26'vatiforti evovtev
Towanda, Wednesday, May 30,1846;
FOR CANAL. COMMISSIONER,
WILLIAM B. FOSTER, -.TR.
c 7. Ms. Witacrr is quite ill at Washington, we per
ceive by the Congressional reports. He wisest:used on
the 9th imt, from serving on the Webster Committee,
being under the charge at Dr. Hail. with no prospect of
being able to attend 'to his &ties for two or three weeks..
Tax on Coal.
We base had an opportunity of ascertaining, during
the past 'tiro' weeks of Comt--eomething in regard to
public opinion respecting the levying etas on Arithrecite
coal, at the mouth of the pit. We have found a com
plete unanimity among all parties in favor of this just
measure, and a universal commendation of the course
taken by our Representatives during the past winter.—
There is a general feeling that, while we in the North,
have freely borne our share of the public burdens—while
we have never faltered in sustaining the honor and in
tegrity of the State, and keeping our beloved Common.
wealth free from the odious stain of Repudiation—yet
other sections have been mare favored in the lavishing
of bounties and in the building and location of public
improvements, furnishing the means of easy and cheep
access to favorable markets.
The Nonh—we are speaking now' more particularly
for Bradford—has her sources of mineral wealth,second
in point of "%roe to no other section of the State. But
her coal and iron must be embosomedin her mountains
for years yet to come, while the coal and iron of other
counties has a convenient and cheap route to•the hot
markets furnished by the State, and to pay for which we
are now struggling and striving. • These favored regions
are asked—nay, they are implored, as an act of generosi
ty to our Commonwealth—borne down by debts accu•
mutated for their benefit--to submit to a tax of ten cents
upon each ton of coal mined—and the proposition meets
with the most bitter and violent opposition! Our repre
sentatives, in particular, are virulently assailed, u are,
indeed, all the zealous supporters of the measure.
In turn his proposed to tax bitaminous coal. While
we might submit to this u a means of preserving the
credit of the State, yet the justiceNtf the measure can
never be admitted. Look at the comparative situations
of the two interests. The Anthracite coal region pierced
by improvements made by the money of the state—im
provements which have been the means of developing
its resources, and making it all that it is—the Bitumin
ous coal shut out from a communication by improve.
menu, debarred from a market; and enjoying none of
those privileges which the State has furnished to the
Anthracite—and still depressed and overburdened, shar
ing equally in the taxes of the State. There can be no
justice then in taxing bituminous coal, for it has never
experienced any benefit from the improvements of the
Sate—never been the recipient of its bounty.
The true policy is to tax those pursuits• and occupa
tions which are enjoying most of the benefits resulting
from the incurring of our vast public debt : to tax those
•sections of country most directly benefited, and who me
growing rich . upon the depression of other sections. This
is all that was asked in the Revenue Bill—but it was
refused—and refused too, at a time when the officers of
the Administration are straining every nerve to keep the
Interest on our State debt paid—and when it behooved
our Legislators to look round in search of some legiti
mate object of taxation, to sustain the efforts making for
the perpetual payment of our interest. This might have
been done by the tax on coal; while now the fears of
every patriotic Pennsylvanian are aroused for the safetj
of opr credit under the unequal and insufficient movie.
ions of the Revenue bill as passed.
Entstocarrn Ravtaw.—This excellent monthly, con
donee to maintain its high standing. The May num
ber contains,' likeness of Hon. Mr. Bowfin, M. C. from
Bt. Louis, Mo., with the following table of contents:
I. The - Independent Treasury-Ist House Bill; 2d.
Report Senate Finance Committee—Warehousing Bill
—Mints in New-York and Charleston, S. C.
H. Administration of Indian Affairs-Ist. Annual Re
port of the Commissioners of Indian Affairs, transmit.
ted with the President's Message. tat session 29th
Congress. T. Barnard.
21 Notes on the Iroquois; or, Contribotions to the
t3tatiatica, Aboriginal History, Antiquities and Gener
al Ethnology of Western -New-York. By Henry R.
Schoolcraft. New-York : Bartlett & Welford. 1846.
HI. Cromwell and his Times.-Ist The Letters and
Speeches of Oliver Cromwell. By Thottau Carlyle.
2 vols. New-York: Wiley & Putnam.
241. History of the English Revolution of 1640. By F.
Guixot, Prime Minister of France. New-York: Ap.
pleton & Co.
IV. The Old English Pulpit—No. IL—Platonic Di
vines—Queen Anne's Divines—Sterne.
V. The Favorite.—Tranalated from the German of Jo
banns Behopenhauer. By Nathaniel Greene.
VL Papers of an old Dartmoor Prisoner.—Edited by
. Nathaniel Hawthorne.
- VII. Hymn.—By Hon. Caleb Cushing.
VIII Row.—Struggle of the Republican against the
Monarchical Principle in, the Argentine Republic.--
By W. A. Flagg.
