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I* X**at*, Hotfday, May 11, 1846.
JfsaC from the Preil^ce^Mexleo.
To He Senate nd *
House of Representation:
TV existing state <*the relation* between the
United States and Mexico, renders it proper that
1 shook! bring (he to the consideration ol
Uongreae. In my message at the commencement
of eo*r present session, the state of these relations,
tile cause* which led to the suspension of diplo
matic intercourse between the two countries in
March. ISIS, and the long-continued and on re
dressed wrong* and injuries committed by the
Mexican government on citiaem of the United
Xtatcs in their person* and property, were briefly
art forth.
A*the facts ami opinions which were then
Is'bl before yo were care folly considered, I can
*W fe V-er express my present convictions ofthe
4*-'>r><L’ti. of afflux up Bo this time, than by re
ferring yo to that communication.
Tin strong desire to establish peace with Mex
ico, ou liberal and honorable terms, and the read
iness of this government to regulate and adjust
our teai d*ry r and othereaus.'* of difference with
Aat power on such hat and equitable principles
*’ would lead to permanent relations of the most
frtrnHy nature, induced me in September last to
**vk the reopening of diplomatic relations be
tween the two countries. Every measure adopt
w l on our part hud, for its olijcct the furtherance
of these ifossred results. In communicating to
•* succinct statement of the injuries
wh?vli*W had suffered from Mexico, and which
Inve br< a accdtoubtirtg during a period of more
-than twenty years,every expression that could
•end to inflame the people of Mexico, or defeat or
delay a pacific result, was carefully avoided. An j
rnxoy of the 1 nited States repaired to Mexico
with lull powers to adpret eveiy existing dilii-r
----vnoe. But though present on the Mexican soil,
fey agreement la-tween the two governments, in
vested with full power, .mil hearing evidence of
♦he most friendly dispositions, his mission has
been unavailing. The Mexican government not
re *ly refo-vd to receive him, or listen to hi* pro
pMtiont, but, after a Jong-continued series of
menaces, hove at Ust invaded our territory and
*iicr| the blood of our fellow citizens on our own
soil.
It now becomes my duty to state more in detail
t'w origin. progress, and failure of that mission.
In pursuance of the instructions given in Scptcm-
N*r last* Aii inquiry ’.vas made, on tlie thirteenth
ref Oeti rr, in 1845, in the most friendly terms,
through our consul ir. Mexico, of the minister of
♦ovum affairs, whether the Mexican government
••would receive an envoy from the United States
intrusted w:th full power* to adjust all the ques
tion* in dispute between the two governments
with the se. urauce that “ should the answer be
in the iffirmilive, such r.n envoy would l>e im
nic batch- despatched to Mexico.” The Mexi
can tn. iisl ;r, o.i the fifteenth of October, gave an
affirmative answer to this inquiry, requesting, at
the same time, that our naval three at Vera Cruz
might he withdrawn lest its continued presence
twilit uuw the appearance of menace and
coercion pending the negotiations. This force
va* immediately withdrawn. On the 10th of
November, If 45, Mr. John Slidell, ol’Louisiana,
was cominisaioncd by inc as envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary of the United States
*-> Mexico, and was intrusted with full powers to
adjust both the questions of Texas boundary and
t'indrumiticatiou to our citizens. The redress
ofth'* wrong of our citizens nstnrally and inse
parably blended itself with the question of boun
dary. The retd?ment of the one question in any
correct view-of thg sulgcct involves that of the
reihcr. I c m!J not, for a moment, entertain the
idea that (ho claims of our much injured and
long suffering eitizrns, many of which had ex
:?<xl tor more than lav *nty years, should be post
poned, or separated from the settlement of the
boundary question.
Mr. Slided arerred at Vera Cruz cn the 3Cth
ref November, and was courteously received by
the authorities of that eity. But the govern
ment of (Scneral Herrera, was then tottering to
its fall. The revolutionary party had seized up
on the Texas question to effect or hasten its
■reveithrow. It*determination to restore friendly
relations with the United States, and to receive
•rear minister, to negotiate for the settlement of
this question, was violently assailed, ami was
mode the great theme of denunciation against it.
The g overaiKcnt of GencTa! Jlerreray there is I
good reason to believe, was sincerely desirous toi
receive our namister ; but it yielded to the storm
raised by its ei Aerates, and on the 21st of Decem
ber refused to accredit Mr. Slidell upon the most 1
frivolous pretexts. These are so fully and ably
•exposed in the note of Mr. Slidell of the 24th of
JJeoemher last to the Mexican minister offorcign
relation*, herewith transmitted, that I deem it
amnreossary to enter into further “detail on this
portion of the subject.
Five day* after the date of Mr. Slidell’s note,
< ion. Herrera yielded the government to Gen.
Paredes without a struggle, and on the 30th of
December resigned the presidency. This revo
lution wa* accomplished solely by the army, the
people having taken little part in the contest;
and thus the supreme power in Mexico passed
into the hands of a military leader.
Determined to leave no effort untried to effect
an amicable adjustment with Mexico, I directed
Mr. Slklell to present his credentials to the gov
ernment of Gen Paredes, and ask to be official
ly received by him. There would have been
Jess ground for taking this step had Gen. Paredes
conn 1 into power by a rcgu’ar constitutional suc
cession. In that, even his administration would
have been considered but a mere constitutional
continuance ol*the government of Gen. Herrera,
*nd the refusal of the Utter to receive our minis
ter would have been deemed conclusive, unless
an intimation had been given by Gen. Paredes
of his desire to reverse the decision of his prede
cessor.
Hut the government of Gen. Paredes owes its
c\i -tence to a military revolution, by which the
subsisting constitutional authorities had been sub
verted. The form of government was entirely
changed, as well fc ail the high functionaries by
by whon. it wo* administered.
Under ihe.se circuiuctance*, Mr. Slidell, in ol>e
dicnceto mr direction, add rested a note to the
Mexican minister of foreign relations, under date
of the Ist of March last, asking to be received Il
shat government in the diplomatic character to
wafe ihe had been appointed. This minister,
in his re*fv, under date of the 12th of March,
reiterated the argument* of his predecessor, and
in term* that may be considered a3 giving just
grounds of offence to the government and people
of the United States, denied .the application ot
Mr. Slidell. Nothin?, therefore, remained for
reur envoy but to demand his passports, and re
turn U> his own country.
