The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-17
CAMP AT MATAMoRAs,
October %, 185l-ll P. M.
To Capt. PHELPS, U. s. A.,
A. ..AE

To Capt PHELPS, U. s. A.,
Commandment at Fort Brown, Texas:
Sir In the hasty note which had the honor
Of addressing you few hours ago, ! apprized
you that more full and detailed answer to
yours of this Date, replying to my communica-
ton 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 to my commu.
ncation to learn in what position deem myself
to be standing before the civilized world 1t
affords me the utmost pleasure to answer your
inquiry, and to give you all the satisfaction on
the subject which you may desire.
To you and to all other persons who are not
practically acquainted with the operations of the
national government of Mexico, it may be some
what difficult to explain the weight and CALLING
severity of the grievances, abuses, and oppres.
sions, under which the people of this unhappy
country have groaned and Struggled, since the
era of its nominal independence. Ground down
by intolerable taxation, crushed by heartless
monopolies, and rode over by military tyran s.
the people of Mexico have endured oppression
in every shape, and borne insults in spiri, that
would have dgnifed martyrs. These aggres
sions have at length become nsupportable, and
by a spontaneous, united and patriotic ou,burst
among them, they have resolved to strike of
their chains, and to stand on their native soil
unshackIed freemen. This was the exalted spirit
that dictated the acton of the people of Guer-
zero, Camargo, Reynosa, Mier, and other indie
pendent towns of the North. In this se ton of
the republic OF Mexico, there cannot be said to
exist two opinions upon this subject; the same
feeling pervades every bosom, the same impulse
animates every heart When the people assem-.
blcd 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. ] &C
cepted the appointment with pleasure, having
seen and felt the iniqutous exactions to which
my countrymen were daily subjected, and the
despotic outrages constantly practised upon then
by the minions of power in the name of freedom
| have raised the standard of liberation, and hun
dreds of my aggrieved countrymen have rushed
to its support. Oppressed and borne down by
the organized military despotism of the centra
government, knew that my countrymen, brave
and devoted as they were, could not, in the frs
hour of the struggle, singe-banded and alone
cope with such an enemy With the approba
ton and consent of my fellow citizens, invited
number of Americans residing along this from
tier, well acquainted with our habits, feelings
and interests, to participate with us In the glori
Gus effort to vindioate our rights, True to III,
instinct of their nation, they yielded ready as
sent to the call, and have been, from the begin
ming of this contest, among the bravest and mos
determined Of the gallant party which have hat
the honor to lead. Ihave presented myself be
fore the city of Matnmoras, upon the invitation
of many of the most influential ard respectable,
citizens of this jurisdiction, and, instead of find
ing myself and my troops received with oper
] arms as liberators, we we're met with rampant
/ bristling with bayonets and cannon, and will
the stern frown Of military defiance. ] found
that myrmidons Of the central government hat
frauduently declared the city in state Of siege
while was in Camargo with my forces, hat
ventured on the crime of high treason. by an
nulling the revenue laws of Mexico, and reduc