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 have taken an oath, the solemnity of which forbids me to forget that the obligations it imposes are closely united with the future destinies of the country. In its present struggling position, divided by the political opinions of its children, and threatened by the voracious ambition of the United States of the North, the task of governing it is difficult, and hard the lot of him who is called to the helm of the sinking vessel in the midst of such tempests. Eleven years of an obstinate and glorious struggle to emancipate the nation from its ancient rulers, left the people satisfied, although wearied. But the successive and almost continued disturbances of the last 25 years appear to have exhausted their patriotism. For who, gentlemen, does not observe (and painful it is to refer to the fact) that the critical situation of the republic, when our attention should be fixed on the melancholy picture it presents, does not excite the public spirit which should animate it? What true patriot, what honourable man, does no give way to the most melancholy reflections at seeing the country languid and spiritless, waiting for its enemies to come and gather the fruit of the discord which their crafty malignity has sown amongst us? To the wisdom of Congress it belongs to find a fitting remedy for so great an evil, a remedy so important and efficacious, as to create and reorganize every thing under the established system.

This is, indeed, a difficult task. To accomplish it, the collision of a thousand private interests is inevitable; but let us not forget that the chief object our labours should be the support of the war to defend the independence of the country--a war which is now a sacred duty to every one who bears the name of a Mexican, and desires to leave an honourable name to posterity.

Gentlemen! let us save the Republic; let us prepare the glorious trophies which, dyed with the blood of our progenitors, gave it a place amongst the distinguished nations of the universe. Let us save the country; all her sons burying for this object, in oblivion, the quarrels which divide them; and check with strong and energetic hand the disturbers of order and public tranquility.

I solemnly offer the sacrifice required of me for so laudable an object. The Congress may accept it with the confidence that my words have never been falsified, for they are the expression of my real sentiments.

Mexico, July 28, 1846.
NICOLAS BRAVO.
[CCB]

LT September 15, 1846/4F Address of the liberating republican army

"City of Mexico, August 4
"Liberating Republican Army.

"In the morning of this day almost the whole of the garrison of this capital, who are at this moment under the orders of the undersigned and of General Don Juan Morales, occupying the citadel, declared against the Government, and will soon be in possession of the whole city, as the troops who remain under the orders of Generals Bravo and Paredes are insignificant, and are extremely disaffected, and almost in union with us; for it cannot long be concealed from any good Mexican that the holy cause which we defend is the cause of the people and of national independence.

In the name of these, then, we invite your Excellency--and rely confidently on your sincere patriotism--immediately to second an enterprise so noble, and give thus a day of glory to the country to which you have rendered so many services. It is, beyond all doubt, certain that the cause which we defend will speedily triumph, not only because the Government (so called) may be said to be already overthrown, but because the whole nation is in commotion, and resolve to vanquish those who wish to sacrifice it. The triumphs obtained by our arms in Guadalaxara, and the pronunciamiento of the whole department of Vera Cruz, attest this truth; and for the complete information of your Excellency, it only remains for me to state to you, that the valiant generals Landero and Perez declared themselves in the city of Vera Cruz on the 31^st ultimo, inviting, through a commission, the illustrious General Santa Anna to come and place himself immediately at the head of the army sustaining the national independence and liberties, in conformity with the plan which we have proclaimed, and of which I herewith transmit copies to your Excellency. The enthusiasm among the united people are the army cannot be greater; chiefs, officers, and men of all classes of society are presenting themselves to us by hundreds.

We congratulate ourselves, in the name of the nation, which will soon be able to show its gratitude to its worthy servants.

"God and liberty.
"J. Mariano De Salas.
"Valentin Gomes Farias."

"To his excellency the Commandant-General of the Department of Vera Cruz." [CCB]

LT September 16, 1846/4d Mexico

The intelligence just received from Mexico will increase the disgust with which the conduct of the people of that country has long been viewed, and will greatly diminish the sympathy hitherto felt for them on account of the ill-treatment they have experienced at the hands of the American Government. There is no possibility of helping those who are unwilling to help themselves, and such appears to be the conditions of the Mexicans. They are wasting upon internal discord the little energy and limited resources they possess, while standing almost in the presence of a powerful enemy. We might with justice cease to feel an interest in the fate of a country so perversely bent upon its own ruin, were it not that our own commerce is suffering severely from the present condition of the relations between the United States and Mexico. A squabble, however contemptible, which impedes the progress of trade on the part of neutrals, and renders private property liable to those dangers that are inseparable from a state of domestic anarchy--such a contention between two litigants who seem both unable to bring the quarrel to an end is a nuisance which a third party should be allowed to terminate. Friendly offers of mediation have already been made by our late as well as our present Minister for Foreign Affairs; but the United States and Mexico seen disposed to "fight it out"--a process which threatens to prove exceedingly tedious. On one side we find large resources injudiciously applied, and on the other internal discord dividing the force that needs the utmost concentration to give it the smallest chance of proving successful. We can scarcely hope for the triumph of the Mexican cause, after the specimens we have seen of the incapacity of the Mexican people to provide efficiently for their own government. Were they to retain their nominal independence, it is only too probable that they would continue to be the slaves of that spirit of vacillation which subjects them to a constant change of rulers, and dooms the country to a condition practically amounting to anarchy. No sooner does the last new President turn his back on the seat of Government, than, almost in a night, there springs up in his place some mushroom rival. He, in his turn, is superseded by another, equally rapid in growth and with as little hold on the ground he occupies. Santa Anna has by this time returned to such power as can be held by the nominal head of a body whose members cannot be brought to cooperate in any sustained effort for their general benefit. He is said to be determined on continuing the war; but it is not improbable that, with the fatal tendency to disunion which prevails among the people, their sentiments may take a pacific turn when the President is known to be bent on an opposite policy.

The downfall of Paredes cannot be deplored, for in the midst of the crisis to which Mexico has been exposed, with conquest threatening from abroad, and every social evil preying on the vitality of the country at home, the President who has just been displaced remained at least inactive, if not indifferent. His imbecility, which might have kept him harmless under ordinary circumstances, rendered him wholly unfit to retain the office of President in a country whose greatest evil is the want of a strong Government. If Santa Anna can supply such a desideratum, his restoration will be a happy event, of which not only Mexico itself, but all who are interested in its commerce, will speedily feel the benefit. Whether the war is to be continued or concluded, a strong Government is equally essential for the security of neutrals, who will naturally feel disposed to sympathize with that party which affords them most efficiently the protection to which they are entitled. The Cabinet of the United States is scarcely to be blamed for evincing an indisposition to negotiate with men who, though nominally rulers to-day, may be deposed and treated as traitors to-morrow. A country must be itself untied before it can inspire the confidence of those who are disposed to become its allies, or obtain the respect of such as are in the position of its enemies. Mexico can neither make a honourable peace, nor prosecute a war with the chance of success, until its interests are placed under the protection of an efficient Executive. [CCB]

LT September 25, 1846/5a US and Mexico

Liverpool, Thursday.

By the packet-ship Columbia, Captain Rathbone, we have received New York accounts of the 1^st instant.

The intelligence contained is important.

From Mexico we learn that Santa Anna had passed the blockade and landed at Vera Cruz. Paredes had been seized and imprisoned; and the once exiled chief would now appear to reign supreme chief over the unstable and degraded citizens of the "republic." We learn, also, on the authority of the American accounts, that the United States squadron in the Pacific had seized upon California. From the Rio del Norte we are advised that the town of China, situate about 60 miles about the central depot of Camargo, had been invested by a small American force. Gradual advances en route to Monterey were being made by the troops. In New Mexico Armijo was making vain efforts to induce the citizens to arrest the progress of General Kearney's army.

From Canada our accounts are of no moment.

Half-past 4 o'clock p.m.

A ship with several days' later intelligence is announced as off the port.

(Correspondence of the Express. )

The steamer of M'Kim arrived at New Orleans on the 23d, with dates from Point Isabel to the 17^th, and from Camargo to the 13^th . She brought 100 volunteers on the sick list. General William O. Butler was confined to his tent at Point Isabel by sickness. China, 60 miles above Camargo, was taken by M'Culloch and his 75 Rangers on the 5^th of August. Seguin, with 100 mounted Mexicans, took flight from the town, which contains 700 inhabitants. There were 300 regular troops at Camargo on the 9^th, ready to start for Monterey.

The volunteers were pouring in. General Taylor arrived on the 9^th with his staff. Baylie Peyton also arrived on the 9^th. A grand review of the troops took place, and it is said General Taylor expressed himself in terms of admiration of their discipline. Duncan's battery, and M'Culloch, with a portion of his men, left Camargo on the 12^th in the direction of Monterey.

The steamer Arab arrived off Vera Cruz on the 15^th inst., with Santa Anna on board. He immediately placed himself at the head of the movement in that department. The departments of Puebla and Mexico have declared for Santa Anna, and Paredes has already been taken prisoner. The revolt at the Capital was headed by General Salas. Before Santa Anna left Havannah, he took letters from General Campbell to Commodore Connor, and avowed himself, in reply to some inquiries as to his intentions, as follows:--If the people of my country are for war, then I am with them; but I would prefer peace.

News has been received in Mexico and Monterey and California had been taken by one of the vessels of the United States squadron. Another account says that all California has yielded to the Americans.

A letter dated at Vera Cruz on the 16^th of August says that advices have been received by express of the formal annexation of California to the United States, that is, the United States forces have taken possession of California. This news came to the British Consulate at Vera Cruz.

Despatches were to be sent to England and to New Orleans by special express.

Later from Santa Fe.

Baltimore, Monday Evening.

The St. Louis Reveille publishes a letter from Santa Fe, dated July 17, from which we learn that Governor Armijo had ordered the people to be in readiness to march against the United States army. It is suggested that he makes this demonstration of resistance without really intending to execute it, although he intimates that he would rather fight than surrender the country. He assured the merchants and traders that they would all be protected.

Late from Pernambuco.

Liverpool, Thursday

The Swordfish, Captain Green, arrived from Pernambuco this morning, with advices to the 25^th of August. She brings, however, no political advices of moment. Exchange is quoted at 26^1/2. [CCB]

LT September 28, 1846/4C California

here must be a limit to that tendency to absorption which a great historian has described as the great territorial law of modern times. An overbearing desire of aggrandizement, superseding for its own satisfaction the usages of public law and the dictates of common equity, is as dangerous to the peace of the world now, as it was when every century was characterized by the blood and treasure expended in checking it. New political terms do not change the realities of political conduct. It was observed after the peace of Westphalia, that the word secularization, with which the ecclesiastical negotiations at Munster had enriched the language of diplomacy, was destined to such notoriety as was hardly dreamt of at its first introduction. Such seems likely to be the fate of the term "annexation"--a simple and unobjectionable expression of a new world which will hereafter imply what in the old would be stigmatized as a treacherous and tyrannical invasion of the property of others. European history offers no parallel to the territorial condition of the North American continent, unless, indeed, a faint resemblance be traced in the consolidation of the Germanic empire after the dismemberment of the realms of CHARLEMAGNE. An enormous district, scarcely yet reclaimed from its aboriginal savages, possessed by a nation of Saxon settlers powerful enough to overrun any single portion, but not numerous enough to colonize all--a country in which the formation and consolidation of states is yet in progress--in which few boundaries have acquired the sanctity of a prescription, and not all even the advantages of certainty--in which many frontiers are as vague and as wild as the marches of the tenth century--and in which the revolutionary disorders of an empire's childhood appear not yet to have been passed through--such is America; offering to an observant eye a living and moving illustration of those peculiar chapters which open the history of every old country of Europe. What will be the result of a century's changes it would be hazardous to predict. Whether the magnificent aspiration will be realized of a new Saxon with its capital on the Potomac--whether states now united will be isolated into independent Governments--whether the hitherto neglected districts of the north-west will be absorbed in a central power, or revolt into a distinct maritime state giving law to the Pacific--all these questions will be resolved by time alone. But as the operations on which they depend differ in this form their European precedents, that they are carried on not in the night of ages but in the light of day, and before the eyes of intelligent nations, they can be exempted neither from strictures nor intervention, if they are attended with breaches of those eternal laws of justice which should rule both worlds alike.

If the tone of the American papers did not convey so unequivocally the sentiments of their countrymen, we should not for a moment have conceived that the seizure of California by the United States, announced in our paper of Friday, could have been possibly contemplated, as leading to a permanent occupation, even by the Americans themselves; nor are we now willing to believe that these barefaced avowals of the people can really represent the sentiments of the Government. That one nation at war with another in a most trivial cause should coolly seize upon its largest province upon no other plea than that it was "unnecessary to the enemy but of the greatest importance to themselves, " or that the new line of demarcation would "square off the territories of both nations, " is nothing but a most extravagant assertion of the right of the stronger. The province of California embraces in its extent nearly one-half of the territories of the Mexican republic, its splendid natural advantages have been barely touched, and a land, in many places as fertile as the plains of Champagne, with a climate compared to the suns and skies of Andalusia, lies still open to the settler. An immense line of sea coast contains one of the finest harbours in the world, within which it is stated that the whole navies of Europe and America might ride in security together. To the Power from which it thus coolly proposed to abstract it, this province is of such vital importance than its loss must almost inevitably entail the loss of all the national interdependence, and the absorption of all the remaining provinces, whenever it may seem fit to Congress to change the form of the southern boundary of their territory from the quadrilateral shape now preferred into some more graceful and irregular termination.

It happens, too, that the interest of England in this transaction is somewhat beyond that necessarily felt by every nation in whatever affects the validity and the influence of public law. That a stronger state should so gratuitously "annex a weaker, is a precedent dangerous enough to demand at least a protest, but the matter is graver still when the property seized is already charged with liabilities honestly and openly contracted towards a third party. For some of the numerous monies with which our capitalists have been induced to support and stimulate Mexican enterprise this province is, we believe, our only security, and the rights of mortgagees for which we exchanged our advances are not to be demolished by the unscrupulousness of the invaders of the imbecility of the sufferers. In the character which each nation sustains in the commonwealth of nations we may protest against a piratical infraction of the international code, but in our capacity of honourable creditors we are bound to demand that our lien upon a mortgaged territory be preserved in its full integrity and value. Republics are really more tyrannically aggressive than despotic monarchies. Within three years after the emancipation of the Helvetic cantons from Austrian rule they exhibited a true criterion of nationality by seizing the territories of their neighbours. The reunions of Louis XIV were equitable assertions of right compared with the "annexations" of the American President, nor does the outward show of decency which protracted the existence of Alsace and Lorraine appear to be in store for Mexico. Already are we sufferers by the lingering and useless squabble which gives opportunity to these outrages on justice. A country indebted to others for all the sinews of its strength foregoes the right of independent folly. Mexico is not entitled to the indulgence of a gasconade at the expense of English capital, whatever it might choose to do at the risk of its own security. Our arbitration was spoken of some time ago as likely to be in request, and certainly there have been very few instances in late times where we might give it with greater advantage, or impose it with greater reason. [CCB]

LT October 1, 1846/6A-B Mexican War

"UNITED STATES AND MEXICO; ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA."

[A portion of the following appeared in a second edition of The Times of yesterday:--]

We have received by express from Liverpool our dispatches from the United States by the Royal Mail Steamship Britannia, Captain Hewitt, arrived in the Mersey shortly after 4 o'clock on Wednesday morning, from Boston and Halifax, with the usual mails of the 16^th of September.

The contents of these advices are not of striking importance. The operations and prospects of Mexican war continued, up to the dates of our letters, as indecisive as ever; and, beyond the general statement that further, though slight, advances had been made by the several columns of invasion marching against Mexico, we have little intelligence to communicate differing in tenour from that brought by the last steamers.

From Vera Cruz advices to the 29^th of August are published in the American journals. The landing of Santa Anna had been attended with great demonstrations of joy, and that chief had taken his departure inland, but of his arrival in the capital we have no accounts. Despatches from the President had been received by the commander of the blockading squadron, and immediately afterwards a communication was had with the shore under a flag of truce. These dispatches are supposed to contain the proposition of the Cabinet to offer a resumption of negotiations with the Mexican Government.

The United States brig of war Truxton had been totally wrecked on the 15^th, near the mouth of the river Tuppan. Two lieutenants and 19 men reached the squadron at Vera Cruz in boats: the remainder of the officers and crew, including also the captain, landed with the intention of surrendering themselves prisoners of war. The Princeton steam-frigate proceeded to the assistance of the brig on the arrival of the boats; but, finding her rescue to be impossible, set fire to the hull, and after ascertaining that the remainder of the crew had set out for Tampico, she returned to Vera Cruz. Tampico and Tobasco had joined in the revolution. The yellow fever is stated to have broken out on board the British vessels of war at Sacrificios. A portion of the United States squadron was suffering from scurvy.

From Camargo we learn that it was the intention of General Taylor to leave that place with the main body of the army about the 5^th of September. 300 mules, 200 wagons, and 160,000 rations had been sent on in advance; and it is stated that the General intends, if unopposed by the Mexicans, to proceed at once to Saltillo. Other accounts state, however, that his means of transport were still deficient. Meanwhile, parties of rangers were actively scouring the country around the destined line of march, and had visited en route several of the small towns of the district without encountering resistance or discovering any signs of an opposing force. According to general report, however, the Mexicans had concentrated at Monterey, to the extent of some few thousand ill-paid and ill-clothed men. Disgraceful riots, we also learn, had taken place among the volunteers at Barita, arising from a feud existing between an Irish company and two of the Georgian corps. The affair took place on board of a steam-boat which was anchored near the shore. Guns, swords, and bayonets were used with reckless violence. The colonel of a regiment of Illinois volunteers, who, at the head of two of his companies, attempted to quell the disturbance, was wounded, and his men were driven back; and when at length the rioters submitted, a considerable number of men had been either killed or wounded.

Colonel Harney had marched from San Antonio (Texas), on the 23d, with 120 United States Dragoons, 500 mounted Texans, and 18 Delawares, for Monclovia, Mexico.

From St. Louis we learn that General Kearney's command had left Bent's Fort for Santa Fe on the 3d. Kearney had lost 100 horses, and the troops were on half ration.

The California expedition was on the point of leaving New York.

Rumours were current that an agent from the Mexican Government was at Washington.

The domestic affairs of the Union continue to be unimportant. Mr. Bancroft had been appointed Minister to London. Mr. Mason had received the vacant Navy Department, and the journals mention Mr. Pickens, of South Carolina, for the French mission. Mr. M'Lane had been addressed with congratulations by the merchants of New York, and had accepted an invitation to a public dinner, to take place at some future day. The Mormons of Nauvoo were apparently in a precarious position. The Anti-Mormons were encamped in large force in the immediate vicinity of that place, and a collision appeared imminent. Numerous disasters to the shipping had taken place on the coast, and amongst other losses we note that of the Olive Branch from Briston to Boston. The New York journals state that the people of Mercer's county, Ohio, had at a meeting resolved to expel from their boundaries, by force, if necessary, the coloured people then residing in the county. Major-General Gaines had been appointed to the command of the eastern division of the United States army. A great flood had occurred in Crooked Creek, near Madison, Indiana. Much damage was caused, and six lives were lost. Mr. Pakenham was on a visit to Mr. Webster. Mr. Webster was expected to make a great speech, reviewing the course of the Administration on the Mexican war, at the public dinner to be given to him in Philadelphia about the 1^st of October. A case of yellow fever had at length occurred in New Orleans on the 1^st ult.

Our accounts from Canada are unimportant. Her Majesty's ships Vindictive and Gulnare were at Quebec. The Quebec Gazette states that the late grain crops were generally secured. The potato crop was almost ripe, and had not sustained any material injury.

Advices from Yucatan state that a forcible attempt had been made to overturn the Presidency of General Barbachan. The effort was, however, unsuccessful.

The American journals publish advices from the River Plate, containing the credentials of Mr. Hood. With the exception of this document, the intelligence given has been anticipated.

Havannah papers to the 26^th had reached Mobile. The Spanish flag had been hoisted upon the steamers Montezuma and Guadaloupe, lately of the Mexican navy. The journals publish some interesting statistics relative to the commerce of Havannah, from which we glean that--

"The number of vessels arrived at Havannah from the 1^st of January to the 22^ndof August, 1846, was 439, measuring together 92, 570^1/2 tons. Out of this number 277 were American vessels, with 61,708^1/2 tons measurement, 84 were Spanish vessels, with 13, 840 tons, and 35 English vessels, with 5,003 tons. The 43 remaining vessels were divided among 13 different nations. The number of vessels that left the port of Havannah during the same period was 442. Out of these 291 were Americans, 77 Spanish, and 33 English; the other 41 were divided also among 13 different nations. The table of exports from Matanzas from the 1^st of January to the 22d of August gives the following figures of the principal articles of exportation:--219,111^1/2 boxes of sugar, 5,521 hogsheads ditto, 618 barrels ditto, 45,179 hogsheads of molasses, and 18,907 arrobas of coffee." [CCB]

LT October 1, 1846/6B "The Military Riot Near Matamoros."

(Correspondence of Journal of Commerce. )
Washington, Monday Night.

