Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-05-21

Norte' Tins had become necessary TO meet a
threatened invasion Of Texas by the Mexican for
ces, LOT which extensive military preparations had
been made. The invasion was threatened solely
because Texas had determined, in accordance with
a solemn resolution of the Congress Of The United
States, TO annex herself to our Union; and, under
these circumstances, il was plainly QUE duty TO ex-
tend our protection over her citizens and soil
This force was concentrated at Corpus Christi,
and remained there until after had received such
information from Mexico as rendered 1t probable,
ifnot certain, that the Mexican government would
refuse to receive envoy.
Meantime, Texas by the final action OF our Con-
gress, had become m integral part of our Union.
The Congress Of Texas by its act of December
10Th 1886, had declared the Rio del Norle to be
the boundary Of that republic. Its jurisdiction had
been extended and exercised beyond the Nueces-
The country between that river and the Del Norte
had been represented in the Congress and in the
convention Of Texas. had thus taken part in the
act of annexation ITSELF and is included within
one of our Congressional districts.
Our own Congress had, moreover, with great
unanimity by the act approved December 3lst,
lS45, recognized the country beyond the Nueces
rs part of our territory by including it within
own revenue system and revenue officer to re-
side within that district has been appointed by and
with the advice and consent ofthe Senate. 1t be-
came, therefore, Of urgent necessity TO provide for
the defence Of that portion Of our country Ac-
cordingly, on the 18th Of jan. last instructions
were issued TO the general in command Of these
troops 10 occupy the left bank Of the Del Norie
This river--whch is the southwestern boundary Of
the State Of rexas-s an exposed frontier
From that quarter invasion was threatened upon
it aud in its immediate vicinity, aud in the judg-
meut of high military experience are the proper
stations for the protecting forces ofhe government
In addition to this important consideration, sever
al others occurred to induce this movement A.
mong these are the facilities afforded by the ports
at Brazos Santiago and the mouth OF the Del Norte
for the reception Of supplies by sea, the stronger
and more healthful military positions, the conyen-
fence for obtaining ready and more abundant sup
ply of provisions, water fuel and forage, and the
ad, antages which are afforded by the Del NOrte in
forwarding supplies TO such posts as may be es;ab-
ished in the interior and upon the Indian frontier
The army moved from Corpus Christi on the
18th of March, and on the 2Sth Of that month ar
rived on the left bank of the Del Norte opposite TO
Maiamoras, where il encamped a commanding
position, which has since been strengthened by the
erection Of field works. depot has also been es-
tablished at Point Isabel, near the Brazos Santa
| go, thirty miles in rear OF the encampment The
selection OF his position was necessarily conhded TO
the Judgment of the general in command.
The movement Of the troops to the Del Norte
was made by the commanding general, under posi-
tive instruction TO abstain from all aggressive acts
|
gard the relations between that republic and the U.
States peaceful unless she should declare war.
commit acts of hostility indicative Of state Of
He was especially directed to protect private pro-
perry and respect personal rights.
| The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed bel
ligerent attitude, and on the 18th Of April, Gen.
Ampudia then in command, notified Gen. Taylor
to break up his camp within tWeniy-ionr hours. and
retire beyond the Nueces river and in the even, Of
his failuFe n comnlv with theep demands
ed that arms, and arms alone. must decide the ques
ton. But no open act OF hostility was committed
until the weniy-fourih ofApr Ga that day Gen.
Arista, who had succeeded to The command Of the
Mexican forces communicated 10 Gen. Taylor that
" he considered hostilities commenced aud should
prosecute them" party Of dragons, Of sixty
three men and officers, on the same day dis
patched from the American camp up the Rio del
Noue, on the lett bank, to ascertain whether the
Mexican troops had crossed. preparing TO
cross the river, became engaged with a large body
of these troops, and after short affair, in which
some sixteen were killed and wounded, appear TO
have been surrounded and compelled to surrender"
The grievous wrongs perpeirated by Mexico up
on onr citizens throughout long period Of years,
remain unredressed and solemn treaties, pledging
The public faith Tor this redress, have been dlsre.
garded government either unable or unwilling
to enforce the execution of such treaties fails 10
perform one Of its planest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been almost an
initiated |, was formerly highly beneficial 10 both
nations but our merchants have been deferred
from prosecuting it by the system Of outrage and
exto-iion which the Mexican authorities have pur-
sued against them, whilst their appeals through
their own government, for indemnity have been
made in vain. Our forbearance has gone TO such
an extreme to be mistaken in its character. Had
we acted with vigor in repelng the insults and
dressing the injuries inflicted by Mexico at the
commencement, we should doubtless have escaped
all the difficulties in which we are involved. |
Instead Of this, however, we have been exertine
our best efforts to propitiate her good will. Upon
the pretext that Texas, nation as independent as
herself thought proper to unite its deslinies with
our own, she has affected to believe that we have
severed her rghtml territory, and, in official pro-
CARNATIONS and manfesioes, has repeatedly threat
ened to make war upon MS for the purpose ofrecon-
quering Texas In the mean time, we have tried |
every effort at reconciliation.
The cup Of forbearance had been exhausted.
even before the recent information from the frontier
OF the Del Norte. But now after reiterated mena. |
ces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the Unit. |
ed States, has invaded our territory, and shed A.
mercan blood upon the American soil She has
proclaimed that hosnies have commenced, and |
that the two nations are now at war.
As war exists, and Notwithstanding all our efforts
to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself we
are called upon, by every consideration Of duty and
patriotism, 10 vindicaie, with decision, the honor,
The rights, and the interest of our country.
Anticipating the possibility of a crisis like that
which has arrived, instructions were given in Au-
gust last, "as precautionary measure, against in
yasion, threatened invasion, authorizing General |
Taylor if the emergency required, to accept vol