Mexican-American War and the Media

The Royal mail steam-packet Clyde, William Symons commander, arrived at Southampton yesterday at 3 p.m., bringing 80 passengers, and mails of the following dates:--

From Tampico, June 21 and 29; San Juan Nicaragua, June 23; Chagres, June 25: Carthagena, June 29; Santa Martha, June 30; St. Jago de Cuba, July 5; Jamaica, July 9; Honduras, June 22; Jacmel, July 11; Martinique, Huly 12; Dominique, 12; Guadalupe, July 12; Antigua, July 13; Montserrat, July 13; Nevis, July13; St. Kitt's, July 13; Tortola, July 14; St. Thomas's, July 16; and Bermuda, July 21.

She also brings on freight 349,106 dollars on merchants' account, 3,656 ounces gold dust, 175l. British coin, 221lb. Platina, 11,159 ounces silver, 2 serons cochineal, 102 bales tobacco, 53 bales sarsaparilla, 51 cases cigars, 76 packages sundries, 2,386 plata bruta.

By the most recent accounts of the Royal Mail Company's steamers--

The Avon arrived at Bermuda July 20.
The Dee left Havannah for Vera Cruz July 10.
The Medway arrived at Grenada from England July 10.
The Severn left Granada for Jamaica July 10.
The Teviot arrived at Jamaica July 9.
The Eagle left Barbadoes for Demerara July 9.
The Reindeer arrived at St. Thomas July 15.
The Clyde left at Vera Cruz on the 2d of July--

Her Majesty's frigate Endymion, 44, Captain G. R. Lambert; Her Majesty's sloop Rose, 18, Commander R.W. Pelly; Her Majesty's steam sloop Vesuvius, 8, Commander W.V. O'Callaghan.

Her Majesty's surveying ship Thunder sailed from Nassau from Nassau for Bermuda July 14.

The schooner Lark had arrived at Nassau.

There were also at Vera Cruz--the United States frigates Cumberland, 60, Commodore Conner; Raritan, 54; Potomac, 54; corvette John Adams, 22; brig Somers, 16; steamers Mississippi, 8; Princeton, 7. French corvette La Perouse, 22; brig Mercure, 18. Spanish frigate Christina, corvette Louisa Fernanda, brig Habanero.

The corvette St. Marys, 22, off Tampico.

The brig Falmouth, 18, off Alvarado.

The brig Cuxton, 16, arrived at Havannah July 5, and sailed on the 9^thin quest of Mexican privateers reported to be cruising off Cape Antonio.

At the time of the Clyde's leaving, the Fort St. Juan de Ulloa was well supplied with men, and the two forts adjoining were defended by 1,000 men. It was thought that if the Mexicans stood to their guns the present American forced would produce no effect.

In addition to our usual Mexican correspondence, the following interesting news has reached us from another source:--

"The Mexican Congress was installed on the 6^th of June. General Paredes was elected President, and General Bravo Vice President of the Republic, and powers were delegated to the President to effect an arrangement of the public debt, and to raise money to meet the pressing wants of the country; but the financial condition of Mexico was most lamentable--the ports blockaded, the revenues anticipated, the payment of the dividends suspended, the salaries of all public officers reduced one-fourth, and the Government compelled to adopt ruinous loans to meet the exigencies of the day; added to which, a great portion of Southern Mexico was in open revolt against the Government, which had been forced to despatch the troops destined for the frontiers to the disturbed districts.

"The Californias had declared their independence of Mexico, and orders, transmitted by the American Government to their senior officer off Vera Cruz, had been forwarded through Mexico to Commodore Smith, in command of the American squadron in the Pacific, to seize on every Mexican port that coast.

"The states of Durango and Chihuahua were about to form an independent republic, under the title of the Republic of the Rio Grande, to be protected by America. General Arista, who had been deprived of his command and ordered to repair to Mexico to account for the loss of the battle of Matamoras, but who had declined to obey the summons, was to be President.

"General Taylor had occupied the villages on the right bank of the Rio Grande, and was about to march on Saltillo, where he intended to wait instructions from his Government, preparatory to marching on Mexico.

"Vera Cruz was declared in a state of siege, and martial law proclaimed on the 30^th of June, as it was reported that the American squadron would attack the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa on the 10^th of July. The greater portion of the British, foreign, and Mexican residents had consequently left the city for the interior.

"The Clyde was permitted to enter the port of Vera Cruz, land quicksilver, and embark specie, under terms of an arrangement entered into by Captain Pelly, of Her Majesty's sloop Rose, and the senior officer of the blockading squadron. Captain Pelly deserves great credit for securing such exclusive privileges for the Royal Mail steamers. His services have been highly appreciated by the British Minister and merchants resident in Mexico. Contrary to the established rules of blockade, the captain of the United States corvette St. Mary, stationed off Tampico, refused to admit the arrangement of his senior officer, and prohibited the landing from the Clyde of 1,080 bottles of quicksilver, destined for that place. They were subsequently landed at Vera Cruz, and confirmed his senior officer's arrangements, extending the privilege of landing quicksilver and shipping specie to both ports.

"Her Majesty's steamer Vesuvius had gone with despatches to Tampico to bring away all money the property of British subjects. Ninety thousand dollars were shipped, and afterwards transferred to the Clyde at Vera Cruz.

"General Santa Anna remained at Havannah. His friends were active in exciting disunion amongst the Mexican troops, on the plea that he alone could save the country at this critical juncture; it was very generally believed that a portion of the soldiers would pronounce in favour of his recall."

The Clyde spoke the Prince Albert on the 11^th of July, off Havannah, bound to Havannah; the Feliza, on the 1^st of August, in lat. 46degrees 20', same day.

By this arrival we have our usual files of West Indian papers, containing, however, very little news. The Trinidad Standard speaks highly of the new Governor, Lord Harris. He had become the patron of the Trinidad Agricultural Society, and presided at the late general meeting. He has given much satisfaction in following the example of the Earl of Elgin in giving prizes for agricultural essays and improvements.

A very able report to the Kingston Chamber of Commerce on the sugar question is given in the Jamaica papers. The following are the conclusions at which the committee to whom the drawing up of the report was intrusted arrived:--

"1. That the interests both of the mother country and of the colonists require that the sugar duties question be finally and equitably adjusted with as little delay as possible.

"2. That from the many important consequences it involves to the British nation, the maintaining of the cultivation of sugar in the British West Indies should be considered by them a political axiom.

"3. That the admission for home consumption of all foreign sugar and molasses might not be attended with injurious consequences to the cultivation of sugar in the British West Indies, provided effectual means be taken to enable the colonists to withstand the extensive competition to which the measure will subject them.

"4. The according to the colonists every facility for the procuring of additional labourers."

The following is from De Cordova's Mercantile Intelligencer:--

"Our market is at this moment in a much more depressed condition than it was but two weeks ago; and, reeling as it is under the effects of over-trading to an extent which has, until this period, been unknown here--suffering from the confined and narrowed stated of the money market, which is producing prejudicial results on the stability of some dealers--and a continued want of confidence--reeling, we repeat, under all these adverse circumstances, we cannot picture to ourselves a worse position than that in which we are now placed.

"Unless shipments to this island shall entirely cease for at least three months, a great proportion of the goods now on hand must perish before they can be called into consumption. The supplies of all articles, but particularly of fish and bread-stuffs, are enormous. The stock of flour is equal to six months' consumption, whilst that of pork, soap, lard, butter, meal, rice, and corn is for beyond the necessities of the place. Further arrivals to meet the present overstock must entail disastrous results on the shippers. The fine rains which have fallen within the last six or eight weeks will also cause a yet further decline in the demand for bread-stuffs, as there will be soon thrown into the market very large quantities of native ground provisions. We cannot too strongly impress upon shippers in general the absolute necessity which exists for refraining for some time to make further consignments to this market; and this is required not only as a means to revive the depressed and drooping condition of our trade, but also to enable their correspondents here to realize their accounts."

The Jamaica Despatch gives the following notice of the weather:--

"Our correspondent from Manchester informs us they have had fine rains since Friday for the ground, but very little for the ponds, which are very low. The coffee crops, in consequence of the severe drought, will be very small, as the rain comes too late to expect any blossom of consequence. The cattle generally have suffered much, and in many pro parties great loss; this makes the third successive bad year for pens, which, like most other Jamaica properties, have become scarcely worth the anxiety of carrying them on." (From the Falmouth Post. )

Thanks to a merciful Providence, we have been blessed in this parish for the last week with several partial but refreshing showers of rain, and we are glad to learn from many of our agricultural friends, that the effect on the soil already begins to be perceived, as the pastures and fields of cane are assuming a green and healthy appearance. The May seasons may now be said to have set in, although they are rather late, we sincerely trust that they have come in sufficient time to secure a good yielding for the next year's crop. The late drought has nearly ruined many industrious planters, whose little capital was embarked either in the purchase or leasing of properties, and it will now require some years of prosperity to relieve them from the difficulties into which they have been unfortunately thrown.

On Sunday, the 26^th ultimo, a melancholy accident occurred on board the Royal Mail ship Clyde, on her voyage home from Bermuda. A seaman, named Patrick Welch, was engaged very early that morning in furling the fore-top-gallant sail during a squall, when he missed his hold, and fell from the yard with such violence that the died in about an hour afterwards. The unfortunate man was a native of Dublin, and bore and excellent character among his shipmates. So far as is known he has left no one behind him dependent on him for support, but the passengers, to show their sympathy with men exposed to such perils in discharge of their duty, set on foot a subscription, and the sum of 16l. sterling having been collected, it was placed in the hands of Captain Symons, to be given by him to the "Shipwrecked Fisherman and Mariners' Benevolent Society."

Our letters from the city of Mexico are up to the 29^th of June.

The Mexican Congress was installed on the 6^th, and addressed by General Paredes, in explanation of his policy and the situation of the country.

The Californias had declared their independence of Mexico, it was supposed through American intrigues.

