IMPORTANT FROM THE
AHMY. OF OCCUPATION.
HOSTIMTia ACTUAXtiV GOKMBXCKD.
TAVton't cOMMVftiCATio ctt orr.
Al lack of av Company of the V. S. Dragoons
vpnn the Mexic ems Tvcniy six nj the V.
States trtmpi HUed, and the rest mmU Pri-toners-
(ton. ' Taylor expected In attack
Matamoris on the QSth ultimo Requisi
tion of the Governor of Louisiana for troops
'1giltu.Te V&ted flUnO.OOO Ureat Ex
citement among the Ttxas and Louisiana
Volunteers
The Southern mail of Saturday snd Sunday
bring extra from the' New Orleans paper to the
Uii initant, with the following important intelli
gence from the army on the Rie Graude. The
new that hostilities Jad actually' commenced,
had produced $u great excitement in Gsiveeton
and New O-flesns, and a large body of volunteer
were alaeady prepared to march to Gen. Taylor'
'iaitance. .
From the New Orlean Bee Extra.
SATURDAY MORNING,
Mat 3, 6 o'clock.
COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES !
From the Galvetton A'eivs Extra, ,1pr. 30.
On Thursday morning, 23 ult., a Mexican
came into Gen. Taylor' camp and reported 3,
000 Mexican, .crossing the river tome twenty
mile above. That afternoon Captain Hardee
nnd Thornton were ent with two companie
of calvary, 63 men in all, to reconnoitre. On
Friday they fell into an ambush of the enemy,
and Lieut. Kane? and thirteen men were killed,
Capt.Thorntonihrssing, and Capt. Hardee, and
46 men priaoner. On Saturday afternoon the
Mexican tent a wounded man, who made, the
above report. Theie Mexican, it i elated,
were commanded by Canale and Carabnjul.
After the fight, the Mexican ofthi aide of the
river were largely rienforced, and have eur
rounded Gen. Taylor' camp, cutting off all com
munication with Point Isabel, at which place
i the train and all of the store belonging to the
Army Gen. Taylor not having on hand over ten
day previsions. There are at Point Isabel BO
artillery men, 20 dragoon, about 250 teamsters,
and about ISO citizen and laborer, and the en
trenchments not half finished.
The steamer Monmouth landed Mr. Catlctt on
tho night of the 2Sth ult., at Port La Bacca, with
despatches from Gen. Taylor, calling on Gover
nor Henderson for 40 companies of Riflemen, 60
men each, 20 of the companies to be mounted
men, to rendezvoutat Corpus Christi, when they
will be mustered into service and supplied with
provisions the foot companies will rendezvous
at Galveston where transportation will be fur
nished. The steamer Augusta was to have left the
Bratos St. Iago on Monday night for New Orleans
with Gen. Taylor' catl on the Govervor of
Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama for 8000
troops. Should immediate releif not be sent
. Point Isabel, it will roost probably fall into the
power of the enemy, with all the army stores,
and the destruction of the whole army may fol
low. Gen. Taylor' 'work in front of Matainora
would be completed on the morning of the 29th,
at which time it was expected the fire would be
opened on the city. Troops should not await the
call of the Governor, a it will be a week belore
it can reach this place, but hurry to the relief of
Point Isabel, as by saving that plaee only will
we have it in our power to render tht army
timely assistance. Texan I you have now at
last a glorious opportunity of retaliating on these
perfidious Mexican the many injuries they have
done you, and of carrying that war into the
heart of their own country, the crueltiea of
which they have so often mad you feel.
We are indebted for the abova to Mr. Benj. S.
Grayson, who has just returned by the Mon
mouth. He inform us that Capt. Catlett left
the armyon Sunday night, with a Mexican guide
and parsing down the river reached Point Isabel
on Monday morning with Gen. Taylor's despatch
es to the Governor of Texas. The Monmouth
was unable to leave until Monday night, in con
sequence of having to discharge, and take in pro
visions to be sent into Corpus Christi for the vol
unteer as fast as they arrive. These were left
at St. Joseph's where the Whit Wing i now
taking them to their destination.
