renders. its improvement an object of
the gatiteidinterest to this State. If it
were made navigable during all seasons
of the year (except when ice -bound) for
steamboats of a large class, it would
add to the commerce oC Philadelphia
and Pittsburg, and to the carrying trade
upon the public works, an amount of bu
siness that cannot be readily estimated.
I therefore suggest to the members of
the General Assembly tire propriety of
memorializing Congress an the subject,
and pressing it upon the attention of the
genital government, unincumbered with
any minor projects, as one worthy its
special consideration and favor.
I refer with much satisfaction to the
reports of the Auditor General and State
Treasurer. They exbibit in detail the
condition of the finances of the State,
and alien , the laudable industry and in
telligent tare which these officers have
employed in the discharge of their im
portant and laborious duties.
Before the passage of the act of As
sembly of last session, which transfer
red to the county in which the crime
may have been committed, payment of
expenses for lu-resting fugitives from
justice, the State bad become liable to
various agents, daily authorized, to an
inconsiderable amount. This liability
could not be met, because no appropria
tion was made for that purpose. The
individuals interested in this matter are
justly entitled to remuneration, and I
respectfully recommend that an appro
priation be made to liquidate their
claims. The amount will be laid before
you by the Auditor General.
In consequence of the engagements
of the Adjutant General in the organiza
tion of the volunteers for the service of
the United States in the war with Mexi
co, his annual report upon our military
affairs has not yet been received. As
soon as it comes to hand it will be trans-
mitted to the General Assembly.
The act of the 29th of March, 1836,
provided for the appointment and com
pensation of a State Geologist and his
assistants, and a competent, practical,
analytical and experimental chemist, for
the purpose of making an accurate geo
logical and mineralogical survey of the
State, with a view to determine the or
der, suscession, arrangement, relative
position, and the dip or inclination, and
the comparative magnitude of the seve
ral geological formations within the
State, and to discover and examine all
deposites of ores, coals, clay, marks and
such other mineral substances as may
be deemed useful or valuable. The State
Geologist was required to make annual i I know of no change in the habits,
con of the ci
reports of the progress of the survey— i manners, or
, the State, in their s
social relation ti s, or in
citizens of
to cause to be represented on the map
I th e increase of their number, that ac
of the Commonwealth, by colors and
other appropriate means
counts for, or warrants this increase of
areas occupied by the different geologi-
the various
divorces. It is possible that the cause
cal formations in the State, and to mark
of it may in a degree be found in the fa
thereon the localities of the respective
cility of obtaining legislation on the sub
deposites of the various mineral sub-
ject. Without further inquiry into the
stances discovered. It is made the duty
cause, the effect is, in my judgment, in
of the chemist to make full and corn-
furious to the public welfare, and should
plete examinations, assays and analyses be strictly guarded against in future.
of all such rocks, ores, soils, mineral Whatever doubts may have been, or
substances and mineral waters, as may are now entertained, of the power of the
be submitted to him by the geologist, Legislature to pass divorce laws, for any
and to furnish him with a detailed state- other cause than adultery, or to pass
ment of the results so obtained. It was them under the provisions of the Con
also made the duty, among other things, stitution of the United States, that no
of the State Geologist, upon the corn-IState shall pass any law impairing the
pletion of the survey, to compile a me- : obligation of contracts, it seems to be
moir of the geology and mineralogy of conceded, against the opinions of many
the State, comprising a complete ac- wise and good men, that the power may
count of the leading subjects and dia. be constitutionally exercised ; but in
coveries embraced in the survey. view of these opinions, the extreme del-
In pursuance of this act, a State Geo-
icacy and responsibility of granting
logist and his assistants, &c., were ap-
these applications, appear in a strong
pointed, who proceeded with the work, I light.
and the State expended upon it the sum Under the marriage contract, impor
talia and valuable rights are vested in
of $76,657 87. A number of annual
the parties, and heavy responsibilities
reports were made as provided by law;
but the main object of the Legislature, are assumed which should not be dis
the publication of a complete memoir
i turbed, even when the power to inter
of the survey, exhibiting the results of
fere is unquestionable, without legal no
the examinations,
tine to the party who is to be affected
the use of the pulic, the vast sum of and embodying for
by the proceeding, and a fair and open
trial, the right to which cannot be doubt
information for which so large an amount
of public money was expended, has not ed, and can only be secured by referring
yet been accomplished. It appears to the parties to the judicial tribunals.
me that this subject is of sufficient iin- ! In every view I can take of this inter
portance to secure Legislative conside- eating subject, lam persuaded that these
ration.i special legislative divorces, have a den
. . . _
V,..equent complaints have for years gerous tendency, and that 'if the power
been roacitt by the people, of the time to grant them is exercised at all, a pro
consumed in the Legislature by the pas- per regard for the public welfare requires
sage of private and local bills, which that it should be limited to cases of ex
greatly increase the business and create ' treme hardship and unquestionable pro
subjects for repeal and amendment.— , priety.
