benefits, has brought nothing but humiliation before strangers, misery, and, if we succumb, our slavery and that of our children. The federal constitution was sanctioned in 1824, by the constitutional congress; let us turn and read its glorious manifest, and then hate more and more the authors of our disgrace. Let us then declare an eternal war to the death; thus should the people do who rise against their oppressors. Let our voice be unanimous; liberty or death to our tyrants, and triumph will crown your efforts. This plan which I have this day announced to my regiment has no other object. To save Mexico or perish is our resolution. God will help us; for his providence only, in wrath, has given these tyrants dominion over us. These are the sentiments of the northern frontier, and those of your fellow-citizen and friend, CAMARGO, February, 1846. ANTONIO CANALES. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I avail myself of a chance opportunity to Corpus Christi to report that I have advanced to this point with the cavalry and 1st brigade of infantry. The 2d brigade encamps to-night about seven miles in my rear; the 3d brigade about nineteen. I shall concentrate all my force on reaching the Little Colorado, thirteen miles in my front, so as be prepared for any contingency. I am happy to say that all the corps of the army are in fine condition and spirits, equal to any service that may be before them. Within the last two days, our advance has met with small armed parties of Mexicans, who seemed disposed to avoid us. They were, doubtless, thrown out to get information of our advance. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp 3 miles south of the Arroyo Colorado, March 21, 1846. SIR: I respectfully report that my forces are now concentrated at this point, the 3d brigade having joined me to-day. We are nearly north of Matamoras, and about 30 miles distant. The Arroya Colorado is a salt river, or rather lagoon, nearly one hundred yards broad, and so deep as barely to be fordable. It would have formed a serious obstruction to our march had the 1 enemy chosen to occupy its right bank, even with a small force. On the 19th, the advanced corps encamped within three miles of the ford, and a reconnoissance was pushed forward to the river. A party of irregular cavalry (rancheros) was discovered on the opposite bank, but threw no obstacle in the way of examining the ford. They, however, signified to the officer charged with the reconnoissance that it would be considered an act of hostility if we attempted to pass the river, and that we should, in that case, be treated as enemies. Under these circumstances, not knowing the amount of force that might be on the other bank, I deemed it prudent to make dispositions to pass the river under fire, for which please see my "orders," No. 33. orders," No. 33. At an early hour on the 20th, the cavalry and 1st brigade of infantry were in position at the ford, the batteries of field artillery being so placed as to sweep the opposite bank. While these dispositions were in progress, the party that had shown themselves the day before again made their appearance. I sent Captain Mansfield to communicate with the officer in command, who said that he had positive orders to fire upon us if we attempted to cross the river. Another party then made its appearance, and passed the river to communicate with me. One of them (who was represented as the adjutant general of the Mexican troops) repeated substantially what had been sent before, viz: that they had peremptory orders to fire upon us, and that it would be considered a declaration of war if we passed the river. He placed in 'my hands, at the same time, a proclamation of General Mejia, issued at Matamoras a day or two previous, which I enclose. I informed the officer that I should immediately cross the river, and if any of his party showed themselves on the other bank after the passage commenced, they would receive the fire of our artillery. In the meantime, the 2d brigade (which had encamped some miles in my rear) came up and formed on the extreme right. The crossing was then commenced and executed in the order prescribed. Not a shot was fired; and a reconnoissance of cavalry, sent immediately forward, discovered the party which had occupied the bank retreating in the direction of Matamoras. Agreeably to my orders, they were not molested. The cavalry and 1st and 2d brigades of infantry, with a train of two hundred wagons, crossed over and encamped at this point, three miles distant, at an early hour in the afternoon. I have thought proper to