Thus Uw eoremment of Mexico, though so
le toaiv nfetered by official act* fn October last
tn __a -JL-ffff ‘u AfflWican envoy, vio
a peaceful adjustment of oar a asc— ,
reoly wo* the offer rejected, but the ihmglTTt*’w_
iji nrjetioc xras enhanced by the manifest breaerr
of hid: ih prfatLng to admit file envoy, woo came
Uvau* they hd booed thcJUsdvcs to rewive
him. Nor can it be said thai the offer was fruit
less from the want of opportunity of discussing it:
our envoy was present on their o; v >i soil. Nor
can it be ascribed to arrant of sufncuvit powers?
ourenvoy had fall powers to adjust cvivy qaes
twa of difliveikT. Xot was there room for com
plaint that our propositions finr settlement Wb'c
unreasonable, permission was not even given our
envoy to make any proposition whatever. Nor
can it be objected that we, on our part, would not
l-stcn to any reasonable terms of their own sugges
ts : the Mexican government refused all negotia
tion. and have made no proposition of any hind.
in mv message at the commencement of the
lrceßt session. I informed you that upon the eoi
jiest aji-cnl both of the Congress and convention
ft Texas •* had ordered an efficient military force
to take a position “between the Nueces and the
D l N arte. ” “t his had become necessary to meet
a threatened invasion of Texas by the Mexican
fames, far which exteradv* military preparations
had been made. The invasion was threatened sole
ly because Texas had ifotermineil, in accordance
w ith a Mean resolution of the Congrats of the
la: ted hi talcs to annex htneif to oitr Union; and
under these circumstances, itwas plainly our duty
to extend our over Kmc. citizens and
This force was concentrated at Corpus CKristi,
rcvoalued there until after I had rccsivd such.
information from Mexico as rendered it probable,
if liot certain, that the Mexican government would
refuse to reeeivo our envoy.
Meantime, Texas, by the final action of our
Congress, had become an integral part of our Un
ion. The Congress of Texas by its act of De
cember 19th, 1830, had declared the Rio del Nor
te to be the boundary of that republic. Its juris
diction had been extended and exercised beyond
‘the Nueces. The country between that river
and the Del Norte had been represented in the
Congress & in the convention ofTexas, 6c had thus
taken part in the act of annexation itself, and is
irw included within one of our congressional
districts. Our own Congress hadyinoreover, with
great twanmnty, by the act approved December
list, 1845, recogmsg,] the country beyond the
,N traces as a pari of our territory by including it
witliin our oWu revenue sy stem; and a revenue
office,"to. reside within that district, has been ap
pointed by and with the ail vice and consent of the
‘.Senate. It became, therefore, of urgent necessity
to provide for the defence of that portion of our
country. Accordingly, on the thirteenth of Jan
uary last instructions were Issued to the general
in command of these troops to occupy the left bank
of the Del Norte. This river—which is the
southwestern boundary of the State ofTexas—
is an exposed frontier. From this quarter inva
sion was threatened; upon it and in its knmedi
ate vicinity, in the judgment -of high military ex
perience, are the proper stations for the protec
ting force *> of the government. In addition to this
important consideration, several others occurred
to induce this movement. Among these are the
facilities alforded by the ports at Brazos Santiago
and the mouth of the Del Norte for the reception
of supplies by sea, the stronger and more health
ful military positions, the convenience for obtain
ing a ready and a more abundant supply of provis
ion*, water, fuel and forage, ami the advantages
which arc alforded by the Del Norte in forward
ing supplies to such posts as may lx; establislied in
the interior and upon the Indian frontier.
The movement of the troops to the Del Norte
was ih.ulo by the commanding general, under
positive instruction to abstain from all aggress
ive acts towards, Mexico, or Mexican citizens,
and to regard the relations between that Republic
and the United States as peaceful, unless she
should declare war, or commit acts of hostility
indicative of a state of war. He was especially
directed to protect private property and respect
personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Ohristi on tbe
11th of March, and on the 28th of that month
arrived on the left bank of the Del Norte, oppo
site to Matamoras* where it encamped on a com
manding position, which has sinee been strength
ened by the erection of field works. A depot
has also been established at Point Isabel, tx-ar
the Brazils Santiago, thirty miles in rear of the
encampment. The selection of his position was
necessarily confided to the judgment of the gen
eral ia command.
The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed
a beligerent attitude, and cn the 12th of April,
General Ampudia, then in command, notified
General Taylor to break up his camp within
twenty-four hours, and to retire beyond the
Neucos river, and in the. event of his failure to
: comply with these demands, announced that
i arms, and arms alone,- must decide the question.
But no open act of hostility was committed un
til the twenty fourth of April. On that day,
General Arista, who had succeeded to the com
mand of the Mexican forces, communicated to
iGeneral Taylor the “he considered hostilities
commenced and should prosecute tlvem.” A
party of dragoons of sixty-three men and officers
were on the same day despatched from the
! American camp up the Rio del Norte, on its
left bank, to ascertain whether the Mexican
troops had crossed, or were preparing to cross the
river, “became engaged with a large body of ,
these troops, and after a short aftair, in which
some sixteen were willed and wounded, ap
pear to have been surrounded and compelled to
surrender.”
The grievous wrongs perpetrated by Mexico
upon our citizens throughout a long period of
years; remain unredressed; and solemn treaties,
pledging her public faith for this redress, have
been disregarded. A government either unable
or unwilling to enforce the execution of such
treaties, fails to perform one of its plainest du
ties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been almost
annihilated. It was formerly highly beneficial
to both nations; but our merchants have been
deterred from prosecuting it by the system of
outrage and extortion which the Mexican au
thorities have pursued against them whilst their
appeals through their own government for in
damnity have been made in vain. Our forbear
ance has gone to such an extreme as to be mis
taken in its character. Had we acted with
vigor in repelling the insults and redressing the
injuries inflicted by Mexico at tire commence
ment, we should doubtless have escaped all the
difficulties in which we are now involved.
Instead of this, however, we have been exer
ting our best efforts to propitiate her good will.
Upon the pretext that Texas, a nation as inde
pendent as herself; thought proper to unite its
destines with onr own, she has affected to be
lieve that we have severed her rightful territory,
and, in official proclamations and manifestoes,
has respeatedly threatened to make war upon
us for the purpose of reconquering Texas. In
the mean time, we have tried every effort at
reconciliation. The cup of forbearance had
been exhausted, even before the recent informa
tion from the frontier of the Del Norte. But
now, after reiterated menaces, Mexico has pass
ed the boundary ofthe Uiyted States, has inva
ded our territory, and shed American blood upon
the American soil. She has proclaimed that
hostilities have commenced, and that the two na
tions are now at war.
As war exists, and, nowithstnnding all our
efforts to avoid it, .exists by the act of Mexico
herself, we are called upon, by every considera
tion of duty and patriotism, to vindicate, with
decision, the honor, the rights, and the interests
of our country.
Anticipating the possibility of a crisis like
that which has arrived, instructions were given
in August last, “as a precautionary measure,”
against invasion, or threatened invasion, au
thorizing General Taylor, if the emergency re
quired, to accept volunteers, not from Texas
only; but from the States of Louisiana, Alabama.
Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky; and cor
responding letters were addressed to the res
pective governors of those States. These in-,
structians were repeated; and in January last,
soon after the incorporation of “Texas into our
union of States,” General Taylor was further
“authorized by the President to make a requisi
tion upon the executive of that State for such
of its militia force as may be needed to repo! in
vasion or to secure the country against appre-
invasion.” On the 2d day of March, he
was ngain reminded, “in the event ot the ap
proach of any considerable Mexican force,
promptly aud efficiently to use the uuthority
with which he was clothed to call to him such
auxiliary force as he might need.” War actu
ally existing; jind our territory having been in
voded GenerA T a ylo>\ pursuant to authority
jLjy)I*’ 1 *’ “* . *’ “ction. has called on
vested in him by my c.fr> n f
the governor of Texas for four r
Stats troops—two to be mounted, and two to
serve on foot; and on the governor of Louisiana
for four regiments of Mfantry, to be sent to him
as soon as practicable.
In farther vindication of our rights and de
fence of our territory, I invoke the prompt action
of Congress to recognise the existence of the
war, and to place at the disposition of the Exe
cutive the means of prosecuting the war with
vigo.% and thus hastening the restoration of
peace. To this end I recommend that authority
should be given to call into the public service a
large body of volunteers to serve for not less
than six or twakc months unless sooner dis
charged. *A vo*ueer force is, beyond question,
more efficient than atij’ other description of citi
zen soldiers; and it is nor to be doubted that a
“number far beyond that required would readily
rush to the held upon the call of their c<t’Utry.
I further recommend that a liberal provision be
made for sustaining our entire military force,
and furnkhioagf with supplies and munitions of
war.
Thu most energetic and prompt measures, and
the immediate appearance in arms of a large
and overpowering force, arc recommended to
Congress as the most certain and efficient
means of bringing the existing collision wife
Mexico to a speedy and successful termination.
In making these recommendations, I deem it
proper to declare that it is my am
not only to terminate hostilities
to bring all matters in dispute between this
government and Mexico to X- ~f-- Jri amica
ble adjustment; and in this view, I shall be
prepared to renew negotiations, whenever Mex
iefl shall be ready to receive propositions, or
to make propositions of her own,
I transmit herewith a copy of the correspon
dence between our envoy to Mexico and the
Mexican minister for foreign affairs; and so
much of the correspondence between that envoy
and the Secratary of State, and” between the
Secretary of War and the general in. command on
the Del Norte, as are necessary to a full under
standing of the subject,
JAMES K. POLK.
By the President of the United States
of America.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas the Congress of the United States,
by virtue of the c6nstitutional authority vested
in them, have declared by their act, bearing date
this day, that, “by the actaf the republic of Mex
ico, a state of war exists between that govern
ment and the United States
Now, therefore,-1, JAMES E. POLK, Presi
dent of United States of America, do hereby pro
claim the same to all whom it may concern; and
Ido specially enjoin on all persons holding offi
ces, civil or military, under the authority of the
United States, that they be vigilant and zealous
in discharging the duties respectively incident
thereto , and I do moreover exhort all the good
people of the United States, as they love their
country, as they feci the wrongs which have
forced on them the last resort of injured nations,
and as they consult the best means, under the
blessing of Divine Providence, of abridging its
calamities, that they exert themselves in preserv
ing order, in promoting concord, in maintaining
the authority and the efficacy of the laws, and
in supporting and invigorating all the measures
which may be adopted by the constituted au
thorities for obtaining a speedy, a just, and an
honorable peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand, and cause the seal of the United
Stales to be affixed to these presents.—
l. s.] Done at the city of Washington the thir
teenth day of /day, one thousand eight
hundred and forty-six, and of the inde
pendence of the United States the sev
entieth.
JAMES K. POLK.
By the President;
James Buchavav,
Secretary of State.
THE WAR BILL*
Whereas, by the act of the republic of Mexico, a
state of war exists between that government
and the United States;
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives of the United States of Amei ica in
Congress assembled, That for the purpose of ena
bling the government of the United States to
prosecute said war to a speedy and successful
termination, the President be, and he is hereby,
authorized to employ, the militia, naval, and
military forces of the United States, and to call
for and accept the services of any member of
Volunteers, not exceeding fifty thousand, who
may offer their services either as cavalry,- artil
lery, or riflemen, to serve twelve months after
they shall have arrived at the place of rendezvous,
or to the end of the war, unless sooner dischar
ged; and that the sum of ten millions of dollars
out of any money in the treasury, or to come
into the treasury, not otherwise appropriated, be,
and the same is hereby appropriated, for the
purpose of carrying the provisions of this act in
to effect.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the
militia, when called into the service of the Uni
ted States by virtue of this act, or any other-act,
may, if in the opinion of the President of the
United States the public interest requires it, be
compelled to serve for a term not exceeding six
months after their arrival at the place of ren
dezvous, in any one year, unless sooner dischar
ged.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the
said volunteers shall furnish their own clothes,
and if cavalry, their own horses ; and when mus
tered into service shall be armed and equipped
at the expense of the United States.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That said
volunteers shall, when called into actual service,
and while remaining therein, be subject to the
rules and articles of war, and shall be in all
respects except us to clothing and pay, placed
oli the same footing with similar corps of the U.
States army; and in lieu of clothing, every non
commissioned officer and private in any company
who may-thus offer himself shall be entitled,
when called into actual service, to receive in
money a sum equal to the cost of clothing of a
non-commissioned officer or private (as the case
may be) in the regular troops of the United
States.
Sec. a, And be it further enacted, That the
said volunteers so offering their services shall be
accepted by the President in companies, battal
lions, squadrons, and regiments, whose officers
shall be appointed in the manner prescribed by
law in the several States and Territories to which
such companies, battalions, squadrons, and
regiments shall respectively belong.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the
President of the United States be and he is
hereby, authorized to organize companies so
tendering their services into battalions or squad-
rons; battalions and squadrons into regiments;
regiments into brigades, and brigades into divis
ions, as soon as the number of volunteers shall
render such organization, in his judgment, ex
pedient; and shall, by and with the advice es the
Senate, appoint the generals of brigade and di
vision, and the general staff’, as now authorized
by Jaw: Provided, however, That major gener
als and brigadier generals shall have the appoint
ment of their own aids-de-camp, and the Presi
dent shall, if necessary, apportion the staff, field,
and general officers among the respective States
and Territories from which the volunteers shall
tender their services, as he may deem proper.
Src. 7. And be it further enacted, That the vol
unteers who may be received into the service of
the United States by virtue of the provisions of
this act, and who shall be wounded or otherwise
disabled in the service, shall be entitled to all
the benefits which may be* conferred on persons
wounded in the service of the United States.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the
President of the United States be, and he is here
by, authorized forthwith to complete all the pub
lic armed vessels now authorized by law, and
to purchase or charter, arm, equip, and man
wrh merchant vessels and steamboats, as; upon
examination, may be found fit, or easily conver
ted iato armed vessels fit for the public service,
and in such number as he may deem necessary
forthe protection of the seaboard, lake coast, and
the general defence pf the country.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That when
ever the militia or volunteers are called and re- ]
ceived into the service of the United States, tm- ]
derthe provisions of this act, they shall tqf’f
7r?.aiMlVtii^’J. he arm >’ of s*-£mted States,!
and shell have the and allowances, ex
cept as fellows, to wit: Privates of infantry, ar
tillery, and riflemen shall receive ten dollars per
month, and privates of volunteers mounted corps
twenty dollars per month, for their services and
the use and risk of their horses.
