American Flag. (Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico), Vol. 2, No. 135, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 22, 1847 Page: 2 of 4
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AMERICAN FLAG.
BY FLEESON & PALMER
WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPT. 22, 1847.
■—* 1 ■ - - J-U-l—JX - Lll- II li 'L
most powerful coercion, and possess, in our volun-
teers, h guerrilla lorce lar superior to any that Mexi-
co, or any other country on the curtlj, can bring into
the field. >
Our Texan Ranker* and Mississippi riflemen are
all marksmen. 'I hey dM out certain death a! a dis-
tance of some two or three hundred yards, and palsy
the arm of the poor ranchero long before he has a
chance to poise his lance. From their habits ol life,
and early training, they are mured to every fatigue ;
and though craving much morefo«j«l than the Mexi-
cans, care but little of what it consists. But, aboTe
all thin®*, thfv ore nperior to the Mexicans in in-
telligence,. quickness rf perception, and firmness of
purpose. Here it is where the qualities ot the race
weigh tearfully in the balance. The Anglo-Saxon
trephns, on this cwnlinent. struck its roots deep in
the north, while its branches art* overhung with the
most luxurious southern foliage. We combine the
iron of the Scythian with the temper of the Castilian
—strength and chivalry—Nimrod and el Cid Cam-
preador.
The two parties, opposed to each other in this
v.ar, are too unequal for the contest to be a long one.
A mere military occupation ot the country might ex-
haust the resouees of our government; but such is
not contemplated by the President and his cabinet.
Our people are eminently a colonizing people, and
tha territory whieh wo now hold, and especially that
which we ineau to retain, will be exploded, settled,
and improved with scarcely more inconvenience to
our troops than is caused by the Indian depredations
occasionally committed on our border settlers.
We are already in possession of nearly every sea-
portion the Atlantic, aud command tha greut arteries
of her commerce. Her ujeans of raising revenue
are in,our hands, and we may, it, we insist upon it,
make ourselves paid for every dollar ot the costs ef
this war. But is it wise and generous tor us to do
so? Shall the whole Mexican people suffer for the
delusion of their leudeis? We believe that this is
iiwl the intention of the administration, and that the
latter, in view of the necessity of living hereafter in
peace and amity with our sister Republics, and for
the purpose of setting the world an example ol Re»
publican moderation, is now willing to conclude a
peace with Mexico on ths same terms as those pro-
posed after tha battle of Monterrey. We have rea-
son to believu that this moderation on the part of
the administration is principally owing to the mild
aud statesmanlike eounsel «f Mr. Buchanan, who
has succeeded in makiug his views prevail in the
Cabinet of the President.
That there is a party, and a strong and growing
one, whicji is for retaining the whole of the conquer-
ed territory, and that if the war continues, a party
may spring up in favor of subjugating the whole ot
Mexico, can hardly b« called m question. But the R y. . .
administration is straining every nerve to opposu it; ujenl *l uanclma, some twenty nu.es
and it will doubtless succeed in its efforts, if success river. Since Col. Hays' arrival here I
attendants present efforts of peace. There it, ne-
vertheless, danger in delay. A moving party in a
republic is always a growing one, and is sure is ac-
quire, in the end, a momentum sufficient to over
We had penned au editorial calling the attention
of our readers to a careful perusal ot an article—
" The Stale wf the country.—Peace or war"—ex»
traded from the Juns number of the Democratic
Review. Waat of space has preveuted us from in-
serting it. We have, therefore, barely to remark
that the political articles appearing iu the Review
are expositions of the views ar.d principles of the
administration ; and this particular article bears the
impress of authority—and subsequent events have
made this fact more evident. We clearly perceive
by this article that our Government at Washington
did not then understand the Mexican character, nor
the existiug state of things in this country. We
hope ere this a better knowledge may have come to
them, and that the United States will show its power
ia verity.
Gun. Cusuinu's brigade remains encamped at
Palo Alto und tho troops are reported in good health-
Transports to convey the brigade to Vera Cruz are
looked for daily at the Brasos, aud as soon as they
arrive it will be moved down and embarked.
Col. Hats broke up his encampment in our vici-
nity, yesterday, aud has established a new encamp-
beiow, on tho
he has learned
that the portion of his regiment constituting the late
command of Major Chevallie, and uow at Saltillo,
is not to join him, but will remain with Gen. Wool.
come th'j inertia of government. The administra-j It is also intimated that Lieut. Col. Bell's present
tion seems to ft»el this, and hence its anxiety to sreni , command, two companies, left at San Antonio, will
the torrent, and to make peaco on the must moder- | ^ ^ wlt!idr#wn fnm Texua Jf go> Co, Hays
ate terms.
We believe, in the first place, that the administra- 1 only five companies of his regiment under
tion is willing to make to .Mexico every passible con- ' his immediate command.
cession in point of form, and to allow the defeated
party in the war to prescribe it own rule of diploma-
tic etiquette in settling the preliminaries of peuce.
