Mexican-American War and the Media

We have received letters from our correspondent in the city of Mexico to the 29th of June. The delay of the Americans in advancing from Puebla had enabled the Mexicans to assemble an army estimated at 16,000 men for the defense of the capital. Santa Anna was again at the head of affairs, having withdrawn his resignation, and through the pressing nature of the danger recovered much of his former ascendency. A forced contribution of $1,000,000 had been decreed, from which foreigners were not exempt. The America army under General Scott, 10,000 strong, was supposed to be on the eve of marching against the city, and that a battle would be fought at El Penon, three leagues distant. A communication from Mr. Buchanan, dated Washinton, April 15, had been received by the Mexican Government, informing them that Mr. Trist would accompany the army with full powers to treat for peace. The issue of the expected battle would, of course, materially influence the determination of the Mexicans on the subject of negotiations, and it seemed not improbable that its loss by them would lead to peace. The Cabinet had been remodelled by the appointment of General Alcorta as Minister at War; Don Domingo Ybarra to the department of Foreign Affairs, and Don Vicente Romero as Minister of Justice. Rondero remained at the head of the Finance Department.

The Royal mail steam packet Avon, R.S. Norton commander, arrived at Southhampton on Wednesday evening at 9 o'clock, bringing the Mexican and West Indian mails, in charge of Lieutenant J. Fitz Brand, R.N., Admiralty agent, which left by the usual mail train at a quarter past 1 o'clock on Thursday morning.

The Avon brings 70 passengers, and her dates are--St. Juan Nicaragua, June 23, Charges the 25th, Carthagena the 28_th, Santa Martha the 29th, Demerara, July 5, Puerto Bello the 6_th, Tobago the 7th, Trinidad the 7th, Jamaica the 9th, Barbadoes the 9 th, Jacmel the 11th, Grenada the 11th, St. Vincent the 11th, St. Lucia the 12th, Martinique the 12th, Dominique the 12th, Guadaloupe the 12th, Puerto Rico the 13th, Antigua the 13th, Nevis the 13th, St. Kitt's the 13th, Tortola the 14th, St. Thomas the 16th, and Bermuda the 20th.

The Avon Brings 286,016 dollars on merchants' of gold dust, 127 cases of cigars, 101 serons of cochineal, 69 cases of pines, 30 live turtle, &c.

The Avon has had an unusually quick passage home. She sighted the Experimental Squadron 14 miles off the Lizard, with two steamers ahead.

The accounts from the islands are rather contradictory as to the weather; on the whole, the rains appear to have generally visited the various localities, though far too scanty in some districts. Great complaints continued in consequence of the scarcity of shipping, and of course the colonists were suffering great losses from non-realization of produce. The want of money was severely felt.

On the departure of the Avon from the Gulf the following was the most recent intelligence:

The American army at Vera Cruz amounts to amounts to about 4,000 men of the 10 new regiments lately organized and the remainder were expected daily, when the whole army would amount to 10,000 men. On the night of the 16th of June, 1,600 mules were taken by a Mexican guerrilla party, which was supposed to amount to 200 men. General Scott was still at Puebla awaiting reinforcements, as in Mexico they are making preparations for a strong defense. Santa Anna had been declared Dictator, on condition that he will not, under any circumstances, treat for peace; and it is generally supposed by those who are best acquainted with the Mexican character that the Americans must conquer the whole country before there can be an end to the war. Almonte, the late Ambassador to the United States, was in prison at Mexico. The fever was raging dreadfully at Vera Cruz, especially in the American army; there were between 600 and 700 in the hospitals, or churches converted into hospitals. By the medical reports 20 died daily; however, rumour said between 25 and 30 daily. It is generally supposed that when the rainy season sets in the mortality amongst the American troops will be fearfully great.

There is no prospect of the Mexicans accepting the proposition lately made by the American Government for the termination of hostilities. At a place called Jago, about half way between Calapo and Parata, an affair took place between the Americans and Mexicans; about 400 of the latter, with their commander, had been killed.

Santa Anna was said to have 30,000 men organized in Mexico; the priests are distributing their money in a most lavish manner in aid of the war.

The following is a list of the cabin passengers by the Avon:

Mr. Fontevilla, from Mexico; Mr. Edney, lady, and family, from Belize; Mr. Puttfracken, Mr. Ramirez, Mr. Mantilla, and Mr. Barlas, from Havannah; Mr. Mackle, Mr. Perry and family, Mr. Boulanger and servant, Mr. Prada, Mr. Jullian, Mr. Portillo, Mr. Mainamillo and son, and Mr. Loayza, from Chagres; mr. Wilson and Mr. Esculante, from Nicaragua; Mr. Nieto, Mr. Klein, Mr. Williamson, and Mr. Gaverra, from Sant Martha; Mr. Murray, lady, and family, Mr. Vallego, Mr. Heath, Mr.Heath, Mr. Duany, Mr. Menzies, Mr. W. Joseph, Mr. Douglas, Mr. Morrice and Mr. Lyons, from Jamaica; Mr. Millinet, from La Guayra; Mr. Johnstone, Mr. Stewart, and Mr. Bolie and lady, from Trinidad; Mr. Charlton, Mr. And MRs. Walsh, Mr. Lloyd, Mr. Hurrell, and Mr. Callenden, from Barbadoes; Mr. And Mrs. Brown and family, from Grenada; Mr. Wicoud, from St. Lucia; Mr. Maynard, from Martinique; Mr. And Mrs. Railton and family, from Nevis; Mr. Udall, from St. Kitts; Mr. Ahrens and Mr. Viner, from Porto Rico; Mr. Van Schmidten, from St. Thomas; Miss Hawkins, from Bermuda.

The Avon left at Jamaica, May 30, Her Majesty's ship Imaum. On the 31st C.S.P Forth arrived.

At Havannah, June 6, her Majesty's ship Alarm, which sailed for Bermuda and Halifax on the 8th. On the 7th C.S.P Medway arrived from the Gulf.

At Vera Cruz, June 13, Her Majesty's ship Persian, At Bermuda, July 17, her Majesty's schooner Bermuda building; Commander, officers, and crew hulked on board the Royal Oak.

At Nassau, July 13, Her Majesty's surveying-vessels Thunder and Locke.

At Havannah, June 6, there were-French men of war, Andromeda, bearing the flag of Vice-Admiral La Place, and the Blonde corvette; Spanish men of war, Sobarona, 74 guns, bearing the flag of a Vice-Admiral, and the Maria Christina frigate.

At Vera Cruz, June 13--French men of war, Petrouse corvette and Pylades brig; Spanish men of war, the Heberno corvette; American men of war, the Potomac, 60 guns, and the Raritan, 60 guns. The Americans had also at Vera Cruz 31 transports laden with coals, &c., and 52 with provisions, ammunition, &c., for the use of the army.

Tampico, June 15.--The steamers Undine, the Mary Somers, and the Joseph Gage, taken up by the American Government, were constantly employed towing ships over the bar and up and down the river; one bark and three schooners were also used for conveying troops, stores, &c., along the coast. On the Avon's return to Vera Cruz on the 17th, she found the same men of war and transports at anchor there as on the 13 th, when she left for Tampico. She left Vera Cruz on the 3rd of July and arrived at Havannah on the 7 th, and found the Spanish men of war already mentioned at anchor there. The maria Christina sailed on the 9th on a cruise; the schooner Lee was waiting there for the mails, and the Company's steam-packet the Great Western arrived on the same day as the Avon did; the Great Western left on the 10th for Vera Cruz. The Avon sailed on the morning of the11th for Naseau and arrived on the 18 th; she found her Majesty's surveying vessels Thunder and Locke, moored in the harbour; they were to leave for Bermuda in a few days.

The Avon spoke at sea the bark Priscilla, july 29, 42°26 N. lat., 33°30 W. lon; the brig Helons, Irish, and the Brig Harvey, English, July 30, 43°50 N. lat., 29°3 W. lon., the bark M.H. Kendal, American, July 31, 45°17 N. lat., 24°21 W. lon.; an English bark, hoisted white burgee and St. George's cross, August 1, 46°40 N lat., 18 59 W. lon.
[AMA]

LT 1847-8-8

STATE OF MEXICO

General's Scott's unexpected delay at Puebla (where he still remains) has occasioned some important changes here. Santa Anna has withdrawn his resignation, and in some degree recovered his ascendancy. Troops have arrived from many of the internal departments, and the force now assembled here is estimated at not less than 16,000 men, with more than a corresponding train of artillery. Had General Scott pushed on here, direct from Cerro Gordo, he might have occupied the city without firing a shot; but he has given the Mexicans time to recover from their panic, and the capital of the Montezumas will not be surrendered without a battle. The American General's operations have, however, been conducted with prudence, for the more we learn of the number and condition of his forces, the less adequate do they appear to the occupation of so extensive a line of country as that from this to Vera Cruz. By withdrawing the garrison of Jalapa, and leaving only a small force in possession of the heights which command Puebla, he can now muster 10,000 men, for the attack on this city. Considerable delay has been occasioned by the attacks of the guerilla parties on an American convey of money and ammunition between Vera Cruz and Jalapa. A Spanish priest, named Jarauta, has given unexpected energy to these bands, and distinguished himself personally on various occasions. The clerical and military characters do noot seem to be considered incompatible either in Spain or here; indeed, the first Mexican insurgent, Hidalgo, was a village priest. One guerrilla intercepted a despatch from the American Secretary at War, Mr. Marcy, to General Scott, dated April 30, which contains the following passage:

"This Government has received hints that part of the state of Vera Cruz, as well as some others, is disposed to revolt against the central Government. If this be true, use every means in your power to excite this spirit, taking at the same time the utmost care that the United States should not appear to be implicated, as this would give rise to charges against our Government when negotiations for peace are commenced. If you think proper, you can promise some assistance or protection, after the termination of the war."

The American Government should be careful how they expose communications of this delicate nature to seizure.

It was reported yesterday that the American army had already left Puebla, which is probably premature, but "the cry is still they come," and the movements of the troops seem to indicate the approach of danger. The rocky hill of El Penon, about three leagues from this on the Puebla road, has been strongly fortified, and will, probably, soon be the scene of a decisive battle. T all the approaches to the town trenches are dug and works thrown up, but no of a class likely to keep out the Americans, if victorious in the previous battle, and, though a city like, where every house is capable of being converted into a fortress, might be long defended by determined men, I see no reason to apprehend a contest in the streets.

While this imminent danger threatens the capital of the republic, the strife of political parties is as fierce as ever. The reflecting portion of both factions (Puros and Modernados) is, doubtless, aware of the necessity of negotiating for peace with the United States; but neither dare to propose it, from an apprehension of the bare suggestion giving an advantage to their opponents. Within the last few days a communication has been received by this Government from Mr. Buchanan, dated Washington, April 16, in which he announces the appointment of Mr. Nicholas P. Trist as commissioner, to accompany the army, with full powers to make peace whenever the Mexicans are disposed to come to terms. This communication was sent here undercover to the British Minister, and the answer (which, as far as is publicly known, merely states that the note would be laid before Congress) was taken to Puebla personally by Mr. Thornton, the Secretary of the Legation. There is, therefore, ground to infer that some friendly mediation is going on. Santa Anna has made some exertions (real or pretended) to get the Congress together; but that body, from mutual jealousies, carried to an inconceivable height, will neither meet in sufficient numbers to transact business, nor consent to be declared in recess, and leave the Executive unfettered. It is difficult to discover the clue to Mexican politics, which seem to be a compound of Spanish intrigue and Indian cunning. Santa Anna, who seems so desirous of assembling the Congress, may very possibly be engaged in fomenting their dissensions, is order to pave the way to his own dictatorship.

The pretensions of the American Government are now understood to be moderate; the same, or similar to those suggested in one of my letters: The line of the Bravo to Paso del Norte, or Santa Fe, and Upper California, to become American, each party to bear its own expenses in the war, and Mexico to receive a pecuniary compensation for the territory ceded, of course without reference to Texas Proper, which is condemned as a lawful prize. If peace should ultimately be made on these terms, the assumption of part of the Mexican debt by the United States, instead of their paying an indemnity to this country, might be a good arrangement for all parties.

General Almonte, who was closely imprisoned here on some unknown charge, and who had a majority of votes for the office of President, has been liberated under an amnesty granted by Santa Anna, on the anniversary of his birthday. Of the states which voted, one only (Chihuahua) gave its voice to Santa Anna, but, owing to the occupation of so large a portion of the country by the Americans, it was found that no legal election could be made, and he remains in possession of nearly absolute power, which he has, as usual, abused to the prejudice of the foreign residents. Forced loans, nominally on all the inhabitants, but really confined chiefly to foreigners, were an old expedient of his for raising money, and their injustice was so apparent that at the period of the French blockade Mr. Pakenham successfully interfered to obtain their perpetual abrogation as respected British subjects, which necessarily became the rule for other foreigners. Deprived of this resource Santa Anna now plays a bolder game. For a forced loan he has substituted a forced contribution of 1,000,000 dollars, the maximum to be paid by each person being 2,000 dollars, and the minimum 25 dollars. The Governor is the sole judge of who is to pay, and how much; and the penalty for non-payment within three days (in lieu of the bowstring and bastinado of Oriental despots) is the duplication of the contribution. I am sorry to say that our Minister, Mr. Bankhead (who has resided in the east), sees nothing wrong in this. He does not perceive that it is a revival in a more obnoxious form of the principle which his predecessor successfully combated, and all he will undertake to do in favour of British subjects is to obtain a reduction of the quota in eases of manifest injustice. No contribution of this description can be impartially collected in this country. The very nature of this corrupt society forbids it. Arbitrary in its origin, its operation must be attended with injustice, for the Mexican has a thousand means of evading payment, the foreigner none. It is to be lamented that Mr. Bankhead's health is now so bad, that business of any kind must be a painful annoyance to him. The French, who are much more numerous than the English here, have refused, to a man, to pay this contribution, and have addressed their Government directly on the subject. If the principle be once conceded by foreign Powers, all foreign property in this country may be considered liable to confiscation at the pleasure of the Mexican Government!

The Mexican Cabinet has been again changed. General Alcorta is Minister at War, Don Domingo Ybarra for Foreign Affairs and the Interior, and Don Vicente Romero (a vestige of the Gomez Farias party) for Justice. Rondero retains possession of the Financial Department.

Prostrated by a blockade of more than a year's duration, trade here is of course at the lowest ebb, nor is any immediate revival to be expected from the arrival of the Americans. Before they can derive any benefit from their tariff (in which some defects have been discovered), they must have a force sufficient to secure the safe transit of merchandise and specie throughout the country, for which their present numbers are wholly insufficient. Exchange by this packet opened at 44 ½ d., and closed at 44d.

The city has just been declared in a rigorous state of siege. No one can leave it without a passport, and martial law is proclaimed.
[AMA]

LT 1847-8-10-6a

AMERICA
August 10, 1847

[The following appeared in part only of our yesterday's impression:]

By the packet-ship John R. Skiddy, Captain Luoe, which arrived in the Mersey on Saturday morning, we have advices from New York to the 19th ult. Inclusive. The intelligence by this arrival is important.

Our accounts from Vera Cruz extend to the 2d ult. And from the city of Mexico to the 29th of June. The United States Government, it appears from these advices, at the opening of the present year renewed to the Mexican Government the overtures previously made and rejected for the renewal of negotiations and the re-establishment of peace. The propositions advanced were, that Mexico should send commissioners to Jalapa, Havannah, or any other port, for this purpose. The Mexican Government, on the 22d of February, declined to accede to the proposition, unless, as a preliminary, the United States Government withdrew its armies from the Mexican territories, and raised the instituted blockade of the Mexican ports. On the 15th of April these requirements were pronounced by the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Buchanan, in a lengthy despatch inadmissible, neither demanded by rational honour, nor sanctioned by the practice of nation, in proof of which he instanced the case of the last negotiation instituted at Ghent during the last war of the United States and Great Britain. For a nation which had sacrificed men and money to obtain a foothold in an enemy's country so to abandon, as was proposed, the advantages it had won without the certainty that the negotiation contemplated would secure peace, would, he argued, be puerile and suicidal. The policy of the Mexican Government had throughout been most extraordinary. She had rejected proposition after proposition of peace, though the United States President had declared before all the world that he would exact no condition derogatory to the honour of both states. If Mexico persisted in such policy peace would never be re-established; and therefore until there was some reason to believe that the Mexican Government would be willing to enter upon a more enlightened course, the United States President would renew no further propositions.

Nevertheless, the Secretary announces that such is the President's desire for peace, and such his desire that the evils of war shall not be prolonged one day later than necessary, that he now sends as a Commissioner to Mexico, possessing his full confidence, and alotted with full powers to conclude a treaty, Mr. Trist, Chief Clerk of the State Department; and in conclusion, Mr. Buchanan expresses the strong desire of the President, that the United Mexican States may maintain hereafter an elevated position among the nations of the earth.

The Mexican Minister acknowledged on the 22d of April the receipt of the despatch, which contains no indication of the nature of the treaty authorized to be concluded by Mr. Trist, stating that the whole matter had been referred for immediate consideration to the Sovereign Congress; and from the Mexican journals we learn that the body had at once been convened. Up to the 29th of June, however, no quorum had been assembled, and it was anticipated that General Scott, who had assigned the 30th of that month as the limit of the space allowed for decision up Mr. Buchanan's letter, would, if the proposal remained unaccepted, at once march upon the capital.

Nothing further had been heard at Vera Cruz of the detachments under Generals Cadwallader and Pillow; but it was thought that they had arrived at the General Scott's head-quarters.

The intelligence from the Rio Grande, New Mexico, and California, with regard to the war, is unimportant.
The American papers publish an interesting, and, indeed, important public document, illustrative of the working of the new and old tariff of the country. It appears that the actual augmentation of receipts for duties for seven months and ten day, from December 1,1846, to June 10, 1847, under the tariff of 1846, compared with the same time under the tariff of 1842, exceeded one million of dollars; and that adding the duties on the warehoused goods, the total increase was nearly one million and a half of total increase was nearly one million and a half of dollars. It appears, also, from the returns of June and July, so far received, that the rate of augmentation was progressing, and that Mr. Walker's estimate will be more than realized by the result.
[AMA]

LT 1847-8-11-8f

THE AMERICANS IN MEXICO
August 11, 1847

General Scott, the Commander in Chief of the American forces, has addressed the following manifesto to the Mexican nation:

(From El Monitor Republicano)

"Mexicans! The recent events of the war, and the provisions which have in consequence been dictated by your Government, render it my duty to address you, for the purpose of demonstrating truths of which you are ignorant, because they are maliciously concealed from you. I do not wish you to believe me on my word of honour, although he who has never swerved from the truth has a right to be believed; but I wish you to judge of these truths from the facts which are under the connizance and subject to the test of you all.

"Whatever may have been the origin of this war, which my country found itself compelled to undertake, from inevitable causes, of which, I understand, the greater part of the Mexican people are ignorant, we consider it as a fatality; for a war always is so to the two belligerent parties, and reason and justice are called into question, if they are not entirely unknown, on both sides, each one believing that it is in possession of them. The proof of this truth is held by Mexicans as well as ourselves, since, in Mexico, as in the United States, there have existed, and do exist, two opposite parties which are desirous, the one of peace, and the other of war. Governments, however, have sacred duties, from which they cannot swerve, and those duties frequently impose, from motives of national convenience, a silence and reserve which sometimes displeases the majority of those who offer opposition from purely personal and private views. And whom Governments, which suppose that the nation reposes in them the confidence merited by a magistrate by itself elected, out not to regard.

"Reasons of state and of American continental interest compromised events in spite of the circumspection of the Cabinet of Washington, which, ardently desiring to put a period to all the differences with Mexico, left no means untried, so far as they were compatible with its honour and dignity, to attain so desirable an end; and when it cherished the most flattering expectation of obtaining its object by means of its frank explanation and of arguments, submitted to the judgment and practical wisdom of the virtuous and patriotic Government of General Herrera, the misfortune, least looked for, dispelled that grateful hope, and at once obstructed all the paths which might have led to an arrangement honourable to both nations.

"The new Government mistook the national interests as well as those of the American continent, and chose, moreover, the influence most foreign to those interests and most fatal to the future prospects and the liberty of Mexico, and the republican system which the United States deem it their duty to preserve and protect.

"Duty, however, and a regard for our own dignity, impelled us to the necessity of not losing an opportunity which was being violated by the aderents of the monarchical party, such urgent contingencies thus to avoid the complieation of interests which might render our situation more difficult and more serious.

"Again, in the course of the civil war, your Government, headed by General Paredes, was overturned, and we ourselves could not but believe that it would prove a benefit, because, whatever other persons might represent, the Government would be less deluded, and at once more patriotic and prudent, if he attended to the public welfare. Considering and weighing all probabilities, their forces, and elements, and, above all, the most general opinion respecting the pristine results of the national war, we are mistaken, as perhaps the Mexicans themselves have been, in our judgement of the real intentions of General Santa Anna, whom they recalled and our Government permitted to return.

"In this state of things, the Mexican union has seen what have been the results which all lament and ourselves sincerely; because we duly appreciate the valour and the noble decision of the unfortunates who go to war badly led, worse directed, and almost always the victims of deceit and perfidy.

"We are witnesses; and, as interested parties, we shall not be accused of partially, when we have lamented, with admiration, that the heroic behaviour of the garrison of Vera Cruz, in the valiant defense which it made, was disgraced by the general who had just been routed and put to a shameful flight by a force very inferior to that which he commanded in Buenavista; that this general rewarded the pronunciados in Mexico, the promoters of the civil war, and outraged those who had just singularly distinguished themselves by a resistance far beyond what could have been expected, and characterized by an admirable decision.

"Lastly, the sanguinary affair of Cerro Gordo has shown the Mexican nation what may be reasonably be expected if it continues to remain in ignorance of the real state of affairs to which it has been conducted by some of its generals whom it has most distinguished, and in whom it has reposed the most confidence.
"The most hardhearted man would be melted into grief and tears at the contemplation of the battle fields in Mexico a minute after the last shot had been fired. The generals, whom this nation has paid for so many years without deriving the slightest service from them (with a few honourable exceptions), served, on the very day when they were wanted, to prejudice the cause for which they contended, by their bad example and their unskillfulness. Amongst the dead and the wounded no proofs of military honour are discerned, because they are almost reduced to the sad fate of the soldier, and this has been on all occasions, from Pulo-Alto to Cerro Gordo, the cause of the dead remaining unburied, and their wounded being abandoned to the clemency and charity of the conquerors. And soldiers who went to battle with the knowledge that this recompense awaited them well deserve to be recognized as the best in the world, because they are neither stimulated by an ephemeral glory, a sigh, or a remembrance, but only a tomb.

"Contemplate, then, honoured Mexicans, the fate of the peaceful and laborious citizens in all classes of your society. The property of the church threatened and held out as an allurement to anarchy, the fortunes of the rich proprietors indicated as the prety of rebel rapine, the merchant and the artizan, the labourerr and the manufacturer, loaded with contributions, imposts, duties on consumption, and surrounded by guards and officers of the odious internal custom-houses; the literary man and the jurist, the free man of knowledge who dares to speak, persecuted without being judged by any party, or by the very Governments which abuse their power; criminals set at liberty without punishment, like those in the fortress of Perote. What then, Mexicans, is the liberty which you enjoy?

"I do not believe that the Mexicans, sons of the present age, are wanting in courage to confess errors which do not dishonour them, and to adopt a systme of tru liberty, peace, and union with their neighbouring brothers of the north.

"Still less do I believe that they are ignorant of the infamy with which we are assailed in the periodicals for inciting the people to rebellion. No, public spirit is not created or reanimated by falsehoods. We have not profaned your temples, violated the persons of your wives, or taken possession of your property, as they would have you believe; and we say it with pride and attest it on the evidence of your own bishops, and the curates of Tampico, Tuzpan, Matamoras, Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, and all the ecclesiastics and civil authorities in the vicinity of those districts which we have occupied. We worship the same God, and a great party of our army, as well as the population of the United States, are Roman Catholics like yourselves. We chastise crime wherever we find it, and reward merit and virtue.

"The army of the United States respects and will always respect the private property of every class, and the property of the Mexican church; and wo to him who shall fail to do so wherever we may find ourselves!

"Mexicans, the past cannot be remedied; but future evils may nevertheless be prevented. I have repeatedly declared to you that the Government and people of the United States are desirous of peace and you sincere friendship. Abandon, then, rancorous prejudices, and cease to be the tools of private ambition; behave like a great American nation/ abandon for once these habits of colonists, and learn how to be truly free, truly republican, and very soon you may be very rich and very happy, since you possess all the elements of both; but reflect that you are Americans, and that your felicity is not to be derived from Europe.

"In conclusion, I desire to proclaim, and with equal Frankness, that if it should prove necessary, an army of 100, 000 men would very promptly arrive, and that the United States would not terminate their differences with Mexico, having to do so by arms, either in a precarious, uncertain, or dishonourable manner; and I should insuit the enlightened part of this country were I to doubt their knowledge of this truth.

"The authority to form guerillas to make war against us will, I asure you, only be productive of evils to the country, and none whatsoever to our army, which will be able to defend itself and to proceed against them; and if, far from calming the public mind and the national passions, you endeavour to irritate them, you will reduce us to the hard necessity of resorting to reprisals, and then you will only have to thank yourselves for the consequences.

"I am marching with my army to Puebla and Mexico. I make no secret of this; from those capitals I shall once more address you. I desire peace, amity, and union; it is for you to choose whether you prefer to continue the war. At all events, rest assured that I shall never fail to keep my word.
"WINFIELD SCOTT, General. Head-quarters, Jalapa, May 11."

[AMA]

LT 1847-8-14-4b

THE WAR WITH MEXICO
August 14, 1847

The Washington correspondent of the New York Courier and Inquirer writes from that city on the 19th of July to the following effect:

"We must now be on the eve of the most important intelligence from Mexico; and the problem will soon be solved whether we are to have war or peace. My own opinion, formed upon the latest intelligence for Puebla, is still that it will be peace. It is quite certain there is a large party, even in the present Congress of Mexico, in favour of peace; but whether they number a majority or not of that body, must be speedily determined. In the mean time it is certain, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary--first, that the mediation of Great Britain for peace, as proffered to Mexico, has not been rejected by the Congress of Mexico, neither has it, as yet, been accepted; second, the terms proposed by Mr. Trist have not yet been rejected by the congress of Mexico at the latest dates from the capital. If they are rejected, or their acceptance delayed, General Scott will advance and take the city. But if, on the other hand, as is extremely probable, these terms should be accepted, and the treaty ratified at once by the Congress of Mexico, General Scott, in that event, will not advance beyond Puebla, but will await orders from the Government here, which would, no doubt, convene the Senate at once, so as to have the ratification exchanged, and peace re-established. I do, however, undertake to say, by intelligence direct from Puebla, that if Mr. Trist had conducted the negotiation properly, and placed his despatch in the hands of General Scott, so as to transmitted to the Mexican Governemnt immediately after the battle of Cerro Gordo, we should have had peace long before this period. I repeat that the proceedings of the Mexican Government, shortly after the battle of Cerro Gordo, and now well known at Puebla, wherever they are published, well demonstrate that at that time Mr. Trist's proposals, if he had sent them on as he ought to have done, would have been accepted by the Government of Mexico. I still think they will be accepted; but if they are not the rejection must be attributed to this fatal delay. Whatever may be said here to the contrary, by the Union or any one else. I undertake to say, upon unquestionable authority, from Puebla, that Mr. Trist did undertake to give a military order, although, according to my information from Mexico, Mr. Buchanan's despatch and instructions to Mr. Trist were perfectly right, and are considered by all who have seen them there as most judicious and proper; yet Mr. Trist, speaking in the name of the President, did give a military order to General Scott, which necessarily delayed negotiation. I say such an order from Mr. Trist has been seen at Puebla, and has produced the utmost astonishment in the mind of every military man there who is cognizant of the fact. It is unpleasant to censure any public functionary, especially a gentleman who is so amiable in private life as Mr. Trist, but where such great public interests are involved, and such weighty responsibilities resting upon all connected with these transactions, it is right and just that the truth should be told in order that the censure may fall upon those only by whom it is merited."
[AMA]

LT 1847-8-16-5a

MEXICAN WAR
August 16, 1847

We publish today some fresh intelligence from American, which puts us in possession of the transactions at the scene of war up to the 18th of last month. General Scott is still at La Puebla, and General Pillow and his colleague still at Perote. It is reported that Mr. Trist's mission has be so far successful that the Mexicans have at length condescended to nominate commissioners empowered to negotiate with him; but this information is contradicted by other rumours, and nothing certain appears to be known even about this rudimentary overture to peace. The minor details reported by this mail are not in themselves very significant; and yet, taken in conjunction with the accounts which have lately reached us in rather rapid succession, they may perhaps be constructed into a view of affairs somewhat different from that represented by the Americans.

In a word, we think it highly probable that General Scott is halting at Puebla simply because he cannot advance and is ashamed to retrie, and that the empressement with which the Americans are endeavouring to negotiate a peace is attributable not only to their hankerings after ceded territory, but to their anxiety to extricate their army from a very unpleasant and unpromising position. Their own story is, that the General remains at Puebla to try the effect of the parley between Mr. Trist and the Mexican authorities, and that if this should produce no results, he will then at once bring the whole affair to a conclusion by marching on the capital. But why, under such circumstances, should he ever have advanced so far? Why not have parleyed from Vera Cruz instead of La Puebla. If the matter was to be settled by argument of bargain, the march and battles between La Puebla and Vera Cruz were useless and nugatory; if by intimidation and menace the continued advance to the metropolis was absolutely necessary, and nothing could be more destructive to the prestige of invincibility than such a halt as has occurred. When Napoleon demanded the keys of a capital it was at the gates, not half way on his route. If the march upon Mexico would summarily settle the negotiations which two months of bribery and bullying have not even put in train, why is not such an obvious and decisive expedient at once adopted? After the bombardment of Vera Cruz, it would be idle to conceive that any respect for Mexican feelings can be operative with the invaders. There are but two very probable conclusions--either that general Scott is perfectly aware that would gain nothing by entering Mexico, or that he knows very well he is not strong enough to get there.

We rather prefer that latter supposition, which the few incidents detailed in our present advices appear to us to confirm. It is true that the Mexicans are reported (though not with entire concurrence of authorities) to have suffered one or two additional defeats. But this very ordinary result of their enterprises is by no means of such significance as the fact that they should have again exposed themselves to the chance. Whether General Peirce did or did not repulse a large Mexican force by a very weak sortie, is neither easily ascertainable from our present intelligence, nor very important to our present argument. What is both momentous and certain is, that the very base of American operations, in uninterrupted communication with the home Government, protected by powerful shipping and strong fortifications, and garrisoned by depots and reinforcements so as almost to outnumber the force at head-quarters, was actually attacked by a Mexican army which deliberately stood an engagement with the defile of the Puente Nacional in its rear. If 10,000 troops are neither secure nor frmidable behind the ramparts of Vera Cruz, how are 5,000 of them to march to La Puebla? The same remark applies to the victories reported to have been gained by Pillow and Cadwallader at Perote. That the Mexicans should have been in plight to risk a battle is far more important than that they should once more have been defeated. Though the American garrisons have, as yet, shown themselves superior to the enemy, yet it is evident that they have work enough prepared for them in keeping open the line of operation. So General Scott remains, as he has long remained, at the La Puebla, prudently reluctant to trust to the tremendous defiles between his quarters and Chalco, or to lose himself with some 4,000 followers in a hostile and anarchical metropolis, till some noche triste like that of Cortes should crown as wanton career.

Meantime, however, even Mexican intrepidity must be growing, and even American effrontery be sinking, under the influence of these reciprocal relations. The dullest of Santa Anna's constituents will at length conclude that an invader who halts half way cannot be invincible, and the most audacious gunner of Twiggs' battery will begin to share as is said, the immediate advance of Scott after Cerro Gordo was a coup de main to hazardous even under such tempting circumstances, and that General, as we are not prepared to deny, sagaciously shrank from a step which his countrymen chalked out for him, it is clear that the delay of every hour adds to the impracticability of the final enterprise. Unless very large reinforcements are despatched, or some unforeseen element should enter into calculation, things must gradually get worse and worse for the Americans. After a time it is possible that Mexican detachments may cease to be "defeated with a loss of 250 men." After a hundred fights they, as well as their betters, may become heroes. Tlascala may again perhaps turn out some sturdy tribe of warriors. At all events, the strength of the natives must tend to increase, for by delay they have everything to gain and nothing to lose; while the Americans, entangled in rugged defiles, isolated in a hostile country, surrounded by repeated conflicts, and decimated in their depots by the dreadful vomito of the coast, must sink both in strength and spirits by every week's protraction of the struggle.

These considerations will readily, and, as we suspect, accurately explain the extreme anxiety displayed by the "conquerors" to secure a peace. Their victories have had no results. They can neither proceed with any probable advantage nor retreat with any decent credit; and their paradoxical offer to purchase terms from a prostrate foe many be a measure of the greatest prudence and the highest exigency, though, if bullying had borne its expected fruits, we may safely conclude that bribery would never have been called into play. The next mail will, probably, inform us how far this question, of such infinitely greater importance to the Americans than to the Mexicans, may have been found to admit of arbitration. It is possible that the latter people may consummate a discreditable campaign by a foolish compromise, and be overreached into a sacrifice of the best chance they have yet enjoyed. It is true that the very eagerness of their enemy and attractive character of the devotion required from themselves should recommend it to their favourable notice. Their duty to their country demands nothing but sulkiness and bluster. They are not even compelled to say "No"--they have only to avoid saying "Yes." If they will but decree themselves patriots and declare themselves unconquerable, they need neither arm nor fight, but may sit valorously at home till tempted by the plunder of a self-discomfited foe. But it is doubtful whether the professions of Scott and the payments of Trist may not do their work--whether the combined tender of affection and specie may not overcome, in the rulers at least, the sullen antipathy which has hitherto performed some of the parts of patriotism, and release the Americans from their disagreeable dilemma. A lurking wish to the contrary it is difficult to avoid, for though the Mexicans have hit upon the only fashion of resisting an unprovoked invasion which could fail in arousing some sort of European sympathy, yet the disgust excited by a tyrannical and shameless aggression upon the certain favour which secures them the good wishes of others in spite of themselves.
[AMA]

LT 1847-8-16-8a

AMERICA
August 16, 1847

The following appeared in a second edition of The Times of Saturday:

By the Royal mailsteam ship Britannia, Captain Harrison, we have advices from New York to the 31st ult., Boston to the 1st, and Halifax to the 3d inst. respectively.

The American steam ship Washington arrived at New york on the 30th ult., and the Royal mail steam ship Hibernia reached reached Halifax on the 31st; would reach Boston on the 2d inst.

The commercial and political news are both important. The business in foreign exchange had not been large, the demand being moderate. The quotation in the Shipping List of the 31st ult. On London is 5 ½ to 6 1/8 per cent. premium; but other accounts state that bills were offering as low as 5 per cent.

The advices taken out by the steam ship Washington, which reached New York on the 30th, had the effect of running up prices of grain and bread-stuffs to the extent of 50 cents per barrel of flour.

Money was plentiful, and business generally was active, with some tendency to speculation.