Gen. Memucan Hunt will leave this city late
thi evening by way of Velaeeo and Victoria to
rendezvous at Corpus Christi, preparatory to
marching to the relief of Gen. Taylor.
TO ARMS! TEX ANS, TO ARMS!
The United State Army under General Tay
lor is surrounded by the Mexican enemy on Tex
an soil. Gen. Tsylor has called upon the Gover
nor of Texas for 2,400 troops let Galveston
. show to the world that they are always ready for
the defence of their couutry let them display
the same spirit and alacrity that they did in 1842.
Head Quarters, Galveston Volunteer Battalion, I
30th April, 1846.
ORDERS
The commissioned and non-commissioned offi
cers of the companies composing the Galveston
Volunteer Battalion, are requested to meet Tor
consultation at ten o'clock thi morning, at the
Galveston Artillery Armory, at Mr. Crawford'
store. The country need our services! No
time should be lost in immediately organiiing
he aeveral corps ot this battalion. The com
mandant of the battalion has tb fullest confi
dence in the patriotism and teal of the citizen
soldieis of Galveston 3 He is sure they will not
falter nor hesitate in thia emergency! They
have always desired an opportunity of showing
their prowess to their Mexican enemies', that
opportunity has now arrived. It is expect
ed the young men of Galveston will immediate
ly rally as volunteers, nor wait for their servi
ces to be required by dralt,
A rendezvous will be immediately opened (or
volunteers to increase tbs rank of each of the
volunteer corps ot th city, cab alto to orgaaizt
an additional company of Infantry or Riflemen, :
A prompt attendance ol the officer i expected
at the time and place appointed. By order of
CO. BRYRANT.
Maj. Com. Galveston Vol. Bat.
If2-'S0or 200 met, with the proper officers,
ran be raised by to-morrow morning at 8 o'clock,
they will be supplied with arms and accoutre
ments, and will take passage on board the steam
er Monmouth, now bound for Point Isabel.
N. KINGSBURY, Lieut, U. S. A.
' From the Now Orleans Bulletin Extra.
- BirLLKTiN Office, May 2, 11, A. M.
' The news in our second edition this morning
i regarded a of much importance.
Letters Irom authentic American sources in
Mafande state that the Mexican force are at
least 8 000 men, well equipped, with an excel
lent park of artillery.
The Governor of thi State has issued his re
quisition for twenty-five hundred volunteers, and
the soldier are already in the street, and making
the most active preparations for departure,
They will leave in th course of twenty-four
hour.
The Legislature of the State, with a patriotic
promptitude worthy of all praise, have already
passed a bill appropriating $100,000 for the ser
vice. The measure passed by acclamation.
From the Picayune, May 1, 7 J o'clock, A. M
Col. Charles Doane arrived in this city at an
early hour yesterday morning, fioSjj Brazos San
tiago, which place he left on the 2Sth ult., in the
steam schooner Augusta. Sixty mile west of
the S. W. Pass he was transferred to the steam
ship Galveston. He is the bearer of important
despatches from Gen. Taylor, and o a requisi
tion upon the Governor of Lou i tana lor four re
giments. The previous news received that the
Mexicans had crossed the Rio Grande, is fully
confirmed, and a detachment of American troops
has been cut off. But for the details we refer to
the following account of operations kindly fur
nished us by Col. Doane.
On Thursday evening, the 23d inst., Gen. Tay
lor received information that a body of the Mex
ican army had crossed to the east side of the Rio
Grande, at a point some 20 miles above his en
campment. Early on the following morning he
despatched Capts. Thornton and Hardee, of the
2d regiment Dragoons, with a detachment of 70
men to examine the country above, and Capt.
Kerr of the same regiment, with a company to
examine the country below the encampment.
The latter returned to camp without having made
any discovery of Mexicans.
