The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-12-03
From the Liverpool Mail, Oct. 81.
OPINIONS IN ENGL AND OF TIE CAP
TURE OF MONTERREY.


OPINIONS IN ENGL AND OF THE CAP
TURE OF MONTEREY.
The town of Monterey in Nuevo Leon,
place ofindtferent importance has after three
days severe fighting, been purchased evident
~ for The purpose of hospital by Gen. Fay
lar, the commander of the American forces
Ii IS admitted on all hands that the Mexican
troops under Gen. Ampudia, fought with I'M
filnehing courage. Asa proof ofths they were
allowed 10 march out OF the town and its
citadel with all the honors of war.
The. surrender was by capiiulation. Ii
appears that The shot and shells of the Amer
cans performed the greatest havoc upon the
innocent aud unarmed inhabitants. Ampu-
dia was DESTROYS of preventing this unneces-
sary shedding Of blood; and he proposed on
the second day of the bombardment, that
these poor citizens should be allowed 10 leave
town. This Taylor refused. The Americans
had gained possession of some outworks and
forts which commanded the lower part Of the
town where The population was most dense,
but they had made no impression on the CT
tadel. They had not even reached the Grand
Plaza. In short, if the Mexican General
had dlsregarded the loss OF life among The
inhabitants, it is very questionable if Gen
Taylor would have succeeded. Terms OF
capiiulation were again proposed, and agreed
10, but they are much more favorable 10 Inc
Mexicans than those originally dictated by
Gen. Taylor.
- s.
The capture of Monterey has, we fear,
been dearly purchased. The American loss,
IN killed and wounded, is stated to be "a bout
FIVE or six hundred men. The loss of Off
cers-Ihe names and details being given-is
extremely sever. The number killed on
The part of the Mexicans is said to equal
that OF the Americans; but this is not pro-
bable from their protected position, and from
no decisive assault having been made on the
principal defences.
Be this as it may, the sege OF Monterey,
and the brave conduct of the Mexican troops
under The exemplary leadership of General
Ampudia, place the nature of The national
conflict in very different point OF view from
what The Americans had Instructed us to an
ticipate. IF the President Sanla Anna re-
main true TO his country, and the rest of the
Mexican army be as brave as those who have
fought under Ampudia, the invading force
Of the Americans must inevitably be destroy
ed, or be obliged 70 lay down their arms in
irnorainitltls slahissa az
NfiaTsisas6 they gained by what they cali a
victory at Monterey? No advance TO sue
.cessful end on their Part. The troops OF
impndia are between them and the city oil
Mexico. They are on their front flank cut
ting off the supply of provisions, recruiting
their strength. increasing their numbers, and
terrifying their natural points Of defence.
But this is not the worst part of their case.
The Washington government has already
spent or have incurred an expenditure oil
near twenty millions of dollars upon the war,
and there is hardly cent left in the treasury.
They are unable any longer TO supply the
invading forces and the pundering volun-
teers with money to purchase provisions; and
necessity has compelled them TO instruct
General Taylor to lay the country under con-.
ifibuiou, aud by force such rations as they
can find, and present in payment bayoneis
instead of cash.
We agree with this New York cores
pendent. The war in Mexico is only begin
ing.-The farmers and peasants did not
dislike it so long as they were paid good pri-
ces for their provisions But now that The
American army has stopped payment, and
the country people are 10 be robbed of their
corn, cattle, poul,y, and fruits, they will
stand upon their defence, join their national
troops maintain terrible resistance, and fight
while drop of blood is left IN their veins.
Let us consider another feature. When
this war began, the heroism OF America
pIumed itself on the TACT that il had no real
difficulties to contend with. The journals OF
/ New York were positive that Mexico would
be overrun and conqured in six months
| that Mexicans were a nation oil towards
land that their armies would be driven before
i the ilustrious and invincible General Zach
arah Taylor like flock of sheep. The tri-
fling affair at Monterey has, we hope, dissipa-
ted this dream. Indeed, we very much
doubt whether so many valorous volunteers
would have joined the boosted ''army of oc-
cupaiion," if they had believed there would
have been any fighting at all.-The Wash
ington government itself appears TO have la
bored under the same pacific impressions
The campaign was begun in deplorable ig
norance of the real feeling in Mexico, the
state of the country, its difficulties, or its
dangers.
=
|. 1t has been indeed a most rash proceed
ing. When the war was resolved upon, Mr.
Folks exchequer contained twelve millions
of dollars. These are all spent. Congress
at its last sitting voted grant often million
more. This was 10 be raised on Treasur.
notes bearing six per cent interest, and re
deemable in twelve months. But suppos
these notes, thus charged, convertible int
cash for The use of the army, how are the
l.. 1 nE ho alrI