The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-29
Tn. Mission OF Mr.. Trist to Mexico.

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The Mission or Mr.. Trlst to Mexico.
Some of our contemporaries seem inclined to
mngle Gen Scott, Commodore Perry and Mr..
Trist together, in the mission which the last
named gentleman has been entrusted to perform
by the administration, and incline to lay great
stress on the interview that took place with
the commander of the navy, on the arrival Of Mr..
Trist at Vera Cruz. Mr.. Trist, of course, had
to see that officer, but that was all he had to do
with him.
The mission of Mr.. Trist is not generally
understood. That gentleman, because of his ia
Tents and education, his knowledge Of Spanish
and the Spanish character, and because he holds
a high Office in the state department, was
selected by the President to proceed to Mexico,
and feel the national pulse of Mexico. In case
he finds it calmer and less feverish than it
has been since the commencement of the
war, he is TO give the government OF that
country to understand that if it is will
ling to open negotiations for peace, the Secre-
tary of State of the United States, Mr.. Bucha-
nan, will himself follow him, clothed with ample
authority to act in the premises, and conclude a
treaty of peace, if the government of Mexico
will confer with him on the subject. Mr.. Trist's
mission is merely TO sound the Mexican govern
ment this subject, take advantage of circum-
stances, and pave the way for the reception of
Mr. Buchanan, if it be found necessary for him
to proceed to Mexico.
The intimation that Commodore Perry or
Gen. Scott are aparty in the mission, is the height
of absurdty. Both of these accomplished Off
GERS have as much business on hand as they can
reasonably attend to in their respective lines.
THE BATTLE OF BUENA VIsTA-THE PLAN OF
THE BATTLE FIELD.-Wherever the accounts of
the battle of Buena Vista have reached, that
celebrated engagement has been pronounced the
most brilliant affair that is recorded in the annals
Of modern warfare. When the British achieved
victory over the Sikhs in India, with four to
one opposed to them, the English journals were
filled with laudations and congratulations. 1t
was believed achievement which British
generals and British troops alone could accom-
plish, and was cited argument to prove the
superiority of British soldiers over that of the
world.
They had their day, and we now have ours.
We are inclined to think that the battle of
Buena Vista was far more brilliant than the Bri-
fish victory over the Sikhs, because, in the first
place, the Mexicans numbered nearly five to one
American-in the second place, because they
were led by Santa Anna, a general, whom the
British journals have over and again pronounced
one of the first military men of the day and
thirdly, because the Mexicans were not like the
Sikhs, an ungovernable rabble, hardly acquaint-
ed with the of firearms. On the contrary
the forces which Santa Anna commanded in that
engagement were the best disciplined in Mexico
they were, in fact, the flower of the Mexican
nation, and Santa Anna commenced the battle
with the fullest confidence in them. Nor did he
misplace his confidence. The best disciplined
troops never fought better than did the Mexi-
can soldiers on that occasion. To impute cow
ardice to them, would be mean and contemplate
But discipline and bravery did not avail against
the American troops. The steady and unflinch-
ing courage of our troops was more than match
for the impetuous bravery Of the Mexicans; the
unerring aim of our Western rifemsn was more
deadly than the escopette balls of the enemy; and
the cool, determined and sagacious judgment OF
Zachary Taylor frustrated the plan of campaign
laid down by the Mexican General. Buena Vista
was great victory, and throws in the shade the
victory of the British over the .Sikhs. 1t is the
most brilliant victory that modern warfare can
boast of, and will be remembered as long as the
world shall remain as it is
In view of the Importance Of this great battle,
and the credit and renown which the United
States has achieved from it, we obtained full
and perfect sketch ofthe battlefield and the posi-
tons of the several portions of the contending
armies. This is now in the hands of the en-
graver.
twill be ready in few days, when we shall
publish it, with the official dispatches of the
several officers who immortalsed themselves on
that glorious day.