Mexico arc' the United States--•
Deplorable News from the An::
my—Thirteen Americans Kill
ed, and Forty-Six taken Pris
oners---Requisition for Troops
—Gen. Taylor surrounded by
Mexicans!
(Correspondence of the Engle and Advocate.)
New ORLEANS, May 2, 1846.
We are in the midst of intense excitement--oar
streets present a warlike appearance, not lees than
2500 soldiers being under arms. The call of the
Governer has been nobly responded to, and in a few
hours our gallant volunteers will be oft Success
attend them. Gen. Taylor will give a good account
of himself, or else we are much deceived in the man.
Our Legislature have appropriated $lOO,OOO to
equip the volunteers.
(From the New Orleans Bee—Extra.]
SATURDAY Monarco, May 2, 6 o'clock.
Commencement of Hostilities !
[From the Galveston News—Extra, April 50.
On 'Thursday morning, 23 ult., a Mexican came
into Gen. Taylor's Camp, and reported 2,000 Mex
icans, crossing the river some 20 miles above. That
afternoon, Captains Hardee and Thornton were
sent with two companies of cavalry, 63 men in all,
to reconnoitre. On Friday they fell into an ambush
of the enemy, and Lieut. Coin and thirteen men
were killed, Capt. Thornton missing, and Capt.
Hardee, and 46 men prisoners. On Saturday after
noon, the Mexicans sent in a wounded man, who
made the above report. These Mexicans, it is sta
ted, were commended by Canales and Carabajal.—
After the fight, the Mexicans on this side of the
river were largely reinforced, and have surrounded
Gen. Taylor's Camp, cutting off ell communication
with Point Isabel, at which place is the train and 1
all of the stores belonging to the Army—Gen. Tay- I I
lor not having on hand over ten days provisions.—
'There ore at Point Isabel 00 artillery men, and
about 150 citizens and laborers, and the entrench
ments not half finished.
Gen. Taylor's works in front of Matamoms would
he completed on the morning of the 29th, at which
time it was expected the fire would be opened on
the city. Troops should not wait the call of the
Governor, as 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. Tex
ans ! you have now at last a glorious opportunity
of retaliating on these perfidious Mexicans the
many injuries they have done you, and of carrying
that war into the heats of their own country, the
cruelties of which they have so often made you
feel.
To Arms ! Texans, To Arms!
Tho United States Army under General Taylor
is surrounded by the Mexican enemy on Texan
soil. Gen. Taylor has called upon the Governor
of Texas for 2,400 troops—let Galveston show to
the world that they are always ready for the defence
of their country —let them display the same spirit
and alacrity that they did in 1892.
[From the New Orleans Bulletin, Extra.
BULLETIN OFFICE, May 2, I I, A. M.
The news in our second edition this morning is
regarded as of much importance.
Letters from authentic American sources in Mat
tandes, state that the Mexicae forces are at least
8,000 men, well equipped, with an excellent park
of artillery.
The Governor of this State has issued his requi
sition for twenty•five hundred volunteers, and the
soldiers are already in the street, and making the
most active preparations for departure. They will
leave in the course of twenty-four hours.
The Legielatute of the State, with a patriotic
promptitude worthy of all praise, have already. passed
a bill appropriating IS 100,000 for the service. The
measure passed by acclamation.
[From the Picayune. May 2, 7} o'clock, A.M.
Col. Charles Doane arrived in this city at an early
hour yesterday morning, from Brazos Santiago,
which place he left on the 28th ult., in the steam
schooner. Augusta. Sixty miles west of the S. W.
Pass, he was transferred to the Steamship Galveston.
He is the hearer of important despatches from Gen.
Taylor, and of a requisition upon the Governor of
Louisiana for four regiments. The previous news
received that the Mexicans had crossed the Rio
Grande, is fully confirmed, and a detachment of
American troops has been eat off. But for the de
tails we refer to the following account of operations
kindly furnished us by Col Donne.
On Thursday evening, the 23d ult. Gen. Taylor
received information that a body of the Mexican
army had crossed to the east side of the Rio Grande,
at a point some 20 miles above his encampment.—
Early on the following morning he despatched Copts.