The former, however, fell in with what he
considered to be a scouting party of the enemy,
but hich proved to be the advance guard of a
very strong body of the enemy, who were post
ed in the chaparral, immediately in the rear of
Gen. Taylor's camp. Capt. Thornton, contrary
to the advice of his Mexican Guide, charged u
pon the guard, who retreated towards the main
body, followed by Capt. Thornton, when in an
instant he found himself and command surround
sd by the enemy, who fired upon him, killing as
it is supposed, Capt. Thornton Lieuts Kane and
Mason, and some twenty-six of the men, and tsk
ing Capt. Hardee and the remainder of the com
tnand prisoners. The Mexican commander sent
into Gen. Tsylor's carr.p a cart with a soldier
badly wounded, with a message that he had no
travelling hospital with him and could not, there'
lore, renuer tne soiuier me assistance wmcn ams
situation required.
It is supposed that the detachment of the ene
my on the east side of the Rio Grande consists
of at least 2300 men, under the commands of
Cols. Carusco and Carrabajal, both old and ex
perienced officers, and that their objects is to
cut off all communication between Gen. Taylor
and Point Isabel, the depot of provisions. In the
execution of this object, they have fully succeed
ed, and have hereby placed the American army
in a most dangerous position, as it will be utter
ly impossible for Gen. Tsylor, with the limited
number of men now under his command, say
2300, to force his way through the dense chapar
ral in which the enemy are already strongly
posted.
On the 22d, Gen. Tsylor recieved from Gen.
Ampudia, by means of a flag of truce, a commu
nication in very offensive terms complaining
of his having blockaded the Rio Grande, to which
he replied, that Gen. Ampudia had himself been
I th cause of th blockade, in having expressly
declared that unless Gen. Taylor commenced
bis retreat beyond the Nueces within twenty
four hours after displaying his flag upon the left
bank of the Rio Grande, he would consider tvur
as being declared, and would act accordingly.
Gen. Taylor furthermore stated that he would
recieve no further communications from the
Mexican commander, unless couched in language
mom icspei-trully towards the Government and
people of the United States.
Gen. Taylor's position, in the rear of Matamo
ras, is sufficiently strong to withstand success
fully an attack ol the whole Mexican force, and
commands the town, which, with the batteries
already mounted, could be razed to the ground
in an hour's time. Gen. Taylor has in ramp full
rations for 13 days, which he thinks can be
made to last thirty days, by which time he is in
hopes to receive large reinforcements from Tex
as and Louisiana, upon each of which States he
has made a requisition for the immediate equip
ment and transmission to Point Isabel of four full
regiments ol militia. It is thought by the su
perior officers of Gen. Taylor's Army that 20
000 men will be required within a very short pe
riod, as it is well known the Mexican army is
daily receiving large reinforcements from the
interior.
It was supposed by the American officers thst
Gen. Arista reached Matamoras on the evening
of the 22d ult., with a brigade; but up to the pe
riod of the writer's leaving camp, no communica
tion had been received by Gen. Tsylor from
Gen. Arista.
(Subsequently to his leaving the camp oa the
roth ult Col. Doane learned that Gad. Taylor la-
formed him that he, Arista, had assumed th
command of the Mexican forces
At Point Isabel great fear were entertained of
a night attack, which, from the present exposed
situation of that post, could not ba otherwise
than successful if conducted with energy. Th
post is defended by Major Munroe, with a de
tachment of 80 artillerists. Thera art also at
the post about S00 armed wsgoner and 60 la
borers under the orders of the Quartermsster,
and some 100 citizens furnished with arms by
the U. S. Ordnance officer, organized nnder the
command of Captain Perkins, and denominated
the Fronton Guards. A company of SO Mexican
cavalry were seen on the night of the 26th with
in five miles of Point Isabel. They were sup-
soped to be a crops of observation.
The body of Col. Cross was found on the 21st
ult., about three miles from Csmp, frightfully
mutilated and entirely destitate of clothing. The
body of Lieut. Porter, who was killed some days
previous by a party of banditti, under the com
mand of Ramon Taloon, had not been found.
The principal officers known to be in cam-
msnd of Mexii-sn forces, are Gens. Arista, Am
pudia, Mexia and Canales, Cols. Carasco and
Carajabal : all men ol talent.
