The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-08
WAR MATTERS.
From Mexico,

The British West India Mail steamer Te-
viot, arrived at Ship Island harbor on the nf-
ternoon of the 29th inst, in fonr days rom
Vera Cruz. BY this arrival we have dates
from the city of Mexico of the 14th of this
month. Gen. Patterson had reached the city
of Mexico, having left garrison Mt Rio trio,
where permanent depot is 10 be made.
A train left the city of Mexico on the 9Th
inst for Vera Cruz, under command Of Gen.
Twiggs. Gen. Pierce is coming down with It.
Gen Scott is said to have issued an order
making new assignment ofbrig9des to Gems
Smith and Cadwala der and Col. Riley.
The Mexican Congress had quorum on
Monday, the 9Th Of December, which is the
latest date we have yet come across from
QueretNro. The Star says many deputies
were still absent, and six or eight others were
expected 10 leave during the week, notwitll-
standing the critical state of affairs in which
the Republic is placed. The correspondent
ofthe Monitor thinks the new Congress will
do no better than the present. Nothing new
of the least interest was done on Monday
The Government was occupied with the reg
uIation ofthe army, A decree was about TO
be issued on the subject, contemplating the
number of the standing army at twenty thou
sand men.
There was some design entertained Of
sending u Mexican Commissioner TO Wash
ington to solicit the appointment of Commits
sioners 10 meet at Havana, and arrange the
terms Of treaty ofPeace. We are not yet
prepared to say how authentic is this report.
The steamer Portland, Capt. Spinney, IT.
rived at Vera Cruz on the 18th inst, after q
terrible passage during which hundred
horses were thrown overheard.
NJ o. Pic. Extra, Dec. %.
Extract ola letter from an American of
| fcer TO his friend in n. York City, dated
MATAMoRAs, Nov. %, 1647.
| see no prospect Of a speedy termination
of this Mexican War. Hitherto the War las
been blessing rather than curscto Mexico
pouring as it has poured the treasure Of
our country into the laps other peoples ad-
! ding TO their comforts instead Of increasing
their burdens. TO conclude Peace, the u.
States must recedc greatly from their de-
mands; Mexico will never make Peace 10y
greatly dismemhering her territory; and she
can carry on predatory War for any length
of time-the character of her country and the
nature other people enabling her to do sc
with ease and nj n triiling expense. The idea
of subiugatng her is utopian. The mos
we can do is to hold her seaports, and guurt
the Texas frontier. This, however, can only
be done at u vast expense OF blood and treas
ure, without prospect ofindemnity, MS tho
internal wealth. OF MeAICo DClougs not ~ hS'
citizens, but il is in the hand Of foreigners
and consequently not available TO the United
States for any purposes of Revenue. An'
beside, the amount which may be raised by
u Tariff upon Imports is much exaggerated.
The long continued Prohibition system has
either diminished the wants ofthe people as
TO articles of Foreign growth and Manufac
ture, or their places have been supplied 10y
products of home Industry. To attempt tc
raise money by Internal Taxes or forced
contributions would be fruitless, as their OWL
can People of almost their last dollar, and il
will take years ofNational repose and active
industry on the part of the People to pu
Mexico in n condition to support even
home Government, economically admins
tered.