Thornton and Hardee, of the 2d Regiment Dra
goons, with a detachment of 70 men to examine
the country above, and Capt. Kerr, of the same reg
iment with a company to examine.the country be
low the encampment. The latter returned to camp
without having made any discovery of Mexican..
The former, however, fell in with what he con
sidered to be a scouting party of the enemy, but
which proved to be the advance guard of a very
strong body of the enemy, who were posted in the
chaparral immediately in the rear of Gen. Taylor's
camp. Capt. Thornton, contrary to the advice of
his Mexican guide, charged upon the guard, who
retreated towards the main body, followed by Capt.
Thornton, when in an Instant he found himself
and command surrounded by the enemy, who fired
upon him, killing as it is supposed, Capt. Thorn
ton, Lieuts. Kane and Mason, and some twenty-six
of the men, a nd taking Capt. Hardee and the re
remainder of the commend prisoners. The Mex
ican commander sent into General Taylor's camp
a cart with a soldier badly wounded, with a message
that Ito had no travelling hospital with him, and
could not, therefore, render the soldier the assistance
which his case required.
It is supposed that the detachment of the enemy
on the east side of the Rio Grande consists of at
least 2500 men, under the commands of Cola. Car
usco and Carrabajal, both old and experienced offi
cers, and that their object is to cut off all commu
nication between Gen. Taylor and Point Isabel, the
depot of provisions. In the execution of this ob
ject they have fully succeeded, and have thereby
placed the American Army in a most dangerous
position, as it will he utterly impossible for General
Taylor, with the limited number of men now un
der his command, say 2300, to force his way through
the dense chaparral in which the enemy are already
strongly posted.
On the 221, Gen. Taylor received from
Gen. Amputlia, by mean; tit a lax of truce'
a communication in very offensive terms,
comphining of his having blockaded the
Rio Grande; to uhirli lie replied, that
Gen. Atnputlia had h m.ell been the cause
sat the blockade, to having expressly de
clared that unless Gen. Taylor commenc
ed his retreat beyond the Nueces within
twenty•lour hours alter Isis displaying his
tag upon the left bank of the Rio Grande,
lie would consider war as being declared,
and would act accordingly. Gen. l'alor
furthermore stated that he %mild receive
nu Nether commukiLations front the 51cx•
icon commander, unless couched in lan
guage more respectful towards the Gov
ernment and people of the U. States.
Gen. Taylor's position, in the rear of
Matamoras, is sufficiently strong to with-
stand successfully an attack of the whole
Mexican lorce, 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 camp full ra•-
tions for 15 days, which he thinks can be
made to last thirty thiys, by which time he
is in hopes to receive large reinforcements
from Texas and Louisiana, upon each of
which states he has made a requisition for
the immediate equipment and transmis-
I slim to point Isabel of four full regiments
!of militia. It is thought by the superior
!officers of Cen, Taylor's army that 20,000
men will required within a very short pe
riod, as is well known the Mexican army is
daily receiving largi reinforcements from
the interior.
It was supposed by the American offi
cers that lieu. Ai ista reached Matamoras l
on the evening of the 22tl tilt. with a bri.
gade ; but up to the pe nod of the writer's
leaving camp, no communication had been
received by Gs n. Taylor from Gem Arista.
LSubsequenily to his leaving the camp
on the 26th ult. Col. Doane learned that
Gen. Arista addressed a polite note to
Gen. Taylor informing him that he, Aris
ta, had assumed the command of the Alex
icon forces.]
At point Isabel great fears were enter
tained of a night attack, which, from the
present exposed situation of that post,
could not be otherwise than successlul if
conducted tc i'h i nergy, The post is defen
ded by Major Monroe, with a detachment
of 80 artillerists. There are also at the
post about 200 armed wagoners and 60 la
borers under the orders of the Quarter
master, and some 100 citizens furnished
with arms by the U. S. ()Mance officer,
organized under the command of Captain
Perkins, and denominated the Fronton
Guards. A company of 50 Mexican cav
alry were sec o on the night of the 2601
within live miles of point Isabel. They
were supposed to be a corps of observation.