The extra of the Galveston News says that
requisitions have been made upon the Governors
of Alabama and Mississippi for troops, though
our own informant savs nothing of this. The
News supposes that Gen. Taylor would open
hi fire upon Matamoras on the morning of the
28th ultimo.
We have also received an extra from the office
of the Galveston News, where the intelligence
was received by the steamboat Monmouth, with
Capt. Catlctt on board, a bearer of despatches
from Gen. Tsylor to Gov. Henderson, of Texas,
calling upon him for aid. We give the letter to
the Galveston Committee in full, as it best shows
the urgency of the case.
Letter of Capt. Cailelt t the People ofOal-
vcsian.
On board Steamer Monmouth, )
Off St. Josephs, April 28, 1846. J
Gentlemen: I am the bearer of a communica
tion from Gen. Taylor to Got' Hendrrs n, re
quisling to be immediately reinforced by twen
ty companies of foot riflemen. . My destination
isVictoris, and thence to Austin. I wss instruc
ted by the General to send an express from the
former plsce hy land to your city with commu
nications to Lieut. Kingsbury, snd at the same
time to spread the information through the coun
try. But it having been left discretionary with
me, snd the Monmouth being available, I have
determined to send the communications by her,
and also to write to you, in order to facilitate
as much as possible the sending on of troops.
I wss instructed by Gen. Tsylor to end out
from Victoria expresses in such directions ss I
might deem most advisable, so at to have all
the men possible on their march to hit relief
without awaiting the ordera of the Governor.
You will have it in your power to tend to the
Lower Brazos, Houston and Montgomery toon
er than an express can go from Victoria. I
therefore lesve that to you, knowing that it will
be promptly attended to. I shall send to Mata
gorda, Texana, Richmond and Sar. Felipe. If
you have an opportunity; please send to Wash
ington. I shall send therefrom La Grange.
General Tsylor is in very precarious situs.
tion at his camp near Point Isabel. I believe
reinforcement of two hundred men would
save that place. This it vastly important, ss a
arge amount of commissariat and ordnance
stores sre deposited there, and, if thst plsce
should fall, General Taylor will be left with
out refources of sny kind.
The plsce of rendezvous for the foot compa
nies is suggested by the General at Gslvotlon $
that of the mounted men at Corpus Christi ; at
which place there will be provisions snd forsge.
No parly less than 4(10 should think of going
through on the direct road to Matamoras; as
there is t Isrge force of Mexicans on the Aroya
Colorado for the pttrpo-te of cutting off reinforce
ments in that direction. S.nall parties can
cross from Corpus Christi on to Psdre's Island.
Arrangements are msde for crossing from the
lower point of the Island to Point Isabel.
If two hundred men could be raited even tern-
pnrsrily at Galveston, I am decidedly of opinion
it would be better to tend them forthwith by the
Monmouth the security of Point Isabel is of
tholsst imoportsnr.e.
From the best information we could obtain,
the force of the Mexicans is set down st seven
thousand certain, and reports go as high as
twelve thousand.
All communication is now cut off between the
csmp snd Point Isabel, except by running the
gauntlet. I came out in the night of tht 20th
with a guide, and was prowling all night through
chaparral, swsmp and lakes.
Cspt. Baker will be sble to give you all the
particulars of what hns happened, the situation
of Point Isabel, &c. &c.
The old General is ss cool ss a cucumber, and
hss so strengthened bis position that I am ofo-
pinion nothing can move him but starvation.
In haste, your obedient servsnr,
W. G. CATLETT.
Messrs, Williams snd others.
N. B. A propeller hat left for New Orltant
with a requisition upon the Governor of Louis
isna for troops also. 1 have thought a tteamer
might be leaving Galvetton immediately for
New Orleans, and for fear the propeller should
be detained, would it not be well to state the
facts to the Governor, thst the trnopa might be
in resdinesa by (he arrival of the propeller 1
There it no mistake as to the order, the Captain
will explain. Yours,' &c.i W. G. C.