The steam-ship M'Kim, Captain Page, arrived on the 5^th inst. at New Orleans, from Brazos Santiago, which place she left on the 2d. inst. She brought several sick volunteers and some discharged soldiers. Colonel Hayes with his Rangers had been heard from. They had scoured the country and returned to Camargo, without doing anything of note. A great riot among a company of Irish volunteers and some others took place on the night of the 31^st, at an encampment opposite Barita. Guns have been fired, and 15 or 20 men are reported to have been killed or wounded. Besides the killed or wounded seen or shown, 8 or 10 are said to have been pushed from a steam-boat (lying by the shore) overboard, and were drowned. The Colonel of the Georgia Regiment gallantly attempted, with swords and pistols in hand, to quell the riot. He shot down one man, and wounded several others.

Colonel Baker, of the 4^th Regiment of Illinois volunteers, repaired to the scene, and ordered two of his companies, A and C, to assist in quelling the fight, and went in person with 20 chosen men to the steam-boat. He commanded peace as soon as he got on board, but was attacked by the rioters, and had a desperate conflict, in which he defended himself bravely for some time against swords, bayonets, and shot, but was finally shot in the neck, the ball entering behind and passing out through his cheek or mouth.

Of the 20 men who accompanied Colonel Baker, eight were wounded, six with bayonets and two with balls. On the arrival of companies A and C, Captain Roberts, of the former, ordered his men to charge on board, and led them to the steps, where he received a severe wound from a bayonet, which entered near the shoulder blade and passed through his back. The boat was so well defended by the rioters, that the Illinoisans had to retreat, not having cartridges with them. Ammunition was soon furnished them, however, and on again approaching the boat everything was quiet. No one of the Illinois volunteers was killed, and it was thought next morning that Baker and Roberts would recover of their wounds. It was feared two privates in company C were mortally wounded.

The rioters were finally subdued, forced to surrender their arms, and placed under a strong guard, preparatory to trial by court-martial.

Alexander J. Seahorn, Illinois troops, company A, died on board the M'Kim. Several others in the same vessel were nearly dead.

Forty miles above Reynosa, on the 21^st of August, the steamboat Enterprise burst her boiler, and blew up. Five persons were killed instantly, and several wounded.

Killed--Enoch Tucker, and A. Bosnell, of Tennessee; Mr. Scaps, of Texas; Thomas Ganfrey, of New York; a cook and a stranger, names unknown.

Badly Wounded--Lieutenant Dearing, of the Louisville Legion; William A. Crook and C. B. Crook, of Tennessee; Captain Woods, William Grey, Jacob Bouridge, and Thomas Eagle, of Texas; J. C. Howard, settler, of Baltimore; Joseph Gregsby and Mr. Heckery, settlers, of the Louisiville Legions; Taylor, the pilot; Thomas Hemper, Samuel Martin, Patrick Kelley, Frank and Pallacott, deck hands, and J. F. Crank, the mate. 13 slightly wounded. On the 28^th ult. Lieutenant Dearing was out of danger. Patrick Kelley was out of his senses, and would probably die.

The First Brigade from Camargo left on the 19^th, in the direction of Monterey, under General Worth. Three steam-boats arrived at Camargo on the 21^st ult., with General Shields, M.M.O. Butler, and several colonels and majors.

Colonel Harney marched from St. Antonio (Texas), on the 23d, with 120 United States Dragoons, 500 mounted Texans, and 18 Delawares, for Monclova, Mexico. This astonished General Taylor very much, who does not like Colonel Harney's moving in advance of Wool.

General Twiggs, with the 2d Dragoons, Light Artillery, and the batteries of Captains Taylor and Ridgley, arrived at Camargo August 22.

The 1^st and 2d Regiments of Ohio Volunteers, six companies of the Louisville Legion, and the Baltimore Battalion, arrived at Camargo on the 23d. They suffered much from the want of water, but stood the fatigues of the march pretty well. One of them died on the way up from Matamoras. General Worth establishes his first depot at Seralvo; he will then go on and establish another, half way between that place and Monterey.

The steamer Rough and Ready arrived at Camargo, with Colonel Croghan, Inspector-General, and other officers on board.

The news of the revolution in Santa Anna's favour reached General Taylor's camp on the 27^th, and created a great sensation. No one knew what to think of it.

A letter dated Camargo, 20^th ult., says General Taylor would leave on September 5 for Monterey. [CCB]

LT October 9, 1846/4E Operations of the Army

(From the Washington Union. )

We are indebted to the head of one of the bureaus fo the following extracts of letters "from officers of General Taylor's command, which he thinks will be found full of interest":--

"EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM AN OFFICER OF THE ENGINEER STAFF (TOPOGRAPHICAL) WITH GENERAL TAYLOR'S ARMY."

"On the 4^th of August I received verbal orders form General Taylor, with my assistants, to accompany Colonel Garland's command for the purpose of reconnoitering the road between Matamoras and Camargo.

General Worth having been ordered to advance and establish a depot at Seralvo, he was engaged on the 19^th of August in passing the river St. Juan, as the best route is found to be by the vicinity of Mier. Lieutenants Meade and Pope have been ordered to report to him. They began their march on the 20^th inst. The command consists of about 1,000 men, inclusive of Captain Duncan's artillery.

Seralvo is at a distance of 66 miles from Camargo, and about 70 from Monterey, and is generally regardes as the half-way point. It is in a direction from Camargo W.S.W. The last portion of the road, in approaching Seralvo, is through a hilly district, and passes many small mountain streams; the mountains are distinctly visible from Seralvo.

From Camargo to Mier the road lies in the valley of the Rio Grande; it then follows up the valley of the Alamo to Seralvo, either passing by Agua Loagua or Purito Aguda.

The road over which Lietenant-Colonel Garland's command passed from Matamoras was that by Gaetano and Reynosa, as the river road was too wet and miry for heavy trains. It is called the 'upper road, ' is 17 miles longer, and is very dry weather impracticable for troops, owing to the deficiency of water. In rainy weather, or when the snow melts at the head streams, the Rio Grande rises at a great elevation, and overflows the back country. It is a topographical feature of this region worthy of note that the rivers generally rise and fall through an unusual vertical space; and it is asserted that in some instances the fluctuation reaches as much as 90 feet.

In the late flood the water was two feet deep in the plaza at Camargo; this came from the St. Juan, but it was an unusual rise, as many of the houses were destroyed by the inundation. The rise at this point was not, however, more than 30 or 35 feet.

In my reconnaissance of the 'river road, ' long after the flood was at its maximum, and had begun to subside, I found the water across the road, is various places, up to my saddle skirts. This was the back-water from the Rio Grande.

The army in the field between Seralvo and Point Isabel amounts to, volunteers and regulars, perhaps 16,000 men, the volunteers being portions of the quota from each state that has been called upon; the remainder, perhaps about 8,000 volunteers, are yet to arrive.

At Point Isabel there remains but one company, and the place is commanded by Major Gardner; it is the depot of ordnance, and the general hospital. In the vicinity of the Brazos and Barita are encamped two brigades of volunteers. At Matamoras and Fort Brown, three companies of regulars, and one regiment of volunteers.

Captain Vinton was expedited from Camargo to Mier with a small command about a fortnight since, in consequence of an irruption of the Indians, and for the protection of the inhabitants against their incursions. At Seralvo General Worth was about 1,000 strong, as before stated.

The brigade of Colonel Smith has crossed the river and is awaiting the means of transportation, to enable him to move towards Seralvo. The rest of the army are either en route towards this place, or are encamped here.

The transportation of troops from the Brazos is generally operated by steam-boats, after marching them across from the Brazos to near the mouth of the Rio Grande. The river is navigable for steamers of small class to a distance of about two miles above the mouth of the St. Juan, at which point they are arrested by rapids. A similar obstruction occurs in the St. Juan, about six miles above this place; but, overcoming this obstacle, it is said the river is navigable for 60 miles. It would almost be worth while, should the position of the army be permanent at Monterey, to take advantage of high water in the river to get a boat above rapids, which I presume might be effected; it would be a vast economy of transportation.

It is understood that it is the wish of General Taylor to advance upon Monterey, but that he is delayed by the necessary arrangements for depots of various kinds, and the throwing forward of the necessary munitions; or, in a work, in perfecting his line of communications. The difficulties encountered in operations of this nature seem to be very formidable, for very little reliance is placed upon the resources of the territory in which we are engaged; and it is difficult to procure any supplies from the inhabitants, who are utterly thriftless and lazy, and who require for the little they do supply the most extravagant prices. We pass through a country richly provided with grass, and covered with herds of thriving cattle, yet they supply the camp with fodder, beef, milk, &c., at a price far exceeding what it can be purchased for in the most populous cities of the United States.

Such a people can obviously never meet us in battle with success; they will abandon the field, though their numbers should triple our own.

From news received this morning, the force at Monterey consists of about 6,000 men, of whom about 2,000 are regulars, being the remains of the army defeated on the 8^th and 9^th of May. They have likewise a force in advance of Monterey of about 700 Cavalry (at Cadarna, 25 miles from Monterey). The informant represents them as well prepared for action, and states that the horses are in miserable condition.

They have at Monterey two pieces of artillery, 24 pounders, and four of small caliber; he states they are fortifying, but that their works and not in a state of completion.

General Taylor received the news last evening of the movement, without orders, of Lieutenant-Colonel Harney from San Antonio towards Monclova; it is now almost a month since he set out upon the expedition.

Under existing circumstances, it is believed that General Taylor will make the utmost exertion to reach Monterey, and it is believed that no resistance will be made of any moment to the entrance of his army. The person who brings this intelligence asserts that the people of Monterey and the country adjacent are anxious for the arrival of the Americans.

The station of my camp has been determined by me. I find it in latitude 26 degrees 20, 01.8; about one-third of a mile north of the Plaza. I regret extremely that I have not the means of determining longitudes; it would be one of the best means of verifying our reconnaissances, and establishing geographical points." [CCB]

LT October 7, 1846/5F "State of Affairs in Mexico."

(From our own correspondent. )
Mexico, August 29.

The political scene here has again changed. The outlawed Santa Anna has returned, and is called to the head of affairs; while Paredes, who so lately ruled the destinies of Mexico, is a prisoner in the castle of Perote. The alliance of Paredes with the monarchial party, and his persecution of the press (even here an engine of power) caused the formation of a strong coalition against him, and the misfortunes experienced in the campaign against the Americans deprived him of the little influence which, as a soldier, he still retained. The army (irregularly paid) shared the discontent of the people, while the friends of Santa Anna laboured incessantly to increase the embarrassments of Government. The military force concentrated here was, however, put in motion for the north, and General Paredes, with the rear guard, composed of troops on which he relied, was preparing to follow, leaving General Bravo, as Vice President, at the head of Government; when, on the morning of the 4^th, General Salas, with about 1,000 men, chiefly cavalry, quartered in the citadel hoisted the standard of revolt, proclaiming the recall of Santa Anna, and the reconstitution of the Government on democratic principles. With the name of Salas (hitherto rather an obscure one) is associated, in this revolution, that of Valentin Gomez Farias, the man of the people, half whose life has been passed in prisons, in hiding places, and in exile, the result of his systematic opposition to almost every government which has existed here. In 1833 he was Vice President, and for a short time acting President of the Republic, of which he availed himself to carry his favourite theories into practice, and effected the abolition of the civil obligation to pay tithes, a measure which has naturally made the church his irreconcilable foe. Then it was that the Centralists, uniting the Santa Anna, overturned the Federal Republic, and compelled Gomez Farias to fly for safety in to the United States. He has since reappeared at intervals, like the messenger of the storm, whenever a popular insurrection was at hand, but with invariably bad success. Nothing daunted, he again enters the arena, and lays all personal feeling so completely aside to join the military in recalling Santa Anna, on the condition of return to the federal form of Government. In this alliance both parties probably set with, duplicity; the military, believing that with Santa Anna at their head there will be no necessity to keep faith with the Liberals; and Gomez Farias, confiding that the people, once more in the exercise of power, will use it to the destruction of the army, which he detests.

On the announcement of this revolution, General Bravo refused to surrender, though with inferior numbers and no artillery he could not hope to offer an effectual resistance. The days of the 4^th and 5^th were passed here in a gloomy uncertainty, of all the shops being closed, and anarchy apparently at hand. On the night of the 5^th, Paredes left the city with a guard of 40 Lancers; but the revolters having timely notice of his movements immediately sent a larger body in pursuit, who effected his capture without resistance, and consigned him to a prison in the citadel, there to meditate on the instability of fortune. During the night Salas advanced his forces in all directions towards the palace, and in the morning it was announced that Bravo had submitted, without any stipulation in favour of Paredes, or, indeed, of any sort, except that of a guard of honour for himself. In this movement the moderate Liberals took no part, the breach between their leaders Gomez-Pedraza, and Santa Anna being still unhealed. Intelligence of the revolution being communicated to the army on their march to the north, it met their immediate concurrence. But the civil authorities in the departments have shown no haste to adopt it. Their recollection of Santa Anna's tyranny, venality, and profound hypocrisy is still too recent to permit their desiring his presence, or feeling any confidence in his promises. However, they offer no resistance, and appear inclined to wait the course of events, with the consolatory reflection that nothing in Mexico, good or bad, can, by any possibility, be lasting. On the 16^th, Santa Anna landed at Vera Cruz, having come from the Havana in a private steamer (the Arab), hired from an enterprising Irishman, who seems always to have a steamer on sale or charter some where in the Gulf. His reception, except by the military, was cold, and he has since lingered at his estate, the Encero, in no hurry apparently to assume the reins of government. He has published a manifesto, in which he reviews his own political career, and takes credit for the most patriotic intentions, though he admits having entertained mistaken opinions. He now sees no safety for the country except in a return to the purest democracy. His oldest friends, the Conservatives, are dismissed with contempt, and he seizes the occasion to have a sneer at the church. "Habits of passive obedience, " says he, "are no more, and if a religious feeling still exists time has mined the political power of the directors of consciences." He professes the utmost horror of a dictatorship, and at his suggestion the Federal Constitution of 1824 is declared in force, until a popular Congress shall reconstitute the country.

While "the great Mexican family, " as they delight to call themselves, are performing this wretched farce, the Anglo-Americans are appropriating whole provinces of their territory without resistance. New Mexico is already invaded by a strong body of adventurers; Chihuahua, one of the riches districts of the north, will soon share the same fate; and at Monterey, on the Pacific, Commodore Sloat has "annexed" California to the United States by a simple proclamation. At Matamoros, General Taylor has found his most formidable enemy in the heavy rains, which have rendered the roads to the capital of Nuevo Leon impassable to his wagons and artillery. When the rains cease, Commodore Connor will probably attack Vera Cruz and Tampico. It has been ordered at Washington, that in the Mexican ports occupied by the forces of the United States, American manufactures only, or foreign goods which have been nationalized by the payment of duty in the United States, shall be admitted, the latter to be conveyed to this country in American bottoms. As a natural consequence of these disorders, commercial affairs here are wholly prostrate. The conductas of silver, appointed to leave Zacatecas and Guanaxuato early in next month, will probably be deferred, both from the want of a sufficient escort, and from the uncertain position of Tampico, already threatened by an American corps detached form Matamoros. From the circumstance of Santa Anna's being allowed to enter Vera Cruz notwithstanding the blockade, it was supposed that an understanding existed between him and the Americans, which might lead to peace; but "his voice is still for war, " and with matchless assurance he promises to present Congress with laurels gathered on the banks of the Sabine, thus pledging himself to the reconquest of all Texas. The United States' bring of war, Truxton, has been lost off the bar of Tuxpan. The officers and crew are prisoners in the hands of the Mexicans, and are said to be well treated. I subjoin the proclamation of the Commodore Sloat:--

"Inhabitants of California, --The Central Government of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United States of America, by invading their territory, and attacking their troops on the northern side of the Rio Grande, with a force composed of 7,000 men, under the command of General Arista, which army was totally destroyed, and all its artillery, baggage, &c., taken by 2,300 men under General Taylor on the 8^th and 9^th of May last, and the city of Matamoras occupied by the forces of the United States; the two nations being consequently at war, I shall immediately hoist the flag of the United States in Monterey, and carry it through the whole of California. I declare to the inhabitants, that though supported by a powerful force, I do not come amongst them as an enemy to California, on the contrary, as their best friend, for in future California will form part of the United States, and its peaceful inhabitants will enjoy the same rights and privileges as the citizens of any other portion of that nation, equally with those which they at present possess, including that of electing their own magistrates, and other officers for the administration of justice amongst themselves, and the same protection will be given to them as to any other state of the union. They will also possess a permanent government under which life, property, constitutional rights, and the legal privilege to adore the Creator in the mode most congenial to the belief of each will be secured--advantages which the Central Government of Mexico unfortunately cannot offer, destroyed as its resources are by internal factions and corrupt functionaries, who excite continual revolutions in order to advance their own interests, and oppress the people. Under the flag of the United States, California will be free from those sufferings and exactions, and will consequently advance rapidly both in agriculture and commerce, for the same fiscal laws will rule there as in other parts of the United States, allowing the introduction of the manufactures of the States free of duty, and foreign manufactures at one-fourth of what they now pay. A considerable rise will take place in the value of land, and of the productions of California, the country cannot fail to improve more rapidly than any other on the American continent. To those inhabitants of California, natives or foreigners, who may not be inclined to accept the high privilege of citizenship, and to live peaceably under the free government of the United States, time will be given to dispose of their property, and to leave the country, if they desire it, free from all restriction, or they may remain in it, observing a strict neutrality. With entire confidence in the honour and integrity of the inhabitants, I invite the judges, magistrates, and other civil officers to retain their appointments, and continue to perform their functions as hitherto for the maintenance of public tranquility, at least until the government of the territory shall be more exactly settled. All parties having titles to lands, or being in quite possession of such with a colour of rights, shall be guaranteed in the possession of those rights and titles. All the churches, and the property attached to them, in the hands of the clergy of California will retain the same rights as hitherto. All provisions and supplies furnished to the ships and troops of the United States will be paid for at fair prices, and no private property shall be applied to the public service without previous just compensation.

John Sloat
Commander-in-Chief of the Naval Forces of the United States in the Pacific. On board the United States ship Savannah, in the port of Monterey, July 6, 1846." [CCB]

LT October 13, 1846/6C Money-Market and City Intelligence

Monday Evening.

The rumours that the Mexican Government had repudiated the bonds created by the new conversation, when more extensively spread, took the public completely by surprise, and they were unwilling to believe in a change so formidable. Hence, though there was a fall of nearly 1 per cent. in the course of the day, there was a constant disposition to rally, which might be looked upon as the measure of public incredulity.

On investigation, however, it turns out that the rumours in question are no idle fancies. Copies of the despatch addressed by the Mexican Government to Mr. Murphy, and brought to the latter by Senor Gomez Farias, the younger, are in the city, and these clearly show that all that has been said on the subject of Mexican repudiation has fallen short of, rather than exaggerated the truth. According to that document, the new Government has actually repudiated the new bonds, and does not contemplate any reparation to the bondholders, who have parted with their former securities. The despatch declares that the creditors had sufficient means to examine into the powers by which the conversion was made; and that if they did not use the facilities afforded them, they must put up with the consequences.

The Mexican bondholders will clearly remember that a plan for converting the debt was put forward before the one on which the present bonds are founded, and was rejected, on the ground that it was too disadvantageous to the holders of the deferred stock. Very shortly after this another plan was brought forward, which was accepted, and which was the plan now in operation. At the time when the matter was under discussion many cautious holders were unwilling to accept the new scheme, thinking that it had made its appearance too soon after the rejection of the preceding one, and that it was a strange proceeding on the part of the Mexican Government to have a succession of decrees at hand, so as to be ready with a second as soon as the first had failed.

This is the point taken up by the despatch, which describes the rejected plan as authorized by the Mexican Government, but the second plan as emanating from Mr. Murphy alone, without any authority from the republic. It is merely an affair of his own, with which Mexico has nothing to do.

The case then, after inspection of the despatch, looks infinitely worse for the bondholders than it did while the story was the subject of mere rumour. The repudiation by a Government of the acts of its predecessor was so utterly monstrous that it seemed an impossibility; but now it appears that the new Government does not repudiate the bonds because created under the overthrown Paredes, but because they were made by the act of an agent who had no authority to make them. What will be done in such a state of things it is impossible to conjecture.

It is to be repeated that copies of the despatch are in existence in the city, in spite of all assertions to the contrary, and in all probability its official publication in a day or two will open the eyes of those who utter doubts on the subject.

The English securities have fluctuated very little indeed, but the market left off a shade lower than at the commencement of business. The opening of bank Stock and Reduced Three per Cents. Increased dealings in the market, though quotations were not improve by the change. Bank Stock left off at 206 to 207 ex div. ; Three per Cents. Reduced, 94^1/2 to ^1/4 ex div. ; Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 96 to ^1/2 ex. div; Long Annuities, 9 ex div. ; India Bonds, 28s. pm. ; Consols, for money and the account, 95 to ^1/2 and Exchequer-bills, 15s. to 18s. pm.

In foreign market there was not much done, excepting the operations in Mexican, which fluctuated between 22^1/2 and 24^1/4. The last bargain done was at 24. The other dealings of the day were--Granada, a 21^1/4; Portuguese Four per Cents., for the account, at 41^1/4; Russian, at 110^1/2; Spanish Fiver per Cents., for the account, at 26^1/2; the Deferred, at 17; the Three per Cents., for the account at 37^1/2; Belgian Two-and-a-Half per Cents., at 59; ditto Four per Cent. Certificates, at 92^1/4 for money, and at 92 for the account.