General Taylor, with the American army greatly augmented by volunteers, remained in possession of Matamoras, and had occupied the villages of Reynosa, Camargo, and Mier, on the right bank of the Bravo (or Rio Grande del Norte). He was expected to advance on Monterey and Saltillo, where no resistance could be offered.

General Paredes had been elected President, and General Bravo Vice-President of the Republic. With the exception of some privileged British credits, no arrangement of the public debt had been made; but the President had received powers to that effect, and to raise money. Commodore Conner had arrived at Vera Cruz in the United States frigate Cumberland, and was supposed to be the bearer of an ultimatum from his Government. [PTH]

LT 8/7/1846 6d Mexico, affairs of

The Affairs of Mexico (From our own correspondent)

General Paredes opened the new Congress on the 6^th instant, with a speech replete with good sense and moderation. He commenced by reviewing the whole policy of his administration, declaring that the pronunciamento of San Luis was imperiously called for, from the debility and want of prestige of the former government; that the measures he had taken for suppressing the liberty of the press were necessary, from the acrimonious feeling which was springing up from the polemical warfare of the Republican and Monarchical parties; that although, at first, he had wished for a free discussion on the future form of government to be adopted, he, however, himself being a friend to Republican principles, yet that eventually it was requisite to restrain that discussion with a strong hand. He then reverted to the revolutionized state of the country, the disturbances in the south, in Sinaloa, and Sonora, and other parts of the Republic, and stated that the Americans in their aggressive acts counted on and profited by their internal dissensions.

In allusion to the war with the United States, he remarked that on assuming the reins of power, he government, to receive a Minister from the Untied States to treat on the question of Texas, and however firmly resolved never to suffer the dismemberment of any part of the territory of the Republic, still he was willing to listen to the propositions of that Government; but he found, as was to be expected from the double policy of the United States, that the American Envoy, Mr. Slidell, was not named ad hoc, but regularly accredited as a resident Minister to this country, just as if friendly relations still existed between the two governments. This he looked upon as a fresh outrage, and consequently not only would he not receive him, but sent him his passports, and on the 21^st of March declared the Mexican Republic at war with the United States.

He then communicated the results of the actions of the 8^th and 9^th of May, blaming General Arista for his subsequent abandonment of Matamoras; stating that in consequence he had deprived him of the command, and ordered him to Mexico, to answer for his conduct before a council of war.

With respect to financial measures, however much convinced that credit is the first element of power to a government and reliance on its good faith the greatest resource of its strength, he had been reluctantly compelled to suspend provisionally the payments of Government; an extreme measure, rendered however imperative to save the nation from ruin, a ruin that must equally have been shared by its self-same creditors; and, in conclusion, he urged Congress to adopt some method of Finance, capable of assisting him to carry on the war with vigour and support the honour of the country. These are the cardinal points of his speech which were re-echoed in the usual address by the President of the Senate.

The first step of the Congress was to declare General Paredes ad interim President, and General Bravo Vice-President. Subsequently the Congress somewhat superfluously declared this country at war with the United States,, and gave the President the permission he had solicited, to command in person the army, Paredes having stated his determination personally to head the new campaign.

The news from Matamoras is to the 6^th instant, the greatest activity reigns in that city; every day a steamboat arrives there from New Orleans with reinforcements for the army, and emigrants of all nations and classes, anxious to try their fortune in this new land of promise. The first number of a paper of the date of the 1^st instant, under the title of the Republic of Rio Grande, has been published in that city, half in Spanish and half in English, and which requires to be rather more than cursorily noticed. This gazette calls on all the northern States of Mexico to form themselves into a republic under the title assumed, and to withdraw altogether their allegiance from Mexico, on the plea that Mexico, supported by England, purposes to establish a monarchy on the ruins of the republic. The policy of England is denounced in the grossest terms, but the embryo republicans of the republic of Rio Grande are consoled with the assurance that England's power is in a state of decadence, her throne tottering, and her sun set; that her people are themselves tired of monarchy, and will shortly adopt the republican institutions of the north. I am that General Taylor does not countenance this publication; still its sentiments, so much in unison with the declaration of President Polk in his message of December, denouncing European interference with the affairs of this continent, seem to me a sort of manifesto summons from head quarters.

I hear that the boundary now claimed by General Taylor is one league south of the Bravo, on the plea that to render the river navigable for large vessels it will be requisite to appropriate at least that portion of its margin. The fighting seems over; the remnant of the Mexican army has retreated to Linares, about 60 leagues from Matamoras, and are in complete state of demoralization, without provisions, munitions, or artillery.

The ports continue blockaded by the American squadron; there is a report, but not well authenticated, that Tampico has been taken by a detachment of troops from Matamoras. From Vera Cruz we hear that eight men of war are off the port, and had notified to the captain of the English packet that he should retire to Sacrificios, so that this mail may bring you the news of the bombardment of that city.

The internal state of the country is most discouraging. Mazatlan, Guadalaxara, Acapulco, Sinaloa, and Sonora have declared against the Government. On the 26^th inst. an express arrived from Topic, announcing that a convention had been held in Santa Barbara, on the Californian coast, in which the Californias declared themselves sovereign and independent states, renouncing their connexion with Mexico. In the south, although General Alvarez has received a temporary check, he is still roaming about with a disorganized band of lawless adventurers, committing excesses of the most horrible nature. To sum up the melancholy catalogue, the Indians alive to the general disorganization, are ravaging the northern provinces with fire and slaughter, and only so lately as the 7^th instant Durango attacked and killed a company of cavalry, and filled the adjacent villages with well founded fears for their lives and property.

This picture is, I assure you, not at all exaggerated; we feel it so true here, that the wisest head can suggest no solution for these calamities, and for those still heavier ones threatened by the American invasion. The Government habitually apathetic, without resources, without credit, can do nothing. The Congress, after days of idle discussion, has at last suggested some sort of a plan on the basis of a general contribution, which nobody will pay and no one can enforce. The people, what we at home emphatically call the people, worn out with constant changes, take no interest whatsoever in a probable future change of masters. The army stripped of its prestige by its late disgraceful rout--a prestige which it only had acquired from the reiterated fulsome adulation of its leaders--has ceased to be looked upon as a bulwark. This standing army is, indeed, the fons malorum of this country. One of their own papers asks "in a country like ours, where the army consists of individuals, without the common rudiments of education, without the common principles of political knowledge, without the common principles of morality, how can it resist the more intelligent race of the north, who at least know for what they are fighting? Indeed the Mexican army is strangely constituted, its composition strongly resembles that of the whole community; consisting of half breeds of all shades and colours, without a even the animal quality of valour. Whenever this nation, tired of its worthlessness and its excesses, shall have energy sufficient to disband this host of vicious and degraded men, whose only military type is their dress, they will easily merge into bandits requiring neither further training nor experience. This army is, I say, the curse of this country, draining its energies, diverting its population from their natural agricultural pursuits, eating up five-sixths of its revenue, and so long as it continues to exercise any influence on public affairs I see little hope of the restoration of permanent tranquility or renewal of public confidence.

Foreign governments, especially the English Government, whose subjects have millions invested in their mines, their funds, and their import commerce, should insist on Mexico making peace with the Americans. However they may deprecate intervention it must come; their capabilities for self-government have been tried and found wanting. Their ignorance is equaled only by their presumption; profoundly ignorant of their own weakness they view the forbearance of foreign powers as an homage to their strength. For so many centuries, penitus toto orbe divisos, processions, rockets, bells, military music, bulls, and friars, have so engrossed and absorbed their faculties, that they have remained in a state of non-progression, covering the rearguard of civilization. The Americans now, however, have discovered their weakness, and they will now owe their political existence more to the forbearance of the invaders than to their own means of averting its termination.

When the United States Government have driven them to terms, it will then be necessary that the claims of British subjects be properly represented here. Governments may be generous, but individuals cannot always afford to be so; and unless more zeal is adopted than what hitherto has been shown, the result will be that France by bombardment, and America by invasion, will get their claims settled, and England, the generous creditor (for which from the peculiar character of this people she gets neither respect nor gratitude) will be left unpaid, and possibly, in their papers, her forbearance attributed to astute and perfidious policy. In Spanish America gratitude is too painful a tax ever to be paid.

The local news is unimportant. Senores Lombardo, Trigueros, &c., are still in confinement, political arrests and trials are too frequent here to excited much attention. These gentlemen will probably remain in prison until a new revolution (not a probably remote event) will enable them to exchange places with their present jailors.

The Government have acceded to the wishes of the merchants, and allowed the goods that were in deposit in Vera Cruz, to be transmitted to Jalapa and Orizava.

The blockade has had a trifling favourable effect on British manufactured goods, and holders are asking higher prices, though but few sales are making.

The stocks of British manufactured goods are very limited, and perhaps not above 1,000 bales are in first hands.

Some very heavy failures here have cast a gloom over the city. Jose Maria Landa, Fost, Serment, and Co., Cecillon Bernede and Co., have suspended their payments. The first are parties principally engaged in government transactions, and their engagements are for upwards of a million of dollars. The suspension is attributed to the law of May 2, suspending government payments.

Money is excessively scarce, and first-rate bills are difficult to discount at 2 and 3 per cent per month. The Guanaxuata Conducta is expected here in a few days with a million of dollars, which will relieve the pressure of the money market. Exchange on London 60 days, 44^1/2d., and very few takers of bills. [PTH]

LT 8/13/1846 5a US AND MEXICO

AMERICA
ARRIVAL OF THE CAMBRIA.
LIVERPOOL, Wednesday

The Royal mail steam ship Cambria, Captain Judkins, arrived in the Mersey at 1 o'clock this afternoon, from Boston and Halifax, having accomplished the run from the former city in the remarkably short space of 10 days and 18 hours. The Cambria brought a large number of passengers, including Lord Falkland, the late Governor of Nova Scotia, and announces the arrival of the steam ship Great Britain at New York on the night of the 20^th ult., after a quick passage of 13^1/2 days. She had, however, encountered some trifling mishaps on the coast.

Our advices by this arrival extend to the close of the past month from New York, and are of a highly important nature.