IX. China and its Prospective Trade.
X. Mm and the Earth.—By Mary Orme.
XI. Monthly Financial and Chnunercial Article
XII. New Books for the Month
KIR. Politics! Statistic.—Census of New York by
Comities, end the new Apportionment.
New Goons.—The great break in the Erie Canal has
delayed the supply of goods destined for this place, but
we believe our merchants have now very generally re
ceived their assortments, and are willing to sell them on
reasonable terms, as will .be seen trj their advertisements.
It is hardly necessary for us to tell our readers—for they
must have discovered it already—that the cheapest stores
ire dune whose proprietors are willing the public should
know that they wish to sell their goods, and consequent
.
ly adratise.
We believe that oar merchants can compete with any
of the adjacent towns in selling goods—and we invite
the citizens of our county generally, to give them a call
and learn from experience.
Tes Nsaairzus Tasosny.—The Harrisburg Repor
ter contains a statement from Edward Z. C. Judson, who,
it will be remembered, shot Robert Potteifield at Nash
ville a few months since. He positively denies all and
every charge that has been brought against him at Nast
'file, with regard to Wit having seduced Mrs. Porterfield,
and pronounces all that has been said about her as base
libels on an injured and virtuous lady.
Rernsz moo#str.—The Northern Democrat, at
Montrose, is crosiing over the "largest circuital? in
Northern Pennsylvania." We Wive something to say
before that question is decided, and we think the cub.
wription list of the Bradford Reporter is not ex.ceedea by
that of any paper in Northern Pennsylvania.
Masi. Roanatte.--A man named Clark. Pon Master
It Cherry Ridge, Wayne Co. Pa., has been detected in
robbing the mail, and was arrested by officer A. M. C.
Smith, of NeW York city. lie gave bail in the sulfa of
82,000 and bas since decamp!.
Tits Thrint.—The late rains have swelled the writers
in thiStnignetumna to a good •" rafting pitch," and quite
a quantity of Lumber has floated past, on its way to the
=eke( beiJw, during the few last (Joys.
Conviction of APCook.
We furnish below eitreditorialymm the Daily Chroni.
cle, , at•Pltiladelidria t respecting the trial and Conviction
of il!Cook, as well as some •commento upon tha mesa
by the fiennsylvania Reporter. , The Chronicle is
.. an
indeiendent, honest I paper , most ewientially Whig.
its' sentiments arid predilrctioin.' This' elate of papers
have universally condemned the conduct of M'Cook
io
attempting to bribe a Represectativm and expressed an
honest indignation at the corrupt and degrading system
of Boring practiced at Harrisburg. The Harrisburg
Tekgrapb and its sattelite, the Dradfonl Argus, on the
cobtray, endeavor to extenuate and screen the conduct
of this notorious bank agent. bT ittilarimientilion and
by vituperation of the gentleman who has dared to array
airing himself the army of borers and corrupt party
presets on either aide. • _ •
We might give numerous extrema to prom that Col.
Piolkt's motives have been appreciated. and that his
conduct is meeting the hearty approval of every honest
man ; but we deem it unnecessary, after the result of
tho trial, the best vindication an honest man amid wish.
[From the Philadelphia Daily Chronicle.)
Tux Case or Id'Coos..—Theevidence adduce) upon
the trial of M'Cook, in the Court of Quarter Sessions of
Dauphin county, furnishes a tolerable fair insight into
one of the incidents of the boring aystem--as practiced
at Harrisburg during the session of the Legislature.—
M'Cook appears to have been a regular borers. one of
the genuine "b'boyv„" and the object to the pine', •
report in favor of the Lehigh County Bank, which it was
scarcely supposed could be obtained by fair means. Col.
Monet, one of the principal witnesses for the proeceution,
was a member of the Legislature, and of the Committee
on Banks. M'Cook waited upon Col. Piollet, to solicit
his anistanee in procuring some action by the Com
mittee, favorable to. the bank, and, at the same time,
proffered a bribe of five hundred dollars. Col. Piollet
rejected the offer, and took such steps in the matter as
every honorable and honest representative is bound lode.
M'Cook was tried for the offence, convicted. antlsentenc.
ed to pay a fine of six hundred dollars to the Common
wealth.
That the sentence in this case is not proportionate to
the offence, is a fact which must have struck every read
er who has attended to the evidence, as furnished by our
attentive Harrisburg correspondent That the convic
tion of* raw lobby agent, of a wilful and deliberate at
tempt, or rather of three separate attempts to bribe a
member of the Legislators, should be followed by a sen
•tence imposing no greater punishment than a fine of six
hundred dollars,ls, in oar view, little else than a farce.
To can it a punishment, or even a vindication of the law,
would be to make a strange perversion of terms. Every
man who reflects for a motlent upon the nature and
character of the offence of whiqh M'Cook was convicted,
its bearing upon the character of our legislative bodies,
and interests of the people, must acquiesce in its enor
mity, and the wide eprestl mischief which such crimes.
