Newspaper Page Text
V
• **
* \
/
THE MEXICAN ARMY.
Waddy Thompson, in his newly publish
ed work on Mexico, remarks that the great
est nuisance and the most insuperable bar
rier to the prosperity and progress of Mex
ico, is the army. They will tell you, he
says, that it amounts to forty thousand men
but they have never bad half that number.
I have no doubt that the account at tire
"War Department exhibits nearly the num
ber stated, but a largo portion of them are
men of straw, fictitious names fraudulently
inserteS for the benefit of the officers who
pay them. They are paid every day, or
rather that is the law,- but the pay is just as
fictitious as the muster-rolls. They have
more than two hundred Generals, most of
them without commands. Every officer
who commands a regiment has the title of
General, and is distinguished from Generals
who have no command by the addition of
“General effective.’' The rate of pay is not
very different from that of our own army.
Each officer and soldier, however, is his
own commissary, no rations being issued,
and they receive enough of their pay to
procure their scanty rations, which is very
rarely the case. They say that they are o-
bliged to keep a standing army, and that
they can only enforce their laws by “the
grace of God and gunpower.” Is there any
military man who will deny that five thou
sand sojdiers well paid, fed, and disciplined
would he more efficient than 50,000 such
troops as they have! It has been the poli
cy of all great commanders not to take
doubtful and undisciplined troops iuto a
great battle. I do not hesitate to say that
ii I was in command of an army of 10,000
disciplined troops, and was offered 10,000
more Mexican troops, that 1 would not take
them. As regards the Mexican cavalry,
says Mr. Thompson, I should esteem it from
the diminutive size of their horses and the
equally diminutive stature and feebleness of
their riders, as utterly insufficient against
any common infantry. The Mexican Army,
and more particularly the cavalry, may do
very well to fight each other; but in any
conflict with our own or European troops,
it would not be a ba ttle, but a massacre.—
Tho American corps, from the superior size
of their horses, would cover twice as much
ground, and the obstruction offered by the
Mexicans on their small and scrawny po
nies would scarcely cause their horses to
stumble in riding over them; to say nothing
of the greater inequality of the men them
selves, five to one at least in individual
combats, and more than twice in a battle.
The infantry would be found even more
impotent.— Boston Transcript.
SUMMER QUARTERS OF THE AR
MY OF OCCUPATION—MAGNIFI
CENT PROSPECT.
INCIDENTS ON THE BATTLE
FIELD.
Among the wounded in the battle of Rc-
sacadela Palma, on the 8th ult., was Lieut.
C. I). Jordan of the 8th U. States Infantry.
When the Eighth Regiment was order-
d to advance, to support the bold charge
of the dragoons, led by Capt. May, the
company to which Lieut. Jordan was at
tached, rushing on the enemy, compelled
them to break their ranks, and fight in de
tached squads, which, after a brief but se
vere contest, were destroyed or dispersed.
Lieutenant Jordan seeing a group of five
Mexicans firing upon our forces, rushed
upon them sword in hand, expecting that
he was supported by three soldiers of his
regiment. Two or three shots were dis
charged at him, when at the distance of on
ly a few paces, but they fortunately missed
him—and at this moment he perceived he
was alone, his men having met with other
enemies, and his foes were prepared to re
ceive him with the bayonet. It was no
time for hesitation—he made a blow with
liis sword at the nearest Mexican, which
wounded him severely, although it was
partly parried by his musket—and at this
critical moment, his foot struck something,
he stumbled, fell forward to the ground,
and lost his sword. Before he could re
cover his feet, he received three bayonet
stabs in his body—but he instantly threw
himself on one of the Mexicans, wrenched
a cutlass from his hand, when he was fired
upon by another, and a buck-shot was lodg
ed in his arm near the shoulder, and one
passed through his arm. He fell upon his
back, and his enemies were about to des
patch hirn, when Lieut. G. Lincoln, having
vanquished those previously opposed to
him, hastened with others in good time to
the rescue. Lieut. Lincoln cut down one
of the Mexicans, whose comrades were im
mediately subdued.
THE WOUNDS OF COL. McINTOSH.
“ Col. McIntosh’s wounds were received
in the battle of the second day, while lead
ing his regiment against the enemy’s batte
ry. When he had almost reached it, his
horse, a aoble animal, was shot from under
him. Six Mexicans rushed out of a small
cluster of chapparal—(for this fight was in
the chapparral)—three with their bayonets
pointed at his head. One bruised his nose
slightly—the other went in at the mouth,
knocked out most of the teeth on the left
side, and passed through his neck; with
the bayonet thus they pinned him to the
ground. One put the muzzle of his mus
ket to the Colonel’s forehead and pulled
trigger, but the powder in the pan flashed.
Another put bis musket to the breast of the
fallen Colonel. While in the act of firing,
the Colonel pushed it aside, and the con
tents went into the ground. A bayonet
was then thrust into his left arm and broke
it. Had not some one come to his lescue
at the moment, his brains would have been
beaten out with their muskets. The Colo
nel has another slight wound in the leg.—
The wound in the neck has caused him
more pain than 10,000 deaths.”
THE STATE OF TEXAS.
The discussion at the present time, of the
question of the annexation of Texas, which
is resorted to by some of our Whig presses
for the purpose of justifying the Mexicans in
their present war between our government
and theirs, is as much out of place as to dis
cuss the question of the acquisition of Loui
siana—the admission of Missouri—or the
original propriety of the old thirteen States
forming the Union.
