The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-05-23


Norte had been represented in the Con-
gress and the Convention Of Texas, had
thus taken part in the act Of Annexa-
ton itself, and is now included within
one of our Congressional Districts.--
Our own Congress had moreover, with
great unanimity, by the act approved
Dec. 2lst, I845, recognized the coun-
try beyond the Neuces as part of our
territory by including it within our own
revenue system, and revenue officer
to reside within that district has been
appointed by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate. 1t became
therefore of urgent necessity to provide
tor the defence Of that portion Of our
country. Accordingly on the 18th o f
January last instructions were issued
to the General in command of these
troops to occupy the left bank OF the
Del Norte. a
This river, which is the southwest
ern boundary of the State of Texas, is
an exposed frontier. From this quar-
ter invasion has been threatened. Up
on it, and in its immediate vicinity, in
the judgment of high military expe-
rience, are the proper stations for the
protecting forces of the Government.
In addition to this important consid-
Grafton, several others occurred to in
duce this movement. Among these are
the facilities afiored by the ports of
Brazos Santiago and the mouth Of the
Del Norte for the reception ofsupplies
by sea, The stronger and more healthy
military positions, the convenience for
obtaining a ready and more abundant
supply of provisions, as water, fuel and
forage, and the advantages which are
afforded by the Del Norte in forward
ing supplies to such posts as may be es-
ttablished in the interior and upon the
Indian frontier. .s
The movement of troops to Del
Norte was made by the commanding
General, under positive instructions to
abstain from all aggressive acts towards
Mexico or Mexican citizens, and to re-
gard the relations between that Repub:
lie and the United States as peaceful,
unless she should declare war or COM
init acts OF hostility indicative ofa state
of war. He was especially directed
to protect private property and respect
personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi
on the / lth of March, and on the 28th
of that month arrived on the left bank
of the Del Norte, opposite to Matamo-
ras, where it encamped on command
ing position. which has since been
strengthened by the erection of field
works. A depot has also been estab-
lished at Point Isabel, near the Brazos
Santiago, 80 miles in the rear of the
encampment. The selection of his po-
sition was necessarily confined to the
Judgment Of the General in command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoras
assumed a belligerent attitude on the
10Th ofApril. Gen. Ampudia, then in
command, notified General Taylor to
break up his camp within "a hours, and
to retire beyond the Neuces river, and
in the event Of his failure to comply
with these demands announced that
arms and arms alone must decide the
question. But no open hostility was
committed until the l4th April. On
that day Gen. Arista, who had sue
ceeded to the command of the Mexi-
can force, communicated to Gen. Tay-
lor, that he considered hostillties COM
menced, and should prosecute them.
A party of dragons of 63 men and
officers were on the same day dispatch
ed from the American camp up the Rio
del Norte, on It's left bank, to ascertain
whether the Mexican troops had eros.
sed or were preparing to cross the riv-
er. became engaged with large body
of these troops, and after short affair
in which some l6 were killed and
wounded, appear to have been sur
rounded and compelled to surrender.
The grevious wrongs perpetrated oy
Mexico upon our citizens throughout
a long period of years remain unredres-
sed; and solemn treaties, pledged her
public faith for this redress have been
disregarded. A government either un-
able or unwilling, 10 force the execu-
ton OF such treaties, fails to perform
one Of its plainest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been
almost annihilated. 1t was formerly
highly beneficial to both nations; but
our merchants have been deferred from
prosecuting it by the system of out
rage and extortion which the Mexican
authorities. have pursued against, them;
whilst their appeals through their own
government for indemnity have made
in VAN. Our forbearance has gone to
such an extreme as to be mistaken in
its characters Had we acted with vig-
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