The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-11-13

xhe United States Officers and
Gen. Carvajal.
THE FEELING on THE FRONTIER.
Dpsrtant Correspondents between Captain
Phelps and GEN. Csrvajal,
30, &C.. 10
Letter from Captain Phelps.
lExlr.a 4 ~ Acf .l.l

Letter from Captain Phelps.
From the Texas Rio Bravo Oct. -
The following correspondence between Captain
Phelps, commanding At Fort Brown and Gen. Cara
vsjal, commander ia chief of the hbersting army OF
Mexico will be read with the most lively interest.
1t originated in protest, addressed to Captain
Phs.ps by Gen. Carsvsjal, dated the 9th instant,
against the use of U ) government steamers for
Brazof Santiago, in Texas, to Matamoras, tor Gen.
Avalos. These troops came from Vera Cruz and
Tampi,o, under command of Gen. Garay, to aid
Ayalos in defending the city Of Matamo-as. IL was
understood that permission had been given them to
land within the territory of the United States and
that they were to be brought Up to Matamoras on
the government steamer Mentoria. Ii is said and
believed that they were embarked on this steamer,
with their cannon mounted, &c and, after proceed
ing part of The way, that the order was counter
manded, and they were returned on board their
own steamer, the Neptune We know not how
correct this information may be, but it comes to
ms in a very authoritative shape Capt. Phelps re.
piled verbally and in writing that this communities
tlon was OF 30 extraordinary a character that he
hardly knew how oreply TO it, even if Gen Carava
sal occupied arecognized official position; and, in
addition, he states several specific charges which
are respectively taken up, and answered by General
CaravsJal IN his accompanying reply. Capt. Phelps
concludes by soiemnly warning General c. in the
name OF his government against the consequences
of these proceedings.
We give Capt Phel ps' letter, but are compelled,
by want Of room, TO omit the protest Of General
Csavsjal and his brief note Of reply alluded to in
4he following answer This letter Of General Cara
vsjal defines his true position before the world
and will satisfy I'll candid and dispassionate men,
that his object and that of his men, is Of the high
est and most patriotc nature. The Americans,
who are serving their aaxiliaries, placed
the right footing, and have no cause to be ashamed
of their position or their conduct We are glad to
Zee this exposition; it will justify the hberating
forces and silence the carping attacks Of their ira
ducers If the national government can find any
comfort in this communication, they must be
thankful for small favors. The style, facts, and
spirit Of Caravajals letter, are worthy Of the
sion. This is its hig hest praise.
.FoRT BRowN, (Texas,) Oct. ., 1851
To JOSE MARIA J. CARAvAJAL -
SIR Il received your note, Of the oath instant,
this morning, informing me that you had learned
that vessel, belonging to the United States, is at
present route from the mouth of the Rio Grande
with reiRfcrcements for General Avalos; and go
aemnly protesting against this open outrage upon
the rights Of the people in whose behalf you pre-
sumo to speak.
To the person who delivered me this note, gave
q verbal response to this efecs-that to docu-
ment of such peculiar character, should hardly
know how to reply, ever though il should emsRate
from in recog Dized official position; and this
was the only action that ever expected TO have
3he honor to take In the case IN connection with
your movements
But, sir, events, fraught with the most serious
consequences to the United States, as well as to
the interests of humanity itself are transpirng be-
fore my eyes Since the receipt of your note
have come in possession of authentic informa-
tion that renders it imperative upon me, for
the proper execution Of the instructions with
which am charged, emana.ing from the govern
ment Of the United Statee, to ascertain what posi-
tion it is you deem yourself row occupying before
the civilized world. have learned, sir, that the
forces which said TO be under your command
are not only attacking and destroying by fire the
property Of peaceful American citizens, but tina.
they have desecrated the flag and fred upon and
wounded the Consul of the United States-against
the fatal consequences Of which ! now solemnly
warn you in the name Of my government As early
areply is pected suitable your convenience
lam, sir, respectfully, your O5 S servant.
Cspt. 1t. Co. B 4th Artillery, Cong the Z. S.
roiGes Of Fort Brown.
Letter from Gen. Carvatal.
CAOsP AT MArAMoRAs,
October ., ls5i-ll =. NJ.
To CAPT PHELPS, l.. : A,
Commandant at Fort Brown, Texas
SR:-ln the hasty note which had the honor Of
addressing ysu few be urs ago. apprised you that
full and detailed answer TO yours OF this date
replying to my communication OF yesterday, would
be furnished The object Of this communication is
to supply the answer thus promised. 1t seems to
be one Of the main objects of your answer 10 my
comm 1nicati0n to learn in what position deem
myself TO be standing before the civilized world
1t affords me the utmost pleasure to answer your
enquiry, and TO give you all the satisfaction on the
subject which you may desire
10 you and 10 all other persons who are not prac
tically acquainted with the operations Of the ma.
tional government OF Mexico, IL may be somewhat
difficult to explain the weight and CALLING severity
which the people OF this unhappy country have
groaned and struggled, since the era Of its nominal
Independence. Ground do VII By intolerable taxa
tion crushed by heartess nonspolsts and rode over
by military tyrsnts, the people Of Mexico have en-
duTed oppression in every shape, and borne insults
IN spirit that would have dignifed martyrs These
aggressions have at length become insupportable,
and by . spontaneous, united, and patriotic out
burst among them, they have resolved to strike of
their chains and TO stand on their native soil un.
ehscked lresmen This was the exalted spirit
that dictated the action Of the people Of Guer.
zero, Camargo, keynosa, Mier, and other in.
dependent tgwrs Of the North. In this section
OF the republic Of Mexico, there cannot be
said to exist two opinions upon this subject; the
same feeling pervades every bosom, the same i'm
pulse animates every heart When the people as
sembled TO consider in what manner their rights
and Liberties could best be preserved, by common
consent, without any agency Of my own, / was
chosen to lead this patriotic enterprise accepted
Abe appointment with pleasure, having seen and
felt the iniluitous exa,tions 10 which my country
men we're daily subjected, and the despotic out
rsges constantly rraetised upon them by the miniens
Of power in the name Of freedom. have raised the
standard Of Liberation, and hundreds Of my az
grieved countrymen have ruthed to it's support
Oppressed and borne down by the organized mu
fsry despotfm Of the Central Governme at, knew
that nv country men, brave and devoted as they
were, could rot, in the FIRST hour Of the struggle,
single handed and alone, cope With such an
enemy With the appreciation and consent Of my
fellow citizens, invited number u Americans re-
riding along this frontier well acquainted with
habits, feelings, and Interests 70 participate With
aus IN the glorious effort TO viz dicNe our rights.
True TO the instinct Of their nation, they yielded
ready assent 70 the call, and have been, from the
beginning Of this contest, among the brsvest and |
most determined Of The gallant party which have
had the honor 70 lead. have presented myself |
Before the city Of Natsmoras, upon the invitation
of many Of the most influential and respectable |
citizens Of this arisdiction, and instead Of finding
myself and my troops received with ope q arms a.
Iberators, we we're met vita ramparts bristlinx
With bsyonets and cannon, and with the stern frown
of military defiance. ! found that myrmidens Of
abe central government had frauiulenty declared
the city in state Of siege, while vas in Camsrgo
with my forces, had ventured on the crime Of high
xreason, BY annulling the revenue laws Of Mexico,
ind reducing the rates Of import duties TO as
Cow IL not q lower scale than those demanded by
abe people who frst moved in this great work Of re-
s, ,,rt. al HIATT n ma