Texas is as much a state of this Union as
Virginia or New York, or Massachusetts,
and any party, or press, that would encour
age the invasion of one, would just as soon
encourage the invasion of either of the oth
ers. It is not one jot more treasonable to
go behind the admission of Missouri or
Louisiana or Arkansas, or any State in the
Union,- and argue over again the propriety
of their admission, as an excuse for encour-
aging the invasion of either of them, than it
is to go behind the annexation of Texas and
argue that question over again, for the pur
pose of raising the invader's banner above
our glorious stars and strips. Invasion of
Texas is invasion of our territory, as much
XC « . Ill''
From the Houston [ Texas] Telegraph, May 13.
We learn from a private letter, that Gen.
Taylor has expressed a determination to
make his summer quarters at Monterey,
and there is no doubt that with the force
now under his command, and the volun
teers that are hastening to his standard, that
he can establish his summer quarters in
any part of the eastern provinces of Mexi
co that he desires. The valley of Monte
rey was visited by many of our soldiers,
during the Federal war, and they all de
scribe it as an earthly paradise ; groves of
oranges, lemons, figs, and pomegranates,
surround the city ; and the whole valley,
which is irrigated by countless rivulets of
pure and wholesome water, is but a con
tinuous garden, producing various kinds of
vegetables, and tropical fruits in abundance.
The climate however in summer is rather
too warm to be agreeable to persons from
the Northern States; hut a short distance,
in tho elevated plains along the mountains,
the climate, even in midsummer, is as cool
and salubrious as that of the Catskill inoun-
Even the northern fruits, such as
CONGRESSIONAL.
the apple, pear, &c., are produced in abun
dance, in those elevated regions. When
our troops once get pleasantly located in
that delightful region, they will be very un
willing to forsake it ; and the glowing de
scriptions they will circulate throughout the
Union, will ere long excite a desire among
all classes to annex it to the United States.
The stupendous chain of the Sierra Madre
is a boundary meet for a great nation ; but
the insignificant Rio Bravo is only suitable
to define the limits of States or counties.
Correspondence of the Baltimore American.
UNITED STATES SENATE.
Washington, June 4.
GENERAL GAINES.
Mr. Cass offered a resolution requesting
the President to iuform the Senate whether
any officer of the Army has, during the past
or present year, made any calls upon any
of the States for militia or volunteers, and if
so what number of troops have been thus
called for, and the expense incurred there
by; and also whether such calls have been
countermanded by the War Department.
In answer to an inquiry, Mr. Cass said
that his resolution had reference to the calls
made by General Gaines, and he read a
statement of those calls, from which it
would appear that Gen. G. had called in va
rious ways for upwards of 12,000 troops, at
an expense of upwards of 81,000,000, and
had also made numerous appointments of
staffofficers and others, for all which he had
no authority whatever.
Mr. Cass did not impute any improper
motives to Gen. Gaines, whom he knew to
be a brave and patriotic officer, but he cer
tainly had acted very strangely and unfor
tunately, and it was necessary to adopt
some legislation that would prevent such
proceedings in future.
Mr. Archer enquired whether General
Gaines had been recalled.
Mr. Cass replied that he understood that
he was ordered to Washington.
After some further remarks the resolu
tion was laid over under the rule, and will
come up for consideration to-morrow.
From the Richmond Enquirer.
The question is still agitated, whether
Mexico is aided by Great Britain. The
London Times speaks equivocally on the
subject, trusting to the chances of war to
lake sides or decline participation in the
struggle. We are amused at the sympathy
which some of the British jiapeis cannot
conceal for the hostile movements of Mexi
co. Some of them go so far as to predict
disasters to our arms, and rather tauntingly
declare that Mexico will give us so much
troublo as to prevent our looking after the
Oregon question. A writer from Paris
thinks that France and England will not sit
quietly and sec us invading and overthrow
ing Mexico. We have no materials by
which to judge whether France and Eng
land will or will not interfere. We hope
for the best, and should deeply regret such
intervention in an affair which concerns us
alone. Such a proceeding will meet with
•but one response in this country. Our cause
would be so just, and their intermeddling
so wanton and improper, that the whole
moral and physical energies of out people
would be aroused to vindicate our rights.—
We sincerely trust, then, that we shall be
suffered to fight our battles with Mexico un
embarrassed by European intervention.—
But our suspense will not be much longer
kept up.
June 5.
,as the invasion of Massachusetts would be,
and that man or press who would in any - *
way or manner encourage either, equally
deserves the title of Traitors to their coun
try's cause and defenders of the invading foe.
f Salem, (Mass.) Advoca te.
From the Washington Union.
Brevet Rank in the Army.—Inquiries
are daily made concerning brevet rank in
the army. To meet these inquiries, wo have
looked up the law on the subject. The
first statutory provision was made on the
6th of July, 1S12, and is in these words :—
“ That the President is hereby authorized
to confer brevet rank on such officers of
the army as shall distinguish themselves by
gallant actions or meritorious conduct, or
who shall have served ten years in any one
grade : Provided, that nothing herein con
tained shall be so construed as to entitle of
ficers so breveted to any additional pay or
emoluments, except when commanding se-
perate posts, districts, or detachments,
when they shall be entitled to, and receive
the same pay and emoluments to which of
ficers of the same grades are now, or here
after may be, allowed by law.”
