The banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1844-1847, May 20, 1846, Image 2
THE BANNER.
" LIBERTY AND MY NATIVE SOU.."
CHARLES-H7 ALr.EN, 'Editor.
Abbeville C. II., S. C.:
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20. I84G.
Public Meeting!
VOLUNTEERS TOR TEXAS!!
Our country is positively in a state ol
war with Mexico. Our soil actually invaded
by a foreign foe! Point Isabel
surrounded by 10,000 Mexicans 1!
Gen. Taylor's camp on the Rio Grande
is attacked! Citizens of Carolina, Tc
Arms ! and To the Rcscue !
A meeting- of the citizens of Abbeville
Village and its vicinity will be held al
tne i^ourt tiouse, on Saturday tne 2dr<J
instant, at 12 o'clock, for the purpose ol
taking measures for raising Volunteers
for the Mexican war.
The citizens of the District generally
are requested to attend.
The Abbeville Lig/d Infantry have
been ordered out, at 10 o'clock, A. M.
the same day.
Id3 Advertisements omitted in tkii
paper, shall appear in our next.
Several communications have
been unavoidably crowded out this week
but will be attended to as soon as possi
ble.
UCf* The Hon. A. Burt, will accepi
our thanks for copies of the Londor
Times, of 16th and 18th ultimo: also
for important public documents.
We are indebted to the enterprij
ing publishers of the Hamburg Journal
Messrs. Key and Ray, for extras of th<
Journal, containing late and importan
news, extracts from which will be fount
in another column.
Hurrah for the Typos !?Forty-fiv(
nrintero Viatro i? TMnur
|/?SU?rVBV MMVV I VlHUkUVI UU 111 i-l^vv VI
leans.
53" O. H. Wells has, on account o
ill health, Tetired from the editorial chaii
of the Greenville Mountaineer, and hi;
place has been filled by G. F. Toavnes
Esq., who makes his editorial bow ir
the last number of the Mountaineer.
53" The greatest excitement seemi
to be extending itself over the country
In Charleston meetings were held on
the 15th and 16th instant, to raise volun
ujers ior Mexico, at which there was a
great deal of enthusiasm manifested
and we learn the work of volunteering
is going bravely on there. Edgefield is
also moving, and volunteers ar<
subscribing their names, and are read}
to start for the scene of action. Augus
ta, also, is marshalling her gallant sons
eager to win laurels in Mexico; an*
even in old Abbeville our young mei
are volunteering. In less time than i
month, judging from the present move
ments throughout many of the States
an armv of more than nnn ...:i
. J ""J""" ",v" >Y 11
be raised and ready for service.
Congressional?The till appropria
ting ten millions of 'dollars and autbori
zing the President to receive fifty thou
sand volunteers for the Mexican wa
has passed both Houses by large ma
jorities. Mr. Calhoun refused to vot
for or against the bill, upon the ground
that Mexico had not formally declarei
war against us, and perhaps this wa
only an outbfeak of some of her mor
turbulent citizens which she had not au
. thori?ed and would not sanction.
- 'Mexico.?The latest news from th
teat of war, extracts of which will h
Mf** in another column, is importan
Gei*- Taylor's camj
; aSW myfal) ^ gnnday, the 3d instant
f P^PPS"11' m the repulse of th<
2 to 70(
tamoras; the loss upon the American
side was only one, a surgeon, who was .
killed by a shell, so completely were
they fortified. The gallnnt Captain
Walker succeeded in delivering his
message to Gen. Taylor, informing him
of the pcrillous situation of Point Isabel,
upon the receipt of which, he determined
to cut his way through to that place, but
he met with no opposition. The Mexicans,
during his absence, attacked the
camp, supposing the forces he had
marched off would render the taking of
the camp entirely practicable. The
Mexican forces are estimated variously
at from 10 to 20,000. Capt. Thornton's
romantic escape has proved untrue,
and he is still a prisoner in Mexi,
co, with Capt. Hardee and the remainder
of the officers and privates who survived
thfi firrlit T'o
? ?q wmjjv. x o. uuic^ who
wounded which caused him to runaway
with his rider, and in leaping a precipice
fell on him, where he lay for several
hours in a state of insensibility,
' and was thus taken. Capt. Hardee,
after finding retreat impracticable, and
! upon the assurance of the Mexican Ge
ncral that he and his men would be
^ treated as prisoners of war among chri^
stian people,surrendered.