On freights, flour had been taken to London at 3s. 10 ½ d. to 4s. 3d.

General Business was active.

The following are the political accounts, extracted from the New York Herald:

"Advices from Vera Cruz on the 18th inst. mention that General Pierce with 2,500 men, had a battle near National Bridge with 4,000 Mexicans and defeated them. The Mexicans about 150. General Pierce returned to Vera Cruz for reinforcements.

"Later accounts, however, do not confirm this statement. They say that General pierce had encamped 10 miles from the city, when scouts from his rear-guard came in and reported that a large force of Mexicans were at the National Bridge, marching towards Vera Cruz. Everything was got ready for an expected attack. The shipping removed from between the city and the Castle. General Pierce came in and took a reinforcement of 7,000 men, and again marched to meet the enemy.

"Colonel De Russy, who went out from Tampico to see what had become of the American prisoners on their way to Tampico, was attacked by 1,200 Mexicans at Huequetla. He was surrounded, and placed in great peril, but he cut his way through the enemy's lines, with the loss of 20 killed and 10 wounded.

"General Scott was still at Puebla. Generals Cadwallader and Pillow were at Perote. They had defeated the Mexicans at Lahoya. We learn of the appointment of Commissioners by the Mexican Government to confer with Mr. Trist, at San Martin Tesmalaucan, on the 8th, and through him the terms offered by the President. A letter from Mexico, dated the 2d, says there is no doubt but that the treaty will be concluded immediately by the Commissioners, the peace party is so strong, and that Santa Anna will probably pronounce for peace. The names of the Commissioners given are Garostise, Baronda, and Tornel."

Other accounts, however, throw doubts upon the reported appointment of Commissioners also.

From Canada we have accounts to the 29th ult. The Parliament had adjourned, after repealing all differential duties. An address to the Crown had been voted, praying the repeal of the Navigation Laws, so far as they bear upon the colony. The immigration from Ireland and the dreadful mortality among the emigrants attracted great attention, and excited much discussion.

On the 28th the Governor-General closed the session with the following speech:

Lion. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council and Gentlemen

Of the legislative Assembly

"In relieving you for the present from attendance in this place, I have to thank you for the zeal and assiduity in the discharge of you important duties which have enabled you, during the course of a session of comparatively short duration, to consider and perfect many measures which promise to be of great advantage to the community.

"I sincerely trust that the alterations which you have made in the provincial tariff, and the additional facilities afforded to trade by the extension of bonding and warehousing privileges, will be productive of benefit to the colony, and tend to the promotion of its commercial and agricultural interests.

"I have observed with satisfaction the attention which you have bestowed on the several projects which have been brought before you for developing the mineral resources of the province, and improving its means of internal communication.

"I trust that the measures which you have passed for the amendment of certain provisions of the criminal code, for the protection of mercantile interests, for rendering the common school act of Upper Canada more effective, and for placing the municipal institutions of Lower Canada on improved footing, will be attended with beneficial results.

"The prevalence of disease among the immigrants who have arrived from Europe this session has occasioned me much concern. I have not failed to bring this subject under the consideration of Her Majesty's Secretary of State, and to represent the necessity of adopting measures to place emigration to this colony under more efficient regulation. Meanwhile my warmest acknowledgements are due to you for the liberal provision which you have made for relieving the indigent and preventing disease from spreading in the province. The charitable exertions of the clergy, of the ladies attached to the religious communities, and of benevolent individuals among the laity, who have, at the hazard of their lives, ministered to the necessities of the sick, are beyond any praise which it is in my power to offer; but I cannot refrain on this occasion from paying a tribute to their devotedness and Christian zeal.

"Gentlemen of the House of Assembly,

"I thank you in the name of Her Majesty for the readiness with which you have voted the supplies necessary for the public service and for maintaining the credit of the province.

"Hon. Gentlemen and Gentlemen,

"The several addresses to the queen which you have transmitted through me have been duly forwarded to be laid at the fact of the throne.

"By exercising the influence which you possess in your respective districts to carry out local improvements and give full effect to the wise and salutary enactments of the Legislature, you may render services to the community hardly less important than those which you discharge while you are assembled here. I am confident that these duties will engage your attention on your return to your homes, and I earnestly pray that our exertions for the advancement of the various interests of this noble province, and for the benefit of all classes of the inhabitants, may be attended with the Divine blessing."

The Hon. the Speaker of the Legislative Council then declared that it was the pleasure of his Excellency the Governor-General that the Parliament should stand prorogued to Monday, the 6th of September.
[AMA]

LT 1847-8-16-8c

US and Mexico
August 16, 1847

American Affairs
The Administration have discovered, that in regard to the Mexican affairs, they have been traveling rather too fast, and, preparatory to retracing some of their hasty steps, they are seeking "scape-goats," as an offering for their sins.

The St. Louis Republican of the 17th inst. mentions the reception of letters from Santa Fe to the 27th of May. One of the letters states that "on the 22nd of May Colonel Price discovered that there were instructions from the War Department, which had been received by the last mail, brought by Mr. Boggs, directed to the Colonel commanding in Santa Fe, in which it was announced that the President refused to sanction any of the acts of General Kearney, so far as they confer such rights. On the strength of these instructions, Colonel Price, officially demanded the release and remission of the sentence of Antionio Maria Trajillo, convicted of treason against the Government of the United States. The accused was thereupon set at liberty."

On this discovery, at this last day, I have no disposition to comment at present. Similar military usurpations were practiced in California, and other parts of the Mexican territory. A few weeks will, probably, bring forth something on the subject which may enlighten us all. Whether the orders which General Kearney received were, or were not, so loosely drawn as to be totally misunderstood by him, remains to be decided. If, however, he has thus acted without authority, he is in no great danger of suffering. He married a daughter of Colonel Brenton, the distinguished senator in Congress from Missouri.

Everything seems to indicate that the Administration batteries are preparing to assault General Scott, if it shall be deemed expedient. He is now charged by the subordinates with defeating the peace negotiation, in not forwarding, promptly, the overtures of Mr. Buchannan, as presented by Mr. Trist, and referred to in my last letter. At the same time, it is said, by the same party, that the General has halted, and will not enter the city of Mexico until it is ascertained that Mr. Bankhead's friendly mission has totally failed. It is positively asserted that General Scott was ordered to halt.

These statements and assertions are fabulous. The plain truth is, that General Scott has not been in a situation to advance. He was, at the last accounts (the 29th of June), so hemmed in, that he deemed it inexpedient to move until reinforced. He has been grossly deceived by the Administration at every step he has taken. Nor will he be commiserated, even by his friends. It is within my personal knowledge that they warned him of the danger of being embarrassed by the Administration when he should most want and need their support. But he was credulous. The consequence is, he has felt, and continues to feel, the direful effect of that credulity.

In my last letter I stated that General Scott was included with Mr. Trist in the same commission. This statement was incorrect; he was not named as a commissioner, and not being so named he committed a gross error in refusing to forward, as requested by Mr. Trist, a letter addressed to the Mexican Government. Having nothing to do with the negotiation, it was his duty to forward the dispatch presented to him, even by Mr. Trist, who was well known to the General as the representative of the American government.

Some anxiety pervades this community in relation to the present situation of General Scott. I am not among the number that entertain any apprehension for his safety. I feel perfectly confident, if attacked even in his weak state, he will put his assailants to flight. It may, however, cause him some hard fighting. But a triumphant victory us considered certain. It is somewhat extraordinary however, that neither Generals Cadwallader nor Pillow, who were on their march to join General Scott, have been heard from. It may be, but it is not probable, that a strong Mexican force has interrupted the progress of these detachments.

Yesterday the steamer Washington arrived in this port, after a passage of 14 days and some hours, from Southampton. An English paper of the 15th of July brought by the Washington, commences an article, "The Mexican war is evidently drawing to a close." I wish I could say I entertained a similar opinion, but I cannot. I can see no present prospect of peace, and yet it may take place in ten days. This Government is most heartily sick of the war, and none more so than Mr. Polk. It is a ridiculous false pride that induces him to continue it. AN open, frank, and manly policy would secure a treaty of peace in one month. Such an elevated statesman as Henry Clay would soon accomplish that desirable object. I regret to add that I fear Mr. Polk is more anxious to terminate the war than Santa Anna or his adherents; but he knows not how.

The emigrant fever, as it is termed, has lost much of its terror in this city. It has not been extended to our settled population. Very few have been affected by it, and of those few proportion only have died.

In Canada it ravages have been, and continue to be, most appalling. The various public journals concur in representing it as of an alarming character. A Montreal paper, under date of July 24th, says, during the week ending at date were 235 deaths; during the same period last year60; increase 175. On Saturday there were 1,712 sick in the emigrant sheds, and 32 deaths in the preceding 24 hours.

The St. Johns Herald states that of the emigrants who left Great Britain for Quebec alone, 4,095 never reached their destination, having died at sea or at quarantine. About 600 more perished at sea by shipwreck, making about 4,700 deaths up to the 30th June. The ship Avon, Johnston, of St. Johns was at Grosse Isle, with all the crew and passengers sick, and 136 out of 550 dead. Small-pox has again broken out on board her Majesty's troop ship Apollo. One of the Church of England ministers, Rev. W. Chatterton, Lieutenant Lloyd, R.N., Mr. Crispo, Captain Christian, of the ship Sisters, and several others are also dead.

It is now certain that there are sufficient funds in the treasury of Pennsylvania to meet the payment of their August interest due on Monday. Foreign stockholders naturally fell some anxiety on the subject. The money market remains easy. Sterling Exchange firm at ? to 6 per cent. Flour, moderate demanded, and at ? to 6 firm.

P.S. Since writing the proceeding, a telegraphic dispatch from Richmond furnishes the following. It is proper that I should add, my opinion in regard to the question of peace or war remains unchanged.

A Genevese Traveler
New York, July, 30, 2 PM

By early telegraphic dispatch from Richmond we have important advices from Mexico, including Vera Cruz, dates to the 18th inst. General Pierce, having marched from Vera Cruz with 2,500 to reinforce General Scott, had a collision near the National Bridge with a Mexican force, estimated that 4,000, who were defeated with a loss of about 150. General Pierce (the dispatch says) returned to Vera Cruz for reinforcements.

Second dispatch

General Scott still remained at Puebla at the last advices. Generals Cadwallader and Pillow were at Perote. There had been a collision at La Haya, in which the Mexicans were worsted as usual. The Mexican Government is said to have appointed two commissioners to confer with Commissioner Trist. Santa Anna is supposed to favor peace. Colonel De Russy was recently surrounded and attacked by 1,2000 Mexicans at Heujutla. His position was at first critical, even perilous, but he cut his way through the enemy with the loss of 60 killed and 20 wounded.

Later

The news of a battle between General Pierce and the Mexicans, which was a rumor by a passenger in the cars, is not confirmed. By the report of the captain of the steamer Orleans, as published in the Picayune, it appears that he left Vera Cruz on the 14th inst., at which time General Pierce had reached the National Bridge, with 2,5000 men and 150 wagons, on the march towards Puebla. The Orleans arrived at Tampico on the 15th, where the captain was informed by Colonel Gates of the departure of Colonel De Russy up the river with 120 men, partly Baltimoreans, in search of the Mexican prisoners lately released. He landed with 60 mules near Huejutla, and was surrounded by 1,200 or 1,400 Mexicans, and had to cut his way through and return toward the river, and was there awaiting for reinforcements. Colonel Yates dispatched the Orleans back to Vera Cruz with a requisition to Governor Wilson for four Companies of Infantry, and sent at the same time 150 men up the river to the relief of De Russy. The Orleans arrived at Vera Cruz on the 16th, and found the city in a state of great excitement. General Pierce had encamped 10 miles from the city, when scouts from his rear guard came in, and reported that large forces of Mexicans were at the National Bridge, marching towards Vera Cruz. Everything was get ready for an expected attack; the shipping removed from the city and castle. General Pierce came in and took a reinforcement of 700 men and again marched to meet the enemy. Colonel Gate's requisition could not be complied with, but the Orleans received 25 marines and returned to Tampico, when she arrived on the 28th, and learned that De Russy's detachment, in returning near Huejutla, in a narrow pass, surrounded by 1,200 or 1,400 Mexicans, who commenced a heavy fire from all directions, but fled though the chaparral after six or eight rounds of grape. De Russy continued at intervals for several days to fight his way back to the river, where he was received by Colonel Gate's reinforcements. He reached Tampico on the night of the 16th, with a loss of 20 killed, 10 wounded, 2 missing, and 20 horses were killed. De Russy received several balls through his clothes, and Captain Wyse had three horses shot under him. The Mexican loss is represented at 150. Lieutenant Whipple has been lassoed near Vera Cruz. Captain W. Dough died on the 16th, and Lieutenant Parker, of the navy, died on the 12th, on board of the Mississippi. The Sun of Anahuac on the 13th says, that by private express from Puebla, intelligence had been received that Cadwallader and Pillow, with the trains, had arrived at Perote, and had been attacked at Lahaya by a large Mexican force and completely routed the enemy with but little loss. This express left Puebla on the 3rd, and the news was received there the day previous, that three commissioners had been appointed to meet Mr. Trist at San Martin in the 8th, and learn through him the terms offered by the President. A letter from Mexico, dated the 2nd, says there is no doubt but that the treaty will be concluded immediately by the commissioners, the peace party is so strong, and that Santa Anna will probably pronounce for peace. The names of the commissioners given are Oarostiz, Baranda, and Tornel. News from General Scott from Puebla to Vera Cruz was murdered after a desperate resistance. The Picayune's express was attacked and robbed of his letters, and left for dead. But other letters reached Vera Cruz, and say that peace is the order of the day, but believe that Santa Anna only wishes to gain time.
[KAS]

LT 1847-8-24-4c

August 24, 1847
Americans in Mexico

Eighteen months have not elapsed since the President of the United States communicated to the American Congress the intelligence that they were the motives which impelled Mr. Polk to the origination of so serious an incident in the annual register of a nation were so candidly discussed at the time. It was asserted that the war arose from a source little more respectable than the imperfect window at Trianon, or the cup of tea on Mrs. Masham's gown. It was said that the President desired by some signal exploit the endear his term of office so deeply to his constituents, that they would be both to see the termination of so glorious reign; that he wished to identify his administration with gratifying victory and profitable conquest, and that he expected to divert or overbear the remonstrance of political dissent and the chances of a possible rival by the spoils or songs of a triumphant expedition. We are by no means of opinion that the end has come by which such actions are judged. But as our correspondence of yesterday spoke a little more pointedly than usual as to the prospects of peace, let us compute for a moment the gains of the war, upon the supposition that the three million dollars have secured the assent of the Mexican authorities can command the submission of the people.

Mr. Polk looked for a short campaign and a summary surrender. He dreamt, like Napoleon in 1812, of deputation and offerings, of cessions and spoils. He thought to acquire a province at the cost of a parade, and to discover a new planet for his star-spangled banner without the mentionable expenditure of labor or time. Now, supposing that the next dispatches should bring the actual intelligence of a treaty on the specified basis, the account will run thus:-The Americans have been subjected to the drain of an eighteen months' war on a far more ruinous scale than any of their recent armaments. No very close approximation has yet been made to the precise amount of the penalty thus incurred, but it is admitted on all hands that it has gone far to postpone that revision of the American tariff, to which previous experience was leading, which was so emphatically called for by the reforms and prospects of other states, and which would have spoken so powerfully for transatlantic wisdom amongst the people of Europe. Instead of the conquest, Mr. Polk can only point to what by the most favorable appellation must be termed a compromise. Instead of enriching the Exchequer, or reducing the burdens of his country, he has retarded, it may be for years, its opportunities of sage experiment or enlightened reform. At an early period of the war, it was industriously set forth that Mexico would identify her conquerors for the expenses which they condescended to incur; but as this claim gradually became larger and larger, it was proportionally withdrawn from notice, and such impracticable arrangement no longer figures in any sketch of the preliminaries. Six months ago, before the battles of Vera Cruz, the advance of Puebla, or the dispatch of reinforcements, the costs of the war were stated in Congress by a calculating senator to approach 30,000,000 of dollars. By the same estimate the marketable value of California was set down at 15,000,000. Omitting therefore, the intermediate accumulations of expenditure, and stating the case in a form most familiar to transatlantic capacities, it may be said that America has exposed herself to the hazard of disgrace and the reprobation of Europe for the sake of purchasing an unnecessary commodity at twice its worth.

But this is not all. It is notorious that the United States can receive no considerable accession of territory without the agitation of a question which may involve the most mementos results. A large and powerful portion of the union is resolved that slavery, if it cannot be abolished in the states where it is at present legalized, shall we least never be introduced into any newly annexed province; and the energy displayed in such matters on our own shores may lead to a pretty safe interference as to the obstinacy with which this not unreasonable point may be insisted on abroad. On the other hand, it is alleged and declared with equal violence that slave labour will be more than ever indispensable in brining under cultivation a prolific but encumbered soil, promising abundant returns, but demanding extraordinary outlays of capital and labour. The best informed prophets of this dispute are unable to anticipate its decision, but it has been very palpably hinted that the eventual disruption of the Union and the formation of two separate and hostile powers on the North American continent, army be the consequence of so inveterate a dissension. Other anticipations combine with this provisional suspicion. Instead of extinguishing opposition by the dazzling splendor of conquest and the emollient importation of plunder, he has raised up by the events of the war a formidable rival to his own fame. He has given his adversaries an inexhaustible topic of incentive, disheartened his friends by the falseness of his position, and determined the course of neutrals by the ill success of his speculation. That quite so mischievous a result was to be apprehended from the beginning, we do not say was probable. It was, perhaps, not easy to calculate on the operation of the several substitutes for patriotism and valor which have befriended the Mexicans. But very few persons will be found, we think, to lament the disappointment of such unholy hopes, from whatever cause arising.

A philosophical historian would hardly be dissatisfied with the moral of the chapter as it at present stands; but we do not conceal our suspicions that the catastrophe may possibly have yet to come. The arguments which are said to have reached Santa Anna must necessarily be listed to a narrow circle of converts. But a short time ago it was announced that the Mexican Congress had refused to assemble or to debate; that they had refused to delegate the power of the Executive to another, or to exert it themselves, and that Santa Anna would be left to a self-conferred Dictatorship or to utter incompetence. That he and his fellow proselytes may proclaim the termination of hostilities, is not unlikely, if his disposition has been fairly represented in the last reports; and, perhaps, such timely compact may enable general Scott decamp from La Puebla with the honors of peace. But there still remain the feelings of an invaded and exasperated nation to be cajoled or subdued, and this task, not always very practicable to more efficient administrations, may possibly be beyond the strength of that faction or coalition which is termed the Government of Mexico. "There are two things," says a noble historian, "which are generally popular in their beginning; the first is a war, and second is peace." Mr. Polk's war certainly claimed its share of favour; but though his peace may undoubtedly demand the welcome which the lesser evil always deserves, we think it will pass even his ingenuity to represent it as an advantageous bargain or an honorable conclusion.
[KAS]

LT 1847-8-30-5e

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
August 30, 1847

NEW YORK, August 14.

During the last three of four days this city has been inundated with rumours in relation to General Scott and his command. It has been confidently stated that an action had taken place between his army and the troops of Mexico, near that city, in which the latter had been defeated and completely routed. It is further stated that General Scott, after the action had received Mexican commissioners, who in due form had surrendered the city to the conquering General, he pledging himself that the private property, &c., should be respected. He entered the city, it is said, on the 17th of July. Another account states that no opposition was made to his entry.

It is reduced to a certainty that the date cannot be correct. In fact, although the rumour is received from different quarters, yet, as no details are given, its accuracy is generally doubted. The account most direct is from a letter written by a dady in Mexico, dated the 17th of July, to a gentleman in New Orleans, in which she says--"General Scott, at the head of his army, is now marching into the city."

It would be a waste of time, if nothing worse, to attempt a repetition of all the rumours that are constantly received from Mexico; and perhaps my opinion on the question of peace or war is more frequently given than is necessary; but, witnessing as I do daily the anxiety that is evinced here to learn the opinions of those who are supposed to watch the movements of the hostile armies, I have thought that some of your readers might wish to know whether your correspondent had changed his view of the question, which for more than a year he had contended presented no aspect but that of unrelenting warfare. On the 31st of July, by the Richmond telegraph, we were informed that Mexico had appointed commissioners to negotiate a peace. I expressed to you my unbelief of this tale. The result had proved that I was correct.

In one particular, and in one only, all parties seem to concur, and that is--Mr. Trist's mission has totally failed, notwithstanding the friendly interference of the British Minister, which was volunteered. In my letter to you of the 15th June I predicted that such would be its result. It is now said that General Scott will probably be authorized to negotiate, while another section of the party in power speak of Mr. Buchanan, the Secretary of State, as the individual who will be charged with the negotiation, so soon as Mexico is prepared to receive him as Envoy Extraordinary for the special purpose.

But, in judging of the prospects of peace, we must look back and inquire what are the difficulties to be overcome, and what the probability of success. I will only refer to two or three points, early assumed by the President and his followers, viz. :-

1st. That the boundary on the Rio Grande must and should be arranged according to the will and pleasure of Mr. Polk.

2. That California, New Mexico, &.c, should be transferred to the United States for a mere nominal sum.

3. That the American claims for spoliation on their commerce should be paid.

4. That the Mexican Government should pay all the expenses incurred by the United States in prosecuting the present war.

5. That the American Government would hold, and continue to hold, until the preceding stipulations were complied with, all that district of country which their army might conquer.

Now, it is not my intention to enter into a discussion of these or any other points of difficulty. I present them merely to show that there are difficulties to adjust, and sacrifices to be made, before a treaty of peace can be concluded, and, permit me to add, not less important measures to be adopted before it can be ratified by the Senate. There is the preliminary question--Is the territory, which may be acquired by conquest or by purchase, to be considered a slave-holding territory, or is it not? This question will be warmly debated, both in and out of Congress, and may convulse the Government to its centre.

Some time ago I referred to then existing difficulties in California. Since that period these difficulties have been greatly increased, insomuch that the present situation of the territory is a disgrace to the American Government, which has assumed the control of it, and appointed officers to manage its affairs, whose duty it is to execute the laws in such a way as best to promote the happiness and welfare of the people. The consequences have been of a most disgraceful character. Colonel Freemont has been arrested by General (now Governor) Kearney, and ordered to the United States to be tried by a court-martial. It is stated that the Secretary of the Treasure, Mr. Walker, has made an arrangement with Messrs. Rothschild for all the specie the United States may require in Mexico. The specie is to be furnished when required, and draughts on the Treasury to be given for the amount supplied from time to time. Interest to commence when Messrs. Rothschild have notified to the American Government the amount supplied. This will probably prove a convenience to both parties, and will certainly relieve, to a limited extent, the heavy draughts upon our bands for specie to carry on the war with Mexico.

In a former letter I expressed an opinion that the Whig party would probably have in the next House of Representatives a majority of 10 or 12 members. Owing to the unexpected divisions in strong Whig districts in Kentucky, two Looofooos have succeeded, where large Whig majorities voted for different candidates, both of which were defeated. I yet believe, however, that there will be a Whig majority in the house of eight or ten.

A GENEVESE TRAVELLER

[KAS]

LT 1847-9-6-5f

Mexico, affairs of
September 6, 1847

Contrary to general expectation, another month has passed without any movement on the part of General Scott, whose army remains stationary at Puebla. This is the more surprising, as the convoy of stores and money, as long detained by the attacks of the guerrillas, entered Puebla, with a strong reinforcement t troops, early in this month, and thus placed the American General in a position to resume the offensive; for it was not supposed that the rains now falling would be any serious obstacle to his hardy followers, and letter were actually received here from General Worth, stating that if peace should not be made previously, the American cannon would be heard here at the latest on the 25th. It may be the policy of General Scott to keep the Mexicans in a state of alarm by these rumors, which have now been made by Santa Anna, who is apparently now anxious for peace. On the 13th inst. He succeeded in getting Congress together, and having laid Mr. Buchanan's letter before them, required their opinion as to whether Mr.Trist should be received. Congress replied, evasively, that the faculty of negotiating with foreign powers belonged to the Executive by right, subject to their ratification, and that it was not for them to advise the President on a point not et constitutionally before them, though it was well known that they were in favour of continuing the war. Dissatisfied with this ambiguous reply, Santa Anna again addressed Congress, through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, reminding them that the decree of the 20th of April, by which he was invested with extraordinary powers to carry on the war, absolutely prohibited him from making peace. This constitutional prerogative being thus curtailed, he insisted on a categorical answer from Congress. The consequence of this communication was the immediate departure of several member from town, in order to prevent the possibility of Congress again, meeting thus leaving the President to his own devices, and his question unanswered. Santa Anna perceived the snare laid for him by Congress, who desire to fix the whole odium of making peace on him, and hesitate how to act. Meantime, to free himself from the criticisms of the press, he has prohibited all publications, except the Diario del Gobierno. That paper has published, in a very good translation, the article in The Times of the 10th of May, in which Mexico is held up to the scorn of the world. A hundred copies have been ordered to be distributed amongst the army. The avowed object of this measure is to excites the soldiery, by showing them what other nations think of them; and probably some satisfaction is found in circulating the severe censure which the article contains on the United States. Latterly some articles of a decidedly peaceful character have appeared in the Diario, but though Santa Anna may be desirous of peace, it is not certain that the Americans will recognize in him, circumstanced as he new is, an authority competent to negotiate with them. They consider themselves overreached by him already, and are extremely distrustful of any proposal omanating from him. To bring all parties to an understanding of their relative positions, and establish real negotiations, the capture of this city seems an indispensable preliminary. The Americans will gain nothing by their present system of inaction, for in the qualities of passive resistance and obstinacy the Mexicans may fairly compete with any people on the globe. General Valencia, who took the command of the garrison of San Luis Potosi in expectation of an attack from Taylor, has been recalled to assist at the defense of this city. He has brought with him 4,000 or 5,000 men, and 30 pieces of cannon. If the Mexicans had any spirit left, their numbers are amply sufficient to justify the hope of success. Valencia is opposed to peace. He is one of the few Generals whom Santa Anna cannot wholly control; a votary of Bacchus and a man of ordinary stamp, his influence is confined to the troops; yet amidst the changes constantly occurring here, there would be nothing extraordinary in his superseding Santa Anna in the Government. General Scott has adopted the net very defensible expedient of arming the criminals found in the goals of Puebla against the guerillas, and apparently with success, for not a word has been heard lately of those bands. Even the bold priest Jaranta seems to have retired from field. General Pearce, with another convoy and 2,000 or 3,000 men, has reached Jalapa unmolested. His arrival at Puebla will, perhaps, be the signal for the long delayed advance of General Scott. The latest accounts from Saltillo represent General Taylor as still at Monterey, occupied in drilling the new troops, which have joined him in considerable numbers. He sent a detachment lately into the state Zacatecas to liberate some carts of rice, from San Luis, destined for his army, which had been seized at Mazapil, and carried them off without opposition.

Public attention has been much occupied during the present month by General Santa Anna's decrees for levying forced donations of money. The first of these exhibited a certain degree of caution. It was stated in the preamble to be for once only (por una vez); the maximum for each individual was foxed at 2,00 dollars, and the reparation was interested for the Governor and the mercantile tribunal. Growing bolder, Santa Anna immediately after issued another decree, raising the maximum to 3,000 dollars, and the parties who had been previously assessed at 2,000 found themselves called on for another 1,000, all to be paid in three days under penalty of the amount being doubled. Still the scheme did not work to Santa Anna's satisfaction, and he issued a third decree, relieving the Governor from the necessity of consulting the tribunal, and empowering the governor to make a corrected assessment by his sole authority. The Governor found this task rather difficult, so that a fourth decree became necessary, appointing a new consulting body to assist him, but at the same time exempting him from the necessity of following their advice. By this decree a wider range was given to the exaction, which was extended 60,000 dollars, the maximum of 3,000 dollars being retained, and the maximum reduced from 25 to 5. In all these schemes foreigners were included, but I have strong grounds for believing that this was done as an experiment, with little expectation that they would pay. The foreign ministers, however, silently acquiesced, except on the appearance of the fourth decree, when some efforts were made by the Spanish Minister to liberate his countrymen and the French (who are temporarily under his charge) from its effects. The English have addressed Lord Palmerson on the subject by his packet. A primary error was undoubtedly committed by Mr. Canning in treating with the insurgent colonies of Spain as settled Governments or civilized nations. Time has demonstrated the fact. In this portion of Spanish America the effect has soon seen in the decrees of its ephemeral Governments for levying forced loans, the bulk of which invariably fell upon foreigners. The reparation of these forced loans, as now as now of this forced donation, was made without reference to property. It was the result of caprice, of ignorance, and not unfrequently of malice; while private favoritism generally exempted the Mexican capitalist from payment. Indeed, the most wealthy of the latter class, as the most influential, have always the best chance of escape. Submitted to for a time, the injustice was at length felt to be intolerable, and at the period of the peace with France, Mr. Packenham obtained from the Mexican Government a formal relinquishment of the right to impose forced loans to foreigners. With the sole difference that nothing is said about returning the money, the principle now set up is precisely the same as that formerly abandoned; and the lists of contributors exhibit the same glaring inconsistencies, needy foreigners being in many cases rated higher than wealthy Mexicans. The English have paid under protest, and now apply their Government for redress. It is to be hoped that the appeal will not be made in vain, for so surely as the right of levying these forces donations is conceded to the rulers of Mexico will the cost of their endless revolutions be thrown on the foreign commercial body, and in an excessive proportion on the English.

It is understood that an arrangement has been come to between the agent of the English bondholders and Santa Anna respecting the late conversion of the debt. I will not call it final, as it would be an error to use to term in connexion with anything Mexican. Should peace now be made with the United States it is probable that civil disturbances will immediately be renewed, and that the country will ultimately be divided, like Columbia, into separate states. Already a civil contest on a small scale has commenced between Zacatecas and Aguas Calientes, the former desiring to "annex" the latter. The army of Zacatecas numbers 130 warriors, while that of her opponent is estimated at 100. Of course taxation will be necessary to support the expenses of the campaign.

I have just learnt that in a council of war Santa Anna declared that it was useless to think of opposing the Americans in the open field, and explained his plans to be the fortification and defense of all the approaches to the city, where he proposes to concentrate his forces. If this plan be acted on, the city will of course be bombarded. [Exchange on London, 43d.
[KAS]

LT 1847-9-9-4b

Mexican Affairs
September 9

When we closed our comments upon Mexican affairs the other day with a conjecture that very few people would be found taking any great interest in the finally result of the conflict we went, we fear, a little beyond the mark. SANTA ANNA has hit upon a device, which, if he can successfully prosecute it, will irresistibly attract the attention and sympathy of this country towards the fortunes of Central America. This is nothing less than making Englishmen pay the expenses of the war.

The letters which we published from our correspondent on the spot gave a summary detail of the measures by which the Mexican Dictator had arrived at this very satisfactory point. The first proclamation of a forced donation appeared at the beginning of July, shortly after that restoration to popularity, which alternated so rapidly with this ignominious expulsion from the capital. It commenced humbly and with deprecation. The resort to this source of revenue was alleged to be por una vez - "only for this once," and the subscription was modestly limited to 2,000 dollars. The governor of the city and the tribunal of commerce were intrusted with the discovery and assessment of each individual's ability, no foreigners being exempted from the impost. When no very desperate insurrection was found to follow upon this announcement, the General grew bolder, and by an explanatory decree raised the maximum to 3,000 dollars instead of 2,000 and graciously extended the minimum of admissible contributions from 25 dollars to 5, while the powers of the city warden for raising the rate were made more summary and absolute. No remonstrance from any foreign Minister seems to have been called forth, except that M. De. Castro, who is at present charged with the combined interests of France and Spain in Mexico, made some feeble efforts at the eleventh hour to liberate his own flock.

Now, the consequences of such a measure as this, if passed without protest, will obviously be somewhat derogatory to our position, and remarkably detrimental to our interests in that part of the globe. We are willing to admit, to the full, the amenability of British subjects, or the subjects of any other country, to the laws, ordinances, and fortunes of the state in which they have voluntarily taken up their abode. If they can benefit of foreign advantages, they become liable of foreign reverses. We will admit that it is only by the prescriptive courtesy of war that they are exempted from the liabilities attending a siege or a capture. But the very utmost that can be said is, that they should take their fair turn amongst the citizens with whom they have cast in their lot; and that this equitable rule will be most assuredly transgressed in Mexico it hardly needed the last month's experience to teach us. The repartition or allotment of this compulsory loan is never conducted on any principles of justice or impartiality. It is of course seldom resorted to but on those somewhat frequent occasions when the State is in desperation, and even ordinary laws suspended; and its arrangement is dictated alternately by caprice, malice, favoritism, or the rather more venial necessity of repairing to the only quarter where there is anything to be got. The consequence is, that the few native capitalists accessible employ their wealth and influence in procuring a comparative exemption from the imposts, and their names appear in the arbitrary list of the assessments as rated at a similar quota than the needy or defenseless foreigners from whose purses the required sum is made up. A native may allege his poverty, and find easy and reasonable credence, but a foreigner can hardly do so. His very residence and occupation in a strange city presupposes some more or less lucrative compensation for his exile, and his unacquaintance with the indigenous arts of eluding taxes leaves him exposed to the whole brunt of the levy. It is on these grounds that he so much demands protection. If there are ninety-nine Mexicans and one Englishman in the case, it is next to certain that he will be made paymaster for the hundred. It is to save him from paying all that he must be released from the necessity of paying any; or if he must needs to be taxed for the honor and indulgence of living in the climate of Vera Cruz or under the constitution of Mexico, his acknowledgments should be specifically commuted for a definite tribute.

This proceeding of Santa Anna's is the more sufferable from the impudent evasion of a compact by which it has been attempted. The consideration of the matter had so far impressed previous Governments with a sense of the steps necessary to be taken, that a correspondence was opened on the subject at the termination of the late hostilities between Mexico and France, and the British Minster obtained from the Government of the former State a formal abandonment of her real or supposed rights to impose forced loans upon foreigners within their dominions. Being thus excluded from borrowing, Santa Anna resorts to stealing. He demands a donation instead of a loan; he extorts with impunity as a free gift what he would be liable to punishment for taking upon terms, and removes his exaction of money from the forbidden category by quietly communicating his intention never to return it. This even surpasses the famous evasion of the Climbing-boys Act, by which, when it was forbidden to send the boy up the chimney the attenuated urchin was taken up to the tiles and sent down. The British residents have chosen the pacific part of paying their present contributions, but under protest, and they have addressed a memorial to Lord Palmerston on the subject which might set a less inflammable Minister in a blaze.