The body of Cud. Cross was Wild on
the 21st ult., about three miles from camp,
frightfully mutilated and entirely desti
tute of clothing. The body of Lieut.
Porter, who was killed some days previous
by a party of banditti, under the command
of Ramon Ta I con , had not been found.
From the New Orleane.Picayune.
A. Proclamation from Ampudia
We will give a translation of a Proclamation
which A mpudia had found the means of distributing
in the American camp, by way of letting our read
ers into the secret service of the war now waging :
The Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican army
to the English and Irish under the orders of
die American General Taylor.
Know ra : That the Government of
the Unitad States is committing repeated
acts of barbarous aggressions against the
magnanimous Mexican Nation; that the
Government which exists under •the flag
of the stars" is unwerthy of the designa
tion of Christians. Recollect that you
were born in Great Britain ; that the
American Government looks with cold
ness upon the powerful flag of St. George,
and is provoking to a rupture the warlike
people to whom it belongs, President Polk
baldly manifesting a desire to take posses
sion of Oregon, as he has already done to
Texas, Now, then, come with all confi•
dence to the Mexican ranks, and I guaran
tee to you, upon my honor, good treat
ment, and that all your expenses shall be
defrayed until your arrival in the beauti
ful capital of Mexico.
Gel:mans, French, Poles and individuals
of other nations. Separate yourselves
from the Yankees, and do not contribute
to defend a robbery and usurpation which,
be asured, the civilized nations of Europe
look upon with the utmost indignation.—
Come, therefore, and array yourselves un
der the tri-colored flag, in the confidence
that the God of Armies protects it, and
that it will protect you equally with the
English.
PEDRO DE AMPUDIA
FRANC CO R. MoRENo,
Adjt• nr the Cotemauller•in•Chiel.
Head Qtorters, upon the road to
Matamoros, April 2, 1840.
GEN. TsyLoa.—Gen. Taylor was born
in Virginia, and raised in the neighbour
hood of Louisville, Ky. Ile entered the
army, as a lieutenant, in 1808; was a cap
tain, and greatly distinguished himself in
the di fence of tort Harrison, in the war
of 1812, which post he cmmanded when
it was attacked by a greatly superior force
of British and Indians. For his gallant
conduct on that occasion lie was made a
brevet major, being the first brevet tbat
was conferred in that war. Gen. T. was
in Florida during a part of the late Sei
nole war, and commanded in person at
the battle of Occochubbe, on the 25th De
cember, 1837. His gallantry and skill on
that occasion won for him the rank of bre
vet brigadier general.
THE MEXICANS GOING TO ENGLAND son Mo
risy.—The Mexican Government hassent an agent
to London, to negotiate a loan of two millions of
dollars. One of the firm of Manning & M'lntosh,
of Vera Cruz, hankers, passed through New York
a few days since, on his way to England, via Bos
ton, for that purpose. While at Washington, the
Herald sops, he had an interview with Mr. Pack
enham, who was formely British Minister at Mexi
co, and, front what we can learn, there is no doubt
but that the loon will be obtained. This, with the
excitement among the Mexicans a war will create,
cannot but strengthen Puede's government, and
destroy all hopes of getting up another revolution.
While the minds of the lower classes are filled with
war, they aro satisfied, and do not dream of revo
(Whim,
THE JOURNAL,
HUNTINGDON:
Wednesday, May 20, 1840.
Democratic Whig Candidate Fcr
Canal Ccmmissioncr
JAMES M, POWER,
OF MERCER COUNTY,
The enigmas of our Warriorsmark friend,
have been mislaid, which accounts for their non
appearance. Wo arc sorry for it, and hope our
friend will excuse us. We shall be more careful
of his favors in future.
The Bridge at Buncan's Xsland Burnt
Down.
Extract of a letter to the Editor, dated
HAnnisnuno, May 15, 1846,
"Dear Sir—The Clark's Perry Bridge was burnt
down yesterday afternoon—it took fire from the
sparks from the steom tow-boat, and consumed the
whole eight spans in the short space of twenty min
utes—parts of it floated past this place last evening
still on fire."
