The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-11-27
No. al.
From he Neto Orleans PieaytHe, NorembT 10.
Affairs on the Rio Gramde.


sisted by the citzens of Matamoros, to the troops
which recently invested that city, should admon-
sh the recruits from the United States that if their
object is to hberate oppressed people they arc
waging war for those who do not appreciate their
own condition their philanthropy. Indeed, the
aspect Of affairs, at preacBt, indicates preference
on the part of Manmoros for The burdens under
which che is said to be groaning the relief Car
vsjal would give her town which holds out
stoutly against the entrance OF liberating army
is scarcely an object Of phlanhropic effort or
| generating sacrifice In word Maamoros has
| been assaulted by mixed levy of foreign sympa-
thizers and native malcontents, and has been
successfully defended by its citizens and govern
| ment force5.
| If our memory does not deceive US, this same
Carvalal, who for the time being is the especial
| guardian of the liberties of northern Mexico was
regarded during the last war the most miserable
freebooter and rapaeit as robber the valley OF the
Rio Grande could boast. Ii 10 vellous instance
| of the mutabihty Of human opiniou if not of the
brevity OF human memory. that such man should
be created into revolutionary patriot, and in that
character actually lead American citizens into bat
tle That he has any object beyond that OF personal
| aggrandizeinent, one will contend who knows
any thing of his former history; or that he would
sell out the revolutionary cause if an advantageous
offer made him, we think those Texans who
have hitherto embarked in similar enterprises un-
der Mexican leaders will readily admit.
No one blame Mexican citizen for issuing
pronunciansnto. II is part of the system of the
country, practice brought about and encouraged
| by the feebleness of the Central government the
extortion of her officers and the corruption of Mex
| lean politics. But revolution after revolution have
taken place without bringing with them any of the
fruits OF good government They terminate in
bargain n mere change of official leeches. The
| reduction of duties upon imported goods, which
both the insurgent and government party have
adopted TO popularze their respective causes, Is
about as great result these border forays have
ever produced. There is nothing in them to arouse
the sympathy neighboring States, us they present
no points of attraction to the chivary which courts
danger in the cause of freedom and reform.
II the northern States Of Mexico. impelled by op-
preston and lea gued together to establish better
protection for Themselves against Indian incursons
than the Central government can furnish them,
should form separate national existence, their
success would be regarded with favor and their
cause extort admiration. But that they contem-
plate any such movement. or that Carvajal is the
hero to achieve it, the late events on the Rio Grande
expressly contradict The people of Matamoros
know him freebooter. and would rather bear
the ills they have than fly to others they know
not Of And is there any thing in the man him
SELF his history, that of former movements, such
as he now leads to gaineay their choice!
| 1t is trite saying, and true as trite, who would
be free the n,selves must strike the blow" Now 1t
is quite evident judging from the proofs before us
that the people OF the Rio Grande not prepared
TO "sirike this blow The blows they have stricken
of late were against the so-calied revolutionary
party. And it would seem that no successful at
tempt will be made to revolutionlze the country,
unless the organization OF forces for that purpose
! be constructed of foreign nmaterals-imparting to
il the character of invasion rather than that OF
| revolution,
| OF those. Americans engaged in the movement,
| with whom acquainted, we entertain la
vorable opinions In private life they arc gentle
men of urbanity and honorable bearing. But we
apprehend that love of adventure and poetic
temperament have disguised the real character OF
the expedition in which Carvaj al has Engaged their
| services If the country was rife for revolution,
they would not have to explain the Inscarriage OF
the late siege. The people would have risen en-
rnasse TO welcome them as dchverers No such re-
ception extended them. They encountered
fierce prutracted and successful resisance-a
defiance showing that the people content TO re-
main rs they are. II the undsguised object of the
foreign sympathizers be not to carve out Of Mex-
can dominions separate republic, by conquest.
for themselves tho Of the last attempt might
induce them to abandon Cervnjal ms an impostor
| Whatever The Mcxicans may suffer from their
rulers, the injury is not theirs, does 1t behooyo
them to right people who do not want to DC
rgh,ed. The modification OF repulse may be
| little annoying; but as this was the consequence
of deception practsed upon them by Their
avowed leader, the disgrace is with him and not
with them.
A special correspondent of the New Orleans
Picagu,s despatched to the Rio Grande to give
that journal authentic and impartial accounts Of
affairs, makes the following statement in regard
to raising the siege of Matamoros:
BRowNsvILLE, Nov. 10, 1851.
| Very much to the astonshment of all here who
river, General Carvujl raised the siege OF Mata-
moros on tho s0th utimo and retreated up the
river. lie had proceeded about twelve miles, when
his rear guard, commanded by Captain Walker,
was attacked by about two hundred Mexican
cavalry led by Colonel Portilla, and, after several
sharp conflicts. the latter were repulHed. While
this affair going on, regular stampede took
place in Carvajal's main body, and for time his
men dispersed in all directions. Most of them,
however reunited, and are now said TO be sta
toned at Toresias, rancho about nine leagues
g. he
received orders to throw the six pound gun into
the river, which he did. The stampede is said to
have bcen occa stoned by report that spread
among the troops that General Avalos had received
large reinforcements Of men and heavy artillery,
and that he was marching to surround them tits
certain that Carvaal is stil Mt the head OF tole-
rably strong force and that he is only waiting rein
orcements of men and artillery to recomInence
the attack ON Matanoros.
Col Ford ia reported to have gone to San An
tonic for the purpose OF raislng men, ana various
other officers Of Carvajal's force sald to be
cruitng at different points. l was informed
yesterday that ncws had been received in Mat
amoros that Carvajll either had or was about TO
issue declaration OF independence but II was not
stated how much of the country was to be I'm
braced in that document
During the siege OF Matamoros, two of Carva-
iaps men (Alncricans) were taken prisoners by
The forces of General Avaos, but the American
Lconsul, having interceded for them unotlcially, y,
has been informed that they will be released so soon
as public excitement has subsided. A few Ameri-
SIEGE but were released upon the assertion of the
consul that they were innocent parties.
/ send you copies OF the correspondence between
Carvaal and the foreign consus, just previous tc
the commencement of the siege, together with CO.
pics of the Rio BrGUo of the 9th and 18th instant
and hnndbill issued by the consul, which will ex
plain iself.
General Canaes arrived in Matamoros the
3lst ultmo, have been informed, and tits reported
here that he has assumed the command, bot be.
leve this only extends 10 the National Guard
General Ayalos still retains the supreme commend
Cauales brought with him three hundred militia
from Victoria and Tula. force of cavalry, said
to be about two hundred strong, has also reached
Matamoros, and it is reported that General Uragua
ia on the march with eight hundred more troops.
have no definite information on this point however
and it may be only ono Of the many rumors now
current here. T. I.
The following is translation of the note ad
dressed to the foreign consuls at Matamoros by
Colonel Carvoja before attacking the city, and the
reply thereto:
IiEApqUARTEHs LIBEHATiNG AaMY OF THE