REPORT of the steam schooner Augusta,
(illicit, ordered to proceed to An Orleans
by the U. 8. Quarter-master at Point Isabel,
with important despatches.
Crowed the bar at Bratoa Santiago o Tues
day, the 23th ult., at 6 o'clock, A. M. On Fri
day, 1st instant, when 00 miles west of the S.
W. Pass, at 12 o'clock, M., wat hailed by steam
ship Galveston, laid to and put Col. Doane, bear
er of despatches, on board the Galveston.
Left in port slesmor Cincinnati, Smith, just
arrived with baggage and arms for the U. S.
Army, from Aransas; U. S. ttetmships Col.
Long tnd Nevs, lightning vessels in the harbor;
schr. Ellen and Clirs, Griffin, for New Orleans ;
steam schooner James Csge, Sherman, do.
Mexican schooner Juanitt, lately arrived from
New Orleans with stores for the Mexican army,
was taken possession of by order of Gen. Tsy.
lor, and ordered to return to New Orleans,
without dischsrging her cargo ; United Slates
brig of war Lawrence, Commander Mercer, tnd
United States schooner Flirt, L:eut Sinclair,
commanding, were blockading the mouth of the
Rio Grande; schooner Belto del Mar, stranded
on the bar of Brae'os Santiago, was condemned
and told on tho 25th ult. ; United Sistes steam
ship Monmouth wss despatched, on tho evening
of the 27th ult, ; for Port Labscca and Galvee
ton with a requisition from Gen. Tsylor on the
Governor of Texst for two regiment! of cava
ry and two regiments of foot militia.
OrricK or tits Picayune,
New OtLtANt, (10 oclock,)Msy 2d. J
The legislature hss just passed, by sccls
mation.a bill appropriating ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND DOLLARS, to equip and for
ward Volunteers from this place to Point Isabel,
or tt whatever point they may be required.
The city is in great excitement Guns ire
being fired from the Public Squares, and drums
and flags are psraded through the streets. Lou
isisna will do her duty in this crisis.
The New Orletnt Picsyune of the 1st ins
tant hat the following paragraph :
The Blockade or the Rio Graude. We
learned, last evening, that formsl protests had
been made before the British Consul by the
English houses which had shipped cargoes on
board the schooners Equity and Florid is n, which
were turned bsck by the United Ststes brig
Lawrence, of! the mouth of the rivor Rio Gran
de.
The Picayune hss s'so the following correc
tion:
The Abmv. Misapprehension Corrected.
General Worth. Our readers cannot fail to
have been struck by the number of officers re
ported by the city press to have arrived here in
the New York on her Isst trip from Gslveston.
Enaugh were reported to have officered several
regiments. This wit entirely the result of mis
tpprehension. We Itsrn thst but three gentle'
men connected with the army die in fsct arrive ,
these were Gen Worth, Msj. Vsn N?ssand
Lieut. Smith. Gen. Worth, it is known, hss
transmitted his resignstion to Wsshington ; the
other gentlemen nsmed csme here on impor
tant business connected with the service.
U. S. Tnoors. About 150 recruites lately
arrived from New York, left in the steamboat
N. York yesterday, and several companies in
fsntry are daily expected from Jefferson Bar
racks, to join the forces uuder the commend ot
General Tsylor. JV. O.Jeffcrsouian, 1st inst
Military Movement. We understand
thst the following companies and officers of the
10th Regiment U. S. Infantry, now stationed at
Jefferson Barracks, are under marching orders
for Texss, and will lesve as soon ss possible :
Lt Col. Wilson, Commanding; Co. K., Bt.