Yours, respectfully,
This is another heavy loss to the Common
wealth. We believe the original cost of this bridge
was one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
War with Mexico
By the news given in to-day's paper, from our
Army in Texas, and the action of the American
Congress upon that news, it will be seen that what
the opponents of the annexation of Texas to the
United States, confidently assured the country
would result from the consummation of that mea
sure, has at length came upon us. Hostilities have
actually commenced between the two countries.--
Blood has already been shed--American sol
diers have been cut down by Mexican arms, and
our government has therefore formally declared war
with Mexico. However much we may regret the
success of the measure that has been the first cause
of this war, and the weakness and lack of vigor and
foresight evinced by the administration, in sending
Gen. Taylor and his brave little army into a posi
tion of such imminent peril, and exposing theta to
the danger of being surrounded, and perhaps cut
off by tho overwhelming superior force, (in point of
numbers) of the Mexicans; however much, we
say, we may regret all this, now that war is declared
actually to exist, it is the duty of tire American
people, without distinction of party, to see that it
he prosecuted with vigor and speedily terminated.
It will be the duty of the whole people to see that
our country be not again cursed with a second ad
dition of the Florida War. What our rulers have
sown in weakness, can be raised up in alrenglk by
the American people, if every man but put his
shoulder to the wheel, even though Great Britain
should come to the aid of Mexico, and the battles
for freedom have to be fought over again upon the
sandy banks of the Rio Grande. Wo like the ac
tion of Congress in regard to this matter, and
doubt not but that the 50,000 volunteers called for
will speedily be raised. The nation that made the
British Lion cower when they were but a people
of ten millions, will not now, since they have
grown up to be a vast and mighty nation of twen
ty millions of freemen, allow the ghosts of butch
ered American citizens, „ to walk unrevenged
amongst them." Every drop of American blood
that is made to flow by Mexican arms, will but
cause the storm which is now gathering in the U.
States to burst with redoubled fury upon the devo
ted heads of that semi-barbarous people.
Revolution in Yucatan
By the late news from Mexico, it is reported that
the Congress of Yucatan had refused to entertain
any propositions from Parades, and a courier, whom
ho had sent to Merida to request only three hundred
troops, narrowly escaped with hie life. We extract
the following from the letter of a Mexican corres
pondent:
Having nothing to hope from Parades but a
monarchy in its worst shape, or a central power
usurping the independence of the Departments and
of the people, we again unfurl the banner of liberty,
inscribing upon its folds—no compromise with the
chieftains of Monarchy. History bears witness
to our struggles for liberty. Wo have penned our
lives in its defence, as have our brethern of Texas
and of the other gallant States of the great North
ern Union.
Men of America, brethern by the holy ties of
human liberty, we shall rise in a few days in these
Southern departments.hoping torescue our beautiful
Mexico from the hands of Luropo's minions !"
Wm. C. McCormiek, Wm. Bell and Valen
tine Lingenfelter, have been appointed by the Gov
ernor, Commissioners of Blair county, to serve un
til the next general election. Mr. Bell was one of
the Commissioners of this county, residing within
the bounds of the new county.
Vit.By reference to our advertising columns, it
will he seen that I.Grafius & son, have changed
the name of their firm to I.& H. Grafius. They
have also made considerable additions to their for
mer variety of stoves, &c. We have now in use
ono of the cooking stoves manufactured by these
gentlemen, and can only say that the " Queen of
the West" cannot be beat, and that it has all the
qualities it is represented to possess by the propri
etors. Persons in want of a cooking stove would
do well to give the " Queen of the West" a
trial.
(Z , . Hollidaysburg has been selected by the Com
missioners appointed for that purpose, as the County
Town of Blair county. The buildings are to be
located on the North-West corner of Allegheny
and Union streets, nearly opposite the property of
Mr. Joseph Higgins.
" Momentous."
Under this imposing caption the " Washington
Union" publishes what purports to be a letter from
a gentleman in London, which goes on to state
that the Peel ministry is to be dissolved, end that
the Oregon question is not likely to be settled with
out a war. After stating all this, the writer attempts
to shift the responsibility of a war with England
from the President and his Cabinet, and says it will
be justly chargeable to the " timidity of the Senate."
