The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1847-12-17

with the national honor and interests.
The rapid and brilliant success Of our arms
and the vast extent of the enemy's territory
which had been overrun and conquered, be-
fore the close Of the last session of Congress
were fully known to that body. Since tha
time, the war has been prosecuted with In
creased energy: and am graliiied to state
with success which commands universal ad-
miration. History presents no parallel o. SC
many glorious victories achieved by any ma
ton within so short period.
Our army, regulars and volunteers, have
covered themselves with impershable honors.
Wherever and whenever our forces have
encountered the enemy, though he was IN
vastly superior numbers. and often entrench-
ed IN fortified positions of his own selection,
and of great strength, he has been defeated.
Too much praise connot be bestowed upon
our officers and men, regulars and volunteers
and their gallantry, discipline, indomltabe
courage aud perseverence;-all seeking the
posts of danger, and vieing with each other
in deeds Of noble daring.
Winlc every patriots heart must exut, and
a just national pride animate every bosom in
beholding the high proofs of courage, consu-
mate military skill, steady discipline and hu
manity TO the vanquished enemy, exhibited
by our gallant army, the nation is called to
mourn over the loss Of many brave officers
and soldiers who have fallen in defence Of
their country honor and interests. The
brave dead met their melancholy fate IN
foreign land, nobly discharging their duty,
and with their country S flag waving triumph
antly in the face of the foe.
Their patriotic deeds are justly appreciated,
and will long be remembered by their CRATE
ful counrymen.
The paternal care of the government they
loved and served should be extended to their
surviving families.
Shortly after the adjournment of the last
session of Congress, the gratifying ntelli
qence was received of the battle of Buena |
Vista, and of the fall of the city of Vera Cruz
and with it the strong Castle of San Juan dc
UIloa, by which it was defended Believing
that after these, and others successes sn honor
able to our arms, and so disastrous to Mexico,
the period was propltlous to offord her another
opportunity, If she tho't proper to embrace it,
to enter into negotiations for peace, a com
missioner was appointed to proceed to the
headquarters of our army, with full power to
al opl ia, MI |
and honorable treaty of peace.
He was not directed to make any new ov er
lures of peace, but was the bearer of des-
patch, from the Secretary of State of the Uni
ted States, TO the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Of Mexico IN renly tn ono racaiuah trnn, tho
latter, of the 22d of Feb. 1847, in which the
Mexican government was informed of his ap.
pontment, and of his presence at the head
ed with full power to conclude dlfntive
treaty of peace, whenever the Mexican gov
ernment might signify desire to do so-
While was unwilling to subject the United
States to another indignant REFUSAL | was yet
resolved that the evils ufihe war should not
be protracted day longer than might be rem
lered absolutely necessary by the Mexican
government. Care was taken to give no in
to the commissioner which could :
in any way interfere with our military oper
alons, or relax our energies in the prosecu-
ton of the war, He possessed no authority t
in any manner to control these operations.
He vas authorized to exhibit his instructions ,
to the Geueral in command of the army, and,
in the event of a treaty being conc luded and
ratified on the part of Mexico, he was direct
ed to give him notice of that fact. On the {
happening of such contingency and on re
cevng notice there of, the General in com I
mand was instructed, bv the Secretary OF {
War, to suspend further active military oper-
atoms until further ordered. These lnstruc a
ilons were given with a view to lnlermt hos
iilites until the treaty thus ratified by Mexi {
co could be transmitted to Washington, and :
receive the action of the government OF the c
United States.
The Commissioners was also directed, on
IN reaching the army, to deliver to the Gene,
al in command, the despatch which he bore
rom the Secretary of State TO the Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Mexico; and on receiving
t, the General was instructed by the Secre
airy of War, TO cause 1t to be transmitted to
he commander of the Mexican forces, with
request that it might be communicated to
lis government
The commissioner did not reach the head
quarters of the army until another brilliant
Iictory had CROW ned our arms at Cerro Cor =
10.
The despatch which he bore from the Sec
etary of War 10 the General in command of :
he army, was received by that officer, then
It Jalapa, on the 9TH day of May, 1847, to
,ether with the despatch of the Secretary of
State to the NJ mister of Foreign Affairs of