' The next news from Mexico will be
looked for with great interest, as it was
Gen. Taylor's intention to fight his
way back to his camp ; the Mexicans of
: course would endeavor to prevent this,
' and consequently a general engagement
and perhaps a bloody one would follow.
f - =a
From the Hamburg Journal?Extra.
s Xmportaut from ?&\ishCngtou.
, Declaration of AVar against Mexico!
$10,000,000 APPROPRIATED!!!
| We lay before our readers important
. I r *
l intelligence irom Washington Uity, on
i the reception at that place of the news
, of the outbreak on the Mexican frontier.
TEN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
_ were immediately appropriated by Congress,
and placed at the disposal of the
' Executive ; and he is also authorized to
' accept the services of FIFTY THOU.
SAND VOLUNTEERS to carry on
the War!
We also lay before our readers so
* much of the President's Message, on
* transmitting the intelligence to Congress,
as we deem important.
f Our readers are also referred to an
r account of a battle between a large body
3 of Mexicans and a company of Texian
, volunteers, under Capt. Walker, who
t were on their way to the relief of Point
Isabel.
Gen. Worth passed through this place
on yesterday evening, 14th inst., on his
way to rejoin Gen. Taylor's Camp?
having withdrawn his resignation. We
understand he has received a letter from
the army, informing him of the safety
' of Capt. Thornton and Lieut. Mason,
' who our readers will recollect were sup'
posed to have been killed by the Mexicans.
J
Extracts from the Message
OF TIIE PRESIDENT OF TIIE UNI1ED STATES.
1 To the Seriate and,
^ Mouse of Representatives
The existing state of the relations be1
tween the United States and Mexico,
renders it proper that I should bring the
;, subject to the consideration of Congress.
\ In my message at the commencement of
your present session, the state of these
relations, the causes which led to the
i- suspension of diplomatic intercourse be[.
tween the two countries in March, 1842.
and the long continued and unredressed
wrongs and injuries committed by the
r Mexican government on citizens of the
l* United States in their persons and proe
perty, were briefly set forth.
s As the fact3 and opinions which were
i then laid belore you were carefully considered,
I cannot better exnrp??
# t r "'J F??"
8 sent convictions of the condition of afb
fairs up to that time than by referring
i- you to that communication.
The strong desire to establish peace
with Mexico, on liberal and honorable
e terms, and the readiness of this governe
ment to regulate and adjust our boundat
ry, and other causes of difference with
that power on such fair and equitable
principles as would lead to permanent
> relations of the most friendly natqre, in9
duced me in September last to seek the
) re-opening of diplomatic relations be
tween the two countries. Every mea
.
'
sure adopted on our part had for its ob- r
ject the furtherance of these desired re- x
suits. In communicating to Congress a
succinct statement of the injuries which c
we had suffered from Mexico, and which t!
have been accumulating during a period r
of more than twenty years, every ex- i
pression that could tend to inflamo th?
people of Mexico, or defeat or delay a I
pacific result, was carefully avoided, t
An Envoy of the United States repaired j
to Mexico with full powers to adjust
every existing difference. But though j
present on the Mexican soil ; by agree- s
ment between the two governments, in- 5
vested with full powers, and bearing ev- 1
dence of the most friendly dispositions, I
his mission has been unavailing. The ]
Mexican government not only refused
to receive him, or listen to his propositions,
but, after a long continued series <
of menaces, have at last invaded our ter- 1
ritory and shed the blood of our feMow !
citizens on our own soil.