That the expenses of an English man should be pinned upon the politics of a Mexican is something terrifically outrageous. It is bad enough in any case to be liable for the indefinite bills to another, but in such a case as this it passes the bounds of possible patience. All the credit of the Rothschilds could hardly meet the demands which the political extravagances of these pugnacious provinces would find for it. Nothing probably could be more delightful to Mexican minds than the reflection that they were left to their own revolutions with somebody else to pay for them. There is actually now ever prospect that if the smart-money of the Americans should be accepted, ad the Mexicans should be left without any enemies but each other, the swords at present drawn and flourished in empty bravado would be instantaneously employed in an internecine war of massacres and assassinations. The wriggling and ravenous little creatures detected by the microscope in a turbid puddle do not prey upon each other with more incessant fury than these tadpole States. It is rumored that the separate independence of each individual province will be speedily proclaimed, some accepting the protection of the United States and some of the Republic of Yucatan; nor does it seem certain that the subdivision will cease even here, for at this very moment a murderous melodrame is in rehearsal on the borders of Guadalaxara, where the city of Zacatecas, with an army of one hundred and thirty fighting men is preparing to "annex" the neighboring town of Aguas Calientas, which can only bring one hundred to oppose them. Such is the programme for the revolutions of the ensuring winter, the expenses of which, if the present precedent be allowed, will inevitably, says our correspondent, "be thrown on the foreign commercial body, and in an excessive proportion on the English."
[KAS]

LT 1847-9-15-7a

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, Sept. 14.

This Court resumed its sittings after vacation this morning.

IN RE WILLIAM SPARROW.

This insolvent was heard a few weeks since, and an adjournment had taken place to allow of some arrangement being come to with the opposing creditor.

To day the insolvent again appeared, and it being announced that a judgement was prayed by the opposing creditor.

The learned CHIEF COMMISSIONER sad, that his opinion of the case was unaltered, and he had hoped that the case during the adjournment would have been adjusted. The brother and the sister of the insolvent have given testimony as to certain advances from them to the insolvent, and he (the learned Commissioner) must repeat an opinion before expressed, that their evidence was unsatisfactory, and should therefore apply the provisions of the 76th section to this case. Doubting the testimony of the brother, and disbelieving that of the sister, the judgment of the Court was, that the insolvent be discharged at the expiration of six months from the date of his visiting order.

IN RE ROBERT EVERITT.

This insolvent was opposed by Mr. Cooke on behalf of the trustees of the Summersham turnpike-road, Hunts.

The complaint was, that the insolvent had obtained a lease of the tolls of the above-mentioned road by means of fraudulently obtaining a false signature to the usual bond.

Mr. Applegath, clerk to the London agents of the trustees, swore that the insolvent and a person who signed the bond us Thomas Couling came to the office together and execute the deed.

Mr. Couling, an omnibus proprietor, was called, and swore that the signature on the bond was not his writing.

Evidence was given that the trustees had sued Mr. Couling for 736., arrears due by the insolvent, but had failed in consequence of the signature being proved to be false.

The insolvent said he signed the bond, but never saw any other person do so. A Mr. Bonns was with him at the time of signing the bond.

His HONOUR said, he would give the insolvent an opportunity of verifying his statement by calling Bonns, and therefore should adjourn the case for a week.

The new act for transferring the insolvency business from the Bankruptcy Court to this tribunal takes effect after this date, September 15.
[KAS]

LT 1847-9-17-5f

Wholesale Annexation
September 17, 1847

The New Era, the Liberty party paper at Washington, of the 19th inst., contains an article nearly four columns in length, upon the war between this country and Mexico, and the relations which the two nations hold to each other. The article is ably written, nut it is chiefly-remarkable for a plan which it pus forth by which the war may be brought to an honorable close." This plan is to propose to each of the 23 departments or states of Mexico annexation to this country. Those states which have already a sufficient number of inhabitants are to be admitted as free and independent States. Those which have not, are to be annexed as territories, to be admitted as states as soon as they have the required number of inhabitants. The writer assumes to be a disciple of the State Rights school, "a Pharisee of the strictest-sect." In relation to right or justice of which state making its own selection, there can, according to the writer be no doubt. And in regard to the constitutionality of admitting foreign states into our Union, that has been settled by president, in the purchase of Louisiana and Florida and the annexation of Texas. The writer devotes much space to the question of expediency. He says it will extend the principles of free trade, it will give Mexico the principles of religious toleration, it will establish free institutions within her borders, it will confer upon the people personal security, it will open the way for enterprising emigrants, it will bring the soil of Mexico under the better cultivation, stimulate the growth of manufactures [an] augment commerce. It will give us the control of the mines which furnace the currency of the world, it will establish peace upon the continent of America, and the prelude therein the establishment of monarchy; it will prevent the spread of slavery, and it will do a great many other things. The article is only noticeable from the novelty from its recommendations, the zeal with which they are urged, and the source from which they spring. In these views of wholesale union, the total absorption of a nation of 7,000,000 of people, made up of a mixture of the Old Spanish, Indian, and African bloods, differing from our own religion, language, manners, education, and habits of social intercourse, the writer contends that we must either pursue the course he has marked out, or else withdraw our armies within the Nueces. Although the writer talks very flippantly of the evils of war, and of the dangers which beset us in a career for foreign conquest, he evidently favors the scheme we have shadowed forth above. This is the latest invention we have seen for conquering a peace, and it comes from a quarter where we least expected it.- Boston Transcript
[KAS]

LT 1847-9-24-5f

Mexico, war with the US
September 24, 1847

The Mexican war-The Liverpool Albion Monday last published the following statement, which announces a new and important feature in the struggle between Mexico and the United States:-Amongst the intelligence received by the Cambria it is stated, on the authority of the New Orleans La Patria, that the President of Honduras has issued a proclamation calling upon Central America to aid Mexico. Two Guatemala generals had issued similar documents." The steamer due at Liverpool on Tuesday next will, probably, bring accounts of General Scott's operations against the capital of Mexico, with details of the above intelligence.
[KAS]

LT 1847-9-30-4a

September 30, 1847
Mexican War

It had been anticipated that the accounts from the United States and the seat of war in Mexico which have just reached us by the Caledonia steamer, would put an end to the long period of suspense and perilous inactivity in which General Scott's army has passed several weeks and would probably announce either the entry of that General into the Mexican capital, or the discomfiture of his scanty forces. The intelligence, which bears much more resemblance to the latter than to the former of these alternatives. Although the American journals record another victory, they acknowledge that the honors of the day were disputed with great resolution by the Mexican army. They publish a list of officers killed and wounded, which shows the extreme severity of the action; and above all, they announce an armistice proposed, not by the Mexicans, but by General Scott himself. This last circumstance demonstrates that, although the spirit and firmness of the little American army eventually prevailed over the numbers and the field fortifications of the enemy, they were not in a condition to take any political advantage of the contest, though they remained masters of the field. Indeed, considering their feeble numbers, the immense difficulties of transport, and the imperfect organization of their supplies, which have prevailed throughout the war, it is evident that 6,000 men, isolated in the heart of a hostile country, decimated by fatigue, fever, and actual fighting, and cut off from reinforcements by the conditions of the armistice re much more likely to capitulate to the enemy they have insulted and despised than to hoist the American flag on the towers of the city of Mexico. The moral effect of a decisive action and a tremendous defeat might, indeed, have paralyzed the Mexicans, and induced them to accept the terms they had hitherto rejected; but if the particulars are to be believed which reach us though American channels, the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco are more likely to rise the confidence of the Mexicans than to destroy all faith in their cause or their commanders.

The Mexican Generals are said to have taken up a very strong position, on which they had concentrated a large amount of artillery, within sight of the capital. These batteries of St. Augustine and St. Antonio were served with great activity and effect, and their fire was especially directed against the position which was occupied by General Worth and his corps. On the 19th of August an attack was made by the Americans on these points, which as may be inferred from our accounts was altogether unsuccessful. The American field batteries were soon silenced by the heavier guns of the enemy, and we observed that the loss of officers in the artillery corps was unusually great. For six hours this terrific cannonade lasted, and at the close of the day General Scott and General Twiggs retired, "completely exhausted, not anticipating the great strength of the works of the enemy." The troops were obliged to bivouac on a tempestuous night, which must ill have prepared them for a renewal of such a battle on the morrow.

On the morrow, however, the state of things seems suddenly to have changed. Early in the morning of the 20th, the position of Valencia, at Contreras, had been attacked by General Smith with complete success; and upon the precipitate retreat of the Mexicans from this point, General Worth fell back on San Antonio. A second most severe engagement took place, which lasted some hours, until the Mexican troops retreated in disorder upon the city, leaving their heavy guns and a large number of prisoners in the hands of the invading army. The forces of the Mexicans in those actions are stated to have been at least three times as numerous as those of General Scott's army; and although defeated to a certain extent, it is probable that the Mexican Generals have still a body of men under their command sufficient to repel any open attack on the city.

In fact, having arrived under the walls of Mexico by dint of extraordinary perseverance and hard fighting, it is by no means clear that General Scott is nearer the grand object of his gallant efforts than when he started from Vera Cruz; whilst, on the other hand, it is evident to the merest tyro in military affairs, that an army of 6,000 men, at such a distance from its base, and so inadequately supported from home, is, in reality, in a position of great peril. Conferences for the negotiation of peace, have, it is said, been opened, the alternative being another battle of a still more perilous character than the last; for it must be observed, that in General Scott's present position the least reverse must be annihilation. He has absolutely no retreat. We should, therefore, not be surprised to learn that he is willing to conclude a peace on terms by no means flattering to the vanity of the United Sates.

But the moment we arrive at this point, we are met by various political considerations, peculiar to the institutions of the United States, which render the solution of the question extremely complicated. Mr. Polk undertook this war on his own account, and it has proved to be the principal affair of his Presidency. The attractions of military adventure and the pride of military success have induced the people of the United States to endorse his bills and to recruit his armies; and we have accordingly seen the Chief Magistrate of what was once the model of pacific Governments including himself in the Royal luxury of a bloody war. All this may be some temporary advantage to Mr. Polk and his adherents; but they must be well aware that advantages so dearly bought by the nation will prove fatal to those who speculated in them, unless the burdens of the war can be terminated with this campaign, and unless this campaign can be closed with an amount of success sufficient to screen the enormous injustice of the invasion. In the present state of public opinion in the world, we should have thought it extraordinary if the most absolute of European Sovereigns had dared to embark in such a war; but that a man, temporarily invested with a limited power like that of the President of the United States, should, by his own will and pleasure, have plunged his country into such a series of embarrassments, is, without exception, the most extraordinary event which has ever occurred in the history of any modern republic. The sequel will show whether the more prestige of military achievements is sufficient to overthrow all the principles on which the constitution of the United States is professed to be founded; and even in this affair of the a armistice and the alleged negotiation for peace, we shall be curious to learn how far General Scott's conduct will be approved and supported by his Government, which no doubt anticipated a more brilliant result from the march to Mexico.
[KAS]

LT 1847-9-30-5d

AMERICA
September 30, 1847
US and Mexico

[The greater portion of the following appeared in a second edition of The Times of yesterday]

Liverpool, Wednesday morning

By the Royal mail steam-ship Caledonia, Captain Lott, which arrived in the Mersey at midnight, we have important advices from New York to the 15th, Boston to the 16th, and Halifax to the 18th inst., respectively.

The Caledonia was off Holyhead at 1 o'clock yesterday, but was not telegraphed, in consequence of fog.

The Britannia arrived in Halifax on the morning of the 18inst., and proceeded to Boston.

The French mail steam-ship New York arrived at New York, after a run of 20 days, from Cherbourg. She sailed from the latter port on the 15th of August, and when 15 days at sea ran short of coals, which compelled her to put into Newport, Rhode Island. She left on the 1st inst., and arrived in New York in the 4th, whence she sailed on the 15th inst. For Havre.

Our advices by the Caledonia contain intelligence of the stoppage, on the 9th, of the important house of Prime, Ward, and Co., of New York, in consequence of the failure of some of their European correspondents.

Our advices from Mexico are exceedingly interesting. General Scott had at last reached the neighborhood of the capital, after some hard fighting, in which both sides suffered great loss; but, in consequence of armistice, he had not entered the city. The Mexicans were said to have lost, in killed and wounded, 13 generals and 5,000 men. Some American regiments were reported as nearly cut to pieces, and their loss in officers was very heavy. It is probable, therefore, should the Mexicans not accept terms, that he may yet have to fight another battle before he can take possession of the capital.

The Mexicans, who were strongly posted, fought much better than was anticipated.

We subjoin the official account:-

"WASHINGTON, SEPT. 14, 1847.

"Dispatches for the Government have this moment been received. The intelligence heretofore received is fully confirmed.

"On the 20th ult. The American forces, consisting of 7,000 men, met the enemy at Charbuses, three or four miles from the capital. The Mexicans were 32,000 strong, and posted behind an immense battery of heavy artillery. After two hours' bloody conflict, our gallant troops swept everything before them, mainly at the point of the bayonet.

"The American loss was less than 1,000, while that of the Mexicans estimated at 5,000 and amongst the killed are many distinguished men, both generals and civilians.

"The armistice was agree upon, and five commissioners appointed to the Mexican side, at the head of whom was Herrera. The commissioners had two meetings, and were to hold a third on Monday, the 30th.

"Valencia escaped with two companies to Falluca, and has since pronounced against Santa Anna and peace."

The following, from the New York Courier and Enquirer, will be read with gratification:-

"The general feeling of the non-paying States is manifestly in favor of efforts to resume, and the accession of wealth all have received from the late high prices of produce will add strength to this feeling, and means for its gratification.

"The State of Pennsylvania is assuming a strong financial position and it is probable the net income this year will exceed $1,000,000. As a considerable amount of the loans of that State is held in Europe, the following, from a highly respectable and well-informed source in Philadelphia, is communicated to us for publication:-

"'After payment of the August interest, the State will have a surplus of about $4000,000; by next November they expect to have $1,000,000 on hand. This is three months in advance of the next interest term (Feb. 1), and does not include the taxes which are due and payable in December and January. Thus the state will have a permanent surplus, and by a judicious arrangement of it they expect to relieve themselves of the necessity of paying out relief notes next February; for instance the $1,000,000 deposited with our banks by these notes on the 1st of February, the interest being equal to the discount. Besides this, we look with confidence for the repeal of the tax this coming session; then our State credit will be permanently redeemed, never again, we hope, to be assailed from any quarter.'"

Fever was still raging frightfully at New Orleans. The return of Paredes to Mexico by means of the British mail steamer has given rise to much animadversion on the part of American press against England. Commodore Perry had issued the following notice:-

"NOTICE
"Collector's-office, Vera Cruz, Aug. 25
"Passengers arriving at this port without passports from the American Consul resident at the port them embark from will not be allowed to leave the vessel, and the master of any vessel permitting such passenger so landed, and the vessel held responsible for the same.
"F.M. DIAMOND, Collector."

General Order, No. 11.
"United States Flag-ship Germantown,
Anton Lizardo, Aug. 18.

"All vessels, excepting army steamers and transports, arriving at ports in Mexico held by the United States forces are to be visited by a boat from the general ship of the day, or any single vessel of the squadron that may be in port, for the purpose of tendering the usual compliment of services to foreign vessels of war, and of detecting any irregularities in foreign mail-steamers or merchant vessels, whether foreign or American.

"It is desirable, when it be practicable, that the boarding officer should be a lieutenant.

"M.S. PERRY,
"Commanding Home Squadron."

Paredes since his escape from Vera Cruz has not been heard of.

The following account of the battles before Mexico is taken from the correspondence of the New York Herald of September 15:-

Baltimore, Sept. 14, Night.
The overland express for your office has just arrived, and I hasten to telegraph the news to you. It is the greatest importance.

According to the Picayune of the 8th instant, the Mary Kingsland arrived at New Orleans on the 7th from Vera Cruz. She brings the much desired and anxiously expected intelligence from General Scott.

The two battles between the Americans and Mexicans victorious for the former, were fought at Contreras, or Coyoacan, and Churubusco, so called from the fieldworks of the enemy.

The proposition for an armistice was made by General Scott, and is supposed to have been at the instance of the British Embassy.

The report hitherto given, that the city of Mexico was at the mercy of the American army, seems to be unfounded, and, should peace to follow from negotiations then pending, another battle would have to be fought.

According to letter from Mr. Kendall, dated Tucubaya, August 22, the Archbishop's palace of that place was occupied by General Scott and a portion of the American army, after defeating the enemy in two of the hardest fought battles of the war.

Annexed are the particulars of the maneuvers and brilliant fights, together with an incomplete list of the American officers killed and wounded.

On the 14th of August a reconnaissance made by Colonel Duncan having satisfied General Scott that a road for artillery could be cut from Chalcoa to San Augustin, General Worth's division moved in that direction on the 15th, followed by Generals Quitman, Pillow, and Twiggs. By this movement a new line of operations was taken on the southern and north-western sides of the city of Mexico, and the strong works of El Penon and Mexicalcingo, on which Santa Anna had bestowed such immense labor, were completely turned.

On the 16th General Worth marched as far as the Pacienza of San Gregorio, when a halt was ordered by General Scott, as General Twiggs had met a large force of the enemy near Chalco. Twiggs promptly ordered the heaviest trains (guns probably) to be unlimbered, and after a few discharges the enemy was dispersed, with a loss of six killed.

On the 17th General Worth resumed his march over a terribly bad road, but by 8 o'clock in the morning he was in sight of the domes and spires of the capital, without opposition-except that rocks had been rolled on to the road, and ditches dug, evidently showing that General Scott had stolen a march on Santa Anna.

On reaching this point, however, a scattering fire was opened on the head of his column by the enemy, stationed in an advantageous position, which was soon silenced by Colonel Smith's Light Battalion of the 2d Artillery under Major Galb. Another attack was shortly after made; but again the enemy's pickets were driven in without loss.

At 7 o'clock on the 18th General Scott arrived at San Augustin. At 10 o'clock General Worth was in full march for the city of Mexico by the main road. Majors Smith and Trumbull, Captain Mason, and other engineer officers, were sent in advance, supported by Captain Blake's squadron of Dragoons, to reconnoitre, when a masked battery opened upon them, and killed Captain Thorton, of the 2d Dragoons, besides seriously wounding a guide.

Colonel Garland's brigade was then ordered to occupy a position in the plain in sight of the enemy's batteries at San Augustin, whilst Colonel Stark's brigade and Duncan's battery took their station in the rear close by. A party was then sent out to reconnoitre. to ascertain the practicality of finding a road by which the village of San Angel could be reached, and the stronghold of San Antonio turned.

This party had a skirmish with the enemy, killing five or six, and taking as many prisoners, without losing a man.

The result of the reconnaissance was favorable, and it was ascertained that a road could be made. The Mexicans were plainly seen in force near Bronteras, and at a council held that night it was determined to attack them in the morning.

Whilst this reconnaissance was going on, General Worth had established himself at the hacienda of Bunera, from the window of which countless numbers of the enemy could be seen at work upon the hacienda with both round shot and shell. Nearly every shot tool effect, but did no damage except to the buildings.

Late in the evening they were again opened, but were silent during the night. Had the fire been kept up, the hacienda might have been torn to pieces, and the entire command compelled to retire.

At 8 o'clock on the morning of the 19th the battalion again opened on General Worth's position. SO hot was the fore, that the troops were compelled to gain shelter being the buildings, but did not give up their position.

About 9 o'clock, the divisions of General Twiggs and Pillow were ordered to march in the direction of Brontera and by 1 o'clock in the afternoon, when in plain sight of the enemy's batteries, and within the range of the heavier guns, the brigade of Colonel P.W Smith was ordered to advance towards a small village to the right and this cut off reinforcements which might be sent to Valencia from the city.

An incessant fire was opened on Colonel Smith's command and soon the Rifles were engaged with the picket of the enemy, driving them in.

The 12-pounder batteries of Captain Magruder and the mountain howitzer batteries, now commanded by Lieutenant Callender, of the Ordnance Department, were pressed forward and opened on the enemy, but were so much silenced. Lieutenants Johnson and Callender were seriously wounded.

At 3 o'clock General Cadwallader was ordered out to support Colonel Riley, reinforcements being seen on their way out from the city, whilst General Pearce was sent to sustain General (Colonel) smith.

The firing from the enemy's batteries was incessant.

About 4 o'clock General Scott arrived, and seeing, the immense strength of the Mexicans, at once ordered General Shield's brigade to support Riley and Cadwallader, and prevent, if possible, a junction of the force coming out from the city with those of Valencia; but few of the movements of our own troops could be seen, though every motion of the enemy was visible.

The order of battle of Valencia was most imposing. The infantry were seen drawn up to support the batteries, whilst long lines of the enemy's calvary were stationed in the rear, as if waiting the shock of battle. Two separate charges of the latter were distinctly seen to be repulsed by Colonel Riley. Until night had fairly closed in the firing from the enemy's batteries had not slackened. It had been a continuos roar for nearly six hours.

General Scott retired to San Augustin about 8 o'clock, in the midst of a hard rain, and General Twiggs and General Pillow came in about 11 o'clock, completely exhausted, not anticipating the great strength of the works of the enemy.

It was thought that the batteries could be taken at a dash and that the troops would all be comfortably quartered at San Angel for the night. Instead of this, a large a portion of them were compelled to bivouac, without blankets, in the midst of a pitiless storm.

On the 20th, Worth was ordered to move with a part of his division (Garland's brigade) to aid in the attack on Valencia; as to force his position was deemed indispensable. At 7 o'clock a few discharges of cannon were heard, a rattling of musketry, and some even said, that in the distance horses of the enemy could be seen flying towards the city; yet few deemed that the batteries had been stormed and carried.

Yet it was so. General Scott himself accompanied General Worth, and started for the scene of the action, when they were met by Captain Mason with the joyful intelligence that Valencia had been completely routed, after a terrible struggle. The attack upon his works was planned by General Smith, and resulted in the capture of 15 pieces or artillery and some 1,500 prisoners, among them Generals Blanco, Garcia, Mendosa, and the notorious Salas. He also captured all the ammunition and camp equipage, whilst the road over which those who escaped fled was strewn with muskets.

No less than 700 of the enemy, among them many officers, were left dead on the field, whilst the number of wounded was far greater, and the works of Contreras completely in the power of the American army.

General Scott at once ordered General Worth to fall back to San Antonio, to turn and capture that work, and then push on towards the capital by the main road, whilst the main body of the army moved on towards San Angel and Coyoacan.

General Twiggs had scarcely moved half a mile beyond the latter village, when a rattling fire of a musketry announced that it was actively engaged with the outposts of the enemy, and the heavy booming of cannon now gave token that the noted second division had fallen on another strong works of San Antonio, but with the loss of three heavy guns, and had fallen back on a stronger line of works.

It was now 1 o'clock in the afternoon, and about the commencement of the battle, and such a rattling of forearms has seldom or never been heard on the continent of America, accompanied with such booming of artillery; and this was continued over two hours, when the enemy was completely routed from every point, and until those who were not killed or taken prisoners were in full flight for the city.

The strength of the enemy at this place was known to have been at least 15,000, and many say 20,000, all fresh troops, and in a position of uncommon strength. Opposed to them were about 6,000 Americans, jaded and broken down by marches, countermarches, and incessant toil.

At Churubusco the Mexicans say Santa Anna commanded in person, but that he retired early.

The young man of the capital, from whom so much was expected, nearly all fled, without firing a gun. The loss on our side has fallen most heavily upon the South Carolina and New York volunteers, the 6th infantry, and Smith's Battalion, and the batteries of Captains Magruder and Taylor. The South Carolina regiment was nearly cut to pieces.

13 Mexican Generals were killed and wounded.

More ammunition was captured the General Scott has used since he has been in the country.

The following are the terms of the armistice agreed upon whilst the commissioners of the two Governments shall negotiate terms of peace:-

"Neither army is to be reinforced nor build new defenses during the armistice, nor go beyond its present line; in short, the two armies are in no way to interfere with each other without 48 hours' notice."
[KAS]

LT 1847-10-9-3a

October 9, 1847
Mexican Bonds

As far as actual panic is concerned, the money-market may be considered to have recovered, but there is evidently a weight of apprehension now prevalent, and a consciousness that until the railway companies shall have been forcibly checked no cessation of our present downward course can be hoped for, that will henceforward prevent the possibility if a renewal of confidence. Consols for money opened at 841/8 to 3/8, and continued to show tolerable steadiness until late in the afternoon, when, owing to any uneasy feeling (attributed by some to the prospect of the revenue returns; by others to the aspect of the Gazelle accounts of the Bank of England; and by others, again, to the dread of new failures), the market suddenly declined to 83 7/8. In the Stock-Exchange the pressure for money was much diminished, and the current rate was not higher than 8 per cent, but at the Bank the demand for discounts was still heavy. Bank stock left off 188 to 192; India Stock, 222 to 225; and India Bonds, 30s. to 20s. dis. The Exchequer bill market has undergone considerable improvement; at first the price was 20s. to 10s. dis, but at the close of business it stood at 11s. to 7s., the small descriptions being quoted par to 4s. pm.

Mexican Stock advanced to-day nearly 1 per cent, in consequence to the receipt of remittances by to Teviot steamer on account of the dividends, and left off at about 19 to ¼. The other transactions in the foreign market were not of much importance. They included Brazilian, small, at 76 ½; the new, at 76; Portuguese Four per cents, at 22 ¼ Russian Five per cents, at 105; Spanish Five per cents, at 18; Passive, at 3 7/8; Spanish Three per cents, for the account, at 27,; Dutch Two-and -a-half per cents, at 53 ¾; and the Four per cent Certificates at 84.

In the foreign exchanges to day there was a general further advance in the rates, and, as on the preceding post days, a large amount of bills remained unsold.

In the corn-market to-day there was little doing, and prices remained without alteration.

Advices from Hamburgh of the 5th inst. mention a gradually increasing demand for money. The rate of discount had risen to 5 ½ per cent. Mention is also made of the suspension of Messers. Pehmoller and Tollens, a young house in the exchange and general business. Their liabilities are supposed to be below 30,000l., and it is not considered that any one in London is likely to suffer.

A report was circulated in the course of the morning that a small marine insurance company had been unable to meet its engagements, but they statement was without foundations. It is said, however, that winding up of it affairs is contemplated.

The committee of Spanish American bondholders have received the following from their agents in Mexico, under date 29th of August:-

"With reference to our respects of last packet, we have the honor to inform you that we have remitted to Messers. John Schneider and Co., as agents for the Mexican bondholders, 56,950j. 2s. 6d., to be appropriated to the payment of the dividends, of which be pleased to take note.

"As regards the permits for the importation of raw cotton, which we mentioned in out last, we now beg leave to inform you that we have received such permits for the introduction of 100,726 quintals of cotton, representing at the rate of $6.6 per quintal a capital of $679,912 in duties. We shall be happy to receive your instructions regarding disposal of these licenses, though we should consider it the interest of the bondholders to sell any part of them for which we might meet with purchasers at the price at which they have been granted by the Government. The proceeds of the aforesaid permits will be applicable to the reimbursement of certain sunes, the property of the bondholders, and which had been abstracted from the Custom-houses of Vera Cruz and Tampico, by order of the Mexican authorities."

The weather in the West India islands, it would appear by the letters and papers received this morning, was in general favorable for the growing crops. From Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Antigua, the whole of the advices concur in representing that the supply of rain was fully adequate to the wants of the planters. The planting of provisions necessary for native food had been carried out to a great extent, the deficiency of these during the late time of scarcity having been severely felt. At Dominica more seasonable weather had not been experienced for years. Tobago is the sole instance where the least complaint was made of drought. However, in this case there was a change for the better just previous to the departure of the packet, "showery weather having at length set in."

Letters from Port-au-Prince of the 5th of September allude to the more pacific aspect of affairs in the city. Although it is asserted that "discontent and ill-feeling" continue to be displayed in certain quarters, still "the public peace" is no respects likely to be disturbed, as "all good and loyal citizens" see, it is said, that permanent tranquility can alone insure a successful government. An address, published by M. Troy, the Secretary of State and Minister of the Interior, in the absence of Solouque, seemed, according to these accounts, to have produced a satisfactory impression upon the populace. Spanish doubloons, 71 50; Spanish gourde (or dollar), 4 56; and Mexican gourde (or dollar), 4 50.

The Honduras accounts received to-day come down to the 14th of August. Between the 24th of July and that date there had left for London the Clarendon, with 156,352 feet of mahogany, 55 tons of logwood, and a quantity of coca-nuts; the Calista, with 3,967 feet of mahogany, 27 tons of logwood, 10,250 coca-nuts, and 386 serons or cochineal; and the Ann, with 103,198 feet of mahogany, 72 ½ tons of logwood, 16,500 coca-nuts, and 590 serons of cochineal; the Kingston, for Liverpool, had a cargo of 119,307 feet of mahogany, 30 tons of logwood, 20,000 cocoa-nuts and 49 pieces of sappodilla.

At Honduras intelligence from Guatemala to the 28th of July had arrived. Treaties of commerce and navigation had then been concluded between the Government and the representatives of Great Britain and the Hanseatic Towns, eight months being named as the period stipulated for their ratification. The country was tranquil, and the progress established in the effective administration of affairs had secured the President considerable popularity. Among a variety of changes noticed in fiscal regulations were two which appeared to be considered as of great importance in their respective bearings. One involved a reduction of taxes payable by the license authorizing the cultivation of tobacco in Zacapa, on the banks of the Montagua, in Esquipulas, Jocatan, and in Gualan, with the view of increasing that branch of public revenue.

Advices from Valparaiso, dated the 27th of July, repot the markets as in a steady condition. In manufactured good s the transactions latterly had not been of much importance. Complaints are made in the Valparaiso papers of the inattention of the Custom-house officials, to whose negligence is imputed the damage too frequently sustained by merchandise when landed from the streamers in unfavorable weather.

The report of the colonial markets for the week shows unabated heaviness, and almost every class of produce has seriously declined. This depreciation, however, might naturally have been expected, and importers who, a few weeks since, were holding off their stocks in consequence of flat markets, now find it expedient, owing to the continuance of the extreme pressure for money, to take every possible opportunity of realizing. In addition to the effect caused by the greater disposition to press sales, the tendency towards reduction of rates has been increased by some parcels of produce lately in the hands of suspended houses having been forced upon the market.

The price of sugar generally shows a feline of fully 1s. per cwt., but in the private contract market some transactions have taken place at a still greater reduction. Good strong refining sugar has been sold as low as 35 s. per cwt. duty paid. The importers of Mauritius continue free sellers, and about 14,000 bags have passed auction. Low Madras, which was worth in April last about 43s., is now with great difficulty saleable at 30s., per cwt., duty paid, or 16 s. per cwt. in bond, which low price has for some time lst led to its being taken for export to the continent.

The coffee market exhibits still greater heaviness, as sales have been brought forward to a large extent, and prices have consequently given way materially. "Native " Ceylon has been sold as low as 34s., per cwt., and privately a parcel, it is understood, has changed hands at 33s. 6d. per cwt. In the plantation kinds a fall of 2s. per cwt. ahs again occurred; "fine ordinary" quality will only bring 45s. to 46s. per cwt. The foreign descriptions are about 2s. per cwt. lower.

White Bengal rice has been sold at 13s. 6d., which was worth about three weeks since 16s. 6d. per cwt.

The tea market has been exceedingly flat, and business only effected to a very limited extent. A pubic auction took place on Tuesday, and a decline occurred in nearly every instance where a sale was made. Flowery pekoe was sold as low as 10d. per lb.

The returns from the Bank of England for ht weekending the 2d. of October gives the following results when compared with the previous week:-

Public deposits	9,329,057	Decrease	118,794
Other deposits	7,961,767	Increase	477,725
Rest	4,065,474	Increase	22,462
On the other side of the account:-
Government securities	11,661,340	Increase	25,000
Other securities	21,259,929	Increase	1,252,697
Notes unemployed	3,409,300	Decrease	702,990

The amount of notes in circulation is 18,712,395£, being an increase of 633,810£; and the stock of bullion in both department is 8,565,307£, showing a decrease of 217,396£ when compared with the preceding return. [KAS]

LT 1847-10-12-5e

October 12, 1847
Mexico, battles

General Santa Anna, in his capacity as Provisional President and Commander-in-Chief of the Mexican army, published, shortly after the engagements the following manifesto in explanation of his defeat:-

"In moments so critical and solemn, it becomes the duty of him who presides over the destiny of the Republic to give publicity to the recent events, and I comply with pleasure, as candour has at all times been the character of my administration. The incidents of the 19th and 20th are too notorious, having been disastrous; but I am bound to present a review of them, lost they should be misrepresented as much by the spirit of detraction and malevolence as by errors which may result from a false analysis of such grave and transcendent affairs.

"The nation has witnessed the great and extraordinary efforts with which, in the space of three months, I prepared for the defense of the capital, which was on the point of being surrendered to the enemy without resistance. I have formed, armed, and equipped an army of more than 20,000 men; I have provided a vast materiel for this army; I have fortified various lines in order to remove from Mexico the ravages of war; I have created resources in spite of the isolated position to which the Government was reduced, and I have spared no time and no labour in order to make my country appear with dignity and firmness in the contest to which it was unjustly provoked.

"In war, an accident, a thing that appears trifling, overthrows the best formed combinations. A glance at the defenses which I established round the city is sufficient to discover the plan which I had proposed to myself. The forces which I had advanced on one of the flanks, supported by others stationed at convenient distances, and a point to fall back upon, well known to them, and of which I gave notice at the proper moment. To one general who had command of a strong division of 5,000 men, with 24 pieces of artillery and whose headquarters were at the village of san Angel, I sent orders at 11 o'clock on the morning of the 18th to fall back upon the town of Coyoacan, in order to form a concentration of forces, following the movements of the enemy, which were already evident, and particularly to unfold my plan of operations. But this general, forgetting that for the execution of a plan no observation which may annul or retard it can be admitted, took upon himself to object to the orders which had been received; and as we had banished from among us obedience and discipline, so indispensable in military matters, I had to be tolerant in order to avoid greater evils, and let him, to my own regret, act, throwing upon him the responsibility of whatever might happen.

"The result was a fatal as I had foreseen. He advanced of his own accord more than a league, and selected a position to meet the enemy without giving me notice of his movement or of his intentions. The refusal which he gave to my advice was the first news I had of his temerity, and soon after the roar of cannon showed me this position, and gave me notice that an action had commenced. Although overwhelmed with a presentiment of what was to happen, I put myself immediately at the head of a brilliant division of 4,000 men and five pieces of artillery. I arrived at the moment when the enemy had cut off by the rear the position of the ill-fated general with a respectable force, and I was hardly able to check his operations as the night was already setting in.

"But I perceived with sorrow that the position was isolated; a deep-ravine, and a wood occupied by the enemy, being interposed between is, it was impossible for the troops under my immediate command to advance by the only road there was, without exposing themselves, as were already the other', and only one battery, which arrived late, could do any injury. The firing having ceased, our bridge took up cause, as it rained in torrents, it would have been equal to a defeat to have kept the troops in the open field.

"Previous to this, however, I had ordered my aide decamp, Colonel Ramiro, to pass the terrible ravine which was in our front, and guided by Don Jose Maria del Rio, well acquainted with the country, to reach the camp of the general, and to advise him to withdraw that very night to San Angel with his infantry and calvary, by the only road which was left to him, spiking previously the artillery which it was not possible to save. My aide-de-camp succeeded, and communicated my orders between 10 and 12 o'clock that night; but instead of being obeyed with punctuality, the above named general hardly allowed my aide-de-camp to speak, interrupted him by stating that he wanted 6,000 men and ammunition, and sent him off with two dispatches, already signed and sealed, in one of which he gives a report of the action of the evening, stating that he had been beaten and put the enemy to a shameful flight, and that in consequence he conferred promotions on the generals, chief, and officers.