This statute was modified by the law of
April 16th, ISIS, which provides “ that the
officers of the army, who have brevet com
missions, shall be entitled to, and receive
the pay and emoluments of, their brevet
rank when on duty, and having a command
according to their brevet iank. anA m no
other time. That no brevet commission
shall hereafter be conferred by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate.”
These are the only legal provisions to be
found in our statute book except the follow
ing in the rules and articles of war :
“ Article Gl. Officers having brevets or
commissions of a prior date to those of the
regiment in which they serve, may take
place in couits martial and on detachments,
when composed of different corps accord
ing to the ranks given them in their bre
vets, or dates of their former commissions ;
but in the regiment, troop, or company, to
which such officers belong, they shall do
duty and take rank both in courts martial
and on detachments, which shall be com
posed of their own corps, according to the
commissions by which they shall be muster
ed in the said corps.”
By the 9th section of the act of June 30,
1834, it is provided that so much of the act
of July G, 1812, or of any other act, as au
thorizes the President to confer brevet rank
on such officers of the army or marine corps,
as shall have served ten years in any one
grade, was repealed ; and so much of the
act of April 16th, ISIS, as may be applica
ble to the clause above repealed shall be,
and is hereby repealed, but nothing herein
shall affect any right already acquired by
ten years’ expired service to brevet rank.
These are all the statutory provisions that
we have been able to find on ibis subject.—
Hence we give these extracts as containing
all the laws in force relating to brevet rank
in the army.
AMERICAN SPIRIT.
Female Patiotism. — The late Dempsey
Kemp—a brave soldier of the Revolution,
and of Wayne’s army—left six sons in the
parish of St. Helena, one of them not quite
sixteen years of age. They have all volun
teered, and one of them leads the St. Hele
na Dragoons, a band of horsemen, 160
strong, equal to any in the world.- The
venerable mother gave up five of her gal
lant sons at the first call for volunteers, and
when the news of the advance of the Mexi
cans and the danger of our little army reach
ed her, she called up her youngest boy and
told him to go, and remember that he was
the son of Dempsey Kemp! While this
spirit of devoted patriotism exists, who can
fear for the liberties of our countiy, or
doubt the high destiny in reserve for it!—
[N. O. Jeffersonian.
Inkewise and also.—Mr. J. once objected
to the competency of a witness alleging that
he was non-compos. The court granted
leave to test the matter. “Can you tell me,
my friend, the difference between likewise
and also!” “May be as how’ I can;” repli
ed the witness. “Go on sir, let us hear.”
“Well, you see ’ow, col. P, is a lawyer.”
“Very well,” said the counsel. “And you
is a lawyer also.” “Very well." “Col. P.
is likewise a gentleman.” “Very well.”
“But you are not likewise.” The lawyer
was dumb.
Mr. Cass called up his resolution (offered
yesterday) calling for the orders of Gen.
Gaines for raising troops, and desiring to
know whether they had been approved by
the Executive or not.
Mr. Cass said that he entertained a very-
high respect for General Gaines. He was
a brave, valuable and patiiotic officer, an l
had rendered good service to the country.
But he had passed by the President on tho
one side, and General Taylor on the other,,
and called on the Executive of tho Slates.
His good intentions were very bad pre
cedents, and called for correction.
He disclaimed all intention of censuring-
General Gaines, but the inquiry he had.
made was necessary and due to the Govern
ment and to the Army. He had called out
troops upon his own responsibility and.
without authority of law and in violation of
the Constitution of the United States.—
These 12,000 men had part of them been
summoned into service, and part of them,
went to the seat of war without any author
ity whatever.
Mr. Webster said that General Gaines-
had been in authority for some lime in the
Southern Division, and it could hardly be-
supposed that he was so ignorant of the
Laws and the Constitution as to order out
the Militia of the State in violation of the
law. If he had none so, it was certainly a.
most extraordinary proceeding, and called,
for inquiry.
He believed that the President had pow
er to call out the militia of the States to re
pel invasion. It was a very proper power-
delegated to the President, and it was his
province to exercise this power according
to his discretion. He presumed, too, that
he had a right to delegate this power for
the selection of an officer in the Army.—
He desired to know the facts in the case.—
The proceeding, to say the least of it was
extraordinary, and without censuring the
Executive, he desired the information which
had been called for.
Mr. Webster said that he had taken oc
casion to inquire of those who had a knowl
edge of the facts or ought to have a knowl
edge of the facts, and was informed that,
the expenses of the Military Department
of the Government were now carried on
at an expense of nearly half a million a.
day.
Mr. Sevier said he would defend Gen.
Gaines, and he thought it wrong to cen
sure him in the indirect way embodied in
the Resolutions of the Senator from Michi
gan. He had dono well. »n<l t»n^i i
properly. He deserved the applause of thtv
country instead of its censure, and if he had
done differently, he would have deserved
the censure of the country. He would,
have deserved more and even to be shot.—
He did not wait for the tedious forms of
law, but met the crisis, and met it like a
man. And now, when his conduct was ap
plauded at New Orleans, and would be by
the people of the Union; an attempt was
made to censure him in an indirect man-
He did not think it just thus to lay blame
at a crisis like the present upon the shoul
ders of this patriotic veteran.
