Weekly national intelligencer., 1848-10-07
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE MARCH TO THE RIO GRANDE.


inc that Republic with The United States, Gen.
TAYLOR was directed by the War Department, on
the 18th of June, lS45, to advance TO the mouth OF
the Sabine river such other point on the Gulf OF
Mexico as might be most convenient for an en-
barkation at the proper time for the Hesfern from
tier of Texas. According to Mr.. DoNELsoN, our
Minister in Texas who conducted the negotiation
for her admission into the Union, this frontier,
the sea border, was Corpus Christi, that being
4" the most western point" of territory +" occupied
by Texas" But, in the letter above cited, Gen.
TAYLOR was informed that he was ultimately to
4" select and occupy" position . on or near the
Rio Grande del Norte." He was afterwards in
slructed, on the 9th of july that Mexico had some
military establishments on the east side of the river,
which he was not to disturb unless an actual state
of war should exist. On the 30th of July another
communication stated that the President could not
give "positive directions " as to the position he
ought to take, but that he was expected to occupy
and defend the territory of Texas to the extent that
it had been occupied by the people of Texas !;
(which, we repeat, would have been to Corpus
Chrsti) Yet in this letter Gen. Taylor was in
Grande as the boundary, and he was to protect the
territory but not disturb the settlements or mill
tary posts of the Mexcans. He was also 10 ap-
proach as near the Rio Grande circumstances
would permit and it was especially desirable that
part of his forces at least should be posted west
OF the Nueces. On the 23d of August he was again
told that more explicit Instructions in regard to his
movements could not be given, but, if a Mexican
force should cross the Rio Grande, it must be re-
garded as an invasion of the United States and the
commencement OF hostities that Texas, as claim
ed by the Executive, must be protected; and he
was informed by what means his force was to be
If necessary. On the 30th of August he
was advised of the importance Of closely observing
the movements of the Mexicans at Matamoros,
Monterey, and other places" and was directed, if
any force should the river, 10 repuse the in
vaders, and drive av Mexican troops beyond the
river; that even attempt at crossing must be re-
garded as invasion, DC.
There appears to have been no other despatch
from the War Department previous to the 4h Octo-
ber, under which date Gen. TAvLoR-perplexed, no
doubt as to the intentions of the Government and
desiring some more clear and definite expression of
lis wishes-unwiling to assume an undue respon-
sibility, and yet apprehensive of falling short of
soldiers duty-addressed to the Department let
ter of which we give the material part, follows
HEApeUAErERs ARMY OF OCcUpArIoS,
Corpus Christ, Texas, October H. ls45.
SIR BEG leave suggest considerations in relation
the present position Of orce and the dispositions which
may become necessary for the eectual prosecution
the objects for which has been concentrated will be
collected thai the instructions Of June l5,' issued by Mr..
Bancroft then acting Secretary of War; directed me- 10 sei
and 0ccpy, on The Rio Grande such a site will
consist the health Of The troops and will be best adapted
repel INVASION &c. Brhsos SANTIAGO II the
trance 10 the mouth Of tie Rio Grande; and POI s.REL
,thin thai enf-cle and twentyone miles from Matamoro
srsid tted completely than any Other position
the conditions imposed by the Secretary Blu, we bad no
tle, engineer orca appliances, and but moderate
Of infantry AMI the occupation Of Point Isabel under
these crcumance and with lels the possibility Of resis
from The Mexcans, might have compromised tie safety
OF the command therefore determined to- take up the next
accessible position in the rear which is the moGth of the
Nueces river AL the information which could obtain before
leaving New Orleans seemed point Corpus Christi the
suitable point for concCntraon and although, before
the Presidents instructions OF July 30 reached would
have preferred position the left bank Of the nye, yet
careful examination Of the county had already convinced
that could be found combining many advantages
this Every days experience has confirmed these impressions
Corpus Christi is heany, easily supplied and oeH situated
JTOlt
Mqam0ros 10 LdeGo-beiBg about so miles from several
points the river have to relieve, moreover that
saua moral effect has been exercised upon the Mercans
Their traders continually carrying home the Of
position and increasing numbers and conessedy struck
by the spectacle Of large camp Of wepponed and dsc
pned oop accompanied by perfect security 10 their persons
and pTopev instead Of the mprcsnent aud page TO which
they subject in their country For these reasons
position thus far has, Think been the best possible but
that the entire force will be concentrated may well be
question whether the views OF Government viii be best
red by remaining at this point II with great de-
ference that make any suggestions topics which may be-
matter Of delicate negotiation hut If Government,
in settling the question OF boundary, makes the line Of the
Mo Grande uhiDdfun, Icenno, doubt thx the settlement
will be greatly facilitated and fastened by fixing possession
Of suitable points quite that river
Our strength and state Of preparation should be displayed
manner no; TO be istaken However sauay nsy be the
effect produced upon the border people by presence bers
too far from the frontier TO impress the Government Of
Mexico with readiness vindicate, by force Of arms
necessary, title the couRty far the Rio Grande.
The army o occupation viii in few daysb be concentrated
al this point coudon for vigorous and efficient service
Mrtco hdrsng yet made p0sitirc declaration Of
or Committed any inert net Of h0ahite do not feel at ber
~, under my instructions, particularly those Of July 81
make forward meut 10 the RIO Grende without auho
Tiy from the War Do parment '''' u. TAYLOR,
Breret Brig. Gen. D. s. Army.
II is behind the suggestion contained in the
above letter, and which suggestion is made to hang
upon contingency of which the writer could know
nothing that It is attempted to shield the President
for act Of his, done three months after the advice
was volunteered, in relation to very delicate dues