Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-24

peaceful and industrious citizens in all classes
your country. The POSSESSIONS Of the church me
naced, and presented as an allurement to revolution
and anarchy the fortunes of rich prOpretOrs point
ed out for the plumber of armed ruflians; the ner
chant and the mechanic, the husbandman and the
manufacturer, burdened with contributions, excuses
monopoles, duties on consumption, and surrounded
by officers and collectors of these Odious internal
customs; the man of letters and the legislator, the
freeman OF knowledge, who dares to speak, perse-
cued, without trial. by some faction or by the very
rulers who abuse their power and criminals, I'M
punished, set at liberty, were those at Perote
What, then, Mexicans, is the liberty of which you
boast?
Twill not believe that Mexicans Of the present
day want the courage TO confess errors which do
not dshonor them or to adopt system Of true lib
| erty-one of peace and union with their brethren
and neghbors of the North.
Neither can believe Mexicans ignorant of the
lnfamy of the caumnies put forth by the press in
| order TO excite hostility against No: public
spirit cannot be created nor animated by falsehood.
we have not proaned your temples, nor abused
your women, nor seized your property, as they
would have you believe. We say it with pride,
and confrmlt by an appeal to your bishops and the
curates of Tampico, Tuxpan, Matamoras, Monte
rey, Vera Cruz and Jalapa to all the clergy, civil
authorities and inhabitants of all the places we have
occupied
our army as well as of the people of the United
States is Catholic like yourselves. We punish
crime wherever we find it, and reward merit and
virtue.
The army of the United States respects, and will
ever respect, private property of every class ~
The. property of the Mexican Church. Wo to him
who does not where we are.
MeNcans! the past is beyond remedy, but the
future may yet be controlled. | have repeatedly
declared 10 you that the Government and people Of
the United States desire peacedcsire your friend
ship Abandon, then, State preudices cease to be
the sport of private ambiton and conduct YOUR
selves like a great American nation Abandon at
once those odcolona habits and learn ob truly Free
truly republican. You may then soon attain pros
perliy and happiness, of which YOU possess all the
elements; but remember that yOu are americans,
and that your happiness is not to come from Europe
desire, In conclusion, TO say TO you with equal
iTankness that, were it necessary, army of one
hundred thousand Americans would soon be among
you; and that the United States, if forced to ermi,
nate by arms their differences with you, would not
do IL In an uncertain or precarlons still less i'm
dlshonorabe manner. 1t would be an insult 10 the
intelligent people Of this country to doubt their
knowledge of our power.
The system of forming guerilla parties to annoy
us will assure you. produce only evils TO this coun-
try, and none TO our army, which know how TO pro-
tect itself, and how 10 proceed against such cut
throats and II, so far from calming resentments and
passions, you try to irritate you will but force up
on us the hard necessity OF retaliation In that event
you cannot blame us for the consequences which
fall upon yourselves.
shall march with this army upon Puebla and
Mexico. do no not conceal this from You from
those capitals may again address you. We desire
peace, friendship and Union it is for you 10 choose
whether You prefer continued hostilities. In either
case, be assured will keep my word.
HEADaUARTEEs OF THE ARMY,
,... JnApA May L. IS57