Mr. Johnson of La. defended the course
of Gen. Gaines, and said that his conduct
had been approbated by the Governor of
the State and the people of New Orleans at
a large public meeting. The people of the
State, and the South every where approved
of General Gaines’ conduct, and he Would
vote for no resolution implying censure up
on hirn...
Mr. Westcott said that the Resolution of
the Senator from Michigan was an act of
censure, whether it was so intended or not.
He cared not whether censure was disclaim
ed or not. He should vote against the Res
olution.
When the senator from Michigan was
Secretary of War, General Gaines acted
precisely as he has since dono. He order
ed out Volunteers from Louisiana immedi
ately after Dade’s massacre, and this old
veteran with bis knapsack on his back
marched at the head of those men and led
them for seventy miles on foot against the
Indians. He thought that Gen. Gained
would have been censured by many in this-
country if he had not done precisely what,
had been done by him.
Mr. Webster said he had not censured
General Gaines, and did not regard the in
formation received as far as it had been
made known, as warranting a censure. If
the President had sanctioned the orders of
Gen. Gaines he was responsible for it, and
the case presented itself to the Senate in a
very different light from what it otherwise
would. I call upon gentlemen, said Mr.
Webster, to answer me this. If Gen.
Taylor was put into a critical position as
was alleged, who put him there!
If General Gaines had ordered out troops
to meet a crisis growing out of the remo
val of the troops to Texas or Mexico, he
was also responsible for this. He was de
termined to probe this matter to the bottom.
I desire to know, continued Mr. W., if in
the smoke and fog of this war, which the
Government by legal and constitutional
means has power to carry on, and to pros
ecute to all just ends, and for all just purpo
ses, whether the Executive and those act
ing under him have disregarded the law.
The discussion was further 4ratiniiea by
Messrs. Johnson of Md., Mangum, Archer,
Bagby, Sevier, Houston and others.
Gen. Houston argued that Gen. Gaines
if he had violated orders, was amenable to
the Executive.
Mr. Bagby could see no wrong in tjie
conduct of the Executive, none in the Res
olution of Gen. Cass, none in anybody but
Gen. Gaines whom he said he would not
censure.
Mr. Sevier offered an amendment calling
upon the President for any correspondence
with General Scott, and the Secretary of
War, or the President. He had heard that
there was such a correspondence, and he
desired to see it, and to have the whole mat
ter laid before the country at once.
Mr. Johnson said he was opposed to the
Resolutions. The orders given antecedent
to the 2nd of May had been approved of by
the Executive. The power given to the
President to repel invasion, was given to
him alone. He had no power to delegate
it to any body. But the troops ordered out
had been ordered out and their services ac
cepted. The conduct of General Gaines
w as governed by the exigency of the case.
It was done illegally and without any pow
er whatever. General Gaines had not cal
led upon the State Executives because he
bad not the power to do so under the law
of 1775.
He invited all to come at a moment when
the country was invaded, He promised
then the means of going forward to the
scene of danger when the army wa3 inva
ded, and threatened with destruction.—
Why had not General Gaines’ conduct been
censured by the War Department in 1836,
and in 1S42. General Gaines did them
what he had now done! The troops cal -
led out were paid and no one said nay.
It was very cool in us to call up the con
duct of men which had been exercised un
der great excitement, and when the coun
try was in danger. When Gen. Gaines
had ordered his troops it was expected that
Paredes was on the the way to Matamoras
with 15,000 men. It was at a crisis like
this that Gen. Gaine3 ordered out the
troops. He believed that Paredes, with a
force four times as large as that of Gen.
Taylor was on his way from the capital of
his country.
Under this apprehension he had issued
his orders. He had not called out his troops
under the law. The law was passed for
no such purpose. He admitted that there
was no law for what had been done. If,
however, Gen. Gaines had been wrong in
giving these orders, the Executive had done
much more wrong in sanctioning the acts
thus illegally done.
Mr. Johnson spoke also in opposition to
the amendment of Mr. Sevier. He could
not see the moLive of it, and would not vote
for it, regarding it as entirely extraneous
matter, having no correspondence with the
subject matter under consideration. If
he had written a tart letter to the Execu
tive, or a letter in homely phrase, was he
to he called to account for this by the Sen
ate! Mr. Johnson commended the general
conduct of Scott and his military life.
Mr. Webster dissented from the broad
and liberal ground which his friend had ta
ken in defence of what he regarded as un
just and illegal acts. From the earliest
times of the Government there were always
excuses for ihe violation of law. It was al
ways pronounced to be for the public good,
for public necessity.
The Senator from Maryland has said that
the Constitution was of a very general good.
Is that all! Is that all? Is the whole sum
of all that there are rules above the Consti
tution and above the laws? that in his own
words there may he times for setting the
law aside, and the Constitution aside? He
was very sure that his friend would not re
asserted to-day.
Mr. Archer—He has asserted very strange
things to-day.
Mr. Webster—I know it, and therefore
I have risen to reply to him. If the Sena
tor was right, the Constitulion was not
worth a straw. It was made for peace
alone and not. for war. There was no man
who heard with more pleasure than him
self of the brave deeds of our brave men.
He respected them however just so far as
they respected the laws.