From Washington we learn the gratifying intelligence that the liberal measure of commercial reform pending before the Senate at the date of our last accounts had finally triumphed in that assembly, and had received likewise the assent of the House of Representatives, no alteration of the slightest moment having been made in the bill. The contest upon its fate, we learn, was throughout close in the extreme. ON the 25^th and 27^th ult. The measure was powerfully and ably opposed by Mr. Webster in a speech of great length; a reference to a committee, with a view to overthrow the bill, was on one day carried; and the and the measure having, fortunately, by a subsequent vote, escaped from the predicament into which it had been thus thrown, its triumph was secured merely by the casting vote of the Vice-President of the Senate, seconded by the refusal to vote of Mr. Jarnagin, a hostile member. The vote upon its adoption in the Senate was, --ayes, 28; nays, 27: the subsequent vote in the House of Representatives on the question of concurrence, --ayes, 115; nays, 93. The signatures of the presiding officers of the two houses of Congress were affixed on the 30^th ult. And the approval of the President was anticipated for the following day. The proceedings of Congress upon other questions present also features of great interest. The bill to authorize the issue of Treasury notes to the extent of 10,000,000, dollars and to keep that amount always afloat, had become law. The Committee of Finance in the Senate had attempted to obtain also an unlimited authority to empower the Treasury to issue notes, as indispensable to the wants of the Government. This authority, however, was refused by the Senate; but it was deemed certain, however, that a further issue of Treasury notes, or a resort to a loan, would be required to meet the increasing war expenditures. The Ware housing Bill was still pending in the Lower House, with a perfect assurance of success. The fate of the Sub-Treasury scheme, noted in our letters as before the House of Representatives, was undetermined. A curious indication of a still existing passion for war had been afforded by that body on the 24^th ult. M. Ingersoll on that day offered a series of resolutions proffering a formal mission of peace to Mexico. The House refused to receive the resolutions by a vote of 95 to 54. Our letters further announce the gratifying fact, that the 10^th of August had been fixed by the Senate for the adjournment of Congress. An earlier day, it is stated, would have been named but for the expectation that by the steamer which left Liverpool on the 19^th ult. The Oregon treaty, duly ratified, would be returned. Congress would then at once proceed to pass such laws as may be needful to give it full effect. This arrival likewise brings the secret diplomatic correspondence and Executorial messages upon the late Oregon question, published surreptitiously in the Philadelphia North American. They are interesting, though of no immediate importance. An investigation into the secret of their publication while yet suppressed by the Senate had been instituted. The State Treasurer of Pennsylvania had announced that the interest now due upon the State debt would be paid on the 1^st instant.

The reputed organ of the Administration reiterates former contradiction that Mr. Pakenham had made any offer of Mediation to the American Government relative to the Mexican war.

The intelligence received from the south by this arrival, though diffuse and interesting, is entirely undecisive, and discloses little beyond the quiet and gradual approach of affairs towards a climax, both on the frontier of Mexico, and internally in that unfortunate state. The latest advices from the Rio del Norte reach to about the 15^th ult. General Taylor, the American commander, still remained in the immediate vicinity of Matamoras, with the majority of his force; but every exertion was being made to prepare for an effective advance up the river to Monterey. Camargo had been converted into a depot for supplies, with a view to ulterior operations.

The town having been quietly invested by the 7^th Regiment, and the troops were being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. This, however, was work of extreme difficulty. The river, notwithstanding that there had not been a single fall of rain, being swollen in an extraordinary degree, insomuch so, indeed, as to cause serious damage in Camargo, and to destroy the previously plentiful and excellent harvests in its vicinity, upon which General Taylor had, in some degree, calculated for supplies. We have still to report the fact of authentic intelligence relative to the position of the Mexican forces. All accounts, however, represent that the Army of the North--as it is termed--had concentrated at Linares, to the extent of 4,000 men, under Messia. At Montenez, according to the report of a reconnaissance made by Captain Walker and party of Rangers, there was but little force. The inhabitants were much alarmed at the prospect of their city being invaded, and it is stated, were busily employed repairing the old and erecting new fortifications. Meanwhile, general Taylor had issued a proclamation, calculated to crush the power of the Administration of Paredes, by spreading disaffection in the northern department of the republic, and to extend through their territories the principle of independent government. The newspaper entitled the Republic of the Rio Grande had ceased, failing in its object. The accounts from south-east state, that Colonel Kearney, with the Santa Fe expedition, had made considerable progress in route; and that he had received levies from the Mormon emigrant camp in the Platte River, tot the extent of 500 men. The terms of the levy were most remarkable. Not only are the men entitled to the pay and rations of the regular soldier, but protection to the Mormon emigration movement is promised; and each man, at the termination of the movement--destined for California--is to become owner of the arms and supplies he possesses as a soldier.

We learn that the expedition organized under Colonel Stevenson, for California, had departed for Governor's Island previous to embarcation. Each volunteer was enlisted with the stipulation that he should be discharged in California. From the Pacific coast we have no intelligence subsequent to the reception by our squadron there of the news of war existing between the United States and Mexico.

From Vera Cruz we have advices to the 25^th ultimo, by the United States steam frigate Princeton, at Pensacola. These advices, in the opinion of the American journals, and in that of Mr. Webster also, lead to the impression that a determined effort is to be made by that country to repel the hostile attacks of the United States; and it is said that the Executive had received authentic information to that effect. Paredes, up to the 7^th ult., had not left the capital, deterred by the fear of an immediate revolt. A slight attempt in the city had been successfully suppressed. The blockade of Vera Cruz was still maintained. A collision had taken place on the 8^th . The Princeton, with the Cumberland and Potomac, having proceeded 12 miles up th coast from Vera Cruz to take in supplies, the enemy concentrated a force of 300 Mexicans, who fired on the boats and wounded one man. The Princeton, lying close by, opened her fire upon the chapparal and concealed breastworks, and soon silenced the battery. The Mexican account is, that the Mexicans had six or eight wounded and three killed, and on their own side only one man wounded. Arista had issued a proclamation to the troops of the division, declaring that his and their honour was affected by the disastrous action of the 9^th of May, and he states that he has demanded an investigation, which the Government had granted. Late advices from Yucatan would seem to throw some slight doubts upon the entire separation of the department from Mexico. Accounts from Havannah to the 20^th ult. State that Santa Anna and Almonte remained at that port.

From Canada we have advices to the 29^th ult. The contents are unimportant. The free navigation of the St. Lawrence was the topic of much discussion in the public journals, the Free Trade Association of the province having addressed a memorial advocating that measure to the home government. The Montreal Gazette opposes this movement, backed by the Courier, and urges the propriety of Canada bearing without ill-temper the slight cost at which she receives the political protection of Great Britain. Rumours are mentioned that Earl Cathcart would shortly be removed from the Government. American wheat had been declared admissible into Canada, in bond, for the purpose of being ground and exported duty free. Despatches had been received from the Home Government, in reply to Mr. Wall's memorial, adopted by the Assembly, on the question of admitting from the United States supplies for Her Majesty's troops in the province, assenting, in effect at least, to the prayer. The subscriptions for the relief of the St. John's sufferers were progressing favourably. The ship Erin, from Liverpool to Montreal, had been lost by fire off the bay of Seven Island; crew saved.

Halifax papers announce the secession of Lord Falkland from the Government. His successor, Sir J. Harvey, was daily expected.

Jamaica accounts to the 13^th ult. Are unimportant.

Advices from Chagres to the 13^th June state that the United States frigates Savannah and Constitution were daily expected at Valparaiso, to take in provisions and sail for the United States. The recent disturbances at Santiago, Chili, had been completely suppressed. The republic enjoyed tranquillity. The Peruvian Government is in a very settled condition; much more so than it had been for some years.

Intelligence is published in the American journals from Oregon, to March 5, containing the speech of the Governor. The place was rapidly improving. [PTH]

LT 8/14/1846 8C US NAVY

THE UNITED STATES NAVY

(FROM THE NEW YORK HERALD. )

The extraordinary development of the resources of the United States in a military point of view, so recently presented to the eyes of the world, when 200,000 intelligent and patriotic freemen instantly came forward in answer to a call for volunteers in the Mexican war, has been regarded with curious interest by thinking men, as an index of what would be the case should our country unfortunately be engaged in a war with any of the great Powers of Europe. In such a case, no draughting of men for soldiers would be tolerated or even necessary. The military enthusiasm natural to Republican would cause our citizens to volunteer by regiments and brigades, instead of squads and companies, as at present; and these forces collected and disciplined in every part of an immense country, would be ready to concentrate themselves by our network of railroads upon any point of attacked, and to annihilate an invading forced of any possible numerical strength.

But though all have viewed with pride and satisfaction this demonstration of our military resources; and the mass of the people seem to have forgotten the navy, which has as yet had no opportunity of winning its laurels, as of old; its interests have not been overlooked by those in power, nor forgotten by those who recollect the incidents of the last war with England, or who are directly engaged in foreign commerce. They have borne in mind the importance of being prepared to meet the foe where he will most probably seek us, on the ocean, and on our sea coasts.

The promptness with which very considerable forces have, at short notice, been thrown upon the two coasts of Mexico, are an evidence of this; and the alacrity observed in all the navy yards in the outfitting of our ships of war have convinced us, that the same energy and confidence which enabled our gallant little navy to measure strength in single actions with the "mistress of the seas, " would not be want amounting now, should it be necessary, to convert the immense of materiel at present accumulated at the arsenals and ship yards into as large a fleet of ships and war-steamers as might be required under any circumstances. Our resources in this respect are as inexhaustible as our forests, and the genius and skill of our machinists and artisans as unfathomable and boundless as the mines of the metals they work; and, with the thousand of brave and hardly seamen which an immense unemployed mercantile marine would supply to the service, we might defy the world afloat. While impressed men would work and fight the ships of the enemy, without any other interest in the event than the prize money, our cool and calculating tars would turn over their quid of "honey dew, " with a smile at the absurdity of a ship ever yielding when every man on board is one of the owners.