'when successful, must necessarily produce, It is but
seldom that offenders of this description are brought to
justice, although the frequency of their offences is no
secret at Harrisburg; but when regularly indicted, tried.
and convicted, upon the most overwhelming testimony,
as in this case, it is not unreasonabluto expect the Judge
to do his duty, and vindicate society from such desuuo.
tire outrages.
A journalist in a sister city may well say that this ruse
is " one of the most amusing eshibilions, in the matter
of public morals„ in such a State as Pennsylvania, Which
he has ever seen—since the eclipse of the sun." It is a
disgrace to Pennsylvania, and will be so regarded in
every State in the Union. But la' it is, and while we
must acknowledge that Bitch occurrences degrade the
character of our Legislature, and bring the whole course
of State government into contempt, we may well expects
mortification also, when we see those who are charged
with making the laws powerful for correction, falter in
their duty, and thus foster the very evil which it is their
province to discourage.
M'Cook paid the six hundred dollars down, and walk
ed triumphantly out of Court ! And now, he may pre
pare himself far another boring expedition to Harrisburg
next winter, show himself in the lobby, way-tar the
members to and from the House, approach them at their
lodgings, and carry on the business of a borer in all its
ramifications.
[From the Pennsylvania Reporter and Home Journal.]
Tee Bluetits Cass. The proceedings in the trial
of the case of the Commonwealth et Daniel M'Cook,
for acting to bribe Mr. Piollet, a member of the Legis.
lature, will be found in our paper of to-day.
The trial was conducte&try Mr. M'Allister, the Depu
ty Attorney General for the county, by the Attorney
Genend himself, on the part of the Commonwealth, and
by Messrs. M'Cormick and Fisher, otHanisburg, and
Cooper, of Adims county, for the defendant. Every
thing that legal ingenuity and ability could effect, was
brought to the aid of the defendant
The Court held the offence to be indictable at Com•
mon Law, and the facts were too clearly made oat to
admit of doubt in in the mind of any one who heard the
testimony.'.
Great pains bad been taken by the corrupt and bad
men who infest the halls and lobbies of our Legislature
every session, to create a state of public opinion favora
ble to the defendant, and to prejudice the public mind
against Col. Piollet, It all failed however to accomplish
its purpose. Troth has triumphed as it always will
when fearlessly sustained. The disclosures of M'Cook,
to Mr. Galloway, were of a most extraordinary character,
and *firmed Col. Piollet, in every essential particular.
There was other testimony, that would have sustained
him and vindicated his motives most fully, but which
under the strict rules of evidence, was of doubtful &dads
sibility.
The cause was conducted in the most liberal manner
on the part of the Commonwealth, and •although a por
tion of the Counsel for the defendant, assailed Messrs.
Piollet and Galloway in the - mast unjustifiable manner,
tha Commonwealth's Counsel, did not follow the exam
ple in retorting on the defendant or his witnesses to any
improper extent.
The closing speech of the Attorney General, was
eloquent, brilliant and impressive. He referred with
great fervor and force, to what the condition of our go
vemrnent would be, if such offences were permitted to
go unpunished. The seat of government in that event,
would be " the Paradise of Harem"
The charge of Judge Elting], was such an one as the
case required. It did him great credit. He reviewed
the law, in a clear. concise, and logical manner, and
presented a fair statement of the evidence to the Jury,
without invading their province, leaving them to judge
of its credibility, and of the guilt or innocence of the lit
fendant. The attempts of Mr. Cooper, as dishonorable,
as they were improper, to raise some political prejudice
in the Jury, failed most signally, as kis to be hoped all
such base attempts in a Court of Justice, ever will fail.
We siocereiy trust the moral effect of the result of
this trial, will be felt throughout the country. and that
the professional gentry who lie around our Legislative
Halls in the character of borers, will hereafter have this
case before their eyes. Its effect upon the fears of some
of the guilty creatures, who hang around our borough is
already visible. Their fears are alarmed, well they may
be. If we ate not greatly mistaken from the Writs we
havo received. strange". and'extraordinary developments,
prey yet be made, affecting men both in mid ant of: the
Legislature. ;We will in due time advert to these gentry
seam- • •
Important from the Occapatioa Army !
The War already commenced !—Gen.
Taylor's Supplies cut off!—intense
Excitement 2—War Preparations!
Proclamation of the President:
WAR DECLARED ! -
. fperrespondenes of the 9aldwurrs tfinti
• ,
New Gamtans, May 2d. 1846.