In speaking of this "momentous" document, the
Lancaster Democrat, a Locofoco paper, edited by
Col. Carter, says:
"It appears that the editor of the government
organ, (the Union,) has received a letter from a
friend in London, whom he endorses as "a gentle
man of the purest patriotism and of great ability ;'
and this gentleman, patriot, and genius is decidedly
of the opinion, uticr setting forth his reasons, in ex.
tenso, that we are to have a war with England in
consequence of the " timidity of the Senate." It
strikes us, as it will doubtless strike our readers, as
something strange, mysterious, unaccountable, that
some unknown London letter writer, although a
" gentleman, patriot, and genius," should be in pos
session of information which is denied to the peo
ple on both sides of the Atlantic; and that his mere
dictum should have more weight than the despatches
of Mr. McLane, the explanations of Lord Aber
deen, the statements of President Polk, and the re
peated assurances of honorable Senators. But so
it is. Surely things have come to a pretty pass,
when the American people must look for informa
tion on a question of peace or war, not to the Pres
ident—not to his able Cabinet—not to the Senate
—not to their immediate representatives—but to
an Anonymous scribbler in London, who has the
insolence to charge our existing difficulties with
England to the " timidity of the Senate." " Tim
idity of the Senate ?"—when I—where , —how
Messrs. Cass, Hannegan & Co, asserted our claims
to the whole of Oregon, and emphatically stated
that their course was warmly approved of by the
President. Messrs. Haywood. Benton & Co., in
sisted upon compromising on the 49th parallel, and
as emphatically stated, that the President also was
with them. Each section appealed to the President
for support; but the President was silent, and the
government organ editor explained, and soothed,
and temporised, and backed, and filled, just es ho
felt, or fancied he felt, the popular breeze. The
discussion was at length brought to a close in the
Senate, and finally, by an unprecedentedly large
vote, resolutions passed that body, which are calcu
lated to protect, not injure, the rights, interests, and
honor of the American people."
The Legislative Fraud.
To our great astonishment and surprise, says the
Pa. Intelligencor, the "Harrisburg Reporter," the
reputed organ of the State Administration, is per
fectly mum in relation to the legislative fraud com
mitted by the Allegheny county delegation relative
to the Pittsburg and Connelsville Railroad Compa
ny. This is a little singular, after all the blustering
we have heard from some of Governor Shank's
Cabinet. At first we were inclined to believe his
Excellency in the hurry of business had fallen a
victim to this legislative trick, but the silence of the
organ inclines us now to think differently. If Gov.
Shrink can hold in his possession the Central Rail
road bill near len days before he signs it, and then
can the same day he receives the Connelsville sup-
plement, affix his signature to it, and expects to
humbug the people with such a shallow device, he
will find himself much mistaken. The friends of
the Central road aro not so verdant as to be gulled
in this way. We may recur to this subject again.
Harrisburg Rifle
We are pleased to observe that this company,
commanded by Capt. Seiler, have tendered their
services to the President of the United States, to
join the Army in Texas. The President would do
well to accept this company at once, as he will have
the offer of no body of citizen soldiers, from any
quarter, composed of better stuff, or possessed of bra
ver hearts.
Qo' The criticism of a would-be Judge, in the
last Hollidaysburg Standard, upon the representa
tion of the contour of Jas. McCafferty, published
in our last, is terribly severe upon the engraver and
ourself. The would-be he/torn/de source from whence
it comes, renders it perfectly annihilating. We
suppose, however, by remaining in doors for a few
days, until the matter blows over, we may again
venture out, and go about our respective avocations
as usual.
The sneers of the same writer, in regard to the
hope we ventured to express, that Jas. Mc(laf .
arty had died a good man, are perfectly in charac
ter. Nothing else was expected from an individual
who believes in neither future harpiness or misery ;
and who has, during his whole life, been a scoffer
at the christian
.Awful Disaster at Sea.