We furnish below a table, corrected to the latest dates, of the squadrons of the Gulf of Mexico and on the coasts of California. The former is now employed in blockading the several ports of the enemy, but is available, should it be decided to possess ourselves of the castle of St. Juan d'Ulloa, and the city of Vera Cruz. The latter squadron is employed in blockading the ports, and taking possession of the most important positions on the Californian and Western Mexican coasts. We daily expect interesting news from this squadron.

SQUADRON IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND FOR THE ATTACK ON SAN JUAN D'ULLOA
David Connor, Commodore.

	Ships	Guns
United States Ship of the Line	Pennsylvania	120
United States Ship of the Line	North Carolina	74
United States Ship of the Line	Ohio	74
United States Ship of the Line	Delaware	74
Frigate	Brandywine	44
Frigate	Potomac	44
Frigate	Raritan	44
Frigate	Cumberland	44
Frigate	Constellation	36
Sloop of War	Falmouth	22
Sloop of War	John Adams	22
Sloop of War	St. Mary's	20
Sloop of War	Austin	20
Sloop of War	Boston (supposed)	20
Steamer	Mississippi	10
Steamer	Princeton	9
Steamer	Spitfire	3
Steamer	Vixen	3
Steamer	Legare	6
Steamer	Spencer	6
Brig	Porpoise	10
Brig	Truxton	10
Brig	Somers	10
Brig	Lawrence	10
Brig	Perry	10
Schooner	Flirt	4
Schooner	Bonita	1
Schooner	Petrel	1
Schooner	Reefer	1
Cutter	M'Lane	6
Cutter	Woodbury	6
Cutter	Van Buren	6
Cutter	Forward	6
Cutter	Ewing	6
Storeship	Relief	6
	Total	794

Squadron on the West Coast of Mexico
William B. Shubrick, Commodore

	Ship	Guns
United States ship of the line	Columbus	74
Razee	Independence	64
Frigate	Savannah	44
Frigate	Congress	44
Frigate	Constitution	44
Sloop of War	Portsmouth	20
Sloop of War	Vincennes	20
Sloop of War	Levant	20
Sloop of War	Warren	20
Sloop of War	Cyane	20
Sloop of War	Dale	16
Sloop of War	Preble (supposed)	16
Sloop of War	Albany (supposed)	24
Schooner	Shark	10
Store-ship	Erie	8
Store-ship	Lexington	8
	TOTAL	452

It must be remembered that the above are the number of guns rated on board each vessel. Their actual force is considerably greater. For example, the Pennsylvania, rated 120, carries 144 guns in her broadsides. All the 74's are 90 gun ships, except the Columbia, 80; the 44-gun ships, except one, all carry from 54 to 62 guns. The sloops of war are generally heavier than they are rated. Thus it will be seen that our available naval force threatening Mexico at this time is about 1,500 guns. Of these, a proper proportion are Paixhan guns, of sizes suitable to the different ships that carry them. The frigates are of a size and force that would justify their taking a place in the line of battle in a fleet engagement, as they throw much greater weight of metal at a broadside than the old English and French line of battle ships.

Altogether this is a very formidable armament, and it can be increased very considerably, as several line of battle ships and large frigates are preserved in houses on the stocks, and might be launched and sent to sea in six weeks. [PTH]

LT 8/17/1846 5C MEXICAN TROPHIES

The Mexican Trophies. --We had the pleasure of witnessing to-day the presentation of the flags which were taken from the enemy on the 8^th and 9^th of May. They were brought to Washington by Colonel Payne, and they were delivered to the President of the United States in the presence of a multitude of officers of the Government and of the army, and of ladies and gentlemen. The gallant colonel who was honoured with this acceptable mission was himself engaged in these memorable scenes, and was wounded on the morning of the 9^th, in his hip, by a musket ball, which has not yet been extracted from the vicinity of the spine. For the satisfaction of his relations in Virginia, and his numerous friends everywhere, we are happy to state that his general health is good, and that he flattered with the hope of recovering the full use of his limbs at no distant period. The following is his address to the President of the United States:--

"Mr. President, --Under the direction of my commanding general, I am the honoured instrument (and I here take occasion to express my thanks for the distinguished compliment) of presenting to your Excellency these trophies of victory won in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. It is not in the spirit of triumph over a defeated, and I must say, gallant enemy that they are presented on the part of the army, but rather in conformity with usage, to gratify popular curiosity, and as some evidence that the soldiers of the republic have done their duty."

The President received the flags, lances, &c., with the feeling which became him. They are almost all of them torn by cannon ball or musket bullets, and the staffs of some of them have not escaped the fortunes of war. --Washington Union. [PTH]

LT 8/17/1846 5D RAILWAY OVER ROCKIE MOUNTAINS PROPOSED

America
Arrival of the Great Britain
Liverpool, Saturday

The steam-ship Great Britain arrived in the Mersey at an early hour this morning from New York, whence she has made a remarkable run of 13 days 8 hours, including a detention of 18 hours to repair driving chain. This is an evil which will be immediately remedied. A large number of passengers arrived in the Great Britain.

The advices from New York by the arrival are one day later than those before given, and contain but few features of interest. The Tariff Bill had been signed by the President on the 31^stult., and will, therefore, come into operation on the 1^st December. The stability of this change in the commercial policy of the republic, in a letter received from Washington, is held to be extremely doubtful, and several grounds are given for the belief--firstly, that already the Whigs have raised the hostile cry of "repeal;" secondly, that that party is, though almost imperceptibly, regaining its former strength and influence; thirdly, that the experiment of a more liberal tariff is instituted at a time when the expenses of the state are enormously increased by the existence of a war; and, fourthly, that the danger of a deficiency naturally arising from a state of change and transition will be materially increased by the delay which ensues before the measure comes into operation. Still another, though less powerful, argument is mentioned, the prospect that in a brief space of time the territories of American Oregon will require to be represented at the seat of Government. The session of Congress was rapidly drawing to a close, and up to the close of the 31^st ult. The Senate had not decided upon the merits of the Sub-Treasury Bill, nor had the House of Representatives arrived at any decision upon the Warehousing Bill. The investigation into the publication of the secret Oregon correspondence had failed to elicit any information criminating those senators upon whom suspicion had fallen, and, the editor of the North American having affirmed that the documents were anonymously communicated to him, the inquiry was brought to a termination. A curious report was made to Congress on the 31^st ult., relative to the absurd project of a person named Whitney to construct a railroad from the Atlantic shore, across the Rocky Mountains, to Oregon. It will scarcely be believed, yet is it nevertheless true, that the Senate Committee of Public Lands gravely recommended that a grant of land be granted for that purpose 60 miles in breadth along the whole length of the line--a strip of land some 2,000 miles long by 60 wide! And, notwithstanding an exposure of the jobbery by Mr. Benton, the Senate ordered that the report be printed! The oft-repeated rumours of Cabinet changes are again renewed. Mr. Bancroft, it is said, is to be removed from the Navy Department, to be succeeded by Mr. Slidell, a southern man. Of the secession of Mr. Buchanan there would seem to be little doubt.

No further intelligence has reached us from the army of invasion on the Rio del Norte, from the blockading squadron, or from the California expedition, by this arrival. Accounts from Illinois, however, state that the additional command under General Wool, numbering about 10,000 men, was fast concentrating, and would towards September set forth en route, its surmised object being to take on the flank any Mexican force which may oppose the march of General Taylor. The army under this commander, when fully concentrated, will amount to 20,000 men.

From Mexico we have no later advices. The New Orleans Picayune, however, publishes a minute and instructive account of the internal state of affairs in that country up to the close of June last. The election of Paredes as President, the proceedings of Congress, the formal recognition of the American war, and the melancholy spectacle presented by the Assembly weakly and ineffectually struggling to devise means by which the Treasury may be recruited and the State rescued, are all detailed with painful accuracy. One fact must not be overlooked, however, that apparently the idea of succumbing to its sister republic has never yet crossed the public mind of Mexico.

From Canada we have little news of interest. A full copy of the memorial of the Free Trade Association has reached us. The document is of considerable length, and, though rather inelegant in composition, yet argues with great force, primarily for the opening of the St. Lawrence to the vessels of all nations, secondly for the repeal of the duties discriminating in favour of British over foreign goods. The statistics of shipping at Quebec to the 27^th ultimo exhibited a decrease of arrivals to the amount of 197 vessels and 334,1470 tons; 1846, 747 vessels and 273,473 tons.

From the River Plated important advices, dated Monte Video, June 14, had been received at Baltimore by the bark Creole, arrived from Corrientes. We extract the following from the Baltimore Patriot:--

"Monte Video, June 14.

"On the 4^th inst., at 9 o'clock in the morning, the fleet weighed anchor about three miles above the Burancas of St. Lorenzo, in the river Parana, where there were placed 25 pieces of cannon, belonging to Buenos Ayres, to stop the expedition from passing. At half-past 9 the fort opened a fire on the five steamers, the English steamers Gorgon, Fire-brand, and Electra, the French steamers Gacende and Fulton, which took their position abreast of the batteries, whilst the English brig-of-war Dolphin led the van of the merchant vessels, amounting to 100 sail.

"From the time the Dolphin passed, being the first vessel, at half-past 10 o'clock, to the time the last vessel of the convoy passed, after sundown, made seven hours and a half firing. It appears very singular that in such a large fleet of vessels, in passing so many pieces of cannon and within musket-shot of the infantry, which played their part, not a man was either killed or wounded; and still more strange, that no accident should have happened of either killed or wounded on board any of the vessels of war, amounting to 12 sail, especially the five steamers, which were under the fire from the batteries, which the English and French naval commanders set on fire to prevent them falling into Rosas's hand, one being the English bark Caledonia, of Hull, the other three being schooners from Corrientes; their cargoes consisted of amber, hides, wool, yerba, and tobacco.

"There are as yet but a few of the conboy arrived at Monte Video; only the large vessels. The weather being boisterous, all the smaller vessels were lying at the island of Martin Garcia.