Maj. Abercombie ; Co. E., Capt. A. Miller, 2d
Lt Plummer; Bt 2J Lt. Dil worth; Co. G
Cspt E. Backus, 1st Lt G. W. F. Wood, 2d
Lt S. D. Csrpenter; Co., Cspt. J. II. Leinotte,
1st Lt. G. Barry, 2d Lt. J. Tcrrett
Loot Out ! Counterfeit Note on the follow
ing Bank in thi State, sre in circulation Bank
of Pennsylvania; HonesJalt Bank; Lancaster
Bank ; Lebanon Bat.k ; Bank of the Northern
Liberties; Moyamensing Bank ; Manufacturers'
and Mechanics' Bank; Northern Liberties;
Bank of Northumberland; West Chester Bank;
Kensington Bank.
Great Dai's Wose oh th Rsadiss Rail
road. The Philadelphia . North American
states that on the 20th April the business receipts
of this road were over $7000, or at the rate of 2,
170,000 per annum. This is ths largest busi-
uess ever done in a single day by any rsilroad
in the world. Ths Great Western railway in
England never approached it, we are informed.
In McMtsv or Washington. An incident oc
cured last week on board tbs boat Powaton, Capt.
Rodgers, worthy of note. Tbebost runs upon the
Potomac, on the Washington and Richmond line,
and always rings tht bell as she passes Mount
Vernon, in honor of the illustrious dead, whose
mortal remains art entombed there. On the
occasion mentioned, the Harmoneon singers (Bos
tonians) were on board, and the boat stopped op
posite to Wsshington's Grsve, while they sang
the melody "Washington's Grave," in so touch
ing a manner, the whole company standing un
covered, as to bring tears to ths syes of moat on
board.
A Diamond. The Dahlonega (Geo.) Times
of the 23d inst says i We were shown on
Tucsdsy last, diamond of the tint water, a
bout the size of a largo pea, belonging to the
Rev. Pendicton Cheek, of Henry County. It
wat found at tho Union Gold Minet not long
since. Mr. Cheek Informed ut that several
others bad beoa found at tho tamo place, but
not so largo as the one shown us. This is a
new discovery, and one that premises to open to
our State vast resource! of wealth, at it will
give fresh impetus to the energies and enter
prise of those engsged in digging from tbo bow
els of ihe earth, it bidden trsssurt.
THE ABIEIUCAN.
Saturday, .Way IB, 1846.
1. B, .f Esq., mt kit Heat Ki.
tote and Coal Office, earner of 3d and Chesnut
Street Philadelphia, to authorised to met as
Jlgent, and receipt far all men its due this
office, far subscription or advertising.
Jtloo, at hie Office At. 160 JYtimeam Street,
JWsr Vat.
And 8. E. Corner at Baltimore and Calvert
sts., Baltimore.
0 In eur advertising columns this week our
readers will find the sdvertissment of Mr. A. B.
Marshall, one of the most enterprising merchants
in Philadelphia. The principle he has adopted,
to ask and take but one price, is tht true one.
His stock of goods we know to bt tuch, that
never fail to recommend themselves.
We slso call attention to the advertisement of
Robert B. Walker, who keeps sn extensive as
sortment of Carpeting, Oil Cloths, Sec, at his
well known store, No. 25 North Second street,
Philadelphia. ,
Andrew S. Wingert, of Selinsgrovt, slso ad
vertises his Tin and Sheet-Iron ware mannfac
tory. Those who want a really good article,
well made, cannot go amiss by calling ou Mr.
Wingert
K7" Tne Armt. Tht critical position of
Gen. Taylor and the American Army, en the
Rio Grande, has caused great aensation through
out the Union, particularly at Washington. The
committee on military Affairs held a meeting on
Tuesday morning, and determined to urge, on
the following day, the passage of a bill authoriz
ing the President to receive 50,000 volunteers,
appropriate 110,000,000, or as much thereof as
may be necessary. We have collected tor our
readera all the news that is important on this
subject, to the exclusion of much other matter
07 Thi latr Raids have caused a consider
able freshet in tht Susquehanna, without, how
ever, causing any damage that we can learn
The bosom of th river is sgain covered with
rarts an ..v.. 0D their way to market The
Shamokin Creek, at Sham.;., ... informed
was within 18 inches of being as high at during
tht March freshet
07" The War Bill has passed both Houses of
Congress. This bill authorises the President tt
call out 30,000 volunteers, snd appropriates 10
million of dollar. In the House, the bill pas
sed on Monday by a vote of 174 to 14. J. Q. A
dams, Mrv Gidding and the abolitionists gener
ally voting against it. In the Senate, the bill
was passed on Tuesday, by a vote of 40 to 2
Mr. Calhoun, and Mr. Mangum were opposed to
the preamble which declared that war existed, but
finally voted for the bill. T. Clayton and Davis,
alone, voting in the negative.
