Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-07-02
From the Washington Union.
OFFICIAL DISPATCHES FROM


THE ARMY.
We have been permitted 10 lay before
our readers the following extracts from
the last official dispatches Of General
TAYLOR, which have been received at the
War Department:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Matamoras, May 30, ls46.
Extract
| enclose an original draught, found 10
Gen. Arista's papers, Of an invitation TO
our soldiers TO desert. A similar call was
previously made by Ampudia, and has
already found its way into the publicp prints.
The department may see from these docu-
ments what arms were used against us.
| am, sir very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Il. TAYLOR.
b. Brig'r. Genl. U. s. A.. Cong.
The ADJ'T. GES L. of the army,
Washington, ID. c.
The following Is the extraordinary and
insdious address Of General AriSta, refeu-
ed 10 in the preceding extract: What
irresistible inducements does he offer for
desertion--to exchange the honorable and
proud character Of american citizens for
fhe miserable and degraded LOT Of peaceful
.Nerican citizenSi."
General .4risfas adcice 10 the soldiers
IF the United States army.
HEADQUARTERS AT MATAMoRAs,
April %, 1916.
Soldiers You have enlisted in time of
peace TO serve in that army for a specific
term; but your obligation never implied
that you were bound to violate the laws of
God, and the most sacred rights ofiriends !!
The United States government, contrary
to the wishes of majority of all honest
and honorable Americans, has ordered you
to take forci6ie possession of the territory
of friendly neighbor, who has never
given her consent TO such occupation. In
other words, while the treaty of peace and
commerce between Mexico and the United
States is in full force, the United States,
presuming on her strength and prosperity,
and on our Supposed imbecility and
cowardice, attempts TO make you the
blind instruments of her unholy aad mad
ambition, and forces you TO appear as the
hateful robbers Of our dear homes, aud the
unprovoked violators of our dearest feel
ings as men and patriots. Such yillainy
and outrage, know, is perfectly repug-
nant to the noble sentiments of any gen.
tleman, and it is base and foul TO rush you
on to certain death, in order 10 aggrandize
a few lawless individuals, in defiance OF
the laws of God and man 1t is to no
purpose if they tell you that the law for
the annexation Of Texas justIfie, your &C.
cupaion Of the Rio Bravo del Norte; for
by this act they rob us Of a great part OF
Tdmauiipas, Coatuiia, CHIHUAHUA, ana
.Ne,c .Nerico; and it is barbarous 10 send
a handful of men on such an errand against
a powerful and warlke nation. Besides,
the most of you are Europeans, and We
are the declared friends OF majority Of
the nations Of Europe. The North Ame-
ricans are ambitious, overbearing. and in
solent as nation, and they will only make
use of you as vile tools 10 carry out their
abominable plans Of pillagc and rapne.
| warn you in the name of justice,
UDHOT, anu your own llNSISSts duu SILL
respect, to abandon their desperate and
unholy cause, and become peaceful .neri-
can citizens. guarantee you, in such
case, half section of land, or 800 acres,
10 settle upon, gratis. Be wise. then, and
just, and honorable, and take no part in
numbering us who have no unkind feel
ings for you. Lands shall be given tc
officers, sergean,s, and corporals accord.
ing 10 rank, privales receiving $40 acres
as stated.
II in time of action you wish 10 espouse
our cause, throw away your arms and run
to us, and we will embrace you as true
friends and Christians. II is not decen
nor prudent TO say more. But should any
Of you render any important seryEs &c
Mexico you shall be accordingly consi
dered and preferred.
M. ARlSTA,
Commander in-chief Of the Mexican army
Z