"There is not such a large quantity of hides come down as was expected, but there is a larger quantity of yerba, tobacco, and wool. Salt hides none. Small quantity of tallow, packed beef, on cargo horse hair, a great deal of timber, &c." [PTH]

LT 8/19/1846 3E MEXICO, AFFAIRS OF

AFFAIRS OF MEXICO

The following summary of affairs in Mexico (from the New Orleans Picayune ) is valuable, from its minuteness and general accuracy, and will be read with interest in the condition of that sad spectacle of a republic:--

The discourse of General Paredes before the Mexican Congress was pronounced on the 6^th of June. It has already been received and published in the United States. Congress proceeded at once to organize the Executive power, by a decree that it should be deposited provisionally in a magistrate elected by a plurality of the votes of Congress, and that a Vice-President should be elected at the same time to act in the absence of the President.

This decree was passed on the 10^thof June, and on the 12^th the election was held. General Paredes was elected President, receiving 58 out of 83 votes. General Bravo received 13 votes, and General Herrera 7 votes. General Bravo was then elected Vice-President, receiving 48 out of 82 votes. The highest opposing candidate was D. Luis G. Cuevos, who received 17 votes.

General Paredes took the oaths of office on the 13^th as provisional President, and at the same time pronounced another discourse, in the most notable passage of which he expresses his confidence that Congress will grant all the supplies and make every effort necessary to defend the national cause. He reviews at length the wrongs which Mexico has endured at the hands of the United States, and concludes with desiring permission to assume the command of the army in the field.

In the absence of Senor Bustamente, who was ill, Dr. D. Louis Gonzaga Gordoa presided over Congress. He replied to the President in substance, that every question of domestic policy shrunk into insignificance compared with the invasion of the country on the frontier of the Rio Bravo; that the Mexican who should think of aught else than the injustice and treachery with which their soil was trampled, and the necessity of avenging their outraged honour, had no right to claim a share in their patriotic devotion.

On the 18^th permission was granted to Paredes to place himself at the head of troops, and proceed to join the army of the north. General Gonzalez Arevalo was to leave the capital on the 19^th, in command of the advance of the forces of Paredes. General Mejia was in the actual command of the army of the north, Arista having been ordered to Mexico, and Ampudia to remain at San Luis Potosi. (A paper of the 27^th ult., says that General Arevalo, instead of proceeding to the frontier, had marched for Guadalajara to put down the insurrection. )

The committees of Congress upon foreign relations and upon war made a joint report on the 16^th on that part of the message of Paredes relating to the United States. The report recommends the passage of a bill declaring Mexico to be "in a state of war with the United States." We do not find that the bill will be found below.

The cannonade between St. Mary's and the three Mexican gun-boats Quereiana, Union, and Poblana, at Tampico, is mentioned in all the Mexican papers. They claim no great victory, but express themselves satisfied with the valour displayed by the Mexicans. We see no mention of any loss which was suffered. A report is mentioned in our correspondent's letter and in the papers before us, that the Americans had taken Altamira, a sea port lying directly north of Tampico, and only a few miles distant. There seems no improbability in the report.

The General left in command of Vera Cruz, on the 30^th ult., formally declared that city to be in a state of siege, in order to prepare all the people for an anticipated attack upon it. The garrison of the castle had received orders to be on the alert, particularly at night, as the danger of a night attack was thought imminent. Our correspondent writes--"It is said" an attack was to be made on the 10^th instant, but we know nothing more on the subject. The General to whom the command of Vera Cruz was intrusted is Rodriguez de Cela.

A report had reached Vera Cruz that the Californias had separated themselves from Mexico, but nothing is said to let us know whether Commodore Sloat had anything to do with the separation. The subject is mentioned by our Havannah correspondent.

A communication has been received in Mexico from the commander of the troops sent to put down the insurrection in Jalisco, in which he attributed little importance to the events which occurred there, and expressed the hope that he should be able promptly to chastise the authors of the movement.

The latest despatch from Guadalajara is dated June 18, at which date General Pacheco informs the Government that he has possession of a good portion of the public buildings of the city, and the insurgents numbered only 1,200 and were daily dispersing.

General Tornel has again assumed the functions of Minister of War.

A large quantity of ammunition has been sent to the city of Mexico from the Castle of Perote, together with some mounted cannon and Muskets.

The papers are full of individual tenders of money to aid in carrying on the war.

The Mexican Government has declared the ports of Mezatlan and Matamoros closed to foreign commerce.

The publication of El Tiempo, the Bourbonist paper, has been discontinued since Congress has commenced its session.

El Indicador, of Vera Cruz, of the 23d ult, states that the English war steamer Vesuvius (which arrive at Sacrificios on the 14^th ) had left for Tampico to demand from the commander of the St. Mary's explanations as to his motives for not permitting the steamer Clyde to take on board specie, as the English steamers had hitherto done. It also says that the commander of the Vesuvius would take it on board his own vessel.

In this connexion we may mention, that beside the Vesuvius, another English war steamer, a 50 gun frigate, and a brig-of war, arrived at Sacrificios on the 14^th, from Jamaica. The Vera Cruz editor is at a loss to account for the concentration of such a force there by the English. A Spanish frigate and brig, and a French bark and brig, all vessels of war were lying there on the 18^thult.

On the 21^st news was received at Vera Cruz that an American brig-of-war was blockading the port of Alvarado. The next day intelligence reached there that some boats from the brig had pursued a Mexican boat across the bar. Some boats from the Mexican vessels of war went to the assistance of the boat, and the people were called to arms. The Mexican boat made its escape. Say the Mexicans, "The victory was ours; but there was none killed or wounded, as the Americans did not venture to measure strength with us." The American boats were by signal ordered back to the brig. Subsequently to this tremendous affair the brig went to sea. The whole is reported as a great outrage.

An American sloop-of-war arrived off the port of Vera Cruz on the 30^th ult., and an American brig-of-war at the same date was seen sailing towards Isla Verde. On the 18^thult., there was an American frigate at Sacrificios, and a brig-of-war. ON the 20^th, the Spanish ship Flar de Llanes spoke an American vessel-of-war 20 leagues from Vera Cruz, which he supposed to be the flag-ship Cumberland.

The Committee of the Mexican Congress to which was referred the report of the Minister of Finance, in relation to obtaining resources for the war, on the 20^th of June, reported a law to the following effect:--

"1. During the existence of the war which the United States is making upon the Mexican nation, the Government is authorized to raise the sums necessary for the war in the manner most convenient and efficacious, (but without taking possession of the private of individuals or corporations) allotting to each class the amount of money which it should contribute to the public defence, in the order it should judge equitable.

"2. The Government is authorized to make use of all the national revenues, taking care to apply them in the best manner the circumstances will admit, to the fulfillment of the objects to which each of them is appropriated.

"3. The Government is authorized to regulate the payment of the national debt.

"4. To take measures for the regulation and improvement of the public revenues and their administration; consulting in everything relating to the organization of the bureaus and the administration of the revenues the superior junta of the treasury, which it will organize in the manner which it shall deem most suitable."

This report, signed by Senor Alaman among others, was objected to at once and in toto, as being too indefinite as to the powers with which it would invest the Government. Two members were then added to the committee, and the subject referred back to them.

On the 23d June, Paredes issued a decree for the organization, in the capital, of a battalion of infantry and two squadrons of cavalry from the commercial classes, which were to find their own equipments, and whose sole duties should be the preservation of order in the capital, and the protection of private property.

On the 20^th a Committee of Congress upon the form of a constitution was appointed. Pena y Pena, Couto, Arrillaga, Bonilla, Tagle, Romero, and Valencia were appointed.

We annex a translation of the project de loi, or bell, reported in relation to the war, by the committee to which it was referred. Bocanegra and Valencia were among the members of this committee. After a short report upon the circumstances of the case, the committee proposed the following:--

"The extraordinary National Congress of the Mexican Republic considering:

"That the Republic of the United States of America, with notorious violation of all right, has instigated and protected openly and perseveringly the insurrection of the colonists of Texas against the nation which had admitted them upon its territory, and generously shielded them with the protection of its laws.

"That it has not maintained the solemn assurances and reservations in regard to the rights of the Mexican Republic, which by means of its agents it had made in conformity with those treaties.

"That in time of profound peace, and during established relations of amity between the two countries, it has invaded by land and sea the territories of the Californias.

"That it has authorized a levy of troop against Mexico.

"That it has declared war against the Republic, under the pretext that the said states had been invaded, when in fact they made the invasion.

"And lastly, considering that the nationality of the Mexicans is seriously compromised by the power and the spirit of usurpation, flagrantly manifested by the neighbouring nation of the United States--Decrees.

"1^st. The Mexican nation, in the exercise of its natural defence, is actually in a state of war with the United States of America.

"2d. In consequence there of the Government will employ all its resources and powers to render the war effectual to the reparation of the injury done to the Mexican nation; it will complete the bodies of permanent militia, and levy new forces at once to the extent it shall deem necessary, to fill up the bodies at present on foot, and to created others of the same description; and if it shall need other special powers Congress will confer them."

This report bears date the 16^th ult., but we find it in a paper of the 27^th, and we know not at all what action was taken by Congress upon it.

The diplomatic corps paid their respects to the President upon the 21^st, to felicitate him upon his election. The British Minister, Mr. Bankhead, addressed the President on the subject very briefly, and in very general terms. The reply of the President is of the same character--not a line in it possesses any interest.

Advices have been received from Durango, giving account of an action between a body of Mexicans and a band of savages, in which the Mexicans were utterly defeated, with the loss of their commander and others, left dead on the field. This occurred early in June.

The situation of Matamoros and the north-eastern department is represented in the Mexican papers as deplorable. Without the speedy arrival of aid they are lost irrecoverably, say the Mexicans. Copies of the Republic of Rio Grande had been received in Mexico. The papers say they are written in bad Spanish. Shocking!

At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 21^st inst. there was a slight shock of an earthquake felt at Vera Cruz, which lasted some seconds. It was accompanied by great agitation and roaring of the sea. The papers pray heaven to spare them from the calamities of the elements, while they are suffering from the evils of a foreign war.

