Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-12-11

been eyseiled from power ami nani>neu uoh n's
country d. a revolution winch occutieu III W
cemoer, 1874; but il was known that ne hao SUI
4 considerable parry in his favor in Mexico IL
was also equally we'll known that no vigilance
which could be exerled by our squadron would
in all pfoba billy, have prevented him IRON effect
ing landing somewhere on the extensive gun
coast of Mexico, if he desired 10 return 10 nis
c unlry he had openly Iofessed an e" -.
change Of policy; mad expressed nus ,es, 3, 10,
ne mad subvsned the ieGeiai cohshu"o. ~: ~ ,,s,
and ayuwed thai he WAS now IN favor Vi 10 - ~.
ra,; ps had nublicly declared his hostility
IN ,hs strongest terms, 10 The establishment oil q
monarchy, and 10 European interference 10 'ne
.irairs ,f his country Information 10 inns euec'
had been received, from sources beleVed 70 DC
reliable al the date oil The recognition Oh Tue
existence nf The war, by Congress, and was aI'eI-
wards fully confirmed by the receipt OF 'ne VIZ
spatch of our consul in The city OF Mexico WIN
The accompanying documents wn'cn d,e 49, -
with transmitted. Besides, IL was reasonaole !"
suppose tbs, he must see the ruinous consequence
n Mexico of a war with the United States, ana
haiti would be his interest 10 favor peace.
Il was under these circumstances, and upon
these considerations, that il was deemed expeoi,
ent moi 10 ohslrucl his return to Mexico, snoulo
he attempt 10 do 80 Cur object was The reslora-
lion of peace and, with that view, no reason was
perceiyed why we should take part with Paroles,
and aid him, by means OF our blockade, in pre-
venting he return OF his rival 10 Mexico. On
The contrary, il was believed that the intestine d.
vision. which ordinary sagacity could not bul
anticipate as the fruit Of Santa Annals return 10
Mexico and his contest with Paroles, might
strongly tend 10 produce disposition with both
parties 10 restore and preserve peace win me
Uned States. Paroles was soldier By probes
sion and monarchisi in principle. he had but
recently before been successful in iDiliaryIe-
volution, by which he had obtained power. He
was The sworn enemy Of The Uniled States, with
which he had involved his country in the exist
ing war; Santa Anna had been expelled tom
power By The army, was known to be IN open
hostility to Paroles. and publicly pledged asainst
foreign intervention and the restoration oil mo.
narchy in Mexico. In view of these facts and
circumstances il was that, when orders were is
sued 10 the commander Of our naval forces in the
Cult, on the thirteenth day oil May last, the day
ON which the existence of The war was recognised
by Congress, to place The coasts OF Mexico un-
der blockade he was directed not 10 obstruct the
passage OF Santa A ma 10 Mexico, should he al
tempt TO return.
A revolution took place in Mexico in the early
rart OF August following, by which the power OF
Paroles was oveuhrown, aud he has since been
banished from the country, and is now u exile.
Shortly afterwards, Santa Anna Returned. ire
mains to be seen whether his return may not yet
prove 10 DC tdVpldUlC " IL pdl'uS W
tie existing difficulties il being manileslly his
interest NIT 10 persevere in The prosecution Of
war commenced BY Paroles, 10 accomplish puf-
pose so absurd as the reconquest OF Texas 10 the
Sabine Had Paroles remained 10 power, il is
morally certain that any paclhc adjustment
would have been hopeless.
Upon The commencement OF hostili,ies by Mex
leo against the United States, the indignant spin,
Of The nation was al once reused. Congress
Ia IL. ton ol fhn
country, aod, b. 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
republic, and granted the means necessary Tor lis
rigorous prosecution. Being involved in war
thus commenced BY MEXICO, and for The justice
of which on our part we may confidently appea!
to The whole world, resolved 10 prosecute il with
the utmost vi.or. Accordingly, The ports of Mex
leo on the Gulf and on The Pacific have been
placed under blockade, and her territory invaded
at several important points. The reports from
the departments Of War and the Navy will inform
you more Ia detail Of the measures adopted 10
the emergency in which our country was placed,
and Of the gratifying results which have been ac-
Q 'mplished.