The general impression that the Bank of England would this day commence paying the October dividends to the public has proved erroneous, being founded on a wrong construction of an alternation lately made by the Bank of England. To understand this it is necessary to describe the general practice of that institution.

The dividends on the public securities are usually paid three days after they fall due--that is to say--

Those due on the 5^th of January are paid on the 8^th.
-- --5^th of April -- --8^th.
-- --5^th of July -- --8^th.
-- --10^th of October -- --13^th.

The two days following that on which the dividend becomes due are occupied in delivering the warrants to bankers and others, and on the third day the public receive their warrants, and their money also. If a Sunday intervened between the actual quarter-day and the third day, the two days occupied in delivering the warrants to the bankers, &c., caused the public day to fall one day later--that is to say, the payments were made on the 9^th of January, April, and July, and on the 14^th of October. It has, however, occasionally happened, that applications have been made in the October quarter to pay the dividends on the third day, notwithstanding the intervention of the Sunday, and in case of compliance the bankers receive their warrants one day earlier. This was the case in the present quarter, the bankers beginning to receive their warrants on the 10^th, Saturday, on actual quarter day, and the public beginning to receive their money to morrow.

The papers from the Cape of Good Hope received to-day furnish no very important intelligence. The success of the English troops against the native tribes remains unquestioned, and the active exertion so f Sir A. Stockenatrom and Colonel Somerset will, before long, bring hostilities to a termination. The recovery of several thousand head of cattle, carried away by the depredators, is one the most interesting items in the intelligence coming to hand by this opportunity. [CCB]

LT October 15, 1846/6A Money-Market And City Intelligence

Wednesday Evening.

The news of the rejection by Mexico of the proposals for peace by the United States, published in the second edition of The Times, came with considerable weight upon the Mexican market, already weakened by the strong doubts concerning the new conversion scheme. The fall in prices was about ^1/2 per cent.

In attempting to impugn the validity of the despatch brought to this country by Senor Gomez Farais, the younger, some persons have remarked that Santa Anna not having actually assumed authority at the date of the last advices from Mexico, he could not have formed a Ministry, and consequently that Senor Gomez Farias, the elder, cannot legitimately hold the financial department.

These remarks, as far as we can collect information of the subject, evince a misunderstanding as to the present political state of Mexico. The Government of which Senor Gomez Farias is a member is a provisional one, not depending on Santa Anna for appointment; but, on the contrary, representing that party by whom he is recalled. From the date of Paredes's overthrow to that of Santa Anna's official assumption of power (of which latter event there are as yet no advices), this provisional Government is the only authority in Mexico. That authority may have been violently assumed, but so also was the power of Paredes, and it will be rather inconsistent for those who admit the one to reject the other without consideration.

The list of the provisional Government is as follows:--

General Salas, Head of the Executive.
Senor Rejon, Foreign Affairs.
Senor Gomez Farias, Finance.
Senor J. R. Pacheco, Justice.
Senor Almonte, War and Marine.

In all probability General Santa Anna entered on office on the 3d of September last, and from all that can be heard respecting his views, there is no reason to believe that he in any way dissents from the proceedings of the provisional Government.

In the dispatch which has created so much noise within the last few days, is a clause ordering Mr. Murphy to publish it immediately. The bondholders, who are in the greatest state of uncertainty, knowing the existence of the despatch, and seeing no official copy of it, are most anxious that Mr. Murphy should comply with this order of the provisional Government, or, at any rate, make some statement on the subject. The fact that Messrs. Schneider deny the receipt of any official information as to the mission of Senor Gomez Farias is not enough to counteract the effect of a document which is circulated in the city, and which announces the repudiation of the new bonds, and the removal of Mr. Murphy from office.

The settlement in the English market has turned out rather unfortunately for those speculating for the rise, a decline of about ^1/2 per cent. having occurred in Console. This is a great contrast to the appearance of the market yesterday, when everything was looking firm, and is attributed to heavy sales made by a leading house, and to the failure of a party who is a principle member of what is called the "New Stock Exchange." Although this party has, of course, no connexion with the Stock Exchange properly so called, the large amount of 150,000, stock which, it is said, was thrown upon the market, could not fail to produce a depressing effect. The last quotation of Consols is 94 to 5 for money, and 95 to ^1/4 for the account. Reduced are marked 94 ex div. ; new Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 95 ex div. ; Bank Stock, 205^1/2 to 6 ^1/2 ex div. ; Long Annuities, 9 5-16; India Bonds, 25s. pm. ; and Exchequer-bills, 15s. to 17s. pm.

With the exception of the business in Mexican, there was very little passing in the foreign market. The last actual bargains were--Buenos Aires, 45; Portuguese, 41^3/4; Russian, 110^1/2; Spanish Five per Cents., for the account, 26^3/4; Venezuela, 42^1/4; and Dutch Four per Cents., certificates, 91^3/4. Mexican were quoted at the close of the day 22^3/4 to 23^1/4.

According to the Gazette of yesterday, the sum to be employed by the National Debt Commissioners during the quarter between the 12^th inst. and the 5^th of January next is 705,118, 3s, 4d. Of this sum 650,000 is to be appropriated to the redemption of the deficiency bills, and the rest to the purchase of stock.

The following memorial, which has been signed by upwards of 140 of the bankers, merchants, and manufacturers of Birmingham, is shortly to be presented to the Postmaster-General:--

"To the most noble the Marquis of Clanicarde, Postmaster-General."

"We, the undersigned bankers, merchants, manufacturers, and others, of Birmingham and its vicinity, beg leave respectfully to represent that, notwithstanding the alteration of the day mail, one post is still needlessly lost in their foreign correspondence, and therefore suggest, that instead of being despatched at 9 o'clock in the morning as at present, a bag may be forwarded from the Birmingham Post office by as late a train in the afternoon as possible, in order to be in time to go out by the foreign mails of the same night from London." [CCB]

LT October 16, 1846/5e The Mexican War

The New Orleans papers have accounts from Vera Cruz to the evening of Aug. 3, and from Anton Lizardo to the 6^th, by the arrival of the British steam-brig Arab, which conveyed Santa Anna from Havannah to Vera Cruz. We extract principally from the Picayune and Delta:--

"The most important news by the Arab touches the arrival of Santa Anna at Vera Cruz. On this point we are able to speak with authority from Mr. O'Neil, one of the owners of the Arab, who made the voyage from Havannah with Santa Anna. The General had previously assured Mr. O'Neil that there would be no occasion to run the blockade; that the vessel would be allowed to enter without any difficulty. When the Arab arrived off Vera Cruz they descried he St. Mary, and the Arab immediately bore up for her. The St. Mary sent a boat to the Arab, with the First Lieutenant on board. Upon reaching her he encountered General Almonte, whom he recognized, and with whom he exchanged salutations. By General Almonte the Lieutenant was conducted to General Santa Anna, who was lying in his berth, quite ill. Then a short interview took place, and when he repaired on deck he gave to the owners permission to pass the blockade.

An account received by a commercial house represents that the suite of Santa Anna evinced much emotion and even alarm when boarded, but that the General himself was perfectly calm, and apparently expected the visit. It is added that the General delivered a letter to the officer who boarded the boat, which produced at one the desired effect.

Recurring again to Mr. O'Neil's communication to us, we learn, that when Santa Anna landed he was received by a few friends, that the reception was not public, and that it was not marked by much enthusiasm. Santa Anna himself was evidently disappointed by the reception given to him. His health continued infirm up to the time of the departure of the Arab. He was able, however, after his arrival to entertain at a public dinner at the palace in Vera Cruz a large number of civil dignitaries and military officers. At the dinner a more favourable disposition was manifested towards the General, and there was some appearance of enthusiasm. Subsequently, on his way to the capital, he stopped at his hacienda (El Encerro), in the vicinity of Jalapa, where he remained up to the latest accounts received from him. He would leave there for the city of Mexico at the very earliest moment his health would permit.

That his presence in the field may be urgently required is manifest from another important fact which we learn by this arrival. The army stationed at San Luis Potosi has declared again in favour of Paredes! Paredes, by the way, is a prisoner in the Castle of Perete, as was rumoured when the Daring left Vera Cruz. The declaration of the army at San Luis in favour of Paredes was generally believed in the city of Mexico when Mr. O'Neil left there, and we learn by a commercial letter from Vera Cruz that it was also fully credited there.

Mr. O'Neil represents that it is extremely difficult to arrive at any conclusion as to the state of popular feeling in regard to the different aspirants for power in Mexico. Among commercial men, and, in fact, among all classes not immediately connected with the military, the utmost apathy and indifference appear to reign.

Santa Anna is surrounded by a large military force strongly attached to his interests, and detached bodies of troops occupy positions on the route from Jalapa to the city of Mexico. General Almonte is at the capital, and is now Minister of War and Mexico. No further change had taken place in the state of affairs in the city of Mexico since our last advices, and things were apparently quiet, though pronunciamientos were daily issued from the different bureaus I rapid succession, as meaningless as such Mexican documents generally are. Santa Anna was daily expected at the capital, and preparations on a grand scale were making there, and all along the route to Jalapa, to receive him.

The war with the United States did not appear, so far as Mr. O'Neil had an opportunity of observing, to create that excitement among the people which one would naturally think would be the result of the presence of a powerful and victorious army marching into the very heart of their country.

The following is the proclamation issued by Santa Anna to the troops of San Juan de Ulloa, upon the first arrival:--

Brethren in Arms!--Your generous call having reached me in my exile, I could no longer be indifferent to it, seeing that it was but an echo of the solicitations made for my return from other departments. Your conduct, brethren in arms, has been noble--patriotic.

The joy which I feel, my friends, in finding myself once more among you is unbounded. Relying on your patriotism and virtue, I hurried to join you as soon as it was possible for me to do so; and I am now here for the purpose of co-operating with you in working out the salvation of the republic, and raising it from the ignominious position to which it has been reduced by treason and imbecility. Never, perhaps, before have we brandished our swords in a cause more noble. True, everything is destroyed; but we, with a proper spirit, and aided by the Mexican people, can everything create.

Soldiers of the Republic! a proud and noble sentiment animated me when the happiness was mine to lead you to the battle-field against the foreign enemies of our country. With feelings similar I appear again at this moment, to defend the sacred rights of nationality. We will cause our insulted eagles to rise victorious in the midst of the combat; the nation shall be tenfold vindicated for the numerous outrages she has sustained, and we shall exact for her that respect which of right she merits. In this enterprise, brother soldiers, the glory that awaits us is immense! Be then as you have always been brave, subordinate, patient. And, doubt it not, the mission which Providence has assigned us we will consummate with the happiest success.

Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
Heroic Vera Cruz, August 16, 1846. San Juan de Ulloa.

An officer on board the United States schooner Petrel, off Vera Cruz, August 28, writes to the Philadelphia Ledger as follows:--

"If I can judge correctly I would say Mexico could not hold out long in a state of war. Her coast is completely blockaded by our cruisers. Her commerce, and ever her coasting trade, entirely done up; consequently no revenue from Custom-house receipts. As to a squadron attacking the castle of Vera Cruz with any degree of success, it is out of the question. I had a talk the other day with an English officer who had been through the fortress. He says it is in the most complete state of defence. They have the means of heating 1,000 42-pound shot red hot in one hour and 15 minutes, which is about as fast as they could fire them. This officer thought if he had the command of the castle, with 1,500 British gunners, that he would defy the whole British navy. My opinion is, that they could cut ships in pieces as fast as they neared the castle. If this is its condition of strength and efficiency, it would cost very dear in the attempt to carry it. They were suffering with sickness--yellow fever in the castle and the city--and very much in consequence of the blockade.

Report comes from shore that an armistice is asked for by the Mexican Government. Some of the crews of the vessels of the squadron are suffering the scurvy. They must soon return to Pensacola, or the vessels will be in a bad way with sickly crews, for the want of fresh provisions and vegetables." [CCB]

LT October 21, 1846. 3A. Money-Market and City Intelligence

The premium on gold at Paris is 16 permille, which, at the English Mint price of 3 17s. 10^1/2d. per ounce for standard goal, gives an exchange of 25.55; and the exchange at Paris on London at short being 25.70, it follows that gold is .58 per cent. dearer in London than in Paris.

By advices from Hamburgh the price of gold is 434 per mark, which, at the English Mint price 3 17s. 10^1/2d. per ounce of standard gold, gives an exchange of 13.9^1/2; and the exchange at Hamburgh on London at short being 13.9, it follows that gold is .11 per cent. dearer in London than in Hamburgh.

The English funds remain precisely the same as yesterday, and very little business has been transacted. The operations of the day in most respects--whether considered in reference to bargains in Consols or in foreign securities--have been of a most insignificant character. Consols for money left off this afternoon at 94 to 95; and for the account, 95 to ^1/4. Bank Stock was last quoted 205^1/2 to 206^1/2; Three per Cents. Reduced closed at 93 to 94; Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 95 to ^3/4; Long Annuities, 9 15-16; India Stock, 257^1/2 to 259^1/2; south Sea New Annuities, 94^1/2; and Exchequer-bills. 13s. to 16s. pm.

In the foreign market the transactions included Brazilian at 86^1/2; Danish, at 87; Mexican, for the account, at 42; Spanish Five per Cents., at 26; Passives, at 5^3/4; Three per Cents., at 37; Dutch Two-and-a-Half per Cents., at 58; and the Four per Cent. Certificates, at 92.

In the foreign exchanges the rates for bills upon Holland were again depressed, as were also those for Belgium. The prices for other places remained much the sane as last post.

Some days ago we had occasion to notice the dissatisfaction felt by the shareholders of a project called the "Great Eastern and Western Railway, " at the refusal of the directors to allow an investigation into the company's affairs. Yesterday, at the London Tavern, a number of shareholders assembled to express this feeling, Mr. Maubert taking the chair. He read a letter which he had addressed to the chairman of the company, and in which he had stated his willingness to accept 15s. per share on his shares and give up all further claims, provided an inspection of the books and accounts were allowed, and a report made to the shareholders of the proceedings of the company. This letter, which yielded a most important point, for the shareholders insist that the directors, by their own agreement, are bound to give them far more than the 15s., was dated on the 12^th inst., and no reply had yet been received. Mr. Maubert commenting on the conduct of the directors observed, that there could be no security in any transactions if men of high standing in society, after entering into engagements with the public, are allowed to come forward and repudiate them. Resolutions were passed reprobating the conduct of the directors and appointing a committee on behalf of the shareholders.

At last the long expected communication from Mr. Murphy, which was to set at rest all uneasiness created by Senor Gomez Farias' despatch in the minds of the bondholders, has made its appearance. The second enclosed document, which is the most important one, is of formidable length, and we cannot abstain from a wish that brevity had been rather more consulted; but, so great is the anxiety of the creditors on this subject, and so curious is the position in which the Mexican debt has been placed since the arrival of Senor Gomez Farias; that we cannot do otherwise than give it entire. At present we publish it without comment, since it is of itself quite sufficient for our readers' digestion, but we have no doubt, that when it has been considered over a little, it will e found a fruitful source of controversy. [CCB]

LT 10/31/1846 8b "The Military Capacity of the United States"

The brilliant victory has been achieved in the three days' fighting at Monterey, by our regular and volunteer soldiers, in the face of a foe twice their number, and a foe, too, whose martial character has hitherto been misunderstood and underrated, is well calculated to warm the heart of the patriot at home, and produce respect and reverence for us among foreigners. In the first two battles that the United States has been engaged in since the last war with Great Britain, our little army of regulars, numbering only some 1,500, engaged with an enemy numbering 6,000, and in the face of such tremendous odds routed them at the point of the bayonet, and won a victory that will brighten the page of our country's history. In the battle that has recently taken place, our army of regulars and volunteers, numbering under 6,000, marched to within 1,400 yards of the enemy's stronghold, and after a succession of battles that were fought with the greatest bravery and fierceness on both sides, they completely defeated the enemy, that in numbers were double, and in bravery almost equal to themselves. When it is considered that the men who behaved themselves so gallantly on these occasions, were drawn promiscuously from all parts of our extended country-were strangers to each other till the time when they met at the rendezvous to take up arms in defence of their country's honour, and never had heard the roar of canon or the rattling of firearms except on the 4^thof July, we have great reason to be proud of their prowess in time of danger, and the reliance we can place in our countrymen's courage and ability to defend to the death the free institutions that their patriotic sires bequeathed to them, whenever endangered by foreign or domestic enemies. European nations, and even the Mexicans themselves, forgetful of the past deeds that were performed by our soldiers, and the battles that were won by them over the veterans of the old world, have nursed the idea, and expressed it on all occasions, that in time of danger we would be an easy conquest, because no reliance could be placed on citizens who were unaccustomed to the use of arms, and who, from the very nature of our institutions, would be unwilling to submit to the rigour and restraint of military discipline. Such reflections as these have been indulged in by foreigners, and the very name of militia and volunteer has been associated with mobs and ragged solders. Time, however, the great solver of all problems, has solved this, and proved to the world that American citizens, whether regulars or volunteers, when in the service of their country, make the best of soldiers-submit with hearty goodwill to the regulations of the profession they have temporarily adopted, and are on all occasions capable of maintaining and defending the national honour, and chastising its enemies, whether they be Mexicans or Europeans. What more triumphant proof could be had of the falsity of the predictions that have been promulgated by the English, regarding the materiel of our citizen soldiers, than the scenes that occurred in Monterey? There our volunteers covered themselves with glory. Invaders as they were, but in a just cause, they attacked the enemy by his fireside-by his own hearth, which the greatest coward living will defend to the last, and in spite of the disadvantages of their position they maintained a combat in the streets of that city, boldly resisted the destructive discharges of musketry from their unseen and protected foe, and finally, with the loss of many of their brave comrades, boldly carried the city, and obtained a decisive victory. The enemy, in this case, were not composed of half-civilized Sikhs, who knew nothing, comparatively, of the modern improvements in war, but of men who have proved themselves in every respect capable of fighting, and equal to our own troops, except in courage and patriotism, and whose last hope was centered in the [result of the day. -New York Herald [WWF]

LT November 6, 1846/4c "Mexican War"

We have received by our ordinary express the Paris journals of Wednesday.

The Journal des Debats publishes a severe critique on the plan of the campaign adopted by President Polk against Mexico, which it regards as a revenge taken by the President for the concession which he was compelled to make to the British Government on the Oregon question. "He was persuaded," says the Journal des Debats, "That the invasion of California would be attended with no difficulty, that the first ship which should arrive before Monterey would take possession of it without firing a shot, and that the same consequence would follow at the harbour of San Francisco, which was destitute of fortifications. Those two positions being captured, it was supposed that the Mexican Government, which is incapable of recapturing them, and which, as to its finances, is at the last gasp, would yield what it had lost for a consideration of some million plasters paid into its empty treasury. The success was considered infallible. This proceeding was not honest, it was even an unjustifiable larceny; nevertheless it was useful, not to the prosperity of the United States, which have no need of an extension of territory, but to their influence on the Pacific Ocean, and still more to the popularity of Mr. Polk, for this was a magnificent application of the ideas of General Jackson, of whom Mr. Polk is the heir. Unfortunately this fine plan which, if it had not justice with it, had the merit of infallible success had it been conducted with wisdom, was joined with two accessories, on one of which no person knows why Mr. Polk would insist, and it became the principal. First, he dispatched a body of troops against New Mexico, a widely extended but not well inhabited province. It was that which, commanded by General Kearsey, captured Santa Fe, the capital of the province, after a march through the desert, where he published a proclamation, announcing to the scanty population that they were become citizens of the United States. Of what utility could this region, placed in the middle of the continent, be to the United States? It contains a superficies of 27,000,000 acres, more than the fifth of France; but the United States possess twenty times a greater quantity of excellent land still uncultivated in the valley of the Mississippi, or the Missouri, or in Texas. Secondly, and this was Mr. Polk's great fault, he sent an invading army into Mexico on the side of the Rio Grande. To colour the violence offered to the tottering Government of Mexico, a grievance was imagined relative to a strip of land between the Rio Nueces and the Rio Grande, which had belonged to the insurgent Texians, which was manifestly false, and which it was said the Mexicans retained contrary to justice. But once Maramoros conquered, the Americans were in possession of the disputed territory. Why, then, advance an army, first to Camargo and subsequently to Monterey? Monterey is 300 leagues distant from Mexico by the high road. It is separated from it by a country without means of communication and without resources. This, therefore, is not the side at which Mexico is vulnerable. This campaign in the interior of the country, whatever valour may be displayed by General Taylor and his troops, is an unskillful operation, and must become extremely embarrassing. Mr. Polk and his counselors cannot but have perceived this, and they regret having advanced on that side; but to recall General Taylor, at present, would be to cover themselves with confusion in the eyes of their political adversaries and in the eyes of the multitude, whom they have inspired with a fatal passion for military glory. It would be a retreat which would be translated into a defeat. The Mexicans would be persuaded that they had beaten the Americans, and it would be no longer possible to induce them to cede California. Thus, the Cabinet of Washington can neither advance nor recede. Nevertheless the invading army costs dreadfully dear. The American democracy when called upon to pay return to their natural good sense. The President is anxious therefore to conclude the war, and he relies upon an indemnity from the Congress, if he can offer them the definitive surrender by the Mexicans of California and the port of San Francisco. This explains the orders sent to General Taylor to give notice of the rupture of the armistice agreed to with the Mexican General Ampudia, although it is a violation of a convention which was fully executed by the Mexicans. "The Journal des Debats concludes by observing that "public opinion appears to be shaken in the United States. The most eminent men are unanimous in blaming the enterprise of President Polk. He is accused of having assumed the right of making peace and declaring war, which he should not exercise except in common with the Congress. The proclamations of General Kearney to the inhabitants of New Mexico appeared monstrous. In fact, this officer, on his private authority, declared to them, that they were annexed to the United States. Are not those the manners of a pro-consul? What! a simple brigadier-general can impose on his fellow-citizens the charge of a vast province, which requires to be defended against savages!The President is not invested with such a power, and he cannot therefore delegate it." [WWF]

LT November 6, 1846/5c "The Affairs of Mexico"

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. )
MEXICO, Sept. 29.