Many laws are thus enacted which The progress of our age in civilization
appear to be regardej as of little con- has been distinguished in Pennsylvania,
sequence or value, for of the acts of the by the amelioration of the penal code,
last session, forty-three re.main in the ! and her improved prison discipline.—
office of the Secretary of the Common- The organization of her penitentiaries,
wealth, which have neither been enroll- I their domestic economy, and the care
ed nor printed, because of the sma:l a. I and attention to the support, cleanliness, I ,
mount of tax to which th . ey are subject I industry, and moral instruction of their
by the act of the 16th April, 1845, has i inroates, have, secured the general appro
not been paid into the State Treasury. I bation and confidence of our own citi-
Thus, after the time in preparing and zees,and have excited the admiration
passing these bills has been consumed, of ()te,. States and nations, and furnish
and the cost of printing and transerib- ed inodeLs for their imitation. The
ing them has been incurred, they are Philadelphia: society for alleviating the
suffered to remain in the office, useless miseries of public prisons, has exercised
and neglected. This proves that much an efficient agency in producing these
private legislation could be profitably valuable results. In order that all the
dispensed with, and the time it occupies benefits of experience may be had and
devoted to subjects of general legisla- improved, they submit the propriety of
tion, by which the duration of the ses- making provision by law fuY obtaining,
sions would be shortened, and the ex- annually, accurate informatioa relative
penses of government greatly dimin- to the convictions for crime, tit: , char
shed. acter of the criminals, the conditioo and
. .
The progressive increase of the nuns- expenses of the penitentiaries and pyi
bee of divorces granted by the Legisla- sons of the Commonwealth, and the
Lure, forces this subject upon the consi- costs of supporting the convicts.
deration of the General Assembly. It The motives of this society are so
appears to be the settled policy of this disinterested, and the reasons they as-
State, to provide by law for the dissolu- ' sign for collecting the information re-
tion of the marriage contract, for other
causes than adultery. These causes are
enumerated in the act of the 18th of
March, 1815. They embrace a wide
range, and seem to provide for all the
grievances that may arise in this inte
resting relation, which require legal in
terposition.
Special acts of the Legislature for
disturbing the contract between husband
and wife, are calculated to arrest the at
tention of every good citizen, when it is
remembered that the disregard of mar
riage vows, and facilities for releasing
parties from their obligation, are justly
regarded as strong indications of degen
eracy in public virtue and public morals;
and that a high regard of marital rights,
and a sacred observance of marriage
contracts,are among the strongest proofs
of the progress of civilization, and of the
influence of true religion.
The preamble of the act of 1815, com
mends itself to our approval by the wis
dom and aptness for which it is distin
guished. The Legislature there say,
" Whereas the divine precepts of the
Christian religion—the promotion of the
best interests of human happiness, the
design of marriage, and the object of
parties entering into the marriage state,
require that it should continue during
their joint lives."
These salutary truths, so well express
sed, present, in imposing terms, the du
ty of extreme caution in interfering
with the sanctity of the marriage con
tract. .
It may be true that cases occasionally
- of
arise of such extreme hardship, as to
warrant the passage of special acts of
divorce; but such as require legislative
interposition can but seldom occur, un
less the wide range of the act of 1815
is extended beyond reasonable limits.
The signing of bills for dissolving the
bonds of matrimony has always been to
me a perplexing duly. I have hitherto
given my assent to them, confiding in
the judgment and discretion of the rep
resentatives of the people, to whom, and
not to the Executive,
the facts of each
case are submitted. But upon a review
of the special divorces granted since
the enactment of the act of 1815, it ap
pears that there has been an alarming
increase of them, which should, in my
opinion, be arrested. During the first
period of ten years after the passage of
the said act, laws were passed for divor
cinr,b the parties to sixteen marriage con
tracts ; during the next ten years, forty
two, and during the last ten years ninety
were passed,
quired, are so conclusive, and so ably
represented in a communication which
I have received from them, that I take
great pleasure in transmitting copies of
it herewith, in order that the philanthro
pic views of the society, and the impor
' tance of the subject may receive that
early attention of the General Assembly
which they so richly merit.
