious 10 spare, if it might, the eff
fusion of blood, determined 10 hear what this
Pleuipotentiary had to propose. But, as was
to be feared from the fallacious policy of the
United States. their ill-faith became apparent
as soon as their Commissions presented him
self; they had sent Mr.. John Slidell, not as
Minister nd h0c, 10 treat of a special matter.
but as a Resident Minister, such as could
only be admitted between nations whose in
tercouse has no impediments. The Govern
ment, therefore, gave him clearly to under
stand that 1t could only receive him in n spc-
cial character upon which he asked and forth
with received his passports. This has been
seIzed by his Government as a p%retence for
charging us with the first hostiliiies and pro-
voking a contest as if the refusing to meet
a fraudulent negotiation were an act Of hos
tllity, and when that Government is already
using arms. not only for the defense Of Tex
as, but for the usurpation of a fresh part of
our territory.
1.-The American Minister was not received,
because national dignity forbade it, when an
American army was marching on the Rio
Bravo, our ports on both seas were threaten
ed by squadrons, and troops of the United
States trod our soil in California. ! was,
therefore, obliged, on the 2lst Of March $50
lemnly TO declare that peace and national
honor being incompatible with such agrees
sions, our soil should be defeuded from their
entertainments, until this Congress, with
whom it lay TO declare war. should assemble.
Their army, for some time stationed at Cor
pus Christi, advanced to Point Isabel, and
thence TO IA position in front of Matlmoros.-
After assembling about FIVE thousand men in
that quarter, | directed the General of Divis-
ion there to act against the enemy and he,
deciding on crossing the river, took up a po-
sition between the coast and the fortified point
Of Pdso Real. On the 9Th May a sharp en-
gagement was brought on, in which our troops
gave proofs of their valor, and, though with
some loss, held the field aud maintained the
honor Of our arms. On the next day our Cen
eral-in-Chief fell back to a new position,
where the combat was renewed, but with an
unfortunate issue on our part.
"The division crossed the river, and the
commander, Who still preserved, according
to his returns, four thousand troops of the
line, besides auxillaries, suddenly evacuated
the city of Mltamoros, against the EXPRESS
orders of his Government. which looked to
the importance of maintaining that place for
farther operations, and as the point TO which
supplies and reinforcements were on their
way. Such unexpected conduct on the part
of the gpncral-in-chief has Obliged me to re-
call him and to summon him to account for
his disobedience before a military court of in
quiry. The Government meantime is active
" ut work to repair these reverSes, and looks
TO the nation and to YOU for co operation.
The squadron Of the United States has be-
gun to blockade the ports of Vera Cruz, of
Tampico, and of Tamau'ipas; and its guns
will probably soon carry havoc into those fair
cities. The day has come, then, when the
country calls to its defense all its children
the day when this Congress must proclaim
war against that nation which flatters Itself
so falsely that a single misfortune can over