*#*##*
The grievous wrongs perpetrated by
Mexico upon our citizens throughout a
long period of years, remain unredressed
; an/1 solemn treaties, pledging her
public faith for this redress, have been
disregarded. A government cither unable
or unwilling to enforce the execution
of such treaties, fails to perform one
of its plainest duties.
Our commerce' with Mexico has been
inmost annuuiatea. It was formally
highly beneficial .to both nations ; but
our merchants have been deterred from
prosecuting it by the system of outrage
and extortion which the Mexican au
thorities have pursued against them,
whilst their appeals through their own
government* have been made in vain.
Our forbearance has gone to such an
extreme as to be mistaken in its character.
Had we acted with vigor in repelling
the injuries inflicted by Mexico at
the commencement, we should doubtless
have escaped all the difficulties in
which we are now involved.
Instead of this, however, we have
hppn PYPrtinrr nup
?-"'Q UUL UI/SI CIIUII3 IU UlUJJIllate
her good will. Upon the pretext
that Texas, a nation as independent as
herself, thought proper to unite its destinies
with our own, she has affected to
believe that we have severed her rightful
territory, and. in official proclamations
and manifestoes, has repeatedly
threatened to make war upon us for the
purpose of reconquering Texas. In the
mean time, we have tried every effort at
reconciliation. The cup of forbearance
had been exhausted, even before the information
from the Del Norte. But
now, after reiterating menaces, Mexico
has passed the boundary of the United
States, has invaded our territory, and
shed American blood upon American
soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities
have commenrfid. nml thnt ??rr? no.
tions are now at war.
As war exists, and notwithstanding
all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the
act of Mexico herself, we are called upon,
by every consideration of duty and patriotism,
to vindicate with decision, the
honor, the rights, and the interests of
our country.
Anticipating the possibility of a crisis
like that which has arrived, instructions
were given in August last, "as a pre
cautionary measure," against invasion,
or threatened invasion, authorizing Gen.
Taylor, if the emergency required it, to
accent volunteer!?- not from Tprasnnlw
J J ? J J
but from the States of Louisiana, Alabama,
Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky
; and corresponding letters were
addressed to the respective governors of
those States. These instructions were
repeated; and in January last, soon after
the incorporation of" Texas into the
union of States," Gen. Taylor was further
" authorized by the President to
make a requisition upon the Executive
of that State for such of its militia force
as may be needed to repel the invasion
or to secure the country against apprehended
invasion." On the 2d day of
March, he was again reminded, " in the
event of the approach of any considerable
Mexican force, promptly and efficiently
to use the authority with which
he was clothed to call to him such auxiliary
force as he might need." War actnnllt.
?? *
tu'iu^ cAisuug, anu uur territory aaving
been invaded, Gen. Taylor, pursuant to
authority vested in him by direction,
has called on the Governor of Texas (
for four regiments of State troops?two ,
to be mounted, and two to serve on foot; j
and on the Governor of Louisiana for ;
four regiments infantry, to be sent to \
him as soon as practicable. 1
In further vindication of our rights ?
and defence of our territory, I invoke 1
the prompt action of Congress to recog- 1
nize the existence of the war, and to i
place at the disposition of the Executive t
the means of prosecuting the war with 1
vigor, and thus hasten the restoration of i
peace. To this end I recommend that t
authority should be given to call into i
the service a large body of volunteers to
serve for not less than six or twelve <
A
???mm
nonths unless sooner discharged. A
rolunteer force is, beyond question,more
ifficient than t^ny other description of
itizcn soldiers ; and it is not to be
loubted that a number far beyond that
equired would readily rush to the field '
lpon the call of their country. I furher
recommend that a liberal provision
>e made for sustaining our entire miliary
force, and furnishing it with supplies
and munitions of war.
The most energetic and prompt measures,
and the immediate appearance in
irms of a large and overpowering force,
ire recommended to Congress as the
most certain and efficient mpnm r?f
bringing the existing collision with
Mexico to a speedy and successful termination.