The government of Pennsylvania, and
her literary, charitable and benevolent
institutions, are among the first and
best. The people are industrious, in
telligent and enterprizing. In time of
peace, quiet and unobtrusive—in war,
firm and decided. Blessed in her phys
ical resources and her institutions, and
animated by the spirit of her holy re
ligion, her onward course in improving
her social condition is rapid. The great
element of preserving, enlarging and
perpetuating her greatness, is the uni
versal education of her youth. In this,
too, she has for a number of years ad
vanced with the vigor by which all her
great efforts are distinguished. The
able report of the Superintendent, pre
sents the steady and uniform progress
of the system of common school instruc
tion. That it is yet imperfect, and to
some extent inefficient, may be freely
admitted ; but, who can doubt that the
wisdom and energy which commenced,
will mature and perfect it.
In conclusion, gentlemen, accept as
surances of my hearty co-operation with
you in all measures for advancing the
welfare of our citizens, and maintaining
the honor and dignity of our beloved
Commonwealth,
FRS. R. SHUNK,
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, Jan. 6, 1847.
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE,
TUESDAY, Jail 5, 1847.
To-day at 12 o'clock, the clerk called
the House to order—after which, he
opened and read the certificates of
election of the different members.—
This having been got through with, a
motion was made to proceed to ballot
for Speaker, which resulted in the selec
tion of Hon. JAMES COOPER, of Adams
county, by the unanimous vote of the
Whig party. Mr. Cooper is a true, whole
souled Whig, and will do justice to the
station, to which he has been selected.—
The Locos nominated and ballotted, to
a man, for JOHN C. KNox, Esq.a gen
tleman who imbibes the Free irade no
tions of Wilmot, and hails from his dis
trict.
Mr Cooper was conducted to the Chair
by Messrs. Knox and Pomroy, when he
made a very able and patriotic address.
A set of resolutions were offered ap
probatory of the gallant soldiers who
volunteered in the war with Mexico.—
The House then adjoured.
SENATE.—After the roll had been call
ed and the new members sworn in, the
Senate proceeded to ballot for Speaker,
which resulted in the unanimous selec
tion of Hon. CHARLES GIBBONS, of
the city. Upon being conducted to the
Chair he made a neat and pertinent ad
dress. This is also an excellent and
important selection--inasmuch as it is
a post of honor as well as one of respon
sibility, because of the fact, that in the
event of the death of the Governor, the
duties of that office devolve upon him.
Mr. Cornman introduced a bill for the
relief of our volunteers who had gone
Ito Mexico.
After which committees were appoint
ed to inform the Governor and House
of Representatives that the Senate was
organized and ready to proceed to busi
ness, when the Senate adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 6.
SENATE.—LittIe of importance was
done in the Senate to-day. Nominations
for the different officers of the Senate
were made.
A resolution was presented by Mr.
Ross,
which proposes the amendment of
the Constitution so as to engraft the
One Term principle, so far as the elec
tion of Governor is concerned.
At 12 o'clock the message was deliv
ered and read, after which,
Mr. Mason announced the death of
John L. Webb, late a member of the
House of Representatives from Bradford
county, in a brief and appropriate ad
dress.
Wednesdsy, Jan. 6.
Hoirss.—Mr. Forsyth presented a bill
to pay the soldiers of this State who
have gone to Mexico.
Mr:'Kline, a resolution providing for
the final adjournment of the Legislature
on the sth of February next.
Mr. Morton, a bill authorizing the
State Treasurer to destroy the relief bills
of the Delaware county Bank.
On motion of Mr. Trego, the House
went into the nomination of Clerks.
Mr. Knox nominated William Jack.
Mr. Fox nominated David Fleming
Nominations closed.
The House then, on motion, took a re•
cess till 10 minutes before 12 o'clock.
12 o'clock, 10 minutes.
House re-assembled ; and the Secre
tary of the Commonwealth being intro
duced, presented the Annual Message
of the Governor, which was read, and
will be found in this day's paper.
On motion of Mr. Knox, four thou
sand copies of the message were order
ed to be printed.
On motion of Mr. Lawrence, a com
mittee of five were appointed to arrange
the several item. of the Message.
Mr. Piollet then announced the death
of his colleague, Mr. Webb, who died
shortly after the late election, and pro
nounced a eulogy to his memory in ap
propriate tthd impressive terms. Messrs.
Edie and Haley also bore testimony to
the excellent qualities of the deceased.
