Mississippi palladium. [volume] (Holly Springs, Miss.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-19
HOLLY SPRINGS MISSISSIPPI FRIDAY DECEMBER 49, 1851

thorities under General Avalos, TO SUD-
due and aid in putting pown the party
opposed to him, which professed to be
fighting for justice and liberty.
1t is difficult, npon this subject. to
state distinct specifications. but the
whole course of conduct, upon the
part of Capt. Phelps, warrants the con-
viction that he has acted more as the
partizan of the Central Government
of Mexico, than as an independent Of
ficer of the United States Army
He armed with cannon and artillery
companies, the two Government steam
ers, the Mentoria and Corvette, ard had
them for ten days cru ising up and down
the Rio Grande, to arrest all persons
whom he chose to suspect of design
to cross the river. He had his cannon
and troops commanding the ferry Ian
ding at Freeport; for the same avowed
purpose, these troops were acting un-
der the order Of one of the revenue in
spectors, Mr.. kingsbury, to whom l
have already referred. In addition TO
these things, during the investment of
Matalnoros, by the forces of General
CarvaiaI, the Mexican steamer, Nep-
tune, arrived off Brazos. harbor, with
Mexican troops and munitions OF war,
to reinforce General Avalos, Captain
Phelps ordered the U. States steamer,
Mentoria,- to repair to the Brazos, aft
er the Neptune was brought into port,
and take on board these Mexican troops,
with their artillery and munitions Of
war, ,sand then to bring them to Mata-
moras, their place OF destination.-
These troops were, in accordance with
said orders, taken on board, and trans
ported from Brazos harhor, around in
to the Mouth of the Rio Grande, hav-
ing their artillery mounted and loaded
on the deck of said steamer, when a
countermanding order was received
from Captain Phelps, directing the
Mentoria, to return to Brazos harbor,
and reship the men and munitions of
war, on board the Neptune. This was
accordingly done, and, in few days,
the Neptune left the port. All these
transactions occurred, as | am credibly
informed, not only with the knowledge
and sanction of Mr.. Rhea, the Collec-
4 tor, but of Mr.. Kingsbury, the Deputy
Collector; and of Mr.. W addell, the Con-
sui at Matamoros. 1t is for you, Sir.
and for Congress, to determine how far
such an act of assent on the part OF
public officers, to the entry of a foreign
vessel, with an armed foreign force on
board, is to be tolerated. | will furth.
er state, that | have good grounds to
believe, that the Collector, Mr.. Rhea
even went SO far, as to recommend the
landing of these foreign troops. upon
American soil, and their march over
land to Matamoros.
During the whole Of the troubles on
this frontier, the American Consul, Mr.
Waddell, has taken an active part in
favor of the Central Government o.
Mexico, whose representative was Gen
lAvalos, forgetting altogether the duty
he owed to his fellow countrymen, and
the honor of his nation. Among the
many absurd freaks of this officer, wa:
demand made by him upon Captain
Phelps, for two companies of u. S tate!
troops and Artillery as am advised, t6
pass to Matamoros for his personal pro
lection. Those persons best Informed
upon the subject, believed that he wa:
not in the slightest danger, unless hs
purposely threw himself in its way
Had this demand been complied with
as Capt. Phelps was strongly inclined
; to do, it would have been miraculous
if during the hourly conflicts going or
IN the streets of Matamoros, a fata
collision, between them and the con
, tending parties, had not taken place
The consequence of such an event, M
human foresight can predict. Such
sir, has been the general outline, of th,
conduct of the principal officers, rep
resenting the United States, upon thi
frontier, during the recent unfortunat
occurrences. One common feature
distinguished them all-that of bit
ter and unmitigated hostility, to tn
struggles OF the liberal party, and O
seryile devotion, to the interests of tn
tyranny of the Central Governments
This is certainly an extraordinary po
sition, for American officials to occupy
and calls loudly for explanation. II i
for the purpose of directing your al
tention, and that of Congress, to thes
subjects, that Inow address you. Th
, honor of the nation and the rights Q
I the citizens, OF this frontier, alike de
; mand rigid scrunity into the truth c
the charges. which have briefly an
; hastily made against the several Off
GERS, of whom Ihave spoken. an
an American citizen, residing upol
E this frontier. | am no revolutionist
, no disturber of the peace-no violate
of the neutrality, or other laws of m,
country. Lam well acquainted wit
:. the condition of the Mexican popuIa
ton, in the Northern portion of tha
Republic-and / know that they ar
ground down and oppressed by the ty
ranny of the Central Government, t
a degree that would not be endured
by the people of any portion of the
2 United States, for single hour.
could not help feeling, as man of com
t mon humanity, deep interest, in tn
$ success of any measures, which tende
e to alleviate their condition. II is