The Swedish sloop of war, Charles Krona, from
Havanah for Sweden, was upset in a squall off Ma
tanzas on the 3rd instant, and immediately sunk—
carry ing down to a watery grave ONE HUN
DRED AND FIFTEEN SOULS I Seventeen
of the crew managed to keep afloat by clinging to
spars, &c., and went afterwards picked up by the
barque Swan and carried into Philadelphia.
Another Flood
The recent rains caused another heavy flood in
the Susquehanna and its tributaries. The river
has again fallen considerably, but is now In excel
lent rafting condition. There is considerable loat
her afloat.
An accident was occasioned by the Ferry rope
at the old bridge on Sunday, the 10th Inst., which
was likely to prove rather serious. The rope was
suspended from the arches of the bridge, so low as
to catch two mks in their course down the river,
tear off the cabin and oars, and precipitate two of
the raftmen into the river. Ono of the men was
much injured, and both were in great danger of
their lives. As the arks descended they struck the
false•work of one of the spans of the new bridge,
and tore down the work that had been done on it,
at is loss to the contractor of about one hundred
dollars.
Two men in a boat were upset on the 1 lth inst.,
and came near drowning. They were taken up in
boats; one of them after swimming several hun
dred yards.
The waters of the Paxon creek rose very high
and did considerable damage. Gov. Porter's fur.
mice was stopped in consequence for severel hours,
but sustained no damage.—Pa. latelligcticcr.
American Spirit.
The late Mexican news has excited the most in
terest throughout the whole country. Tho New
Orleans Picayune of the sth inst., contains the
following notice of a public meeting in that city
GREAT Pointe AlEETTNO.—Decidedly the lar
gest, and most enthusiastic public meeting which
ever congregated within the walls of a building in
New Orleans, assembled, agreeably to previous no
tice. at the New Commercial Exchange in St.
Charles street, lest evening. It was orderly—lntel
ligent—enthusiastic. There was there the veteran
of 'l4-'ls—his hair silvered with age, lint the fire
of patriotism still burning brightly in his eye; the
merchant who had closed his ledger, and instead of
waiting to strike a balance went to announce his
readinees to strike a blow in defence of his coun
try; the mechanic and laborer, who went there to
show, that although they have not wealth to pro
tect, nor riches to conserve, they have a liberty to
fight for, and a country to sustain.
When we left, there was an active rivalry going
on among a great portion of those present, to see
who would first put down his name as a volunteer
defender of his country.
About one thousand or twelve hundred volun
teers, able, ready, and willing, have already enrolled
themselves for service on the Texan frontier.
PaINTEns AND PArniwrisn.—As usual, our
craftsmen have been prompt in volunteering for the
defence of the country. Out of a body of less
than 200, nearly 110 have already dropped the
‘• composing-stick" and shouldered the musket.—
Patriotism has made a strong draft on the offices;
I in fact, so great is the enthusiasm of the craft, that
the question is not "Who will go?" but " Who
will retrain?"
A VOICE vnem CIIAIILESTON.-The Charleston
Courier, alluding to the recent news from Mexico,
says:—" Wa think there is now but one course to
pursue. Let a sufficient force be at once assem
bfrd—no meagre and insufficient body, but a pow
erful and overwhelming army—invade the Mexican
territory,and carry the war up to the very gates of her
Capitol, not desist in offensive opperations until she
humbly solicits mercy at our hand, and consents,
not only to pay the debt she justly owes, but re
munerate us in full for the expense incurred in
bringing her to terms."
The Governor of Louisiana has offered to give
and advance to every Volunteer, who shall be mus
tered into the service of the United States, under
said requisition upon this State, the sum of ten
dollars bounty money, and one month's pay in ad
vance for volunteering, as called by the General
Orders, issued by him on the 2nd day of May, inst.
PCBLIC Mmixo.—A large public meeting was
held in Philadelphia on Wednesday evening, the
13th inst., in relation to the war with Mexico.—
Mayor SWIFT presided, and resolutions passed ap
proving of the action of Congress, and pledging
the services, fortunes and lives of the citizens in
defence of the country, should they be required.