Adjourned.
THURSDAY, Jan. 7,
SENATE.—The journal of yesterday
having been read, the Senate proceeded
to the appointment of Committees, read
ing of Bills, &c. Several messages
were presented from the Governor—one
'recommending the completion of the
Columbia Rail Road—and others vetoing
local bills.
On motion of Mr. Johnson of Erie,
the Senate proceeded to the election of
Clerks and officers—when it appeared
that Geo. W. Hamersly, of Lancaster
was elected Clerk ; John M. Sullivan of
Butler, Assistant Clerk; James W.
Chapman, of Susquehanna• and J. H.
M'Cauley of Franklin, Transcribing
Clerks.
Benj. F. King of Allegheny was cho
sen Sergeant-at-Arms and Wm.P. Brady
of Clinton, Assistant.
J. W. Cowell, Door Keeper ; Philip
Weber, Messenger.
Mr. Bigler of Clearfield, offered a joint
resolution requesting our Senators and
instructing our Representatives in Con
gress, to favor any proposition to appro
priate such portion of the Public lands
to the use of each of the officers and
soldiers who have volunteered to serve
in the war with Mexico, in such amounts
and in such manner as the wisdom of
Congress may seem right and proper,
which was referred to the Committe on
Military Affairs.
A resolution adopting the rules of last
session was passed, after which the Sen
ate adjourned until 10 o'clock to-mor
row.
THURSDAY, Jan. 7.
HousE.—Messages from the Governor
were read vetoing different bills—all of
which were postponed for the present.
Mr. Rupert moved the printingof 2500
copies of the State Treasurer's report.
Agreed to.
Mr. Mathias introduced a bill for the
encouragement of the manufacture of
Iron with Coke.
Mr. Mather, a bill exempting the pro
perty of the soldiers who have gone to
Mexico, from execution.
Mr. Leyburn, a resolution relative to
domestic manufactures.
Mr. Morrison, a petition for the con
struction of a Railroad in Strasburg in
Lancaster county,to intersect the Colum
bia Railroad.
On Motion of Mr. Lawrence, the
House then went into the election of a
Clerk, which resulted in the election of
David Fleming, Esq.
Mr. Fleming then appointed A. L.
Russel, of Bedford county, his First As
sistant ; and for Transcribing Clerks he
appointed Thos. W. Duffield, of Phila
delphia county, John M'Kee, of Wash
ington, and J. W. Hunter, of Erie.
On motion, the House went into the
nomination of Sergeant-at-Arms and
Doorkeeper.
Mr. Fox nominated J. Morehead, of
Westmoreland county.
Mr. Knox nominated J. R. Hurd, of
Centre county.
Mr. Fox nominated J. Sanders, of
Harrisburg, for Doorkeeper.
Mr. Bur — tis nominated A. Krause,
Mr. Bigham nominated E. W. Bigh
am, for Messenger.
A motion was made to suspend the
rule, which requires nominations to lay
over one day. Agreed to.
The Standing Committees were then
announced.
The House then adjourned.
FRIDAY, Jan. 8
SENATE.—There was no business of
particular interest transacted in this
branch of the Legislature to-day. Sev
eral reports from committees were made
and a number of unimportant bills intro
duced.
HOUSE.—In this body, Mr. Moorehead
was elected Sergeant-at-Arms, and Mr.,
Sanders, Doorkeeper.
A bill was offered, providing for a
change in the mode of collecting the
State taxes.
Resolutions of thanks to Gen. Taylor,
were then introduced, and a motion was
made by one of the Democratic members
to include Generals Worth and Butler.
A lively discussion ensued, which was
continued up to the time of adjourn
ment.
Trouble at Washington
The difficulty in which the adminis
tration now finds itself, may be judged
of by the fact that on the 2d inst., Mr.
Secretary Walker presented himself at
the room of the Committee of Ways
and Means, and addressed that body
with great earnestness and eloquence,
in behalf of his favorite plan of raising
money to meet the expenses of the na
tion. When he had left the room, a
vote was taken, and one member only,
Mr. M'Kay, was found to favor the
views of the Cabinet.
The Treasury must become bankrupt
unless something is done soon that will
operate immediately. The restoration
of the Tariff of 1842, and the repeal of
the Sub-Treasury law, would restore
credit to the nation, and funds to the
treasury.—U. S. Gazette.
From the Telegraphic Correspondence of the Daily
Chronicle.
Congressional Proceedings.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3, 1847.
SENATS. —Not in session to-day.
