Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-07-18
FROM THE RIO GRANDE.
Copy Of Letter received by Member Of Con-
gress from the seat Of Oar.

SIR Being here among that many class call
ed volunteers and having much do protect my
self from the effects of hot and almost daily for
the last two weeks have concluded make few notes for
the information of those who keep eye the and
management Of the persons charged with prosecution
tho with Mexico. My position enables me to see and
hear much Of what is going on but do not like some
Others pretend to know every thing therefore you
discredit what because do tell all you may wish
10 know all that occurs
was here time before the difficulties commenced in
April On the 10th Of that month young Spaniard and
Mexican arrested the point Brasos Santiago Island
upon suspicion Of being spies When examined nothing
elected calculated to confirm the suspicion They stated
there were then between and thousand
moros, commanded by General AMrUDIA who was anxious
fight but that General ARrsrA on his way to take
command and was daily expected This seemed
excite but little attention here and for days
transmitted to General TAYLOR. On the 23I Of April
Mexican voluntarily this place. and stated that large
Mexican force would the Rio Grande that evening
next day. for the purpose Of making attack this place
was present when young officer interrogang him
through an interpreter and seemed the purpose
more to inmdate the than elicit information. The
statements Of the Mexican caused good deal talk during
the day. but seemed additional vigilance or extra
preparation. On the 18th of April Captain PnIcE, who
commands company Of Texas Rangers, arrived here He
His object to get General TAYLOR order his company
TO join the army. He the General on the 2Oth
and left him the afternoon of the 2ls being told that his
company not wanting then, but whenever there was
probability Of the Mexicans fighting they would be informed
and ordered to join On the oath, the day the Mexcans
crossed the river about eleven leagues here the
Government steamer Monmouth and the chartered steamer
Cincinnati lowed to four five vessels board of
which, passengers and seamen perhaps eighty hundred
persons left the place. nearly all Of whom would willingly have
remained it had been supposed there any probability
an attack That afternoon the Cincinnati le
here for St. Josephs Island for the purpose of bringing
women and children left there this place. did every
thing appear mention these circumstances and refer you
the correspondence between Generals TAYLOR and WoRrH
prove that the former and many of his officers believed
the Mexcans would not fgh-an opinion that nearly
proving fatal TO portion, not the whole army. The feel
ing manifested by the murder Of Colonel CRoss the
upon Lieutenant PoRrER and his party, and other ccum
stances, induced me think their intention to fight
soon, and expressed myself several officers high in
command Indeed the circumstance of two armies being
within few hundred yards Of each other hostile array
certain to produce collision in short time The
took place the oath April and the days subsequent until
the 9th and 9th Of May, shall pass Some things
appears might have been ordered differently proba
IDLY BETTER but soldier enough form correct OPT
Mon but the results sufficiently brilliant induce be-
lief that all right and will for previous of dill
gence and oveconfdence in the pacific intentions Of the
enemy.
The President in his message Of the 18th of May says
American blood has been shed American SOIL audinr
to the affair that took place the Gath April between the
Dragons, under the command Of Captains THoRSros and
and HARDEE which killed and the others taken
prisoners by the Mexcans There much to be said upon
the question whether is nghuIy American soil where this
I.C.. s.-lw -
THoaSros given up by the Mexcans the 9th It'll
May, he put under by General TAYLOR dis
obeyng his orders while that expedition and bringing on
that fight contrary his wishes He now here under ar
rest-a circumstance have seen mentioned in public
manner may future time send you statement OF
some facts bearing the assertions of the President the
relied to prove that the bank Of the Rio
Grande American soil. Il may be considered now.
As the aarum of rng through the cosnry,
volunteers FASTENED here from quarters until there
now this frontier eight thousand, and many
more the way. Many Of these have left comfortable
homes and have expecting active service In
stead Of that they scattered the country different
encampmen exposed the heat of the latitude &c. and
the soaking rains Of the sosce Inactive and many
nduging in dissipation kill time and chase away ennui
will explain why this is The great object
been to hasten here, without any particular object
IL be for purposes Of Defence Gen. TAYLOR has proved
he did not many assist him-certainy than
he called for the object be INVASION the poorly
provided. They with in their hands, and there
provisions enough easily Obtained but there is suf
cheney Of transportation for army of five thousand II
some attention had been paid the necessary Of
porting supplies for army, would have been much better
than sending Of suffer in this climate An
army without provisions and if penetrate
into the country il will require great number wagons
There about three hundred wagons and here but
not drivers enough for them when say here understand
with the army. We told the Government has three hun
bred wagons in about Philadelphia when they will be
here tell mules have be purchased, and no
chance Of getting them, except from the Mexcans
perfectly wild, and must be tanned and taught work this
will take long time after the wagons arrive The Mexican
officers having the mules driven off fast they can
into the interior, and forbid any sales still good many
are brought Maamoros and purchased month ago
officer New Orleans purchase several steam
boats suitable navigate the Rio Grande. None of them are
yet and from what have been informed when they
do arrive it is probable they will the purpose In
the time the mouth of the river has been closed by
bars the Sea and Cincinnati chartered at high rates
caught inside and OF little use drawing too
much water The Col Harvey steamer, belonging to the
Government during the last week. in open daylight run
the bar off this harbor and has gone peccsa great
piece Of negligence The neglect supply the army
with sufficient transportation for ammunition and supplies