"Early the next morning I presented myself again in the same camp, reinforced by a brigade which I had drawn from the capital, and with the intention of forcing the bridge at any cost; but when I was about to commence, the enemy made his attack, which lasted 10 minutes, and I witnessed, overwhelmed with despair, the defeat of those soldiers, worthy of better fate, because the general, who unfortunately commanded them had cut himself off. The consequence of this success appeared terrible to any sight. The enemy could arrive by a rapid move at the capital before it would be in my power to render assistance; the enemy could by a flank movement cut off my detached forces; the enemy had obtained fruit of this victory the power of bringing the whole of his forces against only a part of mine; and, finally, the enemy, owing to the insubordination and want of skill of one general, could turn to his profit the advantages of my position.

"The advanced fort of San Antonio could not be maintained, because our line had been cut, and I gave orders for its garrison to withdraw whilst I protected the fort and tete de pont of Churubusco. The enemy advanced and cut off part of the troops that were retreating, and appeared in front of our nearest defenses. There again I placed myself at the head of our troops, and my efforts cost the enemy a good deal of blood. The losses, although much to be lamented, naturally proceeded from the retreat, which was hasty, unexpected, and confused, owing to the trains that had to pass through a narrow lane, flanked in its whole extent. The defense was made from line to line until we came to the third, where I personally restrained the enemy and saved the capital, which had been so unexpectedly placed in danger.

"When I was occupied on the 22d in reorganizing the forces and manning the batteries, having placed myself again at the head of a column which should offer resistance to the lst extremity, I received a communication from the general-in-chief of the enemy, proposing am armistice that might give time to listen to the propositions which may be made by the Commissioner of the Government of the United States, to put an end to the contest between the two nations. I accepted the armistice, and, after having had a meeting with the Ministers, I resolved to listen to the above propositions.

"The suspension of hostilities is always a blessing, because war is always an evil, particularly after the failure of grand combinations. To free the capital of its horrors, or at least to retard them, was an emergency which I could not resist, and the more so when it presented the means of arriving at an honorable peace.

"When two nations are in a state of war they enjoy the right of reciprocity, making propositions, which presupposes the obligation to listen. A perpetual war is an absurdity, because it is a calamity, and the instinct of self-preservation, which is stronger in nations than in private individuals, counsel us not to refuse any means which may lead to an advantageous settlement. To adopt this stop the constitution confers ample powers on me.

"Devoted to interests so noble and exalted, I must at all hazards maintain the prestige and respect of the supreme authority, particularly at present, when, if the factions should molest the Government, they would deprive it of the liberty of deliberating, and it would fall into utter insignificance in the presence of our enemies. I will still be more explicit. Attempts at subversive sedition will be punished in an exemplary manner.

"I have still a respectable body of troops, and the nation will assist me to maintain its dignity and vindicate its glory. I consider myself as free as if I had just obtained a distinguished victory, and there is no danger that the negotiations of the enemy will impose upon me what their troops difficulties amicably, if above all things our honor is saved, and we will again appeal to the sword if force should be proposed to withhold from us justice and the acknowledgment of the rights of the nation.
"ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.
"Mexico, August 23, 1847."

THE ARMISTICE.
To the proper elucidation of the spirit with which the recent armistice was entered into between Generals Scott and Santa Anna, we annex several important documents.

The following was the letter addressed by General Scott to Santa Anna, tendering an armistice:-

"TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL-IN-CHIEF OF THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO.
Head-quarters of the Army of the United States of America, Coyoacan, Aug. 21, 1847.

"Sir,-Too much blood has already been shed in this unnatural war between two great republics of this continent. It is time that the difference between them should be amicably and honorable settled, and it is known to you Excellency that a commissioner on the part of the United States, clothed with full powers to that end, is with this army. To enable the two republics to enter on negotiations I am willing to sign, on reasonable terms, a short armistice.

"I shall wait with impatience until to-morrow morning for a direct answer to this communication; but shall in the meantime seize and occupy such positions outside of the capital as I may deem necessary to the shelter and comfort of this army.

"I have the honor to remain, with high consideration and respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant,
"W. SCOTT."

To this letter a reply was returned by the Mexican Secretary of War, of which the following is a hasty version:-

"TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
"Ministry of War and Marine, Mexico,
August 21.
"Sir,-The undersigned, Minister at War and Marine of the Government of the United States of Mexico, is instructed by his Excellency the President, Commander-in-Chief, to reply to your communication, in which you propose to enter into an armistice, with a view to avoid the further shedding of blood between the great republics of this continent, for the purpose of hearing the propositions which may be made for this purpose but the commissioner of his Excellency the President of the Untied States of America, who is at the head-quarters of the American army.

"It is certainly lamentable that, in consequence of the disregard of the rights of the Mexican republic, the shedding of blood has become inevitable between the first republics of the American continent; and your Excellency with great propriety qualifies this as unnatural, as well on account of its relations and their interests. The proposition of an armistice to terminate this scandal has been received with pleasure by his Excellency the President, Commander-in-Chief, as it will enable the propositions to be entertained which the commissioner if the President of the United States may make for the honorable termination of the war.

"Accordingly the President, Commander-in-Chief, directs me to say to your Excellency that he accepts this propositions to enter into an armistice and for this object he has appointed the Brigadier-general Don Ignacio Mora y Villamil and Don Benito Quijano, who will be present at the time and place which may be designated.

"His Excellency also instructs me to command his satisfaction that the army of the United States should occupy convenient and fitting quarters, trusting and hoping that they will be out of reach of the fire of the Mexican fortifications.

" I have the honor to be, with high consideration and respect, your Excellency's most obedient servant.

"ALCORTA."

The same day Senor Pacheco, the Secretary of States, issued the following summons for the assembling of the Congress:-

"Ministry of Internal and Foreign Relations, Mexico Aug. 21.

"Most Excellent Sir,- All Mexicans, but especially the inhabitants of this capital, have been witnesses to the extraordinary exertions which have been made by his Excellency the Provisional President to collect an army capable of meeting that of the United States, arid restoring the lustre of the arms of the republic. They are witnessed, also, that he has fought with intrepidity, exposing his own life until the moment when the victory was lost and the enemy was at the gates of the capital.

"In these circumstances, and when the numerous inhabitants of Mexico have made every kind of sacrifice to carry on the war, it is one of the most imperious duties of the first magistrate to prevent the calamities inseparable from an assault, and to avoid all the consequences of a violent constitutional power, and in conformity with the wishes of Congress, communicated to him on the 16th of July last, he has determined to hear the propositions which Mr. Nicholas Trist has to make on the part of the United States, and to consent that in the meantime there shall be a suspension of hostilities.

"As this question is of the utmost interest to the republic, his Excellency desires that the National Congress should take their appropriate part, and accordingly he directs me to notify your Excellency that you may take measures diligently to summon the Deputies to assemble at 12 o'clock today.

"I reiterate the assurances of my distinguished consideration. God and Liberty!
"JOHN RAMON PACHECO."
[KAS]

LT 1847-10-18-6a

AMERICA
October 18, 1847 6a
ARRIVAL OF THE BRITANNIA.

We have received from Liverpool our advices from the United States and Canada, by the Royal mail steam-ship Britannia, Captain Harrison, which entered the Mersey at 2 o'clock this morning.

The Britannia concluded her repairs at New York on the 28th ult., and left on that day for Boston, whence she sailed, with 76 passengers, on the 1st instant. Severe easterly winds were encountered during the passage.

The steam-ship Hibernia was spoken between Halifax and Boston on the 2d instant.

The French steamer Union left New York for Havre on the 30th ult.

The Sara Sands, screw line-of-packet ship, would leave about the 6th instant. Her commander had been publicly entertained by his passengers on the outward run.

The commercial accounts by this steam-ship are alone of importance. From Mexico no later intelligence had been received. The result of the armistice, and the question of peace or war, are consequently still uncertain.

Our New York letters extend from the 24th to the 30th ult. inclusive. Since the departure of the Washington, on the 23d, no later accounts had been received from Europe; and commercial affairs consequently remained without any change of moment. The Britannia has brought a fair amount of bills. The demand, however, was principally upon the banks, at 108 3/1 to 109. Private bills were dull at 108-108 3/1; and so far as we can learn, no exportation of specie to this country was probable for some time; a large amount destined for shipment had been withdrawn, but to France, by the mail steamer of the 30th ult.; and packet-ship of the 29th, silver to the amount of 200,000 dollars, in five-franc pieces and Mexican dollars, had been sent. Treasury notes were in good demand at 3 ½ to 4 per cent. premium. The banks were in a sound condition, and no further failures had been reported, to shake the confidence given by the intelligence that Prime, Ward, and Co.'s bills had been protected. In the grain-market prices were fully sustained. Supplies and stock were still extremely light, and on Indian corn an advance had been realized. The prospects of the cotton crop are represented as somewhat more favourable; the market, consequently, was less firm, with an increase of sales towards the close of the month, and prices, in the face of a good demand for France and the continent, had declined 3/1c. per pound. The sales on the 30th ult. were moderate, with more firmness. Freights were extremely low. Flour was taken for London at 2s. 6d. to 7d. per bushel. To Havre (nominally),--cotton, ¾ per lb.; flour, 70c.; ashes, 8d. to 10d; rice, 10d. Foreign iron was in request, and sales of English and Scotch, to arrive, had been made. English bars were held at $65 to $66 50c. Foreign coal was scarce, and in request. Ashes had again advanced. The tobacco market was active and firm. Provisions had advanced, and the mess pork, under a brisk speculative demand, was quoted at $14 25c. Lard, steady, with a fair demand. Cheese was in request, with large sales, for exportation, at 7c. to 7¾c. From New Orleans our latest advices are the 22d ult. The cotton-market continues firm, and sales of 1,000 bales were on that date made at previous prices. Flour was dull, with few sales, Ohio being quoted at $4 25c. to $4 75 c. In exchange sterling bills were quoted at 7 to 7½.

The political intelligence is unimportant. No late advices had been received from the interior of Mexico, and consequently the question in regard to the negotiations for peace remained still as doubtful as ever. Rumours alone reach us, to the effect, first that Paredes had arrived at the capital and arrested Santa Anna; second, that Valencia had surrendered; and, thirdly, that the attainment of a peace was highly probable. These rumours, however, obtained no confidence; and until the receipt of the Government dispatches from Vera Cruz by the steamer transmission to the United States, we are unlikely official journal at Washington announces a letter from an officer at Vera Cruz, of the 4th ult., reports that it was the "opinion of the most intelligent writers from Mexico that General Santa Anna will conclude a peace; that his present position seems to urge him to such a measure," as his "only alternative" against any attempt to put him down on the part of Paredes or Valencia, "both of whom he had declared outlawed." The following account, by Salas, of the recent engagements appears in the journals:-

"Department of War and Navy, Section of Operations, Army of the North, Second General-in-Chief.

"Most Excellent Sir,--On the 19th instant, about 12 or 1 o'clock p.m., the enemy appeared as if with the intention of attacking the position occupied by this army on the heights of Contreras. At the moment we began a very steady fire of artillery and musketry, successively, as the enemy presented himself on the various points sustained by our troops, and we succeeded in stopping him at several places, until night put an end to the fighting, in which all ranks of this army gave proof of their gallantry and the decision with which they sacrificed their lives in the defence of our nationality; but on the morning of the 20th--thanks to the bad position we occupied, and the carelessness paid to the movements of the enemy to surround us--we were routed that were placed in one point being surrounded. When I observed the dispersion of our forces, I tried all I could to stop it, and, crying 'Victory for Mexico,' at the same time that the bugle sounded for slaughter, I succeeded in stopping it for a moment, and ordered General Don Anastasio Torrejon to charge with his command; but this chief, instead of obeying my order, fled cowardly, and the cavalry following his example trampled on the infantry and contributed to the complete rout of it.

"It would appear ridiculous to make any recommendations of those who have been present in an unfortunate battle; however, I cannot help mentioning to your Excellency with which the chiefs and officers of the several corps tried, even in the midst of disorder, to reunite their force to resist the enemy, who was hotly pursuing us. The conduct observed by them, preferring being made prisoners to abandoning their soldiers, will always do them honour; and for this I think hey are entitled to the consideration of the supreme Government, and the gratitude of their fellow-citizens.

"His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, Don Gabriel Valencia, disappeared from us at the commencement of the action of the 20th; and I, not knowing his whereabouts, have thought it my duty to address your Excellency, accompanying a list of the chiefs and officers who are prisoners in the city; another, of those who were wounded in San Angel and of those who are known to have been killed; another list of those made prisoners in the action of Charubusco; all of whom I have the honour of manifesting to your Excellency for your intelligence, praying that on communicating the above to his Excellency the President you will please manifest to him the total indigence in which the prisoners find themselves as having lost everything; and, the American General having given orders that they may be maintained by the inhabitants of this city which is destroyed, they must perish in misery, if their Government does not supply them with what they are entitled to, and which their actual situation and the well-deserving conduct that has distinguished them energetically claim.

"I reiterate to your Excellency my respects and particular esteem. God and Liberty!

"JOSE MARIANO SALAS.
"Tlalpam, August 23, 1847.
"To his Excellency the Minister of War.
"It is a copy.--Mexico, Aug. 24, 1847.
"MANUEL MARIA DE SANDOVAL."

Letters had been received in St. Louis from Chihuahua, stating that a very satisfactory state of things existed between the American traders and the citizens and Government of Chihuahua. The Mexicans adhered rigidly to the terms of the treaty made with the traders after the departure of Colonel Doniphan's command.

Official letters had been received form the camp of General Taylor at Monterey. A mixed force of Dragoons and Texans was employed in clearing the country between Camargo and Monterey of the roving guerillas. Reports were received that it was the General's intention to visit the United States; but he does not yet mention such an intention in his recent dispatches.

In domestic affairs we have few interesting features. The Whigs of the Michigan State Convention had adopted resolutions declaring the purpose of the Whigs of that state to "resist, by all constitutional means, the introduction of slavery into any territory now or hereafter to be acquired by the United States by conquest, purchase, or otherwise;" and resolutions declaring the unconstitutionality of the Mexican war and the impolicy of its origin. Several additional meetings in favour of the elevation of General Taylor to the presidency had been held in various portions of the Union. The epidemic in New Orleans had considerably abated. The steam-ship Hermann, 2,000 tons burden, the third ship of the Southampton and Bremen line, had been launched at New York.

A heavy gale had been experienced on the seaboard on the 25th ult., in which the New Orleans packet-ship Auburn went ashore on Long Reach, Barnegat Inlet, and went to pieces. The captain, mate, and 16 persons, embracing the crew and come five or six passengers, were lost, with the cargo.

The Canadian advices are unimportant.

The Port-au-Prince journals to the 29th of August had been received. A decree had been issued by the President, Faustin Soulouque, convoking the Legislature for the 7th of November next. A revolutionary attempt had recently been made at Port-au-Prince, but it was crushed in its inception. The revenue of the republic during the year 1846 was $3,502,779, and the expenditure $6,001,599. The revenue of 1847 shows an increase of about 10 per cent. upon that of 1846. The expenses of that year were greatly increased by the war.
[KAS]

LT 1847-10-19-6e

October 19, 1847
Mexico, war in

The following dispatches from the United States' army in Mexico were received by the Britannia, which arrived in Liverpool on Saturday last-

Colonel Dickinson's report
Headquarters, South Carolina Regiment, Volunteers
San Augustine, Aug. 23, 1847

"General, --Early on the morning of the 20th inst., Colonel Butler, in pursuance of your orders, marched his command from the road running to the south of his quarters, by which it was reported many Mexicans were retreating from the field of Contreras to the city of Mexico. Owing to the thick patches of "maguey" and a rugged ravine, he could not reach his position until several hundreds of the enemy had passed. As the regiment emerged from the ravine into the field, extending to the road, [which field was flanked on our right by a stone wall, extending to the road and enclosing an orchard,] we discovered large masses of the enemy in the road before us; and although they perceived us at the same time, they were unable to escape beyond our reach until every gun in the battalion had been brought to bear upon them; most, however, had broken into an open field opposite, which only the more exposed them to our tire. Through this field, in musket range of our position, mingled groups of their Calvary and infantry continued to pass.

"Shortly, however, we perceived large masses forming in line of battle, under cover of the stone wall already mentioned, and that a large body was advancing from the orchard on our right flank and rear. Colonel Butler immediately changed front to the right by a flank movement; and brought the enemy, in both their positions, as they advanced from and then retreated. Colonel Butler, perceiving that other of the enemy were passing through the field in our front, left a few files to guard our rear-formed again on the road, and maintained a steady fire upon the enemy, who continued to pass forward and surrendered themselves to Colonel Butler, who, seeing their bodies still coming, remained upon the road with three companies, while the rest of the regiment, in pursuance of an order from the general, retired beyond the ravine to oppose a very large body of Calvary, appearing in our rear.

"Of the enemy 127 were killed and wounded, and 217 taken prisoners. Among the latter were the following officers of rank to wit:-One general officer, two staff officers, two colonels, two lieutenant-colonels, four commandants, three captains, and four lieutenants. Our own loss in the action, from the random fire of the enemy, was one sergeant, several wounded and one private slightly.

"Captain Marshall with his company (E) was left as a guard over the prisoners, who were placed in a church, and the regiment soon after took up its line of march on the road to Mexico. About noon the regiment was ordered to make a detour to the left, and strike upon the same road a short distance beyond the enemy's works at Cheraposa, to cut off their retreat, as it was reported that the works had been their retreat, as it was reported that the works had been carried by our troops. On arriving on the field after the subsequent action, we found that the New York regiment, in consequence of numbers if horsemen and a small corps of the howitzer battery having intruded themselves betwixt us. Were some 300 yards in advance of us, and the 9th infantry, attached for the time being out brigade, nearly the same distance in our rear; at the proper point we proceeded to form the line of battle, and as soon as the two right flank companies were in line, we were ordered to advance-dispatch in reaching the road to cut off retreat being considered of more importance than a regular advance.

"Before, however, one-half of the companies were in line we found the New York regiment retiring under cover of the hacienda, to our right, and as soon as our line was unmasked from the road, which appeared to be densely filled with Mexican troops, as also the hacienda to the left of the field we occupied, and immediately on the road. As we had attempted, for the reason stated, very imperfect order in our line of battle was obtained; and as that appeared now indispensable, we were ordered to march by the right flank, as we reached the left flank of the New York regiment.

"As the hacienda did not possess sufficient breadth to protect the flanks in forming line of battle in its rear, the battalion was ordered to form by companies, and to march in column to the left, in advance of the hacienda, and a little to its left, upon which the general in person had placed himself; there they were ordered to deploy upon the colour company. The companies of the left wing formed in regular order, but some companies of the right wing were thrown into confused masses by the obtrusion of miscellaneous troops belonging to different arms of the service; this was mostly remedied and advance was ordered. The line continued to advance, under a heavy fire, some 30 paces in rear of the general about 150 yards, when they were halted.

"The general had cautioned the men not to open their fire until he gave the orders; but directly they halted, the general took his position in line of battle, and at this time the squad of mixed troops upon our extreme right, already mentioned, commenced firing, and the battalion, supposing the orders given, opened its fire. It was understood by the field officers to have been the general's intention to make our brigade, and that as soon as the whole was in line they were to advance to within easy musket range of the road, or to charge as he should deem best. As the firing had already commenced, and did not interfere with the formation of the other battalion, it was permitted to continue. As soon, however, as one or two companies of the New York regiment appeared marching up to our right, the order was given to charge, and the battalion was gallantly led forward by Major Gladden, then in command of the regiment.

"The colonel had been killed directly after our fire had been opened, and the lieutenant-colonel severely wounded a few minutes after the charge. Our line of battle numbered, before the commencement, three field officers, two staff officers, seven captains, 24 lieutenants, 12 sergeants, 273 rank and file; after the battle, the number who were unwounded for duty was one field officer (major), three captains, 18 lieutenants, 12 sergeants, 169 rank and file. The total of our losses in the engagement in killed and wounded was 136. The major informed me that, upon reaching the position of the enemy, he found that they had abandoned it, and were in full retreat for the city; several companies were in pursuit, and the others formed as a reserve in the road. The whole were shortly ordered to advance by the general, but in consequence of the large number of killed and wounded reported to him, the battalion was soon ordered back to the hacienda, now converted into a hospital. The three companies sent in pursuit were overtaken by a piece of artillery, which they supported nearly to the suburbs of the city, until they were recalled.

"Captain Marshall, who rejoined the regiment with his command at this place, reports to me that soon after the battalion had left the church where the prisoners were placed under his charge, finding himself destitute of provisions, he sent a detachment of his company to forage for fruit and green corn; this detachment surprised a party of Mexican soldiers engaged in the same pursuit. They killed one and captured 43, whom they brought back and delivered to their captain. This makes the total number taken at the place 260, which, with 127 killed and wounded, makes a total of 387.

"I should be unjust to the officers of this regiment and to my own feelings were I to close this report without acknowledging the gallant manner in which all the grades of officers performed their duty and sustained the honour of their flag. Until the engagement of the evening, our regiment had been in no very dangerous position, and the troops in that regard were raw and inexperienced; upon that occasion each officer had to lead his command, and their number in killed and wounded shows how faithfully they met the necessity. Our noble and unfortunate commander had his horse shot under him, at the head of his command, in the first of the engagement; a short time after he received a wound in the leg, ad yielded the command to his next rank.

"Finding however, that the wound, although serious, had not broken his leg, he accompanied the regiment in its subsequent advance upon the field. Here he had scarcely taken his position on the line of battle near the colours, when he received a wound to the left side of this head, which instantaneously terminated his life. As you witnessed his gallant bearing, I will only add that he was not only a brave officer, but a guardian father to his regiment.

"I have already stated that the occasion required of every officer a fearless example to his command, and that it was fully met by all. A few instances of gallantry falling accidentally under my immediate notice I will not mention; not as making invidious distinctions, but as conduct characteristic of the whole corps of officers. Major Gladden attracted my attention by his usual regard for regularity-disorder, however, partial, seemed to give him concern. He was at the post and duty. Captains Sumter and Dunovant, of the flank companies, exhibited that promptness and order so necessary on the flank; never once did I see either corps in broken order, or behind its time, upon the line or in the advance; the first lost its flower in the fight, and ended the engagement without enough to bury its dead and bear its wounded to the hospital.

"In the development upon the colour company (Captain Walker's), that and Captain De Saussure's, which formed the first upon it, were nearly annihilated; the first, after the line was formed, having but four men left, and the other (the largest company in the regiment), having but 24. I was near Captain De Saussure and saw his clothing literally riddled with bullets. He stood on the right and front during the firing, exhibiting such cool courage and that not one of his men wavered, though the foot of each was bathed in the blood of his next comrade. Captain William Blanding, of company F, and Lieutenant William C. Moragne, commanding company D, bore their companies' flags in the right flanks of their companies during the heaviest of the fire; the latter received his from the dying hands of his gallant subaltern, Lieutenant D. L. Adams, who fell with it in his hands, and the former from his colour-sergeant (Hicks), who also fell wounded.

"Captain Moffat, of company C, received a severe wound in the leg, but remained on duty till a rapid advance left him behind. Lieutenant J. R. Clark, commanding company G, was attracting my attention by giving orders in his usual quiet and temperate manner when he received what I fear will prove a mortal wound. Captain J.D. Blanding, of the staff, being unmounted, and the command small, attached himself to the company to which he originally belonged, and was wounded while sharing his fortune in the honour and danger of the fight. Adjutant James Cantry, in the latter part of the action, was severely wounded in the face, while extending the orders of the commander of the regiment.

"Lieutenant Shubrick, of the brigade staff, having lost his horse, attached himself to the company E, where he did duty throughout the engagement. The field and staff officers being all dismounted, Captain Hammond of the brigade staff, at my request, communicated the orders of the brigade directly to the captains of companies whenever the noise of the engagement prevented them being heard. I beg leave to acknowledge my obligations to him, and my admiration for his very gallant bearing during the engagement.
"Very respectfully yours &c.
"J.P. Dickinson,
"Lieutenant.Colonel, Commanding South Carolina Regiment,

"To Brigadier General Shields, commanding
"Brigade Volunteer Division."
"Head.Quarters, 1st Brigade, San Augustine, Mexico, August 24, 1847.

"Sir-On the 19th inst., about 3 o'clock in the afternoon pursuant to the orders of the general commanding this division, I marched from this place with the New York and South Carolina regiments of volunteers towards the battlefield of Contreras. On reporting to the Commander in Chief, who occupied on my arrival a position which overlooked the field, he described to me in a few words the position of the contending forces, pointed out the route of my command and briefly instructed me as to the dispositions which would render my force the most serviceable. Directing my march upon the village near Contreras, the troops had to pass over ground covered with rocks and crags, and filled with chasms, which rendered the route almost impassable.

"A deep ravine, along the bed which rolled a rapid stream, was passed after dark with great difficulty and exertion; and to rest the wearied troops after crossing I directed them to lie upon their arms until midnight, and while occupying this position, two strong pickets, thrown out by my orders, discovered and fired upon and drove back a body of Mexican infantry moving through the fields in the direction that an attempt had, in like manner, been made by the enemy to pass the position on the main road, occupied by the first regiment of artillery, and with a like want of success, thus being foiled in his effort to retire during the night. About midnight I again resumed the march, and joined Brigadier General Smith in the village already alluded to.

"General Smith previous to my arrival had made the most judicious arrangements for turning and surprising the Mexican position about daybreak, and with which I could not wish to interfere. This cast upon my command the necessity of holding the position evacuated by General Scott, on the right, and a large force of Calvary on the left.

"About daybreak the enemy opened a brisk fire of grape and round shot upon the church and the village in which my brigade was posted, and also upon a part of our own troops, displayed to divert him on his right and front, evidently unaware of the movement in progress to turn his position by the left and rear. This continued until Colonel Riley's brigade opened its fire from the rear, which was delivered with such terrible effect that the whole Mexican force was thrown into the utmost consternation. At this juncture I ordered the regiments of my command to throw themselves on the main road, by which the enemy must retire, to intercept and cut off his retreat, and although officers and men had suffered severely during the march of the night, and from exposure without rest or cover to the incessant rain until daybreak, this movement was executed with good order and rapidity.

"The Palmetto regiment crossing a deep ravine deployed on both sides the road, and opened a most destructive fire upon the mingled masses of the infantry and Calvary, and the New York regiment, brought in lower down and on the road side, delivered its fire with like effect. At this point many of the enemy were killed and wounded, and some 365 captured, of which 25 were officers, and among the latter was General Nicholas Mendoza.

"In the meantime the enemy's Calvary, about 3,00 strong which had been threatening our position during the morning, moved down towards us in good order as if to attack. I immediately recalled the infantry to place in position to meet the threatening movement, but soon the Calvary changed its direction, and retired toward the capital. I know received the order from general Twiggs to advance by the main road towards Mexico, and having posted Captain Marshall's company of South Carolina volunteers, and Captain Taylor's company New York volunteers, in charge of the prisoners and wounded, I moved off with the remainder of my force, and joined the positions of the 2d and 3d divisions already en route on the main road. On this march we were joined by General-in-Chief, who assumed the command of the whole, and the march continued uninterrupted until we arrived before Cheribousho.

"Here the enemy was found strongly fortified and posted with his main force, probably near 25,000. The engagement was commenced by the first division under Twiggs, soon joined by the first under Worth, and was becoming general, when I was directed by the Commander-in-Chief with my two regiments and Pierce's brigade, the 9th, 12th, and the 15th, with the mounted howitzer battery, to gain a position, if possible, to attack the enemy's rear and intercept his retreat.

"Leaving Loonco, by a left-hand road, and moving about a mile upon it, I moved thence with my command toward the right through a heavy corn-field, and gained an open, but swampy field, in which is situated the hacienda de las pottales; on the edge of this field, beyond the hacienda I discovered the road by which the enemy must retire from Cheribousho, and found his reserve of about 4,000 infantry occupied it, just in the rear of the town.

"As my command arrived I established the right upon a point recommended by Captain Lee, engineer officer, in whose skill and management I had the utmost confidence, and commenced a movement to the left, to flank the enemy on his right and throw my troops between him and the city. But finding his right supported by a heavy body of Calvary of some 3,000 strong, seeing that with I had to operate, I withdrew the men to the cover of the hacienda, determined to attack him upon his front.

"I selected the Palmetto regiment as the base of my line and this gallant regiment moved froward firmly and rapidly under a fire of musketry as terrible, perhaps, as any which soldiers were faced. The New York 12th and 15th deployed gallantly on the right, and on the 9th on the left, and the whole advance opening their fire as they came up, and moving steadily forward, the enemy began to waver, and when my order to charge was given the men rushed upon and scattered his broken ranks.

"As we reached the road, the advance of Worth's command appeared, driving the enemy from the stronghold of Cheribousho. I took command of the front, and continued in pursuit until I passed by Harney with his Calvary, who followed the routed foe into the very gates of the city.

"In this terrible battle, in which a strongly fortified enemy fought behind his works, under the walls of his capital, our loss is necessarily severe; the loss, I regret to say, has fallen most severely upon my command. In the two regiments of my own brigade, numbering about 600 in the fight, the loss is reported 240 killed and wounded. Pierce's brigade, under my command in this action, lost a considerable number in killed and wounded; among the latter was the gallant Colonel Morgan, of the 15th. His command having rejoined its division immediately after the action, I have as yet received no official report of its loss. A particular and detailed report of the loss, as also of the prisoners captured by this command, accompanies this report.

"In this last engagement my command captured 380 prisoners, including 60 officers; of this number 41 had deserted from the American army during the war, and at their head was found the notorious O'Reilly, who had fought against the troops at Monteray and elsewhere. In closing this report I beg to offer my thanks to the many gallant officers of my command of their gallant and fearless support during the combat. To Colonel Burnett of the New York volunteers, to Lieutenant-Colonel Dickinson and Major Gladden of the South Carolina volunteers; as many of their gallant subordinates, every praise is due.

"Colonel Burnett was severely wounded at the head of his regiment, and Lieutenant -Colonel Dickinson also severely wounded while in the command of his regiment, and bearing gallantly forward the colours of his corps. My thanks are due to the medical staff on command, Drs. Halstead and M'Kebbin, of the New York regiment, and Drs. Clark and Blane of the South Carolina regiment, as also to Dr. Swift, United States' army, for their attention to the wounded.

"It affords me pleasure (and I but perform my duties too) in acknowledging my great obligation to Captain R.E. Lee, as also to my particular staff, captain F. N. Page, Lieutenant R.P. Hammond, 3d artillery, aide-de-camp, and Lieutenant T. Davis, of Illinois, acting as aid, for their gallant services and fearless exposure I encouraging the troops and conveying my orders during the different engagements. Lieutenant Bone, commanding howitzer battery, deserves great credit for the handsome manner in which he brought his guns into action and continued to serve them.

"I beg respectively, though the general of division, to ask for these gentlemen the favorable notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and to recommend them to the President. Lieutenant Shubrick of the navy, who accompanied me, attached himself to the Palmetto regiment of his native state, and fought in its ranks, and is spoken of handsomely in the report of its commander.

"While thus enjoying the pleasure of bestowing my commendation upon the living, I turn with feelings of sorrow, through my pride, to recollect the gallant dead. Lieutenants Adams and Williams, of the South Carolina regiments, and Lieutenant Chandler, of the New York regiment, are of these gallant dead. By yielding their lives to achieve this glorious victory, they have won the soldier's fame with a soldier's death.

"The noble and gallant colonel of the South Carolina regiment has risen from his sick bed to share the hardships of the field and the dangers of the combat with his devoted regiment; he survived the conflict of the morning to lead his command; victory again awaited it; although wounded himself, and having his horse shot under him, he still continued to press onward near the colours of his regiment until the fatal ball terminated his life.

"The gallant solider in his youth has won, on his death upon the field of battle, fame for himself and his regiment and added another name to the roll of South Carolina's departed heroes.

"J.A. SHIELDS
"Brigadier-General, Commanding 1st Brigade, Volunteer Division."

[KAS]

LT 1847-10-25-4b

October 25, 1847
US and Mexico

The effect produced at Liverpool on Saturday by the intelligence of America was a singular indication of the extent to which the best interest of the two civilized and commercial countries are, in these times, identified. Information of renewed hostilities in India could hardly have excited more lively dissatisfaction than the tidings that a Mexican peace was apparently as far off as ever. If any citizen of the United States should be perversely persuaded that England desires either the discomfiture or embarrassment of his country, he need only observe how the arrival of each successive mal affects out great commercial communities. Calculations of exchange and exports leave very little room for considerations of jealously, and political conclusions altogether vanish compared with the prospects of trade.

It cannot be denied that the apprehensions of interminable hostilities excited by the late dispatches are fully warranted by the intelligence they bring. Indeed, it is not easy to discover a single point in which the position of the Americans is materially mended. The armistice, under the terms of which we lately left both armies snatching a brief repose, has been summarily terminated, if not abruptly broken; and the renewal of the war appears to have been signalized by two engagements of unusual severity, in one of which the Americans suffered a decided but not dishonorable repulse. It seems that they broke up on the 18th ult. From Tacubaya, and assaulted a strong post at Chapoltepec, situate about midway between Tacubaya and Mexico; but that they met with a resistance so determined, or a force so overpowering, that they were compelled to retire. Intelligence, purporting to be of six days' later date, then states that Chapoltepec had been just carried by storm, and that the American army had entered Mexico, Santa Anna retiring before them to Guadaloupe. The conduct of the Americans troops throughout the whole war, which, as far as regards their behavior in the field, does honour to the race from which they spring, will lead us at once to the conclusion that the last reports are highly probable, and that the previous reverse, if it ever happened as is related, was brought about by some prodigious disparity of numbers or position. Still this mends matters but little, for neither the capture of the city of Mexico not the display of national superiority is the object of Mr. Polk or his General. What they want is the submission of the enemy and the conciliatory termination of hostilities, and so far are these ends from being attained that the exasperation and pertinacity of the Mexicans increase upon each defeat, and they have never made a nearer approach to the masculine or creditable deportment than at this very moment, when according to al calculations they ought to have been beaten into sure subserviency. The abortive negotiations which preceded the renewal of the war, and which will be found in a detailed form elsewhere, are in a high degree instructive, as indicating more conclusively than any other evidence could do the intentions and confidence of the respective parties. On the side of the United States it is proposed that the boundary line of the two republics should run up the middle of the Grande, strike off westward on reaching the limit of New Mexico, take the course of the Gila and the lower Colorado, and so through the mouth of the latter river down the middle of the Californian Gulf into the Pacific. In other words, this would bring the south-western boundary line of the United States about ten degrees further south, would deprive Mexico of all Upper and Lower California as well as of the districts on the Grande, and would leave her with the Gila for her northern boundary, but just above the present frontier of Sonora which marks her settles territories. Enormous as was this claim, it was not he point upon which the negotiations broke off, for the Americans phrased their requirements considerately, and offered a liberal price for the cession they desired. Santa Anna, it is true, was for reserving a certain portion of California for Mexican expansion, and he suggested the 37th in place of the 32nd parallel as the boundary of the two countries. Yes it is hardly disguised that on he point of cession and sale in this quarter the Mexican commissioners were amenable to the reasons which Mr. Polk brought, by millions, against them, and the transfer might have been completed but for a comparatively insignificant slice of debatable land. The old Texan boundary line was again brought under discussion, the one party insisting on the Grande, and the other, as in honour bound, upon the Nueces; and this little difference proved incapable of adjustment between parties who had just been judiciously chaffering about ten degrees of territory!