HousE.—Mr. Owen moved to make the
resolution for providing necessary clo
thing for the volunteers, the order of the
day for Thursday next the 7th inst.—
Carried. The resolution offered by Mr.
Wentworth, declaring it to be inexpedi
ent to lay a duty on TEA AND COFFEE, was
taken up. Mr. Payne moved to lay it on
the table. Lost-49 to 160. The res.
olution passed by a vote of 1 15 to 4S.
The resolution to prevent members
Ifrom making excuses for not voting was
adopted.
There were resolutions offered to in
crease duties on articles to a revenue
standard ; to lay a tax on gold and sil
ver ware, &c. ; to reduce the pay of
members twenty-five per cent during the
war; whether or not the Smithsonian
money was in the Treasury on the Ist
inst. ; for information relative to the em
ployment of recent travelling agents by
the Secretary of the Treasury ; and in
reference to the execution of the seamen
on board the frigate Cumberland.
Also to ascertain the number of reg
iments, and from what States, that have
been employed near the mouth of the
Rio Grande since the commencement of
the war.
A resolution was adopted calling upon
the Secretary of War for the number of
volunteers received into service under
the act of 1846 ; the number that have
died, and the number discharged, &c.
Mr. Sims, of Missouri, offered a res
olution declaring that the people of the
United States were too patriotic to refuse
the infliction of any necessary tax in
the time of war. Adopted—yeas, 1'26
—nays, none. .
The bill to raise ten additional regi
ments for the regular army was made
the special order for Nlonday.
WASIIINGTON, Jan. 4th
The Senate transacted no business of
importance tO-day. A message was re
ceived from the President asking for an
increase of field officers, and the crea
tion of a Lieutenant General to take
command of all the forces during the
war with Mexico.
HOUSE.-Mr. King, of Georgia, offer
ed a resolution to furnish the President
with thirty thousand dollars for the pur
pose of sending a peace mission to Mex
ico, and two millions of dollars to effect
the negotiation—with the provision that
slavery was to be prohibited in the ter
ritory secured. The House refused to
suspend the rules, and the resolution
lies over one day.
By the interference of friends, the
matter between Messrs. Bailey of Vir
ginia, and Davis of Kentucky, has been
amicably settled. Both gentlemen are
now satisfied.
The President's message also asks for
ten additional regiments of troops, to be
added to the regular army.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.
SENATE.-Mr. Cameron, of Pa., offer
ed a resolution calling upon the Secre
tary of the Treasury to specify articles
on which the duties could be increased.
Adopted.
The Pre-emption bill was made the
order of the day for Monday next.
HOUSE.-Mr. Harrelson, of Geo. from
the Military Committee, requested to be
discharged from the farther considera
tion of the President's message received
yesterday, recommending an increase of
field officers, and the appointment of a
Lieutenant General to command all the
forces during the war with Mexico.
Mr. Preston King read a long argu
ment in favor of voting two millions of
dollars to the President. to negotiate
with Mexico, with the slavery proviso.
The House then went into Committee
of the Whole, and took up the Army
Bill.
Messrs. Johnson and Hilliard, b9th of
Tennessee, spq,ke in favor of prosecu
ting the war with vigor to conquer a
peace. Adjourned.
WASHINGTON, hill. 6.
SENATE.—The bill authorizing the sale
of the Mimertd lands was made the or
der of the duy for Friday next.
Housz.—On motion of Mr. Hamlin,
that part of the President's Message in
relation to the appointment of a Lieu
tenant General of the Army, was recon
sidered, by a vote of 86 to 84. The
question recurring again on the motion
to lay upon the table, it was decided in
the negative—yeas 9'2, nays 97.
Mr. Harralson's resolution to stop the
debate to-day, on the bill to increase the
Army, was rejected.
• The House then went into Committee
of the Whole, Mr. Caleb Cushing speak
ing against the bill.
IVli: Darragh got the floor—and, on
motion, the House adjourned.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 7,
SENATE.-Mr. Cameron's Tariff' reso.
lution was debated, amended, and adopt.
ed.
Mr. Benton reported a bill to encour
age enlistment in the regular army, for
the term of 5 years, by giving a bounty
of $l2. Adopted.
HOU6E.-A resolution waa introduced
and adopted, terminating the debate ea
the Army bill on Saturday next.
Mr. Seaman gave notice that he would,
at an early day, introduce a bill for the
purpose of preventing foreign paupers
and criminals from coming into the
country.
The House then wont into Committee
of the Whole, when several speeches
were made on the Army bill.
