Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-11-10
JFtom me Charleston Mre,uvl

There is one feature in The extracts we yester-
day published from Mexican papers, that de-
serves 10 be noticed. There is no more OF The
old.iashoned Dragging and clustering. Their lone
is Respondent, and, in their humility, they allow
the truth to escape-that the Government IS with
out means the provinces without courage or pre-
paralion, and that they are beset by determined,
active and powerful enemy. The bloodess con-
cues, OF California and New Mexico-the adj
vance of Gen. Wool upon Chihuahua with as
little prospect OF serious opposition-the rapid
march OF Gen. Taylor upon MonteTey-were
events that singy were exciting enough; but all
together, they overwhelmed The Capital with ter
ror and amazemenl. Al the time these extracts
were written, there remained one hope OF safety
10 the Republic in a successful defence oil Mon
,erey. The following letter from d Mexican,
written day before the arrival of Gen. Taylor,
shows how much was expected from the prepafa-
lions al that place:
To-day, il the attack we every moment ex-
pect from the Yankees is realized, there is moi
doubt but the cause OF the people will triumph
Our army has Just received a most opportune re-
Enforcement oi Ave thousand men, with sixteen
pieces OF cannon OF The very best quality, SO that
our whole available force is thirteen thousand Sc
zen hundred and fttu regular troops besides The
assistance we may reasonably expect from The In
habitants Immediately on the arrival OF Gen.
Ampudia. the city was declared under martial
law, but although we are thas deprived OF per.
feclliberty temporarily, We are thankful that we
shall soon be recompensed tor The deprivation by
a great triumph over the enemy
"Gen. Taylor is al Ceralyo. detained by scan
,y supply of mules, but determined 10 march upon
us with his present force ot about three thousand
men, thinking the city is not guarded. We shall
give him a glorious reception indeed, and when
The news Of his fool-hardineSs returns 10 his coun-
trymen. they will know that The glory otthe Mexi-
can flag is not 10 be sullied without struggle
Onr ,roons are at work day aud night barricading
the houses mounting cannon and doing every
thing TO render the city inpregnabie. a soldier
was shot by order Of General Ampuda, charged
with treason, and a proclamation Of death TO any
engaged in traffic with The Americans, has been
issued by our brave Gen. Ampudia."
What Joyous and triumphant spirit breathes
through this letter And yet the anicipauons oil
the writer were really moderate. Doubtless Am
pudia had given an exaggerated estimate oil ms
own force and greatly diminished one OF The
enemy, for the sake OF encouraging his troops; out
he could not have deceived them so lar as 10 mui-
tiply seven thousa nd into thirteen thousand. There
were certainly not less than Ten thousand regular
troops in the city, with probably five thousand
new leyies-and these with the advantage OF
powerful artillery and strong iortifcations. Zen.
Taylor's force was six thousand i've hundred
men, one halt of whom had never seen a battle,
and his artillery force was feeble With such
enormous disparity in men, in guns and IN Inc
advantage of position, it would have been very
strange II the Mexicans had expected anything
but decisive victory, and those who underra,e
the character of Gen. Taylor's success, do mus
tice to one the most brilliant achievements in
the annals OF war.
II we may Judge from the tone of the Mexican
journals-humbed and despondent,-b before the
capture OF Monterey that event is likely 10 extIn-
gush their last hope of successful resistance, and
to lead at no distant day 10 the conclusion Of
durable peace. The rumor that Santa Anna was
at Saltillo before The end OF September with
strong force is alike destitute OF proof and ofpro-
bability. Sill, having accepted The command of
the army, he will doubtless try 10 do something
His hopes of the Presidency mus, rest upon his
conduct for the next two months, and hence we
look for a show OF military operations and per-
haps some substantial fish,ingi but what is done
hereafter will be merely in the way of making
terms for peace. All idea OF . maintaining The
lion. must have ended with the battle OF Monte
rev.