The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-26

WAsHlNaroN. June 81. 1852.

SIR beg leave 10 avail myself OF my position before
the Senate sgner OF the memorial presented through
Gen Rusk, 10 that honorable body, by sundry citizens
residing in the valley OF the Rio Gfande, lew days sgo,
in reference 10 the present deieneeless condition OF that
frontier suggest some considerations TO the committee
of the Senate on Military Affairs which il has been
referred. have read the statement about 10 be submit
ted 10 your committee This subject by 3 A. BedeH,
esq and knowing many OF the facts detailed by him TO
be correct express my entire with him,
far my knowledge extends. have also received et-
tiers, from the most respectable and trustworthy sources,
in Brownsville, confirming, substantially, all that he has
set forth respecting the present unhappy condition OF
affairs that border. Ii is undeniable that murders,
robberies and other ourages, OF daily occurrence
within that portion of territory; and that IN nearly
every instance they perpetraed by awess Mexicans
who Immediately recross the river, and are then beyond
the reach OF pursuit or danger. The Tact IS notorious
that at least two hundred and fifty American citizens have
been murdered on the American side Of the Rio Grande,
by Mexican bandit, since the ratification OF the late
treaty OF peace, and that the assassns in almost every
case, now living quietly on Their punder under the
protection of the Mexican government No effort has
been made by It's officers TO arrest check punish these
offenders In truth, they are rather considered as objects
of peculiar favor This not TO be wondered at, when
it is stated that OF the highest military officers in the
Mexican army, this frontier have been public high
waymen, and still retain keen relish for their old avo
cation. do not speak al random, Tor these are facts
that can be readily proved One circumstance may be
mentioned 10 illustrate the connexon between the mill
ary officials and the marauders that ravage our territory
few months ago Mr. McFadn, the mail contractor be.
tween Point Isabel and Brownsville, had number OF
valuable mules and horses stolen from the vicinity of the
latter place He satisfied they had been taken into
Mexico by persons residing there, and at once instituted
inquiries in that quarter. He soon discovered his mules
in the government service, under Gen. Avaos at Maa-
He claimed them through the military command
ant al Fort Brown and told they could not be found
They immediately removed and secreed And yet
distinguished Secretary Of State informs you that
there Is reason TO believe the Mexican officers or
agents counenance the outrages on this frontier! lie
falls into egregous by surprising that Mexican
functonaries, either civil or military are aciuaed by
such motives, and regulate their conduct BY the same
nf hat atariva fhn
officers Of our own government. little practical ex
perence in these respects would greatly aid bim IN form
Ing more correct estimate of Their true character
II may be proper here 10 remark that since the
cluson OF the late war; the Mexican government, under
color Of official authority, and lis people by open VIC
lence, have together robbed American citizens the Rio
Grande of property of kinds, steamboats, keel
boats, and on land, OF more than million OF dollars
in value. Claims to nearly this have been entered
and proved the books of our consul al Matanoras,
and there many others yet to be presented while it
is not believed that all the spoliaons committed on
Mexican citizens along this frontier by Americans, IN
GLIDING those Of the disbanded and struggling soldiers
after the withdrawal of troops the aggregate
amount 10 twenty thousand dollars In fact the poverty
Of the Mexican Inhabitants is their protection. Most Of
them have little 10 lose, except lew horses, Cattle and
mules.
/ think may be pardoned for referring briefly TO
most extraordinary | have heard urged by
i-nformed persons here for posponng refusing all
protection TO The people OF the Rio Gfande frontier II is
his that the late revolutionary movements conducted
by General Carvaal in the northern States of Mexico
were originated sustained by many of these citizens,
and that the murders and robberes by Mexicans daily
occurring there only retaliaory acts which, ii not
cusable, should be al least lenieny censured. | will
no, pause 10 brand n deserving terms the craven spirit
that can dictate SUCK an apology. There is not per-
son possessing patriotic heart n the land who will not
indignantly spurn the sentiment and the man who uers
It, II foreign marauders borders assassinaie
our nnoiendlng people, plumber their property and treat
with contempt toe dignity, power aud flag OF nation
genuine American will inquire under what pretext
they come, but what indgnlty they have offered, and
strike them down sernly as be would any other
sins pirates III our citizens have offended, let them be
punished; but let not the misdeeds OF the guilty W such
there aIel be pleaded az Justification for shedding the
blood OF the innocent These same accommodating
apoogsts also assert that the motives which led ibe
Americans in the valley of the Rio Gande to take part
with Carvaja were to facilitate their smuggling enter
prises into Mexico. Let Ms advert 10 the facts
Abou, the first OF September last the Mexican citizens
in all the frontier towns above Nalsmoras, on the Rio
Grande, TO wit; Guerrero Camargo, Villa Nueva, Rey-
nosa, and Mer, crushed down by the inolerable OPP
pessons OF the central government al the city oil Mexico
resolved to raise the standard OF independence and bat
tie Tor their freedom Their regular dyn ilientos,
municipal legislative councils, including their political
chiefs, alcaldes, and other civil officers, declared that
they would unite IN demanding certain guarantees Tor
their rights, expressed in twelve articles OF reform, all
Of which were most reasonable fair aud Indispensable
10 insure TO the people OF that republic the least
blance Of constitutional liberty; and by unanimous
agreement. selected and appointed their feow-c-
zen, }. NJ j Carvaia their civil and military com
mandant TO carry their plan into effect Ample pow
0rs vested in him for this purpose, and the
men and means OF the people on that frontier placed
under his absolute contro This movement the in
cpient step in Carvajas revolutionary proceedings, and
originated with the legally constituted authorities OF this
portion OF Mexico. The origin was therefore purely
Mexican, the scheme was alike Mexican, and no Amen
can citizen, directly indirectly, had the least hand in
the measure IL had reference TO smuggling goods
or 10 any other sinister design but simply 10 amelorate
the grievances under which the Mexican people eoaned,
and TO break the rod OF tyranny with which they wee
snitten to the earth. The cause. firmly believe,
patriotic and holy any in defence OF which the sword
was ever drawn, and commended itself to the best wishes
OF every American who not disgrace to the memory
OF revolutionary ancestors. | send you with this
comm unicaton copy of Caryaars appeal to The peo
pie OF Mexico, dated January s. 1852, for full and sat
isacory explanation OF the plan IN the execution oil
which he was engaged, and the he had adopted
and intended TO employ, TO effect the OF the bera
tors" II IL noble patriotic, and satesmanike mani
fesio OF which neither he any Of his American
Iliares need be ashamed to ayow themselves the sup
porers The few Americans who enrolled themselves
under his banner were prompted by no mercenary
sderaons, and had greater wish design to engage
in smuggling specGations than they had TO claim por.
ton OF the annual contributions TO the idol Juggemaut
La all the military operations that ensued they
caled with superior force OF Mexlcans, and although
the thickest and hardest blows fell on them they were
neither disappointed dissasfed they enlisted in the
cause to fight, and they scorned TO finch when The
that they violated the neutrality laws OF The United
States. II they did they ready to meet the
quences The federal court The spot has The be-
fore ii There lei il rest and there let II be determined
know personally almost every who participated
with Carvaja in Of his sharp struggles against
fifteen times their numbers, and know they felt them
selves 10 be aiding wrcched and down-uodden people,