Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-06-03

HEAD-QuARTERs OF THE ARMY,
JALAPA, May II, 1S47.

your government, make it my duty to address
you-to show you truths of which you are ig-
norant, because they have been criminally con-
cealcd from you. l do not ask you to trus,
my words (though he who has never falsfed
them has a right to confdence) but to judge Of
these truths by facts within the view and know
ledge of you all. aa. r
/ Whatever may have been the origin of this
war, which my country saw itself forced to un.
dcrtake by irremediable causes, which learn
are unknown TO the greater part of the Mexi-
can nation, we regard il as necessity such
is il always to both belligerents, and reason
and justice, il not forgotten on both sides, are
in dispute, each believing them his own. You
have proof of this truth as well as ourselves !;
for in Mexico, as in the United States, there
have existed, and do exist, two opposite par
ties, desirng-the one peace, the other war
But governments have sacred duties from
which they cannot depart, and often these du.
ties impose, for national reasons, a silence,
and reserve sometimes displeasing TO ma.
jority Of those who, from views purely person
al, or individual, make opposition To this a
government cannot pay any regard, expecting
the nation to place in it the confidence merited
by magstracy of their own election.
Reasons of high policy and of continental
American interests preciptated events in spite
of the circumspection of the cabinet Of Wash
its differences with Mexico, spared no resource,
compatbls with honor and dignity, to arrive
at so desirable an end and when it was in
dulging the most hatterng hopes Of accom-
plishng its aim by frank explanations and rea-
sonings, addressed to the judgment and pru-
dence OF the virtuous and patriotic government
Of Gen. ID. J. Herrera, the misfortune least
looked for dispelled this pleasant hope, and at
the same time blocked up every avenue which
could lead to an honorable settlement between
the two nations.
The new government discarded the national
interests, as well as those of Continental Amer
ica, and elected in preference foreign inhuen-
ces the most fatal to thc future Of Mexican lib
erty and of the republican system, which the
United States hold it duty to preserve and
protect. Duty, honor and dignity itself impose
upon us the necessity of not losing n season of
which the monarchcal party was taking vio-
lent advantage, for not a moment was 10 be
lost, and we acted with the promptness and
decision necessary in n case so urgent, TO avoid
thereby complication of interests, which
might render our relations more difficult and
involved.
Again, in the course of civil war, the gov
eminent of Paredes was overthrown. We
could not but hope this would prove fortunate
event, and whatever other administration might
represent the government, il would be less de-
ludcd as well as more patriotic and prudent, III
it looked to the common good, weighing prob
abilities, its own strength and resources, and
especially the general opinion as to the newt
able results of national war. We were de-
ceivcd, as perhaps you, Mexicans, were also
deceived in judging of the true intentions of
Gen. Santa Anna, whom you recalled, and
whom our government permitted to return.
From this condition Of things the Mexican
lnat haug ,hat ha, hAn tt,a
results lamented by all, and by us sincerely :;
for we appreciate. as is due, the valor and no
BILE determination of the unfortunates who go
to battle ill-fed, worse governed, and almost
invariably outraged by deceit or perfdy.
We have witnessed, and we cannot be tax
ed with partiality for iamenting, with astonish-
ment, that the heroic department Of the garri-
son at Vera Cruz, in its valiant defence, was
asperscd by the general who had just been de-
feated and put to shameful fight by force far
inferior to that which he commanded at Bucna
Vista that this general, rewarding the insur-
gents and promoters of civil war in Mexico,
heaped outrages on those who had singularly
distinguished themselves by a resistance be-
yond what could be expected, and Of admira-
BILE decision.
Finally, the bloody event of Cerro Gordo|
has shown the Mexican nation what it may
reasonably expect If it longer continues blind
to the true situation in which it has been placed
by some generals, whom it has most distin-
guished and in whom il has most confded
The hardest heart would be moved to grief
in contemplating the battle fields of Mexico al
moment after the last struggle. Those gener-
ais whom the nation has, without service rem
dered, paid for so many years, with some hon
orable exceptions, have in the day of need be-
trayed it by their bad example or unskilfuness.
On that fcld amongst the dead and dying,
are no proofs Of military honor, for they
are reduced TO the sad fate of the soder--the
same on every OCCASION, from Palo Alto to
Cerro Gordo-the dead to remain unburicd :,
and the wounded abandoned to the charity and
clcmency Of the conqueror. Soldiers who go
to fight, expecting such recompensc, deserve
to be classed amongst the best in the world
since they are stimulated by no hope of ephe-
neral glory, of regret, of remembrance, or|
even of grave.
Again, Mexicans of honorable pride, contem-
plate the lot of peaceful and laborious citizens
in all classes of your society. The possessions
of the church mcnaced and held out as an in
citcment to revolution and anarchy the for
tune of the rich proprietors pointed out for
plundcr to the illdisposed; the merchant and
the artisan, the laborer and the manufac cturer,
burdened with contributions, excitcs monopo-
lies, taxes upon consumption, surrounded with
restrictions ana charged with odious internal
customs the man of letters and the states
man, the man Of liberal knowledge who dares
to speak, prosecuted without trial by some
factions or by the rulers who abuse their pow
cr criminals unpunished and set at liberty
rs were those Of Perote-is this, then, Mexi-
cans, the liberty which you enjoy
will not believe that the Mexicans Of the
present day are wanting in courage to confess
errors which do not dshonor them, and to|
adopt system of true liberty Of peace and
union with their brethren and neighbors of the
North neither will believe that they are ig.
norant Of the falsty of the calumnies Of the
press, intended TO excite to hostility. No Il
public sentiment is not to be created or ANNA
ted by ialschood. We have not profaned your
temples, nor abused your women, nor seized
your property, as they would have you believe
We say this with pride, and we confirm il by
your own bishops and by the clergy of Tampi-
CO, Tuspan, Matamoras, Monterey, Vera Cruz,
and Jalapa, and by all the authorities, civil and
religious, and the inhabitants Of every town
that we have occupied We adore the same
God, and large portion of our army, as we'll
as of the population of the United States,
are Catholics, like yourselves. We punish
crime whercve ye find ~ and rou,rJ ,,.x;,