Gentlemen : I enclose, extras "issued to - the
closing of the mail. Gen.•gainen and the rad
ous utfitxrs of the Army met in consultation to
day. fhe requisition of Gen. Taylor upon the
Governor of this State for 2.400 troops reached
here this morning, and the lower house of the
Legislature immediately appropriated *lOO,OOO
fur the equipment of the hoops. They will, if
is supposed, be placed under the command of
Gen. Persifer Smith of this city, as such was the
request of Gen. Taylor. -
The whole Mexican force on both sides. is
about 5,000. United States Army about 3,090 :
plenty of yaller Skin renegedues about to figl
fur Mexico. and 50,000 volurt , ers from this
country in less than ten days, if wanted. The
officer from whose letter 1 write, thinks that 10,-
000 men will be all that is necessary.
I saw-a letter from an U. S. officer in Texas
to one of the army in this city, from which"!
gain something explanatory. The affray of the
70 dragoons took place 23 miles up the river
which tuns V. by N. of Matamoras, while
Point Isatielle is N. E. from same place :there
fore the whole of the Mexican force, numbering
two thousand i infarstry and twelve hundred caval
ry across the river, does nut lie between Gen.
Taylor and his supplies, and it is considered
that the communication can he kept open.—
The American army is us well fortified as cir
cumstances and the extended lines wall premit.
In five days all will be ready for a fire on Ma
tamoros.
A navy roll is now in Lafayette Square, and
crowds flock to sign their heritage of glory.—
Of courie you will publish the clone of the Ex
tar"
'I Topic. I know that paper to be able to
give the hest and most extensive information,
though many rood correspondents. The issue
of the Proclamation wall be delayed, as he waits
for a written communication frotn Gen. Gaines.
[Correspondeoco of the N. 0. Tropic.]
Bassos Sr. lama. April 27th.
Ay the Augusta 1 sent you some of the items
now transpiring around . this interesting spot.—
The opinion is fast gaining ground here that the
imbecility of the Mexicans has been greatly
overrated. This is the theatre of real war, not
paper ennobles, but is the seat of the commence
ment of a sanguinary conflict, and one it is feared
of more importance and longer duration than has
been anticipated Ibut the farce is at an end, and
the curtain has risen bloody with carnage, the
opening of a drama most unexpected, and our
country a' ready mourns the loss of some of her
fi est and bravest officers. On Thursday, the
23d, Gen. Tav'or received information that a
b .tivfof the Mexican Army had crossed the Rio
Grande some distance above the encampment.
Early the following morning, Capt. Thorn.
ton and Harding of 2d Light Him - ions, with a
Company o(70 men were dispatched by Gen.
Taylor to reconnoitre above. and Capt. Cerr of
the same tegiment with aCompany to reconnoi
tre below the Encampment. The latter return
ed without having made any discovery.
The former division fell in with what he con
sidcred to be a scouting party of the enemy, hut
which proved to be the advanced guard of a
strong body of the enemy ; who held a situation
in the ehapparel immediately in the rear of Gen.
Taylor's camp. Capt. Thornton charged upon
the quart), contrary to the advice of his Mexican
guide, and on following the enemy Capt. Thorn
ton found his command surrounded by the ene
my who fired on him, killing as is supposed
Capt. Thornton, Lieuts. Kane and Mason, and
some 26 of the men, and taking Capt Hardee
and the remainder of the command prisoners.
The Mexican commander sent in a cart to
Gen. Taylor's camp with a soldier badly wound
ed, with a message that he had no travelling
hospital with him and could not give him the
assistance his situation required. There is no
doubt the detachment of the enemy Cast of the
Rio Grande consists of fully 2,500 men, com
manded by Col. Carasco and Carrajabal, bold
and intrepid officers of experience and ability.
and were the whole army officered by such men
as Carasco, as I know him personally. we should
not be upon on unequal • footing. There is no
doubt their object is to cut off all communica
tion with Point Isabel, this being the general
depot of provisions for the American arms; they
have succeeded and, consequently placedthe
American army in a precarious situation. It
will be utterly impossible for Gen. Taylor to
force his way along the dreary chaparels in
which the enemy are strongly posted. His com
mand cannot exceed 2,300 men.
Gen. Taylor has an excellent position in the
rear of Matamoras ; and can hold his position
against the whole Mexican army combined, and
his batteries can range the city in an hour.—
Most of the citizens have left Matamoras, and
Gen. Taylor has said that when the regular
soldiers of Mexico were seen on the east side of
the river, he would destroy the city. His bat
teries are to be ready on the 27th, complete.—
Gen. Taylor has in camp full rations for 15
(lays ; which he thinks can be made to last 30,
by which time he is in hopes to receive large
reinforcements from the States of Texas and
Louisiana, upon each of which States he has
made a requisition for the equipment and trans
mission to Point Isabel of four full regiments of
militia.
It is thought by the superior officers of Gen.
Taylor's army that 20,000 men will be required
within a very short period, as it is well known
that the Mexican army is daily receiving large
reinforcements from the interior. It was sup
posed by the American officers that Geh. Arista
reached Matamoros on the evening of the 22d,
with a largeHrigade. but up to the period of my
infotmation leaving the ramp no communication
had been received by Gen. Taylor from Gen.
