Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-05-21

mexican troops were preparing to
cross the river. became engaged with a
large body Of these troops, and after
short affair in which some Is we're
Killed and wounded, appear to have
been surrounded and compelled TO sur
render. The griesous wrongs petpe-
trated by Mexico upon orr citizens,
throughout a long period Of years re-
main unredressed; and solemn treaties,
pledging her public faith for this re-
dress, have been disregarded. A GOV
eminent either unable or unwilling to
enforce the execution ofsuch treaties,
fails to perform one Of its plainest du-
ties.
Our commerce with Mexico has
been almost annihilated. Ii was for
lnerly highly beneficial to both nations;
but our merchants have been deferred
from prosecuting ii BY the system of
outrage and extortion which the Mtxi-
can authorities have pursued against
them, whilst their appeals through
their own government for indemnify
have beer made in vain. Our forbear-
ance has gone to such an extreme as
to be mistaken in its character. Had
we acted with vigor in repelling the
insults and redressing the injuries in
f1icted by Mexico at the commence
ment, we should doubtless have escap.
ed all the difficulties in which we are
now involved.
Instead of this, however, we have
been exerting our best efforts to propi-
tate her good will. Upon the pre-
text that Texas, a nation as indepen-
dent as herself, thought proper to unite
Its destinies with our own, she has af-
fected to believe that we have severed
her rightful territory, and, in official
proclamations and manifestoes, has re-
peatedly threatened to make war upon
US for the purpose ofreconquerjng Tex
as. In the meantime, 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 menaces, Mexico
has passed the boundary of the United
States, has invaded our territory, and
shed American blood upon American
soil, and has proclaimed that hostilities
have commenced, and that the two ma
tons are now at war.
AS war exists, and, Withstand
ing all our efforts to avoid it, exists by
the act of Mexico herself, we are call
ed upon by every consideration of du-
ty and patriotism, to vindicate, with
decision, the honor, the rights, and
the interests of our country.
Anticipating the possibility of cri-
Sis like that which has arrived, instruc-
tions were given in August last, "as a
precautionary measure" against inva-
sisn or threatened invasion, authorizing
General Taylor, if the emergency re-
CURED, TO accept volunteers, not from
Texas only, but from the states of
Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Ten
hessee, and Kentucky; and correspon-
ding letters were addressed to the res
pective governors Of those States.-)
These instructions were repeated; and
in January last, soon after the incorpo-
ration of "Texas into our union of
States" General Taylor was turtle.
"authonzed by the President to make
a requisition upon the executive ofthat
State for such of its militia force as
may be needed to repel invasion or to
secure the country against apprehen-
ded INVASION" On the I'd day of
March, he was again reminded, Sin the
event ofthe approach of any consider
able Mexican force, promptly. and eff
ciently to use the authority with which
he was clothed to call to to him such
auxiliary force as he might need."-
War actually existing and our territory
having been invaded, General Taylor,
pursuant to authority vested in him by
my direction, has called on the COVER
nor Of Texas for four regiments of
State troops-swo TO be mounted, and
two TO serve on foot; and on the COVER
nor Of Louisiana for four regiments of
infantry, to be sent to him a. soon as
practicable.
In further vindicatior of our rights
and defence of our territory, | invoke
the prompt action of Congress 10 re-
cognise the existence of the war, and
10 place at the disposition of the Exec
utive the means ofprosecuting the war
with yigor, and thus fastening the res
toratlon of peace. To this end | re-
commend that authority should be Civ.
en- to call into public service a large
body Of volunteers to serve for not less
than six OF twelve months, unless SOON
er discharged. A volunteer force is.
beyond question, more efficient than
any other description Of citizen SOL
dlers; and It is not 10 be doubted that
q number far beyond that required
would readily lush TO the Geld upon the
call ut thor e0nuArv