Mr. W. said he had no commendation
for laurels obtained above the law and be
yond the Constitution. He gloried in those
priiipiploo wL-U — L * ) .L-
law. Who shall rear another fabric when
this Constitution is destroyed? He may
find men to light new battles and obtain
new victories, but where islie who shall rear ■
us another Constitution when this is des
troyed? Is it to be a miserable thatched
cottage to protect us in sunshine and to
be blown about our ears in a storm.
He desired not to censure Gen. Gaines,
and would not do it if he could help it.—
He wished to know more about it. Had
Gen. Gaines been a younger man and
a more ambitious man, we might have
found him inarched in some other quarters
than to the frontier of Mexico.
A spirited rejoinder was made by Mr.
Johnson and a bold and eloquent reply from
Mr. Archer in reply to Mr. Johnson. Mr.
Clayton continued the debate, also, Mr.
Crittenden, Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Sevier,
each in a few words, when Mr. Calhoun
moved to lay the Resolution upon the table
which motion was lost by yea3 and nays.—
Yeas, 11—nays, 34.
The Resolutions were then greatly en
larged so as to cover a call for all the or
ders of Gen. Gaines and all his correspon
dence, with all the correspondence, of Gen.
Scott relative to the Mexican war.
FROM THE SEAT OF WAR.'
Florida Turpentine.—The Jacksonville
News of the 3Gth ult. lias the following:—
Wc had yesterday the satisfaction of be
holding the first instalment of turpentine
destined for export from East Florida, since
its cession by tho British Government to
Spain. Mr. T. O. Holmes lias shipped one
hundred barrels from this place to Savan
nah, on account of Capt. L’Engle. We
hail them as an earnest of what may hereaf
ter be expected from the St. John’s River.
We understand that this gentlemen expects
to manufacture over tivo thousand barrels
during the season, and from what we can
learn, his successful experiment will be fol
lowed up next winter by numerous indi
viduals who possessed less enterprise, or at
least, less confidence than Capt. L’Englc.”
Yucatan.—The following translation of
one of the New York Herald’s Yucatan
correspondent, is given as an indication of
the political views generally pievailing
thtffe:
From the Nno Orleans Picayune, June 5th.
THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
The “army of invasion” would be a bet
ter designation of tbe force under General
Taylor, as the American troops have cros
sed the Rio Grande, and are now in posses
sion of the territory of the enemy. But as
the army has gained credit under its own
title, it will be well to keep this nomencla
ture until it has done greater things under
its new one.
We understand that the next demonstra
tion of Gen. Taylor will be upon the city
of Monterey. This place is about 90 leagues
from Matamoras, and is approached by a
difficult road running through an arid and
ill-watered country. It is the principal city
of the province of New Leon, and com
mands tiie entrance of cable islands, or the
interior of Mexico, through the passes of
the Sierra Madre.
To make the operations of the anny up
on Monterey more secure, if not absolutely
certain, Gen. Taylor designs occupying the
town of Camargo, about 250 miles, by wa
ter, above Matamoras. To do this secure
ly it is necessary for him to have transports
of a draft suitable to the navigation of the
Rio Grande. Camargo will be the basis of
his operations upon Monterey, and this
point must be first made the depot of sup
plies, aud entrenched in a style capable of
sustaining a siege.
It was the design of Gen. Taylor, as we
learn, to be at Monterey by the first of J uly;
but tho want of transports to convey his
stores to Camargo, has compelled him to
delay further progress in the enemy’s coun
try till this deficiency is removed. Camar
go is situated upon the Rio Grande, and
presents an admirable foundation for a dis
play upon the interior, and from Camargo
to Monterey is about 40 leagues, or 120
miles. The country lying between that
town and Monterey is more fertile than that
between Matamoras and Montery—conse
quently it is altogether better for the army
to proceed from Camargo upon Menterey
than from Matamoras.
With a view to expediting the march of
the army, Coat. Saunders, who has distin
guished himself in the admirable defences
he has constructed about Point Isabel, has
been despatched to this city to procure the
necessary transports, He is now in the city
of New Orleans, but will proceed up the
river immediately to supply the deficiency
in transports which his purchasers here may
leave. From the mouth of the Rio Grande
to Matamoras vessels drawing four feet wa
ter can run without obstruction: above that
point up to Camargo, there are not more
than three feet water in many places. Seam-
ers of the proper draft can scarcely be got
in sufficient numbers here to answer the
purposes of an invading army, and therefore
Capt. Saunders will go West to find them.
Before reaching Camargo the army will
have to take the town of Reynoss, which is
between Matamoras and Camargo. It is
not expected, however, that any defence
will be made of such villages.
Gen. Taylor designs now to be at Mon
terey as soon in July as possible. At that
place, it is believed, the Mexicans will
make a stubborn stand if at all during the
war. If the troops under Gen. Taylor oc
cupy Monterey, the whole of Mexico this
side the Sierra Madre will be in the posses
sion of the United States, including the
mining districts of New Leon, New Mexi
co, Santa Fe, Chihuahua, &c., Sec. This
calculation is based somewhat upon the
idea that the United States will order an
expedition from the Missouri river upor. the
Northern provinces. If this be done the
whole of North Mexico will be in our pos
session. Such a disposition of the forces of
the United States would end the war at
once. But if it did not, our army would
hold the key to the whole of South Mexico,
and the gates of the capital would, speak
ing in a military sense, be in the possession
of Gen. Taylor.