Arista. On the '22d Gen. Taylor received from
Gen. Ampulla, by the means of a flag of truce,
communication in rery offensive termv, com
plaining of having blockaded the . Rio Grande.
To which he replied, that he. Gen..Ampudia,
had been the cause of the blockade, he having
axpressly declared that unless General Taylor
emnmeneed his retreat beyond the Nueros
raitli
in 24 lion -aafter his displaying his flag upon
the hanks of the Rio Grande, he would consi
der WAR :IS heing declared, and should act ac
cortlinglF. Gen. Taylor furthermore stated that
he would receive no further communiction from
the Mexican' government. unless couched in
language more respectful towards the: govern
ment and people of the United States. -At Point '
Isabel great fears were entertained_of a night at
tack,-which, from the exposed situation of that
Point, Could not be otherwise than successful. if
.conducted with energy.
'This post is defended by Major, Munroe with
a detachment of 89 ortillernits. There ate also
at the pest apout 200 armed wagoners, and fifty
laborers under the orders of the Quarter Master ;
some 100 citizens, furnished with arms by the
U. S. Ordnance officer, organized under the
command of Capt. Perkins, and denominated the
Sumpter Guards. A company of 50 Mexican
cavalry was seen on the night of the 20th, wi•h
in five miles of Point Whet. They were sup,
boiled to be a corps of observation. The body
of Col. Cross was found on the 22st ult., about
three miles from camp, frightfully mutilated and
entirely divested of clothing.
The body of Lieut. Porter, woo was killed by
a party of banditti. undei the command of Ro
mer Falcon, had not peen found. The principal
officers known to be in command of the Mexican
forces, are Generals Arista, Ampudia Mejia and
Canales ; and Colonels Carrasco and Carrajabal
are men of talent. lam indebted for the above
information to the politeness of Col. Doane. who
is on his way to New Orleans in the Augusta.
P. 5.—A messenger has just arrived, after se
vere toil and much danger, owing to the proximi
t of the troops and the state of the prairie.—
From him I learn, that Arista communicated po
ittely to Gen. Taylor, that he had assumed com
mand of the Mexican Army.
We copy from an Extra of the Galveston
News, dated Thursday morning. April3o :
On Thursday morning, 23d a Mexican came
into Gen. Taylor's camp and reported 2000
Mexicans crossing the river some twenty miles
above. That afternoon captains Hardee and
Thornton were sent with two companies of ca
valry, 63 men in all, to reconnoitre. On Fri
day morning they fell into an ambush ,of the
enemy. when Lieut. Cain and thirteen men
were killed, Capt. Thornton missing. and
Capt.Hardee and 46 men prisoners. On !tam! ,
day afternoon the Mexicans, sent in a wounded
man with the report. These \ Mexicans. it is
stated, were commanded by Canalea and Ca
rabajal.
After the fight, the Mexicans on this side of
the river were largely reinforced and have sur
rounded Gen. Taylor's camp. cutting off all
communication with Point Isabel, at which
place is the train and all of the stores belonging
to the army—Gen. Taylor not having on hand
over 10 clays' provisions. There are at Point
Isabel 90 'artillery men, 10 dragoous, about
250 teamsters and about 150 citizens and la
borers ; and the entrenchments not half finish
ed.
The steamer Monmouth landed Mr. Caller
on the night of the 28th at Port Lahaca. with
despatches from Gen. Taylor cAllinz on Gov.
Henderson for 40 companies of Riflemen, 60
men each, 20 of the companies to he mounted
men to rendezvous at Corpus Christi. when
they will he mustered into service and sup
plied with provisions—the foot companies will
rendezvous at Galveston, where transportation
will he furnishcd. The steamer Augusta was
to have left the Brassos St.' lago on Monday
night for New Orleans. with Gen. Taylor's
(-all on the Goveriors of Louisiana. Missiesip
pi
and Alahaina for 8000 troops. Should im
mediate relief not he sent to Point Isabel, it
will most probably fall into the power of the
enemy with all the army stores, and the des
truetion of the whole army may follow.
Gen. Taylor's works in front of Matamoros
would be completed on the the morning of the
28th, at which time it was expected the fire
would he opened on the city. Troops should
not await the call of the Governor pi it will
be a week before it can reach this place, but
hurry to the relief of Point Isabel, as by saving
that place only will we have it in our 'power
to render the army timely assistance.
Texans ! you have now, at leapt, a glorious
opportunity of retaliating on these perfidious
Mexicans. the many injuries they have done
you. and of carrying that war into the heart of
their own country. the cruelties of wbich they
have so often made you feel.
NEW ORLEANS, May 2, 11 A. M.
The news in our second edition. this morn
km, is regarded u of much importance.
