The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-19
LATEST INTELLIGENCE,
BY THE MAILS.
WASHINGTON. Nav IL. l846.


Nothing further from Gen. Taylor's camp, or
/ from Point Isabel came TO hand by the Southern
mail of this evening. The confirmation of Capt
Walkers defeat and the loss of seventy Of his men,
has appeared in the New Orlsans papers. My
predictions, week ago. of the capture Of the two
camps, fear will be realized, if reinforcemsnts
from New Orleans and other places to the South
do not reach Gen. Taylor in time for his relief.
Among the movements which it 10 contemplated
to adopt early in the ensuing week, there il one
which, so far as have been informed. will meet
almost if not quite, the unanimous concurrence
of both parties allude to the plan embraced in
resolution offered by Mr.. flanagan, the wing
Senator from Tennessee, few days since, pro-
viding for the organization OF board of commits
soners TO examine and report upon the claims of
citizens Of the United States against the govern
ment of Mexico. This resolution sent you ut the
time, which you published. The resolution makes
it the duty Of the board, not only TO adjust the
amount Of those claims in detail, but also to fur
nish a succinct statement OF the circumstances In
which they originated.
On this subject, not only the nation at large, but
Congress, and even the Executive, require correct
and full information. Notwithstanding 20 much
has been said upon the subject, few appear to
know much of the details. Even the amount Of
these claims is varously estimated at from three
or four to ten millions Of dollars. Whoever will
take the trouble to examine the closets in the con-
sus room ofthe State department, where those pa
pers are, and which were under my eye whom
employed there, can learn something of the SUBJ
ject One of the best informed men upon tho
subject has recently declared, that should such
an investigation and report be made, the nation
and the world would be astonished, not only at
the amount of pecuniary loss which our citizens
of the atrocity of the crimes which have been
perpetrated in the party in which they originated.
Notwithstanding the manner in which these re-
CARNATIONS have been spoken of under various
a mr. U1In
years, many really are and more affect to be
incredulous as to their character and amount
they represent them as fictitious or grossly exas-
gerated. This is doubtless the case with some,
but it cannot be reasonably supposed that 1t 10 80
with large proportion of them.
1t has been understood that some leading NOM
animation on the subject, have intimated their
opinion that no further examination is necessary.
That the claims have been exhibited for years
in the State department, with the accompanying
evidence that Mexico has had ample opportu-
mites of knowing all the allegations that have
been made, and the proofs adduced to su.
stain them ;--that she has fraudulenty evaded
a fair trial before a board, in which she was
equally represented, has been detected in laying
4 before that board forged documents to disprove
the claims, and has actually purloined testimony
procured and laid before the board. Under those
circumstances, these gentlemen are Of opinion
that il is the fault of Mexico alone, IL any ono
claim is fabricated or exaggerated-that she has
suffered judgment to go against her, by default,
| If the United States should now assume that tho
claims precisely in amount and character
what the parties have represented them to be,
and insist upon the full payment according to tho
estimate.
When, in addition to the facts above suggested,
it is remembered that the position Of the two ma
tanning such testimony from Mexico, the sceno
where the outragcs were perpetrated, such
course would not be fairly deemed harsh or UNI
just towards her. Many of the claimants, how
layar mt <H6
their demands have been assailed by distinguish
ed men in high places, they have right to insist
that the truth of their statements shall be fairly and
fully examined-that they shall be tested by tho
established rules Of evidence, and adjudged
in conformity with the principles OF law.
This manly and honorable course has produced q
leved that Mr.. Jarnagfn's resolution, which it 10
said will be reported back from the COMMITTEES ON
Foreign Relations, at an early day in the next
week. will encounter no opposition, should 1t DO
adopted; and in carrying It into execution,
the President should make judicous selection of
men to constitute the trbunal-not reckless parti-
zans, but men of known integrity and capacity.
There can be no doubt that the result will produce
powerful effect upon the public mind, and lead
| to an unanimous determination that as war has
been commenced, no treaty shall be made which
does not provide an indemnity to the last farthing
| for all the wrongs which our injured citizens havo
received at the hands of that nation. Govern
ment is again talking of sending Mr.. Slidell out
to Mexico as commissioners to settle the Texas
/ ~
cessful, all other difficulties might be then settled
in succession. The way. that we ought TO act, If
ter concentrating sufficient force in Texas, 10 70
propose an armistce for three weeks or month
Tor the purpose Of making effort for the per-
manent establishment Of peace between both
countries and the defnitve arrangement Of Ill
disputes Mexico, ] am sure, would be willing 70
comply in an arrangement of this kind, and 20
would the United States 1t would be better for
both countries to do it now than enter upon an i'm
terminable war with each other, in which thou.
de N{ nxrA
lost.
Friday was private bill day in the House Of Rep-
resentatives Very little business was done In
consequence of a motion made by the Committee
ment on a bill for the relief of Commodore Jones
an amendment authorizing the Secretary Of State
to adjust the claims Of B. F. Green, late Secretary
of Legation to Mexico, and VIM. B. Blackford,
late Secretary of Legation to Venezuela, who were
accidentally left in charge of their respective lega
tons, ordering that, whatever sums might be adj
Judged to be due to them by the Secretary Of State,
should be paid, &C., which amendment was re-
sisted by Mr.. Houston Of Alabama, and others, on
the ground that i went to establish by precedent,
hsa ,ns affairs o. n a,s o.
pure, and OF deeper hnge, than that which circu-
ates in the sluggish veins of private citizens,
whose claims must be decided by Congress alone.
The attempt Of the Committee Of Foreign Rela-
tons to establish privileged order Of claims was
defeated in the Committee of the Whole, by
large portion of its members refusing 10 vote; they
AT least prolonged the princlple that mas D0en
heret ,ore asserted that we have no patrician or
der, or privileged class of claimants.
Gen. Scott, understand, will not leave for the
South until he has everything for his army IN
APPLE pie-orier He is determined not to be fool
ed by the government when once on the field Of
battle. Men, money, and munitions of war must
be there in abundance, before he starts. This 10
right, if he intends to fight his way to the White
House in 1913. A victory then depends altogether
upon victory over the "perfdious Mexicans"
4 ARIEL.
/