And its title was so amended as to read “An
act providing for the prosecution of the existing
war between the United States and the republic
ofMexico. 5 ’
A motion was made to reconsider the vote by
which the bill had been passed; and the question
being taken under the operation of the previous
question, the vote was not reconsidered.
The bill was then ordered to be sent to the
Senate.
Secret? Service Monet. —Mr. Ingersoll |
states it as fact that during the administation
of Jackson and Van Buren, not one cent of this
corrupting’ fund, placed uhdjr the control of the
Executive, was employed. He says it was used
extensively during Mr. Tyler’s administration
and for base purposes.
We dll remember that the misapplication of
this fund, wps one of the tuain charges against
John Quincy Adams, and a notorious instance of
it was his employing Cook (who, as sole repre
sentative from Illinois, had given him the vote ol
that State for President in opposition to the wish
es of the people) aon mission to Havana; and pay
ing hia oat of ihf.fetid. —[ N, O. Jeffersonian.
-X. iX Hi VVS.
From the Galveston News, Extra, of May 8.
FROM THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
Gaetkstox, Thursday, at Sun-Set
(fj* Wo have been kindly furnished by Capt
Phillips of the Steamship New York, (which
has just arrived) with the following highly in
teresting and important news.
We publish literally from Capt. Phillips’ report.
The following report is from Capt. Walker of
the- Texas Rangers, who had arrived on the sth
iqat, at 4 o’clock, P. M, from the entrenchment
opposite Matamoras.
We learn that an engagement had taken place
between the U. S, and Mexican forces. The par
ticulars as far as we can leam are as follows :
Gen. Taylor having on the evening of the 3d
left the entrenchment with a detachment of Uni
ted States troops for tbe purpose of opening a
communication between, point Isabelle and the
entrenchment. <sn the morning of the 4th the
Mexicans taking advantage of his absence, at day
break opened a heavy cannonade on the en
trenchments, which was gallantly returned by
the U, S. Troops and in 30 minutes silenced
their Battaries and reduced the city of Matamo
roe to ashes.
Morning ofthe 6th. A gentleman who has just
arrived from the field of battle, informs us that
the slaughter among the Mexicans was tremen
dous; that upwards of 700 lay dead on the field
ofbattle, and that the number of houses left in
Matamoros was not sufficient to accommodate the
wounded.
According to accounts received at Point Isa
belle, the number of Mexicans in and about Mat
amoras, were estimated at 10,000 men, and ex
pecting reinforcements daily. ‘
Gen. Tpylor was to leave Point Isabelle on
the 6lh inst. with a detachment of troops, de
termined to open communications between Point
Isabelle and the Army opposite Matamoras, which
has for some days been cut off, and only effecteff
in one instance by the valient and undaunted
WALKER, of the Texas Rangers, whose horse
was shot from under him in the attempt, and
the loss of 6 men.
Santiago and Isabelle are now under Martial
Law—every citizen compelled to do Military duty.
On the morning of the 6th, previous to the
departure of the New Fork, heavy cannonades
were heard and supposed to be another attack
from the Mexicans on tlia U. S. troops opposite
Matamoras
Great excitement prevailed at Point Isabelle
and St. lago up to one .o'clock P. M. when the
New Y ork took her departure—Arrived at St.
sago on the tith inst. Schooner Decatur from
New Orleans. U. S. schooner Flirt will leave in
a day or two for New Orleans. Stramer Mon
mouth left on the evening of the sth bound to
Aransas for the purpose of briuging every man
capable of doing military duty, to the camp at
St. laga
McClicster and Radcliff are the names of
two among the six men who were killed by for
cing their way through the Mexicans to tho U.
S. camp.
From the New Orleans Bulletin,
IMPORTANT
From the seat of war — Gen. Taylor at Point
Isabel— : -t,he American camp attacked and
the attack successfully repelled.
By the arrival of the steamship N. York, Capt.
Phillips,- from the Brazos-Santiago, via Galveston
the report is fully confirmed of the Mexicans
having thrown themselves in force between the
American camp and Point Isabel. Capt. Walk
er, of the Texan Rangers, who it will be remem
bered, gallantly offered to carry communications
from Point Isabel to Gen. Taylor, succeeded in
his daring enterprise.
Gen. Taylor immediately on being made ac
quainted with the condition of ass airs, determined
with a part of his army to march to Point Isabel
and accordingly on the evening ofthe Ist inst.
left his entrenchments with from a thousand to
twelve hundred men,cavaliy, artillery 6c infantry.
He arrived at Point Isabel on the morning of
the 2d without having encountered a single
Mexican. On the morning of the” 3d having
heard the firing of artillery, irr the direction of
Matatnoroa, Capt. Walker was again despatched
immediately to ascertain the cause.
This brave mam again succeeded in reaching
the camp, and on his return on the sthßeported
that the Mexicans finding Gen. Taylor absent
from the camp, and his forces divided, took the
opportunit}', to open their battery at Matamoras
on the camp, and those on the eastern bank of
the Rio Grande, at the same time made an attack
in the rear,
The four gun battery in our camp was imme
diately opened upon Matamoras. The Mexican
battery was silenced in 30 minutes, a number ol
the houses in Matamoras destroyed, and the ene
my on the American side of the river compelled
to return.
But one American was killed, and none wound- a
ed. What number of the enemy was killed or
wounded, is not known to any degree of certain
ty. It is reported that as many as 700 vVerc kill
ed, and that a sufficient number of houses wasr
not left standing in Matamoras to afford shelter to
the wounded.
The ultimate result has yet to be.known, how
ever, as the firing was continued at intervals up
to the time of the departure of the New Y’ork
from Brasos, on the 6th, about 1 P. M.
Gen. Taylor was preparing to return on that
day with supplies. He expected to be attacked
on his march, and was fully prepared to meet the
enemy. It wqs supposed that lie would take
with him, the regulars sent down by the New
York, all of whom, were landed in safety on the
morning of the 6tli.
As to the number of Mexicans on either side
of the Rio Grande, it is still, in a great measure,
matter of conjecture. Those on this side of the Rio
Grande, have already been estimated at about
three thousand, end it is r.ofc probable that they
would cross with a much smaller force. They
are now estimated at 5,000. The number on
both sides of the river are estimated by none at
less than 10,000, and by many it is believed to be
as high as 15,000 or 20,000.
Santiago and Point Isabel arc under martial
law, and every man capable, is required to beai
arms.
We regret to hear that but little has been done
in the way of volunteering in Texas.
In fact, we do not I rear of any measures having
been taken to comply with-the requisition of Gen.
Taylor.
We understand that Col. Hays, of the Rangers,
immediately on hearing of Gen. Taylor’s position,
marched to his relief with 400 men, determined
to force his way through the Mexican lines.
Gen. Taylor, after his arrival at Point Isabel,
despatched the schooner Alert, tinder command
of Lieut. Frank Renshaw, of the United States
brig Lawrence, to Vera Cruz, it is believedwith
orders to the American squadron, to blockade the
Mexican ports.