In making these recommendations, I
ieem it proper to declare that it is my
anxious desire not only to terminate ho
stilities speedily, but to bring all matters
in dispute between this government and
Mexico to an early and amicable adjustment
; and, in this view, 1 shall be prepared
to renew negotiations, whenever
Mexico shall be ready to receive propositions,
or to make propositions of her
own.
I transmit herewith a copy of the correspondence
between our envoy to Mexico
and the Mexican Minister for foreign
affairs; and so much of the correspondence
between that envoy and the See
reiary 01 state, and between the Secretary
of War and the general in command
on the Del Norte, as are necessary
to a full understanding of the subject.
JAMES K. POLK.
Washington, May 11 th, 1846.
By the President of the V. S. of Amciica.
A PROCLAMATION.
Whereas the Congress of the United
States, by virtue of the constitutional
authority vested in them, have declared
by their act, bearing date this day, that,
u by the act of the Republic of Mexico,
a state of war exists between that government
and the United States.
mow, merciore, l, JAiVltS K.
POLK, President of the United States
of America, do hereby proclaim the
same to all whom it may concern ; and
I do specially enjoin on all persons holding
offices, civil or military, under the
authority of the United States, that they
be vigilant and zealous in discharging
the duties respectively incident thereto:
and I do moreover exhort all the good
people of the United States, as they
love their country, ?.s they feel the
wrongs which have forced on them the
last resort of injured nations, and as they
consult the means, under the blessing of
Divine Providence, of abridging its calamities,
that they exert themselves in
preserving order, in promoting concord,
i n moin?ainir*/? *V?/\ ?? ? -1
Hi iiiuuiiuimij^ iuu uuiuui uy iiiiu
efficacy of the laws, and in supporting
and invigorating all the measures which
may be adopted by the constituted authorities
for obtaining a speedy, a just,
and an honorable peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand, and caused the
seal of the United States to be affixed
to these presents. Done at
[L.S.] the city of Washington the thirteenth
day of May, one thousand
eight hundred and forty-six, and
of the independence of the United
States the seventieth.
James K. Polk.
By the President:
jamps rnrhnnnn
Secretary of State.
From the Army!
From the N. O. Picayune, May 10.
LATER FROM BRAZOS SANTIAGO.
Fight between Captain Walker, of the
Texas Rangers, and a large body of
Mexicans! Loss of Six Texans??
Thirty Mexicans killed:
The brig Ellen and Clara arrived
this morning from Brazos Santiago,
having sailed on the 29th ult.?one day
latpr than tho cohnnno* Aik?iio??
- ? - ? ? ?i<v OUMUl/IIVA /lUgUClUt
There had been no fight between Gen.
Taylor and the Mexicans.
Capt Walker, a gallant Texian volunteer
and now a captain in the service,
had been driven into the post at Point
Isabel by the Mexicans. With his
small command he bad salied forth and
and encountered the main body of Mexicans?not
less than 1500 strong.
Most of his being raw recruits, refused
to stand by him, and made their escape.
n _! ? i? ~ - *
a wcivu men, uuwever, remained nrm,
and with this little handful, Walker
kept the Mexicans in check for half an
iiour. By this time, si* of his men had
fallen bv his side, when his horse was
ihot under him, and he with the surviving
men effected their escape and
-i i .1 . . ~ .? - " *
cacueu me post at roinfcisaoei J" sai?*
y. Above thirty Mexicans were killed
n this engagement.
t,This engagement occured on the 28th
-/apt Walker got' into the post about 5
# t
o'clock in the afternoon of that day. His
original force, known as Texan Rangers,
amounted to about 75 men.
I The Mexicans pursued Capt. Walker
I in his retreat till they came within
1 ranee of thn mi?c, ?
o (jvn.a vi UlC puaij ?Y11CU lUCJf
in turn immediately retreated.
