The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-08-18

luuuiCdlloil uluue peace IueVltuulG--tIidL
the Congress and Santa Anna were dispos-
ed to agree to anything i'll order to insure
it now, while l am writing, intelligence
has come in from which it would appear
that there is no earthly chance far all ami
cable adjustment of our difficulties. From
all accounts, it would appear that Santa An
ma and Congress arc at swords points, and
that the former has all the Advantage over
the constituent wisdom of the great an mag
unanimous Mexican nation. 1t may be re-
collected that some two months since Con-
gress passed an act declared any one a trai-
tor who would even entertain the idea ola
peace with the North Americans. So far
so good When Santa Anna received MIR.
Buchannan's last propositions, few weeks
since, he at once submitted them to Con-
gress for that body TO act upon the matter
in the premises; but what did Congress do
but send the papers back with an answer
that the initlatory steps belonged excessively
to the executive. AT this Santa Anna be-
came enraged-said he did not send the pa
pcrs before Congress to ascertain what his
perogatives were-he knew their full ex
body in order that the members might re-
scind their former decree declaring any one
traitor, &C., if they saw fit. That he
thought they would do this, and thus give
him all and every power, is highly proba
BILE; but Congress took a stubborn fit, and
here the whole affair rests for the present
l do not even see who will dcign offer an
answer to Mr.. Buchannan's propositions,
which seems to have been transferred into
a species OF football to be kicked backwards
and forwards by Santa Anna and the Con-
gress-neither party in the present distrac-
ted state ofthe country, daring to lay hands
upon the unfortunate document. Bold and
unscrupulous as even the tyrant is in all
matters of state policy. he dare not take a
responsibility so heavy upon his shoulders
as 10 come out alone and advocate peace.
The impression now is. that he has dctermi-
ned to hazard the defence ofthe capital and
this impression gains strength when it is
known that he has Congress 10 lay the blame
upon in case he suffers another defeat. An
other battle. in my humble opinion, will be
OF immense advantage to the United States ;
for if Gen. Scott moves upon the capital the
Mexicans will certainly be defeated, and if
he remains here, and there is no more fight
ing, the enemy will contrive to come
out Of the war conquerors. They will en-
.eavor to make it appear that the Yankee,
fearful of rlsl1ing u battle at their principal
city sued for a peace, and in the eyes of the
worldsthey will be able TO make out ,olc-
rably clear case.
Santa Anna has recently levied con-
tribution-a forced loan it may be called
Upon the inhabitants, in which he calls
for S2S0,S75 to carry on the war. The
churches and converts, as we'll as private
individuals; are assessed, and it Is, limited
that the tyrant has left the names cf some of
his few friends off Of the tax list The for
eigners, who have been called upon with
out stint, have made regular protest it is
said against the unjust taxation, but Santa
Anna does not stand upon trifles in his mon
ey transactions.
From every indication, it would appear
that Gen. Scott intends an immediate move
ment upon the city of Mexico-at least
within week or ten days. Hard bread is
being baked for the march, the quartermas-
tiers have been ordered to hold themselves
in readiness, and in every department all is
hustle and activity. 1t being found impos-
sible to receive clothing from the u. States,
hundreds of Mexicans are hard at work
putting our men i'll uniform. Some of the
men even think that the army will move
before Gen. Pierce comes up, but it is hard
ly probale that Gen. Scott will march be-
fore that officer gets within two or three
days march. At least 1900 of the sick
will be left behind, but majority Of them
would be in situation to take up arms in
case the garrison was attacked
Speaking Of sickness, the South Carolina
reg iment has suffered more than any other
in the service. This was not expected. 1t
was thought the Northern regiments
would suffer most here away in the tropics,
but the N. Workers and South Carolnians
have been, as it were, side by side, and the
former have had but a few cases on the sick
list stcomparatively. The South Carolinians
out of 900 strong when first mustered, now
turRout but 400. OF the other 500 some
lao have died, 200 have been left sick in
the rear, and the rest are now in hospital
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