Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-06-26
FROM THE LONDON CHRONICLE.

As far the of their military operations is con-
cerned nothing conclusive be conceived than the
late of the United States generals against the for
that the Mexcans have beep able oppose them the
field II impossible read the Of these successive
actions without something like feeling of contempt for the
beaten party strong effect do the umphs of military
prowess exercise the mind Almost despite the claims of
justice and of compassion Tor the countless and unoendng
thousands whose es noxrcaby bound up with those of
the beaten troops tempted excaim that they who
know Ill how to defend county not worthy to possess
one The price of empireso all history tells us-beas
scnbed upon it the legend, g Deiar Forfiori."
Not all the military success, however, of General Scott
of General Taylor victory in twenty engagements
though they have been CALAMITY fought the side of the
conquerors those of Buena Vista and Ceo Godo could
the victory of the United States augh else than
of brute force, or if you will, of military discipline. Never
should forget with what slight this entered
upon by the authorities at Washington upon how trivial
petex, how immense amount OF misery has been inflicted
upon unoiending people, That the Mexicans
bulent and impraccabe people, granted granted too, that
in the field soldiers, they have been unable to cope with
the invaders STILL all this will the brigandage of
Unauthorized attack into legitimate war;
Even if we admit that the of certain amount
of dollars could have furnished Mr. Polk with be for
his conduct in this NATTER is be remembered that
in great owing TO the acts of the United States
IN Texas and the severance OF that province IN conse
quence from Mexican confederation that the Central Gov
reduced state of permanent dIsoganizaion.
Feelings OF hostility too, engendered in the hearts Of
the Mexicans by the conduct of the United States that
transaction, which predsposed them to resist any claim that
the envoy from Washington might set up and upon those
feelings the AngoAmecans should have looked quietly and
without any very violent return will Time should have
given those who bad just been despoled Of Of the
farest portions of their empire order that they might Learn
decenly VEIL if they could entirely SUPPRESS the
ness consequent upon the event.
That which have often foetold would be the ruin of the
Mexcans In military point Of view, has actually
pass The imaginative gaantry of the Spanish
but i'll out of the rough ordeal of practical trial Because
each individual of whom their composed is
respect inferior in courage skill his weapon Of
his Anglo American opponents therefore they jump the
conclusion that the Mexican army the aggregate offer
eecua resistance that of the United States They for
get that thousand Bayards could break modern
square of infantry, resist modern charge they had
themselves passed through the hands of the sergeant
They will not trust their best aes-heir deserts and their
yelowfever-but must needs fight great battles which nva
riably terminate in result-disgrace and defeat.
We say how far Santa Anna may he compelled
fight these disastrous by the political position af
fairs Mexico Such may be the state of things that
defeat preferable alternative to the results of nacon If
this be not however, the case, be must wiuly intend his
countys ruin, be filter subject for asylum than the
command of After his experience Buena
VISTA not to speak OF the experience of long life, he
have been perfectly aware when he threw up his cntrench
ments in the face of Gen SCOTS advancing force, that he
attempted 10 defend them, he lost He had ample
to choose his own ground and he does appear have
| done so with any peculiar military skill.
There does not to have been any such great local
vantages about the heights of Cero Godo should
titled them to the dignity of the Thermopye Of Mexico
True is that the ground is described 10y General Scott
being broken by mountains and deep chasms but the field
OF Santa Annals line of Defence there a upon
height by the capture Of which the Of his troops
be eectuay cut oil any direction. Yet against proba
bic contingency, he made kind Of preparation whatever
and accordingly, in his Jaapa twenty-five miles
distant from the OF action, General Scott informs
Secretary OF that troops under his command had added
greatly to the number of prisoners, wounded and killed
The courage displayed by the Anglo throughout
the action unreasonable, and yet does appear
have been bloody either side The official return
gives the total the Anglo American loss 43 killed
land If Tho in
wounded is rated by General Scott only about $50
the field of bae to which number of be added
that of those who cut down the retreat to Jalapa.
The opinion entertained by the United States officers of the
OF resistance of their opponents be inferred
General Scos orders issued the Generals OF dvi
sion on the day preceding the action Never in the dec-
tons issued by of the greatest European commanders do
we remember have greater confidence manifested in
what must be the result of his operations Success
every point and the direction be taken by each DIVISION
after forcing each point Of the Mexican entertainments
clearly marked though result had already taken place
We bound say that the unlimited confidence pac
by General Scott in the troops under his command has
justified by the event His victory Cerro Gordo appears
have been Iy far the most brilliant affair of the He de-
scbes himself being absolutely embarrassed with results
OF his succesprisoners of war; heavy ordnance small
and Under tho head prisoners alone
about three thousand have laid down their arms with the
usual proportion Of officers besides five Generals highest
rank General Santa Anna himself with six or eight
thousand men, escaped in the direction Of Jaapa just in
before the tower of which have spoken above carried
by division OF the United States army.
To speculate upon the further progress of General SCOTS
army in the direction of the capital would be denes in
the face OF such Reorganization must undoubtedly
list the side OF the Mexcans The troops of Gen. Taylor
still at Buena Vista and SaIo and is stated be his
intention advance San Luis along the road aversed
Santa Anna his late disastrous retreat from Buena Vista
there he will be placed in situation TO cooperate with his
colleague in his views upon Mexico ITSELF Undoubtedly il
military resistance be the only obstacle be appehended by
the Generals in their advance upon Mexico
shall expect shortly to hear the fall Of that city, have
ust heard of that Of Vera Cruz.
For the honor of humanity should be well pleased
hear of something like probable termination of this disastrous
As TO The point that the United States troops would take
military possession Of the great towns of the country have
disputed for moment but military possession oce
tain points country notidcnca with conquest Of the
country. Even the authorities Washington determine
this generation will accomplished, and which must be
in at an expense that Congress will be little likely TO
sanction Porhaps the best thing TO be wished for in the
Of the Mexican themselves that the OF the
United States Generals should be still rapid and decisive
than has hitherto bccn order that they may be driven to
make and by definite sacrifice purchase the
Of their invaders We fully grant that such course
may admit of doubt but yet among alternatives seems to be
the least disastrous That the United States will ngain,
future occasion, with without cause attack hcm IS clear
enough The old fable Of the wolf and the lamb drinking at
the stream is of eternal application
ApPRKnESDED INDIAN HosTILIrIEs.-M Richards ha
arrived at ST. Louis from Fort Larsme which place he left