WASHINGTON,
Jan. S.
SENATE—Not in session to-day.
HOUSE—The whole day was consum
ed in speaking on the bill to increase the
Army.
From the I%'ashington Union.
LATEST FROM THE ARMY.
Movement of the Troops—Capture of 200
Mexicans on the Rio San Juan--ad-
Vance of Santa anna on Saltillo—Re
- ported attack upon Tampico, and Re
treat of the .Mexicans.
The steamer Fashion has arrived at
New Orleans from Brazos Santiago, with
eighty discharged volunteers and the re
mains of the gallant Allison, of Nash
ville, who received his death-wound at
Monterey. Capt. Yeatman, aid to Gea.
Wool, bearer of despatches to Wash
ington, came passenger; also, Col. J. G.
Langdon.
Gen. Wool's column was within two
miles of Parras, numbering 2900 men.
They had been ordered to establish a
depot there, and levy upon supplies be
longing to the Mexican Government.
Gen. Worth was at Camargo with
1500 men. Gen. Butler at Monterey
with 2000 nice. Gens. Smith & Twiggs
at Victoria with their commands. Gen
Quitman, with his brigade, left Monte
rey for Victoria, 14th.
Gcn. Taylor, with a squadron of drt
goons, left for Victoria, 15th.
Gen. Patterson was to leave on the
22d with the Tennessee Regiment of
Cavalry, for Tampico, via Victoria.
Lieut. Col. Henry Clay, with 6 com
panies Kentucky volunteers was at Cs
ralvo.
Capt. Willis, with two companies,was
at Mier; Gen. Lamar's company at Le
rado. The Mexicans are making sue.
cessful exertions to raise troops at all
the small towns near the Rio Grande.
Capt. Stone, with a detachment of 70
men, found 200 Mexicans in a rancho on
Rio San Juan, and Capt. Cantion, the
particular object of his search. Can
tion was captured, and also the muster
roll of his company ; letters of instruc
tion from Ampudia and Parades, and a
quantity of blankets and ammunition se
cured. Caution was imprisoned at Ca.
margo..
On the 16th a Mexican was captured
entering the magazine at Catnargo. His
intention was to blow it up.
An express reached here from Gen.
Patterson, stating that Santa Anna was
advancing from San Luis on Saltillo, to
cut off Gen. Worth.
Four hundred and fifty regulars were
to leave Catnago for Monterey, on the
20th.
A passenger in the schooner H. T.
Johnson, at N. Orleans, from Tampico,
states that an attack was made on Tam
pico, by the advance from a force of cav
alry, nearly 7,000 strong, on the 16th.
The number attacking was about 300.
The American forces opened a park of
artillery on them, when they speedily
retired.
Private letters from Tampico state
that our men suffer much front inter
mittent fever.
The impression prevailed that Herre
ra would be elected President of Mexi
co at the opening of Congress, and over
tures of peace immediately made.
Further correspondence has taken
place between Gen. Taylor and Santa
Anna. Taylor's letter concludes with
the hope that the Mexican Congress will
accept the offer of the United States,
and enter on negotiations for a termina
tion of hostilities and a permanent
peace. Santa Anna's reply is dated at
San Luis Potosi. It is courteously
worded. In conclusion, he hopes the
sovereign National Congress will act as
shall be most conducive to the interest
of the Republic, but believes that neith
er Congress nor any Mexican will ever
be able to listen to ove!tures of peace
unless the National Treasury is first
evacuated by the American forces, ar.d
the vessels of war withdrawn. Until
this is done, the Mexican nation is de
termined to defend at every hazard,
inch by inch of its territory.—N. York
Tribune.
The following we take from the Tele
graphic despatch of the Daily Chronicle,
Jan. 6.
By the Southern mail, we learn by a
passenger who came in the steamer
Fashion to New Orleans, that 7,000
Mexican cavalry had attacked Tampico
on the 16th of December. The Ameri
can troops opened a fire upon them,
when the Mexicans broke and fled. No
particulars of the affair are given.
An express had reached Gen. Patter.
son, at Matamoras, stating that Santa
Anna was advancing on Saltillo, for the
purpose of cutting off Gen. Worth's di.
vision. Gens. Twiggs and Smith are at
Victoria; and Gen. Taylor had started
on the 15th ult. for the same place.
Gen, Patterson was to leave for Tam.
pico on the 20th December. Captain
Stone had captured a Mexican captain,
who was engaged raising recruits on
the Rio Grande. He had with him a lot
of munitions of war, which NV 6re also
secured.