It is thus clear that from the great object which has been so unhappily sought by a war the Americans are now only separated by an obstacle which that very war was raised. We have before expressed our persuasion that, looking at the natural destinies and necessities of men and states, the vast province of New California would much more reasonably fall to the lot of an expensive and enterprising people who might reclaim its wastes and colonize its shores, than remain the nominal and desert appanage of a stationary or retrograding race which could never have either the motives or the means to improve its advantages for commerce, or explore the resources of its soil. It is not the demand itself, but the manner in which it has been made, which has proved at once so discreditable and disastrous to the aggressors. It can scarcely be doubted that if the United States had quietly and sagaciously made the same offer before the war which they make now, the bargain might have been amicably arranged, and the costs of the intervening hostilities, which independently of blood wasted and credit sunk, amount to more than the whole purchase money of the desired territory, might all have been saved. This, however, then appeared too costly a policy, and bullying was substituted for barter by a Cabinet willing to acquire a province without paying its just price. Advantage was taken of two flimsy pretexts to proclaim a war. With a signal forgetfulness of her own indebtedness to foreign states, and of the outcry with which she had received a monitory imitation that compulsion on the part of a despairing creditor was strictly justifiable by international law, America announced her intention of enforcing at the sword's point the demands of her own citizens upon the citizens of Mexico. The preference to be given to one of two contiguous rivers as a boundary supplied an immediate opportunity of action, and from the debatable strip between the Grande and the Nueces the American forces marched into Mexico, thinking to fix the terms and the period of their own retreat, and to win, by a glorious and agreeable campaign, the land for which they were reluctant to pay down a more equitable consideration. The proverbial fruits of such policy are now before the world. Instead of the fortune they anticipated, they have now experienced eighteen months of distressing and unprofitable warfare, in which they have indeed borne themselves bravely enough, but in a cause so bad that nothing but the most egregious compound of poltroonery and gasconade could have deprived their adversaries of the sympathies of Europe. They have successively adopted in full confidence and abandoned in utter despair a hundred schemes for convincing or compressing their enemy into the desired docility. They have won a score of fights without getting any nearer to their mark, and now, at last, after reaching the hostile capital by force of arms, after descending to mollifying memorials and deprecatory correspondence, after undertaking to satisfy from the national exchequer those very private demands which had made a cause of war, and after tendering for the coveted territory the very monies which they embarked in the war to save, they find their proposals deliberately rejected by an emboldened enemy, and themselves reduced to straight from which they can only escape by concessions which would convict at once their first policy and their present perplexity, or by redoubling efforts of sanguinary violence which may end no better than before.
[KAS]

LT 1847-10-25-5c

AMERICA
October 25, 1847
Mexico, war in

The following appeared in part only of our impression of Saturday:-]

Liverpool, Friday Evening

The screw steam-ship Sarah Sands, Captain Thompson, has just arrived in the Mersey, after a passage of 16 days, from New York, having left that port on the 6th inst. She brings 40,000 specie on freight.

The ship Henry Clay, packet of the 6inst., was detained, in order to bring a freight of about 200,000l.

Our advices from Mexico are important. Letters had been received from Mexico, under date to the 9th of September, stating that on the 7th the Mexican commissioners declared that the propositions made by Mr. Trist were inadmissible; in consequence of which General Santa Anna convoked a council of generals, who decided that notice should be given to General Scott that the armistice was at an end, and appointed the 9th for the recommencement of hostilities.

On the 6th of September, General Scott addressed a letter to Santa Anna from Tacubaya, accusing him of having violated several articles of the armistice and one of the charges was that he had not allowed the American army to obtain supplies from the city of Mexico. General Scott demanded an explanation, and concludes as follows:-

"I hereby formally notify you, that if I do not receive the most complete satisfaction on all these points before 12 o'clock to-morrow, I shall consider the armistice as terminated from that hour."

To this letter General Santa Anna replied at considerable length, and with great severity. He accused General Scott of having violated the terms of the armistice in refusing to allow flour from the mills in the vicinity to be brought into the city, and says that the American waggons were driven out of the objectionable conduct of the officers accompanying them. Santa Anna also charges General Scott with having sacked the Mexican towns in the vicinity of the capital, and robbed and desecrated the churches, and stealing and destroying articles held sacred by every Mexican. He concludes as follows:-

"I flatter myself that your Excellency will be convinced, on clam reflection upon the weight of my reasons; but if by misfortune you should seek only a pretext to deprive the first city of the American continent of an opportunity to free the unarmed population of the horrors of war, there will be left me no other means of salvation but no repel to force by force, with the decision and energy which my high obligations impose upon me."

On the 7th General Herrera, as commandment of the city of Mexico, addressed the clergy, exhorting them to exert all their influence to incite the people to arm themselves, and prepare to resist the American army.

General Scott, it seems, did not wait for the time fixed upon by Santa Anna (the 9th), but, on the 8th attacked the Mill de Rey, or King's Mill, in the immediate vicinity of Chapoltepec, and, according to the Diario del Gobierno, and the Boletin, published at Alisco, near Puebla, the Mexican army was repulsed, after a short conflict, in which it lost about 400 men killed, and from 600 to 700 in wounded, and fell back upon Tacubaya.

The account given by Boletin represents the battle to have been the most bloody and severely contested of the whole war. It concludes as follows:-

"At 10 o'clock the enemy commenced a retrograde movement, and by 2 o'clock in the afternoon he withdrew all his forces to Tacubaya, abandoned the two points he had occupied, and blew up the house of Mata, although some say it was set on fire by a bomb from Chapoltepec.
"It is believed that Generals Twiggs and Pierce directed the attack, and that they put in motion about 8,000 men. It is certain that the fire was more intense and brisk than at Churubusco.

"It is impossible to ascertain the loss on either side. Ours does not amount to 100 killed and 250 wounded. There are a few missing-nearly all not killed or wounded retiring to Chapoltepec.

"The enemy, according to the confession of an Irishman, who came over to us in the evening, carried off 500 dead and 600 or 700 wounded.

"We have to lament the loss of General Leon, since dead; that of Colonel Balderas, of the valiant Colonels Huerta and Gelati, and of the determined Captain Mateos, of Puebla."

A Mexican letter announces that Riley and his legion of St. Patrick, 70 in number, were ordered by the court-martial to be hung. The sentence was approved by General Scott, and on the 8th of September the whole legion were hung in presence of the army, as also of the enemy. This, of course, is a thoroughly Mexican account, and so far as its details are concerned, deserves, probably, but little credit.

The following account of the same attack is from the Diario del Gobierno, also Mexican authority:-

"At half-past 4 o'clock in the morning on the 5th the Americans attacked the position of the mill of El Rey, close to the fortress of Chapoltepec. Their numerous and brave columns were, however, repulsed three times by the valiant soldiers, who this day gave brilliant proofs of their patriotism and bravery; more than 1,000 of the enemy remained on the field of battle, and on our side the loss has been less than one half that number, we having to lament the death of the gallant Colonel John Lucas, Baldras and General Don Antonio de Leon, being wounded, together with several other distinguished chiefs and officers. The traitor Santa Anna commanded in person the column which forced the Americans to retreat, taking with them, without doubt, the conviction that it is only through rivers of blood that they penetrate the city of Mexico, and that at all events they will there find their sepulchre."

The following paragraph is translated from a Jalapa letter in the Arco Iris, at Vera Cruz, but its statements are not credited:-

"When General Perez abandoned the mill El Rey, a bomb discharged from Chapoltepec fell among the ammunition waggons of the enemy, in the yard of the mill, causing four of them to explode, by which 300 Americans are said to have been blown up, including General Worth, who, according to the accounts, had not been seen or heard from the following day at Tacubaya,"

This is the latest of the Mexican accounts from the capital. It renders it certain that General Scott had opened his batteries upon the city. The only authentic report of the result is contained in the following letter, addressed to Mr. Dimond, at Vera Cruz:-

"Orizaba, Sept. 19,

"I have the honour to inform you that an express arrived here this evening from Mexico, which brings intelligence that General Scott was in the city of Mexico. That on the 14th the American troops took Chapoltepec and the citadel and went into the city that night. General Bravo was killed and General Santa Anna was wounded in the arm, and has retired with the remainder of his troops, which have suffered much, to Guadaloupe."

From this it seems that the attack upon Chapoltepec was renewed, which renders credible the first statement that in the attack of the 8th on that town General Scott was repulsed. With reference to the attack upon the capital, the Picayune adds:-

"A letter, from a credible source, confirms all that is said in the above, and only disagrees with it in stating that the city was carried by assault on the 14th. The Sum of Anahuac has it on the 13th, the heights and works of Chapoltepec were carried; on the 14th and 15th the city was bombarded, and that a part of our army entered it on the morning on the 16th, the rest remaining at Chapoltepec."

Additional accounts by the steamer Day give hopes that the reported disaster to General Worth and others is false. There was a Mexican force near Puebla determined to intercept all communication from General Scott.

General Lane had reached Vera Cruz on the 10th with 2,000 men, and started for Mexico; and General Cushing was expected.

Paredes is stated to be in the state of Puebla with 6,000 mean, prepared to prevent reinforcements reaching General Scott.

Government had made no attempt to arrest his proceedings. He had been appointed Inspector General of the Puebla National Guards.

It will be remembered that the Deputies of Congress, when summoned by the President to confer upon the question of peace with the United States, did not attend in sufficient numbers to form quorum, and the Executive Government in the emergency took upon itself the conduct of the negotiations. The members of Congress, however, have now protested against this assumption of power, and in an address to the President, dated from Toluca, declare that any arrangement concluded without their sanction will be null and void, and demand to be called together at Queretaro, as it is impossible for them to deliberate with sufficient freedom of discussion at Mexico.

This address had been communicated to the President by the Governor of the state of Mexico, who vigorously advocates the continuance of the war.

General Valencia has issued a proclamation, rehearsing the history of the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, in which he accuses Santa Anna of cowardice, in order to screen himself. It contains nothing new or important.

The State of Zacatecas, taking advantage of the distracted condition of Mexico, has sent a force against the state of Aguas Calientas, which has sometimes acted independently of Zacatecas, and been recognised as an independent state, to reduce it to submission.

An account of the negotiation with the United States' Commissioner is given elsewhere in full detail. The following letter is published in some of the American papers, but it is in all probability an invention:-

"City of Mexico, Sept. 19, 1847.

'Respected Friends,--I have an opportunity to send by the courier who leaves to-night this letter, in which I shall briefly attempt to describe to you the horrors we have just experienced. On the 7th inst. Our commissioners rejected the treaty propositions of the American Government, and decided on resuming the war, General Herrera inviting and urging the clergy to rouse the citizens to the utmost resistance. On the same day General Scott, the American chief, charged Santa Anna with breaking the armistice by forbidding his commissioners to obtain food in the city, and threatened, unless reparation was made, to commence hostilities and bombarded the city. Santa Anna replied, severely charging Scott with breaking the armistice by sacking our villages, and expressed his perfect readiness to renew the war. On the 13th instant Americans made a demonstration on Chapoltepec and the mill of El Rey, but our generals were prepared for them. Anticipating a breach of armistice, Santa Anna for several days had caused to be conveyed, in every possible manner so as not to excited suspicion, arms, munitions, and food to the fortress of Chapoltepec. Our citizens carried under their mantles and on mules a great quantity of powder, balls, and provisions, without being once discovered, so great as the feeling of security and confidence among the Americans. General Scott was not a little surprised to find on attacking Chapoltepec such obstinate resistance. Chapoltepec, you know, is situated between Tacubaya and the city, within cannon-shot of the former and some three miles form the latter. It is a bold hill overlooking a vast range of country, which enabled our soldiers to watch every maneuver of the enemy. It also commands the road from Tacubaya to the city, which runs close to its base, and it can only be ascended by a circuitous paved way, which, after turning a certain angle, is exposed to the full range of the fortress guns. As the Americans ascended the hill a perfect storm of musket balls and grape shot drove them back with a heavy loss. They recovered and advanced again, but were repulsed. Our troops fought with desperate valour, worthy the character of Mexicans. The enemy also fought bravely, his men seemed like so many devils, whim it was impossible to defeat without annihilation. He made a third and last charge with fresh force and heavy guns, and our gallant troops having exhausted their grape-shot, were forced, very unwillingly, to retreat and yield up the fortress, of which the enemy took possession. Our soldiers retreated towards the city, but were unfortunately cut off by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry, and about 1,000 were made prisoners, but were soon released, as the enemy had no men to guard them. The enemy then opened his batteries on the Mill El Rey (King's Mill) close upon Chapoltepec, which, after obstinate fighting and great loss to the Americans, we were obliged to abandon.

"The two actions continues over nine hours, and were the severest, considering our small number of soldiers and the enemy's large force, that have been fought. Our loss in killed and wounded was not more than 300, while the enemy lost over 400, or at least such was the report of deserters from the American camp who came to us in the evening. Seeing that the city would inevitably be attacked, General Santa Anna, during the actions, caused a number of trenches to be cut across the road leading to the city, which were flooded with water. On the morning of the 14th, before daylight, the enemy, with a part of his force, commenced his march upon the city. Our soldiers, posted behind the arches of the aqueducts and several breast-works which had been hastily thrown up, annoyed him so severely, together with the trenches which he had to bridge over, that he did not arrive at the gates till late in the afternoon. Here he halted, and attempted to bombard the city, which he did during the balance of the day and the day following, doing immense damage. In some cases whole blocks were destroyed and a great number of men, women, and children killed and wounded. The picture was awful. One deafening roar filled our ears, one cloud of smoke met our eyes, now and then mixed with flame, and amid it all we could hear the various shrieks of the wounded and dying. But the city bravely resisted the hundreds of flying shells. It hurled back defiance tot he bloodthirsty Yankee, and convinced him that his bombs could not reduce the Mexican capital. The enemy then changed his plan, and determined to enter the city, where we were prepared to meet him, having barricaded the streets with sand bags, and provided on the tops and at the windows all who could bear arms or missiles, stones, bricks, &c., to throw on the heads of the enemy. Before General Scott had fairly passed the gates he found the difficulty of his position. A perfect torrent of balls and stones rained upon our troops. Many were killed and more wounded. Still he kept advancing until he gained the entrance of two streets leading direct to the Plaza. Finding that he could not oppose himself to our soldiers, who were all posted out of sight, and that he was losing his men rapidly, General Scott took possession of the convent of San Isidor, which extends back to the centre of a block, and at once set his sappers and miners to cutting a way directly through the blocks of buildings. In some instances whole houses were blown up to facilitate his progress; but after several hours he again emerged into the street, and finally regained the Plaza with great loss. On entering the Plaza a heavy fire was opened on him from the Palace and cathedral, which were filled and covered with our patriotic troops. Finding himself thus assaulted, the enemy drew out his forces in the Plaza and opened a cannonade on the Palace and cathedral, firing over 100 shots, which did immense damage to the buildings and caused a severe loss of killed and wounded. Seeing further resistance useless, our soldiers ceased firing, and on the 15th of September (sad day!) the enemy was in possession of the Mexican capital. Though we inflicted havoc and death upon the Yankees, we suffered greatly ourselves. Many were killed by the blowing up of the houses, many by the bombardment, but more by the confusion which prevailed in the city, altogether we cannot count our killed, wounded, and missing since the action commenced yesterday, at less than 4,000, among whom are women and children. The enemy confessed a loss over 1,000, it is no doubt much greater. What a calamity! But Mexico will yet have vengeance. God will avenge us for our sufferings. Alas, that I should write this letter within sight of a proud enemy, who has succeeded by his ferocity in trampling on our capital and our country-an enemy who only prides himself upon shooting well with his rifle and cannon. But thus it is-we are prostrated, not humbled. We may be forced to silence, but the first moment that presents us a chance will be devoted to terrible revenge. Santa Anna has gone with his generals and all the troops he could draw off to Guadalupe. He is said to be wounded severely. We have lost heroic officers and brave men in these two days. I cannot foresee what is to come. Thousands are gathering upon the hills around the city, determined to cut off all supplies and starve the enemy who has so audaciously entered it. General Scott may yet find our lakes bursting their barriers and filling this beautiful valley to annihilate the infamous Americans. We scarcely hope, yet do not quite despair. Our brave generals may recover what is lost, and Mexico, with her ten millions of people, arise to sweep the invader from the land he has desecrated. Be sure that whatever we do in the way of submission is only for the moment. No Mexican will respect beyond the hour that forces him to it, any bond dictated by the sword of an enemy. My heart is too full of grief and indignation to write more.
[KAS]

LT 1847-10-25-5d

AMERICA
October 25, 1847
Mexico, war in

The following appeared in part only of our impression of Saturday:-]

LIVERPOOL, Friday Evening.

The screw steam-ship Sarah Sands, Captain Thompson, has just arrived in the Mersey, after a passage if 16 days, from New York, having left that port on the 6th inst. She brings 40,000l. specie on freight.

The ship henry Clay, packet of the 6th inst., was detained, in order to bring a fright of about 200,000l.

On the 6th September, General Scott addressed a letter to Santa Anna from Tacubaya, accusing him of having violated several articles of the armistice and one of the charges was that he had not allowed the American army to obtain supplies from the city of Mexico. General Scott demanded an explanation, and concludes as follows:-

"I hereby formally notify you, that if I do not receive the most complete satisfaction on all these points before 12 o'clock to-morrow, I shall consider the armistice as terminated from that hour."

To this letter General Santa Anna replied at considerable length, and with great severity. He accused General Scott of having violated the terms of the armistice in refusing to allow flour from the mills in the vicinity to be brought into the city, and says that the American waggons were driven out of the city on account of the objectionable conduct of the officers accompanying them. Santa Anna also charges General Scott with having sacked the Mexican towns in the vicinity of the capital, and robbed and desecrated the churches, and stealing and destroying articles held sacred by every Mexican. He concludes as follows:-

"I flatter myself that your Excellency will be convinced, on calm reflection upon the weight of my reasons ; but if by misfortune you should seek only a pretext to deprive the first city of the American continent of an opportunity to free the unarmed population of the horrors of war, there will be left me no other means of salvation but to repel force by force, with the decision and energy which my high obligations impose upon me."

On the 7th general Herrera, as commandant of the city of Mexico, addressed the clergy, exhorting them to exert all their influence to incite the people to arm themselves, and prepare to resist the American army.

General Scott, it seems, did not wait for the time fixed upon by Santa Anna (the 9th), but on the 8th attacked the Mill del Rey, or King's Mill, in the immediate vicinity of Chapoltepec, and, according to the Diario del Gobierno, and the Boletin, published at Alisco, near Puebla, the Mexican army was repulsed, after a short conflict, in which it lost about 400 men killed and from 600 to 700 wounded, and fell back upon Tacubaya.

The account given by the Boletin represents the battle to have been the most bloody and severely contested of the whole war. It concludes as follows:-

"It is believed that Generals Twiggs and Pierce directed the attack, ad that they put in motion about 8,ooo men. It is certain that the fire was more intense and brisk than at Churubusco.

"It is impossible to ascertain the loss on either side. Ours does not amount to 100 killed and 250 wounded. There are a few missing-nearly all not killed or wounded retiring to Chapoltetec.

"The enemy, according to the confession of an Irishman, who came over to us in the evening, carried off 500 dead and 600 or 700 wounded.

"We have to lament the loss of General Leon, since dead; that of Colonel Balberas, of the valiant Colonels Huerla and Geleati, and of the determined Captain Mateos, of Puebla."

A Mexican letter announces that Riley and his legion of St. Patrick, 70 in number, were ordered by the court-martial to be hung. The sentence was approved by General Scott, and on the 8th of September the whole legion were hung in presence of the army, as also of the enemy. This of course, is a thoroughly Mexican account, and so far as its details are concerned, deserves, probably, but little credit.

The following account of the same attack is from the Diario del Gobierno, also Mexican authority:-

"At half-past 4 o'clock in the morning on the 5th the American attacked the position of the mill of El Rey, close to the fortress of Chapoltepec. Their numerous and brave columns were, however, repulsed three times by valiant soldiers, who this day gave brilliant proofs of their patriotism and bravery; more than 1,000 of the enemy remained on the field of battle, and on out side the loss has been less than one half that number, we having to lament the death of the gallant Colonel John Lucas, Baldras and General Don Antonio de Leon, being wounded, together with several other distinguished chiefs and officers. The traitor Santa Anna commanded in person the column which forced the Americans to retreat, taking with them, without doubt, the conviction that it is only though rivers of blood that they penetrate the city of Mexico, and that all events they will find their sepulchre."

The following paragraph is translated from a Jalapa letter in the Arco Iris, at Vera Cruz, but its statements are not credited:-

"When General Perez abandoned the Mill El Rey, a bomb discharged from Chapoltepec fell among the ammunition waggons of the enemy, in the yard of the mill, causing four of them to explode, by which 300 Americans are said to have blown up, including General Worth, so according to the accounts, had not been seen or heard from the following day at Tacubaya."

"Orizaba, Sept. 19.

"I have the honor to inform you that an express arrived here this evening for Mexico, which brings intelligence that General Scott was in the city of Mexico. That on the 14th the American troops took Chapoltepec and the citadel, and went into the city that night. General Bravo was killed, and General Santa Anna was wounded in the arm, and has retired with the remainder of his troops, which have suffered much, to Guadaloupe."

From this it seems that the attack upon Chapoltepec was renewed, which renders credible that first statement that in the attack of the 8th on that town General Scott was repulsed. With reference to the attack upon the capital, the Picayune adds:-

"A letter, from the credible source, confirms all that is said in the above, and only disagrees with it in stating that the city was carried by assault in the 14th. The Sun of Anahuac has it in the 13th, the heights and works of Chapoltepec were carried; on the 14th and 15th the city was bombarded, and that a part of out army entered it on the morning of the 16th, the rest remaining at Chapoltepec."

General Lane had reached Vera Cruz on the 10th with 2,000 men, and started for Mexico, and General Cushng was expected.

Parades is stated to be in the state of Puebla with 6,000 men prepared to prevent reinforcements reaching General Scott.

Government had made no attempt to arrest his proceedings. He had been appointed Inspector-General of the National Guards.

It will be remembered that the Deputies of Congress, when summoned by the President to confer upon the question of peace with the United States, did not attend in sufficient numbers to form a quorum, and the Executive Government in the emergency took upon itself the conduct of the negotiations. The members of Congress, however, have now protested against this assumption of power, and in an address to the President, dated from Toluca, declare that any arrangement concluded without their sanction will be null and void, and demand to be called together at Quertaro, as it is impossible for them to deliberate with sufficient freedom of discussion at Mexico.

This address had been communicated to the President by the Governor of the state of Mexico, who vigorously advocates the continuance of war.

General Valencia has issued a proclamation, rehearsing the history of the battles of Contreras and Churbusco, in which he accuses Santa Anna of cowardice, in order to screen himself. It contains nothing new or important.

The state of Zacatecas, taking advantage of the distracted condition of Mexico, has sent a force against the state of Aguas Calientas, which ahs sometimes acted independently of Zacatecas, and been recognized as an independent state, to reduce it to submission.

An account of the negotiation with the United States' Commissioner is given elsewhere in full detail.

The following letter s published in some of the American papers, but it is all probably an invention:-

"City of Mexico, Sept. 19, 1847.

'Respected Friends,-I have an opportunity to send by the courier who leaves to-night this letter, in which I shall briefly attempt to describe to you the horrors we have just experienced. On the 7thinst. our commissioners rejected the treaty propositions of the American Government and decided on resuming the war, General Herrera inviting and urging the clergy to rouse the citizens to the utmost resistance. On the same day General Scott, the American chief, charged Santa Anna with breaking he armistice by forbidding his commissioners to obtain food in the city, and threatened, unless reparations were made, to commence hostilities and bombard the city. Santa Anna replied, severely charging Scott with breaking the armistice by sacking our villages, and expressed his perfect readiness to renew the war. On the 13th instant the Americans made a demonstration on Chapoltepec and the mill of El Rey, but our generals were prepared for them. Anticipating a breach of the armistice, Santa Anna for several days had caused to be conveyed, in every possible manner so as not to excite suspicion, arms, munitions, and food to the fortress of Chapoltepc. Our citizens carried under their mantles and on mules a great quantity of powder, balls, and provisions, without being once discovered, so great was the feeling of security and confidence among the Americans. General Scott was not a little surprised to find on attacking Chapoltepec such obstinate resistance. Chapoltepec, you know, is situated between Tacubaya and the city within cannon-shot of the former and some three miles from the latter. It is a bold hill overlooking a vast range of country, which enabled our soldiers to watch every maneuver of the enemy. It also commands the road from Tacubaya to the city, which runs close to its base and it can only be ascend by a circuitous paved way, which after turning to a certain angle, is exposed to the full range f the fortress guns. As the Americans ascended the hill a perfect storm of musket balls and grape shot drove them back with heavy loss. They recovered and advanced again, but were repulsed. Our troops fought with desperate valour, worthy the character of Mexicans. The enemy also fought bravely, his men seemed like so many devils, whom it was impossible to defeat without annihilation. He mad e third and last charge with fresh force and heavy guns, and our gallant troops having exhausted their grape-shot, were forced, very unwillingly, to retreat and yield up the fortress, of which the enemy took possession. Our soldiers retreated towards the city, but were unfortunately cut off by a detachment of the enemy's calvary, and about 1,000 were made prisoners, but were soon released, as the enemy had no men to guard them. The enemy then opened his batteries on the Mill El Rey (King's Mill) close upon Chapoltepec, which, after obstinate fighting and great loss to the Americans, were obliged to abandon.

"The two actions continued over nine hours, and were the severest, considering our small number of soldiers and the enemy's large force, that have been fought. Our loss in killed and wounded was not more than 300, while the enemy lost over 400, or at least such was the report of deserters from the American camp who came to us in the evening. Seeing that the city would inevitably be attacked, General Santa Anna, during the actions, caused a number of trenches to be cut across the road leading to the city, which were flooded with water. On the morning of the 14th, before daylight, the enemy, with a part of his force, commenced his march upon the city. Our soldiers, posted behind the arches of the aqueducts and several breast-works which had been hastily thrown up, annoyed him so severely, together with the trenches which he had to bridge over, that he did not arrive at the gates till late in the afternoon. Here he halted, and attempted to bombard the city, which he did during the balance of the day and the day following, doing immense damage. In some cases whole blocks were destroyed and a great number of men, women, and children killed and wounded. The picture was awful. One deafening roar filled our ears, one cloud of smoke met our eyes, now and then mixed with flame, and amid it all we could hear the various shrieks of the wounded and dying. But the city bravely resisted the hundreds of flying shells. It hurled back defiance to the bloodthirsty Yankee, and convinced him that his bombs could not reduce the Mexican capital. The enemy then changed his plan, and determined to enter they city, where we were prepared to meet him, having barricaded the streets with sand bags and provided on the house tops and at the windows all who cold bear arms and missiles, stones, bricks, &c., throw on the heads of the enemy. Before General Scott had fairly passed the gates he found the difficulty of his position. A perfect torrent of balls and stones rained upon our troops. Many were killed and more wounded. Still he kept advancing until he gained the entrance of two streets leading direct to the Plaza. Finding that he could not oppose himself to our soldiers, who were all posted out of sight, and that he was losing his men rapidly, General Scott took possession of the convent of San Isador, which extends back to the centre of a block, and at once set his sappers and miners to cutting away directly through the blocks of buildings. In some instances whole houses were blown up to facilitate his progress; but after several hours he again emerged into the street, and finally regained the Plaza with great loss. On entering the Plaza a heavy fire was opened on him from the Palace and cathedral, which were filled and covered with out patriotic troops. Finding himself thus assaulted, the enemy drew out his forces in the Plaza and opened a cannonade on the Palace and cathedral, firing over 100 shots, which did immense damage to the buildings and caused sever loss of killed and wounded. Seeing further resistance useless, our soldiers ceased firing, and on the 15th of September (sad day!) the enemy was in procession of the Mexican capital. Though we inflicted havoc and death upon the Yankees, we have suffered greatly ourselves. Many were killed by the blowing up of the houses, many by the bombardment, but more by the confusion which prevailed in the city, and altogether we cannot count our killed, wounded, and missing since the action commenced yesterday, at less than 4,000, among whom many are women and children. The enemy confessed of loss of over 1,000, it is not doubt much greater. What a calamity! But Mexico will yet have vengeance. God will avenge us for our sufferings. Alas, that I should write this letter within sight of a proud enemy who has succeeded by his ferocity in trampling our capital and our country-an enemy who only prides himself upon shooting well through his rifles and cannon. But thus it is-we are prostrated, not humbles. We may be forced to silence, but the first moment that presents us a chance will be devoted to terrible revenge. Santa Anna has gone with his generals and all the troops he could draw off to Gaudalupe. He is said to be wounded severely. We have lost heroic officers and brave men in these two days. I cannot foresee what is to come. Thousands are gathering upon the hills around the city, determined to cut off all supplies and starve the enemy who has so audaciously entered it. General Scott may yet find that Mexico is not vanquished. He may find our lakes bursting their barriers filling this beautiful valley to annihilate them infamous Americans. We scarcely hope, yet do not quite despair. Our brave generals may recover what it slot, and Mexico, with her ten millions of people, arise to sweep the invader from the land he has desecrated. Be sure that whatever we do in the way of submission is only for the moment. No Mexican will respect beyond the hour that forces him to it, any bond dictated by the sword of an enemy. My heart is too full of grief and indignation to write more."
[KAS]

LT 1847-10-25-5e

America: The U.S. and Mexico
October 25, 1847

The following appeared in part only of our impression of Saturday.

The screw steam-ship Sarah Sands, Capt. Thompson, has just arrived in the Mersey, after a passage of sixteen days, from New York, having left that pot on the sixth inst. She brings 40,000/. Specie on freight.

The ship Henry Clay, packet of the 6th inst., was detained in order to bring a freight of about 200,000/.

On the 6th of September, General Scott addressed a letter to Santa Anna from Tacubaya, accusing him of having violating several articles of the armistice and one of the charges was that he had not allowed the American army to obtain supplies from the city of Mexico. General Scott demanded an explanation, concludes as follows:-
" I hereby formally notify you, that if I do not receive the most complete satisfaction on all these points before 12 o'clock to-morrow, I shall consider the armistice as terminated from that hour."

To this letter General Santa Anna replied at considerable length, and with great severity. He accused General Scott of having violated the terms of the armistice in refusing to allow flour from the mills in the vicinity to be brought into the city, and says the American waggons were driven out of the city on account of the objectionable conduct of the officers accompanying them. Santa Anna also charges General Scott with having sacked the Mexican towns in the vicinity of the capital, and robbed and desecrated the church, and stealing and destroying articles held sacred by every Mexican. He concludes as follows:-

"I flatter myself that your Excellency will be convinced, on calm reflection upon the weight of my reasons; but if by misfortune you should seek only a pretext to deprive the first city of the American continent of an opportunity to free the unarmed population of the horrors of war, there will be left me no other means of salvation but to repel force by force, with the decision and energy which my high obligations impose upon me."

On the 7th General Herrera, as commandant of the city of Mexico, addressed the clergy, exhorting them to exert all their influences to incite the people to arm themselves, and prepare to resist the American army.

General Scott, it seems, did not wait for the time fixed upon by Santa Anna (the 9th), but on the 8th attacked the Mill Del Rey, or King's Mill, in the immediate vicinity of Chapoltepec, and, according to the Diario del Gobierno, and the Boletin, published at Alisco, near Puebla, the Mexican army was repulsed, after a short conflict, in which it lost about 400 men killed, and from 600 to 700 in wounded, and fell back upon Tacubaya.

The account given by the Boletin represent the battle to have been the most bloody and severely contested of the whole war. It concludes as follows:-

" It is believed that Generals Twiggs and Pierce directed the attack, and that they put in motion about 8,000 men. It is certain that the fire was more intense and brisk than at Churubusco.

"It is impossible to ascertain in the loss on either side. Ours does not amount to 100 killed and 250 wounded. There are a few missing--nearly all not killed or wounded retiring to Chapoltepec.

" The enemy, according to the confession of an Irishman, who came over to us in the evening, carried off 500 dead and 600 or 700 wounded.

" We have to lament the loss of General Leon, since dead; that of Colonel Balberas, of the valiant Colonel Huerla and Gelesti, and of the determined Captain Mateos, of Puebla."

A Meixcan letter announces that Riley and his legion of St. Patrick, 70 in number, were ordered by the court-martial to be hung. The sentence was approved by General Scott, and on the 8th of September the whole legion were hung in the presence of the army, as also of the enemy. This, of course, is a thoroughly Mexican account, and so far as its details are concerned, deserves, probably, but little credit.

The following account of the same attack is from the Diario del Gobierno, also Mexican authority :-

" At half-past 4 o'clock in the morning on the 5th the Americans attacked the position of the mill of El Rey, close to the fortress of Chapoltepec, their numerous and brave columns were however repulsed three times by valiant soldiers, who this day gave brilliant proofs of their patriotism and bravery; more than 1,000 of the enemy remained on the field of battle, and on our side the loss has been less than one half that number, we having to lament the death of the gallant Colonel John Lucas, Baldras and General Don Antonio de Leon, being wounded, together with several other distinguished chiefs and officers. The traitor Santa Anna commanded in person the column which forced the Americans to retreat, taking with them, without a doubt, the conviction that it is only through rivers of blood that they penetrate the city of Mexico, and that at all events they there find their sepulchre."

The following paragraph is translated from a Jalapa letter in the Arco Iris, at Vera Cruz, but its statements are not credited:-
" When General Perez abandoned the mill El Rey, a bomb discharged from Chapoltepec fell among the ammunition wagons of the enemy, in the yard of the mill, causing four of them to explode, by which 300 Americans are said to have been blown up, including General Worth, who, according to the accounts, had not been seen or heard from the following day at Tacubaya," This is the latest of the Mexican accounts from the capital. It renders it certain that General Scott had opened his batteries upon the city. The only authentic report of the result is contained in the following letter, addressed to Mr. Diamond, at Vera Cruz:-

"Orizaba, Sept. 19.

" I have the honour to inform you that an express arrived her this evening from Mexico, which brings intelligence that General Scott was in the city of Mexico. That on the 14th the Americans troops took Chapoltepec and the citadel, and went into the city that night. General Bravo was killed, and General Santa Anna was wounded in the arm, and has retired with the remainder of his troops, which have suffered much, to Guadeloupe."

A letter, from a credible source, confirms all that is said above, and only disagrees with it in stating that the city was carried by assault on the 14th. The Sun of Anahuic has it on the 18th, the heights and works of Chapoltepec were carried; on the 14th and 15th the city was bombarded, and that a part of our army entered it on the morning of the 16th, the rest remaining at Chapoltepec."

Additional accounts by the steamer Day gives hopes that the reported disaster to General Worth and others is false. There was a Mexican force near Puebla determined to intercept all communication from General Scott.

General Lane had reached Vera Cruz on the 10th with 2,000 men, and started for Mexico; and General Cushing was expected.

Paredes is stated to be in the state of Puebla with 6,000 men, prepared to prevent reinforcements reaching General Scott.

Government had made no attempt to arrest his proceedings. He had been appointed Inspector General of the Puebla National Guards.