Letters from authentic American sources in
Matamoras state that the Mexican forces are
at least 8000 men, well equipped, with an excel
lent park dandle:l.
The Governor of this State has issued his
requisition for twenty-five hundred volunteers.
end the7soldiers are already in the street, and
making the most active preparations for depar
ture. They will leave in the course of twenty
four hours.
The Legislature of the State with a patriotic
promptitude worthy of all praise. have already
passed a bill appropriating 8100.000 for the
service. The measure passed by acclamation.
[From the N. 0. Picayune, M.y 2d.]
War!—To Arms !. 1 To Arms!!!—The
steamship Gaive.ton arrived this mnring, bring.
ing the certain intelligence that the United
States army, under General Taylor. is com
pletely surrounded, and his communication
with Point Isabel entirely cut off. ,Despatches
have been sent to'the Governor of Texas for"
an immediate reinforcement of 2.400 men, and
a special messenger, Col. Doan. now io
this eity.xvith requisitions upon GovlernorJohn
son for four regiments. 'file emergenry.is im
minent, and immediate steps should he taken
to send the necessary force to the relief of the
army.
"The city is in great excitement, Gune
are being fired from the public squares, and
drums and flags are paraded through the streets.
Louisiana will do her duty in this crisis."
At Galveston. within an hour after the re
ceipt of Capt. Catlett's letter. there was a pub.
lie meeting. and it was determined to dispatch
200 men that evening in the Monmouth.
General Taylor has fortified his position so
strongly that he can stand a seige, but his com
munication with Point Isabel being cut off he
is in danger of being compelled to take the
field with an inadequate force, on account of the
shortness of his provisions.
Matamoros is almost deserted. 'The Ameri
can armyfeould take the town'at once, but!tintler
the eircumstancste of his position General Tay
lor cannot divide his command or weaken his
camp by sending off any considerable number
of men from it.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT-PRO
CEEDINGS OF COZZGRESS
To the Senate and House of Representatives
The existint, state of the relations betwei n
the United States and Mexico. renders it pro
per that I should brine the subject to the consid
eration of Congress. In my meNsaize at the com
mencement of your present session, the state
of these relations and the causes which led to
the suspension of diplomatic intercourse be-
tween the two countries in March, 1895. and
the long continue and onredressed wrongs
and injuries committed by the Mexican Gp
verninent on citizens of the United States. on
cir persons end property, were briefly set
MIS
As the lams and opinions whieh were 'then
laid before you were carefolly considered.
cannot better express
. my presentconvictions of
the condition of affairs up to this time than by
referring you to that communication. The
strong desire to peace with Mexico on
liberal and honorable terms, and the readiness
of this Government to regulate and adjust our
boundary: and other causes of difference with
that power. on such fair and equitable princi
ples,lo would lead to permanent relations of
the moat friendly nature, induced me in Sep
tember last to seek a re-opening of diplomatic
relations between the two countries. Every
measure adopted on our part had for its object
the furtherance of these desired results.
In communicating to' Congress a succinct_
statement of the injury which we have suffered
from Mexico. and which had been accumulated
during the period of more than 20 years, every
expression that could tend to inflame the peo
ple of Mexico, defeat or delay a pacific result,
was carefully avoided. An Envoy of the II
S. repaired to Mexico, with full powers to ad
just every existing difference, I tit tht u:h pre
sent on.Mexiean soil by agreement between
the two governments, invested with full powers.
and bearing evidence of the most friendly dis
positions, his mission has been unavailing.—
The Mexican government not only refused to
receive him or listen to his propositions, but
after a long continued eerie. of menaces, have
at last invaded our territory. and shed the blood
of our fellow citizens on our own soil.
• It now becomes my duty to state more in de
tail the origin. progress and failure of that mis
sion. In pursuance of the instructions given
in September last, an" inquiry was made on the
13th of October, in 1845. in the most friendly
terms, through our Consul in Mexico, of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs. whether the Mexi
can Government would receive an Envoy
from the U. States, entrusted with full powers
to adjust all the questions in dispute between
the two governments, with the assuratfce that.
should the answer be in the affirmative, such
an Envoy would be immediately dispatched to
Mexico. The Mexican Minister, on the 15th
of October, gave an affirmative answer to this
inquiry, requesting, at the same time, that our
naval force at Vera Cruz might be withdrawn.
lest its continued presence might assume the
appearance of menace and coercion, pending
the negotiations. This force was immediately
withdrawn. On the 10th of Nov.. 1845, Mr.
John Slidell. of Louisiana, was commissioned
by me as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the U. S. to Mexico; and
was entrusted with full powers . to adjust both
the question of the Texan boundary and of in-
deninification to our citizens. The redress of
our citizens naiurallv'and inseparably blended
itself with the question of boundary. The
settlement of the one question in any correct
view of the euhject, involved that of the oilier
I could not to- a moment entertain the idea
that the claims of our much injured and long
suffering citizens, many of which had existed
'for more than I wenty years. should he postpon
ed or separated from the settlement of the boun
dary question.