The incapacity of this country to maintain the war with the United States is becoming daily more apparent, but still no disposition is shown to treat for peace. Immediately after the departure of the last packet mail it was know that the American Government, supposing that of Mexico sufficiently humbled, had offered to negotiate; but the only reply given was, that the communication would be laid before Congress, to assemble on the 6^th of December next. It is understood that a similar answer has been returned to an offer of mediation between the belligerents on the part of Her Majesty's Government. General Salas, the creature of Santa Anna, continues at the head of the Government, and Gomez Farias, with the title of Minister of Finance, apparently shared the supreme power until Santa Anna, who had been watching the course of events from his estate near Jalapa, found it necessary to comply with the wishes of his adherents, and present himself here. He made his public entry while the rejoicings for the anniversary of the declaration of independence were in progress, this popular fete being thus ingeniously made to serve a double purpose, without giving his return the appearance of a personal triumph, He has declined to assume the presidency of the Executive, reserving to himself the command of the army, the true source of power in Mexico, and devotes himself to military preparations, nominally to oppose his own power. He is obliged, however, to proceed with caution. Obstacles which he would once have spurned with contempt are now formidable. The terror attached to his name is no more, and there probably are moments when he sees cause to regret his peaceful retreat at the Havannah. The want of money is of course his great difficulty; and, though he has contrived to get rid of an inconvenient Mentor by making Gomez Farias President of the Council, and substituting his own follower Don Antonio Haro y Tamariz, as Minister of Finance, the sinews of war are not forthcoming. The church has been appealed to for aid, and threats as well as supplications have been used, but with only partial effect, the clerical body protesting that their property cannot be alienated without the express consent of the Pope, and threatening, in their turn, to close the churches if violence should be used against them. The opinions of Gomez Farias (an enthusiast of the wildest description) are in favour of such extreme measures as were adopted during the French revolution; and an article actually appeared in the Government paper inciting the populace to the plunder of the wealthy classes; but the Government itself is weak, and as yet has not even attempted the expedient, common at former periods, of levying a forced loan. Overtures of rather a novel kind have been made to the foreign merchants. On condition of their advancing a loan of $500,000 to Government, it was proposed that at the conclusion of the blockade the cotton goods now prohibited should be admitted at a low duty, and the tariff generally reduced about 30 per cent., these advantages to be limited in the first instance to the parties lending the money, and on their being reimbursed to become general, the Government engaging not to augment the reduced tariff for eight years. This scheme shows the extreme necessities of the Government, but has not been accepted, chiefly from the conviction that with the Americans on the Rio Bravo the reduction of the present Mexican tariff will become inevitable. [WWF]

LT November 6, 1846/6c "New Mexico Annexed to US"

New Mexico has been annexed to the United States, without a shot being fired. 2,000 men, assembled by General Armijo for the defence of Santa Fe, the capital of the province, joined the invading force under General Butler, and the authorities, including the clergy, took the oath of allegiance to the United States without hesitation. Chihuahua is the next department menaced in that direction, and will probably share the same fate.

Accounts from Nuevo Leon represent General Taylor as besieging Monterey with 6,000 men. That city is defended by General Ampudia, with an equal number of soldiers, and about 2,000 irregulars. Some reports state Ampudia's retreat on Saltillo to be cut off, the Americans having already occupied the passes. If Ampudia should be obliged to surrender, the effect will be nearly fatal, as General Taylor can then advance to San Luis Potosi without opposition. Santa Anna has ordered every disposable soldier to march on the latter place, for which he himself left, with about 2,000 men, yesterday.

To induce the Mexicans to listen to reason another defeat is necessary, and the sooner they receive it the better. It will then be time for other Powers to lend their friendly mediation to terminate this war, and avert, at least for the present, the annihilation of Mexico as a nation. The acquisition of the line of the Bravo with New Mexico and Upper California may well satisfy the ambition of the Cabinet of Washington, and for the possession of so vast a territory they would probably be well disposed to pay an indemnity such as Mexico cannot afford to reject. If the Mexican people do indeed possess the elements of political regen ration, their development may be hoped for on the restoration of peace. A system of colonization producing the admixture of other races is already admitted to be necessary, and this cannot be accomplished without that religious toleration which is still absurdly withheld. A beneficial change in their commercial policy towards other nations may also be anticipated.

General Paredes has received his passport to leave the republic. He is undoubtedly a man of patriotic intentions, and superior to the vulgar corruption of money, but his mental capacity proved unequal to the task which he voluntarily assumed. He leaves his country a banished man, but without any reasonable ground of complaint. His power was founded on a military revolt, and the treachery of which he was guilty towards Herrera met a fitting retribution in the conduct of his own subordinates.

Don Jose Maria Tornel, who had steered his course with unerring skill through every revolution for a quarter of a century, miscalculated on the last. He believed Santa Anna's return to power impossible, and did not hesitate to declare himself his foe. In consequence he has been deprived of his office, as director of the Mineria College, and ordered to retire to Tehuacan, a village in the midst of a wilderness, where he will be much at a loss for employment unless inclined to botanical pursuits.

The conversion of the Mexican deferred bonds in London, which in the first instance was disapproved of here, has been referred to a committee, composed of Valentin Gomez Farias, Manuel Gomez Pedraza, Manuel Payno Bustamente, and Francisco Fagoaga. It is thought that their report (which this packet will probably convey) will be favourable to the ratification of the measure.

The following is a copy of the correspondence between the United States and Mexican Ministers as to the conclusion of a treaty of peace:--

LETTER FROM Mr. BUCHANAN TO THE MEXICAN MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

"Department of State, Washington, July 27.

"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 for 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 dispatch 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 negotiation here, he 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.

"The occasion may, however, be embraced to state that the President has ever cherished the kindest feelings for Mexico, and that one of the first wishes of his heart is, that she may be a powerful and prosperous republic, in perpetual amity with the United States.

"Commodore Connor will transmit this dispatch 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 you answer.

"I avail myself of this occasion to offer your Excellency the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
"JAMES BUCHANAN.
"To his Excellency the Minister of Foreign Relations of the Mexican Republic."

ANSWER OF THE MEXICAN MINISTER

"National Palace, Mexico, Aug. 31.

"Sir, --The undersigned Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Mexican Republic has informed the General-in-Chief of the Liberating Army, provisionally charged with the supreme executive power, of your Excellency's not of the 27^th of July last, in which you propose, on the part of your Government, the opening of negotiations which may lead to a lasting and honourable peace between the two countries. His Excellency being possessed of the contents of the said note could not but fix his attention on the fact, that while all discussion of the causes of the war between the two republics is declined, it is pretended to consider these merely as past events now belonging to history. For the Executive to listen to proposals on such a basis, when the subject to be treated of concerns the honour of the country, and the integrity of its territory, and compromises its nationality for the future, would be to depart from justice and thoroughly irritate public opinion, already much excited, as the discussions which have taken place prove by the apprehension of the question being terminated in the manner proposed. Hence it is that, the affairs of the republic with the United States having reached their present situation, it has become necessary to appeal to the nation in order that, by means of representatives elected with entire freedom, it may provide for its future security, honour, and prosperity. A Congress with this object has been summoned, and will open its session on the 6^thof December next, when, with other grave matters, the subject of the war with the United States will be submitted to its deliberation, and your Excellency's note will be laid before it for the resolution which may be judged conducive to the interests of the nation. The Government of the undersigned consequently awaits the determination of that body in order to reply to the communication referred to, the relations of Mexico with the United States remaining in the interval in the position in which they were found by the General-in-Chief of the Liberating Army when he assumed the executive power.

"While remitting this answer from his Government, through the channel indicated by your Excellency, the undersigned avails himself of the occasion to assure your Excellency of his distinguished consideration.
"MANUEL CRESCENCIO REJON."

(EXTRACT OF A LETTER DATED TAMPICO, SEPTEMBER 22, 1846. )

As regards politics we are on the eve of a great crisis, but what the issue will be it is not easy to divine. The last news we have from the interior is that the Americans, with 2,000 men, have taken possession of Santa Fe without resistance, the Mexican General Armijo having retired before them. Taylor, with about 7,000 men, had advanced to Cadereita, a place in the neighbourhood of Monterey, where General Ampudia arrived on the 3d inst., at the head of an equal force, and speaks confidently of driving the former away, and fully revenging the injured honour of the country. He is a mountebank, and the same man who at Tabasco took General Sentmanat prisoner, and fried his head in oil. The Americans have declared themselves masters also of California, and are preparing to render their occupation effective. As the British bondholders have security on the public lands there, it is a questions how far England may acquiesce in this intention, though I imagine America will be glad to obviate all claim on that score by recognizing their lien. As regards this place, I am rather surprised they have made no attempt. A month or two ago they would have succeeded, as there were only 300 or 400 men here; but now there are at least 1,500, and if properly defended, it would not by an easy matter to take it.

It has been reported that they intend to make themselves masters of it now that the "norther" season has commenced, and it is neither agreeable nor safe to keep the sea, in which case it is to be supposed they will establish the same regulation which they have done in Matamoras with regard to foreign importations, viz., that only American goods and such other as have paid duty in the United States can be admitted, and this in American bottoms only. I do not think our Government, however, is likely to acquiesce in any arrangement of this nature. Either it is a blockade or it is not; if the former, how can American vessels be admitted? if the latter, how can foreign ones be excluded?

The intentions of the Americans are not very clear. They have sent an offer of accommodation; but as it appears to be based upon their remaining in possession of all they have acquired, it has been rejected, or, what is much the same thing, they have been told it will be submitted to the Congress, which is to meet in December. It is very likely they are only waiting for the reply to push matters with renewed activity. Hitherto Taylor has been making no particular movement, arising, probably, from the unprecedented rains which have flooded the whole of the country in his vicinity, and must have caused vast hardship and, no doubt, great mortality, though we rarely get any information of a recent date from that quarter. Possibly also the desire of obtaining the simultaneous co-operation of the expedition which has arrived at Santa Fe may also have had its weight with him. In the midst of all this it will be naturally supposed the Mexicans, forgetting their own eternal squabbles, will have joined to repel the common enemy. Nothing, however, is further from the fact; the broils of party have been incessant. Paredes and his Government have been overthrown, as you are aware; Santa Anna recalled (as they think nothing more is necessary to vanquish the Americans); the control system of Government abrogated, and the Federal form restored. Now, it must be remembered, that this very Santa Anna is the man who, eight or ten years ago, destroyed the Federation by force of arms (as it was incompatible with his views of supreme command); it is not therefore surprising that the Santannistas and Federalists, who have hitherto been bitter enemies, should still remain so, and be both determined to maintain the truce only as long as it suits their interests. Santa Anna will be anxious to maintain the army; the Federalists are resolved to do away with it, as it has never served any purpose but to maintain a despotism and tear the country to pieces, and is now found quite useless as a defence against an external enemy. They advocate free trade; Santa Anna has always been fond of high duties and prohibitions.

I believe many of the thinking part of the community begin to see clearly that the Mexicans are incapable of self-government, and that the best thing which could possibly happen for the country would be to be conquered by the Americans; but the thinking part constitute a very reduced minority; the mass are either indifferent or nourish the antipathy to the Americans which is felt against all foreigners by all of the Spanish descent. Commerce is quite suspended; and, though stocks are light and goods getting scarce, from the blockade, our buyers are too much alarmed at the prospect before them to be willing to purchase beyond what they immediately require. [WWF]

LT November 9, 1846/4a "State of Affairs in Mexico"

The war between the United States and Mexico reminds us of a strange combat between an eagle and a fish, which we remember to have read of in some work of fiction. The bird of prey struck the back of its defenceless victim, and its own talons were fixed and entangled in his scaly sides. The struggle was balanced, not by the equal force or ferocity of the combatants, but by the weight of the cumbrous booty; for, if we recollect the legend rightly, after a vast turmoil upon the surface of the water, the fish dived with its winged enemy, and the assailant perished in the depths of the lake.

Nothing can be more deplorable and ineffective than the preparations of the Mexicans for active defence; but when we predicted, several months since, that this campaign would not end as rapidly or as brilliantly as the Americans had anticipated, we had formed a just estimate of the passive resistance which Mexico opposes to an invading army. In reality, though all the success has been on the side of the United States, they are probably the greatest losers by the war. They must pay for it; they have to support an army at a vast distance from the center of their Government, exposed to all the hardships of an uncivilized country and a pernicious climate. They have equipped a considerable squadron and blockaded the coast, but the enemy affords no prizes to encourage the zeal or reward the courage of the American navy, and the interruption of foreign trade secures a close protection to certain Mexican interests and cuts off the competition of the free American markets. The attack upon St. Juan d'Ulloa was the only severe blow which could be struck upon the coast, and that the American Commodore has not attempted. In the present state of the defences of that fortress success is more than doubtful; the fleet would be placed in a situation of extreme danger, and a check would be disgraceful and disastrous to the American arms. It has therefore been resolved, as we understand, to leave St. Juan d'Ulloa alone.

The progress of the American forces on the coast of the Pacific, in Upper California, and in the heart of their enormous continent, is no doubt most extensive. But it may be questioned whether the loss of these provinces is a sensible blow to Mexico, or a sensible advantage to the American Confederation. Probably for more than a century to come the interior of the American continent will not contribute more to the social improvement or political strength of the American people, than the interior of New Holland does at this time to the British Empire. The Mexicans possessed it, as Spain had possessed it before them, in nominal rather than real sovereignty; and, if any considerable portion of these territories is now transferred to the United States, generations must pass away, and the greatest revolutions may have changed the whole aspect of the country, before these provinces can really boast of society and government. The only really valuable acquisitions of the United States are two harbours on the Pacific, and it remains to be seen upon what terms they will be allowed to retain them at the peace.

The inordinate spoliation of the Mexican territories renders it difficult for the Government of that country to listen to terms as inconsistent with their national rights and dignity as those offered by Mr. BUCHANAN, whilst in reality since the actions on the Rio Bravo nothing has been done to force them to submission. By the last accounts we are informed that General TAYLOR had at last attacked the town of Monterey with success. The Mexicans retired, but after three days' hard fighting, which cost the little American army 500 men. So little were the American officers prepared to follow up this success, that they immediately granted a virtual armistice of two months to the enemy; and the Cabinet of Washington seems to have had no small difficulty to force its victorious army to keep the field. Mr. POLK is very well aware that he has incurred a most formidable amount of responsibility, if he has to meet Congress with no decisive victory, no treaty of peace, very little military or naval glory, but an enormous amount of estimates to be provided for. His policy has certainly enlarged our conception of the real powers of an American President; for, in spite of all the restrictions of the constitution, he has found means to plunge the country into war for his own political and private purposes, and to provide extraordinary means of carrying on the contest. But, if the last accounts of the State elections are correct, the democratic party is losing ground in the country; and we are not without hopes that the unscrupulous means by which the PRESIDENT has endeavoured to extend his influence may prove fatal to his cause.

The Mexican war, therefore, presents the strange picture of a victorious army in a foreign country which is more nearly reduced to the necessity of effecting a peace than the State which it has conquered and subdued. The declaration of hostilities has been followed by no considerable change in the habitually disturbed and insecure condition of Mexico. In a populous, industrious, and flourishing community, war is an interruption of all the pursuits and pleasures of life; in small a country as Mexico, the presence of a hostile army, like that of General TAYLOR, is scarcely felt beyond the lines of his camp. When, therefore, the respective Legislatures of the two Republics meet, early in December, we expect to learn that the Americans loudly demand the conclusion of a treaty of peace, whilst the Mexicans will vote the continuance of the war. The war has, indeed, from first to last, been no more than an armed appropriation of territory. It was begun without a pretext by the precipitate occupation of a neutral district, and this occupation has now extended over an immense tract of the whole breadth of the continent. When we have said this we have said all; no hostile army has been really beaten, no conditions have been imposed, no Government has been coerced. The value of military operations lies, after all, in their political effect. A mere march across a wilderness, or the occupation of a town of log-huts, is an exploit followed by no results. We have yet to learn that the Americans have done anything to compel the Mexicans to accept such terms of peace as they may think fit to impose; and the Mexicans have the satisfaction of knowing, that the ineffective operations directed against themselves impose most inconvenient, onerous, and unpopular burdens on their antagonists. Nor are these burdens and inconveniences limited to the period of actual warfare. If the United States Government expects to hold and govern any considerable portion of the territory their troops or marauding parties have lately overrun, it must be prepared to maintain establishments of a novel and extensive character. The roving population of the woods and prairies, the Indians and Ranchos of the far west, must be kept down; the coast must be fortified and protected; and the principles of self-government will be found inadequate to maintain internal order and to resist foreign attacks in these infant states. We have already seen the defence of the frontiers of Texas draw the whole forces of the Union into the field, and occasion this costly and inglorious war. Similar difficulties and dangers will continually await the American authority in the former provinces of New Spain, and the Union must be supported in those regions, not by the unanimous consent of the people, but by armed force.

The incidents of this war, and the consideration of the political consequences of American aggrandizement, have convinced us, that however we may abhor the lawless and unjust spirit of these proceedings of the United States towards their weaker neighbours, there is nothing in these conquests which ought seriously to excite our jealousy or our apprehensions. In our own time they can only prove a source of embarrassment and a severe incumbrance to the American Government, -hereafter, we may hope that the extension of our language an our race over the American continent will conduce, upon the whole, to the civilization and improvement of the world. Certainly, the conduct of the Mexicans towards England, since they were emancipated from the control of the mother country, has given us no cause to value their independence, or to respect their power of self-defence. [WWF]

LT November 13, 1846/3f "The Battle of Monterey"

"Gentlemen, -I wrote you a few days since from the camp at Monterey, since when I have been despatched to this place on public business. As I return to-morrow, I have only time to say one word.

"The entire loss in our battalion (Baltimore) is eight killed, and, as I am informed, 16 wounded, all slightly but one. I have seen none of the killed or wounded; and therefore cannot give names.

"Colonel Watson was killed in the imprudent charge ordered by General Butler. He was at the head of battalion, and had ordered us to go into the charge with three cheers. He received a ball in the breast while in the act of cheering, and fell instantly. I tried to get to him, but was borne on in the rush. The charge was ineffectual. At this moment General Taylor rode up in great anger, and ordered us to retire. Old Rough came up under the most tremendous fire. It was here his horse was shot. It is said there were angry words passed between him and Butler.

"Captain Stewart now took command, and said, 'Boys, your Colonel is killed; don't run, show those d--d red skins that although you are ordered to retire, you intern to walk. 'With this, he shook his fist at them, and d--d them pretty considerable. Our entire loss will not be much short of 800 to 900 killed and wounded-the enemy the same. Ampudia has given up the main fort as per articles of capitulation, and the stars and stripes were floating over it when I left.

"He asked an interview with General Taylor to take place the day I left. I did not learn the answer.

"Mr. Giles made us a speech when at the Marine Barracks in Washington; askhim if he is satisfied with us.

"There is no doubt now but that Ampudia will be re-inforced in about one month by 12,000 men. They will be under Santa Anna.

"We must have 10,000 more volunteers, mark that.
"Yours, J. M."

The following is also from a Baltimore volunteer, and give some interesting details that we have not before met with.

(Correspondence of the Baltimore Sun. )

"Messrs. Editors, -I have but a few leisure moments to give you an account of our great battle at Monterey. On the morning of the 21^st, General Taylor formed his line for battle, and marched up to the outskirts and fortifications of the town, keeping one bomb and his artillery battery going all the time. The Mexicans continued to fire on us all day, but with no effect.

"General Worth, on one side of the town, with Colonel Jack Hays, and Captain Walker and the Texan Rangers, and General Taylor and the volunteers on the other, we made our way into their streets over their breastworks, with a heavy loss on both sides. When we made the first charge we lost our gallant Colonel Watson. The Baltimoreans fought bravely, and did credit to their city. We lost a number of men, but I cannot give you their names at present.

"The Tennessee and Mississippi volunteers were cut up horribly. Kentucky did not stand the fire well, and Ohio got in a hot place, but soon backed out of it. Captain Barber and Colonel M'Cullough, of Mississippi, also fell mortally wounded, with a number of other officers whose names I cannot remember.

"The battle lasted three days and two nights, and we had a hot time of it, I assure you. General Worth distinguished himself beyond all praise. He is decidedly a great man for a fight. He took two batteries on the first day, and used them on the Mexicans with great effect.

