American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-05-12


government and people of the United States,
denied the application of Mr.. Slidell. Moth
ing, therefore, remained for our envoy but to
| demand his passports, and return to his own
country.
Thus the government of Mexico, though
solemnIy pledged by official acts in October
last to receive and accredt an American en-
v,oy, violated their plighted faith, and refused
the OTTER OF peaceful adjustment of our diff
culties. Not only was the offer rejected, but
the lndignitY of its rejection was enhanced by
the manifest breach of faith in refusing to adj
NIT the envoy, who came because they had
bound themselv es to receive him. Nor can il
be said that the offer was frutless from the
want OF opportunity of discussing it: our en-
voY was present on their own soil. Nor can it
be ascrbed to want of sufficient powers: our
envoy had full powers to adjust every question
OF difference. Nor was there room for COM
plant that our propositions for settlement
were unreasonable: permission was not even
given our envoy to make any proposition
whatever. Nor can it be objected that we, on
our part, would not listen to any reasonable
terms of their suggestions the Mexican gov
eminent refused all negotiation, and have
made no proposition of any kind.
In my message at the commencement of the
PiOoChb SCSnlOJ1 lInOIIH6u you lnaL upon the
earnest appeal both of the Congress and con-
vention of Texas, | had ordered an efficient
military force to take position "between the
Neuces and the Del Norte." This had be-
come necessary to meet threatened invasion
OF Texas by the Mexican forces, for which ex-
tensive military preparations had been made.
The invasion was threatened solely because
Texus had determined, in accordance with
! SOnmu resolution OF tho Gopnrooo of ba IT
to annex herself TO our union; and, under these
circumstances, it was plainly our duty to ex-
tend our protection over her citizens and soil.
This force was concentrated at Corpus Chris
ii, and remained there until after had recev-
ed such information from Mexico as rendered
1t probable, If not certain, that the Mexican
government would refuse to receive our envoy.
Meantime, Texas, bv the final action of our
Congress, had become an integral part of our
Union. The Congress Of Texas by its act of
December 10, 1886, had declared the Rio del
Norte to be the boundary of that republic. Its
! jurisdiction had been extended and exercised
beyond the Nueces The country between that
river and the Del Norte had been represented
in the Congress and in the convention of Texas
had thus taken part in the act of annexation it.
self, and is now included within one of our Con-
gressional districts. Our own Congress had
moreover, with great unanimty, by the act ap-
: proved December 3lst, ls45, recognised the
country beyond the Nueces as a part of our
territory by including it within our own reve-
nue. system; and a revenue officer, TO reside
within that district, has been appointed by and
with the advice and consent ofthe Senate. 1t
became, therefore, of urgent necessity to pro-
vide for the defence of that portion of our
country. Accordingly, on the 18th of Janu-
airy last instructions were issued to the general
in command ofthese troops to occupy the left
bank OF the Del Norte. This river-which is
the southwestern boundary Of the State of
Iexas-is an exposed frontier. From this
quarter invasion was threatened; upon 1t and
in It's immediate vicinity, in the judgment Of
high military experience, and the proper sta
tions for the protecting forces of the govern
ment. In addition to this important conside-
ration, several others occurred to induce this
movement Among these are the facilities af-
forded by the ports Of Brazos Santiago and the
mouth Of the Del Norte for the reception of
supplies by sea, the stronger and more health
full military positions, the convenience for OBJ
tanning ready and more abundant supply of
provisions, water, fuel, and forage, and the
advantages which are afforded by the Del
Nofte in forwarding supplies to such posts as
may be established IN the interior and upon the
Indian frontier.
The movement of the troops to the Del
Norte was made by the commanding general,
under positive instructions to abstain from all
aggressive acts towards Mexico, or Mexican
citizens, and to regard the relations between
that republic and the United States as peaceful;
unless she should declare war, or commit acts
OF hostillties indicative of state of war He
was specially directed tol protect private pro-
perty and reset personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Chist on the
l 18th of March, and on the 2Sth of that month
arrived on the left bank of the Del Norte, OPP
poslte to Matamoras, where it encamped on a
commanding position, which has since been
strengthened by the erection of field. works.
depot has also been established at Point Isabel
near the Brazos Santiago, thirty miles in rear
OF the encampment. The selection of his po
sitlon was necessarily confided to the Judgment
OF the general in command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed a
blllgerent attitude, and on the l2th of April,
Geueral Ampudia, then in command, notified
General Taylor to break up his camp within
twenty-iour hours, and to retire beyond the
Nueces river, and in the event Of his failure to
comply with these demands, announced that
arms, and arms alone, must decide the ques-
ton. But no open act of hostility was COM
mltted until the cath of April. On that day,
General Arista, who had succeeded to the COM
mand of the Mexican forces, communicated to
General Taylor that che considered hostilities
commenced and should prosecute them" A
party of dragons of sixty three men and Off
GERS were ON the same day despatched from the
American camp up the Rio del Norte, on its
left bank, to ascertain whether the Mexican
troops had crossed, or were preparing to cross
the river, "became engaged with large body
of these troops, and after short affair, in
which some sixteen were killed and wounded,
appear to have been surrounded and compelled
| TO surrender"
u The grievous wrongs perpetrated by Mexico