Iu the skirmish which Captain Walker had
with the Mexican, previous to the departure of
the Ellen Clara, it is now known that not even
the remainder have returned into camp safe.
• The bodies of five of them have l>eenjbund
I but. in which the
Mexicans had mutilated them, Capt- Walker re
cognised but two, McCliester and Radeliff.
The U. S. schooner Flirt was to leave the
Brazos in a day or two with despatches for New
Orleans. The U. S. brig Lawrence was still at
the mouth of the Rio Grande, enforcing the
blockade. All well on both vessels. Steamer
Monmouth left on the evening of the sth, bound
to Aransas, for the purpose of bringing every man
capable of doing military duty, to the camp of Jago.
Washington Regiment. —This Regiment
is now formed, and as will be seen in another
place, will .be on their way to Texas before our
next number is issued. It is composed of tefi
companies commanded by Captains Breedlove,
Isaac F. Stockton, Tobin, Gieim, Bryce, R. C.
Stockton, Sonial, Vandegriff and White.
The Regiment yesterday elected their officers,
which resulted as follows: —John B. Walton,
Colonel; Henry Forno, Lieut. Colonel. [The
Major not elected, but Capt. Glen appointed as
Acting Major.] Adjutant, Adde; Quarter Mas
ter, Chas. Doane; Pay Master, (vacant;) Sur
geon. Dr. Wilson; Ist Asst, do., Dr. Gunson; 2d
Asst, do., Dr. Clements;* Sergeant Major, (va
cant; Quaker Master Serneant, (vacant.)
* This appointment of a second Assistant Sur
ggon, (contrary iO i*-* proposed number of the
Staff.) is made, wt V'i-n, by special permission
of Gen, Gaines. ~ ‘Wjp,
[From the New Orleans Tropic].
LIST OF OFFICERS Ilf THE F- S. AR
MY IN TEXAS.
General £taffi—Brigadier General t. Taylor,
Commanding; Catpt- W. W. S. Bliss, Asst.
Adjutant General, Ist Lieut. J. 11. Eaton, 3rd
Infantry, Akl-de-csnsp; Lieut. CoL M. M.
Payne, 4th Artilleiy. Inspector General “Army
of Occupation Colonel T. Cross, Ass t Quar
ter Master General, (killed;) Major C. Tnomas,
Quarter Master, (Point Isabel;) Major S. Mc-
Kee, do do do; Assistant Quarter Masters, Capt
G. H. Crossman, Capt. E. S. Sibley, Capt. E. A.
Ogden, Capt- W. S. Ketchum . Commissary of
Subsistence, Capt. G. G. \V aggaman ; Surgeon
P. H. Craig, medical director ; Surgeon N. 8.
Jarvis, Assistant do. B-M-Byrne, (St. Joseph’s,)
Assistant do. J. R. Conard; Paymasters, St
Clair Benny, Lloyd J. Beall, Roger S. Dir.
Engineers—Capt. J. K. Minefield, Capt Jno
Sanders, Ist Lieut. J. M. Scarritt
Typographical Engineers.—Capt. T. J. Cram,
Ist Lieut. J. E. Blake, 2d Lieut. George Meade.
Ordnance Department—-G. D. Ramsey, 2d
Lieut. C. P. Kingsbury.
Light Artillery John Erving, 2d Ar
tillery; Assistant Surgeon J. B. ‘Wells, General
Staff; 2d Lieut S. S. Fahnestock, 4th Artillery,
Acting Adjutant.
Brevet Majors—John Munroc, 4th Artillery ;
S. Ringgold, 3d Artillery.
First Lieutenants—James Duncan, 2d Artille
ry ; Braxton Bragg, 3d do; J. F. Roland, 2d
do ; R. Ridgeley, 3d do; W. H. Shover, 3d do;
E. Bradford, 4th do; J. C, Pemberton, 4th do;
J. H. Thomas 3d do.
Second Lieutenants—Win. Hays, 2d Artillery;
J. F. Reynolds, 3d do; J. J. Peck, 2d do;.S.
L. Fremont, 3d do; M. Lovell, 4th do ; J. P.
Johnstone, 4th do ; S. G. French, 3d da.
Second Regiment Dragoons.—Col. D. E.
Twiggs Commanding; Assistant Surgeon, L. C.
McPhail, General S'taff; Ist Lieytenant H. H.
Sibley, ,
Captains—Croghan Ker; C. A. May ; S. D.
Thornton, (killed ;) W-J. Hardee, (Prisoner.)
First Lieutenants —W. H. Saunders ; F.
Hamilton ; A. Lowry ; O. F, Winship, A. C.
S. and A. Q. Master.
Second Lieutenants.—-R. P. Campbell, George
Stephens, R. H. Anderson,’ W. Steele, Lewis
Nell, G. T. Mason, (killed) Kane; D.
B. Sackett,
First Brigade.—Brigrdier General W. .1.
Worth, Commanding, (resigned;) First Lieu
tenant Larkin Smith, Bth Infantry, A. D. C.
Surgeon, H. S. Hawkins, general staff; Surgeon
J. J. B. Wright, do do, Assistant Surgeon D.
C. DeLeon, do do,
Battalion of Artillery.—Brevet Lieut. Colonel
Thomas Childs, commanding; Second Lieuten
ant R. S. Garnet, 4th Artillery Acting Adju
tant.
Brevet Majors. —J. Diraick, Ist Artillery; W.
W. Morris, 4th Artillery.
Captains—Giles Porter, Ist. Artillery; S. Mac
kenzie, 2d do ; Martin Burk, 3 do; A Lowd, 2d
do ; C. F. Smith, 2d do; J. B. Scott, 4th do, C.
R. Snead, 4th do.
First Lieutenants—M. Knowlton, Ist. Artille
ry ; E. Deas, 4th do. (prisoner.) R. A. Luther,
2d do ; G. Taylor, Brevet Captain 3d Artillery;
A. Ebsey, 2d do; W. H. Churchhill, 3d do,
J. B. Magruder, Ist do ; J. S. Hatheway, do ;
C. B. Daniels, 2d do; W. H. Fowler, Ist do;
W. Gilham, 3d do ; J. P. McOown, 4th do.
Second Lieutenants—L. Chase, 2d Artillery;
A. B. Lansing do ; A. A, Gibson, do; W. S.
Smith, Ist t]o; S. K. Dawson, Ist do, J. F. Irons,
Ist do; H. M.” W T hiting, 4th do; S. Williams,
Ist do; H. F. Clarke, 2d do ;*L. Gill, 4th do ; J.
F. Farry, 4th do : G. W. Avre, 3d do; C.
L. C. Benjamin, 4th do; A. Doubleday, 3d do; J,IJ.
Reynolds, 4thdo ; T. J. Curd, Ist do; I. B.
Weld Ist do.
Eighth Regiment of Infantry—Brevet Lieut.