"The greatest loss on the Americans was on the first day, but there is different reports as to the number of killed and wounded. Some of the staff say that our loss is 700 killed and wounded, but I think there must be at least 1,000.

"The Texan Rangers are the most desperate set of men in battle that I have ever heard of. They charged up to the breast works, dismounted, and rushed over on foot, with sword in hand. They were each armed with barreled rifles, and, as may be supposed, did great execution among the copper skins.

"The 31 and 5^th Regiments of the Regulars were much cut up also, from the 40 pieces of artillery which we had to silence, as well as the musketry from the house tops.

"The grand castle is a powerful fort, and was mounted with a number of 18-pounders. It was there that General Ampudia's quarters were during the battle.

"I will relate to you a number of incidents that occurred during the three days:--

"Colonel M'Clung, of Mississippi, the great duelist, got upon the breastworks, waved his hat, and was in the act of giving three cheers, when a ball struck him, from the effects of which he has since died.

"Samuel W. Chambers, one of the Rangers, or 'the Delaware hero, ' as they called him, got over the breastwork, obtained a foothold on the top of an 18-pounder, and deliberately took aim with his 'fire-shooter, ' firing with great effect, and crushing the Mexicans; until the piece was taken by General Worth and turned on the city. Chambers escaped without a wound.

"Captain Gillespy, of the Texan Rangers, was killed whilst pouring water into the tube of a cannon, with the Mexicans all around him. But it is impossible for me to mention all the numerous incidents that occurred at the present time.

"We expect another battle at Saltillo so soon as the armistice expires, and as we have now got our hands in we will give them rougher usage next time.

"Our army was about 7,000 strong before the battle, but is now about 5,500. I miss many a noble fellow from the ranks. The Mexicans were nearly double our number. Their loss in killed and wounded is not less than 2,000. A great many were killed in their houses, as we had to rush in and shoot them down, to stop their destructive fire from windows and housetops.

"We bury our dead to-day, and you may judge of my feelings at the dreadful sight better than I can describe them. The whole field was like a slaughter house, and bodies were being buried in every direction. In short, I have had enough of the battle-field, although determined to stand up to the rack throughout the campaign. Some persons may and do like it, but between you and myself I would much rather be in Baltimore.
"Yours, &c.
"N.B.S.,
"Of the Baltimore Regiment Volunteers.

"P.S. --Since writing the above, I have been informed that not less than 60 of the Baltimore Regiment are killed or missing. Notwithstanding our losses, and the heart-rendering sight around us, the soldiers are in high spirits this morning on account of our brilliant victory; and well we may be, for when we commenced we never expected to gain it. The bristling fortifications looked almost impregnable. But I am called on by the sergeant to go to work and to bury the dead, so I must close for the present. "N.B.S."

(From the Richmond Whig, Oct. 20. )

"Lieutenant Colonel M'Clung, of Mississippi, who was severely wounded in the attack on Monterey, it will be seen, has died of his wounds. We take him to be Alexander K. M'Clung, of Jackson, Mississippi, who was marshal of the Eastern district, having received his appointment from General Harrison. If so, he was a nephew of the late Chief Justice Marshall, and fell heir to a large portion of the talent which has rendered that family one of the most remarkable we ever knew. He was a lawyer of full practice, and was widely known for his undaunted courage and open disposition. We learn from an officer in the army, that those officers who fell at Monterey were among the very flower of the service."

(From the Richmond Inquirer, Oct. 20. )

"We had the pleasure, yesterday, of meeting that gallant officer, Captain Thornton, of the United States Dragoons, and native of Virginia, who goes on to Washington this morning to obtain permission to be sent to the army in Mexico, in whose glorious achievements he ardently desires to participate. He came over from the Rio Grande with Captain Eaton, the bearer of despatches from General Taylor, and gave us some interesting details of the battles of Monterey. It seems that the Mexicans expected General Taylor by the road from China, but he changed his route, and approached Monterey by the road from Cerralvo. They had fortified the town in the former direction. This deceived General Taylor, and produced the great havoc among our troops in the streets of that portion of the town. We understand that the streets were barricaded with strong stone and mortar fortifications, forming almost a perfect defence, and giving the Mexicans an opportunity to assail our troops with murderous effect. Captain Thornton thinks that there will be yet considerable fighting, but that it will be principally of the guerilla character. The Mexicans with their tough, shaggy ponies, and their havresacs, containing corn and salt, as their only provisions, can bear great hardships, and annoy us a good deal. Captain Thornton was a prisoner in the house of Ampudia, at Matamoras. He says that Ampudia was the first man he saw after the battle of the 9^thof May. Ampudia pointed out to Captain Thornton his saddle, perforated with two bullet holes; but they were in the rear of the saddle, and it was very plain that they were fired when Ampudia was with his back, and not his 'face to the foe. 'When Ampudia reached Matamoras, he publicly proclaimed that Arista had betrayed the Mexican army in the two engagements on the Rio Grande. We have only time to wish Captain Thornton success in his laudable mission to Washington city. Such men ought not to be allowed to remain idle, when their country needs their services so much."

(From the Baltimore Clipper, Oct. 20. )

The following letter from Colonel May, received by a gentlemen in this city, is the very latest from the army, and has been furnished to us for publication:--

"Dragoon Camp, near Monterey, Mexico, Sept. 26.

"It is a sad and painful duty I have to perform, in announcing to you the death of your father's young friend, Mr. W. Thomas, of your State. We have had hard fighting for the last three days, and he was mortally wounded in a charge against the enemy's cavalry. He behaved most gallantly, and fell in the front of battle.

"Yesterday he died, but retained his senses until the last. He was a gallant fellow, and is much regretted. You can say this to his friends, that he had every attention. I was not present when he expired, but was absent on duty. He was buried with military honours. Many gallant spirits have gone out in the last three days.

"The flowers of our little army have fallen--peace be with them! The enemy yesterday surrendered the city, on condition that they should be allowed to march out with the honours of war.

"The gallant Watson fell at the head of his regiment, leading on the charge. I cannot tell you of our loss, but it is at least 500 killed or wounded.

"My men have not suffered any, as they have been exposed very little.

"I write this on my saddle, and am so tired I can't hold my pen any longer. I have not slept for the last three days or nights, so you must excuse this wretched scrawl.
"Yours, CHARLES MAY."
[WWF]

LT November 16, 1846/5c "Mexican War"

ARRIVAL OF THE CALEDONIA
LIVERPOOL, Sunday Morning.

The steam-ship Caledonia has just arrived with advices from the United States and Canada to the close of October.

The political news is not of striking importance. The armies of the right, left and center were quietly advancing, or preparing to advance, further into the Mexican territories. No new conflict has taken place. From the Pacific intelligence had been received of the taking of Monterey. The operations of the Gulf Squadron remained unchanged. The neutrality of Yucatan had been withdrawn by the Cabinet of the United States.

From the interior of Mexico the advices received breathed a warlike spirit.

From Canada our advices communicate no important intelligence.

(From our own correspondent)

Our position with regard to Mexico and war is becoming more complicated. It is indeed difficult to see what course is left for our government to take other than to persevere in the war with all vigor possible, until the Mexicans shall accept the proffered overtures for negotiation. But perseverance in a war at a long distance, in a foreign and hostile country, where the people manifest no sympathy with our arms, although not averse to receive our dollars in payment of supplies, is not so easy a matter for a government constituted as ours, is and for a people having a very small regular army, and no organized system of taxation, in order to meet the extraordinary expenditure of a state of war.

The success of our army - and it has been everywhere successful - brings no substantial resources to our cause. We have advanced as conquerors into the heart of New Mexico and New Leon, on the Atlantic slope, and our flag is flying at all the strong points in California, on the Pacific; the bloody contest in assaulting Monterey, in New Leon, is the only feat of arms of recent occurrence; in California, and New Mexico no opposition whatever was offered to the American occupation. But these various conquests do not produce any perceptible effect upon the issue of the war. We hear no overtures for peace, no discouragement, on the part of the Mexican rulers or the Mexican people. The latest dates from Monterey are of the 29^th ult. At that time it was believed that Santa Anna with a large force, was approaching Saltillo, with a determination to defend that important post to the last. Rumor places his force at 13,000 men, and his army, whatever it may be, will be reinforced by that with which Ampudia evacuated Monterey, - computed by our officers, who witnessed the marching forth of several divisions at near 7,000 men - this would make an effective force of 20,000 men at Saltillo, commanded by the ablest of the Mexican Generals, Santa Anna; to which at the latest dates from Monterey, of the 29^th ult., General Taylor had not more that 5,000 effective men to oppose. But he will remain until he is strongly reinforced in men, ammunition, and provisions, and meantime can hold it against all Mexico. There is, however, no reason to suppose he will be attacked, not withstanding orders were immediately dispatched from Washington, on learning that an armistice of eight weeks had been agreed upon between Generals Taylor and Ampudia, subject to the ratification of each Government, to annul that agreement.

The rumor, however, of Santa Anna having reached Saltillo, with an army of 13,000 men, must be unfounded. That General only entered the city of Mexico on the 15^th of September, when he was received in form and with much enthusiasm. He immediately occupied himself, as all the letters concur in saying, in urging and hurrying the equipment and departure of as large a force as he could gather together, to march against the advancing American Army under General Taylor; but that could not be accomplished in a few hours, not even in a few days, with a destitute treasury and a deficiency of military supplies and equipments. The distance from the city of Mexico to Saltillo is about 650 miles, which would not be traversed by an army in less than 5 weeks; and it is known that, up to the 20^th of September, Santa Anna was still in the city of Mexico; of course, he and his forces could not be in the vicinity of Saltillo, as he is reported to have been, on the 27^{t h}and 28^th of September. But although I look upon this rumor as unfounded for the present, it is not to be doubted that Santa Anna will make a decisive effort to reach Saltillo and defend it, for it is a very defensible position; and that once carried the Americans, the road to San Luis do Potosi is comparatively easy. For some weeks to come, however, there is reason to believe there will be no more fighting in that quarter.

General Wood's corps is said to falling down towards that of Taylor, at Monterey, and General Kearney had left Santa Fe, with a portion of his army, on a reconnaissance of the region between him and General Wool. That part of the army left at Santa Fe is occupied in strengthening its defenses, and the whole territory of New Mexico is claimed as part of the United States. There is no faith, however, to be placed in the statement published in some of the papers, that General Kearney had organized the invaded country into a territorial government, and ordered an election of a delegate to represent the territory in the Congress of the United States. This is a proceeding which the Congress alone can organize or order, and however, under the exigencies of martial law, a military commander may assume sometimes to supersede the laws and functions of the country he is invading, no military commander of the United States is so ignorant of the limits of his authority, or of the extent of congress, as by an order of the day to constitute a foreign country into a territory of the Union, and direct an election to be held in it as such.

Meantime, from the western coast we have the official proclamation of Commodore Stockton, now commanding the United States fleet, instituting a blockade of all the Mexican ports on the Pacific; and the account of the capture of Monterey and other ports in California, without resistance. The British Admiral had visited Monterey after the American flag was flying there, and, as there was the most amicable intercourse between him and the American officers, the last hopes of the Mexican authorities, resting on an idea the England would interfere for Mexico, had vanished.

We have accounts by the telegraph from the south this morning of a very violent and destructive gale off the coast of Florida on the 11^th inst. The little island of Key West, a bare sand-bar in the ocean, was literally devastated; the lighthouse was destroyed, almost all its habitations were overthrown, and 50 lives at least were, it is computed, lost. Many vessels were driven ashore, and among them the United States gun-brig Perry. We must await the arrival of the mail before we shall be made acquainted with all the details of the disaster.

The state of our commercial affairs is very satisfactory. Considerable losses have, indeed, been sustained on many of the importations from Europe, but our export trade, especially in bread stuffs, is very active. There will go forward large supplies of flour, wheat, corn, and cheese, and yet there will be a superabundance left behind, so bountiful have been our harvests this year.

The elections, which are in progress throughout the Union, indicate that the policy of the present Administration has not the sanction of the people. Several states have materially changed the political character of their representatives in Congress. At the head of these stands Pennsylvania, which, from being a stanch supporter of President Polk and his Administration, has wheeled round and sent a delegation to Congress of which the majority are opposed to the President. The chief grounds of dissatisfaction are the war with Mexico, undertaken in opposition to the views, and, as is thought, to the interests of the northern and middle states; and a repeal to the tariff, which was all-important to Pennsylvania, for the protection it afforded to the coal and iron.

The election in this state, the most numerously represented on the house of all the states, takes place next Tuesday, the 3d of November. If its results should at all coincide with those in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and elsewhere, the next House of Representatives with have a majority adverse to the President. The Congress, however, that is to meet next December, is not affected directly by these elections, as they are made a year in advance of the time at which the members chosen take their seats. But the moral effect upon the course and policy of the Administration of a defeat before the people cannot fall to be considerable.

Our latest dates from Europe are by the Caledonia, to the 4^th inst. Commercially the news she brought enhanced the prices of all our staples--cotton, flour, cheese &c. Flour has since fallen back somewhat, but it is still half a dollar per barrel higher than before the arrival of the Caledonia. The best is now quoted at $6 per barrel. The cotton crop of this year will certainly fall short of that of last year, even if the picking season be prolonged by the absence of frost far into next month.

The rate of exchange upon Europe is steadily declining, and, if it go much lower, will turn the current of specie westward. Very good bills on London have been sold during the past week at from 6 to 6^1/2 per cent. Premium, though the rate for prime bills drawn to a point is firm at 7^1/2 per cent. Bills on France, 5f.32c. to 5f.35c. Money is easy. [WWF]

LT November 20, 1846/4a "Mexico and the US"

LONDON, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1846.

If Mr. President Polk had thought to shape his conduct in strict conformity to our predictions, he could not have more entirely and accurately fulfilled them; and we are now not without hopes of seeing the just retribution which his rash and aggressive policy calls down upon his head eventually crush the democratic leaders and the present Cabinet of Washington under resentment of the American people. He found it an easy task to incite the country to embark in the war, which he had caused by his own instructions to the army, and declared upon his own responsibility. In fact, the critical position in which General TAYLOR found himself between Matamoras and the mouth of the Rio Bravo at the opening of the campaign left the Congress no option. Prompt support could alone prevent the utter ruin and probable capitulation of the army; so that, by a curious turn of affairs, it was a threatened disaster which in reality pledged the United States to this absurd, unjust, and unconstitutional war. We had long ago shown that the Democratic Party in America, and the successors of General JACKSON, had their own especial reasons for regarding a war with none of that aversion and abhorrence which are entertained by most other civilized Governments, and professed by all. The exploits of a successful campaign are expected to have their usual effect on the populace; the army itself was likely to offer great attractions to the numerous body of loose adventurers in the new States, and military honours acquire an excessive value and importance in a country where other social distinctions do not exist; but, above all, the Government released itself by a bold declaration of war from the jealous precautions of the constitution and the votes of a popular assembly, and it could at once indulge in unbounded patronage and unlimited expenditure. No doubt, Mr. Polk and his advisers were sanguine enough to hope that the brilliant termination of the campaign and a treaty of peace, or rather a treaty of spoliation, dictated under the walls of Mexico, would prove an effectual answer to the attacks of the Opposition on the meeting of Congress. And it is not improbable that decided success would have obliterated from the memory of the United States the iniquity in which war originated, and the abuses by which it has been carried on. But, if such were the anticipations of the American Ministers, we must claim for ourselves the credit of a more correct appreciation of the state of their affairs than they had arrived at. We told them many months ago that they would find themselves at the close of the year, scarcely more advanced in the conquest coercion of Mexico than they were in April; we pointed out that the impossibility of making any rapid military movement in advance in a country destitute of roads and of water, whilst fever and dysentery were more certain to thin the ranks of the army that the assaults of the enemy; in short, we foresaw all the evils of an exhausted treasury, and of a war which cannot be carried on with such means as the United States possess, or abandoned without disgrace.

In one respect, Mr. POLK has been more fortunate than he deserved, in the strict forbearance and neutrality observed by this country. We believe that neutrality to be the line of policy most consonant to our honour and our interests; but, after the language Mr. POLK had used in the Oregon dispute, ---which was still pending when Mexico was attacked on the Rio Bravo, ---the American Government had certainly no right to reckon with implicit confidence on our standing entirely aloof; and our reserve is no excuse for their imprudence. We are happy to find that this truth is universally recognized in the United States, and nothing has raised the character of the English Government to a higher position in their estimation than the fact that we did not stoop to take advantage of the folly of their own Cabinet.

The main difficulty of Mr. POLK lies, however, in the financial embarrassments with which he is surrounded; and these must come under the full discussion and control of Congress. Somehow or another, we are assured by our correspondents that no less than forty millions of dollars have been spent upon this war in the last six months; and we can believe that this calculation is not excessive, when we remember that the army and fleet had not only to be supported in the field and at sea, and provided with pay and necessaries, but that these forces had in a great measure to be formed and equipped. A country in possession of an immense accumulation of stores and a considerable standing army may carry on a war on a limited scale without a very larger addition to its annual expenditure. But the very existence of a corps of 20,000 men, operating in a foreign country, and drawing its supplies entirely from home, is an unheard of novelty in the United States of America---a novelty in their estimates, and a novelty in their political condition. We venture to affirm that when Congress passed a precipitate bill to authorize the PRESIDENT to call out 50,000 volunteers, nobody but the Administration and the contractors had any idea of the enormous burden they were imposing on the country. Yet that act will be invoked by the Government as a formal recognition by Congress of a war which it had not declared, and as a sanction for all the expenses that war has occasioned.

These facts are so clear that we are not surprised to find that Mr. POLK's popularity and power are on the wane; that in many states the elections have turned in favour of the Whigs; and that here is a prospect of his having to render an account of all the proceedings of his Presidency to a hostile House of Representatives. If such be the event, the strongest measures which the American constitution provides, and which the manners of our time tolerate, will hardly be too strong to punish the errors and misdeeds of such and Administration.

We do not anticipate that any important intelligence from the seat of war will arrive to disarm the resentment of the American people, or to improve Mr. POLK's position. At Monterey the Mexicans have recently shown that they can fight with the ancient bravery of their Spanish progenitors behind walled fortifications; and, although the town was ultimately taken, the capture cost the Americans more than the loss of it did the Mexicans. In consequence of the refusal of the American Cabinet to ratify General TAYLOR's armistice, we shall probably shortly hear of a similar attack upon Saltillo, the result of which depends very much on the combinations by which the respective forces may be concentrated on that point. SANTA ANNA will not be able to bring his army up in time to defend the position; but it is not impossible that he may precede the main body of his troops, and that the resistance of the place may be prolonged till he arrives. At any rate, even the loss of Saltillo will not prove a decisive blow to Mexico, for it is more than 600 miles from the capital; whereas the failure of General TAYLOR's attempt upon it would compromise to the last degree the safety of his army and the credit of his arms. In a military point of view it was a mistake to weaken the small American force by allowing detachments to march off to California and Santa Fe, where there was no enemy whatever to encounter. The possession of those provinces depends not on a mere military occupation by a party of marauders and backwoodsmen, but on the terms of the peace eventually to be concluded by the belligerent parties. [WWF]

LT December 3, 1846/6f "DEFENCE OF THE CITY OF MEXICO"

While a forced contribution has been raised to fortify the city of Mexico, the Government has been making preparations to remove to a citadel in the mountains, surrounded by dangerous passes. The fact is, the city of Mexico cannot be securely fortified. It is in a peculiar position. It was once surrounded by the Lake Tezcoco, which formed in its depth and extent a natural defence, superior to everything artificial. But the rains from the neighbouring mountains so swelled the lake at periods as to subject the city to distressing overflows, and for a period of five years, from 1629 to 1634, the city was submerged for a foot or two, and the inhabitants were only released from their distress by an earthquake, which made an outlet for the overflowing waters. The viceroys of Spain were compelled to cut a canal by which the lake was drained, with the exception of a small pond at the north east of the city. Mexico is therefore surrounded by a meadow or marsh, with canals and bridges, but no walls or regular fortifications. All the houses have flat roofs and many lofty buildings on which defences may be erected, as in all Spanish towns of narrow streets and stone houses. We infer, therefore, from the proposed removal of the seat of Government, that no regular defence of Mexico will be made if assailed, as at Monterey, which was a remarkably strong place. But there are many towns and cities on the road to Mexico, admirably situate for defence, from which a powerful resistance may be made. We again repeat that Vera Cruz is the key to the whole country, and commands the capital. Tampico is the next important place, as opening a water communication to San Louis Potosi. --New York Sun. [WWF]

LT December 4, 1846/2d Mexico, military force of

We extract from the New York Courier and Enquirer a brief of interesting sketch of the military resources and capabilities of Mexico:-

"Mexico has always had larger army than any other American Republic. In 1827 it was 60,000 strong. At present, it numbers 40,000; 30,000 of whom are infantry, 8,000 cavalry and the remainder Artillery. These troops come under two categories-active and permanent. The permanent are only called out on emergencies; but their organization resembles that of the active, to whom, indeed, they are very little inferior in efficiency. A regiment of Mexican Infantry comprises 2 battalions, 16 companies and 1792 men, rank and file. A regiment of Mexican Cavalry is 676 strong. But these, though the number appears on the muster roll of a Mexican Regiment do not represent the real force. That force, from desertion and other causes is continually varying. A Mexican colonel may command 1,000 men one week and not half that the next. Nothing is stable in Mexico, except the climate. At an annual cost of $8,000,000, these 40,000 fighting men are maintained. A regiment of Mexican Infantry has a colonel, 2 lieutenant colonels, 16 captains, 32 lieutenants, and 64-second lieutenants. If we mistake not, an officer is attached to each battalion who is called a commandante, a grade equivalent to that of a major in our service. A French traveler, lately in Mexico, says there were 24,000 officers in the army of that country! He may be right; but in his estimate he has included persons who hold merely honorary commissions, and also the retirados, or half pays. The frequency of revolutions in Mexico is the cause of the vast number of retirados in that republic; for the leaders of a successful revolt, the moment they go into office, distribute among their friends a number of commissions, the recipients of which perform military duty and receive military pay for a year or two; when, another successful outbreak occurring, they are placed on the list of retirados. After the lapse of a year or two another revolution occurs, which has the results of the previous one. Here it is necessary to remark, that the retirados receive a portion of their due; so that the term 'half pay officers' is applied to them, something of a misnomer.

