The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-05-27
LATEST MEXICAN
NEWS,

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The following important news was received Just
as we were going to press We copy from the Dali
ly Tribune, of May 90.
Washington, May 21.
The southern mail has arrived with New
Orleans papers Of the 14th. The Picayune
contains an order of Canales relative to the
recent massacre of the Mexcans by our SOL
diers, in which retaliation is recommended with
out distinction of age or sex.
The whole valley of the Rio Grande is I'M
der martial law, and every one capable Of
bearing arms is ordered to rally under penal
ty of a traitors death. This does not exclude
even the clergy. A bloody chapter is about
to open upon all struggling parties Of Ameri-
cans near our places Of occupation. The
highest penalties are imposed upon military
commanders for not carrying out Canales' or
ders.
Gen. Taylor will not move upon San Luis
until reinforced, as so large a number of vol
untcers are leaving him at tie expiration of
their term of service. Those already return
ed to New Orleans are in wretched plight,
sick, and their apparel worn out.
Private letters speak of the advance of Gen,
Alvarez from the south of Mexico, with 25,-
900 men, to be distributed in guerrilla parties.
The above news also came through the Boston
Daily Bee of May "a, from which paper we copy tho
Order of Gen, Canacs, from which it appears that
the Mexican General is not much in favor of peace
while our soldiers remain on Mexican soil.
The following is the order issued by Ca
males. 1t was found upon the Alcalde of
Guerrero, who was at the time in company
with one of Canales' captains
Frontier Brigade of Cava1y, :
San Augustin, April A, 1947.
this day send to the Adjutant Inspector
of the National Guards the following instruc-
tions:
learn, with greatest indignation, that tie
Americans have committed most horrible
massacre at she rancho of the Guadaloure.
They made'prisoners in their own houses and
by the side of their families twenty-five
peaceable men and Immediately shot them
10 repel this class Of warfare, which is not war
but atrocity in all its fury there is no other
course left us than retaliation; and in order
to pursue this method, rendered imperative
by the fatal circumstances above mentioned,
you will Immediately declare martial Law,
with the understanding that eight days after
the publication of the same, every individual
who has not taken up arms (being capable of
so doing) shall be considered traitor and in
stantly shot.
Martial law being in force, you are bound
to give no quarters to any American whom
you may meet who may present himself to
you, even though he be without arms. You
are also directed to publish this to all the
towns in this state, forcibly imprcssing them
with the severe punishment that shall be in,
flcted for the least omission of this order.
No boVn orriuo6 NJ fbof cto -,
our country requires the greatest sacrifices
her sons should glory in nothing but to be-
come soldiers and as brave Mexicans meet
the crisis. Therefore, if the army of inva-
sion continues, and our people remain in
the towns which they have mo1ested they de-
serve not one ray of sympathy; nor should
any one ever cease to make war upon them.
You will send copy of this to each of your
subordinates, and they are authorized to pro-
coed against the chiefs of their squadrons or
against their colonies or any other, even
against me, for any infracton of this order
the only mode of salvation left.
The enemy wages war against us and even
against those pcaccable citizens, who, actuat-
ed by improper impulses, desire to remain
quiet in their houses Even these they kill,
without quarter and this is the greatest "a
vor they may expect from them. The only
alternative left us, under these circumstances,
is retaliation, which is the strong right of the
offended against the offending. To carry
this into effect attach yourself to the author
itics. Your failing to do this vii be consid-
cred crime Of the greatest magnitude. All
the officers of the troops are directed to assist
you in carrying out this order, and it is dis
tinctly understood there shall be no excep-
tons. Neither the clergy, military, citizens
nor other persons shall enjoy the privilege of
remaining peaceably at their homes. The
whole of the corporation shall turn out with
the citizens, leaving solely as authority of the
town one of the members who!is over the ago
of sixty years; at the same time, ifall of the
members are capable of bearing arms, then
none shall be excepted; leaving to act some
one who is incapable of military service. You
yourself must be an example to others, BY
conforming to this requisition. And seEd
this to you for publication and charge you TO
see it executed in every particular and COM
municate it also to the commanders of the
squadrons in your city who will aid you in
CARRYING into effect these instructions and
in fact you are to do every thing which Your
patriotism may prompt. God and Liberty
ANTONIO CANALEs.