Having nothing to hope from Paredes but a mon
archy in its worst shape, or a central power usurp
ing the independence of the Departments and of the
people, we again unfurl the banner of liberty, in
scribing upon its folds, “No compromise with the
chieftains of Monarchy!” History bears wittfess to
our struggle for liberty. We have periled our lives
io its defence, as have onr brethren of Texas and of
the other gallant States ofthe great Northern Union.
Men of America, brethren of the holy ties offctiman
liberty, we shall rise in a few days in these Southern
Departments, hoping to rescue our beautiful Mexico
from the hands of Europe’s minions. Brethren of
the North, we respect you for your noble example
of self-government, which shines upon the nations.
In return we ask your sympathy.—You have our
confidence—give ns yours. We know not that we
can have your co-operation. But if the central
Junto, incited by another power, should war against
you for receiving and protecting our sister Texas,
you shall find ns prepared to greet you in the Hails
of the Montezumas.
ARMY OPERATIONS.
The letter appended hereto from our cor
respondent at Fort Brown, brings down our
line ingenue irom me xviu uiauuc to me la
test date. A postcript dated the 27th ult.,
announces the arrival that day of General
Worth, Gen. Smith, with the advance of the
volunteers arrived on the 24th, and the vol
unteers were reaching Matamoras every
day. The general impression iu the camp
appeared to be that nothing would be done
for a week or ten days, unless instructions
should be received from Washington:
( Correspondence of the Picayune.)
U. S. Camp, Ft. Brows, opposite Matamoras, \
May 23, 1846. $
My Dear Sirs:—I closed my letter yes
terday in a hurry, in consequence of the ex
pressman riding up to my tent while writ
ing, and there was no time for rounding
periods. I added a “rumor" in relation to
Col. Garland, now for facts.
Col. Garland with all the mounted force
disposable—about 250 dragoons and ran
gers—were started in pursuit of the retreat
ing force; they followed for 66 miles.—
They had a slight brush vvifh the rear guard,
killed3, captured 22, one wagon with am
munition and clothing of an artillery com
pany and tho personal baggage of the cap
tain of the company, epuleties, &c. They
returned to Matamoras with their prisoner’s
and vve have them now in this fort. They
returned because their horses previous to
leaving were much jaded from the arduous
duties, all the mounted force have had to
perform ever since we arrived. They had
pursued 66 miles, and from that point there
was no water for 21 miles—the enemy at
that time, no doubt, had possession of this
water with 11 pieces of aitillery and about
4000 strong.
By referring to one of my previous let
ters; where 1 pronounced it “a gross libel
upon that active and energetic corps” [the
dragoons] that they were “ready to desert
by squadrons.” I told you that if this corps
was brought into action it would acquit it
self with honor to themselves and country.
They have done it! They will always doit.
The “talk” is here that General Ariita
will shortly receive reinforcements, will ral
ly and give us another turn; that those re
inforcements were within IS days’ march of
Matamoras at the time of the battle. My
opinion is, that if he does receive these re
inforcements, they will be so dejected at his
defeat, that they can have no unity of ac
tion, their councils will be divided—“a
house divided against itself cannot stand,’*
and that no force can be raised in Mexico
for the next six months to cope with us in
the valley of the Rio Grande. And, sirs,
now is the time—while the “big scare” is
on them, while the “white spot is on the tip
of their nose,” to push the war into Africa;
seize Monterey, seize Tampico and “lum
ber” into Vera Cruz. Let our General act
with vigor and energy, and the revoluntton-
ary spirit of the people of Mexico will do
tbe rest.
Public Spirit.—One merchant in St. Lou
is subscibed $1,000 to fit out the volunteers.
God bless him. Eighteen other citizens
made up $5,400, in sums of $100 to $500
each.
PROCLAMATION OF BLOCKADE.
In virtue of authority vested in me by t ne
Government ofthe United States of Ameri
ca, I hereby declare tbe ports of Vera Cruz,
Alvardo, Tampico and Matamoras, in the
Republic of Mexico, to beiu a state of rig
orous blockade by the ships and vessels un
der my command.
The blockade will be extended to the re
maining ports and rivers of that Republic
on the Gulf of Mexico, as soon as circum
stances will permit—of which due notice
will be given.
This Proclamation is made for the infor
mation of all concerned; and a copy of the
instructions given to the Blockading Squad
ron is annexed.
Given under my band this fourteenth day
of May, A. D. 1846, on board the U. S. ship
Cumberland, off Brazos Santiago.
[Signed,] D. CONNER,
Commanding U. S. Home Squadron.
Instructions to be observed by the offi
cers commanding vessels of the Home
Squadron, in enforcing the blockade of the
ports of the east coast of Mexico:
1st. No neutral vessel proceeding to
wards the entrance of the blockaded port
shall be captured or detained, if she shall
not previously have received from one of
the Blockading Squadron a special notifica
tion of the existance of the blockade. This
notification shall be moreover inserted in
writing on tho muster-roll of the neutral
vessel by the cruizer which meets her, and
it shall contain the announcement together
with statements of the day and the latitude
in which it was made.
2d. Neutral vessels which may be al
ready in the port before the blockade of it
shall have full liberty to depart, with or
without cargo, during fifteen days after that
upon which the blockade is established.