It will be remembered that the Deputies of Congress, when summoned by the President to confer upon the question of peace with the United States, did not attend in sufficient numbers to form a quorum, and the Executive Government in the emergency took upon itself the conduct of the negotiations. The members of Congress, however, have now protested against this assumption of power, and in an address to the President, dated from Toluca, declare that any arrangement concluded without their sanction will be null and void, and demand to be called together at Queretaro, as it is impossible for then to deliberate with sufficient freedom of discussion at Mexico.

This address has been communicated to the President by the Governor of the state of Mexico, who vigorously advocates the continuance of the war.

General Valencia has issued a proclamation, rehearsing the history of the battles of Conteras and Churubusco, in which he accuses Santa Anna of cowardice, in order to screen himself. It contains nothing new or important.

The state of Zacatecas, taking advantage of the distracted condition of Mexico, has sent a force against the state of Aguas Calientas, which has sometimes acted independently of Zacatecas, and been recognized as an independent state, to reduce it to submission.

An account of the negotiation with the United States' Commissioner is given elsewhere in full detail.

The following letter is published in some of the American papers, but it is in all probability an invention:-

" City of Mexico, Sept. 19, 1847.

'Respected Friends,--I have an opportunity to send by the courier who leaves to-night this letter, in which I shall briefly attempt to describe to you the horrors we have just experienced. On the 7th inst. our commissioners rejected the treaty propositions of the American Government, and decided on resuming the war, General Herrera inviting and urging the clergy to rouse the citizens to the utmost resistance. On the same day General Scott m the American chief, charged Santa Anna with breaking the armistice by forbidding his commissioners to obtain food in the city, and threatened, unless reparation was made, to commence hostilities and bombard the city. Santa Anna replied, severely charging Scott with breaking the armistice by sacking our villages, and expressed his perfect readiness to renew the war. On the 13th instant the Americans made a demonstration on Chapoltepec and the mill of El Rey, but our Generals were prepared for them. Anticipating a breach of the armistice, Santa Anna for several days had caused to be conveyed, in every possible manner so as not to excite suspicion, arms, munitions, and food to the fortress of Chapoltepec. Our citizens carried under their mantles and on mules a great quantity of powder, balls, and provisions, without being once discovered, so great was the feeling of security and confidence among the Americans. General Scott was not a little surprised to find on attacking Chapoltepec such obstinate resistance. Chapoltepec, you know, is situated between Tacubaya and the city, within cannon-shot of the former and some three miles from the latter. It is a bold hill overlooking a vast range of country, which enabled our soldiers to watch every manoeuvre of the enemy. It also commands the road from Tacubaya to the city, which runs close to its base, and it can only be ascended by a circuitous paved way, which, after turning a certain angle, is exposed to the full range of the fortress guns. As the Americans ascended the hill a perfect storm of musket balls and grapeshot drove them back with heavy loss. They recovered and advanced again, but were repulsed. Our troops fought with desperate valour, worthy the character of Mexicans. The enemy also fought bravely, his men seemed like so many devils, whom it was impossible to defeat without annihilation. He made a third and last charge with fresh force and heavy guns, and our gallant troops having exhausted their grape-shot, were forced, very unwillingly, to retreat and yield up the fortress, of which the enemy took possession. Our soldiers retreated towards the city, but were unfortunately cut off by a detachment of the enemy's cavalry, and about 1,000 were made prisoners, but were soon released, as the enemy had no men to guard them. The enemy then opened his batteries on the Mill El Ray (King's Mill) close upon Chapoltepec, which, after obstinate fighting and great loss to the Americans, we were obliged to abandon.

" The two actions continued over nine hours, and were the severest, considering our small numbers of soldiers and the enemy's large force, that have been fought. Our loss in killed and wounded was not more than 300, while the enemy lost over 400, or at least such was the report of deserters from the American camp who came to us in the evening. Seeing that the city would inevitably be attacked, General Santa Anna, during the actions, caused a number of trenches to be cut across the road leading to the city, which were flooded with water. On the morning of the 14th, before daylight, the enemy, with a part of his force, commenced his march upon the city. Our soldiers posted behind the arches of the aqueducts and several breast-works which had been hastily thrown up, annoyed him so severely, together with the trenches which he had to bridge-over, that he did not arrive at the gates till late in the afternoon. Here he halted, and attempted to bombard the city, which he did during the balance of the day and the day following, doing immense damage. In some cases whole blocks were destroyed and a great number of men, women, and children killed and wounded. The picture was awful. One deafening roar filled our ears, one cloud of smoke met our eyes, now and then mixed with flame, and amid it all we could hear the various shrieks of the wounded and dying. But the city bravely resisted the hundreds of flying shells. It hurled back defiance to the bloodthirsty Yankee, and convinced him that his bombs could not reduce the Mexican capital. The enemy then changed his plan, and determined to enter the city, where we were prepared to meet him, having barricaded the streets with sand bags, and provided on the house tops and at the windows all who could bear arms or missiles, stones, bricks, &c., to throw on the heads of the enemy. Before General Scott had fairly passed the gates he found the difficulty of his position. A perfect torrent of balls and stones rained upon our troops. Many were killed and more wounded. Still he kept advancing until he gained the entrance of two streets leading direct to the Plaza. Finding that he could not oppose himself to our soldiers, who were all posted out of sight, and that he was losing his men rapidly, General Scott took possession of the convent of San Isidor, which extends back to the centre of a block, and at once set his sappers and miners to cutting a way directly through the blocks of buildings. In some instances whole houses were blown up to facilitate his progress; but after several hours he again emerged into the street, and finally regained the Plaza with great loss. On entering the Plaza a heavy fire was opened on him from the Palace and cathedral, which were filled and covered with our patriotic troops. Finding himself thus assaulted, the enemy drew out his forces in the Plaza and opened a cannonade on the Palace and cathedral, firing over 100 shots, which did immense damage to the buildings and caused severe loss of killed or wounded. Seeing further resistance useless, our soldiers ceased firing, and on the 15th of September (sad day!) the enemy was in possession of the Mexican capital. Though we inflicted havoc and death upon the Yankees, we suffered greatly ourselves. Many were killed by the blowing up of the houses, many by the bombardment, but more by the confusion which prevailed in the city, and altogether we cannot count our killed, wounded, and missing since the action commenced yesterday, at least than 4,000 among whom are many women and children. The enemy confessed a loss of over 1,000m it is no doubt much greater. What a calamity! But Mexico will yet have vengeance. God will avenge us for our suffering. Alas, that should write this letter within sight of a proud enemy, who has succeeded by his ferocity in trampling on our capital and our country--an enemy who only prides himself upon shooting well with his rifle and cannon. But thus it is--we are prostrated, not humbled. We may be forced to silence, but the first moment that presents us a chance will be devoted to terrible revenge, Santa Anna had gone with his generals and all the troops he could draw off to Guadeloupe. He is said to be wounded severely. We have lost heroic officers and brave men in these two days. I cannot foresee what is to come. Thousands are gathering upon the hills around the city, determined to cut off all supplies and starve the enemy who has so audaciously entered it. General Scott may yet find that Mexico is not vanquished. He may find our lakes bursting their barriers and filling this beautiful valley to annihilate the infamous Americans. We scarcely hope, yet do not quite despair. Our brave generals may recover what is lost, and Mexico, with her ten millions of people, arise to sweep the invader from the land he has desecrated. Be sure that whatever we do in the way of submission is only for the moment. No Mexican will respect beyond the hour that forces him to do it, any bond dictated by the sword of an enemy. "My heart is too full of grief and indignation to write more."
[DCK]

LT 1847-10-25-6a

Conversation Between the United Sates and Mexican Governments: US, Negotiations With Mexico
October 25, 1847

The Washington Union of the 10th inst. publishes at length the correspondence, which has taken place between the supreme Government of Mexico, the General-in-Chief of the American Army, and the Commissioner of the United States, Mr. Trist.

The first in the series is a letter from General Scott, dated August 21, announcing the presence of a commissioner, with full powers to treat for peace, and proposing a short armistice.

Senor Aloorta, the Minister at War, replies to this letter by accepting the proposed armistice, and the next document is an official letter, addressed by Senor L'acheco to the President of the Sovereign Congress, requesting him to summon the deputies, and to submit to them Mr. Tirst's proposals for consideration.

The President replies, that a sufficient number of deputies cannot be found.

Letters from Glasgow, received this afternoon, state that the National Exchange Company is about winding up its affairs. Its capital was 200,000l. And its deposits were119,000l. Some failures are both announced in that city and Edinburgh.

A meeting of the Ayrshire Iron Company was held on Wednesday, at which a report of the affairs of the company was submitted. The debts due amounted to 221,719l., and the liabilities were estimated at 15,000l., making a total of 236,719.
[DCK]

LT 1847-10-26-4c

U.S. and Mexico
October 26, 1847

International negotiations do not usually wear a very attractive form, nor can we say that the three columns which we yesterday published of the projects exchanged between the United Sates and Mexico were invested with more than the ordinary superficial embellishments of such records. Yet it would be a pity if many of our readers were deterred by the apparent complexity of the documents from giving them an attentive perusal,, for they tell the real history of the war and disclose the true prospects of peace with great perspicuity and most amusing force. It is but doing the Mexicans justice to say that, if their swords had been half as sharp as their pens, the conferences at Atzapuzalco would never have taken place. The most eloquent and practised advocate could not state a strong case more irresistibly than the authorities of this republic have done; and, if words could overwhelm an American army with confusion, the siege of the city of Mexico would have been raised on the spot. Unfortunately, the declarations which would have come with decorous propriety from the unsubdued skeleton of a patriot corps are only grotesque as proceeding from the lucky survivors of a score of flights.

Santa Anna, or his secretary, takes what would be a most unanswerable tone of argument, if it did but become the speaker. He quietly asks, in the first place, what has brought the Americans in arms to the gates of Mexico? He assumes (and Mr. Trist confesses the impeachment) that the motive has been the desire to enlarge the territory of the United States by the acquisition of an extensive province. To this not unnatural ambition he takes no exception, but he demands to be told on what grounds the Americans have desired to conduct the transfer; if by peaceable contract and fair ratification, then must they in a consistent spirit abstain from all that is not thus willingly ceded; if by forcible seizure and violent confiscation, then are negotiations unnecessary, and the aggressions of the one side and the resistance of the other must continue as before. This adroit and unimpeachable argument is directed against the forced sale and compulsory friendship which the Americans would willingly bring about, and leaves them with no alternative but that of taking what the Mexicans may please to dispose of, or avowing the title of conquest for what they choose themselves to keep. In the same spirit the Mexican Commissioners are instructed to ask, as a necessary preliminary to any negotiation whatever, a frank acknowledgment of the motives and purposes of the war-what is the character in which the American plenipotentiaries appear-and by what pretensions they treat for a purchase of territory, through the medium of a hostile force, before the capital of the state to which the territory in question rightfully belongs? By what right is any demand made for New Mexico and the Californias except in the way of a peaceful purchase? If the Americans are, indeed, so anxious to get sole possession of the western marches of their country, the Mexicans may not be averse to treat for the sale; but, in this case, the barest justice would demand that the applicants should bear the costs of the extraordinary application they have chosen to make, and indemnify all those who have suffered by their extravagant proceedings, "since it is concerning the territory that they have come to negotiate, and have brought the war to the capital." With equal consideration for the doctrines of morality and the rights of man, the vendors stipulate that no slaves shall ever be introduced into the territory they are requested to alienate, and that all care shall be bestowed upon the inhabitants whose allegiance they are about to transfer.

Preposterous as these presumptions may appear in the relative positions of the two parties, they become perfectly warrantable if measured only by those pretensions which each party dares advance. In their anxiety to save the appearances of right the Americans are compelled to sink the advantages of might. They are loth that the treaty of Mexico should seem to be based on the battle of Churubusco, and, by assuming the attitude of honourable dealers, they forego the opportunities of successful invaders. The result of these anomalous impersonations was a scene fit for a pantomine. SANTA ANNA caught with unrivalled acuteness at the amiable weakness of his adversary, and donned the dress of a victorious arbiter with a grace that did him infinite credit. No lordly landholder of the eastern counties ever received the overtures of an embryo company with more distant dignity or more exalted demands, than the Mexican General met the tenders for a province which he had already lost twenty times over. His commissioners were first to exact a categorical declaration of the "intentions" of the strangers and then a confession of their crimes to all which no reply of any kind was then or there to be vouchsafed. Should this preliminary expiation be deemed sufficient, they were then to propound their conditions of sale, each of which was to be held as an ultimatum, admitting of no dispute, and, should and doubts arise, they were to remember, "as a general basis, to treat for peace in the manner of one who had triumphed!" And all this when the army had run away, the Senate absconded, and every city, port, and custom-house in the country was in immediate command or actual possession of the enemy!

It is not surprising that such negotiations were inconclusive, although, as we yesterday remarked, they did not in point of fact break off on the cardinal point of the conference, but were terminated by the reciprocal obstinacy of the disputants on a point of honour. America might have purchased her provinces, and at a fair price, had she but consented to surrender the strip between the Bravo and the Nueces, which had never been so much a cause as a pretext of war. As it is, the negotiations have been unfortunately brought to a dead-lock, and, what is worse, therethey are likely to remain. That the Mexicans are better able to fight than ever has been undeniably proved, and that they are likely to miss their lost capital no one acquainted with their temperament will ever have been surmised. Two courses only are now open to the Americans,-condescension or conquest. The Government papers are already broaching the latter plan, and expatiating, reasonably enough, on the uselessness of further "forbearance." It is no doubt evident that if the Mexicans are not to be led they can only be driven by even more desolating and destructive violence than that hitherto employed. If the Americans are to take their own choice on their own terms, it is clear that some compulsion must be used more forcible than the impounding of all the customs and the storm and capture of all the towns from the coast to the capital. But, even if the in-fernal columns of La Vendee could be marched along the plateaux of Anahuac, the end of such a measure would be as uncertain as its adoption would detestable. The other alternative would be by far the more magnanimous. They can only get possession of California by incurring the odium of invasion, or submitting to the humiliation of concession. They must humour or exterminate the obstinate braggarts opposed to them. The latter course would be a crime bringing its own wages; the former a very moderate penance for a political sin. SANTA ANNA would no doubt demand the line of the Grande up trophies, artillery, and flags, and perhaps a written testimonial that the Mexicans were not to be matched for valour by any nations under heaven. But all this the Americans might gracely grant, and they would then get their new estates, and might turn to some better purpose the 2,000,000 of sovereigns with which England has purchased their corn, and which she grieves to see sunk in the profitless folly on an unbecoming war.
[DCK]

LT 1847-10-29-5a

Irishmen in Mexican Army Captured and Executed By General Scott
October 29, 1847

The execution, by order of General Scott, of the Irishmen in the Mexican service, had called forth the following address, published in a supplementary number of the Diaro del Gobierno, the official organ of the Mexican Government :-

"Mexicans!-Among the European volunteers whom the American army has hired to kill us, there are many unfortunate who are convinced of the injustice of this war, who profess the same Roman Catholic religion we profess, but who, being harassed by the misery which prevails in crops, have consented to enlist. Some of these men, abjuring their errors, and following the noble impulses of their hearts, have passed over to our army to defend our just cause. From these his Excellency the President formed the Foreign Legion, known under the name of the Company of St. Patrick. At LaAngosturs and at Cherubusco they bore themselves with the highest intrepidity, and after the enemy possession of this last point, which was only after its defenders had exhausted their last cartridge, they were made prisoners.

"The generals of the American army, who cannot count upon their soldiers in a war so iniquitous save through the influence of acts of ferocity, were determined to shoot these Irishmen. Scarcely was this known to the city, before every breast was filled with horror at the though. His Excellency, the Minister of Relations, in a touching letter to the English Consul, the estimable lady of her Britannic Majesty's Minister, various private individuals, both Mexicans and foreigners, we ourselves, and even the ladies of families residing at Tacubaya, interceded for these brave men; and we expected this if they could not be pardoned, they would at least be spared capital punishment.

"It would have been deemed base and repugnant to the laws of civilization as practised in modern wars to offer the bloody spectacle of the execution of these; and yet could have been palliated to a certain extent by the part which those men took in the defence of Cherubusco, but they had no share whatever in the slaughter which was made the day before yesterday upon the heights of the King's Mill. Well, then, will you believe it, countrymen this day, in cold blood, these Caribs, from an impulse of super-stition, and after the manner of savages, and as practised in the days of Homer, have hung up these as a holocaust they have themselves said it- to the manes of the general or generals who there fell! And in what manner did they hang generals who there fell! And in what manner did they hang them? Noosing them by the neck as they stood upon the ground, and so suspending them that they died by 'inches' strangled by their own weight, the mode adopted being such that their horrible agony lasted more than one hour-a specatcle worthy of such men, or rather of demons escaped from hell. This they did with 18 of those unhappy men, and among them the brave Captain Reilli, whose head they struck upon a pike, and planted at Cherubusco. To six others, who proved that they had not volunteered but been impressed, they gave 200 lashes each, and compelled them to dig the graves of their companions.

"Mexicans! These are the men who call us barbarians, and say they come to civilize us. These are the men who have plundered the houses of the surrounding villages-who have stolen children from their families-who have slept in the niches devoted to the sacred dead-who have, with blasphemous revelry, clothed themselves with the ornaments of the altars- who have thrown upon the ground the body of Jesus Christ, and have made themselves drunk in drinking out of the sacred vessels! Accursed may they be of all Christians as they are of God!

"Countrymen,-the Supreme Government commanded its commissioners, as you have seen it already published, that they should inquire of their commissioners, first of all, why they had brought war upon our republic, with blood and fire? What injuries we have done to them, that they should thus seek to revenge themselves? Their mode of conceal-ing their confusion at not being able to reply to thse inquiries, and of satisfying their displeasure because we would not consent to ignominious peace, has been to light up anew the flames of war, to send us from the King's Mill the day before yesterday our assasinated countrymen who had in no manner offended them, and to glut their diabolical rage upon the defenceless men whom they hand in their power.

"Mexicans! The Supreme Government conjures us in the name of the honour of our race-in the name of our dignity as men, and of God himself, that we should all unite by one unanimous and continued effort, to and continued effort, to revenge these great outrages, to yield never to dismay, and to wage this war without truce and without relenting. May remorse seize upon every selfish or cowardly Mexican who cannot say to himself that he has fulfilled every duty as a public officer and a good citizen; who has not contributed by every means in his power towards this war-with his person, with the influence of his position, with a part of his fortune, with his labour, by maintaining a number of soldiers-by aiding every way those who fight, and who has not so employed the means which God has given him for his service and that of the country in which God has placed him, that His images shall not be cut down nor His holy name blasphemied.

"Mexico, Sept. 10.1817."

The loss suffered by the United States' troops, from the 8th to the 13th September, is stated to be 25 officers killed and 47 wounded, and 490 men killed and wounded in the last battle.

Our Canadian accounts are uninteresting.
[DCK]

LT 1847-10-29-5a2

ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA
Mexico, Mexican Accounts of Battles
October 29, 1847

The following is the official Mexican account of the capture of the city;-

"To the Generals of the Several Departments.

"Most excellent Sir,-After the important and great events that have yesterday taken place, there remains no other alternative to the Government of the Union, than that of abandoning the capital, in order that other means be adopted and pursued for the harassing of the enemy. Accordingly, his Excellency orders me to inform you, in order that through you the hon. Congress of the State over which you preside may know it, that his Excellency is firmly resolved to prosecute military operations against the invaders; and that, whatever be the consequences resulting from the war, his Excellency is determined to wage it in every possible manner and by every attainable means.

"A heroic resistance was made in the capital for the space of six days, but at length the enemy established himself in places and positions from which his missiles and projectiles could reach the peaceful thousands of the city; then the Supreme Government, seeing the state of affairs to be such as warranted their departure, changed their abode; and very soon I shall have the pleasure of announcing to your Excellency the site upon which it will fix, which at present is impossible for me to do, as it accompanies the army, and as yet is not agreed upon the residence of the supreme power of the nation. But as soon as the latter is known, I will give your Excellency a detailed account of everything that has occurred, but now I shall confine myself to the single following statement:-

"The American army charged yesterday at daylight with all its force, upon Chapultepec, which, after a spirited defence of six hours, yielded at last to the attack of the enemy, who immediately marched to take possession of a fortification situated between the sentry-bbox of Belen and St. Thomas, St. Como and the Citadel. The first advance was checked by the troops his Excellency the President led up, disputing the ground inch by inch, till finally the invader was routed from the citadel, after nine hours hard fighting. The capital being in this situation, his Excellency was anxious to avoid a bombardment and to spare the tumult and confusion attendant upon an assault, which would have given room for a thousand calamities, and a repetition of those acts in which the army of the foe has manifested so instinctive a spirit of extermination.

"His Excellency the President of the republic hopes that your Excellency will endeavour to preserve and reanimate the public spirit, in order that the war may be carried on with that vigour and energy which the national honour the rights of the republic so imperiously demand."
[DCK]

LT 1847-10-29-5a3

America : U.S. and Mexico
October 29, 1847

LIVERPOOL, Thursday Morning.

By the Royal mail steam-ship Hibernia, Captain Ryrie, we have advices from New York to the 15th, Boston to the 16th, and Halifax to the 18th inst. Respectively. She brings 90 passengers, and 12,000l. in specie.

The Hibernia spoke the Cambria on the mourning of the 18th between Halifax and Boston, where she would arrive on the evening of the 18th.

Our accounts from Mexico, though mere rumours are interesting. Santa Anna was stated to be at Guadaloupe, whence it was expected he would re-treat to Oaxaca. This, however, is contradicted by rumours which report that the American troops, after taking the city of Mexicao, had numerous sever conflicts with the almost innumerable swarm of Leperos who inhabited and surrounded the capital, and that the latter finally became so annoying the desstructive that they obtained the advantage over the American troops, who were finally under the necessity of retiring from the city. It is further said that Santa Anna had left his quarters at Guadaloupe, and returned to the capital at the head of an army of 10,000 regular troops, and that fighting had been resumed and was still going on desperately at the least accounts.

It was further stated that in consequence of the above report the Mexicans had become inspirited, and were flying to arms throughout the country. 3,000 were reported to have gathered at Victoria.

In consequence of these reports, great anxiety was felt for the troops under General Scott.

A rumour, which is confirmed, states that Santa Anna had resigned the Presidency, and that the instrument of resignation was dated from Guadaloupe the 16th September; but that the Mexican people were not disposed to receive it, and had again placed him at the head of the army.

There is no confirmation of the report that Santa Anna had been wounded.

Among other improbable rumours, it is stated that General Herrera is now in command of the army, and will proceed with 14,000 men to station himself at Queretaro, where it is intended that the Mexican Congress shall reassemble. It is also said, that Santa Anna has moved towards Puebla with 2,000 horse, and that Paredea is raising troops with some success in the state of Jalisco.

The New York Express says:-

"There was a report by the last arrival from Vera Cruz, that General Quitman, with 4,000 men, had left the Mexican capital for the purpose of opening communications with the coast. But we hardly think General Scott would deem it advisable to weaken his force in the capital so much as would be necessary to carry out this movement. Obviously the communications ought to be opened from below."

General Rea is said to have gotten full possession of Puebla, but the Americans were pouring a deadly fire upon his troops from the surrounding heights commanding the town.

Large reinforcements of American troops were on their way from Vera Cruz to the Mexican capital. By the last accounts from Vera Cruz, September 25, there there was an American force of 2,500 men at the National-bridge, under General Lane; another about 1,000 men at Jalapa, under Major Lally; a garrison of a few hundred men at the fortress of Perote; and another of about 1,000 men at Puebla, under Colonel Childs. The greater part of the force at the National-bridge was immediately to march for Jalapa, where it would be joined by Major Lally's command, or a part of it, and proceed to Perote, and thence to Puebla and Mexico, to reinforce the main army under General Scott. General Cushing's division will encounter opposition from the guerrillas, particularly at Cerro Gordo, where considerable fortifications are said to have been erected, it is probable that by the time he reaches Perote, General Cushing will come up, which will swell the advancing column to 5,000 men.

Previous to the storming of the capital Santa Anna issued the following address:-

"The President Provisional of the Republic and Commander-in-Chief of the Army to the Nation:-

"Countrymen,-The enemy, availing himself of idle pre-texts, has determined to commence hostilities upon your beautiful city. Presuming us to be disheartened and humiliated by the reverses of fortune, he expected that I should subscribe a treaty by which the territory of the republic would have been essentially reduced, and the republic covered with shame and ignominy. Mexicans do not deserve a fate so ignominious, and, having been called upon spont-neously to direct their destinies, I have felt it my duty to respond with all loyalty to their signal mark of confidence, preserving those precious rights which cannot be alienated, and thus affording an example of energy and firmness which are the glory of nations.

"The enemy has proclaimed that they would propose to us a peace honourable for both nations, and it might became our duty to listen to them, that their treachery might be made known. Their propositions, and all the sequel of the negotiations, are to be published, so that the civilized world may see that we were ready to sacrifice all that our honour would permit us to sacrifice; and that on the other hand our enemies set up measureless pretensions, which would have destroyed the republic and converted it into a miserable colony of the United States. To such audacity we could oppose nothing but our firmness and our valour.

"Mexicans! You will find me, as ever, leading in your defence, striving to free you from a heavy yoke, and to preserve your altars from infamous violation, and your daughters and your wives from the extremity of insult. The enemy raises the sword to wound your noble fronts; do you draw it likewise to chastise the rancorous pride of the invader.

"Mexicans!! For ever live the independence of the of the country!"

[DCK]

LT 1847-11-6-6d

The Mexican Bond Holders: Mexican Bonds
November 6, 1847

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES

Sir,-I beg to accompany herewith a communication received from his Excellency J. M. b. Mora, Minister Plenipotentiary for the Republic of Mexico at this Court, and shall feel obliged by its insertion in your influential journal.

I remain, Sir,
Yours most obediently.
JOSE M. MENDOZA.
Mexican Consulate, S. Winoheater buildings, Nov. 5.

TRANSLATION
Mexican Legation at the Court of Her Britannic
Majesty, London, Oct. 30.

On this date I notified to Don Manuel J. de Lizardi, agent of the Republic in this city, the following:-

"You will have the goodness to make known to the committee of the bondholders of the Mexican debt, that the funds received from Mexico destained for the payment of this dividends, and existing in the hands of Messrs J. Schnelder and Company, are for account and risk of the bondholders, and not on that of the Mexican Government, for the following reasons:-1. That Messrs. J. Schneider and Company have been removed from the agency on the 28th of November of last year, and have not been re-appointed by any subsequent order. 2. That the said Messrs. J. Schneider and Company, as well as their correspondents in Mexico, have received, here and there, the said funds as agents of the bondholders, and as such they have been delivered, as stated in their communications published in The Times of the 7th of September last and the 99th inst. In consequence, the Mexican Government will not be responsible in any manner for the diversion that has or may be made of the said funds deposited in the hands of agents that are not theirs; and even if they were, they resist the accomplishment of the measures dictated for its distribution amongst the parties interested or its deposit in the Bank of England."

And I transmit it to you for your information, and that you may give it all the necessary publicity.

I offer to you the considerations, &c.

J. M. L. MORA

To Senhor Don J. M. Mendoza, Consul of the Republic of Mexico in London.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-8-5d

The United States and Mexico: US and Mexico
November 8, 1847

The following is a translation of the last communication made by the Mexican commissioners to Mr. Trist pervious to the renewal of hostilities. It has not before been published I this country:-

"To His Excellency Mr. Nicholas P. Trist, Commissioner with full poers from the Government of the Utited States to the Government of the Republic of Mexico.

"Chapultepec, Sept. 6, 1847.

"The undersigned, commissioned by the Government of the republic of Mexico to concert with your Excellency a treaty of peace, think it convenient in the same time as they present you the counter project which they have formed in accordance with the last instructions of their Government, to accompany the mid project with the observations which are contained in this communication, which will serve to explain more clearly the pacific dispositions of Mexico in the war which unfortunately divides both countries.

"The fourth article of the project which your Excellency was pleased to deliver over to us on the evening of the 27th of August last, and which has been the subject of our last interviews, imports the cession, on the part of Mexico, first, of the state of Texas; second, of the territory situated out of the limits of that state, which extends from the left bank of the Bravo River to the southern frontier of New Mexico; third, of the whole of New Mexico; fourth, of both Californias.

"The war which now exists has been caused solely on account of the territory of the state f Texas, over which the republic of North America presents as a title the act of said state by which it annexed itself to the North American confederation, after having proclaimed its independence of Mexico.

The republic of Mexico agreeing (as we previously informed your Excellency), with due indemnity, in the pretensions of the Cabinet of Washington over the territory of Texas, the cause of the war has thereby disappeared, and therefore the war ought to cease, as there is no cause whatever to continue it. Over the other territories contained in the 4th article of your proposal, no right has been alleged as yet by the republic of North America, nor do we think that it can allege any. It can only therefore acquire them by the right of conquest, or by that which may result from the cession and sale which Mexico may make to it; but, as we are certain that the republic of Washington will not only absolutely repel, but will also abhor the first of these rights, and as also it would be a new thing, contrary to all ideas of justice, that war should be waged against a country by reason only of its refusal to sell the territory which one of its neighbours desires to purchase from it, we hope of the justice of the Government and people of North America, that the considerable modifications which we have to propose to the cession of territory (out of the state of Texas) which are demanded in the before-mentioned fourth article, will not be a motive to continue a war which the worthy General of the North American troops has already qualified to be denaturalized.

"In our conferences, we have informed your Excellency that Mexico cannot cede the zone which exists between the left bank of the Bravo and the right of the Nueces. The reason for it is not only the complete certainty that such territory has never belonged to the state of Texas, nor because it is held in much estimation, considered by itself alone; it is because that zone with the Bravo at its back forms the natural frontier of Mexico, both in a military and commercial point of view; and it cannot be required from any nation whatever, nor can any nation consent, to abandon its frontier. But, in order to avoid every motive of conflict for the future, the Government of Mexico promises not to found any new towns, nor to establish any colonies, in the space of land between the two rivers; so that, by preserving it in a state of depopulation, as it is actually, it will afford equal security to both republics. The conservation of that territory is, according to our instructions, a condition sine quat non of peace. Sentiments of honour and delicacy (which the noble character of your Excellency will worthily esteem), more than any consideration of interest, forbid our Government to consent to the dismemberment of New Mexico. On this subject we think it superfluous to add anything to that which we have already had the honour to explain to you in our conferences.

"The cession of Lower California (of little advantage to the republic of North America) presents great embarrassment to Mexico, considering the position of that peninsula, opposite the shores of Sonora, from which it is only divided by the narrow Gulf of Cortes. Your Excellency has given all its value to our remarks on this point, and we have seen you with satisfaction yield to them.

"The fact of Mexico preserving Lower California would be sufficient to render it indispensable to keep also a part of Upper California; as otherwise that peninsula would remain without any communication by land with the rest of the republic-a thing which is always of great embarrassment, especially to a Power which is not maritime, like Mexico. The certain which our Government offers (with the due compensation) of that part of Upper California north of the 37th degree of latitude does not only afford to the United States the acquisition of an excellent littoral, of fertile lands, and perhaps of unworked mines, but presents all the advantage of continuing by it, without interruption, its possessions in Oregon. The wisdom of the Government of Washington, and the laudable application of the North American people, will derive most abundant fruits from the important acquisition which we now offer.

"In the 8th article of the proposal of your Excellency, the concession of a free passage through the isthmus of Tehuantepee to the Pacific Ocean is required in favour of the North American citizens. We have verbally informed your Excellency that a privilege on this matter was granted some years ago by the Government of the republic to a private person, which privilege was afterwards transferred, with the authorization of the same Government, to some British subjects, of whose rights Mexico cannot dispose. Your Excellency will not, therefore, be astonished that we do not accede in this point to the wishes of your Government.

" We have entered into this simple explanation of the motives which the republic has for not transferring to the United States all the Territory which is demanded by them out of the limits of the state of Texas, because it is our desire that the North American Government and people be persuaded that our partial refusal does not proceed from feelings of aversion created by the antecedents of this war, or on account of the loss suffered by Mexico in it, but because it rests on considerations dictated by reason and justice which would militate at all times as regards the most friendly power in the midst of the relations of the most intimate friendship.

"The other alterations which your Excellency will find in our counter project are of less importance, and we think that there will not be against them any important objection. On the subject of the alteration contained in the 12th article, it has already been spoken of in your Excellency's country' and we flatter ourselves that the loyalty of your Government will not refuse to contract an agreement so in accordance with the probity and good understanding which ought to exist between two neighbouring nations.

"The peace between the two countries will be more firmly established, if a friendly Power (England) who has so nobly offered her good offices to both Mexico and the United States in the present war would lend herself to give her guarantee for the faithful observance of the treaty which may be concluded. The Government of Mexico thinks that it would be very convenient to solicit that guarantee.

"Our Government has ordered us to recommend to your judgement Excellency to communicate to us your resolution on the counter project, which we have the honour to present to you, in the space of three days.

"The good and salutary work of peace cannot, in our judgement, be brought to a happy conclusion, unless each of the contending parties resolves to abandon some of its original pretensions. This has always happened, and every nation has not hesitated, in similar cases to make great sacrifices to appease the desolating flame of war. Mexico and the United States have particular reasons to act thus. It is not without shame that we are obliged to confess that we are giving to the world the scandal of two Christian nations, of two republics, in the sight of all the monarchies, who are mutually doing to each other all the evil in their power for disputes on limits, when we have more land than is necessary to populate and cultivate in the beautiful hemisphere in which Providence first made us see the light. We venture to recommend these considerations to your Excellency before you take a definitive resolution on our proposals.

"We have the honour to offer on this occasion to your Excellency the considerations of attention and respect.

"JOSE I. DE HERRERA.
"BERRNARDO COUTO.
"IGNACIO DE MORA Y VILLAMIL.
"MIGUEL ATRISTAIN."

[DCK]

LT 1847-11-10-4c

United States and Mexico
November 10, 1847

The great secret of American cupidity and Mexican tenacity is receiving a remarkable solution. No wonder that Santa Anna and Mr. Trist should fight so desperately of a strip of Texas, seeing that a mile of it's sacred frontage is clearly more valuable than all the seaboard of the isthmus. We admit that until we saw the prospectus and testimonials to which we shall presently refer, we had a less exalted opinion of this happy province. We remembered that its attractions and capabilities, emblazoned in the very largest types and the very brightest colours, had periodically lent their splendour to the "external paper-hanging establishments" of this metropolis, without altogether deriving an adequate return of emigration and investment. And though we recollected that there had really been a kind of scramble for its charms, yet the impression on our minds was, that it had rather been got off by the adroit manoeuvring of a male chaperon that commended to competition by unadorned or intrinsic beauty. We are now undeceived. Testimonials, with real name and address, to the miraculous performances of this famous climate are lying before us, which demonstrate with all the force of such depositions that there is no such place under Heaven. The advertisement occupies nearly two columns of a weekly paper, and lest such documentary evidence should be insufficient, we have been favoured with a still more solemn and authentic appeal. The PENN of this Pennsylvania is forthcoming. Mr. WILLIAM SNELLING PETERS, "founder of the colony," has characteristically bespoken our influence in behalf of its claims in an autograph address, and he still, we believe, is sojourning in London to disseminate the knowledge of its advantages.