The commissioned officers of the Mexican army are mostly white men; but men of any color or caste may obtain commissions if they have the requisite influence with the Government. Few of the Mexican officers are highly educated, *-* which characterizes the officers of other armies. Within the last 10 years a military school, on the plan of the famed Polytechnic School in Paris, has been established in the city of Mexico. It is, or was till lately, under the charge of General Conde. Notwithstanding the assertion of the French writer we have already quoted from to the contrary, the school in question is a valuable institution, and has begun to realize the expectations of its founders nor could it well do otherwise. In the profession of arms, as in every other, 'knowledge is power' and the knowledge of the military man cannot be too profound or too extensive.

The pay of a General of Division in the Mexican service is 500 dollars per month; of a brigadier, 375. The subalterns are somewhat better paid than officers of the same rank in the British and French services; but on the other hand, their clothing and accoutrements cost them more. In the city of Mexico you cannot buy a military cloak for less that 100 dollars.

Let us now say something about the private soldiers of the Mexican army. Their pay (in the infantry) is 12 dollars per month-in the cavalry, 12. The soldiers, when in garrison, cater for themselves. Once a year they are supplied with a new suit of uniform, quite as well made as that of the California volunteers! The cloth of which their clothes are made is manufactured at Queretaro, a town in the department of that name.

The color of the uniform of the Mexican infantry is blue. Some of the cavalry wear blue, others red coats. One regiment of infantry, the 11^th, and one or two of cavalry are clad in white. These are two kinds of horse soldiers in Mexico, Lancers and Dragoons. The Lancers are the most numerous. The cavalry are mounted on horses which, though small, ugly looking, and only half trained, are incredibly hardy. The sabers of the privates are not good, yet they cost the Mexican Government a good deal of money.

Mexican Infantry are drilled in the French fashion, and armed with English muskets.

They are anything but serviceable arms, still they are no better than those made in Birmingham for sale in Africa, which are apt, the first time they "go off" to go off altogether. If the muskets of the Mexican soldiers are bad, their powder is a thousand times worse. During the bombardment of San Juan de Ulloa by the French squadron, in 1839, many of the shots from the castle struck the ships, but it failed in piercing wood, Elihu Urritt, and the 'Universal Peace Society" would have reason to rejoice.

The mode of recruiting for the Mexican army has been often described by travelers. It is this:- A lazy recruiting party enters a town or village-they stop the first lazy looking man they meet, and if he can not give a good account of himself they handcuff him and take him to the barracks. There he is examined by the surgeon, handed over to the drill sergeant, and three weeks later he is a soldier.

About three-fourths of the Mexican troops are pure blood Indian - the rest Mestizos, or half-breeds. There are very few Negroes amongst them.

It is worthy to remark that, prior to the revolution, the Indians in Mexico were exempt from military service. And what was very singular, the Spanish military code then in vogue contained a clause forbidding the enlistment of butchers, whatever their color or birthplace. A great deal has been said in praise of Mexican valor, and a great deal in its disparagement. The truth lies between the two extremes. Mexico is not a nation of heroes, nor is it a nation of cowards.

There is a great diversity of character amongst the Mexicans. The inhabitants of the department of Puebla are much brave and energetic than those of the department of Mexico. But in the neighborhood of Tampico exists a tribe of Indians who surpass all others in point of courage, resolution, and strength of character. It is from these Indians that the "Battle of Tampico" (which is distinguished itself at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma) is chiefly recruited. They resemble the Welch in character - may they not be descendants of that people? There is a tradition in Wales, that about the 14^th century one of their princes, accompanied by a number of countrymen, their wives and families, left Wales on a voyage to some distant land, whence they never returned.

The Mexican soldier has one or two useful qualities. He is obedient to his officers and he endures the greatest privations without a murmur. His stature is short - seldom exceeding 5 feet 5 inches, or 5 feet 6 inches, - and he is clumsily made. In the management of his weapons he evinces no dexterity. Wanting pliancy of body and activity of body and mind, he makes but an indifferent skirmisher. Deficient in height and strength of arm, he is not calculated for a grenadier. His strength is in his legs. He can march distances which even a Spanish soldier might fail to accomplish. During the revolution of 1841 Santa Anna made a forced march of 60 miles in 24 hours. Detachments of Mexican Infantry have been known to keep up with their mounted officers, though they (the officers) were going at a trot! Some travelers say that the cavalry of the Mexicans is much better than the infantry. This is not the case. Both are equally good, or, as some might say, equally bad. The cavalry, for the most part are recruited from the same class of men as the infantry. The irregular cavalry are composed of much finer men than the regular. They are chiefly Mestizos. Such is the army of Mexico. Thrice it has been defeated by the army of General Taylor and his companions in arms, and we have little doubt that every conflict yet to come, if it be equally fair and open, will witness a similar issue. [WWF]

LT December 4, 1846/5f "Santa Anna seizes 2 million dollars"

Mexico

Our Liverpool correspondent has forwarded to us the following important telegraphic communication, which was received in a private letter by the steamer Britannia, from Boston. We, of course, do not answer for its authenticy.

"Office of the Boston Times, Nov. 16, 10 o'clock.
"The Great Western not in."
"A Little Later From Mexico.

"Santa Anna seized 2,000,000 of dollars intended for English capitalists. The money was on its way to Tampico for shipment in two British steamers, when Santa Anna seized it. Another revolutionary attempt in the city of Mexico, by parties in favour of annexation to the United States. President Salas addressed the mob and quieted them. Dissension in the Cabinet. Secretly adjourned.

"New York, Nov. 16, 10 o'clock." [WWF]

LT December 5, 1846 5E "Santa Anna seizes 2 million dollars"

Mexico)

We published yesterday a communication, received, from our Liverpool correspondent, announcing, under date, New York, Nov. 16, the arrival of intelligence from Mexico, to the effect that Santa Anna had seized upon 2,000,000 dollars, then en route to Tampico for shipment to England; and that a revolutionary attempt to overturn the existing Government of Mexico had been made in the capital by parties favorable to the annexation of the republic.

The source whence this important intelligence was delivered was stated to be a private letter; but our despatches received from Liverpool last night announce that the document given in The Times of yesterday was received at Boston, by telegraph from New York, immediately before the departure of the mail steamer. The Government mail agent on board the Britannia alone brought a copy of the announcement to Liverpool. We think it right to state in detail this fact, in order that our readers may be enabled to judge of the true weight of the document.

Our Liverpool correspondent points out, also, the while telegraphic accounts from the Gulf squadron at Anton Lizardo to a late date in October were published in the New York journals of the 15^th ult., no later than advices from the interior of Mexico were given. The lack of later accounts from this quarter, under such circumstances, excited some surprise in New York and in Liverpool. [WWF]

LT December 8, 1846 4c "Mexico and the US"

The Mexican generals appear to have adopted a Russian system of tactics, which is obviously likely to prove most embarrassing to the American army. The determination of Santa Anna to evacuate Saltillo and retreat upon San Luis Potosi is in Potosi is in perfect conformity with all the observations we have made on a singular war. The country furnishes no adequate supplies for an army, not because it is barren or unfertile, but because it is uncultivated and waste. Troops cannot be fed on wild plats or wild cattle - the homestead, the farm, the barn and the two are indispensable to the subsistence of an army. Add to this, that the interior of Mexico is singularly ill supplied with water, and that it will be easy for the guerilla parties to destroy the wells on the approach of the enemy. To effect a movement on the San Luis Potosi, General Taylor must stretch the outposts of his little army over 300 miles of the enemy's country, in addition to the 180 miles which already divide him from his base of operations. A Coup de main on Mexico itself is too bold and desperate an enterprise to be attempted with an army of raw troops, partly volunteers, surrounded by a hostile population, who because more formidable in proportion as the enemy approaches their own doors. A march to the south might be followed by a parallel to the retreat from Moscow. We have, therefore, no doubt that General Taylor will preserve in that slow and cautious policy, from which he has only been driven on one or two occasions by the absurd imprudence of the orders he has received from the American Government; and the present aspect of the affairs in Mexico fully justifies the views this sagacious offices seems from the first to have entertained of the war which he was directed to carry on.

Meanwhile, every fatal consequence which follows an unnecessary, unjust, and unsuccessful war seems to accumulate around the head of Mr. Polk. The functions of a Prime Minister of the United States, for such the President of the Union virtually is, are fixed in their duration; and the four years allotted by the constitution to his administration secure to him the full applause or censure due to his acts. No hostile majority mercifully removes him from the scene of action, or snatches from him the power he has abused. Until the fatal or the fortunate hour which again consigns him to obscurity, he is bound to stand the brunt of unpopularity - to see, perhaps, all the powers of the State leagued against him, - to view from his elevated position the disastrous consequences of his errors, - and to carry on the government when the majority which raised him to office in an hour of party delusion has long since discovered that their demigod is an idol of clay. Such is the melancholy position of Mr. Polk. If he has already ceased to be the President of the United States, we should willingly allow his name to sink to that humble place which it will hereafter occupy, amongst the men who have proved themselves least equal to the station they have filled. But it is for the instruction of the world that such examples are given to it; and, if anything were needed to reconcile Europe to the occasional inconveniences of hereditary monarchy, it would be the absurd consequences we have witnessed under the elective republican system of America.

In the United States, however, the lesson will not go deeper than the distinction of the party; and the reaction produced in public opinion is confined to the retuning ascendancy of Whig statesmen and the waning power of Democrats and Locofocos. Setting aside the flourishes of Mr. Webster's speech to the men of Massachusetts, to which we have already adverted, the tone of that address is a most striking indication of the present state of political feeling in the United States. Two years ago the New Englanders, assembled in Faneuil Hall to listen to the eloquence of Mr. Webster, could only raise an ineffectual protest against the annexation of Texas, and against the violent course of policy upon which the American Cabinet was entering. At the present moment the disastrous results of those measures have opened the eyes of the country, and restored the Whig party to the position they had lost. In democratic states the changes of public opinion are exceedingly rapid; and it would seem that on several important subjects they have been complete among the American public, especially with reference to their foreign relations. All the accounts we receive from the other side of the Atlantic concur in the assurance that at no time since the Declaration of Independence have Americans looked up to this country with more universal respect and regard. The conclusion of the Oregon controversy at the very moment when an English Minister might have taken advantage of the embarrassments into which the president had thrust himself into Mexico, has given an conspicuous and incontrovertible answer to those politicians of the school of General Jackson who made the intrigues and encroachments falsely imputed to England the basis and pretext of their own aggressive policy. For once, the true motives and spirit of the foreign policy of this country have been understood and acknowledged even by our captious descendants; and the conduct of Lord Aberdeen in the transactions to which we allude has earned for this country a higher degree of consideration than we could have won by the most signal triumphs of fleets and armies.

The ground of attack against the present American Government, and the questions upon which the Whigs have already recovered a majority in several important States, with the prospect of a majority in the House of Representatives, are the Mexican war with its disastrous financial consequences, and the low tariff of last year. The former question affects the whole Union alike; the latter is urged with far more force amongst the manufacturers of New England than it can be elsewhere. As the members of the House of Representatives are returned in numerical proportion to the population of their several states and districts, and densely-peopled cities and manufacturing communities of the north naturally constitute a majority in the Lower House of Congress. But in the Senate each state is represented by two members, without reference to its size or population. Hence the number of senators from the agricultural states of the south is equal, if not superior, to that of their Protectionist colleagues; and even the wilds of Texas send their representative to the Upper Chamber to counterbalance the voices of New York or Massachusetts on the question of free trade. The repeal of the late tariff is, therefore, by no means certain, especially when the south is entering into enjoyment of enlarged interchange with Great Britain; and the battle will be fought with ardor by the southern senators. But on the subject of war, and of the mode in which it was begun has been conducted, Mr. Polk's government will not have the advantage of such a division of opinion. The facts are now before the people of the United States. The expenditure of the last few months has been double the whole revenue of the State; and this enormous increase is already threefold the amount of 10 million dollars voted by congress for the campaign. It must be acknowledged that such a violation of a constitutional principle by a government which professes to be altogether dependant on the will of the people, and such profusion and extravagance by a State which carries the rules of economy to the verge of parsimony, are some of the strangest contradictions which the United States have exhibited to the world; and we are curious to learn whether that constitution which Mr. Webster regards as the ark for his country is provided with remedies for such abuses, or any means of self preservation against those who are bold enough to set its provisions in open defiance. [WWF]

LT December 10, 1846 5e THE AMERICAN NAVY AT MEXICO"

THE AMERICAN NAVY AT MEXICO. ---- Our private accounts from the Gulf of Mexico, commenting on the late proceedings of the American squadron in the late attack on Alvarado, speak of the affair in terms of supreme contempt. It has not at all advanced the character of the United States navy in the estimation of that of our own. The affair failed totally for want of pluck, and would be deemed a mark of disgrace on British naval officers if they had so conducted such an expedition. The United States ships are generally inferior, whilst their discipline is anything but what would be desirable on board her Majesty's squadron. One or two have been lost, two or three have the scurvy on board, and the only good-looking ship is the Commodore's, and she would be eclipsed by the 50-gun frigate Vindictive. The best man-of-war the Americans possessed in the Gulf was the Truxton, lost on the coast. A great number of British seamen are on board the ships of the United States, but they work not with the alacrity and good will which is observable on board a well-regulated British vessel of the Royal navy, and under American officers they show little relish for sharp services. A little more encouragement in the Royal navy would secure these men under our own flag. It is noticed by officers of our ships that in one respect we might take a hint from the Americans-namely, making our ships for fighting purposes. -- Standard. [WWF]

LT Dec. 10 page 5f SANTA ANNA and the MEXICAN TREASURE.

We are glad to find that our intelligence of yesterday morning, respecting the seizure of 2,000,000 dollars by Santa Anna, is not confirmed in the letters that the leading houses here have received by the steamer; and the following extracts will show that Santa Anna's object was not to seize the property, but to protect it, as he detained the conducta with the treasure for Tampico while he considered it necessary, and then allowed it to go on without molestation. The following are extracts from private letters :--

"MEXICO, OCT. 29.

"Our surmises of an intended attack on Tampico were well-founded, as became apparent by the Americans' intercepted despatches. Indeed, General Santa Anna refused at one time to let the conducta to go to Tampico at all, and when he did consent it was with the express understanding that the Mexican Government should not be held responsible for any danger arising to it from the Americans. The escort was to go only to within 15 leagues of Tampico, but the merchants themselves will no doubt go out of Tampico, which has been evacuated by the Mexican troops to fetch it in."

"MEXICO, OCT. 28.

"The conducta for Tampico was detained by Santa Anna in Sn Luis until the 6^th inst., but he then allowed it to go on without molestation, It will of course be too late for this packet.

"TAMPICO, OCT. 23.

"The conductas for here had started towards the close of last month from Guanajuato and Zacatecas, but 2were detained in San Luis by Santa Anna, and, according to the latest accounts, were to leave that city on the 16^th inst., and may therefore be expected to arrive here in the beginning of next month. No fears are entertained about its reaching this place in safety. Our garrison has received instructions from Santa Anna to evacuate this place forthwith, because he fears that it will soon be attacked by a large American force, which, however, it would appear to us, will not be the case before the enemy actually needs the occupation of Tampico-say, in about two months, when Taylor will be ready to operate against San Luis." [ANP]

LT Dec. 10 page 6f MONEY-MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE.

Wednesday Evening.

The English funds remain without variation, the only price of Consols during the entire day having been 95 ^1/4 to 3/5 for money, and 95 3/8 to ^1/2 for the opening. The undue disparity between Consols and Reduced, which we noticed a few days back, has been diminished by large transfers from one stock to the other, but it still exists to the extent of a quarter per cent. Bank Stock left off 206 ^1/2; to 207 ^1/2; Reduced Three per Cents., 94 ^1/4 to 3/8; Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents., 96 1/8 to ^1/4; Long Annuities, 9 7/8 to 15-16; India Bonds, 17s. premium; South Sea Stock, 105 ^1/4; ditto, Old Annuities, 94 3/8; ditto, New Annuities, 94 7/8; and Exchequer-bills, 9s. to 12s. premium.

Mexican securities were better this afternoon on speculative purchases, and prices for money and the account were quoted about ^1/2 per cent. In advance of yesterday. The first price was 22 ^3/4, after which they were market at 23 ^1/2, but the last bargains were done at 23 ^1/4. Portuguese and Spanish were not firmly supported, and prices show a downward tendency. Portuguese and Spanish were not firmly supported, and prices show a downward tendency. Portuguese Four per Cents. For the account were last done at 38 ^1/2; Spanish Five per Cents. For money, at 26 ^1/2; and for the account, at 26 ^1/4; Passive, at 5 2/8; and the Three per Cents., at 37 ^3/4; Belgian Four-and-a-Half per Cents., at 95; and Dutch Four per Cents., Certificates, at 92 ^1/2.

The following letters and documents, received today by the chairman of the Committee of Spanish American Bondholders, have been handed to us for publication. It will be seen from the second letter that the uncertainties regarding the last Mexican conversion have at length been put to rest, and that the operation, as carried out by Messrs. Schneider and Co., is confirmed :--

FROM MANNING AND MACKINTOSH, MEXICO, TO G.R. ROBINSON, ESQ., CHAIRMAN Of THE COMMITTEE OF SPANISH AMERICAN BONDHOLDERS, LONDON.

"MEXICO, OCT. 30, 1846.

"We were in due course favoured with your communications of the 29^th of June, 1`st and 31^st of August, and paid particular attention to their contents. We have been incessant in our applications to the Mexican Government about the restitution of he fifth of duties belonging to the holders of Mexican Bonds involved in the general suspension of all payments decreed by this Government, but, owing to the disturbed state of the country, the blockade of its ports, and the imperative calls for money upon and exhausted treasury, we have not been able to get any satisfactory reply from the several Ministers of Finance that have succeeded each other in office within the last three months. Under these circumstances we made another attempt in applying by letter (copy of which we enclose) to the present Minister, Don Antonio Haro Tamariz, who has verbally promised to attend to the business, and return us a decision by next packet.

"The unfortunate war with the United States is, in our opinion, at present the chief cause of the difficulties of he Mexican Government; and the worst of it is, that it is difficult to assign a term to the hostilities between the two countries.

"Hoping to have it in our power to transmit you further information by next steamer."

FROM THE SAME TO THE SAME.

"MEXICO, OCT. 30, 1846.

"We have the honour to enclose a certified copy of an official communication we have received from the Mexican Government just at the moment of the closing of the mail :--

" ' MINISTRY OF FINANCE. - SECTION 1.

" ' I have made known to his Excellency the General charged with the Supreme Executive power your note of this date, in which, referring to the previous ones which you have addressed to this Ministry, you desire to know what is the resolution of he Supreme Government with regard to the pending affair relative to the conversion of the foreign debt; and his Excellency commands me to inform you, that having again examined the matter with all the attention which its importance demands, he has come to the conclusion that the operation is consummated, and that the Government cannot now deliberate upon it, seeing that the conversion of he debt has been actually made; and that for the same reason it has been decreed that the corresponding orders be issued for the payment of he first dividend, which is to be made in London in the month of January, as well as of the amount which you claim in your communication of the day before yesterday, on account of the suspension ordered of the 2d of May last, and the other amounts relative to the affair, without prejudice to an account of the whole operation being rendered to the Sovereign General Congress, when it shall be assembled.

"I protest to you, gentlemen, the assurances of my consideration and esteem.

"God and liberty.

"HARO Y TAMARIZ.

"Mexico, Oct. 29.

"Messrs. Manning and Mackintosh.

"I, Ewen C. Mackintosh, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul in Mexico, do hereby certify unto all whom it doth or may concern, that the foregoing is a true and faithful copy of an original letter exhibited to me by Messrs. Manning and Mackintosh, to whom, after comparing, I have returned it for the uses that they may think proper, and in faith and testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office in Mexico this 30^th day of October, in the year of our Lord 1846.

"EWEN C. MACKINTOSH.

In connexion with the above, it is understood that the present mail brings no communication to Messrs. Schneider and Co. regarding the removal of the agency, and as a notice of suspension pending an inquiry into the conversion is all that they have hitherto received direct upon the subject, an inference is drawn by their friends that the appointment may yet remain in their hands.