The people of Tlacotalpam, on learning of the blockade of Alvarado, enlisted to the number of several hundreds to defend the bar, and a few thousand dollars were raised by subscription to erect fortifications.

Both the departments of Chihuahua and Durango are suffering from the ravages of the Comanches and Lepans. Their outrages are partially attributed to the intrigues of the North Americans, some of whom have been seen with the Indians. [PTH]

LT 8/26/1846 5A MEXICO

No one can be surprised that the precarious condition of Mexico, and of British interests in Mexico, should have excited amongst a portion of our mercantile community that anxiety which was very naturally and forcibly expressed on Monday night by Lord George Bentinck in the House of Commons. We ourselves have been repeatedly solicited by anxious and injured correspondents to endeavour to rouse the public opinion of this country against the enormous wrong done to Mexico by this aggression of the United States, and the probable consequences of that wrong to British interests in the invaded country. But neither the English Government nor the English press postponed to the extreme hour of danger those warning counsels which the occasion required. Mexico was urged to recognize the independence of Texas upon conditions which would have secured the existence of that state as a barrier between herself and the United States. Mexico was told that she must openly and resolutely decide between a closer connexion with the European Powers or the prospect of subjugation and dissolution by American invasion and American intrigues. She would do neither, but seemed to view both alternatives with the same stupid and inert suspicion, alike incapable of grasping the hand of a friend or parrying the attacks of a foe. Last autumn, when the incessant changes of the Mexican Government under the republican form had demonstrated that such a republic was condemned to perpetual anarchy, a suggestion was thrown out in Europe that a return to the monarchical form of Government would most probably be found the only effectual means of restoring stability and dignity to the Stare of Mexico. This idea was not unfavourably entertained by several of the leading statesmen in Europe, provided it should appear that the Mexicans themselves were disposed to adopt it, for there is certainly no motive or encouragement for any European Power to contribute to the restoration of a Government which would not possess the essential condition of the respect and attachment of the Mexican nation. Shortly afterwards a revolution was effected by a man to whom these monarchical views were not new or unwelcome, and who had directly adverted to them in his proclamation. A convention was called to regenerate the institutions of the country. Every species of calamity, from internal bankruptcy and dissolution to foreign conquest, were impending over Mexico; but in the midst of this crises, even General Paredes seems to have, not a good policy or a bad policy, no policy whatever; and we do not believes that an attempt has been seriously made by the Mexican Government to improve their lamentable position, either abroad or at home. They will neither make peace nor wage war, for the same inertia and incapacity retrain them from making concessions, and from offering resistance; and they live on from day to day without a spark of political life or national vigour.

The contemptible weakness of this people, however, justifies no part of the arrogant and unjust dealings of the United States towards them; but, on the contrary, it gives a more odious character to unequal conflict now going on upon the Rio Grande. But as far as the interests of British capitalists who have private investments in Mexico, and as far also as the general mercantile interests of this country, are concerned, we do not believe that there are reasonable grounds of apprehension from the possibility of the progress of the American arms in the Mexican territory. No Government ever did less to protect foreign enterprise and encourage foreign trade than that of Mexico. Our mining companies and our merchants have had to contend there with all the obstacles belonging to a state of society relapsing into barbarism--personal insecurity, detestable laws corruptly administered, no roads, fiscal restrictions on the precious metals, and a prohibitive tariff. With extraordinary patience these evils have been endured; and the British adventures in Mexico have done their duty to the Government on their gratitude? Why should they seek to support its authority? They have submitted with patience to every vicissitude of domestic anarchy, and we are convinced they have now more to hope than to fear from the chances of foreign invasion. Belligerent Powers do not make war on private property. It is the interest and the duty of the American Government to respect British property in Mexico as much as the Mexicans would do; and in the event of any transfer of territory, all private property, but especially the property of neutrals, is clearly protected by the laws of the dominant Power. This opinion is so strongly entertained in Mexico, that many of the principal landowners and proprietors in Northern Mexico are better affected to the United States than to their own Government, on the express ground of the superior protection which the former would afford to private property, and the immediate increase which would take place in the value of land and the transactions of foreign trade.

There are political and territorial reasons of great weight which induce us to view with regret, through not with alarm, the progress of the United States towards the southern limits of North America. But if we look at this contest on the ground of British interests exclusively, it may be questioned whether the consequences of the utmost conditions Mr. Polk is likely to exact from Mexico would inflict any injury whatever on private British interests in that country. The public creditors of Mexico are indeed in a different position, but their misfortunes must be attributed to the absurd legislation, prodigality, and final bankruptcy of the Mexicans themselves; and the prospects of the foreign bondholder have, of course, sunk with those of the state to which he intrusted his money.

No case for the interference of this country, either alone or in conjunction with the other European Powers, has been made out: it has not been solicited in any definite form by Mexico; it has not been warranted by any act of the United States, since they have carried on the war with propriety towards neutrals. The only species of intervention which could be of use is, therefore, that which Lord Pamerston have both successively proffered--namely, an amicable mediation between the two countries. The Americans would, we have no doubt, be glad, if possible, to terminate this affair as soon as they can. The war is disgusting and unpopular to all the better classes of the American people, although they were unanimous in their resolution to extricate the army from the critical position in which Mr. Polk had dared to place it. The volunteers are troublesome, and the expenses of the army enormous. The force collected in the Gulf of Mexico to attack St. Juan d'Ulloa is thrice as strong as that with which Admiral Baudin carried that fortress, and yet its success is doubtful, from the peculiar nature of the coast. To fail in such an enterprise would be an intolerable humiliation to the American navy; and yet to succeed in it is only to do what the French had done before with a smaller squadron. Upon the whole, then, the Cabinet of Washington must be aware that they have no reasonable prospect of termination this war by any action of extraordinary lustre; and if they are wise statesmen, they will put an end to hostilities in which so little credit is to be won. [PTH]

LT 8/29/1846 5C US, MEXICAN WAR

The following message had been sent to Congress by the President:--
"To the Senate and House of Representatives:--

"I invite your attention to the propriety of making an appropriation to provide for any expenditures which it may be necessary to make in advance for the purpose of settling all our difficulties with the Mexican Republic. It is my desire to terminate, as it originally was to avoid, the existing war with Mexico, with a peace just and honourable for both parties.

"It is probable that the chief obstacle to be surmounted in accomplishing this desirable object, will be the adjustment of the boundary between the two Republics, which shall prove satisfactory and convenient to both, and such as neither will hereafter repent. In the adjustment of this boundary we ought to pay a fair equivalent for any concessions which may be made by Mexico.

"Under the circumstances, and considering the other complicated questions to be settled by negotiation with the Mexican Republic, I deem it important that a sum of money should be put under the control of the Executive, to be advanced, if need be, to the Government of that Republic immediately after the ratification of a treaty. It might be inconvenient for the Mexican Government to wait for the whole sum, the payment of which may be stipulated by this treaty, until it could be ratified by our senate, and an appropriation to carry it into effect made by Congress.

"Indeed, the necessity for their delay might defeat the object altogether. The disbursement of this money would, of course, be accounted for not as secret service money, but like other expenditures. Two precedents for such a proceeding exist in past history during the administration of Mr. Jefferson, to which I would call your attention. On the 20^th of February, 1803, an act was passed appropriating 2,000,000 dollars for the purpose of defraying any extraordinary expenditures which may be incurred in the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations; to be applied under the direction of the President of the United States, who shall cause an account thereof to be laid before Congress as soon as may be; and on the 13^th of February, 1806, an appropriation may prove indispensable in accomplishing this object. I would therefore recommend the passage of a law appropriation may prove indispensable in accomplishing this object. I would therefore recommend the passage of a law appropriating 2,000,000 dollars to be placed at the disposal of the Executive for the purpose I have indicated. In order to prevent all misapprehension, it is my duty to state that, anxious as I am to terminate the existing war with the least possible delay, it will continue to be prosecuted with the utmost vigour until a treaty of peace shall be signed by the parties, and ratified by the Mexican Republic. "James K. Polk."

The following documents, transmitted confidence to the Senate, and by the body considered in executive session, have since been released from the bond of secrecy:--

"Mr Buchanan to Commodore Connor.

"Department of State, Washington, July 27, 1846.

"Sir, --I have the honour to transmit herewith a sealed note addressed to the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Mexican Government determine to accept the offer, and enter upon negotiations, it may, and probably will, propose to you to conclude an armistice during their pendency. If such a proposition should be made, you will promptly, by kindly, reject it, giving, at the same time, every assurance that the President will do all in his power to bring the negotiations to a satisfactory termination with the least possible delay.

"If an armistice were concluded, the two parties would not stand on an equal footing. The United States, at a heavy expense, now have armies in the field, and navies upon the ocean, in successful progress to conquer an honourable peace. Should their operations be arrested by an armistice, and the negotiations for peace should finally fail, we would then lose nearly all the advantages of an entire campaign. Besides, this sacrifice, great as it might be, would scarcely equal the evils, in every form, which a season of inactivity could not fail to inflict upon our troops, the greater portion of whom consist of patriotic citizens who have volunteered to serve their country in the confidence that they would be actively employed. Whilst, therefore, the President sincerely desires, with the utmost promptitude, to restore our friendly relations with Mexico upon fair and liberal terms, the war must continue to be prosecuted with the utmost vigour, until a definite treaty of peace shall be signed and ratified by Mexico.

"You will not fail with all the despatch in your power to transmit the answer of the Mexican Government to this department.

"I have the honour to be, Sir, Very respectfully, you obedient servant,
"James Buchanan.
"To Commodore David Connor, Commanding the Naval Force of the United States in the Gulf of Mexico"

----------------------

"Department of State, Washington, July 27, 1846.
"To his excellency the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Mexican Republic

"Sir, --The President of the United States, no less anxious to terminate than he was to avoid the present unhappy war with the Mexican Republic, has determined to make an effort to accomplish this purpose. He has accordingly instructed the undersigned Secretary of State to propose, through your Excellency, to the Mexican Government, that negotiations shall forthwith commence for the conclusion of a peace just and honourable to both parties. Should this offer be received and responded to by the Mexican Government in the same frank and friendly spirit by which it has been dictated, he will immediately despatch an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the city of Mexico, with instructions and full powers to conclude a treaty of peace which shall adjust all the questions in dispute between the two republics. If the Mexican Government should prefer to send a Minister to Washington to conduct the negotiations here, he shall be received with kindness and respect, and every effort shall be made to accomplish the object of his mission with the least possible delay.