Even upon the map, MARTI CRUZZLEWIT'S Eden was an incapable swamp compared with this transatlantic Beulah. It has the most productive lands, the most invigorating air, and the purest water in the world. The rich and flourishing farms are scattered over the face of the country "like apples of gold in pictures of silver." Such is the continuous geniality of the seasons that no cotton is ever spoilt for want of picking or packing, but rather improves by being left in contact with so wonderful a soil. The rivers never evaporate into mud, nor stagnate into ponds, but flow on over gravelly bottoms, and in suitable depths for the convenience of settlers. The application of manure would be a gratuitous outrage upon the qualities of earth which may itself be exported at the price of guano, nor do the necessaries of agricultural life in these surpassing districts appear to include either seeds or plants. A yearly average of 150 bushels of corn per acre is the result of a little amateur coquetry with a soil of so inflammable a temperament, which, in two-thirds its extent, has already spontaneously adjusted itself to the reception of the spade. "Here at least the original curse of our race has been PARTIALLY removed, and man is no longer compelled to earn his bread by the sweat of his brow." Two precautions only are mildly suggested as expedient in this recovered paradise. Emigrants are recommended to avoid the sun by day and the air y night; nor can it be denied that if the practice may be difficult, the directions are abundantly clear.

It has occurred to the "founder" that certain misgivings may possibly arise in the minds of the uninformed respecting this glad announcement, and with the energy of a hero he labours to demolish them. The first springs from the involuntary inquiry as to why these good things were not appropriated earlier, especially in a country where convertible properties have seldom failed in securing claimants. How is it that these fertile plains remained so long unexplored in the midst of a restless population, and still remain unsettled and uninquired for in the crowded migration-markets of the world? The answer to not unnatural question question appeals rather to our faith than our reason, and we are received with a reference instead of a reply. It has been "satisfactorily explained by Mrs. HOLLY" in her Muniments of Infant Texas, and with this knowledge that a solution has been given we are compelled at present to be content. The next misgiving is one which would hardly be anticipated except in those peculiarly conscientious specimens of "Nature's aristocracy" for whose exclusive possesion this Eden, like that of Mr. ZEPHANIAH SCADDER, is carefully reserved. It is presumed that a noble-minded emigrant would be unable to enter upon such a magnificent property without a painful reflection that he must be displacing some weaker fellow-creature from his more ancient rights. "The friends of humanity," however, "may rejoice to learn that this last question has been happily solved. Some of the tribes, as the Choctaws, Chicasaws, &c., having been enabled to discover the cause of their inferiority in the scale of being, have applied themselves manfully and successfully to gain educational habits. Those who do not apply the remedy must melt away before the march of civilization." The peculiar secret of this mental vaccination we are not favoured with, but the Texan ranger may now convince himself that he is trampling upon no original proprietor who is not either a reprobate dunce or an irreclaimable fool.

The terms of this splendid establishment are undeniably moderate. There is really no amari aliquid bubbling up at the bottom of the prospectus. Any family going out will be immediately presented with 320 acres of land in fee, and every single man above the age of 17 with 100 acres of the like mirific soil. Should he be enterprising enough to marry before the 1st of July, 1848, his wife will also receive a like estate as her marriage portion. He had better, however, secure the requisite party to this ceremony before going out, or he may be reduced to the despairing query which the instinctive convictions of infancy have embalmed in nursery song. There is actually but one fee on these excellent appointments. Each party on his arrival is "expected to take" a map of his newly-acquired domain at 5l. for the large and 2l. 10s. for the smaller farms. This, and an incidental gratuity of three postage stamps to the "founder," is positively all the demand we have been able to discover? As snug farm in a ring fence for 2l. 10s. Od.-and in a country which is averred by the Hon. LUTHER GRAPES to be, both morally and politically, the most profoundly interesting on the face of the globe. A people established in 1839 cannot, of course, point to a long roll of ancestral honours, but when future Texans shall one day praise famous men at a national commemoration the name of SAM HOUSTON will nobly head the list of heroic chiefs and patriarchal sages.

It has been our duty on more than one occasion to expose the snares which are set for the suffering or sanguine emigrant, and to warn him against perils and miseries even greater than those which he leaves behind. They who imagine that no man could be really persuaded that there existed anywhere a country where the authorities were intolerably anxious to give away the best land in the world in lots of 320 acres, are not sufficiently aware of the effects which the pressure of pauperism acting on the national gullibility is capable of producing. What may be the peculiar expectations which induce a person to expend so much of his labour, and risk so much of his money in collecting together a cargo of emigrants for this particular spot, we cannot say; but, perhaps, after this publication of the circumstances, some former adventurer or traveler may offer his sanguine neighbours the corrective of his experience. As it stands, we have no doubt that the precious advertisement we have described is actually not pitched above the simple credulity of certain of its readers; nor, until we bring our system of national colonization to a much higher point of excellence than it has yet attained, can we reasonably wonder that this natural relief of overburdened population should be sought under empirical guides, or through irregular and fallacious channels.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-13-4c

Annexation of Texas : Annexation of Texas by US
November 13, 1847

From the first conception of the scheme for the annexatino of Texas, by the Government of the United States, as long ago as the administration of General Jackson, down to the last acts of violence and bloodshed committed by the American Generals in the course of the present horrible war, scarelyh an incident has occurred which has not been foreseen and predicted by every dispassionate European spectator of these events, and at the same time denied by the Americans until its actual accomplishment rendered all further power of negation unavailing. Never was the sequence of events more uniterruptedly pursued by the policy of a natin; and the deepest scheme which has ever been devised for territorial aggrandizement and military aggression by the Cabinet of an absolute Power, at the head of a great army, could not have been more systematically carried on than the subjugation of Mexico has been by the successive Presidents of the most democratic republic in the worl. We do not, indeeed, suppose that this extraordinary enterprise which may now be said to have been in course of execution for more than 12 years, was deliberately contemplated and contrived at that distant period by American statesmen or by the American statesman or by the American people. It is by no means improbable that if the leading members of the American Senate had foreseen all the consequences of the annexation of Texa, and had believed that the year 1847 would see an American army struggling to maintain itslef within the very city of Mexico, they would have recoiled from this long series of rapacious and sanguinary actions. It is not unlikely that if the American people had formed a more accurate estimate of the cost of the province which they were so eager to filch from neighbouring state, even their unreflecting ambition might have been checked by so lavish and wanton an expenditure of their resources and their blood. But the solemn prediction of these dreadful scenes, which have sullied the character of the united states by the revivalof the passions and evils of offensive war, was disregarded, though it procceded from the most eminent writers and statesman of America, and though it was reechoed by the convictions of every observer in Europe. Ten years age the Americana affected to deny the charge of territorial rapacity, yet they were abetting the conversion of a Mexican province to their own uses, and they eventually incorporated it with their own possessions. Three years ago they affected to deny the possibility of a war with Mexico, yet the President ordered the troops of the Union to march into the disputed territory on the frontier, with a perfect knowledge that such an act was an unprovoked declaration of war. Last year the war was to be terminnated by a few combats on the Rio Grande, and a cerain measure was to be observed towards the Mexican Government by their formidable adversaries; but this summer all the horrors of war have been inflicted by the American army, the city of Vera Cruz has been bombarded, the whole country overrun, and Mexico itself occupied. The Mexican Republic is completely prostrate, and General Scorr is as much the master of the capital as of Texas itself. But what then? Butchery and pillage cannot be the main objects of any army in our day: some political purpose must at least serve for a pretext, and the accomplishment of that political purpose is that which determines the success of a campaign/ But in Mexico there is no Power with which a lasting agreement can be made; there are no institutions which give what may be termed personality to the nation: the whole community is, as it were, resolved into a mass of private persons, who are, of course, animated by the strongest detestation of their invaders which race, religion, and wrongs can inspire. Under these circumstances, General Scorr's position in Mexico reminds us of nothing more than that of a landlord who has just succeeded to an outlying portion of the family estate in Roscommon or Tipperary ' and, as the American Governmnet will find it a more difficult task to break off their fatal connexion with Mexico than it has been to march into the country, we shall not be surprised to find them permanently engaged ina work about as difficult as the administration of Ireland.

About five years ago an american diplomatist of character, who had recently been employed in Mexico, published his recollections of that country. It is not uninstructive to turn back to these pages, for the facts they record have been as much confirmed as his anticipations of peace have been stultified by subsequent experience. After stating as his opinion that the Mexican men have not much more physical strength than the women of the united States, this writer relates the easy triumphs of the Texan adventures over the Mexican forces at Bexar and Mier, where the latter were defeated in fifteen minutes; and he adds, with the virtuous indignation of 1842, "Shall we go to war with such a people?" "which has been thus reaped?" The result has proved that Mt. Polk has not been equally disposed to respect the rights of the feeble, and that these identical officers have found something "to glean" between Vera Cruz and the capital.

Our object, however, in adverting to this work is to point our one particular in this war with which the American accounts leave us wholly unaquuainted. However difficult it may be to handle the Mexican people and territory, or to dictate the terms of a peace, it is well known that the country contains an enormus quantity of the precious metals, partly the property of the Church, and partly the remains of the former splendour of the Vice-Royality of New Spain. Mr. Thompson gives the folloing account of the wealth of the Cathedral of Mexico: --

"The clergy do not, for obvious reasons, desire that their wealth should be known to its full extent, but quite enough is exhibited to strike the beholder with wondr. The first object that presents itself on entering the cathedreal is the altar near the centre of the building; it is made of highly wrought and polished silver, and covered with a profusion of ornaments of pure gold. On each side of this altar runs a balustrade, enclosing a space about 8 feet wide and 100 feet long. The balusters are about 4 feet high and 4 inches thick in the largest part; the handrail from 6 to 8 inches wide. Upon the top of this handrail, at the disance of 6 or 8 feet apart, are human images, beautifully wrought, and about 2 feet high. All of these -- the baluatrade, handrail, and images --are made of a compund of gold, silver, and copper, more valuable than silver. I was told that an fferhad been made to take this balustrade, and replace it with another, of exactly the same size and workmanship, of pure silver, and give half a million of dollars besides. There is much more of the same balustrade in other parts of the church: I should thinkn in all of it not less than 300 feet. As you walk through the building, on either side there are different apartments all filled from the floor to the ceiling with paintings, statues, vases, huge candlesticks, waiters, and a thousand other articles, made of gold and silver. This, too, is only the every-day display of articles of least value; the more costly are stowed away in the chests and closets. What must it be when all these are brought out, with the immense quantities of precious stones which the church is known to posses? And this is only one of the churches of the city of Mexico, where there are between 60 and 80 others, some of them possessing little less wealth than the cathedral."

We do not impute to the officers in command of the American forces a base intention of plundering the enemy' on the contrary, General Scorr's orders of the day have uniformly prescribed respect for the private property and the religious edifices of the Mexicans. But, considering the character of the American army, the lawless independence of the adventurers who have joined it, and the usages of war, we shall certainly consider it as an unprecedented event if this enormous booty escapes from pillage; and it is not unlikely that, to avoid the horrors and losses of private captures, the wealth of these public edifices may be regularly appropriated as a prize of war. Such a mass of the precious metatls, probably, not fallen into the control of any conqueror since the soldiers of Pizarro occupied the gorgeous temples of the Peruvian deities.

We have yet to learn the American accounts of the capture of Mexico, though we publish in another place a narrative, drawn up by an eye-witness, of the attack. But it is by no means improbable that this campaign will end like a great raid into the enemy's country' and that the Americans, indignant at the rejection of their terms, and alarmed by the isolation of their army, will have recourse to measures of violence which they would have been ashamed to employ in the earlier stages of the war. So true it is that every successive step in these transactions has been more guilty and disgraceful than that which preceded it.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-13-5c

Siege of Chapultepec: Siege of Chapultepec and Capitulation
November 13, 1847

We have been favoured by the following interesting description of the siege and capitulation. It is written by a gentleman who was an eye-witness of much that he descries:-

The negotiations of the commissioners did not last long, as neither on the negotiating parties went about it earnestly, both knowing that it would be impossible for the Mexican Government to accept the conditions proposed by the American envoy.

In consequence, Santa Anna had resolved from the very beginning to disregard the conditions agreed upon in the armistice, and went on fortifying all the western points of the town with the utmost speed, and perfecting the existing bastions, in order to prepare himself for a desperate struggle for life or death. The propositions made by the American envoy, Mr. Trist, for the conclusion of peace, were the following:-Mexico was to cede to the United States all the territory north of a line beginning three leagues south from the mouth of the river Bravo, then running along the course of this river upwards to Paso del Norte, and thence due west through the country to the mouth of the river Colorado, which flows into the bay of California, by which Mexico would lose Texas, Coahuila, Nuevo Mexico, Altaybaja, California, and a part of Nuevo Leon, chihuahua, and Sinaloa; moreover, Mexico was to give to the United States, for the space of 12 years, the usufruct of the isthmus of Tebuantepec, in order to make experiments, and open, if possible, a canal, connecting the two oceans, and other minor conditions; in considerations of which Mr. Trist declared himself empowered to pay in the city of Mexico a certain sum of money, not specified; to regulate all claims of American subjects against the Mexican Government, and to admit them as an American debt; to deliver up all the cannon and amnament taken away by conquest from the Mexican army, and to make no further claims for the expenses of the war.

Santa Anna declared hereupon, that disregarding all the other conditions he would never consent to give up new Mexico, as this province had, by its heroical rising, clearly shown its determination to abide by, and remain in a part of the great Mexican family, which was the more laudable and affecting, as all the former governments had for a long time continued to neglect and disregard it, leaving it to be invaded and plundered by the savages.

On the 5th of September General Scott sent an official communication to Santa Anna, inn which he informed him that he would consider the armistice as broken, if within 24 hours after receipt of this document satisfactory explanations had not been given for the repeated disregard of the conditions stipulated in the same.

Santa Anna sent him in answer a very talented exposition, in which he tried to throw all the blame on the Americans.

Scott did not deign to answer it, and in consequence the armistice was over on the 7th of September, at 12 o'clock a.m.

Everybody expected that the hostilities would commence the same day, but not a shot was fired. At 4 o'clock the next morning, however, the roar of the cannon awakened the inhabitants of Mexico, and called them on to their azoteas.

Behind the castle of Chapultepec, which is situated on a high porphyry rock placed on the plain at the foot of an even sloping rise towards the mountains, called in Spanish, loma, the night commenced. Santa Anna had displayed his lines on the gentle slope behind, and there the Americans attacked them.

From 5 to 9 in the morning the firing was very heavy, and the Americans took by storm a fortified powder magazine which stood higher up on the loma, and also a fortified watermill, situated upon the low ground on the outskirts of the castle park, and between this and the ascending slope. Here they destroyed the cannon foundry, but were then obliged to retire, as the point was completely commanded by the fire of the fort.

This battle, named, from the mill, the battle of Molino del Rey, was very bloody on both sides. At 10 o'clock the Americans blew up the powder magazine and retired to their original quarters or positions, higher up on the sloping plain, south-west from Chapultepec. Here they formed in battle, defying their enemy, and as none appeared they quietly returned to their quarters at Tacubaya, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.

In Mexico the bells were triumphantly rung as for a great victory, and in fact, the Mexicans though beaten, were justified in regarding the fight as a victory, as the enemy found himself obliged to give up his conquered positions, and had suffered a serious and irreparable loss for his small numbers. If Santa Anna had renewed the battle on the same day it is very probable that affairs would have turned out very differently for the Americans, as the discontent at the signing of the armistice, combined with the dejection produced by the heavy loss of blood in the morning, had had a very demoralizing effect upon the army.

But Santa Anna did not attack, as his army had likewise suffered a severe loss, and had lost two able and courageous generals-Antonio Leon, from Oajaca, and Lucas Balderas, from the city of Mexico; in consequence of which he did not think it prudent to leave his entrenchments and stake everything upon one die, as he would have done by venturing another pitched battle.

The 9th and 10th day of September passed quietly over, the belligerent parties only saluting each other at daybreak two or three times with cannon sot and grenades, each party occupying itself in repairing the damages received and preparing for new and more terrible struggles.

On the 11th of September the cavalry was ordered to make a movement on the lomas or sloping plainsabore Chapultepec and Tacubaya, and attack, if possible, the latter place.

However, the enemy kept a very good look out, and no sooner did the cavalry begin to move out of town than their scouts appeared upon the lomas, and soon after a small force appeared to defend the plains.

The Mexicans attacked the advanced United States cavalry, and a short skirmish ensued, in which these were made to retreat by the overwhelming force of the former, and in their hot chase they incautioniously advanced too near a hollow in advance on one side, where an American batter was lying hid. This at once opened a destructive fire upon them and drove the squadrons back in the most precipitate flight.

On the 12th the cannon began to roar again, south and west, at the garita of San Antonio and at Chapultepec, but it very soon became evident where the real attack was intended, for on the south side the fire was slackened, and after a time it left off altogether; while on the west it grew more and more violent, and about 8 o'clock, a.m., the enemy opened his battery of mortars upon the castle and began to throw shells with a most uncomfortable precision. This fire was kept up by three batteries, each of one large mortar, situated in a small segment of a circle to the south of the fort, the whole day until 7 o'clock at night, and a strong division of their army was drawn out in line of battle on the loma behind as simple spectators awaiting an attack.

The Mexican army was formed along the two aqueducts which join at the foot of Chaqultepec, but not a man stirred and only the castle answered the enemy's fire out of its heavy guns until near 2o'clock, when they had all been dismounted or disabled. From 2 to 6 o'clock the castle silently received the enemy's fire, and from then till dark it answered again with the newly mounted pieces.

The night passed over without disturbances, but early on the 13th the bombardment began again with renewed force, and by the unusual movement between the enemy's troops we could see that a very important stroke was about to take place.

At half-past 7 o'clock a column came hastily descending from the loinas towards the castle, and soon after a heavy firing opened upon all sides, and Chapultepec wrapped itself up in a dense cloud of smoke. In the meantime the mortars continued playing upon the castle until a quarter past 9 o'clock, when they ceased. During this time the firing in and about the castle had three times apparently reached its climax, and then suddenly slackened, so that we believed the assault had been beaten off ' but at 25 minutes past 9 o'clock, the Mexican flag suddenly disappeared, a blue flag was shown, and directly after the stars and stripes arose and waved over the conquered fortress.

The garrison of Chapultepec, commanded by General Bravo, had been about 850 strong, and along the aqueducts, at the foot of its hill, were stationed about 8,000 men (infantry) the flower of the Mexican army ' while the cavalry (about 5,000 strong) was hovering about on the lomas, a league to the north-west, waiting for an opportunity to pounce down upon the enemy. However, it did no such thing, but remained a quiet spectator till all was over, and then precipitately retired into the town.

Santa Anna's plan seems to have been to leave as few men as possible in and about the castle, in order not to expose them unneccessarily to the shells, and then at the proper moment, when the forlorn hope was advancing to the assault, to throw strong reinforcements into the park and beat them off. The plan was not bad, and he remained himself close by Chapultepec, in a house, to direct it' but it turned out to have been misplaced confidence, for at the decisive moment, when succour was most needed, it failed, -- why, has not yet been explained; most likely because disorder prevailed among the officers, and most certainly because the Mexican troops could not muster up sufficient valour to face the fire of the enemy.

Directly after having taken the place the Americans hauled down the light fieldpieces from the castle, and fired them upon the retreating enemy, upon whose heels they closely followed. The firing came nearer and nearer, and about 2 o'clock, p.m., the innermost intrenchments began to open their fire, and balls to whistle in the town.

In the evening, about oracion, the suburb of San Cosme, to the north-west, had already been taken and in the west the Pasco, so that only the fortified tobacco manufactory, christened with the pompous name of Citadelle, hindered the Americans from marching into the town. Towards evening the firing squad and already the inhabitants were hoping to pass a quiet light, when suddenly the dull roar of a large mortar sesounded close by the town, and shells with fiery tails came on whistling over the azoteas. Fortunately, only 10 or 12 shells and grenades were thrown, probably to measure distances, and give the inhabitants a foretaste of what awaited them in case of any further resistance.

Happily these projectiles did not occasion great damage, but they attained their purpose of hindering any further resistance and striking terror into the inhabitants, while they induced Santa Anna to break up in the middle of the night and retreat with all his force, leaving the city to the mercy of the victors. He turned northward to the villa of Guadaloupe, and after short rest retreated on to San Juan de Teotihuacan.

On Tuesday, the 14th of September, in the morning at 6 o'clock, the first American column made its appearance through the principal streets of Mexica, Calle San Fransisco, del Correo, dela Professa, and the two Plaberos, in a straight line from the Alamelda up to the palace and Plata Mayor.

At half-past 6 the Mexican colours disappeared from the palace, a regimental flag took their place and directly afterwards the stars and stripes arose and waved over the palace of Montezuma, as the Americans call it.

A loud hurrah welcomed their appearances. In the meantime several shot began to sesound from several houses around, and in a short time the fire became general all over the town, and the whole American brigade dispersed itself in order to conquer this last resistance.

At 9 o'clock a.m., the cannons began to roar in all the streets and before noon the Americans were in possession of all the chief points, churches, and convents, which commanded the surrounding house and streets.

The firing receded towards the suburbs, but lasted nevertheless the whole day with intermitting violence 7 o'clock at night. On the 15th it continued again, particularly in the northern suburbs, towards Guadaloupe where the troops of Santa Anna, recalled by the firing, tried to force an entrance.

However, they did not succeed and were driven back with severe loss. On the 16th only partial shots kept falling, and gradually everything returned to order.

From the 14th to the 16th, during the resistance in the streets, much blood was split to no purpose on both sides, and the property and life of the peaceable citisens were exposed to the spoliations, depredations, and arbitrariness of a victorious and rude soldiery ; for the small number of the patriots made any effective resistance hopeless. Happily the Americans behaved on the whole, exemplarily, and very few citizens had to deplore the loss of their property.

Little by little the Americasn drew their whole army into the town, leaving only smalll garrlsons in Tacubays and Chapultepec. They also transported all their wounded into the town and established their hospitals in all the public buildings. General Scott took up his quarters at a private house, and General Quitman was named governor of the city. The Ayuntamiento was charged with the administration of the civil affairs, and empowered to raise a force of 600 men, in order to enforce its orderss and preserve public order and security.

All matters of dispute concerning the american army were ordered to be submitted to martial laow

On the 21st of September the shops were re-opened, and ordinary business began again to take its regular coarse. On the 20th the first number of the new American newspaper, called the American Star, made its appearance, half English and half Spanish.

In the meantime the rest of the Mexican army had taken its way northward to Queretaro, where Congress was to assemble in order to deliberate on the fate of the nation.

Santa Anna tendered his demission of the Presidency, accepted it himself, and left General Herrera, with General Alcorta as coadjutor, to be his successors. He himself retired towards the coast, as it is said, in order to embark.

The siege of the town lasted from the 13th of August to the 14th of september, justa amonth; three great battles were fought, at Contereras, at Cherubusco, and at Molino del Rey; a cavalry engagement took place on the lomas of Tacubaya; Chapultepec was bombarded and taken by storm and all the entrenchments on the west side of the town likewise; about 80 cannon captured, and 6,000 prisonsers taken.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-13-8f

Spain the United States, and Mexico: US and Spain and Mexico
November 13, 1847

The events which are now taking place in the unfortunate republic of Mexico unhappily concur to corroborate the sad predictions which we uttered not long since, when we represented as the only possible remedy in its present precarious situation the establishment of a Mexican monarchy under a Spanish Prince. The colossus which was then trampling it down is engaged in the consummation of its work; and, although at the expense of sever struggles and sanguinary losses, there is no doubt of its complete triumph. The ancient kingdom of montezuma will succomb, and Mexico, as a nation, will fade from the political scene. Would matters have reached this dismal extremity if the Mexicans, comprehending their real interest, had thrown themselves into the arms of the old mother country, and placed themselves into the arms of the old mother country, and places, themselves under the shelter of its friendly protection? We answer, certatinly not!

Meanwhile, one feat of arms after another is succesively placing the most important places in Mexico at the disposal of the American army; yet the united states cannot congratulate themselves on the victory. Why--if it be true that they are advancing from conquest to conquest--is the work of victory found less easy of accomplishment than there was at first reason to believe? Those who before yielded their posts without a struggle are now defending themselves, and fighting with ferocity of despair. An entire people are not easily subjugated, nor are they to be erased from the list of nation by two or three victories

The proud and potent Federal Republic will doubtless triumph over the disunited and exhausted Mexicans, if not by force of arms, at all events by protocols; but we repeat that, apart from the vain glory of satisfied pride, the annexation of this new state to those of the Union will be found more prejudicial than useful. The territory of the United States is already too extensive to allow this new acqulation to serve otherwise than as an obsticale in the way of the government: and either all probabilities will be falsified, or the eventual result will b e the splitting up of that powerful republic into an infinite number of others, without the possibility of preventing this forcible, dismemberment, which the times will enforce. And, if to this reason be added the natural antipathy which must necessarily prevail between the conqerors and the conquered, and the distinct habits, the differnece of religion, language, and customs, it is not doubtful that the North-Americans will not enjoy a single moment of tranquilility in their new soverignty.

But even if this disquiet, and perhaps ill-omened-future somewhat soften to us the madness of the event which we deplore, it is no less certain that the last fragment of the Spanish racve will disappear from those countries, and that with it will vanish the remotest hope of the eventual recovery by the mother country of the legitimate influence which it was called upon to exercise in those colonies, formerly the brightest diadem in its crown of the two worlds.

We do not wish directly to inculpate any Government whatsoever; but there has been much blindness, inattention, and neglect in so acting as to allow our ancient transmarine colonies to become an easy prize to the naughty rival of England, instead of having received them beneath the aegis of its ancient national flag.

And if the cupidity of the American Colossus should be satiated with its conquests already secured, these evils would be less deploreable, but its tendency is strikingly marked. The preponderating Republic of the New world cannot complacently contemplate the existence in those seas of a single point in which homage is paid to the old monarchial principle; it fears and with reason, that, maintained in her present possessions, Spain may some day wake from her extraordinary lethagy, and, either by supporting the monarchical idea or declaring herself the frank protectress of her ancient provinces in their actual republican state, may cement with them fraternal connexions, and close against the Union those immense markets for its commerce and industry.

For this reason the Government of the United States pushes forward its plans of aggrandisement and for this reason it will not desist until all those separate states are formed into one single state, under the name, the laws, and the flag of the United States; because Cuba and Puerto Rico will then be theirs; and the Union will attempt to play the same game in the Atlantic Ocean as Russia in the Black Sea, by converting that immense sheet of water into one large lake under its exclusive monopoly and arbitrary dominion.

But in the badly calculated politices of the United states, the very thing which they imagine the most likely to contribute to their aggrandisement tends to debilitate and diminish their power. The acquisition of Texas and Mexico, should the latter be realized, enfeebles the action of the Government and lessens its influence at the same time that it expands its territories: both acts particularly the latter, entail upon the Union a colossal debt, if hitherto free from pecuniary responsibilities, and will be productive of material losses; not will the war terminate, but continure in its most destructive form -- that of guerrillas, skirmishes and conspiracies. Both acts, moreover, will increase the already immense number of enemies exited again the United States in consequence of their preponderating power, presenting an easy breach and sure instruments for the formation of parties by intrigue and disunion; added to which they will never attain the presence of a moral force in the conquered cities, and will continue to lose it in their own. Lastly, both acts will serve as a lesson to other independent republics, which, for their own convenience, will unite in defense of their independence against the common enemy" and, moreover, our own possessions will be more than ever recure from the attacks of the colossal usurper.

And here is presented a new and favourable opportunity for Spain to render her ancient children sensible of her value, and, by offering them her protection, to gain for herself those commercial advantages of all kinds which are now the object of the greddy cupidity of the Union. For the sake, therefore, of unfortunate Mexico, and for the sake of all our formere, colonies, it is, form very point of view, indispensable that something should be done, --that negotiations should be opened, --that our antecedent advantages should be made of deeorum, no other influence than that of the Spanish Government should be tolerated in those distant parts of the world.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-15-5c

Mexico, Court Martial on Deserters
November 15, 1847

In another order he adds-

"There is every reason to believe that a very large distribution of knives and dirks has recently been made to liberated convicts (thieves and murderers) for the purpose of assassinating American soldiers found drunk or otherwise of their guard.

"Measures are in progress to search out and seize for execution the instigators and leaders of those assassins. In the mean time guards and patrols will search all suspicious persons, disarm, and, if necessary, confine them for trial and punishment."

Advices of a later date, however, state that confidence was rapidly being established; that the shops were being re-opened, and that the markets were well supplied.

The Mexican army, at the latest accounts, was slowly wending its way towards Queretaro. They numbered less than 3,000 men, under the command of General herrera. Santa Anna, it was very generally believed, was making his way to the seaboard, for the purpose of embarking to a foreign country. Other accounts describe him as making another stand at Puebla, where, however, the American army was said to be so securely posted as to defy attack.

According to the New York Herald, there was no prospect of peace. The Congress would meet at Queretaro, with pena y Pena as President, and it is said that no single member of it would vote in favour of acceding to the terms proposed by Mr. Trist. The cession of New Mexico at any rate was out of the question; while, on the other hand, the determination of the United States Government was said to be equally decided, not only to make no abatement on the terms offered by Mr. Trist and rejected by Mexico, but to insist on more favourable conditions in consequence of the immense loss its army has undergone.

In a Cabinet Council held at Washington on the 23d, it is said that Mr. Walker "goes for all of Mexico-Mr. Buchanan for a part." It was expected that Mr. Polk would submit the subject to Congress.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-15-5c2

The United States and Mexico: US and Mexico
November 15, 1847

We have received by the Missouri steam-ship, of the French line of pockets, intelleigence from New York to the 25th ult, and full details of the capture of Mexico by the American army. They do not materially differ from the accounts which we published on Saturday. The papers contain innumerable descriptions of the several battles in front of Mexico, and a full list of the killed and wounded. The total return of loss, including the missing, is as follows:-

Killed Wounded Missing

1. General Worths Division 140 766 27
2. General Twiggs' Division 35 194 10
3. General Pillow's Division 21 111 10
4. General Quiltman's Division 41 267 -
Total 238 1,338 47

Total killed, wounded, and missing 1,623

The Mexican loss is said to have been immense. Five generals, three colonels, seven lieutenant-colonels, and above 100 other officers, with 800 men, had been taken prisoners. The accounts previously received of the execution of deserters are fully confirmed. Fifty are said to have been put to death. The sentence of the court-martial upon one batch of these unhappy men, consisting of 29, is as follows:-

"The Court found the abovenamed prisoners severally guilty as charged, and sentenced each (two-thirds of the members of the Court in every case concurring in the sentence)' to be hanged by the neck until he is dead.'

"The General-in-Chief approves the foregoing proceedings and sentences, with the following exceptions:-The cases of Thomas Riley, company 1, 34 infantry; James Mills, company H, same regiment; and John Reilly, company K, 5th infantry.

'These three prisoners severally committed the crime of desertion as charged in the early part of April, 1846. At that date the United States were at peace with Mexico and all the world; for the present war did not break out, in all the world; for the present war did not break out, in fact, till a later date, and was not recognised to exist by the Congress of the United States till the 13th of the following month.

"No higher punishment can, therefore, be legally inflicted upon those atrocious offenders, T. Riley, J. Mills, and J. Reilly, than that prescribed for a state of peace, via, 50 lashed with a raw hide whip, well laid on the bare back of each, and their punishment is commuted accordingly, with the addition that each be branded on a cheek with the letter D, kept a close prisoner as long as the army remains in Mexico, and then be drummed out of the service.

"So much of the punishment in the case of Henry Newer, company D, 4th artillery, as relates to hanging is, on the recommendation of many members of the Court, remitted; and a like remission is made in the case of Edward M'Herron, company G, same regiment, out of consideration for a son, private in the same company, who has remained faithful to his colours.

"There being some slight circumstance of mitigation in the several cases of Hezekiah Akles, John Bartley, Alexander M'Kee, and John Bowers, all of company H, 3d artillery their sentences are commuted as in the cases of T. Riley, J. Mills, and J.Reilly above."

General Quitman has been appointed Governor of Mexico, and had received the contribution of 150,000 dollars levied upon the city. He is thus described by a corresponent of the New York Herald:-

"To gallant Mississippi belongs the honour of giving to Mexico her first American Governor, and we may also add, her first wise Governer. General Scott displaed equal judgment and magnamity in this appointment. General Quitman had had the misfortune to be ex-cluded from the battle of Cerro Gordo and of Centreras met with disappointments, which no doubt grieved his gallant soul. But in the closing scenes he availed himself of the long-delayed opportunity, and covered himself with glory in the various difficult operations which pre-ceded the occupation of the city. His admirable fitness for the Governership of Mexico will occur to all who are acquainted with General Quitman. He is a profound jurist and elegant scholer, well read in history, and familiar with several of the modern languages, including, we believe, Spanish. He is too, a cool, deliberative, firm, and most rigidly honest man. We predict that his administration will be more effective and successful than that of any other ruler Mexico has ever had."

The new Governer occupied the palace of the late President.

It seems, however, that the possession of their capital by the United States army was not quietly acquiesced in by the Mexicans, even after their army under Santa Anna had deserted it, and their own undisciplined efforts were found insufficient to resist their formidable invaders. The following general order by General Scott points to a system of covert assassination, by which we are assured that he had already lost many of his best men :-

"Head-quarters of the Army, Mexico, Sept 22.

"The General-in-Chief has received through many kind sources, Mexican and others, undoubted information that an extensive conspiracy is on foot about us, to surprise (by means of an insurrection) our guards and quarters and to murder our officers and men.

"Mexican officers and soldiers in disguise, who had not the courage to defend their capital, are the leaders of this conspiracy, aided by some 1,500 thieves and murderers, who were turned loose for that purpose, and to prey upon the peaceable inhabitants, the night before the triumphal entry of the American army into this city.
"The conspirators have also the services of several false priests, who dishonour the holy religion which they only profess for the special occasion.

"Until ready for the insurrection, the disguised villains hope to do us much harm in detail. Their plan is to assassinate stragglers, particularly drunken men; to entice individuals or small parties into shops to drink, and to stab them when in their cups; to entice our gallant Roman Catholic soldiers who have done so much honour to our colours to desert, under a promise of lands in California, which our arms have already conquered, and which for ever will remain a part of the United States.

"Let all our soldiers, Protestant and Catholic, remember the fate of the deserters taken at Churubusco. These deluded wretches were also promised money and land; but the Mexican Government, by every sort of ill-usage, drove them to take up arms against the country and flag they had voluntarily sworn to support, and next placed them in front of the battle-in positions from which they could not possibly escape the conquering valour of our glorious ranks. After every effort of the General-in-Chief to save, by judicious discrimination, as many of those miserable convicts as possible, 50 of them have paid for their treachery by as ignominious death on the gallows.

"Again the General-in-Chief calls on his brethren in arms, of all grades, to be constantly on the alerts, by day as by night; never to appear in the streets without side-arms; to walk out only in parties of twos, threes, or more, and to avoid all obscure places, particularly treacherous dram-shops and liquor-stores.

"By command of Major-General Scott.
"H.L. SCOTT, A.A.A. G."

