Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-15

OF January last, Instructions were Is
sued 10 The general in command Of these troopslo
occupy The lel bank of The Del Nore. This II
veI-which is the Southwestern boundary OF Inc
State Of Texas-is an exposed frontier From
this quarter invasion was threatened; upon IL
and in lis immediate vicinity, in The judgment OF
high military experience, are The proper stations
for The protecting forces OF the government. III
addition to this important consideration, several
others occurred 10 induce this movement. Among
these are the facilities afforded by The ports al
Brazos Santiago and the mouth OF the Del Norte
for the reception of supplies ty sea, The stronger
and more hea,hiul military positions, Inc con-
venicnce for Obtaining a ready and more aonn-
dant supply ofprovisons, wate., fuel and forage,
and tue advantages which are afforded by The Del
Norte in forwarding supplies 10 such posts as
NAV be established in the interior ana upon tGe
Indian frontier.
The movement OF the troops 10 the Del NoHe
was made by the commanding general under po-
sitiye instructions 10 abstain IRON all aggressive
acts towards Mexico, or Mexican citizens, andto
regard The relations between that Republic and
the United States as peaceful, unless she should
declare war, or commit acts Of hostility ndica-
tive OF state Of war. lie was specially direct
ed 10 protect private property and respect person.
al rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi on the
Illh OF March. and on the 2Slh OF that month
arrived on the let bank of the Del Norte, oPpo.
site 10 Matamoras, where it encamped ON a
commanding position, which has since been
strengthened by the erection OF field works. A
depot has also been established al Point Isabel,
near The Brazos Santiago, thirty miles in rear oil
the encampment. The selection OF his posltion
was necessarily contided 10 The judgment Of Inc
General in command.
H.. MaYo a
belligerent altitude, and on the 18th OF April,
General Ampudia, then in command, notified
General Taylor 10 break up his camp within
twenty four hours, and 10 retire beyond the Nue.
ces river, and in The event Of his failure 10 com
ply with these demands, announced that arms,
and arms alone, must decide the question. But
no open &C. OF hostility was committed until the
2ith Of April. On that day, General Aris,a,
who had succeeded 10 the command OF The Next
can forces, communicated 10 General Taylor
that "he considered hostiliies commenced and
should prosecute Them" A party Of dragons Of
sixly-three men and officers we've on the same
day despatched from the American camp up The
Rio del INorte, on lis lett bank, TO ascertain whe-
Their the Mexican troops had crossed, or were pre-.
pairing to cross the river, became engaged with
a large body OF these troops, and alter shoI, az
fair, in which some sixteen were killed and
compelled 10 surrender"
The grievous wrongs perpetrated by Mexico
upon our citizens throughout long period OF
years, remain unredresscd; and solemn treaties,
pledging her public faith for this redress, have
been disregarded. A Government either un-
able or unwilling TO enforce the execution of such
treaties, fails 10 perform one of It's panest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been almost
annhilated 1t was formerly highly beneficial
h, rbop hav hoo do
TERED from prosecuting il By The system of out
rage and exlorion which The Mexican auhori-
ties have pursued against them; whilst their ap-
peals through their own Government for indeIn-
ni,y have been made in vain. Our forbearanoe
has gone 10 such an extreme as 10 be mistaken in
its character Had We acted with vigor, in repel
ling the insults and redressins the injuries infic-
ed BY Mexico al the commencement we should
doubtless have escaped all the difficulties in which
we are now involved
Instead of this, however, we have been exert
ing our best efforts 10 propitiate her good will.
IJpon the pretext that Texas, nation as indS-
pendent as herself thought proper TO unite lis
destpies with our own, she has affected 10 be-
iieve ,ha, we have severed her rightful territory,
and in official proclamations and manifesoes
has repeatedly threatened 10 make war upon US
for the purpose OF reconquering Texas. In The
mean time, We have tried every effort at reconci-
liation. The cup OF forbearance had been ex-
hausted, even before the recent information from
the frontier OF The Del Noue. But now, after
reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boun-
dary OF the United States, has invaded our terri
tory, and shed American blood upon the Ameri-
can soil She has proclaimed that hostities have
commenced, and that The TWO nations are now al
war;
As war exists, and, Notwithstanding all our Ell
l.,t ~ Of r
self we are called upon, By every consideration
at duty and patriotism, TO vindicate, with deci-
sion the honor the rights, and the Interests OF ouf
country
Anticipating the possibility OF crisis ike mat
which has arrived instructions were gwen IN
August last, "as precautionary measure,
AGAINST invasion, or threatened Invasion, autho-
rizing Gen. Taylor, if the emergency required, TO
accep, volunteers, not from Texas only, bnt from
the States Of Louisiana Alabama, Mississippi,
Tennessee and Kentucky; and corresponding
letters were addressed TO The respective GoVer-
nors of those States. These Instructions were
repeated; and in January last, soon alter the N.
corporation Of "Texas into our union OF States,
Gen. TAYLOR was further "auihorized by the Pre-
sident TO make requisition upon the Executive
OF that State Tor such Of its militia force as may
be needed 10 repel invasion, or 10 secure The
country aoans. unprecedented invasion" On the
81 day of March, he was again reminded, Yin The
event OF the approach OF any considerable Next
can force, promptly and efficiently to use the au-
,hsrity with which he was clothed 10 call to him
such auxiliary force as ne might need" war
actually existing, and our territory having been
invaded, Gen. Taylor, pursuant 10 authority vest
ed in him by my direction, has called on the Co
vernon OF Texas for four regiments of State
troops-two 10 be mounted, and Two 10 serve on
foot: and on the Governor OF Louisiana Tor four
regiments Of infantry TO be sent 10 him as soon as
practicable.
~ our territory. invoke the prompt action OF
Congress 10 recognise the existence Of the war,
q nd 10 place at the disposition OF The Executive
the means of prosecuting the war with vlgor, ana
thus Fastening the restoration oil peace. 10 inns
end recommend that authority should ns gwen
10 call into The public service large body OF vol
unteers 10 serve for not less than SIX or tWeVe
months unless sooner discharged. A volunteer
f,rce l. hevond question, more efficient than any
,lber dissertation of citizen soldiers; and it is not
10 be doubted that number far beyond that re-
onired would readily rush TO the field upon Inc
call of their country ! further recommend mat
= liberal provision be made for sustaining our
entire military force and furnishing II with sup
plies and munitions OF war.
The most energetic and prompt measures. and
the immediate appearance in arms OF large ana
overpowering force, are recommended TO Con,
gress, as The most certain and efficient means OF
bringing the existing collision with Mexico 10
speedy and successful termination.
In making these recommendations, ] deem II
proper 10 declare, that ii is my anxious desire moi
only to terminate hosliltes speedily, but 10 BRING
all matters in dispute between this government
and Mexico TO an early and amicable adjustment;
and in this view, shall be prepared TO renew ne
goiations, whenever Mexico shall be ready 10 re-
ceive propositions, or TO make propositions OF her
own.
Transmit herewith copy Of the correspon-
dence between our envoy TO Mexico and The Mex,
lean minister for foreign affairs; and 50 much OF
the correspondence between that envoy and Inc
Secretary of Stale, and between the Secretary OF
War and the General in command on Inc De,
Norte, as are necessary to full understanding OF
the subject. JAMES n. PoLh'
WASHINGTON, May llth 1916.
EXCHANGE BANK OF VIRGINIA.
The following are The appointments BY The
Executive of Directors of the Bank and several