make a detailed report of this operation, as being the first occasion on which the Mexicans have shown themselves in an attitude decidedly hostile. It has also furnished an excellent opportunity for the instruction of the troops, and for displaying their discipline and spirit, which, I am gratified to be able to say, were everything that could be desired. I am compelled to remain at this point until joined by the supply train of the 3d brigade, which is unavoidably in the rear. On the 23d, at latest, I expect to resume the march, but am not fully decided as to the direction. While Matamoras is the point to be ultimately attained, it is necessary, at the same time, to cover our supplies, which will soon arrive at Point Isabel. From the best information I'am able to obtain, the enemy is not in force on this side of the Rio Grande. A few rancheros are still on the route hence to Matamoras. It is believed that there may be nearly 2,000 troops in that place, but what proportion of regular troops I cannot state with confidence. The arrival of General Ampudia is expected from the interior, but the accounts I receive of his movements are quite contradictory. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. El General en Gefe de las fuerzas avanzadas sobre el enemigo, á los habitantes de este departamento y á las tropas de su mando. CONCIUDADANOS: La agregacion del departamento de Tejas á los Estados Unidos, promovida y consumada por la tortuosa política del gabinete del Norte, no satisface todavia los proyectos ambiciosos de los degenerados hijos de Washington. El mundo civilizado ha reconocido ya en aquel acto de usurpacion todos los caracteres de la injusticia, de la iniquidad, de la mas escandalosa violacion del derecho de gentes. Indelible es la mancha que oscurecerá perpetuamente las mentidas virtudes del pueblo norte-americano; y la posteridad verá con asombro la pérfida conducta, la inmoralidad de los medios empleados para llevar á cabo la mas degradante depredacion. El derecho de conquista siempre ha sido un crimen contra Ja humanidad; pero las naciones celosas de su dignidad y reputacion, han procurado siquiera cubrirlo con el brillo de las armas y el prestigio de la victoria. A los Estados-Unidos estaba reservado poner en practica la disimulacion, el engaño, las mas bajas insidias para apoderarse, en medio de la paz, del territorio de una nacion amiga, y honrosamente confiada en la 'fe de las promesas, en la solemnidad de los tratados. No se detiene sin embargo el gabinete del Norte en su carrera de usurpacion. No es solamente el departamento de Tejas la presa á que aspira: su codicia se estiende hasta la rivera izquierda del Rio. Bravo. El ejército estacionado hace algun tiempo en Corpus-Cristi, avanza ya para tomar posesion de una gran parte de Tamaulipas; y su vanguardia ha llegado hasta el Arroyo Colorado, punto distante catorce leguas de esta plaza. ¿Que esperanza queda, pues, á la república Mexicana de tratar con un enemigo, que al mismo tiempo de procurar adormecer abriendo negociaciones diplomáticas, procede á ocupar un territoria que nunca podrá ser objeto de la cuestion pendiente? Los limites de Tejas son ciertos y reconcellos jamas han pasado del Rio de las Nueces: Americano ha sal ue los antiguos colo nos, y que el principio de que un pueblo independiente tiene derecho para agregarse á otra nacion, no es aplicable al caso de haber sido esta la protectora de la independencia de aquel, con el objeto de admitirlo despues en su seno: aun cuando fuera dable aceptar como acsioma del derecho internacional, que la violacion de toda regla de moralidad y justicia puede servir de título legítimo de adquisicion; todavia el territorio de Tamaulipas quedaría fuera de la ley de agregacion, sancionada por el congreso Americano, porque ella solo comprende á Tejas independiente, al terreno ocupado por la colonia sublevada, y de ninguna manera á otros departamentos, en que el gobierno Mejicano ha ejercido sin interrupcion su legitima autoridad. COMPATRIOTAS: Con un enemigo que no respeta ni sus propias leyes, que se burla sin pudor de los mismos principios que ha invocado ante el mundo entero para cohonestar sus miras ambiciosas, no nos queda otro recurso que el de las armas. Por fortuna siempre estamos dispuestos á empuñarlas con gloria en defensa de la patria: poca es la sangre que corre por nuestras venas cuando se trata de derramarla para vindicar nuestro honor, para afianzar nacionalidad é independencia. Si al torrente devastador que nos amenaza es necesario oponer un dique de acero, lo formarán nuestras espadas, y en sus