Colonel W. G. Belknap, commanding ; 2d Lieut.
John D. Clark, Acting Adjutant.
Captains.—W. R. Montgomery, W. O. Kello,
R. B. Screven, H. McCavett, J. V. Btfmford.
First Lieutenants.—J. V. D. Reeve, G. Lin
coln, J. Selden, C. R. Gates, A. L. Sheppard,
A. T. Lee.
Second Lieutenants.—R. P. Maclay, J.
Beardsley, C. D. Jordan, T. L. Chadbourne,
E. B. Halloway, C. D. Merchant, T. J. Mont
gomery, J. G. Burbank, C. F. Morris, J. J.
Booker, J. Longstreet, H. M. Judah, George
Wainwright, J. S. S. Snelling.
Second Brigade. Lieutenant Colonel J. S.
Mclntosh, sth infantry cammanding, Ist Lieu
bmaiit C. L. Stevenson, sth infantry; Brigade
.Major Surgeon R. C. Wood, General Staff,
Assistant Surgeons J. W. Russell, and H. C.
Crittenden, do do.
Fifth Regiment of Infantry.—Major T. Stan
iford, commanding; Ist Lieutenant G. Deas,
adjutant.
Captains,—Martin Scott, M. E. Merrell, A.
Drane, E. K. Smith, A‘. 8. Hool, C. C. Sib
ley, J. L. Thompson, W. Chapman,
v First Lieutenants.—B. B. Ivlarcy, A. C. S.
and A. Q. M; J. H. Whipple, N. B.” Russell,
t). Ruggtes, A- C. S. sth Infunty; W. Root,
J. A. Whitall-
Second Lieutenants.—S. H. Fowler, S. Nor
vell, H. Whitbug, M. flosec rants, T. G. Pitch
er, R. lit B&oke, J C. Robinson, P. Lugenbeel,
J. P. Smith, W. L. Crittenden.’
Seventh Regiment of Infantry.—Major J.
Brown, Commanding ; 2d Lieutenant F. N.
Page, Adjutant.’
Captains.—E. S. Hawkins, If. S. Miles, J.
G. Rains, Brevet Major; T. H. Holmes,!). P.
Whitting, F. Lee, W. Seawell, Brevet Major;
S. W. Moore, R. H. Ross, R. C. Gatlin.
First Lieutenants.—F. Britton, N. Hopson,
J. R. Scott; A. Montgomery, A. C. S. C. Han
son , C. 11. Humbcn
Second Lieutenants.—L. Gantt, E. VanDcm,
J. H. Potter, A. Cruzot, J. M. Henry, S. B.
IJayman, F. Gardner, W. K. Van Bokkelen,
E. B. Strong, H. B. Clitz, W. H. Wood.
Third Brigade.—Col. W. Whistler, Fourth
Infantry, Commanding, 2d Lieut. G. O. Haller,
Fourth Infantry, Brigade Major; Assistant Sur
geons, J. B. Poter, M. Mills, J. Simons, A.
W. Kennedy, General Staff;
Third Regiment Infantry.—Lieut. Col. E. A.
Hitchcock, Commanding; Brevet Ist Lieut. D.
S. Irwin, Adjutant.
Captains.—L. N. Morris, J. Van Horne, G.
P. Field, H. Bainbridge, J. L. Coburn.
First Lieutenants—P. N. Barbour, Brevet
Capt. L. S. Craig, W. H. Gordon, W. 11.
Henry, Brigade A. C. S; J. M. Smith, D. T.
Chandelier, A. A. Q. M; O. L. Sheppard.
Second Lieutenants,— W. B. Johns, B. C.
Buell, W. T. H. Brooks, A. J. Williamson,
J. C. McFeran, J. J. C. Bibb, Thomas Jor
don, J. B. Richardson, A. W. Bowman, V..
Hazliit, G. C. McClelland, J. P. Hctch, B. E.
Bee.
Fourth Regiment of Infantry.—Lieut. Colonel
J. Garland, commanding. First Lieutenant C.
Hoskins, adjutant. Brevet Major, G. W. Allen,
acting major.
Captains.—John G> Mor-~
ri f>, G r hr.:,;- r evet Major, G. A. Mc-
C. Buchanan, C. H. Larnard.
First Lieutenants.—B. Alvord, R. E. Coch
rane, A. A. Q. M; R. H. Graham, E. G. El
liot, A. C. S. St Josephs.
Second Lieutenants.—T. 11. Porter, (killed,)
11. D. Wallen, C. C. Augur, J. S. Woods,
Sid. Smith, J. Beaman, U. S. Grant, J. A.
Ridiey, P. A. Farellv.
Maj. Mnnroe, of 4th Artillery, commands
Point Isabel. Quarter Master General Maj.
Tbomas, and Ass’t. Quarter Master Maj. S.
Mcßee, and Capts. Sibley and Hill, with 300
men. are at Point Isabel. By the death of Col.
Cross, Maj. Thomas, is the senior Quarter Mas
ter of the army of occupation. It is supposed
that Col. Hunt, of New Orleans, will be ordered,
to take Col. Cross’ place.
LieutenaßtjD. F. McPhail, sth infantry com
manding—Lieut N. B. Rossell, sth infantry,
Lient S. Hamilton, 13th infantry, left New Or
leans, Saturday, May 2d with one hundred and
eighty nine men in the steamer New York, for
the Army on the Rio Grande.
Lieut Porter.— The Philadelphia Pennsyl
vanian says The mother of Lieut. Porter, the
wife of the late Cora. Porter, resides at Chester
and we understand is in great distress respecting
the loss of her gallant son, on the plain*, of Tex
as. Thlßsympathies of every parent are ,;th
her, and a nation mourns the loss of a brave de
scendant of the most chivalrous of seaman, the
embodiment of true courage.”
From the N. O. Delta, May Ift.
DEPARTURE OF TROOPS.
The steamship Galveston, Capt. Wright, got
oft’ last evening, about 8 o’clock, for Point Isa
bel. She carries the U. S. tfoops lately arrived
from Jefferson Barracks, under command of Lt.
Col. Wilson, an officer who has seen much ac*-
tivc service, and who distinguished himself in
the Florida campaign. Also two companies of
Volunteers belonging to the Washington Regi
ment, as follows r
One company commanded by Capt. Isaac F.
Stockton, Ist Lieut. J. Strawbridge, and 2d Lt.
Simon Gray. The other commanded hy Capt.
Tobin, Ist Incut. McCan, and 2d Lieut J. K.
Kelley. These two companies comprise 153
officers and men, making a total of about 400
men on board the Galveston. These troops are
under the command of Col. Wilson, 11. 8. A.
About 12 o’clock the steamship Telegraph got
under way, carrying five more companies, as fol
lows :
“Orleans Cadets,” Capt. Glenn r Ist Licitf. L.
Ilowell, 2d Lt., Kibbon, and 68 men. “ Old
Hickory Riflemen.,” Capt. Bryce, with 68 meu.
“Kentucky Volunteers,” Capt. R. C. Stockton,
with a full company. “Louisiana Greys,” Capt.