3d. The ’ports of Vera Cruz and Tam
pico, will remain entirely free for the en
trance and departure of neutral and com
mercial mail packets.
Mexican boats engaged exclusively in
fishing on any part of the coast, will be al
lowed to pursue their labor unmolested.
In its present political condition, the flag
of Yucatan is to be respected.
(Signed) D. CONNER,
Commanding Home Squadron,
U. S. Ship Cumberland, off 1
Brazos Satiago, May 14, 1846. (
Congress.
During the past week, a report was sub
mitted to tbe House by Mr. Vinton, from
the Select Committee appointed to investi
gate certain charges against Mr. Webster,
in relation to the secret service "fund. The
report ofthe majority of the’eommiltee, viz.
Hon. Samuel F. Vinton, Jefferson Davis,
Daniel P. King and Seaborn Jones, con
cludes with the following resolution:
Resolved, That the testimony taken iu 'his investi
gation be sealed up by the clerk under ihe supervi
sion of the committee, endorsed “confidential, 1 ' and
deposited in the archives of the House, and that the
same be not opened unless by its order.
Resolved, That this report hs laid ou the tabic and
be printed, and that the select committee be discharg
ed from ihe further consideration of the subject.
The report of Mr. Brinkerhoff, the other
member of the committee, concludes with
this resolution:
Resolved, That the testimony and exhibits taken be
fore the select committee of this House instructed to
investigate the charges against Daniel Webster,
late Secretary of State, together with the reports of
the majority and minority of said committee belaid
upon the Jable, and printed, and that said committee
he discharged front Lite further consideration of the
subject.
Both r ports were ordered to lie upon
the table and to he printed.
On Thursday, on motion of Mr. McKay,
the House passed a joint resolution direct
ing expenses incurred by States and indi
viduals, uuder a call for militia and volun
teers made by Generals Gaines and Tay
lor, to be refunded from the National Treas
ury.
The Washington Union of the 11th says,
it is understood the tariff bill will come up
on Monday next, (yesterday.)
State Rights and United States’ Rights.
“ ’ Tis the Star Spangled Banner, oh, long may it wave.
O’er the Land of the Free and the Ilotne of tho Brave.’’
Highly Important.
The Oregon Question Settled.
The Richmond Enquirer of Friday last,
furnishes the following important intelli
gence. The Richmond Whig of the same
date, contains a similar statement:
Washington June 10—9, P. M.
The Senate closed their Executive session to-day,
about 5 P. M. Tbe President’s message, which was
under discussion, transmits the proposal of Great Bri
tain for a settlement of tire Oregon difficulties on the
49th parallel, with the whole of Vancouver’s Island,
and the free navigation of the Columbia river by the
Hudson’s Bay Company, until the expiration of their
charter; the British Government apprehending that
it might otherwise he compelled to pay that Compa
ny too large an indemnity.
The free navigation ofthe Straits of Fttca. and the
free use of the Bays and Inlets of Vancouver’s Island
to be allowed to us for the same period, and some
! other privileges, not heretofore anticipated by the
1 “49 men.” The President asks the advice of the
Senate.
The question was debated, but without taking any
vote. The discussion of the bill will be resumed to
morrow.
In addition to the above, the Enquirer of
the same date, copies the following remarks
from the Washington correspondent of the
N. Yoik Journal of Commerce and says:
“We hope that the information is correct
and that in a short time grim-visaged war,
will have smoothed Iris wrinkled front.”
To this, we may add, if it be true, all ap
prehension of a conflict with the British li
on is at an end, and that the campaign in
Mexico will then soon be brought to a close.
IIILLEDGEVILLC, JUKE 16, IS46.J
To the Patrons of the Federal Union.
The undersigned has transferred to Ma
jor James W. Armstrong, of Macon, all
his interest in the Federal Union. This
transfer embraces as well his interest in
the outstanding debts as every thing else
appertaining to it. In sundering the rela
tions in which he has stood to its Patrons,
he avails himself of this opportunity to ten
der to them his acknowledgments for the
Washington, Tuesday, June 9th.
I atn justified by my information, which is from au
thentic sources, in saying tbai the Oregon question is,
in fact, SETTLED, so far as the British Govern
ment and the President are concerned.
The President will communicate to the Senate, in
a few days, the proposition of Mr. Pakcnham, and
take the advice of that body upon it.
A treaty will be concluded in a fortnight, beyond a
doubt. The terms offered are such that there can be
no reasonable objection to them. They are, substan
tially—forty-nine—whole of Vancouver’s Island—and
common navigation ofthe Columbia.
The Mexican War.
Is it Just ?
Is it not strange, after the regularly con-
confidence they have reposed in, and the stituted authorities of the Nation had recog-
favors they have extended to it.
He leaves it in the hands of those who
are abundantly competent to the responsi
bilities they have assumed. What with
the talent which the coadjutor of his for
mer associate will bring to the Editorial
nized with almost perfect unanimity, the
existence of the Wav with Mexico, and at a
moment when they were putting forth all
their energies, to carry it on to a speedy
and successful issue, that any should be
found claiming the name of American citi-
department, and the taste and judgment he | zens, who would venture to impugn their
is capable oi evincing in selections for the j conduct, and endeavor to place their own
journal, the public may be confidently as- ; country in the wrong? Strange as it may
sured, it will be rendered in interest and j seem, this nevertheless is the course that
substantial worth inferior to none of its co- i certain Whig presses have adopted and sys-
temporaries. I tematie&Uy p»r»u«J. Tt»oy h»-vo boldly
i proclaimed, and that too, after our territory
1HU3. M. UKlPT’TiN.
