The New York herald., 1846-06-04

advices are up to the 10Th ult. from Point Isabel
The combined attack Of the army and a detach-
ment from the fleet, on Matamoras, which was in
contemplation, had been delayed in consequence
of the inclemency OF the weather. On the 18th
Gen. Taylor was to have crossed the Rio Grande,
five miles above Matamoras, with view TO the
investment Of that city; and, from the fact that
some cannonading was heard in that direction at
Point Isabel, on the morning of that day, it is be-
heved that he effected his purpose. Fifteen hun
dred volunteers, newly arrived, under command
of Gen. Smith, had marched from Point Isabel
TO the nearest point of the river which they were
TO cross, and take up their position five or six
miles below Matamoras. Lieutenant Colonel
Wilson, with force of 400 men, had entered La
Barita, village about twenty miles from Mata-
moras, on the Mexican side of the river. His
force consisted of four companies Of lst u. 8.
Infantry, COL Desha's Mobile Volunteers, and
two companies of the Washington Regiment of
Louisiana Volunteers. They had crossed the river
at its mouth. They were 10 have been joined by
detachment of sailors and marines, from the
U. S. fleet, but the junction was not effected,
owing to the delay occasioned by the bad wealth
er. Thus we see that at three several points our
forces are concentrating on the Mexican border;
named places, at the principal bend Of the river.
We presume that the landing Of the troops at
this last point is but for the purpose of forming
junction with Gen. Taylor, and concentrating
larger force on Matamoras The fleet had left
their anchorage off Point Isabel, and had come
to, off the mouth of the Rio Grande The squad
ron consisted of the frigates Cumberland, Rari-
tan, Potomac, steam frgate Mississippi, sloop st.
81, 1.~..x r
The map on the outside will explain at glance
the entire plan of operations
DEATH OF GANsEvooRT MELVILLE, EsQ.-We
regret to record the death of Gansevoort Melville,
the Secretary Of the American Legation in Lon
don. Mr.. Melville was thought great deal Of by
his family and his friends in this city, where he
was well known and much esteemed He was
young man of great promise and remarkable ge-
MUS He possessed high oratorical powers. Dur
ing the campaign that resulted in the election Of
Mr.. Polk, he travelled hundreds of miles over the
country, delivering speeches to the people. He
was young man Of elevated sentiment fine edu-
cation, and will be deeply regretted by all those
who knew him. He belonged to family of ge-
MUS. He has left two brothers who now in
this city, one of whom, Herman Melville, is the
author Of an extraordinary book called "Typee,"
giving an account Of his adventures in the South
Seas, and almost equal in interest to the celebrated
Robinson Crusoe. asses -et e.es.
The vacancy occasioned by the decease of Mr..
Melville will, no doubt, be soon filed and when
the death of Mr.. Melville is known, no less than
fifty applicants will be on their way to the Presi-
dent to poster him for the office. Among the ap-
plicants, N. p. Willis will be one, for we under
stand he has been trying to get an Office ofthe kind
for some time past, and has a batch of recommend
ations on hand. We hope the President will take
Mr.. Williss application into consideration, and if
possible give the place to him. so as to end his as
pirations, and satisfy him for in his life. We
owe no particular favors to Mr.. Willis, for even
while we were serving him, he has shown great
deal of meanness towards us on many occasions
in his literary and newspaper career. Yetwe can
afford to be magnanimous, and we recommend
him to the attention of the President.
The RANK AND FILE THE AMERICAN ARMY
Why does Congress not do something besides ten
dering thanks to the army on the Rio Grande
They have showered hatstun Of thanks on the
army,which is right and proper. General Tayloris
brave, upright, and patriotic officer, but it must
be reconected that he could not have accom-
plished the glorious victories over the Mexicans,
without the assistance of the rank and file of the
army. These men supported their officers and
their country in the campaign, and each one Of
them is entitled to a portion Of the praise, be-
sides something more substantial. We hope
Congress will take this into consideration at once.
HAYrEN NEws.-The Hayti, Capt. Morse, ar
rived yesterday from Port Republican in fifteen
days passage. All was apparently quiet; the new
President, Richie, was popular
AGGRESSION ON THE HIGH SEAs-FuNNY Incl
DENT, AND YANKEE PLUcK.-We learn that the
schooner Catharine, Capt. Scott, arrived yesterday
from St. Jago de Cuba, met with strange Incl
dent on her voyage hither. 1t resulted favorably
to the American character, and exhibits a small
slice of the same spirit that was recently mani
tested on the Rio Grande.
The particulars Of the affair are as follows -
gunshot Of the Moro Castle the schooner c.shsrn. was
met by the French war steamer Tonnorre, from st. Do
IN n ,P s ss s out
half DOZEN other vessels which had come out in COM
pany
close the Shore she observed to back round and
manouvre some time, and at intervals fred two guns
following words " You d--d rascal hoist your nag"
The answer that orders given in such insulting Lam
lowed and threats wers repeatedly made to rs into hsr
unless II was Immediately DONE tHHrN
The boat with lieutenant twice sent on board,
with message that unless the schooner her nag all
the force at the steamers command would be used to
msxe me nsr do ,ns. - M nsf ma nsc .ns pSwsr
To all of which the Yves returned the So
ccnd time in writing, - follows =. aGlEa-
ITO the commander Of the French war steamer Ton
nerrc: H5#l t8lssH4 ge@ ,8 .r..
"SlR-At the Arst salutstion you called me a d-d
! will not hoist my Aas Rs:pecsfSlly, s.
"Of tho Moro, st. Jago de Cuba, 10 May. ls46r
About hour thus passed, during which time the
steamer laid the schooners bows and clumsi-
ly got foul, doing herself damage her commander
insisting unconditional Obedience and the officers
and Of the Caharus upholdng their captain in his
decision
The wind was very light from the eastward; the
schooner was kept her course going knots
and the crew continued their work Of washing decks
which they had been engaged in. At last after