Breedlove, Ist Lieut. G. W. Shaw, 2d Lieut.
Thomas Van Buren, with 70 rank and file.—
“ Orleans Guards,” Capt. Soniat, with a full
company.
This Battalion is under the command of Lieut.
Col. Porno, and embraces about 400 men.
The steamer James L. Day will be got off this
evening, and will take the following companies,
nearly all of whom are ready : “Clinton Guards,”
Capt Chase; “Washington Guards,” Captain
Vandegriff; and “Orleans Invincible,” Captain
White. These companies will increase the num
ber of troops for Texas about 240 men, and will
be accompanied by Col. Walton, the commander
of the Washington Regiment.
Capt. Wright, of the Galveston, says he will
probably reach Point Isabel by day-break on
Wednesday morning. The troops on board the
steamers mentioned above will increase the force
at that point over one thousand men. .
VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 1130
GRANDE.
Oh Monday last a company of volunteers left
our wharf on board the Dallas for Mobile, ofi
their way for the seat of war. The company is
called “The Relief Volunteers,” consists of fto
men and is commanded by Capt. Rush El
more, Dr. Cock, of Macon county, being Ist
Lieutenant. The company consists cf volun
teers from this city and county together with
some from Macon county. When the company
marched on board, Mr. Belser was called upon
to address them, which he did in a brief, but
very appropriate speech, impressing upon the
company the responsibilities they had assumed
and the duties they had to perform, and, above
all, the necessity of strict discipline, subordina
tion and temperance. The speech was respon
ded to bv frequent cheers. The crowd assem
bled on the wharf must have amounted to five
hundred persons, gathered together to witness
the departure of their gallant young friends.
After Mr. Belser’s speech was ended, the
crowd called upon Capt R. Elmore, who made a
short response, couched in bold, stirring, and
patriotic language, Lieut. Cook was also called
upon, who in like manner responded to the call,
as did several of our young friends belonging to
the company. As each speaker concluded, he
was loudly cheered by the crowd. When the
boat was about to leave, which it did about half
past 10 o’clock, P. M., three loud and hearty
cheers went up from the boat, which were loudly
responded to from the bank, and as the bor.'t
wheeled round in. the river, the volunteers struck
up Byron’s beautiful song, “Here’s a health to
thee, Tom Moore.”— Montgomery Adv.
From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
We copy entire, the article of the Chronicle,
which aims to define its position in reference to
the President’s Mexican policy* We do this
cheerfully, and yet we think the position thus
assumed by the Chronicle, very far from envia
ble. It condemns the President for ordering
Gen. Taylor to his present position before Mata
maros. Why ? Is it that this violates Mexican
rights, ayd invades Mexican soil 1 Is it that our
standard is thus planted where it has no right to
wave—that the unfolding of its stripes and stars
on the Rio Grande, is an usurpation of territory,
and a challenge to Mexico to defend her people
from hostility and invasion 1 No f This cannot
be contended. For the army is still upon the
soil of Texas, now a part of our country. Our
flag spreads its broad folds over the land in token
of protection, and as a warning to invaders. It
waves where it will be conceded it might lawful
ly and rightfully wave. Our army is placed
where it could rightfully stand, and is entrenched
upon soil belonging to our own count rj. ft
waves upon the line which Texas has. uniformly
claimed as her Western boundary. The time is
past When Whig papers found it tasteful to their
readers to call annexation a scheme of robbery
and swindling, and Texas a land that we were
forbidden by every principle of moral honesty to
appropriate and receive into our Union. The
annexation has been Consummated in defiance of
these denunciations, with the warm approbation
of our people, and Texas is now as dear to
Americans, as is any other portion of our coun
ty*
Why then has the President done wrong in
ordering the army to take position opposite Mata
moros 1 Because forsooth, Mexico might lie
provoked, and might make war upon us. She
might not be able to resist the moral necessity
of fighting. In other words, the President should
have shaped his policy to suit Mex ican whims,
arid with a view to preserve the placidity of her
temper. If a station on the Rio Grande, would
thus excite Mexican ire, and stimulate her nice
moral sensitiveness to the fighting point, where
would have been “the convenient distance in the
interior ,” at which the Chronicle would have
had Gen. Taylor stationed ! Would it have been
Point Isabel, the Colorado, or Corpus Christi, or
Corpus Christi, or the Neuees, or the Erases 1 —
Yet successively from each point, would it have
been necessary to retire, to appease Mexican
wrath! The occupation of any portion of Texan
soil by our troops, is equally a provocation of
war, since she claims it all as her territory. If
therefore, the President had been influenced by
what Mexico might choose to think and feel, he
would have fcrcbornc to send troops to any por
tion of Texas, and left her to defend herself
against invasion’.
But it is urged, that the army was sent to Tex
as to repel invasion, not to provoke a war. Ad
mitted, But it was not incumbent on the Presi
dent to ohape his measures with a view to any
other consequence than the most effectual way
of repelling invasion. In doing this, confining
his troops within our own borders, it was not in
cumbent on him to do more than select the most
favorable position for that purpose point
the threatened invasion. Mata
moros was that point—that was the rendezvous
ofMexiean forces destined for the invasion of our
country.
Wc admire the bold, manly policy of marching
our troops up to the very mouths of their cannon,
and showing the Mexicans that we were Teady
to defend every inch of the soil, beginning with
the first, that they had so vauntmglj threatened
to invade anil conquer. True, this mightpro
voke. them. But we are yet to learn, that it is
the duty of an American President to refrain from
stationing troops at the point whence an attack
is reasonably to be looked for, least the-enemy
might construe it into a provocation of war.
The reasoning which censures the President
in this matter, by a fair deduction, justifies flic
invasion of our soil by the Mexicans, who are
thus made to act from moral necessity.
We do not sympathise with this wild tolerance
which goes beyond even the Christian precept
of forgiving our enemies.. We feel nothing but
intease indignation—roused by the late acts of
-bloooshed, now added to that which a long series
of perfidy, cruelty, insult and spoliation, in times
past, has accumulated. We look forward with
eagerness and impatience, forihe meet ample
and impressive retribution.
PEmciss’oxr to Serve their CcuxTnxv—
\ esterday Judge Canpnge gave an order to
the Sheriff to release those persons in the Parish
Prison; who are confined for want of bail to
peace, who are willing to volunteer for
l. e A few availed themselves'of this condi
tional OlSl. ar g ri —y. (y l)pft a
GIDDIKGS OF OHIO.
It is truly humiliating to witness the course of
this individual in the House. His conduct re.
fleets disgrace upon his constituents and excites
th’c wonder of all, why such a man should he
permitted to represent an enlightened and patri
otic people in the American Congress. \y 0
have nothing to say of Mr. GVpcculiar doctrines
Wc have no objection that he should entertain
the most rancorous hostililyto flie South and her
institutions ; we regard the slanders and vituper
ations of such a man as utter harmless— but as
Americans we are mortified and chagrined at his
ridiculous, anti-American course 1 ’ in the debates of
the House. At a time like the present, when it
becomes every- American,citizen who has a spark
of patriotism in his breast to raise himself above
the trammels ot part}-, and to know no-cause but
that of his country, this man is exerting all his
energies to embarrass the action of the govern
ment and to excite discord in our national cou.
cils.