Private letters disagree with the paragraph in the Mexican news of to-day, that the report of the seizure of $2,000,000 by Santa Anna is confirmed. It is stated, that the conducta was stopped by him at San Luis Potosi, and that he recommended the merchants not to allow the treasure to proceed, on account of the danger to which it would be exposed; but that he never attempted to take possession of it. Indeed, these accounts affirm that it is now on its way to Tampico, at which place, according to the letters dated thence, it was expected to arrive in about six or seven days after the sailing of the packet. If this should prove correct, the amount will, doubtless, be transmitted by the next mail, since, when it shall have reached Tampico, it will be under the protection of the British Consulate.

The following extracts are form private communications received by the Tay. The account of the imprisonment of the French and Spanish Consuls by the American Commodore in California seems obviously to have been manufactured to excite belief in the probability of European intervention :--

"MEXICO, Oct. 28.

" Santa Anna is now at San Luis, where he has concentrated his forces, and which consist of about 20,000 men. The general belief here is that he has some understanding with the Americans. Be this as it may, I think the affair must be terminated before the close of the year. The Californias, as you will have heard, have been occupied by the Americans and the accounts by the post of to-day from that quarter say that the commander of the American naval forces there has divided the country into three states, and has given notice for the election of deputies to the General Congress to be made. The French and Spanish consuls there have protested against the occupation of the country by the Americans, and have been imprisoned by the commodore. The Americans have been repulsed on two attacks on Alvarado and one on Guaymas. I very much fear that the European Powers will, sooner or later, have to repent of the lukewarmness they have shown in this struggle."

OCT. 29.

"Here I regret much to say there does not appear to be the slightest disposition to make peace. During the present month the pugnacious spirit has, on the contrary, increased, and great efforts are making to get together a large force. If we can believe all that is written to us, within a very few days Santa Anna will have united at San Luis about 20,000 men; Ampudia, with his 'retreating' force, has already joined him. Valencia is on the way from Guanuzato, with, it is said, 7,000 men, and from Morelia 2,000 have left. What Santa Anna intends doing subsequent to getting all together, we do not yet know; whether we will go to attack Taylor, or allow Taylor to attack him, remains to be seen. The last report from Monterey is, that Taylor intended marching towards Tampico with 5,800 regular troops (the bulk of he volunteers being determined to return), which if he attempts, I think he runs a very good chance of being cut up. He will have to pass through a hostile country, and with such a superior force watching his movements and ready to take advantage of him, if he gets to Tampico at all, it will cost him a great many men."

We find also the following paragraph with regard to mining operations :--

" In 'El Oro' they are hard at work, constructing a Haciendo de Beneficio, and shares are looking up. The 'Bote' continues to do wonders. The Luz Mine in Guanuxato is yielding $80,000 a week, and all the old haciendas in that quarter are in progress of being repaired. Next year out to give a large produce of silver."

As The Times of this morning contained a copious summary of the news from the West Indies, it is unnecessary to allude further the subject under this head.

The accounts from Havannah and Matanzas give the particulars of the exports of sugar and coffee from those places from the 1^st of January to the 31^st of October, 1846, compared with the same period of the previous year. The total exports of sugar from the Havannah was 449,340 boxes, against 231,713 boxes in 1845; and the total exports of coffee 144,608 arrobas, against 147,312 arrobas in 1845. The total exports of sugar from Mantanzas were 265,676 boxes against 93,325 boxes in 1845; and the total exports of coffee 22,189 arrobas, against 8,040 arrobas in 1845. According to the returns published, England, America, and Spain were the three leading countries to which shipments had been made. The exports from the Havannah from the 1^st of March, 1846, to the 6^th of November were 457,801 boxes of sugar, 147,708 arrobas of coffee, 24,871 hhds. Of molasses, 1,247 tierces of honey, 30,075 arrobas of wax, 135,377 mille of cigars, and 3,032,888lb. of tobacco. The exports from Matanzas for the same date were 267,803 boxes of sugar, 22,389 arrobas of coffee and 50,516 hhds. Of molasses.

From Port-au-Prince late advices have come to hand, which furnish a decree calling upon all State creditors in the island for an account of their respective claims, in order that the Government may become acquainted with the real condition of the public Treasury. Two months is the period allowed for claims to be received, after which date any that are presented will be refused recognition. A severe order has also been published against persons engaged in contraband trade, which it is expected will produce a beneficial effect. Marine prisons are being constructed of the old and unseaworthy Government vessels, and gangs of male criminals under sentence have been employed in the work. White sugar was quoted 58.60, and brown 40. Spanish doubloons were marked 65; Patriot, 63.50; Spanish gourde (or dollar), 4.06; and Mexican gourde (or dollar), 4.

The accounts from Rio de Janeiro extend to the 10^th of Oct., at which date the rate of exchange upon England was steady at 28; Paris at 338; and Hamburgh at 630. The Six per Cent. Local Stock stood at 79 to 1/9. The latest advices received at Rio from Pernambuco were to the 29^th Sept., but they contained nothing of public interest.

Private letters from Lima to the 12^th of October have been received to-day. These state that the Finance Minister had resigned office on account of ill-health. It was not known by whom he would permanently be succeeded. Don Jose Fabio Melgar was at present acting for the Government in that capacity; but not being a public favourite, his removal was shortly expected. The country, according to these accounts, remains perfectly tranquil. New laws have been enforced for the better regulation of the colonies, for increasing the safety of the public, and for ameliorating the evils springing from successive revolutions; and such strict attention is said to be paid to the wants of the community, and to the regular discharge of the salaries of the military, that little fear is entertained respecting a change of dynasty during the current presidency. General Bulnes, the President of Chili, has been re-elected by a large majority of votes.

Letters were received this afternoon from New Zealand, via Valpraiso, dated Wellinton, the 4^th of August. An extract from one of these runs as follows :--

"Matters here are now at a crisis. The Governor is at this moment at work in the neighbourhood with all the force he can muster, reducing the strongholds of the rebel natives, who have been keeping this part of the country in a state of excitement for some time past, and this mail may yet bring you accounts of his success, of which little doubt is entertained, when the land question will be effectually settled. People are, therefore, looking forward to an improved state of things in every department with confidence and hope. Business is pretty brisk, and the market well supplied from Sydney by persons who rushed to take advantage of our present activity, and who have consequently imported to a considerable extent." [ANP]

LT December 15 page 4a

LONDON, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1846.

The last accounts from the theatre of war in North America are less completely devoid of interest than those which have preceeded them, although they still further demonstrate the impracticability of decisive operations against an enemy who will neither resist nor yield. The loss of a province like California, or the bambardment of a town like Tobasco, is of no more importance to Mexico than the separation of a limb from the body of one of the lower animals. The vital energy is so depressed, and the nervous sympathy of the several members so faint, that the mutilation of a part is scarcely felt by the centre; and if Mexico were severed into as many states as she has provinces, each of them would exhibit an equal pretence of political life, and an equal absence of that political union which constitutes the true force of a commonwealth or a kingdom.

We are therefore led to suppose that in directing their recent attacks against some weak outlying positions on the southern coast of the Mexican Gulf the Americans officers were actuated by a desire to give the fleet a little occupation, rather than by the anticipation of any important military results. These operations are, in fact, attended with more danger than glory, and more inhumanity than advantage. They produce no effective result whatever, and in the present temper of the American people they will not even furnish palatable ingredients for the PRESIDENT'S message. The mouth of the river Alvarado, which was intended to be the scene of the first of the American Commodore's exploits, lies about 50 miles south of Vera Cruz. We are not aware that the position is one of any great importance, either in a military or a mercantile point of view; but the American Commodore's exploits, lies about 50 miles south of Vera Cruz. We are not aware that the position is one of any great importance, either in a military or a mercantile point of view; but the Americans have made two ineffectual attempts to enter the river, though without any intention of remaining there. On the 15^th of October, Commodore Gonner, with the steamers Mississippi, Maclane, and Vixen, and two schooners, endeavoured to force the passage. The Mississippi, which is a large steamer, carrying 10 guns, could not approach the shore near enough to destroy the battery at the entrance; the Maclane ran aground on the bar, and fouled with the other vessels' and the Vixen was obliged to return. The commanding officer relates these untoward circumstances with a manly frankness that does him credit, and adds a general observation which deserves to be borne in mind, though it is more remarkable for good sense than good English :--

"Except for a short time, from early in the spring to the commencement of the rainy season, no one not acquainted with them can have any conception of the difficulties attending naval operations on this coast. The north winds during the winter months are sudden and violent, accompanied by high seas and strong currents. No judgment can be formed as to what moment they may commence. Under such circumstances, an opinion may be easily formed of the difficulty of landing a body of men on the open coast, and also of the danger from the elements attending it."

Even in this little expedition a change of wind or a stray shot in the machinery of a steamer might have destroyed the squadron.

After this failure it was determined, however, to strike a blow in the river Tobasco, some 200 miles further to the south, and on the confines of those states of Central America whose allegiance to Mexico is extremely dubious. Commodore Perry was detatched on this service on the evening of the 16^th of October, the very day after the failure of the attack in the Alvarado, probably for the purpose of retrieving the credit of the squadron elsewhere. After some little delay occasioned by rough weather, the steamers and schooners were collected off the mouth of the river Tobasco. The town of Frontera, which appears to have been undefended, was soon passed; no resistance was offered by a fort in a strong position, which might have obliged the Americans to land a storming party; and on the following morning the squadron arived opposite Tobasco, a trading town of some 4,000 inhabitants, about 74 miles from the mouth of the stream. The Governor behaved with spirit, though evidently unprovided with means of defence; and the injury done by the invaders naturally fell to the share of the merchants of he place. Half-a-dozen small Mexican trading vessels were captured, and two American vessels were seixed in the course of he expedition for holding treasonable correspondence with the enemy. No contribution of war was levied, and no excess of wanton violence seems to have been committed; though we must observe that the whole expedition was wanton and unproductive, and such appears to be the judgment passed upon it in the United States.

In the mean time, whilst these abrasions of the extremities are inflicted on certain Mexican provinces by the fleet, there is something inexpressibly grotesque in the manner in which Mr. President Polk has grappled with the totum corpus imperii, and seized the entire continent of North America, from St. Francisco to the Rio Grande, with six or seven regiments of fencibles and the Kentucky volunteers. That concentration of power which successful war has sometimes conferred on the Alexanders and Napoleons of the old world is suddenly in breathed into the President of the United States he has already doubled to territories of the United States, and doubled also their expenditure whilst he has diminished their revenue-and after having set on foot an army, it only remains for him to find public servants in sufficient numbers to administer his conquests. In the grandiloquent language of our American contemporaries, we are informed--

"That in view of the answer of he Mexican Government or rulers to our pacific proposition, the President has concluded to establish and garrison post along our Southern boundary, from Tampico to a point on the Pacific, several degrees south of latitude 42; that he will appoint territorial governors, judges, and other ministerial officers; that the United States revenue laws will be extended over the new country; that people of all classes will be taught to read and furnished with cheap goods; and that large supplies of human happiness and virtue will be speedily introduced ."

Large supplies of human happiness and virtue are no doubt, commodities of exotic growth in the wilds of North America; but we must entertain some doubts of the quality of the article which is to be imported by war and consumed under an invasion. No exaggeration, however, can go much beyond the powers which the President has actually usurped. His orders to General Taylor were the commencement of hostilities, and he virtually declared war, not by the voice of Congress, but by the authority of his office. He has carried on the war in the same manner, without any reference to the limited grant of 10,000,000 dollars made by the representatives of the people; and one of the commanding-officers reports in his despatches from the theatre of war, significantly enough, "Treasury-notes are of no use "her: the Mexicans will take nothing but gold "and silver." Gold and silver have therefore been found, but by what means and for what purposes it will astonish our republican friends on the other side of the Atlantic to learn. Lastly, having made the war his own by its origin and by his mode of conducting it., Mr. Polk lays claim to its whole results. With a few strokes of his pen he extends the North American Union into the heart of Mexico, and recognizes the existence of territories, as dependent on the United States, which it will require an army to occupy, a colonial Administration to govern, and a century to people. Meanwhile, the answer to these splendid schemes is, that Texas itself has not yet been relinquished by the Mexicans-that no progress has been made towards obtaining the treaty of peace which can alone render the possession of these conquered territories areas and permanent-and that the American army, by which these wonders are to be accomplished, is still in a position of extreme difficulty, which presents more chances of hardships and of destruction than of victory and peace. [ANP]

LT December 18, page 5b Mexican war, Mr. Halle's letter on

THE UNITED STATES.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS. )
WASHINGTON CITY, NOV. 15.

Since the departure of the steamer Britannia, on the 16^th inst., nine additional regiments of volunteers, to serve until the termination of the war, have been called for by the Executive, one regiment each to be furnished from the following states:--Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. All called for are to be infantry, except that from Texas, which is to be a mounted regiment.

The impression seems to become deeper and more general that there is a prospect of the war continuing an indefinite length of time, and that even a larger addition to the forces of the United States, now in the field, than that above noticed, will be required before it is brought to a close. All the advices from Mexico tend to be conclusion that the Mexican people are disposed for anything but peace with the United States while Santa Anna having seized upon a conducta of specie, amounting to 2,000,000 of dollars, will be enabled to organize, and keep together, a much larger and more effective force, than it was expected he could. Even now all the reports from Mexico combine the estimating the force with him at San Luis Potosi, at 20,000 men, and with such a force he cannot decline (even if he were so inclined) prosecuting the war. Other advices from Mexico also seem to render it not improbable that the Mexican Congress, instead of making provision for peace, will entertain propositions for mortgaging the church property, in order to raise a loan of $20,000,000; which sum, if it could be obtained, would, if expended in prosecuting the war, require something like $60,000,000 to $100,000,000, or upwards, as an equivalent war expenditure by the United States, all their operations being conducted, and their forces subsisted and paid, at a vastly greater expense than those of Mexico. The accounts which appear in the news-papers also of the conduct of the volunteers, or a portion of them, in the conquered and occupied Mexican towns, would seem to be calculated to do anything but propitiate the Mexicans towards the people or Government of the United States.

I extract the following from one of Mr. Haile's letters, the intelligent correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune :--

"Judging from present appearances, the wisest and longest-sighted of the officers have arrived at the conviction that the war has only commenced. During an interview with an officer of rank and experience, a day or two since, he showed me a letter that he had just written to a friend which contained his sentiments on this subject. He remarks :--

" 'There never was a nation so much mistaken as ours in regard to that of Mexico; I mean in respect to its military resources. The people are warlike and have abundant supply of munitions of war. Our battles with them improve them as soldiers. Our invasion is held by them in abhorrence, and has united all classes in determined resistance against us. The battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de laPalma, and of Monterey were battles with the frontier army. From this place onward, if we have to march on further in this direction, we shall meet their home army, made up of hardy mountaineers and a better class of soldiery. So far I consider we have not injured their nation, but done it a service, by defeating their old officers, thus causing their army to be placed under the direction of younger, more ambitious, braver, and more accomplished generals. In fact, so far from the war being ended, it has just commenced. Our position is critical. Our supplies at Camargo, 180 miles distant, must be waggoned to this place. This long line has no protection. The ranchero troops, numbering near 2,500, are behind us as guerrillas, and if they choose to act our trains must be cut off. Although this is a rich valley, its supplies are inadequate to our wants, except in beef, for any length of time. Our army, or the effective part of it, is too diminutive to meet a strong force. It is weak physically, for it has now been in campaign over 13 months, with scanty clothing and much hardship and exposure. The volunteers are numerous, but, with the exception of those regiments commanded by late officers of the army, without discipline. I suppose our whole army will muster, when all arrive from below, 9,000 men for duty, and we hear the Mexicans have one on the advance to meet us of 30,000 men. I am convinced, and so is every officer of the army, that we have done wrong and committed an irreparable error in leaving the Rio Grande to march in this direction. To end this war a more vital blow must be struck nearer the Mexican capital; that is, Vera Cruz should be taken by the way of Alverado. We are now over 700 miles from the city of Mexico, with a vast desert to traverse. In a word, to make peace economically with Mexico, some things must be undone, and our Government must commence again. Discharge the volunteers and raise your regular force to 30,000 or 50,000 men. We have the fullest expectation of the most active guerilla war against us. Move where we will, the mountains and passes afford every facility to carry it on successfully, and most disastrously for us. Our army, as now situated, can be compared to the French in Spain, when Joseph was driven out."

The editor of the New Orleans Bulletin, toe, proposes the following change in the plan of operations:--

"We should take possession and garrison the sea ports on both coasts. It has already been, or is being, done on the Pacific, and we would at once do the same thing with Vera Cruz, Tampico, Alvarado, and the ports of Yucatan. Garrison them in such a manner as a to resist any attempts of the enemy to dispossess us, and, besides which, keep an disposable force of 3,000 or 5,000 men, with sufficient and efficient steam transportation for them always ready, to be rapidly removed from point to point, as might be rendered necessary by the movements of the enemy in collecting forces at any particular point; and we could thus transport this column of men much more rapidly than they could their army by land. In the ports thus held, establish regular custom-houses, with the full and regular organization, as in the sea ports of the United States, and put our tariff into operation, throwing open these ports to the commerce of all nations on precisely the same footing as our own ports, and admitting all our own productions free of duty; the importations would be large, the revenue collected would go far towards paying the expenses of the war, and would all come out of the enemy; we should exactly change places with them, by throwing on their shoulders all the burden and enourmous expense of active operations, whilst we remained on the defensive, inactive and tranquil; and we should avoid all he contingencies of misfortune to which all invading armies are liable, and save thousands of valuable lives, which would otherwise fall sacrifices by battle, disease, exposure, and fatigue.

"We would say to the Mexicans, Here are our terms of peace, when you choose to accept of them we shall be ready to negotiate; until then we shall retain possession of all your sea ports, and continue to collect all the revenue from imports, allowing free access to trade to and from the interior; we shall not get tired first of the plan, as we are perfectly willing to continue one, or five, or ten years; we will keep you thus sealed up any length of time that may be necessary, until you come to terms."

It will be perceived from these various authorities that there does not appear any great prospect of the speedy termination of the war. The ill success of the navy also, in the two abortive attempts made to capture Alvarado, and the consequent opportunities which have been given to the Mexicans for boasting manifestoes fo the prowess which they have displayed, has only been partially compensated by the attack upon Tobasco, the destruction of the town, and capture of a number of vessels, of which accounts were brought by the Southern mail last night, and published in the paper this morning.

The meeting of Congress takes place on the 7^th proximal. The recent elections to which I alluded at length in my last have given the Whig party such decided gains, that though a very small minority-only about one-third of the whole number-in the present house, it is expected that they will vigourosly attack the administration and its policy, and a very exciting session is expected, not withstanding it will be a short session, and will terminate on the 3d of March, when the time for which the members were elected expires. There are causes of disaffection, also, at work in the democratic party, which will probably produce some curious results during the session, the proceeding of which will also have special reference to, and be designed to operate upon, the next presidential election, which takes place two years hence. The principal business of politicians here, after one presidential election is decided is to endeavour to operate upon the next election, and consequently the country is in a continual ferment on this question. [ANP]

LT December 18, 1846 p5cb Capture of Tampico

NOV. 28.

The mail to night from the south brings us intelligence of the capture of Tampico by the naval force of the United States, now in the Gulf, under command of Commodore Conner. There was not any fighting, the garrison having been withdrawn some days previous by Santa Anna, to strengthen his force at San Luis Potosi; the inhabitants, therefore, surrendered at discretion, and Commodore Perry was despatched forthwith in the steam-ship Mississippi to bring troops, ordnance, &c., from the United States to garrison the captured town, which is the next to Vera Cruz in point of importance on the Gulf. It will, doubtless, be retained by the Americans until peace is concluded.

It is reported in this city that Major-General Scott, the General Commanding in-Chief, is to proceed south for the purpose of assuming the command and directing the proceedings of all the forces there, and which are to be sent there.

Notwithstanding, however, all these preparations and calling out of volunteers, declarations of determinations made to prosecute the war vigorously, &c., it is still maintained here, by those who have good means of judging, that the war will not continue much longer, but that the Mexican Congress will accept the overtures made by President Polk some months ago; but nous verrons.

The members of Congress are arriving in the city from all directions, preparatory to the commencement of the session, a week hence. They all appear to anticipate a stormy session. [ANP]

LT December 18, page 5b

NEW YORK, NOV. 30.

The "voice is still for war: in this region, and everything indicates that peace is still far from us. The Government has just determined to send to the scene of hostilities new troops, and the highest military officer in our service, General Winfield Scott. He received his orders on the 19^th inst. At Washington, and on the 20^th was on his way to the field. He has been detained here for a day or two for want of a vessel in which to embark for New Orleans; he finally sailed this morning, accompanied by this staff, in the packet ship Union. From New Orleans it is understood he will proceed immediately to Point Isabel, and there or therabouts await the arrival of the troops which he is to command. The nine regiments of volunteers recently called forth by the President, are now mustering, and will constitute a force of about 7,500 men. These, with detachments from the united corps of Generals Taylor and Wool, which will have formed a junction near Monterey, will constitute General Scott's command. What his line of operation is to be is of course a secret, nor has conjecture as yet hit apparently upon any probable solution of it. He will not, however, it is thought, operate upon the line of General Taylor's army. This officer will probably remain in Monterey, where he can defend himself against large odds, after sparing to General Scott the detachments of regulars and volunteers he may require.

