The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-23
From the Army.


walls from Vera Cruz Among them is interesting let
ter (Which we have seen from Puebla OF the 2sth July
General Scott had sent on flag of truce on the subject OF
prisoners. 1t went forward the l3th and with il
Lieut. r. Semnes, of the navy, who had been sent
some time since to General SCOTS camp for the purpose
OF efiectng an exchange for Midshpman Rogers, OF the
navy and, if necessary threatening retaliation in
the Mexicans should treat him spy. The flag, how
ever, stopped by the Mexican authorities couplt
of miles beyond the Rio Frio and some thirty five miles
from the city of Mexico. They refused the flag any ad
mission into the city. and the dispatches necessarily
sent on by the Mexicans themselves reply had been
received from the Mexican government, agreeing 10
change Mr. Rogers with the other prsoners but the
terms OF exchange had not yet been settled but prob
ably would be in few weeks In consequence of this
reply, Lieut. Semmes had deemed it most prudent to
withhold Commodore Perrys peremptory letter.
This letter from Puebla further states that Mr. Trist
who had been endeavong for month previously TO open
a negotiation with the Mexican government, had aban-
doned all hope OF successat least for the present Mr.
Buchanans letter had reached Santa Anna through the
courteous Offices of Mr.. Bankhead, and we have
it repeatedly stated in the papers, was referred By Santa
Anna TO the Congress-a session of this body being
called for that purpose. After many delays, anc
much apparent unwillingness to meet, the Congress
assembled with a quorum OF "a members on the
18th OF July. 1t Immediately took the subject into
consideration, and, we have seen it stated adopted
a report and resolutions TO the following effect, viz :
that it belonged TO the executive, under their constitution
oeceve all ministers and other public agents, and to make
treaties of peace, alliances, &C. that the functions OF
Congress limited to the approving or disappearing of
these treaties when made; and that consequently, until
treaty should be submitted to it in FORM it could take
constitutional action the subject Accordingly the
Congress returned Mr. Buchanans letter to Santa Anna,
and adjourned on the same day it had met The letter
states there had been meeting snce most OF the men,
bers having off goes on to state that upon the re-
cept of this report and these resolutions, Santa Anna is
sued proclamation stating that Congress- on the Goth Of
April last had passed decree declaring that any Mexi
authority, who should listen to any proposition for
peace from the enemy should be deemed traitor and
treated accordingly and that, until this decree
pealed, his hands were tied and he could do nothing
adding, at the time, that as Mr. Buchanan's letter
courteous, it due to the character of the Mexi-
nation to give it at least polite reception and con-
sderation Thus, says the letter, the matter stands
neither Santa Anna nor the Congress daring to take the
responsibility of treating with and leaving us no alter
native but to march to the capital subdue and occupy it.
1t is barely possible, when Santa Anna shall be again
beaten and his troops dispersed, that he may be
thrown by revolution, and that the party may
make peace with u.s." The writer, however, thinks
quite likely considering the dogged obstnacy of the race
that they will reject the ovebranch for the present. and
compel us to prosecute the with greater and more
sweeping vigor
The letter states that General Scott was only waiting
the arrival of General Pierce who expected in about
ten days, to forward Many were expecting
great battle the plains Of Mexico, Santa Anna
said to have $1,000 troops, and has fortified the city and
its approaches
Since the date of this letter. it appears from an inter-
estng article in the New Orleans Picayune, which we
insert in this evenings paper that Santa Anna had made
another appeal to Congress rescnd its decree of April
last and pointing out the consequences Of its refusal but
that at the last dates action had been taken by the
Congress.
We have SEEM also, other letters, but they are from
Vera Cruz One dated on the 1s of August and states
that the British courier had arrived the day before from
the city of Mexico and that the writer had had the peru
sal OF more than twenty letters received from the city
that would appear if the peace party augment
ing, "ahough war had been breahed in torrents by
the government press" but that the 29thhe day on
which the mail eftit seemed to change its one and
expressed itself in favor of immediate meeting of Con-
gress hear what the of the United States
and if Congress should approve them, settle the
ter 1t further states, that old Valencia had reached the
city with 5000 troops and artillery, and that
these in conjunction with the troops already under Santa
Anna would amount to 10000 more; that some per-
expected they would march out and offer General
Scott battle and if they gained victory, then they might
negotiate for peace But the writer shakes his head at
this, and expresses his opinion that they would not
venture upon another battle with our troops. He states
that the time has passed when they might have attempted
to destroy Gen. SCOTS army. Once the Commanding
General had only 5000 with him at Pueba, and had
the Mexicans possessed courage and patriotism enough
they might have mustered in large force and attacked
him but the opportunity has passed for making the as
saut and the writer doubts whether they will ever at
tempt the experiment
We have seen later letter from Vera Cruz-viz: on
the It'll August The writer then INDUCES more hope OF
peace--the dawning OF which, he states, the British
minister speaks of in his letter TO the British consul at
Vera Cruz And even some officers of distinction in
Mexico had expressed TO their Mexican friends in Vera
Cruz the same opinion This letter also states that Col
Wilson had lust received letter from General Soto, the
Mexican governor of Orizaba, saying that he will ex
change Lieut. Whipple recently taken by the guerlas
for lieutenant colonel who is in Vera Cruz, and will