Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-05-30

was IIulleSS IIOIl WdHt VI opportunity VI
discussing it, our envoy was present on their
own soil. Nor can it be ascribed to a want OF
sufficient powers; our envoy had full powers 10
adjust every question OF difference. Nor was
there room for complaint that our propositions
for settlement were unreasonable; permission
was not even given our envoy to make any
proposition whatever. Nor can il be objected that
we, on our part, would not listen TO any reason.
able terms Of their suggestion. The Mexican
government refused all negotiations, and have
made no proposition Of sny kind.
In my message at the commencement Of the
present session, | informed you, that upon the
earnest appeal both Of the Congress and Conven
ton Of Texas, had ordered an efficient military
force to take position "between the Neuces
and Del Norte" This had become necessary
to meet the threatened invasion Of Texas by the
Mexican forces, for which extensive military
preparations had been made. The invasion was
threatened solely because Texas had determined,
in accordance with solemn resolution OF the
Congress OF the United States, to annex herself
10 our Union; and under these circumstances il
was plainly our duty to extend our protection
over her citizens and soil.
This force was concentrated at Corpus Christi,
and remained there until after | had received
such information from Mexico as rendered il
probable, if not certain. that the Mexican gov>
eminent would refuse to receive our envoy.
Meantime, Texas, by the final action Of
our Congress, had become an integral part
of our Union. The Congress of Texas, by
its act OF December I 9 tn 1886, had declared
the Rio del Norte 10 be the boundary OF that
republic. Its jurisdiction had been exten.
ded and exercised beyond the Neuces. The
country between that river and the Del
Norte had been represented in the Congress
and in the convention Of Texas, thus taken
part in the act Of annexation itself, and is
now included within one of our COMPRESSION
al districts. Our own Congress had, more
over, with great unanimity, by the act ap
proved December 3lst l845, recognised the
country beyond the Neuces as part Of
our territory by including it within our own
revenue systems; and revenue officer, to
reside in tina. district, has been appointed
by & with the advice & consent Of the Sem
ate. 1t become, therefore, ofurgent necess-
| ity to provide for the defence of that portion
OF our country. Accordingly, on the ,hir.
,eenth Of January last, instructions were
issued to the general in command Of these
troops, to occupy the left bank Of the Del
| Norte. This river-which is the south.
western boundary Of the State Of Texas
is an exposed frontier. From this quarter
invasion was threatened; upon it and in its
immediate vicinity, in the judgment Of high
military experience, are the proper stations
for the protecting forces Of the government.
In addition 10 this important considera.
ton, several others occurred to induce this
movement. Among these are the facilities
afforded by the ports at Brazos Santiago and
The mouth Of the Del Norte for the recep
ton Of supplies by sea, the stronger and
more healihfu military positions, the con
venence for obtaining ready and more
abudant supply of provisions, water, fuel I,
and forage, and the advantages which are
afforded by the Del Norte, in forwarding
supplies to such posts as may be established
10 the interior and upon the Indian frontier.
The movement OF the troops to the Del
Norte was made by the commanding gen.
eral, under positive instructions TO abstain
from all aggressive acts towards Mexico, or
Mexican citizens, and TO regard the rela
lions between that republic and the Uni
ted States as peaceful, unless she should
declare war, or commit acts Of hostility
indicative of state Of war. He was spe.
cially directed 10 protect private property
and respect personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi on
the 18th OF March, and on the 28th Of that
month arrived on the left bank OF the Del
Nor,e, opposite 10 Matamoras, where it en-.
camped on commanding position, which
has since been strengthened by the erected
| field works. A depot has also been estab-
lished at Point Isabel, near the Brazos San-
| tiapO. thirty miles in rear nj the encamn.
ment. The selection Of this position was
necessarily confided to the Judgment Of the
general in command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoras assn
med beligerent attitude and on the 18th
Of April, General Ampudia, then in com.
mand, notified General Taylor to break up
his camp within twenty.four hours, and to
retire beyond the Neuces river, and in the
event OF failure to comply with these de.
mands, announced that arms, and arms
alone, must decide the question. But no
open act Of hostility was committed until
The twenty-iourth of April. On that day
General Arista, who had succeeded to the
command of the Mexican forces, communi,
Gated to General Taylor that "he consd-
cred hostites commenced and should pros
ecute Them" A party Of Dragons Of six.
ty.three men and officers were on the same
day despatched from the American camp up
to the Rio del Norle, on its left bank, 10 as
certain whether the Mexican troops had
crossed, or were preparing to cross the rv-
er, "became engaged with large body OF
these troops, and after short affair, in
which some sixteen were killed and woun-
ded, appear to have been surrounded and