The number in attendance at this meeting is es
timated at 20,000. We cannot refrain giving to
our readers the patriotic speech of the Mayor, Col.
Swift. On taking the Chair as President of the
meeting, he spoke as follows :
Fellow Citizens :—The Congress of the United
States have declared war against Mexico! (Great
cheering.) From my heart do 1 wish that Gener
als Arista and Ampudia were present at this assem.
binge to see at a twenty-four hours notice the migh
ty uprising of the American people, ready and wit•
ling in one unbroken and undaunted front, to resist
wrong and injury. (Tremendous cheering.) No
embassy would be required to settle the dispute if
they were only here to listen and see the glorious
sensations which spring from American hearts.—
(Renewed cheers.) Friends and fellow citizens, our
Government will now do what we wish them to dot
and let us act—and act promptly too.--let the fifty
thousands men be thrown into the very heart of
Mexico, and teach the miscreant mercenary rascals
that American blood will be sorely and deeply re
venged. (Prolonged and deafening chem..) All
I have to ask of you, Is, let not the ghosts of Cross
and Porter walk unrevenged among us. (Tremen
dous applause and sensation.)
ACCIDENT TO TOE STAGE.--011 Sunday morn
ing the Eastern Stage, with six passengers, was up
set in Jack's Creek, near Lewistown. The passen
gers we are happy to learn, all swain out, but the
two horses, belonging to Mr. John Colder, were
drowned. In consequence of this accident, we
were without any Eastern papers on Monday even
ing, the mail being retained by the Lewistown I'.
M. to dry. Tho letter bag came on.
The Washington Union of Wednesday the 13th
inst., contains the following important Proclama
tion :
By the President of the United States of America,
A Proclamation:
Whereas, the Congress of the United States, by
virtue of the Constitutional authority vested in them,
have declared by their act, bearing date this day,
that, by the act of the republic of Mexico, a state
of war exists between that government and the
United States:"
Now, therefore., I, JAMES K. POLK, President
of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
the same to all whom it may concern; and I do
specially enjoin on all persons holding offices, civil
or military, under the authority of the United States,
that they be vigilent and zealous in discharging the
duties respectively incident thereto: and I do more
over exhort all the good people of the United States,
as they love their country, as they feel the wrongs
which have forced on them the last retort of injured
nations, and as they consult the best means, under
the blessings of Divine Providence, of abridging its
calamities, that they exert themselves in preserving
order, in promotins concord, in maintaining the au
thority and the efficacy of the laws, and in support
ing and invigorating all the measures which may
he adopted by the constituted authorities for obtain
ing a speedy, a just and an honorable peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my
hand, and caused the teal of the United
Staten to he affixed to these presents.—
[r.. a.] Done at the city of Washington the thir
teenth day of May, one thousand eight
hundred and forty-six, and of the inde
pendence of the United States the seven
tieth.
JAMES K. POLK
By the President:
Loma BUCHANAN, Secretary of State,
cc)- Gen. Worth, on hearing the late news from
Gen. Taylor's Army, withdrew his resignation, and
is again on his way for the Rio Grande.
IMPORTANT from WASHING-
TON.
OUR AFFAIRS WITH MEXICO-A MRS.
SAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT--A WAR
BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS.
The war news from the Army in Texas excited
great feeling in Washington. It wan received on
Saturday evening the 9th inst.; and on the same
evening, and on the next day (Sunday) the Milita
ry Committee of the House met, and agreed npon
a bill for raising 30,000 VOLUNTEERS, and
appropriating $10,000,000 to prosecute tao
war.
