The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-05-26

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 supplies by sea, the strong
er aud more healthful military positions,
the convenience for obtaining ready
and a more abundant supply of provis-
ions, water, fnel and forage, and the ad-
vantages which are afforded by the Del
Norte in forwarding supplies to such
posts as may be established in the interi-
or and upon the Indian 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 towards
Mexico, or Mexican citizens, and to re-
gard the relations between that republic
and the United States as peaceful. unless
she should declare war, or commit acts of
hostility indicative to a state OF war. He
was especially directed to protect private
property and respect personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi
on the llth of March, and on the 2Sth of
that month arrived on the left bank Of the
Del Norte, opposite to Matamoras, where
it encamped on a commanding position,
which has been since strengthene by the
erection of field works. A depot has also
been established at Point Isabel, near the
Brazos Santiago, thirty miles in rear of
the encampment. The selection of his
position was necessarily con6ded TO the
judgment OF the general in command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoras as
sumed a helligerent attitude, and on the
18th Of April, General Ampudia, then in
command, notified General faylor to
break up his camp within twenty-lour
hours, and to retire beyond the Nueces
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 act of hostility
was committed until the twenty-lourth of
April. On that day, General Arista, who
had succeeded to the command of the
Mexican forces, communicated to Gcner-
al Taylor, that .'he considered hostilties
commenced and should prosecute them"
party Of dragons Of sixty-three men
and officers were on the same day des-
patched from the American camp up the
Rio del Norte. on lis left bank, 10 ascer-
tain whether the Mexican troops had
crossed, or were preparing to cross the
river, ''became engaged with large body
OF these troops, and after short affair, in
which some sixteen were killed and woun-
ded, appear TO have been surrounded ard
compelled to surrender.
The grievous wrongs perpetrated by
Mexico upon our citizens throughout "a
long period ofyears, remain mrcdressed;
and solemn treaties, pledging her public
| faith for this redress, have been disregar-
ded. A government either unable or un-
willing to enforce the execution of such
treaties, fails TO perform one of its plain
est duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been
almost annihilated. 1t was formerly
highly benificial to both nations; but our
merchants have been deferred from pros
ecuting il bv the system of outrage and
extortion which the Mexican aulhori-
ties have pursued against them, whilst
their appeals through their own govern
ment for indemnity. have been made in
vain. Our forbearance has gone to such
an extreme as TO be mistaken in its char
acter. Had we acted with vigor in repel-
ling the insults and redressing the inju-
ries inflicted by Mexico at the commence
ment, we should doubtless have escaped
all the difficulties in which we are now
envolved.
Instead Of this, however, we have been
cxeriing our best efforts to propitiate her
good will. Upon the protext that Texas,
a nation as independent as herself, thought
proper to unite its dcstines with our own,
she has affected TO believe that we have
severed her sightful territory, and, III Off
cIal proclamations and manifestoes, has
repeatedly threatened to make war upon
us for the purpose of re-conquerIng Tex
as. In the mean time, we have tried ev-
erv effort at reconciliation. The cup of
forbearance had been exhausted, even be-
fore the recent information from the from
liVl Vi LiiC OCi ANOItG. iiO" dibSt ~
iterated menaces, Mexico has passed the
boundary ofthe United States, has lnva-
ded our territory, and shed American
blood upon the American soil. She has
proclaimed that hostiitles have commen-
ced, and that the two nations are now at
war.
! As war exists, and, Notwithstanding all
our efforts to avoid it, exists by the act OF
Mexico herself, we are called upon, by
every consideration of duty and patriot
ism, to vindicate, with decision, the hon
or, the rights, and the interests of our
country.
Anticipating the possibility OF a crisis
like that which has arrived, instructions
were given in August last, .as a precau-
tionary measure" against invasion, OF