It has tor this purpose clothed General Scott, the
commander-in chief of the American army, with
power to treat with the authorities he may find in
Mexico, and sent Mr. Trist, the second officer in
tjie State Department, down to aid aud instruct him
in carrying out the vi*ws of the President. Nay,
should the Mexicans desire to consider a special
mark of attention, Mr. Buchanan, the distinguished
Secretary of State, will himself go down and nego-
tiate in the city of the Aztecs.
As to the cession of territory demanded by the Mexi-
iarts, the United States will not claim it as a forfeit, but
offer to pay for it, so as to acquire it by purchase. We
want a clear title of it; and the administration con-
siders purchase the very best of titles.
The expenses of the war ice will nut claim from the
Mexicans ; and the indemnity which she owes our citi-
zens will be assumed by the government of the United
States. We shall then claim no money of Mexico
in any shape, and are willing to accept lands in pay-
ment of our just demands.
As to the territory to be ceded or sold to u,t by Mexico,
we are of opinion that it will not comprise more than
Upper California ajid New Mexico, and that our gov-
eminent will not insist, as a condition of peace, to the
rightof way across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec ; but
rather mike this a subject for friendly negotiation
between the two sister rcpnblics.
souls, for we can assure them that they have a cer-
tain amount of education to receive during this war,
as there ia a certain amount of knowledge that our
Government is determined to impart to them—it be-
ing necessary for their future welfare—and although
it may cost one course of lessons more than it ap-
peared reasonable to suppose would have been ne-
cessary, we hope they will not become impatient, for
they may rest assured that the " Schoolmaster is
abroad."
The following is the General Circular issued by
the Minister of War and Marine to the command-
ing Generals of the different States:
To General Jest Urrea, Commanding General of Ta-
maulipas.
Excellent Sr.—It is probable that to-morrow at
12 M. the enemy will commence hostilities, in conse-
quence of the refusal of the Supreme Government
to accede to the extravagant pretensions of the U.
States. His Excellency, the President, has ordered
me to advise you of this event. The first Magis-
trate of the nation has never bad the power, nor has
he wished to make concessions derogatory to the
rights and honor of the Republic—and he has, there-
fore, during the time the negotiations were pending,
fanned the flame of national spirit and reorganized
the army. He is therefore, to-day, in an attitude to
repel force by force, which seems to be the only ti-
tle of the enemy to acquisitions which the Supreme
Government never could concede, much less admit
stipulations which had their origin in the law of
force. Your Excellency may rest assured that,
whatever may be the success of our arms, the Gov-
ernment will always sustain at all costs, the indepen-
dence and honor of the Republic.
God andjLiberty! ALCORTA.
Mtscico, Sept. 6, 1847.
Milancholt Death.--We are pained to record
the death of" Mrs. Ferguson, wife of Capt. Fergu-
son, of the steamhost Lama She died on the 17th
inst. at Hanchita, from injuries received by the explo-
sion of the boiler of the Lama, an account of which
was published on the 11th inst. Mrs. Ferguson was
reported not to have been seriously injured by the
explosion, but it appears that she inbuled the scald-
| ing steam, which caused her death. The deceased
was an amiable and kind hearted lady and leaves a
sorrowing husband and a large circle of relatives and
friends tomoura her melancholy death.
For the last few days our city has been rife with
news from the city of Mexico, via Victoria. Wo
understand, slso, that several letters hsve been re-
ceived, the contents of whieh have not been commu-
nicated to us. We publish below a circular, with
appendants, written in the usual bombastic style and
ushered forth with quite a flourish of trumpets.—
With our knowledge of th« character of the milita-
ry chiefs of Mexico—and the ringing of the bells at
San Luis Potosi for the great victory gained by the
To his Exetllcney, the Governor of Turaaulipas:
The Supreme National Government having de-
clined the propositions of the American Minister, as
being exorbitant, hostilities were renewed, and on
the 8th inst. our troops gave a severe lessou to the
hateful invaders, heroically repulsing their assaults
and driving them to their positions. 1 enclose for
your information a copy of an editorial iu the 4,Dia-
rio" of the same date.
This event lus produced an extraordinary enthu-
siasm in the Capital of the Republic, the defence «f
which, 1 have no doubt, will be heroic aud grand,
although the America* army may besiege it on all
sides.
Providence is satisfied with our sufferings and the
days of glory aud consolatios commence to dawn
upon the Republic.
1 congratulate this government on so brilliant an
event and supplicate you to announce this to the
people of Taumilipas, in proper manner.
Accept my attentive consideration.
God aud Liberty, JOSF. URREA.
Tula, Sept. 14, 1847.