In the presence of a war, the consequences of
which may not be foretold, and which calls for the
-prompt and energetic action of tire nation, if wo
would avoid the destruction of our commerce, and
prevent a collision with other and more formida
ble powers, this false-hearted American, arrays
himself on the side of our enemies, denounces his
own countrymen, and refuses to vote for any
measure of defence. While the treacherous
murder of our soldiers by Mexican ambuscades
on our soil, excites no emotion of sympathetic
patriotism in his craven heart, he is loud in his
denunciations of the American General, for shoot
ing men in the act of basely deserting to the ene
my ! Such a man is a disgrace to the nation, and
deserves, as he will receive, the unqkrdified exe
cration of every true-hearted American.
THE STATE HOUSE.
We are glad to announce to our reaJers at
a distance, that all the financial arrangements
in regard to the building of the Capitol, have
been successfully completed. The contract for
building has been given to Messrs. Cardwell <fc
Robinson, of Columbus, Ga,; and $5,000 havo
been advanced to them in hand cash, to enable
them to commence at once, and to the best ad
vantage. Mr. Button, of Columbus, Ga., has
been selected as Architect. The work of gra
ding has been going on now for several days.—
The plan which has been determined on is
quite a handsome one, and we have no question
of doubt, that the work will be completed jn tiino
and when completed will be satisfactory to the
people of the State, autbSfso be a lasting proof
of the public spirit and good taste of our city.—
Too much praise cannot he bestowed on tho
gentlemen who compose the Building Commit
tee, for the energy and ability which they havo
displayed in the performance of the duty, which
the confidence of their fellow-citizens imposed
upon them.— Mont. Adr.
ITtitcliez, May 1,1346.
In the Natchez region the crops do not look
particularly well, nor is it to be wondered at—
torrents of rain and hail, high winds, dark, gloo
my days, and really cold nights have, as the
lawyer’s, “jointly pnd severally” conspired
against the young cotton.’ It looks sickly and
very unpromising; many -who liad a large part
of their crops scraped have lost and had to re
plant that portion.’ The dharp frost we had
on the night of the 13th nit. cut down much of
the young plant, and we have heard of some
crops on Second Creek which were utterly ru
ined, both corn and' cotton, by a hail storm tho
other day. The stand of corn is usually flat,
where precautions were used to protect the new
*ly sown grain and young plant from birds and
animals; but the dark; Wet weather we havo
Had so long had drawn it up to an unnatural
heigth; rendering it af the same time soft and
weak, whilst the excessive high winds of tho
last few days have laid much of it flat. Tho
small grain crops, oats and rye, are shooting out
bravely, and never looked better or more promi
sing of a large yield; but unless we have clear,
dry weather for a week or two now. we must
look for much rust. Those who had prepared
seed beds of sweet potatoes, at the proper time,’
have had a fine season lor setting out the sprouts
—which, by the way; is the only and true way
to grow this valuable root cheaply and well; but
the buds, must he made up early, auft be supplied?
with bottom heat, that the sprouts may mortly
be set out before the springs rains cease. Tho
fruit erop, in this region, will bo exceedingly
abundant and fine.
Savannah, May 7.
Tre Pcepetua tors Detected. —We aro
happy to siate that the case of fraud which was
recently attempted upon a commercial house irr
this city will result in no loss to the parties in
terested. So vigilant was the House here, and
so energetic in its movements, that when the
check of the State Bank was presented for sale
in Ncw-Orleans to W. N. Burgeyne, Esq. he
(being apprised of the facts, and suspecting the
parlies,) took upoii himself the responsibility of
retaining the check and advising the band. A
letter from a gentlemen in Nevv-Orleans to the
house in this city, received by last night’s mail,
says-—“ Your money is safe—the check is in’
the hands of a most worthy gentleman in this
city, and I am rrtnv on my way to the Reorder’a
office to have the scoundrels arrested, m
Yours, ih haste, &M ’
Printers and Patriots.— 'line printer*
are proverbial for their The prin
ters of Paris were foremost in last Freqph
revolution, and, ss
their leaden typeTmo balls endjrced them from
the windows of their printing at the sol
diers. Half the printers of south were en
gaged rn the late Seminole war, so that at one’
time it was with difficulty that a sufficient force
wa3 obtained to keep up the regular issue ’ of
the papers of the principal cities. The New
Orleans TrCpic says that the printers of
that city have been prompt in volunteering for
the Mexhnyn war. “Out of a body of less thfi
two hcndrCTL nearly fifty have already dronrfcd
the stick’ and shouldered the Jius
kct. made a strong dramnt on
the office; in great is the enthojiasm of
tlie craft that the question is not ‘W how ill go!’
hut ‘Who will rcmairtS’ ” M
~. At. 7
Formerly when any*” villainy Vhs committed
and the perpetrator abscondedyhe
attached these initials to his %feme, as a sort of
degree conferred by the colljp.of rascality.—
Gone To Texas, was equilen\to a charge of
theft, forgery,'burglary, arrfi or s<s>ae other de
testible crime. “Circumsyfco* altcuncases,” is”
a remark not less tme for its Now
these very letters are a badge of hononSkJle,
who can have them to his name inline
present crisis a bjfre patriot, a noble, courifc
geous fellow, whoA willing to give his life
his country— f
for otir country to die,
Where*rrtnks are contending !”
Honor to the volunteers ! All honor to every
man, who now aspires to have it recorded that
he hasG. T. T.
Oricx in’ China. —A Contrast. —ft he sale
of opium (says an English Missionary at Hong
Kong) is legalized! It has hcen tarmed out by
our Government to the highest bidder, and a Chi
nese resident here has purchased, with a large
sum of money, the exclusive right of selling it.—
Asa forcible comment on this transaction, I add
the words used by the Emperor, when solicited
to legalize the sale of this vile drug, on the
ground that, by so doing, lx- would yearly draw
a large sum of money into the treasury, “l will
never consent,” said he, “to raise a revenue from
the vices of my people-” . , .
The following address of an opiuin-smoserCo
his son shows the light in which the Chmgßp re
gard the domoTaTfr.infcjiractice, even whrythey
indulge in it themselves* may g|* drunk
with wine as often as you keep
immoral company, you may do anything, no
matter how bad; but if you attemnfto fotlcTw my
example in opium smoking, I jpl seize a swoni „
and cut you in pieces.” J
Destructive Fire Nashviiek.—
The extensive mill establishment
of Messrs. R. F. L’Hommcdicu & Go., about
one mile from Nashville, was entirely destroyed
by fire on the 29th ulfr The loste is estimated at
from $25,000 to $30,000. The fire, it is suppo
sed, originated from the gas generated iij ihf
process'of distillation.’ ‘ _ ‘ ■