Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-05-16
H%a.a.el

these circumstances il plainly duty to extend our
protection over her citizens and soil.
This force concentrated Corpus Christi and remained
there until after had received such information from Mexico
rendered probable if certain that the Mexican Gov
ernment would refuse to receive our Envoy
Meantime Texas by the final action Of Congress, had
become an integral part Of our Union The Congress of
Texas by its Of December 49, 1885, had declared the
Rio del Norte to be the boundary Of that Republic Its jurs
dcton had been extended and beyond the Nuece
The country between that river and the Del Noe had been
in the Congress and the Convention Of Texas
had thus taken part in the Of annexation ITSELF and is
now included within Of Congressional Districts
Our own Congress had moreover with great unanimity,
by the act approved December 81 lS45, recognised the
country beyond the Nueces part OF our territory, by m
cudng it within own system, and revenue
officer to reside within that district has been appointed by
and with the advice and consent Of the Senate. became
therefore, urgent necessity provide for the defence Of
that portion of country. Accordingly on the l3h OF
January last instructions issued to the Generai in COM
mand of these troops to occupy the left bank of the Del
Norte. This rive which the southwestern boundary Of
the State of Texas is an exposed frontier from this quarter
invasion threatened upon 1t, and In ITS Immediate
vicinity in the judgment of high military experience the
proper stations for the protecting forces Of the Government
In addition to this important consideration, several others
occurred to induce this Among these, are the
facilities afforded by the ports Brasos Santiago and the
mouth Of the Del Nore for the reception Of supplies by sea
the stronger and heahul military Posons the conve
nence for obtaining ready and more abundant supply OF
PROVISIONS water fuel and forage and the advantages
which afforded by the Del Nore in forwarding supplies
such posts may be established in the interior and upon
the Indian frontier.
The movement of the troops to the Del Nore made
the Commanding General under positive instructions to abstain
from all aggressive towards Mexico Mexican citizens
and regard the relations between that Republic and the un
ted States PEACEFUL unless she should declare war or COM
init of hostility indicative Of state OF war; lie was
specially directed protect private property and respect
sonal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi the tn Of March,
and the 2sh of that month arrived on the left bank Of the
Del Nore opposite Maiamoras, where it cncamped on
commanding position, which has since been strengthened by
the erection of edworks depot has also been establish
ed Point Isabel the Brasos Santiago, thirty miles IN
rear of the encampment The selection OF his position was
necessarily conded the judgment Of the General in com
mand. a1
The Mexican forces at Matamoas assumed beligerent
attitude and the 18th Of April Gen. Ampudia, then IN
commando notified Gen. Taylor to break up his camp within
-four hours retire beyond the Nueces rve and
the of his failure comply with these demands an
nounced that arms and aone must decide the question
But open Of hostility committed until the 2ath Of
April On that day General Arista, who had succeeded to
the command Of the Mexican orces communicated to Gen.
Taylor that he considered hoses commenced and should
prosecute then party Of Dragons Of sixtythree mer
and officers, who the same day dispatched rom tnt
American camp up the Rio del Noc its cbank, to
tain whether the Mexican troops had crossed were pepar
ing the river 'became engaged with large body
these troops and, after short affair, in which some sixeer
killed and wounded appear to have been
\ and compelled 70 surrcndss." y----ss--s---. -.
The erevous wrongs perperated by Mexico upon cir
throughout long period of remain unredresscd
have been disregaded. Government either unable or un
willing to enforce the execution of such treaties fails TO
form one of its planest duties &a
Our commerce with Mexico has been almost annihated
IL hath hnfn
merchants have been deferred from prosecuting by the
tenn Of outrage and extoon which the Mexican authorities
have pursued against the whilst their appeals through their
Government for indemnity have been made IN VAIN Our
has gone such extreme TO be mistaken In
its character Had acted with ygor in repeing the In
suits and redessing the injuries inflicted by Mexico at the
should Doubtless have escaped all the diff
fculties in which now involved
Instead of this, however, we have eeen exerng OUT oest
efforts to propate her good will Upon the pretext that
Texas independent herscf thought proper TO
unite its destnes with own she has affected to believe
that severed her nghul territory and In ofcia pro-
and manestoe has repeatedly threatened to make
war upon the purpose OF reconqueng Texas In the
mean time have tried every effort at reconciliation The
cup of orcaance had been exhausted even before the
information from the ene of the Del Norte But now,
after reiterated Mexico has passed the boundary OF
the United States has invaded territory, and shed Amer
can blood upon the American SOIL She has proclaimed that
hostes commenced and that the two nations are now
at war.
As war exists and notwithstanding all efforts to avoid
il exists by the act of Mexico herself called upon by
every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with
decision the honor the rights and the interests OF country
Anticipating the possibility Of crisis like that which has
arrived instructions given August last precau-
tonary measure against invasion threatened INVASION
thorizng General Taylor If the emergency required TO accept
volunteers not from Texas on but from the States OF Lous
ana Alabama Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky and
corresponding letters addressed TO the respective Cover
nos Of those States These instructions repeated, and
in January last after the incorporation of "Texas into
our Union Of States" General Taylor further authon
zed by the President make requson upon the Executive
Of that State for such Of its militia force may be needed to
repc invasion or to secure country against appehended
INVASION" On the I'd day of March he was again reminded
in the event the approach Of any considerable Mexican
force promptly and efficiently to the authority with which
he was clothed call him such auxiliary force he might
need" War actually exsng and our territory having been
invaded General Taylor pursuant TO authority vested IN him
by my direction has called the Governor OF Texas tor ou
regiments Of State troops be mounted and two to serve
ON foot and ON the Governor Of Louisiana for four regiments
of Infantry to be sent to him practicable
In further vindcaton Of rights and defence oil our te
tory invoke the prompt action OF Congress TO recognise ne
existence Of the war; and place the disposition OF the
cuvc the Of prosecuting the with vgo and mus
Fastening the Of peace To this end recommend
that authority should be given to call into the public service
large BODY Of volunteers for not less than SIX
months unless sooner discharged volunteer force be-
yond question efficient than any other description OF c
zen soldiers and it be doubted that number iar
beyond that required would readily rush to the field upon the
call Of their country further recommend that liberal pro-
vision be made for sustaining military orce and FURNISH
ing il with supplies and munitions Of war;
The energetic and prompt measures and the immedi
ale appearance in of large and ovepowerng force are
recommended Congress the most certain and efficient
means Of bringing the existing collision with Mexico TO
speedy and successful termination.