Large meetings have been held, and troops sre
every where assembling to offer their services.
Cspt. Thornton and Lieut. Mason have returned
to the camp in safety, Capt Thornton having
cut his way through the enemy, sword in hand.
Messrs. Savery & co., of Philadelphia, bavs or
ders to cast 100 tons of cannon balls, immediate
C7"Great Frishxt at Pottsvillr. The late
rains hsve caused great damages at Pottsville and
vicinity. The accumulation of water from the
mountain streams was so sudden, that there has
been great loss of property as well as a number of
lives. The new works on the Schuylkill Naviga
tion much injured, between Pottsville and Port
Clinton. Wa copy - the following particulars
from tht Philadelphia Ledger i
One of the coffer dams of the canal bore hat
ithatood tho flood, but tho No. 1 Lock at Port
Carbon, and the lock ot Mount Carbon, are sad
ly injured. Tho whole work done te them
since tho freshet of March, is destroyed. The
new lock just commenced at Allen's, two miles
below, nnd the embankment adjoining, are also
seriously dsmsged. It it thought much de
truction hat vitited the new work on the csnsl
at several points lower down.
Since writing, it is ascertsined that moat of
the bridges on tho Minthill railway are swept
awsy ; six bridges slso on the Mill Creek road
The Schuylkill valley road hat escaped, and
all its branches, except that at Bellmont; where
considerable damage is done. The whole fix
turetof Lawton's colliery, at the hesd of Mill
Creek, are awept awty. This destruction
would in some plsctt occasion considerable do
Isy, and endsngerthe supplies of cosl ; but the
activity of these people will put all to rights in
ten dsys. The csnsl locks, of course, are ex
cepted : t least a month will be required to
reinstate them. It is now out ot the question
for the canal to be opened before some time in
August. 1 am sorry to tsy tbo small pox pro
vails here.
- In addition to the above account of tho fresh
et, wo lesrn by a passenger, who arrived from
Pottsville yesterday afternoon, that tho damage
between Port Clinton and that place, on the
public works, it very extensive.
Approaching Port Clinton, he observed sev
oral canal locks entirely submerged, tbo eru
bankmente of the canst washed awsy, tnd at
one plsce a lock was carried olf, leaving but
one of I bo wallt standing. Tho damsge to tho
Schuylkill Mvif ttioo, in bio opinion, if Urj
.'
Br Special Kuungfr from Washington.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT
PROCEEDINGS OF COXGRESS,
Vp te Ha Adjournment, mt T, Moadar Bra
nin.
Important Message of the President Mexi
co and the United States The Country de
clared to be in a state of War Important
Vebate in the Senate Fiflu thousand Vol
unteers and ten MUliont of Dollars voted
ty the iiause
WAtHincTo.i, May 11th. 1R4. I
6J o'clock, P.M.
In the Senate to-day, toon after the reading
the journal, the following Menage from the
Pretident of the United State wa received and
read. - The galleries and lobbies were crowded
to tuflocstion.
The meetaee, after stating the relations between
the U. S. and Mexico the mission of Mr. Slidell
as Minister, and his final rejection, proceeds to
say i
In my message at the commencement of the
present session, I informed you that upon the
esrnest sppesl both of the Congress snd conven
tion of Texas, I had ordered an efficient military
force to take a position "between the Nueces
and the Del Norte." This had become necessa.
ry to meet a threatened invasion of Texas by
the Mexican force, for which extensive military
preparations had been made. The invasion wa
threatened solely because Texas had determined,
in accordance with a solemn resolution of the
Congress of the United States to annex herself
to our Union ; and, under these circumstance, it
was plainly our duty to extend our protection
over her citizens and soil.