The various columns OF the army have per-
formed their duly under great Disadvantage
with the most distinguished skill and courage
The victories of Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Pal
ma, and OF Monterey, wo1 agains' greatly supc-
rior numbers, and against most decided advanla-
ges 10 other respects on the part OF the enemy,
were brilliant in their execu ion, and entitle our
brave officers and soldiers II the grateful thanks
of their country. The nation deplores the loss OF
the brave officers ami m-n who have gallantly
fallen while indicating and defending their coun-
iry's rights and honor
Il is a subject OF pride and satisfaction that our
volunteer cIiz.n soldiers, who so promptly re-
sponted 10 their 'untrys CAL, with an e1pe-
rienc. OF the discipline oil a camp Of only few
weeks, have birne their part IN the hard fought
battle OF Monterey with conslancy and courage
eqaal TO lha, of veteran troops and worthy Of The
highest admirali,n. the privations OF long
mdrche. through the enemy'> country, and
through wilds rneSs have been borne without
murmur. By RAPID moy.,nens The province oil
New Mexico, with Santa Fe, its capital, has
been captured without bioodsbed. The navy has
CO operated with the army, and rendered lmpoi-
tapt services: il not so brilliant, IL is because the
enemy had No force 10 meet them on their own ell
eneni. and nccause of the d-lences which ns-
ture has nterposed in the difficulties OF the navi-
CATION on The Mexican coas. Our squadron IN
The Pacific. with the Cooperation OF gallant Oh
fcer OF the army, and small force hastily col
lece,i in mat dis, ut county, have acquired blood
less possession Of the Cali ornias, and the Anne
rican dag has been raised al every important
point 10 that province.
[ congratulate you ON the success which has
thus attended our military and naval operations.
In less Than seven months after Mexico COM
mencsd hosiilities, at time selected by herself,
we have taken possession OF macy OF her principal
o ,rts. driven back and pursued her invading army,
and acquired military possession OF the Mexican
provinces OF New Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila,
Tamaulipas and the CALIFORNIA;, territory larger
10 extent than that embraced in The original thr-
teen States Of The Union, Inhabited BY consider.
able population, and much Of it more than a
thousand miles from the points at which we had
10 collect our forces and commence our move
men,s. By the blockade, the import and export
trade Of The enemy has been cut of
Well may The American people be proud OF
the energy and sallaniry OF our regular and vo-
lun,eer officers and soldiers. The events of these
few months afford 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
asall times voluntary TO relinqulsh the comforts
Of home for the perils and privalions oil the camp.
And though such force may be Tor The time eI
pensive il is in the end economical, AS The abili-
Is TO command it removes The necessity Of em-
ploying large standing army in time ol peace
and proves that our people love their institutions
and are ever ready 10 defend and protect them.
Whilst the war was in course OF vigorous
aud successful prosecution, oslnS sun anxious 'o
arrest Its evils, and considering thai, after the
brilliant victories Of our arms on the eighth and
ninth Of May last, the national honor could moi
be compounded by ii, another overture @as
made TO Mexico, by my direction, on the 9Th o.
July last 10 terminate hostililies by peace JUS
and h ,norabls to both countries. On The thirty.
first Of August following, the Mexican Govern
menI declined 10 accept this friendly overture, bu
referred il to The decision Of a Mexican Congress
TO be assembled In the early part oil The present
month. communicate 10 you, herewith, copy
othe letter of the Secretary Of Stale proposing |.
reopen negotiations. OF the answer OF The Mex
can government, and Of The reply thereto OF the
Secretary Of State.
The war will continue to be prosecuted with
vigor, as the best means ofsecuring peace. lis
hoped that the dec sion Of the Mexican Congress
10 which our last overture has been referred, may
result in speedy and honorable peace. With oul
experience, however, of The unreasonable course
Il = ~ RI pf n