The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-15

Ioned their intrigues in diplomacy on the annexa-
ton OF Texas, and ifthe President and the Cabinet
have talent fit for their position, they have the
means and the elements in their power to defeat
and avenge the disasters on the Rio Grande
| Yet il is deporable, in the commencement OF this
crisis, TO see symptoms of backwardness in GER
tain members of Congress, and opposition in GER
tain journals, almost amounting to treason to the
the first principles of liberty and independence
We make no war on the Mexican people, II is
on their yrants, their military usurpers the agents
OF foreign gold, and the intrguers of foreign cab-
nets that we war against. Let us therefore, i'm all
the departments Of the American government
and throughout the whole confedcracy, strike such
a blow on the Rio Grande, up to the city of Mexi-
co itself, as will teach foreign powers to dread
the free people of this republic. We may settle
the Oregon question by the energetic prosecution
of the Mexican war.
Some, indeed, suppose that this collision, as it
is called, will be soon settled. We do not so look
on the matter. We believe the arrangements
have been made with design to protract this war,
and to harrass the country with a guerrilla war
fare borders. Let our government look to it
atonce, and call out all our energiesto put it down.
The effect OF n short war, Il decisive war, will be
like shock of electricity on the prosperity of this
nation, and on the moral mind of Europe A
long war will only cause divisions among the
American people-lcading to bankruptcies,
vulsons, suspensions of specie payments by the
banks, the establishment of new national bank
and variety of other disastrous evils, incalcu-
liable AT this moment. Let the gaTnd army of
5000 men be divided at once ntoHawo great di-
visions. Let one be sent to the Rio Grande, and
the other to the city of Mexico, by the way of
Santa Fe. Let our whole sea coast be protected
with sufficient naval force under the authority of
the acts now passed, to punish and prevent pr-
watering, if it should be attempted, under the
Mexican flag.
The President and the Cabinet have now
chance-a glorious and brilliant chancc-to prove
the mette of which they composed. They
have heretofore conducted their administration
with doubt, hesitancy, secrecy, spirit Of contra
dicton, which have divided their friends and dis
gusted their supporters. Let them now have fair
play. Let them retrieve their character if they
can Go ahead
MEXICAN PRIvArEERs.-We have had pam
phlet put in our hands, containing several able art
Giles from the pen of Alanson Nash, Esq, of this
city, on the subject OF piracy and privateerng.
From one of these articles we learn that by the
24th article Of the treaty between the United States
and the government of Central America, made
December 5, 1925, it is declared that whenever
one of the contracting powers shall be engaged in
war with another State, no citizen Of the other
contracting party shall accept commission or let
ter of marque for the purpose Of assisting
operating in hostlities with the enemy against the
party at war, under pain of being treated as pi-
rate. The same provision is contained in the
treaty between the United States and Sweden
made June ID, 1889 also in the treaty with Co
lumba, Venezuela, Brazil, the Netherlands
France, the Peruvian and Bolivian confedc-
rations, Chill, Spain, Denmark, France Prussia,
England, and most other continental nations in
Europe
BY this, then, it would appear, Notwithstanding
the declarations and threats of Almonte, when he
in this country, that the Mexican government
can infict only comparatively slight amount OF
injury upon commercial interests. Mexico
has but very diminutive amount of commerce
As almost the whole world bound by treaty
with the United States not to permit their subjects
or citizens to accept ofletters of marque from any
nation at with U.S. of Mexico, herself, cannot do
much damage. We may be obliged to make some
terrible examples, and infct terrible vengeance
on those who oppose those treaties, for no doubt
there will be some foolhardy enough to prwateer
against us, who are bound by treaty not to accept
letters Of marque If they do so, however, they do
it with full knowledge of the penalty that will be
inflicted upon them, viz that of being treated and
punished as pirates.
While on this subject, it may be as well to refer
the action of the underwriters of this city
They have now determined to charge Al per
cent premium, to ports in the Gulf of Mexico, in
surfing against all risks With the "war clause"
Inserted in their policies, they insure for II per
cent.
This is the last humbug to catch the UNIV ary.-
With the hundreds Of millions which they have at
risk-where they are liable to lost by capture.
they will be ruined within the first month il the
privateers should commence their depredations
and those who now pay Al per cent, will be no
more safe than those insured months since at the
ordinary premium. They will all become cred-
tors to the companies, and may, if they are lucky,
be enabled, after years of delay, to collect a few
dollars from the general wreck Save your pre-
miums, and do not suffer the imposition to be
practiced
We are pleased to learn that Messrs. Grinnel,
Minturn & Co., have determined to armltheir pack
ct ship Henry Clay for her next voyage TO Liver
pool. Many others join in this precaution. This
is judicious for long thirty-two FOUNDER, amid
ships, is the best "war clause" that can be insert
ed-as, notwithstanding treaties and laws, and
the consequent danger of hanging, money will as
sert its control, and innumerablcprivatcer will in
fest every sea. system Of espionage will be
adopted, so that every valuable ship will be way
laid, and each of our boosted companies Of in
surers, will suddenly become ga collapsed case"
! MEXICAN PREPARATIoNs.-We are informed, from
reliable source, that within the last year and a
halt, or two years, the Mexican government has
been receiving from time to time, schooners,
powder, cannon and ball from the city OF New
York. Within this period there have been built,
by our shipmasters, twelve strong schooners, of
sufficient strength and capacity to act as priva-