The national whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1847, 1847-04-30
NATIONAL WING.
Ql1Ys
IL O'CLOCK, APRIL 30.

SSA - ~ p
II O'Clock, APaIL 30.
THE ATocHA MISSION.
Since Mi. Polk restored Santa Anna TO head
the Mexican army, to rouse the dormant ener-
gies Of the nation, to unite her factions, 10 con-
centrate her hostilites againstthe United States,
and 10 sacrifice the lives Of thousands Of our
patriotic people, the administration has hesita-
red at no step, however reckless or extreme
Encouraged by the hosannahs Of a subsidized
press, which, with one accord, applauded this
act Of bold and barefaced treason in time o.
war, they have gone on in career Of outrage
Apon the constitution, of violation TO the laws.
and Of insult to the country, These excuses
have been continued until the current has turn
ed, and the divine justice Of reuibuiion seems
nowto have begun its progress. Deliberate
lreachery entails punishment upon the traitor
There is no probability Of escaping it, even in
the highest position 10 which the consent Of
society can exalt the worst and meanesl Of men,
The recent popular elections have demonslras
led that the administration has not only forfeit
ted the confidence and respect of the country,
but that It's political quackery, and its Presi-
denrs war, has been repndated from one end
Of the Union to the other. Even Virginia,
1he Gibraltar Of locofocoism, which withstood
the tornado of 1910, has abandoned her idols
and proven that .sthe way Of the transgressor
is hard"
Next to the reasonable restoration Of Santa
Anna, the employment of his pimp and prote.
gee, Atocha, on senli-official mission to Mex
leo, is one Of the most daring indgnities ever
offered 10 the American people. The official
paper Of Mexico informs us OF the terms, that
this person is represented TO have rendered on
behalf Of the United States, as a basis Of peace.
The parallel Of Is degrees to the Pac6c-6f
teen millions in Casino indemnity for the
war, and an army of ten thousand men to main
Tain the boundary.
While the administration has directed lis min
ions abroad 10 deny the authority of Atocha to
propose these terms of accommodation, the
President'spaper here has not yet dared to affirm
that he was not instructed verbally TO make
Mexico. II has attempted to be sure, TO ex-
1ricate the government by averring that he was
not appointed an American Plenipo tentiary,"
though il is candid enough to admit, he was
The bearer Of a despatch" Now, we under-
take t. assert, that he was possessed of the views
OF our govt, and was sent 10 Mexico WIN nU-
other view than to bring over by bribery or 9th
erwise, the most formidable interest into paci
fcation, promising our support to maintain its
authority. The despatch which he bore was
only disguise>to his errand and the means by
which his services were requiied out Of the
Secret Service fund OF the Department Of State
Now that the experiment has failed, and the
confidential agent of Mr.. Polk has been pub
licIy disgraced, il may suit the purposes Of the
administration to put of The responsibility. and
disown the connection. II shall not succeed in
this contemplate trick. We intend 10 nail the
base coin 10 the counter, and to hold them and
their confederate up 10 the indignation and
, scorn Of the country.
And who is this Atocha that has so engross-
ed the favor and the confidence of the Execu.
tive2 We know Of him in Mexico as one Of
the brokers or inferior agents of Santa Anna,
and in the United States, according to the Del
ia, journal friendly to the administration, as
a member Of the night watch OF one of the
municipalities.
These are the sort Of characters who are en-
!, trusted with the confidential missions Of our
diplomacy bring with them no reputation
for honor and integrity. and who appear under
circumstances Of the gravest suspicion. There
was no Democrat or citizen in our country,
I il appears, in whom the administration could
sufficiently con6de to bear despatch 10 Mex
leo, or rather to bear terms for the adjustment
Of treaty. A .Merican and one too, notori-
ously the ally, if not now the secret agent Of
Santa Anna, must be preferred over all their
heads, and have showered upon him the favors
and the confidence Of those in power. Loco
focoism may submit 10 such outrages, but
thank God there is party identified with the
interests and the reputation Of the country, that
will resist such treacherous collision, cost what
il may. The. administration in the course Of
This war has done every thing for Mexico. and
everything against the United States. Its poll
cy and its principles are Mexican, and its SYM
pa,hies as well as its services, are entirely with
Santa Anna. Wecannot express our opinion Of
the present administration more exactly than in
1he words Of Sir Rich. Steele, "that we are gov
erned bv a set Of jewellers whose folly takes