The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-12-10


tensive gulf coast If M-xiro if he desired To "a.
'u'n To his country. He had openly professed an
entire change If policy; had expressed his regret
that he had snbvered the federal constitution or
1924. and avOwed that he was nav in favor uf
its restoration He had publicly declared his
hostility, in the strongest terms, 1o the establish
lshment of a monarchy, and To European inter
ference In the affairs Ut his country. Information
To this effect had been received. from sources be-
'leved tn be reliable. at the date of the recopni
ton at the existence Of the war by Congress, and
Was afterwards fully confirmed by the receipt uf
the despatch Of our consul in the city of Mexico,
with the accompanying documents. which are
herewith transmitted. Besides il was reasona-
BILE To suppose that he must see the ruinous conse-
quences Ia Mexico of n war with the United
States. and that it would he his interest to favor
peace.
IL was under these circumstances and upon
these considerations that il was deemed expedi.
ent not Ia obsruct his return To Mexico, should
he attempt TO do so. Our object was the restora-
ton ot peace; and with that view, no reason
was perceived why we shond take part with Pa
redes. and aid him. by means of our blockade. in
preventing the return of his rival Ia Mexico. On
the contrary, it was believed that the intestine d.
visions which ordinary saQaciiy could not but
tcipaie as the fruit Of Santa Annals return To
Mexico, and his c0niest with Paroles, might
str"n9ly tend 10 produce disposition with both
parties To restore and preserve peace with the
United States. Paredes was suldier by profess
sion, and monarchist in principle. He had but
recently before heen successful in a military Tevo-
ln,"n, by which he had obtained power. He
was the sworn enemy Of the United States, with
which he had involved his country in the existing
war. Santa Anna had been expelled from power
by the army, was known To be in open hostility
tn Paredes. and publicly pledged against foreign
intervention and the restoration of monarchy in
4 r
ces II was, that, when orders were issued tn the
commander of our naval forces in the Gulf, on
the fifteenth day of May last, only two DAYS af-
ter the existence of the war had heen recognised
by Congress. u place the coasts of Mexico under
blockade. he was directed not TO obstruct the pas
sage of Santa Anna TO Mexico, should he ATTEMPT
10 return.
A revolution took place in Mexico in the early
part ni August following, by which The power oil
Paredes was over,hrown, and he has since been
banished from the country, and is now in exile
Shortly afterwards, Santa Anna returned II re-
mains to be seen whether lis return may not vet
prove Ia he favorable la pacific adjustment uf
the existing difficulties, il being naniiestly his
interest not to persevere in the prosecution of a
war commenced by Paroles, To accomplish pur-
pose absurd as the reconques of Texas 10 the
Sabine. Had Paroles remained in power II is
morally certain that any pacific adjustment would
have been hopeless.
Upon the commencement of hostiliies by Mex
ro against the United States, the indignant spirit
OF the nation at aroused Congress
promptly responded To the expectations of the
country, and, by the act of the thirteenth of May
last, recognised the fact that war existed by the
act of Mexico, between the United States and
that repoblic. and granted the means necessary
for It's rigorous prosecution. Being involved in a
war thus commenced by Mexico, and for the
Justice of which on our part we may confidently
appeal 10 the whole world. resolved to prosecute
il with the utmost vigor. Accordingly, the ports
of Mexico the Gulf and the Pacific have
been placed under blockade. and her territory in
vaded at several important points. The reports
from the Departments of War and The NAVY will
inform you more in detail of the measures adopt-
ed in the emergency in which cur country was
placed. and of the gratifying results which have
been accomplished
The various columns of The army have per.
formed their duty under great disad vantaoes,
with The most distinguished skill and courage
The victories of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Pal
ma, and of Monterey. won against greatly superior
numbers, ard against most decided advantages in
other respects on the part Of the enemy were
brilliant in their execution, and eniite our brave
officers and soldiers 10 the grateful thanks Of their
country. The nation deplores the loss of the
brave officers and men who have CALAMITY fallen
while vindicalng and defending their country's
rights and honor.
II is subject of pride and satisfaction that our
volunteer cItlzensolders. who so promptly re.
sponded to their country's call, with an experi
ence of The discipline of a camp of only a few
weeks, have borne their part in the hard fought
| battle OF Monterey with consiancy and courage
! equal To that OF veteran troops. and worthy of
| the highest Animation The privations of long
marches through The enemy's country and through
wilderness, have been borne without murmur.
by rapid movements the province of New Mexi
co, with Santa Fe, its capital, has been captured
without bloodshed. The navy has cosoperated
with the army. and rendered important services /:
1t not so brilliant, il is because the enemy had no
| force tn meet them on their own element and he
cause of The defences which nature has inierposed
| in the difficulties of the navigation on the Mrxi-
can coast Our squadron in the Pacific with The
CO operation of gallant officer of the army, and
a small force hastily collected in that distant
country. have acquired b)oodess possession of the
CalIhrnias and The American flag has been rails
ed at every important point in that province.
l congratulate You the success which has
thus attended our military and naval operations
In less Than seven months after Mexico commence
ed hnsillllies, at lime selected by herself we
have taken possession Of many of her principal
ports, driven back and pursued her invading army,
and acquired military possession Of the Mexican
provinces of New Mexico New Leon. Coahuila
Iamaulipas. and the CalifOrnias, territory
larger in extent Than that embraced in the oroi-
nal thirteen States Of the Union, inhabited by a
considerable population, and much Of il more than
a thousand miles from the points at which we
had to collect our forces and commence our move
ments. BY the blockade, the import and export
trade OF the enemy has been cut off
wen may the American people be proid Of the
energy and gaIlanlTy Of our regular and volunteer
officers and soldiers. The events Of these few
months afford a gratifying proof that our country
can under any emergency, confidently rely for
the maintenance of her honor, and the defence Of
her rights, on an effective force ready all times
voluntarily 10 relnquish The comforts Of home for