Mr. Slidell arrived at Vera Cruz on the 30th
of Noiember. and was courteously received by
the authorities of that city ; but the Govern
ment of Geo. Herrera was then tottering to its
fall : the revolutionary party bad seized upon
the-Texas question to effect or hasten it over
throw. Its determination, to restore friendly
relations with thejU. S and to receive our Min- .
tater to negotiate for the settlement of this ques
tion, was violently 'assailed, and was made the
great theme of denunciation aaainst it. The
Government of Gen. Herrera, there is good
reason to believe, was -sincerely desirous to
receive our Minister; but it yielded to the storm
raised by its enemies, and on the 21st of Dec.
refused to accredit Mr. Slidell, upon the most
frivolous pretexts. These are so fully and ably
expressed is the note of Mr. Slidell of the 24th
of December last, to the Mexican Minister of
Foreign Relations, herewith transmitted, that
I deem it unnecessary to enter into further
details on this portion of the subject.
Five days after the date of Mr. Slidell's note.
Gen. Herrera yielded iltegovernment to Gen.
Paredes, without a struggle. and on the 30th of
December resigned the Presidency. This revo
lution was accomplished solely by the army,
the peoplehavingtaken little part in the contest;
and thus the-supreme power of Mexico passed
into the hands of a militaryleader. Determined
to leave no effort untried to effects an amicable
adjustment with Mexico, I directed Mr. Slidell
to present his credentials to the government of
General Paredes, and asked to be officially re
ceived by him.
There would have been less ground for ta
king this Step had Gen. Paredes come into
power by a regular cOnstitutionil succession.—
In that event his administration would have
been considered but a mere consititutional con
tinuance of the government of General Herren.
and the refusal of the latter to receive our Min
later would have been deemed conclusive
unless an intimation had been given by Gen
Paredes of hie desire to reverse the det.ision o
his piedecessor. But the Government of Gen
Paredes owes its existing to a military revo
lotion by which the subsisting costitutiona
authorities had been subverted.
The form of government was entirely chang
ed, as well as all the high Pinctionai ies by whom
it was administered. Under those circumstances
Mr. Slidell, in obedience to my directions. ad
dressed a note to the Mexican Minister of For
eign Relations, under date of the Ist of Match
last, - asking to he received by that government
in the diplomatic character to which he had been
appointed. The Minister, in his reply, under
date of the 12th of March. reiterated the argu
nt of his predecessorr•and in terms that may
be considered as giving just grounds of offence
to the government and people of the United
States, denied the application of Mr. Slidell.—
Nothing, therefore. remained for-our Envoy but
to demand his passports, and return to his own
country.
Thus the Government of Mexico, though sol
emnly pledged by.ofricial acts in October last to
reeeive.and accredit an -American envoy, viola
ted their pledge their plighted faith, and.refus
ed the offer of the pe;:c 111 adjustment of our
difficulties. Not only was the offer rejected.
but the indignity of its rejection. enhanced by 3
manifest breach of faith in refusing to admit the
envoy who came because they had hound them•
.elves to receive him. Nor can it he said that
the offer was fruitless from the want of oppor
tunity of discussing it. as our envoy was present
on their own soil. Nor can it he ascribed to a
wantiof sufficient powers ; our envoy Winn
powers to adjust every question ordifferenee.—
Nor was there room for complaint that output
position for i settlemt-nf unreasonab'etp e44
elan WOP not even given our envoy to int , kt
proposition, whatever. Dior can it be obj ee i i
that we. on our part, would not listen t o
resednable terms of their suggestion ; the bleb
can government re fused all ni gutiations, sal t:
made no proposition of any kind.
" In my message at the commencement oftt,
present session. I informed you. that
it s
earnest appeal, both of the Congress and r'
vention of Texas, I had ordered an elfieiest‘
limey force to take a polition between tlat No„
yes and the Del None. \ This had becom e
cessary to meet a threatened invasion of 1 8 44
by the Mexicans, for whielvextensive mij
preparation had been made. The invasion s t ,
threatened solely because Texas had dets 4 , 4
ed. in accordance with a solemn resolution oftt e
Congress of the U. S. to annex her self to s o
Union, and under these circumstances it a l ,
plainly our. duty to extend our protection si t ,
her citizens and soil.. This force was emu.
• trated at Corpus Christi and remained there s l .
til after I had received such information, as 4 ,,
dered it probable that Thekt?llexican govern's:At
would not receive our envoy.
