Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1847-12-16

war has been prosecuted with increased energy,
and am gratified to state witha success which
commands universal admiration. History pre-
sents no parallel Of so many glorious victories
achieved by any nation within so short period.
Our army, regulars and volunteers, have covered
themselves with imperishable honors. When
ever and wherever our forces have encountered
the enemy, though he was in vastly superior
numbers, and often entrenched in fortified posi-
tons ofhis own selection, and Of great strength,
he has been defeated. Too much praise cannot
be bestowed upon our officers and men, regulars
and volunteers, for their galantry, discipline, In
domitable courage and perseverance, all seeking
the post of danger, and vleing with each other
in deeds of noble daring.
While every patriots heart must exult, and,
lust national pride animate every bosom, in be-
holding the high proofs of courage consummate
military skill, steady discipline, and humanity to
the vanquished enemy, exhibited by our gallant
army, the nation is called to mourn the loss OF
many brave officers. and soldiers who have fallen
in defence of their countrys honor and interests
The brave dead met their melancholy fate in
foreign land, nobly discharging their duty, and
with their country's flag waving triumphantly in
the face of the: foe. Their patriotiGJeeds are
Justly appreciated, and will long be remembered
by their grateful countrymen. The paternal care
of the government they loved and served should
be extended to their surviving families.
Shortly after the adjournment of the late session
of Congress, the gratifying intelligence. was re-
ceived of the signal victory of Buena Vista and
of the fall of the city Of Vera Cruz, and with 1T
the strong castle of San Juan de Ulloa, by WHICH
it was defended. Believing that after these and
other successes, SO honorable to cur arms and SO
disastrous to Mexico, the period was propitious to
20
proper to embrace it. to enter tonegotlatons for
peace, a commissioner was appointed to proceed
to the headquarters of our army, with full pow
ers to enter upon negotiations, and to conclude
just and honorable treaty of peace. :,
He was not directed to make. any new over
lures of peace but was the bearer of despatch
from the Secretary of State of the United States
to the Minister of Foreign Affairs OF Mexico, in
reply to one received from the latter of the 22d
of FEBRUARY, 1S47, in which the Mexican govern
ment was informed of his appointment, and OF his
presence at the headquarters of our army, and
that he was invested with full powers to conclude
definite treaty of peace, whenever the Mexi-
can government might signify desire to do so.
While | was unwilling to subject the United
States to another indignant refusal, was yet re-
solved that the evils of the war should not be
protracted day longer than might be rendered
absolutely necessary by the Mexican government
Care was taken to give no instructions to the
commissioner which could in any way interfere
with our military operations, or. relax our ener-
gies in the prosecution of the war. lie possess
ed no authority in any manner to control these
operations He was authorized to exhibit his In
structions to the General in command Of the ar
nv !: and in the event of treaty being conclud-
ed and ratified on the part of Mexico, he was di-
rected to give him notice of that fact. On the
happening of such contingency, and on receiving
notice thereof, the General in command was In
structed by the Secretary Of War to suspend
further active military operations until further
orders. These instructions were given with
view TO intermit hostilities, until the treaty thus
ratified by Mexico could be transmitted to Wash
ington, and receive the action of the Government
of the United States.
The commissioner was also directed, on reach
ing the army, to deliver to the General IN COM
mand the despatch he bore from the Secretary o1
State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexl'
co. and, on receiving it, the General was instruc
ted by the Secretary OF War TO cause 1t to be
trasmitted to the Commander of the Mexican for.
ces, with request that it might be transmitted
to his government. n.... ~
The commissioner did not reach the head-quar
ters of the army until after another brilliant VIC
tory had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the Secre
tary of War to the General in command OF the
army, was received by that officer, then at Jaapa
on the seventh day of May. lS47, together witt
the despatch from the Secretary OF State to The
Minister Of Foreign Affairs of Mexico, having
| been transmitted to him from Vera Cruz. The
commissioners arrived at the head quarters OF tn.
army a few days afterwards. His presence witt
the army and his diplomatic character were made
known to the Mexican government from Puebla
the twelfth of June, 1847, by the Transmission
the despatch from the Secretary OF State TO th
Minister of Foreign affairs of Mexico.
Many weeks elapsed after its receipt, and m
overtures were made, nor was any desire express
ed by the Mexican government to enter into ne
gotiations for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the capital
and, as it approached it, was met by formIdabl
resistance Our forces first encountered the en-
envy, and achieved signal victories III the severe
lly contested battles OF Contreras and Churubusce
1t was not until these actions had resulted IN de
csive victories, and the capital of the enemy wa
within our power, that the Mexican government
manifested any disposition to enter into negotia
tons for peace, and even then, as events nav
proved, there is too much reason to believe the
were insncere, and that in agreeing to go throug
the forms of negotiation, the object was to gai
time to strengthen the defences OF their capha
and to prepare for fresh resistance
The General in command of the army deeme