This force was concentrated at Corpus Christi
and remained there until after I had received such
information from Mexico a rendered it probable,
if not certain, that the Mexican government
would refuse to receive our envoy.
Meantime, Texas, by the final action of our
Congress, had become an integral part ot our
Union. The Congress of Texas by its act of De
cember 19th, 1838, had declared the Rio del
Norte to be the boundary of that republic. Its
jurisdiction had been extended and exercised be
yond the Neuces. The country between that
river and the Del Norte had been represented in
the Congeess and in the convention of Texas,
had thus taken part in the act of annexation it
self, and is now included within one of our Con
gressior.al districts. Our own Congress had,
moreover, with great unanimity, by the act ap
proved December 31st, 1845, recognised the
country beyond the Neuces as eur territory by in
eluding it within our own revenue system; and an
officer, to reside within that district, has been
appointed by and with the advice and consent of
ths Senatt. It became, therefore, of urgent
necessity to provide for tht defence of that por
llou vr ranntrv Arrardinvlv. nn thft tliir
- j 1
teenth of January last iii.....;nng wert issued
to the general in command of these troop w ...
cupy the left bank of the Del Norte.
The movement of the troops to tht Del Norte
wss made by the commanding general, under
positive instructions to abstain from all aggres
sive acts towards Mexico, or Mexican citizens,
and to regard the relations between that repub
lic and the United States as peaceful, unless she
should declare war, or commit acta of hostility
indicative of a state of war. He was specially
directed to protect private property and respect
personal rights.
The army moved from Corpus Christi on tht
11th of March, and on the 2Sth of that montl
srrived on the lea bank of the Del Norte, oppo
site to Matamoras, where it encamped on a com
manding position, which has since been strength
ened by the erection of field works. A depo
has also been established at Point Isabel, nea
the Brazos Santiago, thirty miles in rear of th
encampment. The selection of his position wa
necessarily confided to the judgement of the gen
eral in command.
The Mexican forees.,at Matamoras assumed
belligerent attitude, on the 12th of April. Genei
al Ampudia, then in command, notified Genert
Taylor to break up his camp within twenty-foi
hours, and to retire beyond the Nueces river, ar
in the event of his failure to comply with thei
demands, announced that arms, and arms aloe
must decide the question. But no open act
hostility wss committed until the 24th ef Apr
On that day, General Arista, who had auecee
ed to the command of the Mexican forces, cor
muniested to General Taylor that "he considt
ed hostilites had commenced and should pros
cute them." A partjuof dragoons ef sixtv-thr
men snd officers were en the ssms day despatc
ed from the American camp op the Rio del Noi
on ita left bank, to ascei tain whether the Mexic
troops had crossed, or were preparing to err
the river, ''became engaged with a large be
of these troops, and after a short affair, in wh
some sixteen were killed and wounded, appea
to have been surrounded and compelled to s
render."
Ths President then refers to the grevic
wrongs perpetrsted by Mexico upon our peo
during a long period of years, and our forbt
anca on all occasions, and proceeds i
Instead of this, however, we have been ei
ing our best efforts to propitiate her good w
Upon the pretext that Texas, a nation as indei
dent a herself, thought proper to unite its dt
nies with our own, she hs effected to believe '
we bavs severed her rightful territory, and,
official proclamations and manifestos, has re
tedly threatened to make war upon us for
purpose of reconquering Texss. In the n
time, ws have triad every effort at reeoneilia
Tbs cap of forbearance had been exhausted,!
before tht recent information from tht froi
of tbt Del Norte. But now, alter reiterated
usees, Mexico has passed ths boundary of th
nited States, hss invaded our territory, and s
American blood upon American soil. She
proclaimed that hostilities havt commenced,
that tht two nations art new at war.
At war exist, and notwithstanding all oo
forts to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico
I if: we ttft called ttpKfi. by" eoneidtrs
Of duty sua patriotism, to vina.ca.te, wut