Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1846-05-26

which are afforded by the Del Norte In for
'warding supplies 10 such posts as may be
established in the interior and upon the In
dian frontier. III
The movement ofthe troops 10 the Del
Nor,e was made by the commanding Gen.
eral, under positive Instructions to abstain
from all aggressive acts towards Mexico,
or citizens, and 10 regard the relations be-
tween the Republic and the United States
as peaceful, unless she should dec,ere war,
or commit actsof hostility indicative of /
s'art of war, He was specially directed
ioproiec. private property aud respect per
sonal rights. ~
The army moved from Corpus Christi
on the l1th, Of March, and on the Goth Of
that month arrived on The left bank Of the
Del Norte, opposite TO Matamoras, which
has since been strengthened by the erec-
ton of field works. A depot has also
been established at Point Isabel, near the
Brazos Santiago, thirty niles in rear Of
the encanpment. The selection of his
position was necessarily confded TO the
Judgment Of the General in command
The Mexican forc"s at Maiamoras as
sumed belgerent attitude, and on tho II
of April, Gen. Ampud a. then in command
bottled Gen. Taylor 10 break up his camp
within twenty-four hours, and 10 retire be-
yond the Neuces river,and in the event Of
his failure 10 comply with the demapds,
announced that arms, aud arms alone,
must decide the question. But no open
act of hostility was committed until the "a
IN OF April. On that day, Gen. Arsta,
who hac succeeded TO the command o: the
Mexican forces, communicated TO General
Taylor that she considered hosiiIiiies COM
menced and should prosecute them" 4
party of Dragons Of sixty three men and
officers were on the same day. despatched
fiom The Ameacan camp up The Rio Del
Norte, on its left bank, TO ascertain whe,h
er the Mexican troops had crossed, or
were preparing TO cross the river, sbecame
engaged with q large body of these troops
and after short affair, in which some
sixteen were killed and wounded appear 10
have been Surrounded and compelled TO SUR
render.
The grevious wrongs perpetrated by
Mexico upon our citizens through long
period Of years, remain unredressed; and
solemn treaties. pledging her public faith
~
government either unable or unwilling 10
enforce the execution Of such treaties, fails
to perform one Of lis plainest duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been
almost annihilated. 1t was formerly high
ly beneficial 10 both nations; but our mer-
chants have been deferred from prosecuting
1t by the system of outrage and extortiori
which the Mexican authorities have pur-
sued against them, whilst their appeals thr'o
their own Government for indemnify have
been Tade in vain. Our forSearance has
gone 10 such an extreme as to be mistaken
in its character. Had we acted with vigor
in repelling the insults and redressing the
Injuries inflicted by Mexico at the COM
mencement, we. should doubtless have es-
capped ail,he d faculties in which we are
how involved.
lhste ad of this, however, we have been
exerling our bes, efforts 10 propitiate her
good will. Upon the pretext that Texas,
nation as independent as herself, thought
proper 10 unite its destaes with our own;
she has affected to believe that we have
severed her rightful territory, and in official
proclar,aIons and nanifestoa, has repeat
eddy threatened to make war upon us for
the purpose Of accompanying Texas. In
the meantime, we have tried every effort
at reconciliation. The cup Of forbearance
had beeh exhausted, even before the recent
information from the frontier Of the Del
Norte. But now, after reiterated menaces
Mexico has passed the boundary Of the U.
States, has invaded our territory, and shed
American Blood upon the American soil.
She has proclaimed that hostiliiies have
Commenced, and theiwo nations are now
al war.
AS war exists. and Notwithstanding all
our efforts TO avoid it, exists by the act Of
Mexico herself, we are called upon, by ev-
cry consideration of duty ard patriotism,
to vindca'e, With decision, The honor, tho
rights, and The interests OF our country.
Anticipating the possibility of crisis
like that which has arrived, Instructions
were given in August last, las precau.
tonary measure" against INVASION. or
threatened invasion, authorizing Gen.
Taylor, if the emergency required to ac-
cept volunteers, not from Texas only, but
from the Sta,es Of Louisiana Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee, ara Kentucky; and
Corresponding letters were addressed I'd
the respective Governors of those States. .
These instructions were repeated; and
in January last, soon after the incorpo>
lion of"TeXas into our union Of States,"
General Taylor was father" authorized BY
the President TO make "A requisiiion Upon
the Executive of that State for such Of its
militia force as may be needed 10 repel in
vasion or TO secure the country against
dpprehended invasion." On the I'd day
Of March, he was again reminded, sin tho
event of the approach Of any considerable
Mexican force, promptly and efficiently
10 use the authority with winch he was
clothed to call 10 him suciI auxiliary forco
as he might need.
War actually existing; and our. territory
having been invaded. General Tay lor.
pursuant to authority vested in him by nv
Direction, has called on the Governor OF
Texas for four regiments ofStaie troops
two 10 be mounted, and two TO serve on
foot: and on the Governor Of Of Louisiana
for four regiments Of Infantry; to be sent