"In the present communication it is deemed useless, and might prove injurious, to discuss the causes of the existing war. This might tend to delay or defeat the restoration of peace. The past is already consigned to history--the future, under Providence, is within our own power.

"Commodore Conner will transmit this despatch for your Excellency to the Governor of Vera Cruz, under a flag of truce; and you are respectfully invited to adopt the same channel for communicating your answer.

"I avail myself of the occasion to offer your Excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.

"James Buchanan."

The papers were read and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, which, on the following day, reported two resolutions--one expressing a desire for peace, and the other resolving that the President's desire for an appropriation should be gratified. After debate, Mr. Hannegan presented and ammendment, resolving that the Senate, with their present information, declined giving any advice. These resolutions were debated and then referred back to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and on the next day--Thursday, the 6^th instant--Mr. M'Duffie reported the following resolutions:--

"Resolved, that the Senate entertain a strong desire that the existing war with Mexico should be terminated by a treaty of peace, just and honourable to both nations, and that the President be advised to adopt all proper measures for the attainment of that object.

"Resolved further, that the Senate deem it advisable that Congress should appropriate a sum of money to enable the President to conclude a treaty of peace, limits and boundaries with the Republic of Mexico, and to be used by him in the event that such treaty should call for the expenditure of the money so appropriated, or any part thereof." [PTH]

LT 8/31/1846 4A MEXICO

The lassitude and the quiescence which mark the waning period of this eventful year seem to have extended from this country and the other states of Europe to the continent of America, and the Hibernia brings us the intelligence of a concluded session and a subsiding war. Since the declaration of their independence the United States of America have not passed through a more remarkable and momentous session of Congress. They have stood upon the brink of a war with the Power most formidable by land and by sea to the security of their territory and the interests of their commerce. They have been plunged into rash, wanton, and ineffective hostilities with their only other neighbor in the American hemisphere. They have set afoot a considerable army acting beyond their own frontiers, whilst the largest squadrons which ever sailed under the American flag are blockading the ports of Mexico in the Gulf and on the Pacific. They have appropriated vast sums of money to these military preparations, and by the Sub-Treasury Bill, which received the sanction of the Legislature at the close of the session, the Government has resumed the dangerous power of tampering with the public securities of the Union. Meanwhile, whatever may have been the real intentions of Mr. Polk and his immediate advisors, the diplomatic prudence of the British Ministry and of the American Senate brought the Oregon controversy to a timely and fortunate termination. In all these transactions the Cabinet of Washington may have successfully promoted its own party ends, but the political conduct of the President with reference to the English negotiation and the Mexican war has done little to raise his own credit as a statesman, or to do honour to the American nation.

The Oregon correspondence, including the instructions transmitted from time to time by Mr. Buchanan to Mr. M'lane at this Court, has now been communicated to the Senate and published by the American journals. It proves to demonstration how far the real views of Mr. Polk fell short of the claims he had thought fit to encourage and adopt in his public discourses; and it further proves, that in the final settlement the Americans gave up one of the points--namely, the navigation of the Columbia--to which Mr. Polk and Mr. Buchanan had repeatedly expressed an unalterable determination to adhere. On the 12^th of July, 1845, Mr. Buchanan declared that, "with his present impressions, the "President can never yield to Great Britain the "free navigation of the Columbia." ON the 26^th of February, 1846, he added--"The President cannot, however, anticipate any possible change of circumstances which would induce him to submit to such a proposition (that of a temporary joint occupancy), if it should contain a surrender to Great Britain of the perpetual right to navigate the Columbia. A grant of the free navigation of St. Lawrence to the United States would be no equivalent for such a concession!"

Nevertheless this concession was made; and nothing can be more shallow than the attempt of Mr. Buchanan to loak this strong inconsistency by asserting that the Senate voted the treaty under the conviction that by the true construction of the second article of the project, the right of the Hudson's Bay Company to navigate the Columbia would expire with the present license to trade with the Indians on the north west coast of America, on the 30^th of May, 1859. Mr. Buchanan must have been perfectly aware that the Hudson's Bay Company is a permanent corporation, nearly two centuries old; and the navigation of the Columbia is secured to it and to all British subjects trading with it in perpetuity.

In the conduct of the Mexican war the President has, if possible, displayed a still more marked falling off from the course he had proposed to himself and promised the country. The hostilities originated entirely with his own instructions to General Taylor, for it is clear that the Mexicans would never have marched a man beyond Matamoras, and the territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande might with perfect security have remained neutral, until the boundary treaty could be negotiated. Mr. Polk, however, required a war--he required military patronage and military expenditure, and he boldly drew a bill at sight on the folly and enthusiasm of the people. The drum turned their heads, and the object of the Administration was gained. We have all along foreseen that the conduct of this war would present almost insuperable military difficulties, and that the cry of marching to Mexico, investing the principal cities, and occupying the country, was the mere dream of an ignorant populace. Without roads, without local supplies, with little water and a great deal of disease, the march of an American army into the heart of Mexico would have led to its destruction. And so it has proved. General Taylor has shown himself a prudent as well as a gallant commander, and he has therefore not even advanced to Monterey. Nor has Commodore Connor been more enterprising. The American officers by sea and land deserve great credit for the resolution with which they have abstained from those inconsiderate, though sometimes brilliant, undertakings which the impetuosity of a popular Government is so apt to force upon a commander. Their discretion is praiseworthy; but what shall we say of the still more laudable and placable dispositions of President Polk? He has allowed the Congress to separate after having unsuccessfully proposed to them a contingent appropriation of two dollars, "providing for any expedition which it may be necessary to make in advance for the purpose of settling all our difficulties with the Mexican Republic." The meaning of this peculiar phraseology appears to be, not that the army should make an expedition in advance for the subjugation of the Mexican territory, by that the Treasury should advance whatever may be needed "to pay a fair equivalent for any concessions which may be made by Mexico." Mr. Buchanan has the pen of a pleasant writer, and he evidently thought the advances of the Treasury entitled to a preference over the advances of the troops. In short, after having held the most arrogant and uncompromising language to Mexico at the sword's point, President Polk was anxious to present to the astonished descendants of Cortes and of Guatimozin the pleasing alternative of a well-filled purse. So considerate is the Cabinet of Washington become towards the sister Republic, that Mr. Buchanan suggests "it might be inconvenient for the Mexican Government to wait for the payment of the whole sum until the treaty could be ratified by the Senate and the appropriations made by Congress." Congress, therefore, had it not been for the well-timed prosing of Mr. Davis, would have left a handsome balance in the Treasury, for the express purpose of relieving the necessities of their enemies and honouring the draughts of General Paredes. The Mexicans will regret Mr. Davis's prolixity, for, upon such terms as these, they would willingly be conquered every morning. It reminds us of the ancient practice of administering a couple of guineas to cure a black eye somewhat lightly inflicted on a slender antagonist. Humanity approves; and Justice smiles: but what becomes of the just and necessary cause of the dispute? If it be fitting that Mexico receive two million dollars for a full release, how comes it that she has hitherto only been paid in knocks? Above all, what are we to think of Mr. Polk, who begins with steel and lead what he is so anxious to terminate with paper and gold? Such questions need no answers. Mr. Polk has discovered the difficulties and evils arising out of the state of war, even with Mexico; and we are not disposed to blame him for his fruitless, though novel, scheme of terminating it, even if it be at the expense of his own character as a politician and at some loss to the dignity of the United States. [PTH]

LT September 2, 1846/5F THE MEXICAN SOLIDERY

--The Mexican soldiery of the middle stature, or below it, small-boned, slightly built, graceful, with a smooth, soft, glossy skin, scarcely any muscle, no visible sinews, and of extremely light weight. He can be agile for a short time, but is constitutionally indolent. This is the Mexican Indian from the interior. The soldiers of mixed blood, partaking of the more northern races, and of old Spain, are stronger, rather sinewy, and capable of more continued excretion. These, however, comprise only a minority of the soldiers of the Mexican army. The Mexicans are capable of no great physical efforts of endurance. Their constitutions are without stamina; and from their habit of getting into the shade whenever they can during the day, taking a nap at noon, or lying about under walls or in shady places, the upon the ground, to play at cards for reales or medios (and dollars, if they have any), they are so enervated that the climate during the sickly season is very apt to affect numbers of them, if much exposed during the fiercest hours of the day; to which, in fact, they have never been accustomed. They very often take the yellow fever, and even die of the vomito Negro (particularly at Vera Cruz, Tampico, and Alvarado), as well as the temeritious foreigners. They even fear it beforehand. A Mexican soldier who has been drunk over night with aquardiente, and has a sick headache next morning, will ask permission of his sergeant to leave the ranks during parade or guard duty, as he is very unwell, and will go and squat down under a wall or shed. If you ask him what is the matter he shakes his head with a melancholy, much injured, but resigned air, and answers, "Calentura, senor-calentura." I will answer for it that any moderately strong English grenadier--not a regular boxer, but who can only "hit straight"--would knock down 10 or a dozen Mexican soldiers, equally unarmed, one after the other, as fast as they presented themselves. Put a sword into their hands, and give a stout Highlander a claymore, or a raw-boned Irishman a good shillelah, and the 10 soldiers would be very likely to tumble to the right and left with broken blades and broken heads. The Mexicans are by no means deficient in courage. They have fiery spirits and fear of cold steel. They are "always ready to die." I have even heard them in hours of danger use that very expression. What they want is physical force; the power to justify their feelings. The Mexican officers are for the most part not good. They are valiant but have no judgment. They are far too excitable, and without self-government. Moreover they are very often much too young; many of their lieutants, and even captains, being mere boys. I was once acquainted in Vera Cruz with a Mexican colonel of artillery who was not two-and-twenty. He was a very well informed, high-spirited, amiable young man, a good mathematicians, and a good swordsman; but, of course, without any adequate experience for such a post. The Mexican cavalry is admirable--in respect of horsemanship. The artillery is food in all respects. In the recent battles (as well as in former wars) they seldom failed to throw their balls and shells directly into the works of the fortress attacked; and before General Vega's little fort was taken, his guns had destroyed one-third of the assailants; but when the strong-armed men got close in amongst the Mexican ranks it was all over in a minute. -American paper. [CCB]

LT September 2, 1846/7C THE AMERICAN NAVY.

