The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1847-12-21

| ate II by Jus; peace. Mexico has refused TO acc
cede to any terms which could be accepted by
the T. States consistently with tho national hon.
or and interests. The rapid aud brilliant sue
cess OF our armies, and the vast extent OF the en-
omy's territory. which had been ovcrrun and con.
qucrcd before the close oil tho last session Of Con-
ercss, were fully known 10 that body. Since
that time, the war has been prosecuted with in
creased energy, and ain gratiiied to state with
/ success which commands universal admration.
History presents no parallel of many glorious
victories achieved by any nation, within so short
period. Our ARM. regulars and volunteers,
have crowned themselves with mperishablc
honors, whenever nd wherever our forces have
encountered the enemy. Though he was inva-
riabiy superior IN numbers, and often entrench-
cd IN fortified positions, OF his own selection and
OF great strength, lie has been defeated. Too
much praise cannot be bestowed upon our off,
GERS and men, regulars and volunteers. and their
gallantrv. discipline, indomiiablc courage and
perseverance-ai seeking the post OF danger, and
,iclng with each ether in deeds Of noble daring.
While every pa,rio, heart must exult, and JUS,
national pride anmat every bosom, on behold
| ing tho high proofs ot courage, consummate mil
iiary skill steady discipline and h umanity 10 the
yanquished enemy. exhibited by our gallan, ar
my, the nation is called TO rnourn over the loss
IL ma y brave officers and soldiers, who have
fallen in defence OF their country's honor and in
late in foreign land, nobly dlschnrgi' their
duty, and with their coun,ry's flag waving tri-
umphanily in the face of the foe. Their patriot
deeds are Justly appreciated, and will long be
remembered by their grateful countrymen. The
parcnta! care of the government they loved and
served, should be extended to their surviving fam
| lies
Shortly after tho adjournment e the last ses-
sion oil Congress, the gratifying intelligence was
received OF tho battle of Gucna Vista, and Of the
fall fthc city ofVera Cruz, and with lit strong
| Castle Of San Juan d'Uiloa, bv which /. ~as dc.
Tended. Believing that after these and other
| successes, so honorable 10 our arms, aud so dis
ns,rous TO Mexico. the period prop,ious To afford
her an opportunity. il she thought proper to en-
brace II, to en- er into negotiations for peace, a
Commissioner was appointed to proceed TO the
headquarters OF our army, with full powers 10
enter on negotiations, and conclude Just and
honor bic treaty oil peace. lie was not directed
| TO make any new cvcrturcs OF peace, but the
bearer ola despatch from the Secretary Of State
| OF the Z. States, TO tho Minister OF Foreign At
iair OF Mexico. in reply To one received from The
latter, OF the 22d OF Feb, i8l7, in which the
Mexican Government was informed of his an
| p in,mcn,, and of his presence Mt tho hcadquar-
tiers OF our army, and that he was invested with
iull powers 10 conclude definite treaty OF peace
whenever the Mexican Government might ST.
nifty or desire to do So While Iva unwilling
To snhloc. the u. States TO another indignant re-
insal. was yet resolved that the evils OF the war
should not be lreirac,ed Longer than might be
| rendered absolutely necessary BY thf Mexican
| Government. Care was taken TO give no in
structons to the Commissioner which could in
nny way interfere with our military operations,
| or r.iaA our energies, In the prosecution oil the
war. He possessed no authority, in any manner,
| 10 control these operations. lie was authorized
10 exhibit his instructions TO the General in Conn
mand Of the army, and, in the event oil n treaty
| being included and ratified, on the part of Mex
leo, he was directed 10 give him notice Of thai,
fact. On tho happening Of such contingency,
| and on receiving notice thereof. the General in
command was instructed, by the Secretary OF
War, 10 suspend active military operations until
| further orders These instructions were eiven
with view TO intermit hostlltles until the tren-
~ thus ratified BY Mexico, could be transmitted
TO Washington, and receive the sanction Of the
| United States.
/ The Commissioner also directed. on reach
| ing the nrmv. 10 deliver, 10 the General in COM
mand, the dispatches which he bore from the
Secretary of State 10 the Minister OF Foreign Al
| fairs OF Mexico and, on receiving it, the General
was instructed, by the Secretary OF War, TO
cause it TO be transmitted 10 tho commander Of
the Mexican forces, with request that il might
be communicated 10 his government.
4 The Commissioner did not reach the head
quarters OF the army until another brilliant yicio-
| nv had crowned our arms at Cerro Gordo.
The despatch, which ho bore from the
Secretary Of War to tho General in com
mand, was received by that officer, then nj
Jnlapn, on the eth day Of May, ls47, to-
gcthcr with the despatch of the Secretary
of State to the Minister Of Foreign Affairs
in Mexico, having been transmitted to him
from Vera Cruz. The Commissioner nrri.
we'd at the he adgnarters 81 tho army few
days afterwards. Ills presence with the
army and his diplomatic character, were
made known TO the Mexican government
from Pueba, ON the 18th June, 1917, by
The transmission Of the despatch from the
Secretary of State to the Minister Of For.
cign Affairs Of Mexico. Many weeks elaps.
cd after its reception, and no overtures
were made, nor WINS my desire expressed
by the Government OF Mexico 10 enter in
to negotiation for peace.
Our army pursued its march upon the
capital, and, as it approached, it was me,
on every hand by formidable Resistance
Our forces first encountered the enemy,
and achieved signal victories in the con.
tested battles ol Cnntrcras and Churubusco.
Il wns not until after these actions resulted
in decisive victories, and the capital Of the
enemy was in our power, that the Mexican
government manifested any disposition to
enter into my negotiations for pence, and
even then, events have proved, there is too
much reason 10 believe, they wcro insin-
cerc, and that in agreeing to go through
the forms Of negotiations, the object was 10
give time to strengthen the defences Of the
capital and prepare for fresh resistance.
j The General in command oi the army
deemed il expedient to suspend hosiiitics,
Ifqnnnnrn rilv onfnrinU intO mn nrrn;ct;ra