puntas agudas recogerán los invasores el fruto de su soñada conquista. Si las margenes del Pánuco se han inmortalizado con la derrota de un enemigo respetable y digno del valor Mejicano: las orillas del Bravo seran testigos de la ignominia de los orgullosos hijos del Norte, y sus profundas aguas servirán de sepulcro á los que osaren acercarse á ellas. La llama del patriotismo que arde en nuestros corazónes recibirá nuevo pábulo con la odiosa presencia de los conquistadores; y el eco de Dolores y de Iguala resonará con armonía ennuostros oidos, al romper la marcha para oponer nues tros desnudos pechos á los rifles de los cazadores del Mississippi. HABITANTES de la frontera: No estamos abandonados á nuestros propios recursos: el supremo gobierno vela infatigable por nuestra seguridad y salvacion. Un ejercito fuerte y aguerrido avanza rápidamente para tomar parte en la lucha; y con su poderoso auxilio. alcanzarémos la mas completa victoria. Pero mientras llega el anhelado dia de emprender la gran campaña para reconquistar todo el territorio usurpado, y que nuestras aguilas estiendan sus triunfantes alas sobre las margenes del Sabina; nosotros que tenemos la gloria de encontrarnos al frente de los invasores debemos servir de barrera impenetrable. Nuestra obligacion es tan grande como sagrada: no hay sacrificio que no debamos hacer en las aras de la pátria. Se trata de defender los intereses mas caros al corazon del hombre: se trata de nuestro hogar doméstico: se trata de nuestras costumbres: se trata de nuestro idioma: se trata de la augusta creencia que heredamos de nuestros antepasados. Todos estos inapreciables bienes desaparecerian, si los invasores llegasan à afianzar su conquista. ¿Y qué Mejicano digno de este nombre podrà resignarse, sin combatir hasta la muerte, á ver degenerar su noble raza bajo la aborrecible dominacion del extrangero? Ninguno: el elevado sentimiento del honor nacional domina en nuestros corazones; y desde los confines mas remotos de la república volarán á conservarlo ileso, millares de heroes alentados con el ejemplo de Hidalgo y de Morelos, SOLDADOS: Ha sonado la hora del peligro conoceis vuestro deber, y sabreis cumplirlo con lealtad y patriotismo. Tengo el honor de encontrarme a vuestro frente, y estoy persuadido del ardor con que deseais el momento del combate. La conciencia de vuestra superioridad os asegura la mas esplendida victoria. Que avance, pues, el enemigo á quien deseais saludar en el campo de batalla: combatirémos, y la corona del triunfo será el merecido premio de vuestro valor y diciplina. ¡A las armas! ¡Viva la nacion Mejicana! ¡ Viva la independencia! MATAMORAS, MARZO 18, DE 1846. FRANCISCO MEJIA. [Translation.] The general-in-chief of the forces assembled against the enemy, to the inhabitants of this department and the troops under his command. FELLOW CITIZENS: The annexation of the department of Texas to the United States, projected and consummated by the tortuous. policy of the cabinet of the Union, does not yet satisfy the ambitious desires of the degenerate sons of Washington. The civilized world has already recognised in that act all the marks of injustice, iniquity, and the most scandalous violation of the rights of nations. Indelible is the stain which will forever darken the character for virtue falsely attributed to the people of the United States; and posterity will regard with horror their perfidious conduct, and the immorality of the means employed by them to carry into effect that most degrading depredation. The right of conquest bas always been a crime against humanity; but nations jealous of their dignity and reputation have endeavored at least to cover it by the splendor of arms, and the prestige of victory. To the United States it has been reserved to put in practice dissimulation, fraud, and the basest treachery, in order to obtain possession, in the midst of peace, of the territory of a friendly nation, which generously relied upon the faith of promises and the solemnity of treaties. The cabinet of the United States does not, however, stop in its career of usurpation. Not only does it aspire to the possession of the department of Texas, but it covets also the regions on the left bank of the Rio Bravo. Its army, hitherto for some time stationed at Corpus Christi, is now advancing to take possession of a large part of Tamaulipas; and its vanguard has arrived at the Arroyo Colorado, distant 18 leagues from this place. What expectations, therefore, can the Mexican government have of treating with an enemy, who, whilst endeavoring to lull us into security, by open-, |