Meintime. Texas, by the final act of oar e gt „
areas had become an integral part of our Unift
The Congress of 'Texas, by ils action of P k
19, 1830, had declared the Rio Del None t e h
the boundary of that Republic: Its jurisdicak i
had been extended and exercised beyond de
Nome'. The country between that river not
the Del Norte had been represented in the Ccs
greets and the Convention of Texas, had 14,
taken part in the act of Annexation itself. lag
now included within one of our Congreasioc i i
Districts. Our own. Congress had moreote t ,
with gloat unanimity, by the act approved D m
31st. 1845, recognised the country beyond th t
Neuces as a part of our territory by. in cludiq
it within out own revenue system, and a rem
no officer to reside within that district has b an
oppointed by and with the advice and roam
of the Senate. It became therefore of teen
necessity to provide for the defence of that po t .
non of our country. Accordingly on the WI
of January last instructions were issued ode
General in command of these troops to mum
the left bank of the Del Norte.
This river, which is thesouth western hound.,
ry of the State of Texas, is an exposed frontlet.
From this quarter invasion has been threatened.
Upon it, and in its immediate vicinity, in de
judgment of high military experience, are di
proper statibna for the protecting forces °f lit
Government.
In addition to this important ronsidentior,
several others occurred to induce this movemer.
Among these are the facilities afforded by to
ports of Brazos Santiago and the mouth dill
Del Norte for the reception of supplies by to,
the stronger and more healthy military positions,
the convenience for obtaining a ready and mac
abundant supply of provisions, as water, fee
and forage, and the advantages which are 'Ea•
ded by the Del Norte in forwarding supplies to
such posts as may he established in the humor
and upon the Indian frontier.
The movement of troops to Del None au
made by the commanding General. under pa
stove instructions to abstain from all aggressite
arts towards Nlexico or Mexican citizens, end
to regard the relations between that Republie
and the United States as peaceful, unless the
should declare war or commit aces of hostility
indicative of a state of war. He was especol
ly directed to protect private property and re
sped personal rights.
The Army moved from Corpus Christi in
the 11th of March, and on the 28th of that
mouth arrived on the left bank of the Del Norte,
opposite to Matamoras, where it encamped oi
a commanding position, which has since beer
strengthened by the erecti ,, n of field works.—
A depot has also been established at Point lie
bel, near the Brazos Santiago, 30 miles in the
rear of the encampment. The selection of bit
position was necessarily confined to the jag•
ment of the General in command. •
The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed
a belligerent attitudes on the -12th of Apnl.—
Gen. Ampudia, then in command,. notified
General Taylor to break up his camp walla
24 hours, and to retire beyond the Neuces
vet., and in the - event of his failure to comply
with these demands announced that arms led
arms alone most decide the question. But so
open act of hostility was committed until .the
24th of April. On that day Gen. Arises, who
had oucceeded to the command - of the Meximi
forces, communicated to General Taylor. tbat
he considered hostilities commenced, sod
should prosecute them. A party of dragoon ,
of 63 men and officers were on the same day
despatched from. the American camp, op the
Rio del Norte. on its left bank, to assertm
whether the Mexican troops had crossed or
were preparing to-cross the river, became es•
gaged with a large body of these troops. ma
after a short affair in which some 16 we
killed-and wounded, appear to have been sac
rounded and compelled to surrender. The
grievous wrongs perpetrated by Mexico upot
our cilizens throughout a long period of yem
remain unredressed.; and solemn mon ,
pledging her public faith, for this redress have
been disregarded. A government either tow
ble or unwilling, to force the execution.of suet
Ire ties, fails to perform one of its plaiseu
duties.
Our commerce with Mexico has been-110S
annihilated. It was formerly highly bend.
to both nations ; but our merchants tau
been deterred from prosecuting it by the sr.
tem of outrage and extortion which the Mer
can authorities have pursued against them;
whilst their appeals through their own web' ,
meat for indemnity have been made in vain —
Our lorhearance has gone to such an estreci
as to be mistaken in its diameter. fled et
acted *ith vigor in repelling the insults Ind
redressing the, injuries inflicted by IlesteO a'
the commencement, we should doubtless tan
escaped all the difficulties in which we yeses
involved.
Instead of this, however, we have been er
ening, our best efforts to propitiate her goo d
will, upon the pretext that Texas. a Da" II
independent as herself, thought proper to unite
its destinies with our own. She basstliev d
to believe that we have severed her rig
htf° l
territory, and in official proclamation, and
manifestos, has repeatedly threatened to 011k6
war upon us for the purpose of reconverof
Texas. In the meantime we have tried ere!<
effort nt reconciliation. The cup of forbEr
anee had been exhausted, even before the rt
cent information from the frontier of the Dv
Norte. But now alter reiterated laroar ti ;
:11exieo has passed the boundary of the liniv
States, has invaded our territory and 0 1
American blood upon the American soil. S I !
has proclaimed that hostilities have commead'
and that the two nations are now at or
As war exists, and notwithstanding duo
to avoid it, exists by the act of WO
herself, we are called upon by every considem.
tion of duty and patriotism to vindicate 110