The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-05-22

we, on our part. would not listen to any
reasonable terms Of their suggtS lion: The
Mexican government refused all nego,a-
ton, and have made no proposition of
any kind.
In my message at the commencement,
OF the present session, informed you
That, upon lhe earnest appeal both of the
Congress and convention of Texas, had
ordered an efficient military force to take
a position "brtween the Nucccs and the
Del Norle." This had become necessa-
~, To meet threatened invasion of Tex
As by the Mexican forces, for which ex-
IenSl'e military preparations had been
made. The Invasion was threatened
solely because Texas had determined, in
accordance with solemn resolution o(
the Congress Of the United States, TO an
mex herself 10 our Union; and, under
lheSe circumstances, II was plainly our
duty to extend our protection over her
citizens and soil
Ihis force was concentrated at Corpus
Chrl>u, and remained there until after !
had received such information from Mex
leo as rendered i, probable, if not certain,
that the Mexican government would re-
luSe 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 It's acts of December l9lh,
1886, had declared the Rio del Norte to
be the boundary Of that republic. It's
jurisdiction had been extended and exer-
cIsed beyond the Nueces. The country
be'"eed that river and the del Norte haL
been represented in the congress and in
the convention of Texas, had thus taken
part IN the act of annexation itself, and is
now included within one of our congress.
slonaI districts. Our own congress had
moreover, with great unanimi,v. by the
act approved December 81, 1915. recog-
nlzed The country beyond the Nueces as
part OF our territory by including il with
III our own revenue system and reyen-
tie officer, 10 reside in that district has
been appointed by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate. |. became,
therefore, of urgent necessity to provide
Tor the defence of that portion of our
country. Accordingly on the thirteenth
OF January last, instructions were issued
to the general in command Of these
troops 10 occupy the left bank OF the del
Norle. This rIycr-w hich is the south
western boundary Of the state Of Texas
is an exposed frontier. From this
quarter invasion was threatened upon il
and in It's immediate vicinity, in the judg.
meni OF high military experience, are the
proper stations for the protecting forces
OF the government. In addition to this
important consideration, 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 reception Of sup.
plies by sea, the stronger aud more
heaI1hiul military positions, the convent
ence for obtaining a more ready and more
abundant supply OF provisions, water, iu-
eI, and forage, and the advantages, which
are afforded by the del Nore in forward
ing supplies to such posts as may be cs.
'abIIshed in the interior, andupon the In.
dian frontier.
The movement of the troops TO the
Del Norte, was made by the command.
ing general under positive instructions
to abstain from all aggressive acts to.
wards Mexico and Mexican citizens, and
10 regard the relations between that re-
public and the United States as peaceful,
unless she should declare war or commit
acts OF hostility indicative Of a state OF
war. ie was specially directed 10 pro-
iect private property and respect person.
al rights. The army moved from Cor.
pus Christi on the llth of March, and on
the 2SIh Of that month arrived on the
Ieli bank of the Del Norte, opposite to
Malamoros, where it encamped on a com.
handing position, which has since been
strengthened by the erection Of field.
works. A depot has also been establish
ed at Point Isabel, near the Brazos Santi-
ago, thirty miles in rear of the cncamp-
meat. The selection Of his position was
necessarily confined to the judgment Of
the general in command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoros as.
sumed beligeren, attitude, and on the
l2Ih of April, Gen. Ampudia, then in
command, notified Gen. Taylor 10 break
up his camp within ,wen,y.lour hours,
and to retire beyond the Nueces river,
and in the event Of his failure TO comply
with these demands, announced tina, arms
and arms alone must decide the question.
Blu, no open act of hotili,y was commit
ted until the 24th of April. On that day,
Gen. Arisla, who had succeeded To the
command of the Mexican forces, com
muncated to Gen. Taylor that she con.
sldered hostiities commenced, and should
prosecute them" A party of Dragons
of sixty-,hree men and officers were on
the same day despatched from the Amer.
lean camp up the Rio del Norle, on its
left bank, to asce ftain whether the Mex