--The New York Herald publishes a list of the American squadron in the Gulf of Mexico and for the attack of San Juan de Ulloa. As this list is running from the rounds of the press, we think it right to state that it is in some respects erroneous. For instance, it sets out by enumerating among these vessels the United States ship of the line Pennsylvania, 120 guns; North Carolina, 74; Delaware, 74. Not one of these vessels is in commission, neither prepared for sea, nor in a state of preparation. At no period, perhaps, was our naval force in a more efficient state of equipment than it is at this time, under the auspices of the present secretary. It was early prepared for service in the Mexican war, and it was dispatched to every point where it was wanting in the Gulf of Mexico or the Pacific ocean, for operating against the enemy. We understand that its economy is equal to its efficiency. The great inconvenience which the department has to sustain arises at this time from the want of seaman to man the vessels; but every possible exertion is making to remedy this defect, and to give the ships that are getting ready for sea the utmost efficiency of which they are susceptible. -- Washington Union. [CCB]

LT September 5, 1846/5F "AMERICA."

[The following appeared in a third edition of The Times of yesterday:--]

LIVERPOOL, FRIDAY MORNING.

The steam-ship Great Western, Captain Mathews, which arrived in the Mersey shortly before midnight, has put us in possession of accounts from New York to the 20^th ult., inclusive.

These advices are entirely unimportant, and even with regard to the naval and military operations on the frontiers of Mexico we have little intelligence worthy of note. From Vera Cruz we have advices one day later, and from these we learn that affairs at that port remained unchanged. From Matamoras we are advised that General Taylor was still employed in the work of preparation. A military depot was being formed at Camargo, and the troops were concentrating at that place with all possible speed. Fears of pestilence were entertained by those stationed at Matamoras. Of the position of the Mexicans we have still no authentic accounts. According to letters from the seat of operations, ten heavy pieces of artillery had been mounted at Monterez for the defence of the city; according to other statements a call for 7,000 men made upon the department of Nueva Leon had failed to evoke from the citizens any measures to repel the projected invasion; and to these reports it is further added, that the Mexican General Mejia had concentrated at Lenares his force of 3,000 men. These reports are, however, altogether too doubtful in their character to meet ready acceptance. General Taylor was expected to move forward about the middle of August. Of General Wool's expedition we have no late news. From Fort Leavenworth, however, we learn that the expedition under General Kearney had, by the latest accounts, advanced to within 130 miles of Bent's Fort, and that the General had determined to push on past that point without delay. The Mormon troops remained at Fort Leavenworth. Rumours were in circulation among the traders and the Mexicans to the effect that General Urrea was marching at the head of a large Mexican force for the protection of the Santa Fe.

From New York we are advised, that vessels had been chartered for the immediate conveyance of the California expedition. We learn, also, that the tow war-steamer purchased by the United States Government were almost completed, and would shortly proceed to the Gulf of Mexico. Rumours of a privateer having appeared off the Isle of Pines are mentioned in the journals.

Domestic affairs in the Union present few features of interest. The elections in North Carolina had resulted in a most complete Whig triumph, ensuring the return of two Whig members to the Senate. The Secretary of the Navy is stated to be actively introducing valuable reforms into that branch of the public service over which he presides. The emigration from Arkansas to Texas is said to have recommenced. The public journals continue to relate fresh instances of the reappearance of the potato rot. The commercial accounts by the Caledonia occasioned no change of importance in the markets. Exchange on the 19^th, sterling bills 8 to 8^1/4 premium.

From Canada our accounts are to the 17^th ultimo. The journals contain loose rumours of a re-construction of the Ministry being in completion. [CCB]

LT September 5, 1846/6e "The Affairs of Mexico"

(From our own Correspondent. )
Mexico, July 30.

Matamoros remains in the hands of the Americans, and Vera Cruz and Tampico are blockaded by their ships; but the rains prevalent at this time of the year, and which have fallen with unusual violence in that part of the country, have paralyzed the further operations of the American army on the Bravo under General Taylor. Nor has any attack yet been made by Commodore Connor on Vera Cruz or the Castle. General Taylor has now under his command about 14,000 men, a force sufficient to penetrate to San Luis Potosi. A great proportion of these, however, are volunteers from Texas, and the western states of North America, men who spurn at all control, and whom it will be difficult to subject to military discipline. It is known that they intend to march to the interior as soon as the weather permits, and that the first point of attack will be Monterey, the capital of Nuevo Leon, distant about 85 leagues from Matamoros. Some preparations for defence are not growing on there, and Megia has led the wrecks of the army of the north to strengthen the garrison; but Monterey is an open town, and the result will no doubt be a capitulation as soon as the Americans appear. General Arista has frankly expressed his opinion that Mexican soldiers, in their present state of discipline, cannot be brought to face the North Americans. It might be thought that this Government would see the wisdom of negotiation for peace before the Americans penetrate further into the country; but the national vanity and a touch of obstinacy, which they inherit from the Spaniards, forbid them to take the initiative. A rumour which has reached this of the offered mediation of Great Britain in the contest, has however given much satisfaction. Intelligence has been received from New Mexico of the invasion of that province by 6,000 Americans. Armigo, the governor, has applied for assistance to the authorities of Chihuahua, Durango, and Zacatecas, all of whom promise aid, but in reality can give none.

Civil war continues to augment the woes of Mexico. The insurgents of Guadalaxara are besieged in the center of the city, from which the troops of the Government are unable to dislodge them. General Arevalo, commanding the Government forces, effected, by mining, an entrance to a convent within the line of the insurgents; but the building was retaken, Arevalo and several of his officers and men killed, and the remainder made prisoners. Pacheco, the second in command, is accused of not supporting his chief on this occasion. Arevalo was a good officer, a native of Spain--and perhaps for that reason sacrificed.

Paredes has published a code of rules and regulations for issuing letters of marque against the Americans. Mexico has no marine, the few vessels sailing under her flag belonging to Yucatan; but the peninsula takes no part in this contest, and for the present considers itself an independent state. The only parties likely to solicit letters of marque here are slave-traders and other desperados from the Havannah, who make no very nice distinction between privateeering and piracy.

A general amnesty to prisoners accused of political offences, was published a few days ago, by which means Senor Trigueros, ex-Minister of Finance, recovered his liberty after about two months' close confinement, on a charge of conspiring in favour of Santa Anna. The same clemency was extended to a British subject confined in the castle of Perote on the same grounds.

On the 28^th inst. General Paredes surrendered the reins of Government to General Bravo, now Vice-President. Paredes goes to command the army, nominally against the Americans, but probably in the first instance against the pronunciados of Guadalaxara.

I send you a translation of Bravo's speech to Congress on taking possession of the Government. It has the merit of conciseness, and the rarer one of truth. The situation of the country is there faithfully depicted. No one attributes much ability to General Bravo; but he is considered a man of good intentions, although it is not forgotten that he forcibly dissolved the Congress of 1842 in obedience to the mandate of Santa Anna, and that he used that brief interval of power to confer the most extraordinary privileges on the port of Acapulco, near which his own property is situated, all which immunities Santa Anna immediately revoked.

All the Ministers of Paredes have resigned.

The blockade of the Atlantic ports, of course, renders arrangements for the payment of the public debt, the means for which must be derived from the maritime custom-houses, mere matters of theory. Before retiring from office, however, Senor Iturbe produced, and General Paredes decreed, a new financial scheme, the leading feature of which is the resumption by Government of one-half of the customs' revenue, while the other half is appropriated to the payment of the debt 20 per cent. of the Vera Cruz and Tampico custom-houses going to the English bondholders, and to the payment of British claims adjusted by diplomatic intervention, the quota assigned by those conventions. I do not observe, however, that any provision is made for the repayment of the sums seized in the violation of all agreements by Senor Iturbe. His answer, when applied to on this score, is a remarkable specimen of assurance. "If I had to repay those sums, " said the Minister, "I should gain nothing by having taken them." This logic may do in Mexico, but will hardly be considered satisfactory in Downing-street. The new scheme would place the future control of the custom-houses very much in the hands of Iturbe himself, and a few of the other large holders of the 26 per cent. fund, to the level of which it is proposed to reduce the copper certificates, and a variety of other credits against the Government. But the holders of these credits have demurred and protested, and it is thought that the next Minister will alter or repeal the decree. This is the great evil of Mexican legislation; nothing is permanent. On the formation of the 25 per cent. fund, they did their best to tie themselves down by printing the decree in the body of the bonds, but the terms of that decree have already undergone several modifications, and now a sweeping measure is attempted, giving the fun an entirely new character.

The list of the new Cabinet has not yet been published. It is said that the war department will be given to General Mora, and that of finance to Don Antonio Faray. Both are men of experience and ability.

The arrival of a conducta, with about 800,000 from Zacatecas and Guanaxuato, has relieved in some degree the pressure in the money market; but a general want of confidence still prevails here, the result of recent failures and the unsettled state of the country. Robberies on the roads have multiplied in an extraordinary manner. In the short space of ten days nice diligences have been robbed. A muleteer, bringing goods from Vera Cruz, has sent to solicit assistance from this, finding himself surrounded by robbers at Rio Frio. Cotton wool has reached the extraordinary price of 32 per quintal; but scarcely any other article has advanced in price since the declaration of blockade. [CCB]

LT September 5, 1846/6E Speech of General Bravo to the Mexican Congress

I ha

The Mexican-American War and the Media, 1845-1848