On Monday morning, the 11th :natant, the Presi
dent transmitted a message to both house., of
which the following is an abstract:
The President sets forth in his message that ho
had been induced, in consequence of a letter re
ceived by our Counsel at Vera Cruz, from the Se
cretary of State of Mexico, stating that a commis
sioner would be received from the United States,
should one be sent authorized to settle all differences
between the two countries, to appoint a Minister to
that government fully authorized to settle all mat
ters in controversy between Mexico and the United
Stales. Ho also gives on account of the arrival
and reception of Mr. Slidell at Vora Cruz, and also
by the government of Mexico--of that government
refusing to receive him, while Henna was at its
head; of Mr. Slidell'. presenting his credentials
anew to Paredes; of that functionary refusing also
to receive him, and finally of Mr. Slidell's demand
ing his passports, and the letter addressed him by
the Secretary of State, reiterating charges against
this country. Ho also states the operations of the
army—the orders given to Gen. Taylor, &c.,
and a brief account of the events which exhibit a
state of hostility between the two countries--tho
taking of the detachment of dragoons sent out to
reconnoitre. The President also calls for money
and volunteers to enable him to repeal invasion, Srcii
with a view of terminating the hostilities existing
I between the two countries.
The President further says:
As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts
to avoid it, exists by the act of Mexico herself, we
are called upon, by every consideration of duty and
patriotism, to vindicate, with decision, the honor,
the rights, and the interests of our country."
After the reading of the message in the House
the War Bill was taken up and passed finally by a
vote of 174 to 141 On Tuesday the Bill passed
the Senate by a vote of 40 to 2! with some alight
amend ments,wh kik were concurred in by the House.
The President has before this signed it, and it is
now a law.
The President is also authorized by the bill to
enlarge the Navy, by completing unfinished vessels,
purchasing steamships, &c.
The title of the bill reads as follows:
An act providing for the prosecution of the ex
isting war between the United States and the Re
public of Mexico."
The preamble reads as follows:--
6 6 Whereas, by the act of the Republic of Mexi
co, a state of War exists between that Government
and the United States."
A bill to increase the regular Army from 40 to
100 members to each company, has also passed
both Houses of Congress.
Tho pay of the privates in the volunteer corps is
to be eight dollars per month.
When tho Message was read in the Senate Mr.
Calhoun remarked during the discussion which
sprang up, that he had no desire to delay necessary
action ; all he wanted was time to look into the
documents and make up his mind upon the politi
cal question. It appeared to him that there was
more anxiety about something else, than the safety
of the military post on the Rio Grande. If unan
imity and promptitude were desired, why not show
a spirit of accommodation? Why insist on the
preamble to this bill. He could not vote upon the
bill as it now stood, and he motile/ not. He knew
not that a single Senator would go with him, that
he had a single friend who agreed with him ; but
he would stand immoveable even if alone. Ho
could not vote affirmatively because he should be
declaring that war existed, which could not exist
without trampling upon the constitution; and he
could not vote in the negative because he would
not vote against furnishing supplies. He would as
soon plunge a dagger into his own heart as vote
either way upon the bill as it now stood , and mach
sooner. He might be told that his course would be
unpopular. As to popularity, he cared not the snap
of Isis finger for it. A public man was worth no
thing who would not sometimes risk. his popularity
for the right, and in the defence of theconstitution.
In regard to the action of Congress upon tLis
war bill the Notional Intclligcnccr remarks:
A large proportion of those members of both
Houses of Congress who voted for the Declaration
of War, did so under an idea—wholly erroneous,
in our opinion—that, though unnecessary to mea
sures of defence, the Declaration only proclaims a
fact. They looked only to the provision of men
and money to repel invasions, which, separated from
the fatal power now given to the President, would
not probably have received a single negative vote.
Too late they will find their error, and we shall live
to see the day when they will deeply regret having
suffered themselves to be deluded or influenced iu
the manner in which they have been."
The Charleston Mercury, which contributed as
much as any paper at the South to the election of
Mr. Polk, suggests that the U. S. Senate has 4 4 no
confidence in him, and with great candour, re.
marks:
" Wo confess, that the manner in which till ,
whole Oregon question has been be-devilled, since
it fell into the hands of the President from his In
augural, to his last Message as to military prepare
tions, are by no means calculated to inspire the
largest confidence."
The Mormons.
The Quincy (Illinois) Herald says: A gentle.
man down from Nauvoo, informs us that the Mor
mons aro crossing the river day and night, in their
haste to leave the State by the time the troops aro
disbanded. There can be no mistake about the
fact that the Mormons are leaving the State as fast
as they possibly con. During the last week a large
amount of property has been disposed of to Benicia
coining in.