The post is very strongly defended?
thanks to the exertions of Majors Monroe
and Saunders. With 500 men to
defend the post, it is believed it can be
made good against 3000 Mexicans.
The next day Capt. Walker volunteered
with four men to carry an express
through to Gen. Taylor. The attempt
was thought almost foolhardy, but he
persisted. The result was not known
when tlie Ellen and Clara left.
There arc now about 3000 Mexicans
on the American side of the Rio Grande
?one half above and one half below
ri(>n rr:>irlrvr'o no
? W... A %*J 4V/t o ^auip.
The greatest apprehension now felt
for the American position is, that the
Mexicans may erect fortifications which
will command Brazos Santiago. The
natural formation of the ground is most
favorable for such a purpose. The men
would be effectually protected from any
navul force by a natural embankment
of sand, and the position could only be
carried by actual storm of the works.
These works would perfectly command
all vessels entering the Brazos Santiago,
as they have to follow the channel within
a few feet only of the position which
would be occupied by the enemy's guns.
The schooner Aurora left Brazos
Santiago the evening of the 28th ult.,
with despatches lov this port, but it is
feared she has been lost, in a violent
gain, with all hands on board.
We are indebted for the above particulars,
so hurriedly thrown together, to
Dr. N. T. Briggs, a surgeon in the
army, who came passenger on the Ellen
and Ciara.
The report of the above action, as
bro.ught by the Captain of the Ellen and
Clara, is, that there were seventy-five
men under Captain Walker, who were
1 rly all killed or taken prisoners.
r. Briggs stated to us that but six men
| were fighting bravely by their commanI
dor. Wo hnv?? nnnthpr vorairkr? rvf
affair, furnished by a passenger, which
agrees essentially with that of Captain
Griffin. Both appear to have derived
their reports from the pilot who took the
Ellen and Clara over the bar. The
actionis said by them to have taken place
15 or 18 miles from Point Isabel.
Capt. Walker distinguished himself
in the famous Micr expedition by his
extreme gallantry. Col. Fisher, who
commanded in the expedition and is now
in town, informs us that Walker is as
brave a man as ever breathed?that if
any man on earth can carry through a
message, from Point Isabel to Gen. Taylor,
Walker is the man who can do it
We hope yet to hear that he has succeeded
in his design, though it was regarded
at Point Isabel as utterly desperate.
When the Ellen and Clara sailed
Maj. Monroe had under his command at
Point Isabel 500 men, composed of soldiers,
teamsters, laborers, &c. The
works were then very strong and every
day he was adding to them. He had
two 18 pounders and several field pieces.
He is an officer of great energy and
skill, and was confident oi his ability to
maintain a post against two or three
thousand of the enemy.
For several days an attack on the
post had been apprehended, and the
men slept every night on their arms.
The weather at the Point had been
very agreeable and the men were
healthy, although the water was very
bad. The distance from Brazos Santiago
is about five miles. On the bar
there are about nine feet of water in the
South Channel.
LATER.
From the N. O. Picayune, 12th inst.
Important from the Rio Grande?Gent
Taylor at Point Isabel?Attack on his
Camp?repulse of the Mexicans, and
destruction of Mat amoros !
The steamship New York Captain
Windle, arrived in port on Sunday eve
ning, naving leit tsrazos Santiago
the afternoon of Wednesday, the 6th
inst. Her news is important, and of the
most gratifying description.
Our last previous accounts came
down to Wednesday the 28th ult. Capt.
Walker, of the Rangers, having came
into Point Isabel on the evening of the
38th ult., from his desperate encounter
with the Mexicans, had volunteered to
carry despatches, to General Taylor,
We now learn by the Mew York that
desperate attempt?so desperate as to
be thought fool-hardv?he fullv aiieeep
I ded. Gen. Taylor learned from him tho
1 critical situation in which Point Isabel
was placed, and the eminent danger of
its being carried by an overpowering
force of the Mexicans: He promptly
determined upon a movement whica
should protect Point Isabel, and re-establish
his communication with his sup