Meantime Santa Anna is concentrating at San Luis de Potosi all the troops he can muster, and promises to drive the invader from the soil of Mexico. Ampudia had joined him, and, on the 23d of October, it was rumoured that the whole force then embodied there under Santa Anna, was 20,000 men. He had obtained money, too, though how much is not stated. A general battle seems to be anticipated between the American and Mexican forces. W e are not of this opinion, not expecting ever again to hear of a Mexican army meeting an American army in the field. Our accounts to day from Washington are that news had reached the Government of the breaking up of a Mexican administration, and that Almonte was going to England.

The Congress of Mexico and that of he United States both assemble in the beginning of next week, and upon their deliberation and decisions the question of peace or war should depend; but Mexico is so thoroughly demoralized so entirely without stability of administration or force of law, that, even if peace should be desired by Congress, it seems by means certain that either the army or the people would consent to it. National prejudice, if not national feeling, is now apparently at work among the Mexicans, to induce more united and vigorous resistance of he invaders; and the evil suffered by the country is so little, and its effects, as compared with those which the invaders are obliged to make, comparatively so little costly, that the war to them is less onerous than to us. Hence, even thought he Congress may desire to put and end to the conflict, it seems not at all certain that the nation will sustain them.

On the other hand, the Congress of the United States, however desirous of peace, will not advise it on any terms that shall seem derogatory to the nation. A war undertaken, as this confessedly was, for the extension of frontier, cannot be terminated honourably unless that object be accomplished. But until absolutely compelled at the point of the sword, Mexico will not accede to any proposition to relinquish all the territory east of the Rio Grande and Upper California. No man of any party in Mexico could venture to propose such a surrender. If, therefore, Mexico will not yield these points, and we cannot honourably make peace except by carrying them, it seems clear that peace is far distant.

The President's message will probably be sent to Congress on the day of their assembling, Monday, Dec. 7, and will reach Europe by the steamer of the 16^th. Its tone will be lofty, as is conjectured, towards Mexico, and full of self-gratification on the success of our arms. The revenue is the pierre de touche in present circumstances, and something must be done to increase it. Probably a duty will be recommended on tea and coffee, and possibly on some other articles now free. Those first named, however, at a moderate duty, would produce over 3,000,000 of dollars. There will be, too, a recommendation to increase both the army and navy; and strong appeals will be made to the pride and patriotism of the country to carry through the war with vigour and despatch. The tariff will not, in my judgment, be meddled with, except, as indicated above, in imposing duties upon some articles now free.

We have a rumour, under date of Oct. 30, from the city of Mexico, that the Government had issued and despatched to Havannah, and perhaps elsewhere, a large number of letters of marque to be used against American commerce and that these commissions were accompanied by letters of naturalization to other persons who should accept the commission. Whether this be a rumour or a fact, this at least is certain, that this Government has had correspondence both with the authorities of the island of Cuba and with those of the mother country, concerning the fitting out of the Mexican privateers in Spanish forts; and that the most explicit assurances have been received from the Spanish authorities that no such expeditions should be allowed, and that the express stipulation of he treaty of '98, between the United States and Spain, inhibiting to each the use of its ports and resources for the equipment of he privateer of a third power against the commerce of either, should be strictly carried out.

There does not seem to be any concern felt either by underwriters of ship owners about he rumoured appearance of letters of marque, and it will probably turn out a false alarm.

The capture of Tampico by our naval forces is officially announced. The garrison and armament had been previously withdrawn by Santa Anna, and the city surrendered unconditionally, without firing a gun, as soon as summoned, on the 14^th inst. The city was held by a detachment of marines and sailors from the fleet, and the steam-ship Mississippi immediately despatched to New Orleans to communicate intelligence of the capture, and bring back men and materiel to garrison the town. The Mississippi reached the Balize on the 19^th, and was to depart again for Tampico on the 21^st or 22d. Meantime the Governor of Louisiana had placed at the service of the United States six or eight brass cannon 6 and 9-pounders, and a detachment of regular infantry, and some volunteers, were expected to embark in the Mississippi. A messenger had also been landed at Point Isabel to communicate to the commander of the troops in that neighbourhood the fall of Tampico, nd the necessity of its being forthwith garrisoned by American troops. It will be immediately put in the best state of defence and held by our forces, and will be found all-important to ulterior operations either by sea or land. As, however, there is no good road into the interior from Tampico, no road at least fit for the march of an army with its artillery, the possession of this place will not facilitate in this sense a march upon Mexico, which now, it is thought, is determined upon. The only broad, well-made road is that which Cortez pointed out, and followed the line of, on his advance to Mexico, that from Vera Cruz; and by this road General Scott will, it can hardly be doubted, make his advance, after, perhaps, capturing the city of Vera Cruz and its protecting fortress, San Juan de Ulloa by land approaches.

In commercial matters there is generally less animation since the accounts by the Acadia. Flour had declined to $5.25c. per barrel. Wheat may be quoted at from 116c. to 120c. per bushel of 60lb ; and Indian corn at from 60c. to 62c. per bushel of 56lb.

Exchange on London is dull at from 6 to 6 ^1/2 per cent., and we shall look ere long for specie to flow from Europe-as at these rates it will.

Our navigation is all fully employed, and freights are very high. The Government is in the market for transports, of which a large number will be required-and this gives additional stiffness to freights. [ANP]

LT December 29, page 7a

The following description of the scene of war with Mexico is taken from the Morning Telegraph of the 4^th inst. :-

"The successive victories achieved by the American arms in Mexico naturally lead us to inquire somewhat into the topography of those places which are now in the possession of the army and navy. General Taylor, by the capture of Monterey, became master of he state of New Leon. SO much has been said of this capital, that we do not doubt the American people, at least such as read the newspapers, know more about Monterey than the generality of the Mexicans themselves. New Leon has a territory of 20,000 square miles, and a population of 85,000. It lies eastwardly of the tableland, and has between it and the Gulf the state of Tamaulipas. The surface of the country, south of the Rio del Tigre, is rather level; while to the north lofty mountains elevate their peaks, some of them 10,000 feet above the level of the sea. The climate is warm but healthy. The cause of the flourishing condition of Monterey is said to be its proximity to the rich mines in the neighbourhood. It is very evident our invading army did not expect to find so much wealth and taste as were exhibited in the public and private buildings of the town. General Wool, at the last accounts, has communicated twice with General Taylor, but previously to the intended junction of the two armies, it was deemed best that the capital of the state of Cohuahuila should be occupied by our troops. This territory touches that of New Leon, and lies to the north and east of it. Its length is 500 miles, and its width is 200. The surface of the country is rough and hilly. Humboldt says it produces excellent grain and wine. The capital, Monclava, or Montelovez, as it is sometimes called, is situated in 26 deg. 33 min. north latitude, and contains 3,500 inhabitants. It will be seen, by referring to the map, that the movements of Generals Taylor and Wool have, in a military point of view, been admirable throughout; and so, too, General Kearney has carried out his part of the campaign, with similar ability. The Secretary of War, acting with a sound judgment of his own, and under the best military advice to be obtained in this country, projected three armies on the east flank of Mexico, and between the 24^th and 38^th degrees of north latitude we have obtained possession of the country, and will be able to retain it. By this operation Mexico is completely broken in pieces, deprived of revenue and soldiers in a very large portion of her former territory, and already sees an indemnity in our hands for the unadjusted claims of our citizens and the expenses of the war. By the last accounts it was stated, that after the junction of the two armies of Generals Taylor and Wool, a movement was to be made upon San Luis Potosi, where, according to all accounts, Santa Anta was to take a final stand with his army. This would be a southerly movement, sweeping Saltillo, nearly upon the line of 100 degrees west longitude from Greenwich. We have particular accounts of the former condition of San Luis de Potosi, from Humboldt and Pike. At present it "comprehends the larger part of the southern portion of the great northern plain, " and is traversed by the river Tamoin, a tributary of the Panuco. The latest and best description, however, is to be found in the work of Mr. Ward, who was a few years since the British Minister, resident in Mexico. The State of San Luis was then estimated to contain 250,000 souls, and the capital about 60,000. It is a handsome town, with spacious suburbs, wide streets, large and substantial buildings and churches, and is lighted at night. It is well supplied with water, and can boast of its fountains as well as Monterey. The country surrounding it is fertile, and it carries on an extensive commerce. The goods sold here are French brandies, wines, silks and cloths; English hardware and cotton prints, and American coarse cottons. Almost all these articles were formerly smuggled into San Luis, by the way of Tampico, and, it is said, in American bottoms. The exports are chiefly to the neghbouring states of Leon and Cohahuila, consisting chiefly of home-made goods. It is in San Luis that the celebrated mine of Catorce is situated-one of the richest in Mexico, and long the object of desire with English capitalists. The possession of that mine for a few months would fill the military chest of General Taylor. We now come to the territories against which our naval operations have been directed with success. Tobasco, the capital of which was bombarded by Commander Perry, extends over the greater part of the low plain between Lake Terminos on the east, and the river Huascualco on the west. The river Tabasco passes through it. The state contains about 63 churches, 48 villages, about 600 haciendas, and 55,000 inhabitants. During the rainy season the country is liable to inundation, and the communication between the villages is kept up by canoes. Its principal exports are the native pepper, found in abundance on the banks of its rivers, indigo and vanilla, which grow wild, and cocoa, which is a staple of the country. The capital is the Villa Hermosa, about 50 miles from the sea, and a place of some commerce, containing about 8,000 inhabitants. The visit of Commander Perry deprived the town of its vessels and steamers. Tampico has also been visited by the navy, to which it surrendered at discretion. It is to be immediately occupied by American troops, and will be fortified. This is one of he best movements yet made on the gulf coast, for the commercial relations of Tampico and San Luis de Potosi are extremely intimate, and one important source of supply is cut off. Santa Anna will feel this sensibly in a very short time. Tampico is situated in the northern extremity of the state of Vera Cruz, on the border of a shallow lake, the Tamiagua. Two rivers, the Tampico, coming from the west, and the Tulas from the south, unite and debouche at the town. It appears that the Tula, or Panuco, as it is called, near the mouth is navigable for schooners of 80 tons burthen, for about 80 miles from the sea, and, with some slight difficulties to overcome for large boats, for a considerable distance above. Along one river lies the road to San Luis; along the north, the road to the capitol. Thus we see the objects of the campaign are succeeding, one after the other, and the numerous speculations and complaints put forth by newspaper writers, form time to time, have but little foundation. The Government has all along desired peace, and made every effort to obtain it. An avalanche of war could not well have been hurled upon the Mexicans at such a moment. It would have been, to say the least, extremely unkind. The Government has been disposed to impress, not to conquer the enemy, and, thus far, it has in our humble judgment, shown great ability in the management of its military affairs. If there has been a weak place, it was in the commissariat; and, unless that department is managed with consummate ability, no army can help being occasionally distressed for its supplies, and for the want of proper means of transportation.

"The possession of Tampico is highly important. It is, so far as the lines of operations are considered, a post in the rear of Santa Anna's force, and one from which we may pour in supplies for the approaching armies of Taylor and Wool with very great convenience. We should not be surprised if a large military force was placed as soon as possible at Tampico, which, by a simultaneous movement, will completely surround and cut off Santa Anna's army; that being done, the capital falls an easy prey. The position of Tampico, therefore, gives us the double power, of defeating Santa Anna to the north, and of moving southwardly along the Tula to the capital." [ANP]

LT December 31, page 5b

AMERICA.

LIVERPOOL, WEDNESDAY.

Since the despatch of the accounts by the packetshp Ashburton, the packet-ship John R. Skiddy, Captain Luce, has arrived in the Mersey with advices from New York to the 13^th inst. Inclusive. The run was made in the remarkably short space of 16 days, and consequently the advices momentarily expected by the mail steam-ship Caledonia will be but two days later than those now received.

The present accounts are not unimportant. The general aspect of the war had undergone no material change. The operations of the American forces had been chiefly contined to an advance against Saltillo, the investment of Monclova, and the garrisoning of Tampico; while in Mexico, if we may judge from the indistinct and almost incredible statements contained in the American journals, fresh disorders have broken forth, to prostrate the country still deeper before its enemy.

Our accounts from Washington extended tot he close of 10^th inst. The proceedings of the Senate since the opening of the session on the 7^th had been almost or entirely confined to the transaction of business; and a resolution of instruction to the Military Committee to inquire into the propriety of granting 160 acres of land to each volunteer serving in the war, and of increasing the pay, had been adopted, and a bill had been introduced to organize a territorial government over the Oregon. The proceeding of the House of Representatives were more interesting, and a sharp discussion upon the Mexican war took place on the 9^th inst. Upon a motion of Mr. Davis, calling upon the President for copies of all orders to generals and commodores relative to the establishment of civil governments in territories conquered during the war. The question upon the adoption of this resolution having come up, Mr. Harolson, of Georgia, presented, as an amendment, the words- "if not incompatible with the public interests, " as the publication of the official correspondence might prove detrimental to the national interests, by giving the enemy possession of the views and plans adopted in the prosecution of hostilities. Mr. Davis, disclaiming any such intention, then proceeded to speak at length, to the effect, that if it appeared the President had acted contrary to the constitution, he (Mr. Davis) was prepared for such ulterior measures as the integrity of the constitution and the safety of the Union might demand. Mr. Douglass, of Illinois, then rose, and invited a full investigation of the conduct of the Executive. If by "ulterior measures" Mr. Davis and the Opposition contemplated the impeachment of the President, they would have full latitude. In ordering the establishment of temporary governments in conquered territories the President had only performed his duty. Mr. Davis replied, that power to establish military regulations for governing possessions held by right of conquest was admitted, but there was not right to establish civil governments in such possessions, and he challenged the President to produce such a right. Mr. Rhett, of South Carolina, remarked that the occupation of California and New Mexico being merely military, the conduct of the Government was perfectly justifiable. Mr. Harolson withdrew his amendment. Mr. Winthrop, of Massachusetts, denounced that portion of the message in which the justice of the war is advocated, and the boundary of Texas defended. Mr. Vinton, of Ohio, moved to amend the resolution so as to inquire whether any part of the conquered territories belonged to Texas. Mr. Holmes, of South Carolina, followed in defence of the Government. Mr. Darragh, of Pennsylvania, obtained the floor when the house adjourned. On the 10^th the discussion was resumed, the motion being so modified as to make further demands of the President, calling on him to state, through the secretary at War, whether the present was with Mexico was waged with a view to conquest, or to what extent he designed to prosecute it. It was also added, that the information communicated should be received with closed doors. Mr. Darragh spoke in favor of the resolution. Mr. Stanton, of Tennessee, contended that the resolution had for its object designs much deeper than appeared on the face of it, and he defended the course of the President. The question under consideration was answered in the message. The war was not one of conquest; but was solely to enforce justice on Mexico.

Other speakers followed, and, finally, the question was informally passed over; and the house adjourned to the 14^th instant. This attack upon the Executive was thought to be the prelude to a more serious onslaught at some future and not distant date.

The American forces, since the last advices, had gained some trifling advantages. Accounts from Tampico to the 28^th ultimo, containing indistinct accounts from the interior of Mexico, had been received at New Orleans, by the St. Mary's. They are thus given in the New York journals :-

The St. Mary's sailed from Tampico on Saturday, the 28^th ult., at 3p.m., arrived off the Rio Grande del Norte at 5 a.m. on the 30^th ; landed Adjutant Austin, 3^rd Artillery, at Brazos, at 10 a.m., and sailed for the Belize, where she made the light at South-west Pass at 1 p.m., December 1.

The steamer Neptune arrived at Tampico, November 22, with 450 regular troops, under the command of Colonel Gates.

The steamer Sea arrived with more troops on the 23d., when the town was handed over to the army.

Fort Orondaga was immediately garrisoned under the name of Fort Connor, and armed with two long 8-pounders.

A battery of two 42-pounder carronades was called Fort Ann, in honour of Mrs. Chase, lady of the late American Consul at Tampico. This lady behaved most nobly, showing to the world that she was a patriot under all circumstances. When our small vessels were about to approach the town of Tampico, she ran up our flag in defiance of the Alcalde and other officers. Some time before Mrs. Chase wrote to Commodore Connor, informing him the place could be taken, and gave drawings of the harbour.

Besides the cannon abovementioned, some field pieces are mounted on the house tops.

The Neptune sailed from Tampico on the 24^th ult., and encountered a norther, was driven back, and wrecked on the bar. All hands were saved. The vessel is a total loss.

The town of Tampico is already in a state of defence. Reinforcements are arriving daily.

Saltillo has been abandoned, and there is no doubt that it is now in possession of the advanced guard of the army under General Worth.

The condition of Mexico is represented to be even worse than it ever has been.

Santa Anna lately made an address to his troops, apparently to extract from them an invitation to reinstate himself at the head of the Government. He was disappointed, however, at finding that his oration was received in profound silence; and immediately afterwards he started with is cavalry on a secret expedition. Some think it was to cut off one of the divisions of our army, which he will not be likely to find. The most probable conjecture is that he is gone to Mexico to control the action of the new Congress.

The St. Mary's left over the bar of Tampico the Potomac, the Princeton, and the John Adams, with some small vessels off the town of Tampico. She left the steamer Sea ashore abreast of the town on a mud bank. She passed the Mississippi 60 miles north of Tampico, bound out. The officers of the St. Mary's are all well.

A letter from Pensacola, of the 7^th of December, to the Picayune, says, -that Captain Tatnall, with the steamer Spitfire, had gone up the river 60 or 70 miles from Tampico, and taken possession of two towns, at one of which he captured 10 large cannons and a heavy quantity of ammunition, which had been received from Tampico, when the Mexicans retreated from that city.

The two regiments which evacuated that palace revolted when they got to San Luis Potosi, and were disbanded. They were opposed to Santa Anna.

Great dissensions prevailed at San Luis Potosi.

The army, about 16,000 strong, were in a state of starvation. There were four different factions.

The United States brig Porpoise, Captain Hunt, -arrived at Pensacola on the 1^st of December, about 7 o'clock in eight days from Tampico, -reports the squadron all well. There was not the shadow of a Mexican in arms to be seen; no opposition of any kind. Troops were arriving daily, and armaments of all kinds landing at Tampico. The inhabitants seemed perfectly satisfied with the change. There were a great many merchantmen with assorted cargoes in port. There was a severe gale on the 18^th ult., and the John Adams, St. Mary's, and a British man-of-war brig, the Darien, were blown off the coast; they have, however, returned, without sustaining any damage. Captain Ingraham came passenger in the Porpoise, and is bearer of despatches to our Government at Washington. An attempt was made by the captain of the Darien to claim the gunboats and schooner of the Mexicans as British property, and he persisted in it until admonished by Commodore Connor, when he reluctantly yielded, and abandoned his aburd pretensions. The streets of Tampico were thronged with American citizens. All was bustle, and busines brisk.

Accounts from the Army of the Left at Monterey have been received to the 11^th of November. Theorders of the Government disapproving the armistice reached there on the 3d, and immediately General Taylor despatched Major Graham to Saltillo, to confer with the Mexica camp, and inform them that each party was at liberty to act as it might think fit. Not an officer nor a soldier was to be seen at Saltillo. Major Graham had an interview with the Governor, and informed him that the armistice was at an end, and requested him to despatch the intelligence to the Mexican Commander-in-chief at San Luis Potosi. The Governor desired Major Graham to proceed to San Luis and deliver his message; but that officer's instructions being peremptory, he returned to Monterey; and on the 13^th General Taylor, with General Worth, 1,000 regulars, infantry, a battalion of artillery, and two squadrons of cavalry, left for Saltillo. No opposition was anticipated, and General Taylor was expected to return to Monterey, after ascertaining the prospects of an advance for the main force along that route to San Luis Potosi. Reports were current at Matamoras that a Mexican force had appeared at Victoria, and it is stated in some journals that an American force had been despatched against them. American settlers were commencing to locate on the northern bank of the Rio Grande.

From the Army ot he Centre we learn that on the 30^th the Mexican town of Monclova was quietly invested. The Governor and a number of the principal citizens formed an escort, and met General Wool about four miles from the city, welcomed him as a friend, and placed at his disposal for his headquarters one of the best houses in the town. The army was in excellent health. Reports had reached Monclova that the city of Chihuahua also had been invested by a detachment of the Army of the Right from Santa Fe, under Colonel Doneghan. The American journals throw doubts upon the last statement.

The latest accounts from the Army of the Right are dated Fra Christobal, 205 miles south of the capital of New Mexico. From Santa Fe we have advices to the 20^th of October. The Mormon levy had arrived, and left on the 18^th for California. The city was in a frightful state; scarcely a day passed without the perpetration of some outrage by the Americans, and signs of Mexican retribution were not unfrequent. Supplies were becoming extremely scarce; and, en route from Fort Leavenworth to Santa Fe, a train of 30 Government waggons had been totally plundered by the Indians. At Bent's Fort there were, however, considerable quantities of stores.

From the Pacific, or the interior of California, there are no later accounts. [ANP]

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

The information on this site is intended for personal, non-profit, and/or educational purposes only.

©2005 Linda Arnold