Milledgeville, June 16, 1S46.
had been invaded, and while the blood of
— ■ our citizens shed by the insolent foe, was
From the foregoing it will appear that a reeking upon our own soil, that the war
change has taken place in the Proprietor- j with Mexico was unnecessary—was unjust,
ship and control of this journal. I Not unlike their prototypes’™ 1813, who
On the part of its present Editors, it may sided with England, that they might con-
not be an act of supererrogation to say, that demn Mr. Madison, and supplant his ad-
t’nere will be no change in its principles.— i ministration, they have become the advo-
Trained in the Democratic School, and | cates or apologists of Mexico, that they
thoroughly convinced, that upon the main- : ma y break down Mr. Polk and in bis fall,
tenance of the principles there taught, de- I triumph over the party that has sustained
pend the purity and perpetuity of our re- , him. With them, at all hazards, the in
publican institutions, we shall sustain them terests of party must be maintained; its
with untiring zeal and unflinching firmness, claims are paramount to those of their
Located at the Metropolis of the State, ■ country,
where we enjoy peculiar facilities, for re- i But, is this war unjust? In replying to
ceiving and diffusing intelligence, and the j this question, it is impossible in a single ar-
otily organ, at this point, of the party with 1 tide to do any thing more than merely hint
which we are identified, we are not insensi- j at tbe prominent causes that provoked it.
ble to the responsibilities that devolve upon
us as Editors. These we shall endeavor to
discharge to the best of our ability.
But our attention will not be confined ex
clusively to politics. The cause of Educa
tion, of virtue, and of good order will receive
our constant advocacy and support. The
interests of Agriculturists will not be over
looked. One column, at least, shall at all
times, bo devoted to them. Interested our
selves in the culture of the great staple of
the South, we shall take especial pains to
furnish the large class of our readers who
are engaged in the same pursuit, with what
ever vve may find that can benefit them, as
well in the sale of their crops, as in the man
agement of their general interests.
In a word, no effort shall be omitted to
render our journal instructive, interesting,
and valuable.
To our Patrons, we desire and intend to
do our part: all we ask in return, is, that
they will do theirs.
As anevidence of our solicitude to please
them, the Federal Union will hereafter ap
pear in the improved form and enlarged di
mensions, in which it is now presented to
them. -
05 s * Copies of our paper have to day
been sent to several of our friends anti ac
quaintances, whose names, we should be
gratified to see enrolled among our sub
scribers. We have ventured to do what
we trust they have unintentionally omitted.
If any are disinclined to honor the draft
we have drawn upon them, they will be
pleased to permit the papers to be returned
by their respective Post-masters.
(£/* Our last accounts from Columbus
represent that all the companies to corn
pose the Georgia Regiment had not y ct
arrived. The article from the “Muscogee
Democrat” describes the coir«* l,, * es ^ :at
had assembled on Thursday h* st -
A company from Cherokee county was
expected to be on the ground yesterday.
We understand that Capt. Jones was or
ganizing another, the third company, in o-
lumbus. This with a company on the march
from Macon county will complete the Reg
iment. The election of the field officers,
it was expected would take place this day.
The aggressionsof Mexico,upon our com
merce and the indignities she has offered to
our government, commenced nearly twenty-
years since. Such had been their charac
ter that as long ago as Feby. 1S37, Presi
dent Jackson in a message to Congress,
spoke of them in the following language:
“The length of time since some of the injuries have
been committed—the repeated and unavailing appli
cations for redress—the wanton character of some of
the outrages upon the persons and property of our
citizens—upon the officers and flag ofthe U. States,
independent of recent insults to this government and
people would justify in the eyes of all nations, imme
diate war.”
The deliberate opinion which that emi
nent patriot and statesman, at that time ex
pressed, was in perfect coincidence with
that, which was entertained by the great
mass of the American people. The com
mittee on Foreign relations in the House
of Representatives, to whom the message
was referred, responded to it in language
of timilar import. Their report concluded
with this resolution :
‘■Resolved, That the indignities offered to the Amer
ican flag, and injuries commuted upon the persons
and property of American citizens by officers of the
Mexican government, and the refusal or neglect of
that government to make suitable atonement, would
justify the Congress of the.United States in taking
measures to obtain immediate redress by the exercise
of its own power.’’
From that period to the present time, tho
injuries and indignities theretofore sustain
ed, and which then would have justified “in
the eyes of all nations immediate war” not
only remain poredressed, but new injuries
of a still mo'* flagrant character have been
inflicted up° n our commerce and our citi
zen sod new indignities more insolent in
thfv’r nature, have been offered to our gov
ernment. Had it borne with England or
with France, vvliat it has tolerated in Mexi
co, it would have lost tbe confidence of its
own people and forfeited the respect of all
the nations of the globe. But the weakness
of Mexico, has been her protection. Pres
ident Jackson with reference to it and sym
pathizing with that infant republic, in her
struggles to sustain a free and independent
government, endeavored by negotiation to
obtain redress for the wrongs ot which he
complaine 1. Presidents Van Buren and
Tyler, acting under similar impulses, made
similar efforts. Promises of reparation