[DCK]

LT 1847-11-16-4c

US and Mexico
November 16, 1847

It is very difficult to imagine that there can be any class of persons who could read with satisfaction the intelligence which was yesterday published from the seat of war in Mexico. They who only wish to see such bootless carnage brought to a termination will find no kind of substantial encouragement for their hopes. They who involuntarily sympathize with an aggrieved and invaded nation, of what character soever it may be, will meet with additional grounds for disappointment and concern; while all who are interested in the national credit of a people sprung from the same stock with ourselves must lament that it has been sullied by such atrocities as those into which the Americans have been drawn by the consequences of their first unjust aggression.

The inevitable horrors of a city taken by storm have been almost eclipsed, on this occasion, by the spectacle of fifty miserable Irishmen hanged in a body, for deserting the colours to which they had attached themselves. We have no wish to disguise the fact, that, over and above the undue and for-tuitous aggravation lent to every incident of war in a season of profound and general peace, this act of General Scott's may assume a deeper dye from want of proper consideration of the circumstances which might be alleged to justify it. No doubt desertion, the most emphatic of all military crimes, becomes a more formidable contingency and demands more severe treatment in an army or on an expedition where the temptations are unusually great and the restraints unusually small. The American army, o this occasion, has been described as a heterogeneous aggregate of half the nations of Europe, and it is certain, from the constitution of the population, that such must, to a large extent, be the case with every considerable expedition sent out by the United States. Excepting amongst the descendants of our 20,000 Puritans who cluster about the states of New England, it would be difficult to define the breed or the locality of a real 'Statesman. The broad distinctions already subsisting between the northern and southern, eastern and western states, are still further increased by an average influx of 200,000 emigrants yearly from all parts of Europe. Beyond the circle of a local militia there can be but little spontaneity of union; and, under such conditions, it may be incumbent on a commander to secure, by the terror of example, that fidelity which he can hardly expect from suggestions of patriotism. Yet, after all such considera-tions, we must avow our conviction that this act, which for wholesale and exterminating cruelty may match the most barbarous rigours of past wars, does brand the general, the army, and the expedition with a deeper stigma than any it wore before. A party of miserable creatures, dispossessed of a home or country of their own, took their services to a colonel, as they might have done to a contractor, and leased their sinews to the work of a war as they would have done to that of a railroad. We do not say that their constitutional instability deserved the indulgence they might perhaps have claimed for it themselves, but we do think that the sternest demands of the occasion might have been satisfied with less than such wanton and unrelenting butchery. Even in the rude bar-barism of a new world we do not look for the judi-cial atrocities of Gallicia or Catalonia. The poor wretches had been placed in front of the Mexican lines, partly as men whose desperation might be reckoned on, partly as men whose fidelity it was desirable thus to secure. They were, of course, seized as the battle went against them, tried, and condemned. No lots were cast, no forlorn commutation or expedient of decimation allowed. Four were allowed the benefit of extenuating circumstances. Three were grudginlgy permitted to escape through a loophole in the law, and were punished only with such inflictions short of death as could be devised by a disappointed court. The rest were taken in a heap to the gallows, under which "they were kept stand-"ing for an hour or two till the flag they had de-"serted was flying from the walls of Chepultepec,"when they were all swung off together as the" stars and stripes rose into the air." After this re-volting example of melodramatic massacre by su-preme authority, the reader will not be surprised to learn that the execution of such resolves has since been taken, with characteristic prompitude, into the hands of the troops themselves. One of our papers states that "a comrade recognising a deserter, to save the trouble of a court-martial, pitched him at once into a mill-flume, where he was crushed to pieces by the wheel."

If the accountability for such abominations as these falls to one side or the other, according to the justice of the war, some parties must have an ugly reckoning before them, and one which is yet far from closed. If there is any conclusion in which all sides are now agreed, it is that neither blood-shed nor conquest have won a step towards peace. Of this fact the Cabinet of Washington now appears fully cognisant, and General Scorr, after all his efforts, has only arrived at that precise predica-ment which we portrayed two months ago. He is now Mexico with a force which numbered about 9,000 disposable men before the late battles, in which it was perhaps reduced by a fourth. In the city he is encompassed by a swarm of saveage leperos, who, if they do not murder at their ordinary rate of practice, would assassinate his whole army in a twelvemonth. His communications are so far safge, that no garrisoned post is likely to be forced; but it cannot be said that there is free intercourse be-tween any two of them. The American intelligence itself sates, that the road from Vera Cruz to Jalapa or Mexico could only be kept open "by a solid "column of infantry from the gates of one city to "those of the other." Nothing but the want of enterprise amongst the Mexicans permits the garrisons a single yard's patrol beyond their posts. Even at Vera Cruz-the base of operations-the immediate neighbourhood of the city is only kept free by strong detachments, and so suspicious is the aspect of things within the walls, that Coloel CHILDS the other day, sent GC bombs, facetiously described as "native Americans," amongst the habitations of the citizens to recall the late inflictions to their minds. Meantime, the Mexican Congress is assembling at Queretaro, and, with a laudable resolve of adding no faults of commis-sion to those of omission, has proclaimed its unani-mity in favour of prosecuting the war ; so that nothing has been effected beyond a change of posi-tions, with this advantage for the Mexicans,-that they are somewhat more impalpable even than before. General Scorr may advance to Queretaro as he as advanced to Mexico, but his phantom foe will find a fresh metropoli in every province, till the invader has neither forces sufficient to keep his conquests, nor strength remaining to pursue them.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-16-6b

Execution of US Deserters
November 16, 1847

He congratulated the meeting on the circumstances under which they had assembled. Like modest men, they had taken the small room at first, but they had found it necessary to adjourn to the large room. What was there in the resolution which any man could find fault with? Were they free men, or were they not? (Some cries of "No."). Per-haps they were not so free, in some respects, as they might be; but they were more free than their neigh-bours, and, as the first-born of liberty in Europe, they ought to endeavour to secure for themselves and others the advantages they had not. Let it not be said that they sished to put the office of Foreign Secretary into commission. What they complained of was the want of knowledge on foreign affairs, and it was their wish to diffuse information on the subject. Having briefly reviewed the state of matters in Italy, Switzerland, France, Spain, and Portugal, the gal-lant colonel adverted to the contest between the United States and Mexico. He reprobated the rude and brutal mode of warfare adopted by the former. Were there any Irishman present? ("Yes") Fifty Irishmen were found to have deserted-no uncommon thing ; but they had not deserted for drink of women, or good quarters, or dislike of service, or from ordinary motives; they had deserted be-cause they felt they were led on against the religion of their fathers. They were all executed. When in European wars a town surrendered, why were six covered carriages stipulated for? Because into those carriages European humanity conveyed away men who had deserted. The prestige was gone which made Republicanism be regarded as a guarantee for public honesty. In a guide book printed in Philadelphia, he found some singular remarks. The author said, that when going through St. James's-park he considered the signs of the times whether the child was not born in the United States who should hear or see that an army of 50,000 men from that country was encamped in Hyde-park, while the American banner floated from the Horse Guards, the headquarters of the American general? (Laughter) At Windso the author, when he saw the standard of England floating from the walls, reflected that probably the child was born who should see that standard give place to the stars and stripes of America. The object of the United States was to spread personal slavery all over America. Under such circumstances ought not the consumption of cotton from in lia to be encouraged rather that Manchester should be involved in the slaveholder's policy?

The Secretary then read a letter from Mr. Douglas Jerrold, who was to have seconded the reolation, expressing his regret that at the eleventh hour he had been prevented from attending the meeting, of whose objects he entirely approved.

Mr. P. A. TAYLOR seconded the resolution, and did The Times the honour of abusing and misrepresenting it on every subject of public discussion throughout a rather long speech. He especially contended for the right of the Swiss Radicals to oppress and destroy their countrymen, and concluded by a high eulogy upon Joseph Mazzini.

Mr. I. Wilson asked how they could speak of themselves as a "free" nation in the resolution, while they were struggling for freedom? The expression was inconsistent with the condition of the working classes. If a man was disfranchised he was a slave to all intents and purposes. The aristocracy of all countries were leagued together to keep down the working classes.

Colonel Thompson approved the omission, and the resolution, as amended, was then adopted.

Mr. G. Thompson, M.O. moved the second resolution :-

"That in order to bring to bear upon the foreign policy of this country the beneficial influence of public opinion, it is of the greatest importance to obtain and circulate accurate and systematic information concerning the political condition and relations of foreign countries, to dieseminate the principles of national independence and progress and to promote a good understanding between the people of this and all other countries; and that these being the people of this and all other countries; and that these being the objects of the People's international League; that association is entitled to our warmest approval and support."

He had joined the association to obtain information, and had their observations been confined on the present occasion to something like a statement of the benevolent and universal objects at which they aimed, and the means they proposed to take for the attainment of those ends, he would have much preferred it. He must express his own individual dissent from certain observations which would have been better dis-pensed with. (Hear.) Such an assoication was a desideration at present. He sympathized with Colonel Thompson's remarks as to that most flagitious war now waging was not the real cause, that the object was to extend slavery from the Frozen Ocean to the Gulf of Panama, he denounced that war as one of the most dishonest and unprovoked that ever occurred-as one of the most stupendous crimes ever committed by a civilized country. (Cheers)

Mr. Linton, in absence of Mr. Williams, M.P., seconded the resolution, which was unanimously adopted.
Thanks having been voted to the chairman, the meeting separated.
[DCK]

LT 1847-11-25-6a

US, Negotiations With Mexico
November 25, 1847

We have received from the Committee of Spanish American bondholders' copies of a mass of correspondents which has taken place respectively between the Mexican Minister in London and Messrs. Schneider and Co., and between the latter parties and the committee. This correspondence may be divided into two portions, the first relating to the custody of certain bonds issued for special purposes at the time of the last conversion, and the second relating to the money held by Schneider and Co., applicable as far as it will go to the purposes of a dividend, and which it has long been contended should forthwith be distributed. To make room for the whole of these documents would be out of the question, and as the matter of the first and most tedious portion may advantageously be condensed, we shall content ourselves by giving an abstract of it, subjoining, however, the whole of the second portion, which relates to a point of immediate importance.

Under date of the 19th October last, the Mexican Minister in London wrote to Messrs Schneider and Co., as the agents in the last conversion of Mexican stock, stating that he had been required by Messrs. Sheppard and son to direct Schneider to receive for conversion 95 bonds of 500l. each (letter d2, 106 to 2,200) for 47,500 l., which they had hitherto refused to do; and the Minister in conveying this direction requested Schneider to "have the complacency no to enter into discussion of the merits of the case, the responsibility of which rests exclusively with himself." To this, on the 22nd of October, Schneiders replied that their only ground for refusing to convert the bonds in question is that they have reason to think they form part of a set of deferred bonds, amounting to 784,350l., "in respect of which a distinct class of new bonds were created (lettered E and for 470,610l.) and deposited in the bank of England." The deposit thus alluded to was made to provide against the contingency of certain bonds which were known to have held by Lizzardi and Co. in connexion with a former conversion having "contrary to the intentions of the government of Mexico" by any possibility found their way into circulation and Schneiders therefore suggested to the Minister that there were two ways of throwing light upon the matter and of removing the difficulty.

"The one is for Messrs. Lizardi to furnish either your Excellency or ourselves with the classes and numbers of the bonds constituting the said sum of 784,350l.; or, if they still decline to do this, then to furnish us with the following particular evidence, which, as your Excellency is aware, we have required from the parties from the beginning, viz.

"The particulars of the old stock for which the bonds held by Messrs. Sheppard and Son were given in exchange.

"The name of the party who presented that old stock to Messrs. Lizardi for conversion, and to whom the bonds in question were issued in exchange, with the date of such issue.

"To adopt one or the other of these modes," the add, "is so simple, and at the same time to reasonable and proper, that to decline doing so only tends to confirm us in the belief that the bonds held by Messrs. Sheppard and Son ought no to be admitted to the conversion."

On the day following the dispatch of this reply to the Minister, Schneiders received another communication from that personage, requiring them to consent to, and assist at, the delivery up, to certain persons nominated by the Mexican Government, of the bonds aforementioned as deposited in boxes at the Bank of England, and of which boxes they hold one of the keys. To this a reply was immediately sent, that the "bonds in question were created for a special purpose, and that they were deposited in the Bank of England in the joint names of the Mexican Minister and of themselves (Schneider) as security that they should be applied to that purpose, if necessary, and no other," and that under these circumstances compliance was impossible.

In due course the whole of the foregoing correspondence was laid by Schneiders before the committee of bondholders, which committee, through their chairman, Mr. Robinson, expressed their entire approbation of the course which the firm had pursued.

Subsequently, another letter was received by Schneiders form the Mexican Minister, dated the 25th of October, enclosing an order from the Mexican Government of the 28th of August last, that the bonds deposited in the Bank of England should be "held at the disposition" of that Government, and announcing that-

"The primitive object of that deposit was to exchange therewith the bonds not converted which might remain in circulation after the general operation of the conversion recently effected. But the Government having reserved to itself the right of disposing of the said deposited sum at the time of granting its definitive approbation of the adjustment of the debt, it not being unnatural to suppose that no bonds existed that should be exchanged according to the understanding in which the deposit was made, and the Government having occasion to dispose thereof for very urgent purposes of the public service as been pleased to resolve, in the exercise of the right reserved to itself in granting its approbation to the conversion of the debt, that the bonds for the value of 470, 61l. sterling deposited into the Bank Of England be immediately withdrawn and delivered to Messrs. Aguirre Bengos and sons, in order that they may dispose of them in conformity with the instructions which are transmitted to them under this date. But as it may happen that, not withstanding the contrary convictions of the Government, some old bonds do exist which ought to be changed for the converted according to agreement, the Government provides for the solution of this difficulty by disposing that in the case supposed new bonds shall be issued for the sum that may be necessary to effect the exchange, on the understanding that for the amount thereof the quota shall be increased by one per cent., which the maritime custom-houses have to supply for the payment of interest until the amount is made up which the new bonds will incur."

To which Messrs. Schneiders replied as follows

"After a careful perusal of the dispatch transmitted to us by your Excellency, we beg to acquaint your Excellency that we see nothing in its contents calculated to remove the difficulties existing to the fulfillment of the wishes of the Mexican Government with regard to the bonds deposited in the Bank of England, such difficulties consisting of facts, and not of opinions. We conceive that the Mexican Government could not have been sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances attending the creation of the bonds in question; it is the object of the long explanatory letter we had the honor of addressing to your Excellency on the 23rd inst. To bring those circumstances under it's notice, and we have nothing further to add thereto on the present occasion."

Here ends the first branch of the correspondence, and thus far Messrs. Shneider appear to have acted in accordance with sound principle and of the benefit of the bondholders, the attempt of the Mexican Government to get hold of a sum of 470,610l. Of reserved bonds in order to throw them upon the markey "for very urgent purposes of the public service" being perfectly of a character with its past proceedings. Of the next portion of the correspondence, however, we are sorry that we cannot see any ground of congratulation for the parties interested. The question is complicated, and the only course for the bondholders would appear to be to bring it to a decision by means of an action (not necessarily an unfriendly one) in a court of law.

Another arrival from the Cape of Good Hope furnishes files of papers to the 28th September. The news form the frontier is not important. Sir Henry Pottinger was on the spot ready to direct the movement of the troops against the Caffres, so soon as a favourable opportunity should be presented. The weather in most of the districts was favourable for agricultural operations. The latest intelligence received at the Cape from England communicated the result of a great number of the elections.

It appears by accounts from Martinique and Guadeloupe, that those islands have entirely escaped the bad weather experienced at Tobago and Trinidad and it is stated that affairs were progressing quietly. The alteration in the administration of the criminal law, which had been brought into operation in Guadeloupe on the 1st of October, is the only fact of interest mentioned in these advices.

The Bankers' Magazine furnishes the returns of circulation of the English private and joint stock banks for the four weeks ending the 16th, 23rd, and 30th of October, and the 6gthof November inst., and gives the following as the average circulation of these banks during the past month, viz.
[DCK]

LT 1847-12-1-8b

America: Meeting at Lexington on War with Mexico
December 1, 1847

The following appeared in part only of our yesterday's impression.

Liverpool, Monday, 8 o'clock p.m.

By the Royal mail steam-ship Caledonia, Captain Lott, we have advices from New York to the 15th Boston to the 16th, and Halifax to the 18th inst., respectively.

The Caledonia had brought 150,000l. In specie on freight.

Our accounts from the city of Mexico state that everything was quiet.

Pena y Pena was still at Queretaro, where he had succeeded in assembling 71 of the deputies of the Mexican Congress, who had decided that they would positively resume their sittings on the 20th ult. It was said that a majority of the deputies had decided in favor of an amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the two governments.

Pena y Pena had also directed circulars to the six governors of the Central Mexican States, requesting them to repair instantly to Queretaro, for the purpose of holding a special council, to consult upon what amount of men and munitions of war could be raised, with the view of continuing hostilities, and also at the same time to calmly deliberate upon the propriety of the said continuance of the war

The Mexican Government has superseded Santa Anna's command of the army, and General Rincon has been appointed to fill that command.

Santa Anna loudly protested against this violation of his rights as the first magistrate of the nation, as he styles himself. He refuses obedience to the orders of the Government, and in the mean time has retired to Tehuacan.

Atlexco had been taken possession of by the United States troops. It was stated, also, that Orizaba had surrendered.

The health of the United States army is far from being good. The climate of the valley of Mexico is not, it appear, congenial to the constitutions of the south. It is just as enervating and fatal to the southern as is that of Vera Cruz to the northern constitutions.

The French mail steamer New York put into Newport on the 12th inst. Short of coal. She arrived at New York on the 14th inst.

At a Public meeting at Lexington the following resolutions, offered by Henry Clay, on Saturday, the 13th of November, were unanimously adopted:

"1. That the primary cause of the present unhappy war existing between the United States of America and the united states of the republic of Mexico, was the annexation of Texas to the former; and the immediate occasion of hostilities between the two republics arose out of the order of the President of the United States for the removal of the army under the command of General Taylor from its position at Corpus Christi to a point opposite Matamoras, on the east band of the Rio Bravo, within the territory claimed by both republics, but then under the jurisdiction of Mexico, and inhabited by its citizens. That the order of the President of the removal of the army to that point, was improvident and unconstitutional, it being without the concurrence of Congress, or even consultation with it, although it was in session; but that Congress having, by its subsequent acts, recognized the war thus brought into existence without its previous authority or consent, the prosecution of it became thereby national.
"2. That in the absence of any formal and public declaration by Congress of the objects for which the war ought to be prosecuted, the President of the united States, as chief magistrate, as Commander in Chief of the army and navy of the United States, is left to the guidance of his own judgment to prosecute it for such purposes and objects as he may deem the honor and interest of the nation to require.

"3. That, by the consent of the United States, Congress being invested with power to declare war and grant letters of marque and reprisal, to make rules concerning captures by land and water, to raise and support armies, to provide and maintain a navy, and to make rules for the government of the land and naval forces, has the fullest and most complete war making power of the people of the Unites Sates; and so possessing it has a right to determine upon the motives, causes, and objects of wars when once commenced, or at any time during the progress of their existence.

"4. As the further opinion of the meeting that it is the duty of Congress to declare, by some authentic act, for what purpose and object the existing war ought to be further prosecuted/ that it is the duty of the President, in his official capacity, to conform to such a declaration of Congress; and if after such a declaration the President should decline or refuse to endeavor by all the means, civil, diplomatic, and military, in his power to execute the announced will of Congress, and in defiance of its authority, should continue and prosecute the war for purposes and objects other than those declared by that body, it would become the right and duty of Congress to adopt the most officacious measure to arrest the further progress of the war, taking care to make ample provisions for the honour, the safety, and security of our armies in Mexico in every contingency/ and if Mexico should decline or refuse to conclude a treaty with us, stipulating for the purposes and objects so declared by Congress, it would be the duty of the Government to prosecute the war with the utmost vigilance until they were attained by a treaty of peace.

"5. That we view with serious alarm, and are utterly opposed to any purpose like the annexation of Mexico to the United Sates in any mode, and especially by conquest; that we believe the two nations could not be happily governed by one common authority, owing to their great difference of race, laws, language, and religion, and the vast extent their respective territories, and the large amount of their respective populations; that such a union against the consent of the exasperated Mexican people, could only be effected and preserved by large standing armies and the constant application of military force; in other words, by despotic sway exercised over the Mexican people in the first instance but which there would be just cause to apprehend might in process of time be extended of their people of the United States; that we deprecate, therefore, such a union as wholly incompatible with the genius of our Government, and with the character of our free and liberal institutions; an we anxiously hope that each nation may be left in the undisturbed possession of its own laws, language, cherished religion, and territory, to pursue its own happiness according to what it may deem best for itself.

"6. That, considering the series of splendid and brilliant victories achieved by our brave armies and their gallant commanders, during the war with Mexico, unattended by a single reverse, the United States, without any danger of their honor suffering the slightest tarnish, can practice the virtues of moderation and magnanimity towards their discomfited foe; we have no desire for the dismemberment of the republic of Mexico, but wish only a just and proper fixation of the limits of Texas.
"7. That we do positively and emphatically disclaim and disavow any wish or desire on our party to acquire any foreign territory whatever for the purpose of propagating slavery or of introducing slavery from the United States into any such foreign territory.

"8. That we invite our fellow citizens of the United States who are anxious for the restoration of the blessings of peace, or if the existing war shall continue to be prosecuted are desirous that its purpose and object shall be defined and known/\; who are anxious to avert present and further perils and dangers with which it may present and further perils and dangers with which it may be fraught; and who are also anxious to produce contentment and satisfaction at home, and to elevate the national character abroad to assemble together in their respective communities and to express their views, feelings and opinions on the subject.
[DCK]

LT 1847-12-2-4c

US War in Mexico
December 2, 1847

If nations do not avail themselves of the lessons now read to them by the people of the United States, they will be neglecting one of the most salutary examples ever afforded by one country for the benefit of all. Unjust war and dishonest intrigues have already produced their fruits of popular embarrassments and Ministerial perplexities, and they are not rapidly tending to national confession and exposure. By the resolutions which we published yesterday, unanimously adopted at a numerous meeting of American citizen, upon the address of one of their most respected countrymen, it will be seen with what spirit the measures of the Washington Cabinet are likely to be canvassed; and the correspondents given in another of this days columns may supply some means of judging Mr. Polk's policy will promote that personal success with a view to which it was apparently calculated.

Matters are perplexing enough as they stand, for the Americans have played out their last card and are still as far as ever from the game. Mexico is conquered, as far as a country can be conquered by arms, but it still bears no kind of semblance to the conquest the Americans would make of it. Now, however, Mr. Polk has to justify his war, a task considerably more difficult than even that of directing it; and it will be seen by the report we referred to how very little disposition there is on the part of his judges to blink the question or curtail the trial. In a few days Congress will assemble, and the President will then be called upon to explain upon what grounds, and for what objects, the war has been carried from Matamoras to Mexico, what is sought by its further prosecution, and what reasonable hope there is that the end thus sought can be obtained. Hither to it has been a private speculation of his own. By orders dispatched on his own authority he commenced active hostilities on the Texan border, and though Congress was induced, for the safety of the national troops, to lend a conditional ratification to his act, yet it did not surrender in perpetuity the powers of irresponsible peace and war. Now, accordingly, Mr. Polk must render an account of his deeds; and, failing his justification of the late campaigns, he will be compelled to terminate, not without dishonour, the war he has so recklessly prosecuted.

The trial occurs at an unfortunate season. Success might have covered a multitude of faults, and though it would probably have sown seeds of discord in the Union more radically calamitous than the costs of a war, yet it would have been enveloped the authors of the mischief in a protective cloud, and would have diverted public scrutiny from the policy of the Administration till a time when it would have been too late to revive it. But Mr. Polk will have to explain, in the session which commences next Monday, not only his measures, but his misfortunes. He has to account not only for a crime, but a blunder. We can commiserate his fate perhaps to some extent, for he could hardly have been expected to calculate on those peculiar elements of resistance which have destroyed his project. He, doubtless, never conceived that it would be requisite to fight for 18 months, still less than the exertion would be attended with so few results. He had formed his own ideas of certain acquisitions, at the expense of an imbecile neighbour, to signalize and glorify his reign, nor did he imagine that the cost would ever rise to an amount comparible with the returns. Could he have presented himself to Congress with the prize in his hands, he might have perhaps have sagaciously counted on swamping all considerations of policy in calculations of produce, though the resolutions of Mr. Clay and his friends show that there would still have remained in some quarters integrity proof against the dazzling delusion. But, unhappily, his first throw was an unfortunate one, and like many a speculator he proceeded to another and another, still confident that each successive investment would enable him to recover his losses and realize his gains. The result has been that his total expenditure has at length reached such a height as irremediably to exceed the value of the recoverable stake, and now, when his predicament is such that he cannot possibly be a winner, he is summarily called upon to account for the funds entrusted to his care.

It will be an edifying thing to see, subjected to the ordeal of a Parliamentary debate, a case which would not bear the discussion on an extempore convention. The arguments to which, in the mouth of a Mexican Commissioner, General Scott, with all the might of conquest on his side, found it impossible to reply, must now be met by the ingenuity of a Cabinet in the fair field of a Congress. Mr. Polk will have to defend the policy of an expensive war, commenced on principles essentially unjust, and prosecuted for an object, the intrinsic desirability of which is denied by many, and the value of which is admitted by all to be below that of the cost incurred. He will have to frame a reply, in plain words, to a question which he has hithered to blinked, and which he hoped ultimately to have escaped. He will have to confess publicly to motives, which are very easy to understand but very hard to acknowledge; and all this he must do in the face of opponents who have very clearly shown both their information and resolution, and with the aid only of supporters disheartened and diminished by ill success.

What does he in Mexico? Is he there to assert the legitimate boundary of Texas? Why then claim the whole expanse of California? Is he there to demand California and New Mexico? How then does he demand them--by purchase or surrender? If by surrender, why does he employ the mockery of negotiation? If by purchase, why open the bargain by massacring the vendors? A trial which is now pending at Washington, amongst various instructive disclosures has developed the fact, that an officer of the States was informed in an official dispatch only two months after the commencement of the war, that it was "The object of the United States, under its rights as a belligerent nation, to possess itself entirely of Upper California." We have very little inclination to doubt the assertion herein contained, but will Mr. Polk actually confess it? Or, if he does so, what will he do with the alleged casus belli on the Texas border?

No explanations are so perplexing as those which are asked for to convict the speaker rather than to inform the querist, which are demanded as confessions rather than communications, and on subjects where every single hearer is prepared for every possible evasion. There is hardly a decently informed person in Europe or America who is not as precisely acquainted with Mr. Polk's policy as if he had been a party to its construction; and there are few, perhaps, without some malicious satisfaction at the predicament to which it has brought him. If he could prove, against the law of nature, that his schemes were justifiable, he would yet have to prove that they were feasible, and again, that they were expedient, two propositions which are contradicted by his more sagacious countrymen as flatly as they are refuted by the suggestions of common honesty. One-half of America still remains unoccupied and unsettled at a time when all this cost is incurred for an increase of territory, and it has now been shown by experience that no Mexican territory can be ever retained but by such a force as would altogether demolish the profit of the tenure. To all this long indictment of injustice, incapacity, and ill success, Mr. Polk has now to plead, and in so far as the condemnation of his policy may redeem that of the States at large, it will be impossible to repine at his conviction.
[DCK]

LT 1847-12-10-4e

US and Mexico
December 10, 1847

It is one of the most serious evils of war that, in addition to the burdens and calamities which hostilities impose and inflict on the nations engaged in them, the whole policy of a state is materially affected by the bent of the public mind in this direction, and all the natural resources of the country, its leading men, and its political institutions, are diverted from their natural course by the exigencies of the public service, or by the passions which aggressive warfare is apt to excite. A few years ago when the United States still held fast to the pacific principles of the illustrious fathers of the commonwealth, no one could have believed it possible that ere long the single question of war would predominated over all the acts and deliberations of the American people; yet at this moment such is the undoubted fact. For many months past, our own attention has been involuntarily drawn away from the ordinary occurrences in American affairs to discuss the miserable incidents of the invasion of Mexico, and to narrate the progress of what might be more aptly described as a hunt than as a campaign. What meanwhile has become of the United States? The political life of that great and enterprising people has not been suspended by the irruption of a few thousand sharpshooters across the Rio Grande, and the proportions which the Mexican war has assumed are not in reality very much beyond those of our own annoyances in Caffraria. If Popocatapet were to open and swallow General Scott and all his army, they would hardly be missed; JONATHAN would still go ahead; another wave would break along the coast; and, probably, Mexico would again be conquered. But the effect of this war on the nation, which engaged in it, on the men who prompted it, and on the parties, which must now defend it, is matter of far more serious consideration than the achievement of a triumph over an unresisting foe. Accordingly, we find, that the Mexican war is the one political question, which is the test of parties and the standard of Government at this time in the United States. Finances, tariffs, public improvements, and all the other topics which have figured at various times in the announcements of a candidate or the controversies of an election are all engulfed in the sole consideration of a state of war, which it is equally difficult to terminate and to protract. Under these circumstances, the annual session of Congress is about to commence. At the time we write the PRESIDENT'S message, containing probably no announcement of the much-desired peace, has already been delivered; and, moreover, the note of preparation has already sounded for the presidential election of next year, which is to place a successor to Mr. Polk in the chair of the state.

The experience of the last few years has certainly demonstrated to an extent which had not been anticipated the extraordinary and overwhelming importance of the choice of a PRESIDENT. Be he child of accident or of faction, known or unknown, distrusted or adored, the power of the President of the United States for the time being has proved to be well-nigh unlimited, at lest by any constitutional checks, as long as he takes care to command the support of the multitude. He is possessed of infinitely more than the power of a constitutional King, and he holds that power by tenure far more certain in its duration than that of any constitutional Minister. In deciding upon the men who are to fill the offices of President and Vice-president of the Union, the people of the United States do practically submit the destinies of their country for four years to the control of certain individuals; and experiences has shown that this control may be so judiciously exercised as to accomplish all the objects of absolute power, with a very distant risk of the penalty of impeachment. It becomes, therefore, of paramount importance, not only to the American Union, but to the world at large, to know whether the next President of the United states is to pursue the policy of Mr. Tyler and Mr. Polk, whether he is to flatter the passions of the people by aggressive war, and to extend his political connections by the patronage of the army and the commissariat-or whether the choice of the people will be on the next occasion sufficiently enlightened and deliberate to arrest a course of policy which is injurious to the true welfare of America and to peace of the world.

The cause which is identified with the true principles of Government in America and the sound and honourable portion of the institutions of the Union is represented in its old and eloquent defender, Mr. Clay. It is melancholy to think that a few hundred votes of an ignorant populace given for a different name should have saved Mexico from invasion, bloodshed, and spoliation, and the United States from the burden and disgrace of this war. For so little was this contest provoked or called for by any national cause, that it cannot be doubted that if Mr. Clay had been President of the United States in the room of Mr. Polk, no such occurrence would ever have taken place. Nothing can be more obvious and certain than that this war is as much the result of Mr. Polk's own choice and will as he himself in his office the result of the choice and will of the Democratic Party. Had its termination been as rapid as its territorial success, it is probable that all the moral and political considerations which are suggested by this war-the loss of life, the waste of treasure, and the abuse of authority-would have been lost in the acclamations of a people rejoicing to welcome a victorious army; and even now, if within the few months which elapse before the great election of 1848, a peace is concluded on terms which cannot but be advantageous to the United States, it is to be feared that military influence will prevail, and General C. Scott or General Taylor will pass from their Mexican camp to the head of Government. Very likely they will prove to be men of more sobriety of judgment And moderation of policy than the party which brings them forward or the men who have employed them on their present enterprises; but the fatal lesson will be taught and not forgotten that military services are the shortest path to civil distinction, and that the Presidency of the nation belongs to the first soldier who is employed on active service.

We apprehend, on the other hand, that personal dignity of Mr. Clay, the truth and wisdom of his principles, and even the experience of the last few months, will not prevail with the majority of the American people, unless any unforeseen reverses or an indefinite prolongation of these hostilities should exasperate them against the party with which the war originated. So that in reality the election for the next President is quite as likely to be decided on some Mexican field of battle, or in some Mexican conference on the preliminaries of peace, as in Fanouil-hall or the Capitol at Washington. It would require something more than the virtue of modern republics to punish the men who have increased its power, because they have impaired its principles; and from the commencement of these transactions Mr. Polk has evidently speculated on the war as the best use he could make of power for his part and for himself. Mr. Clay offers no bribes to the vanity or ambition of the people; on the contrary, he repudiates and denounces the schemes which are entertained by others for the acquisition of territory and the extension of slaver; but we fear he is speaking a language known only to a generation of nobler and wiser men, an that he like others who shared his opinions, will spend their latest breath in denouncing evils which they cannot avert.

The conquest of Mexico will remain the conspicuous mark of Mr. Polk's administration; but it will prove a no less conspicuous mark in the internal history of his country; and we cannot venture to entertain hopes that the Whig party will have the strength to subdue tendencies at once so seductive to a democracy and so fatal to the purity of its Government.
[DCK]

LT 1847-12-18-5a

AMERICA: US and Mexico
December 18, 1847

[The following appeared in part only of our yesterday's impression:-]

LIVERPOOL, Thursday, Half-Past 8 P.M.

By the Royal mail steam-ship Acadia, Captain N. Shannon, we have advices from New York to the 30th ult., Boston to the 1st inst., and Halifax to the 5th inst., respectively.

The Acadia did not leave Halifax until the 5th inst., having been detained between that port and Boston by dense fogs.

The Acadia has brought a large number of passengers, and 90,000l. in specie on freight.

The Hottinguer, Captain Bursley, from New York, arrived today with 30,000l. in specie on freight.

The packet ship Roscius, which would leave New York on the 1st inst., was expected to take 22,000l. In specie on freight for England.

Our advices from Mexico are unimportant. The capital was quiet. The Mexican Congress was assembling at Queretaro. The election of a President would be the first proceeding, for which post Pena y Pena, Almonte, and Herrera were spoken of.

Santa Anna was at Tebuacan, whence he intended to defend himself for the charges brought against him. What these charges are is set forth in the following letter from Mexico:

MEXICO, Oct. 17
"A most strange state of things exists in regard to Santa Anna. He has been ordered for trial before a court martial upon charges of the most heinous character. It is not only alleged against him that he abandoned the city on the night of the 13th of September last, with his army, in a most cowardly manner, leaving the city without protection, but that previous to his leaving he robbed the Treasury department of all bonds and every other species of available means; and to cast off all suspicion from himself, he then ordered that the prison of the Accordada be opened, and it's convicts be let loose upon this community. This was done."

A new party is said to have been formed in Mexico with the designee of forming it into two great states, and annexing them to the United States.

It was rumoured there that the states of San Luis, Zacatecas, Durango, and one other, had declared in favour of Paredes's monarchial scheme, and proffered him 18,000 troops.

The United States troops were rapidly advancing towards the Mexican capital, and garrisoning the intermediate posts.

It is stated that Padre Jarauta, the chief leader of the guerrilla forces, had applied to General Patterson with peace negotiations.

A frightful steamboat collision had taken place on the Missouri. Forty passengers were drowned.
[DCK]

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

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©2005 Linda Arnold