Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-12-15

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his net declaring the war 10 exist by
9the act Of Mexico, and maxim provision
ifofits prosecufionlo speedy and success
lful sterminatiot Nas passed with great una
lnimity by Gone 6ress, thexs being but two
1nega1ipei votes sn Che Senate, and but four.
teen in the House Of presei1tosives. s
The existence ofthea war ah6ying thus
been deciaFedby Congress. it beeanle my
duty under the GoHstitutief and the laws. 10
cos1ducl and snrosecufe Ii. Ibis daty has
been per- termed, and, though at every stage
|pf its pfogressI au ve mani Tested wiIlitag
ness U t6fdiinats u By . jdsl peaee, M exfs
co mas refused to laccede to any terms
which could be accepted by the United
States consistent with the national honor
and interest. ST.
The rapid and brilliant success Of our
arms, and the vast extent Of the enemy's
territory which had been overrun and con-
quered before the close of the last session
of Congress were fully known to that body
Since that time, the war has been pros
'ecuted with increased energy, and am
gratified TO state with a success which COM
mands universal admiration. History pre-
Fsents no parallel of so many glorious vic.
tories achieved by any nation within so
short period. Our army, Regulars and
Volunteers, have covered themselves with
honors. Whenever and
wherever our forces have encountered the
enemy, though he was in vastly superior
numbers, and often entrenched in fortified
positions Of his own selection, and of great
strength, he has been defeated. Too much
praise cannot be bestowed upon our officers
and men, regulars and volunteers, and
their gallantry, discipline, ,indomitable cour-
age and perseverance, all seeking the post
ofdanger, and vieing with each other in
deeds Of noble daring.
While every patriots heart must exult,
and just national pride animate every bo-
som, in behoiding the high proofs of con-
summate military skill, steady discipline,
and humanity to the vanquished enemy, ,ex-
hibited by our gallant army, the nation is
called to mourn over the loss of MANY
brave officers and soldiers who have fallen
in the defence of their country's honor and
interests. The brave dead met their mel
ancholy fate in a foreign land, nobly dis
charging their duty, with their country's
flag waving triumphantlyz in the face of the
foe. Their patriotic deeds are justly ap-
preciated, and will long be remembered by
their grateful countrymen. The parental
care OF the government they loved and
served should be extended to their surviving
families. ..5 ". ,32cu
Shortly after the adjournment of the last
session of Congress, the gratifying intelli.
gence was received of the signal victory of
Bueua Vista, and of the fall of the city of
Vera Cruz, and with it the s,strong castle of
San Juan de Ulloa, by which it was defend
ed. Believing that after these and other
successes so honorable to our arms, and so
disastrous to Mexico, the period was propi-
tious to offer her another opportunity, if
she thought proper to embrace it, to ent er
into negotiations for peace, commissioner
was appointed to proceed to the head quar-
ters of our army, with full power to enter
and honorable treaty of peace. He was
not directed to make any new ovcrtures Of
peace, but was the bearer of a despatch
from the Secretary of State of the United
States to the Minister of Fereign Affairs of
Mexico in reply to one received from the
latter, of the 23d Of February, Ie47, in
which thea Mexican government was in
formed Of his appointment and Of his pres
ence at the headquarters of our army, and
that he was invested with full powers to
conclude a definite treaty of peace when
ever the Mexican government might signi-
fy a desire to do so. While was unwil-
ling to subject the United States to another
indignant refusal, was yet resolved that
the evils of the war should not be protract-
ed day longer than might be rendered
absolutely necessary by the Mexicans.
Care was taken to give no Instructions
to the Commissioner which could in any
way interfere with our military operations,
or relax our energies in the prosecution of
the War. He possessed no authority in
any manner to control these operations.
He was authorized to exhibit his instruc-
tons to the General in command of the ar
mys and IN tho event of a treaty being con.
cluded and ratified on the part of Mexico,
he was directed to give him notice of the
fact. On the happening of such contin-
gency and on receiving notice thereof, the
General in command was instructed by the
Secretary Of War to suspend further
active operations until further orders. 81 -l
These instructions were given with a
view to intermit hostilities until the treaty,
thus ratified by Mexico, could be transmitted
to Washington, and receive the action of
the Government ofthe United States 9; Isl
The commissioner was also directed, on
reaching the army, to deliver to the Gene
raj in command the despatch which he bore
from the Secretary Of State to the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Mexico; and on re-
ceiving it, the General was instructed by
the Secretary of War to cause it to be
transmitted to the commander of the Mex
lean forces with a request that it might be
communicated to his Government. ~ f'
! r The Commissioner did not reach the
head quarters ofthe army until after an
other brilliant victory had crowned our
arms at Cerro Gordo.
The despatch which he bore from the
Secretary of War to the General in COM
mand of the Army, was received by that
officer, then at Jalapa, on the 7th day of
| Nav. 1S47. together with the desnatch nj