Hero follows a «opy of the editorial in the "Diario
del Gobierno," of the 6th inst. alluded to in the above
letter:
" At half-past four o'clock this morning, the Ame-
Wantox Morskrs.—-Ou Monday last two Mex-
icans were shot, in the public stfwl, by a cowardly
ruffian named Thomas McLaughlin, of the Texas
cavalry. We have not heard the full particulars,
but it is said to have been a most wanton act—with-
out the slightest provocation. This act caused the
greatest indignation in tho regiment to which he was
attached, and we are gratified to hear that they ren-
dered prompt aid in having the murd6reit arrested.—
He is now in custody, and wo hope that his punish-
ment may be such as the nature of his crime calls for.
It is time for the strong arm of the law to be put
forth—punishment must follow crime. It sickens
us to record such acts, and we trust ibatthe authori-
ties will show that they cannot be committed with
impunity. Let it not be urged in palliation, that the
man was drunk—drunkenness is no excuse for crime
—it should rather make the offence greater.
A north wind has been blowing for the past week
and the weather is quite oool—cool enough to
make warm clothing not only comfortable but necei-
sary to those who have a regard for their health,
This sudden change in the weather has produced
some little sickness, but we have the authority of
physicians for saying, that no city in the southern
country, equal in population to Matamoros, is mur»
free from disease of any kind. Suit your clothing to
the changes and you may enjoy uninterrupted health
throughout the year.
We attended last ovening the funeral of Maj#r
Ckaki.es C. McRae, aged about 70, a native of !h«
Pariah of East Feliciana, La., but for the last 25
years a resident of Mexico. The deceased came to
this city in June last, from Chihuahua, where he ha
resided for many year#. In his illness he was watchi
ed by kind and sympathising friends, and although
cut oft'by death ia a oity where he was an apparent
stranger, a large procession ef our citizens followed
him to his grave. He has several children r«siding
in his native Parish in Louisiana and one son resi>
ding in Memphis, TeriH«»sce, to whom the intelli-
gence of his death will be sorrowful tidings. W't
ask the New Orleans and Memphis papers to be tin
heralds of the mournful news.
The latest rumor which has reached us is, that the
Mexicans, inspirited bv the news flfGen. Scott's re-
pulse at the Capital, are flying to arms throughout
the country and determined to be in at. the extermi-
nation. Three thou«»nd are reported to be already
embodied between here and Victoria. Guess there
is upwards of considerable exaggeration in the report,
but mischief may he prevented if the movements^
the Mexicans are closely watehed aheut this time'
We have often heard the questie.n—what i* to be
the effect, on Matamoros should the Rio Grande be
ricans attacked our positions at Molina del Rey, im-1 (hf boundary line? The question is more easily
mediately in front ot Chaj ultepec, and not wit h- I '
■ ■ ■ asked than answered. >\e have no precedent lor
standing their numbers and the vigor of the assault,
they were three times gallantly repulsed and driven
back by our braves. More than 1000 dead ol the
enemy were left on the field. Our loss is not one-
half that number, but we have to lament the death of
ihe heroic Col. Don Lneas Balderas. Gen. Don
Antonio de Leon was wounded, as also were several
other worthy chiefs and olfieers. 77ie traitor, Gen'l.
Santa Anna, commanded in person the column whicn
achieved this glorious victory and forced the Ameri-
cans to return to their positions—carrying with thein,
no doubt, tho conviction, that only through rivers of
blood could thoy penetrate to Mexico, and that every
attempt would carry thousands of them to their
graves.
Oa receipt of these communications, the Governor
of this State comes out with the annexed Circular:
Francisco Vital FFRKAnntz, Constitutional Gov-
erncr of the Free and Sovereign State of Tamaulipas,
To its inhabitants:
Fellow Citizens!—The thunder of the cannon has
again resounded in our beautiful Capital, and has an-
nounced to the world that the Mexican knows how
Tho carrying out of thesa measures may require ' that we cannot put reliance in their accounts of the
a new United States loan, out with the certainty ot awful heroism of their officers, and their boasted vic-
peate, the improved credit of all the Slates (Penn- j tmie9 v a carefa) „tmimitioB of- theso b]i.
sylvania taking the lead) the eradication of the ab- rx ,
surd and wicked doctrine of repudiation, and the
to die for his country and his liberty, rather than to
Mexicans at the battle of Buena Vntn, we admit ; euccumb to the tyrrany of the treacherous stranger.
Men of Tamaulipaa! — We have to deplore the
loss of some brave men—but this time it is not sor-
row and wailing alone which follow on the tumult
agricultural, manufacturing, and commercial condi-
tion of the country being fully equal to the most san-
guine expectations of the friends and su pporters of
the present low tariff' of duties, one or two hundred
millions of dollars may easily be borrowed without
Tendering the Government dependent either on do-
mestic or foreign capitalists.
cations, we have arrived at tho conclusion that the
gvtat intent, object and force of these documents is in
the paragraph alluding to the heroic conduct of Gen.
Santa Anna. Santa Anna was unpopular through-
out the Republic—a military influence alone enables
the state of things that will be br«ught about by this
extension of onr boundary. All our previous acqui-
sitions of territory bordered upon savage tribesand
wilderness countiies; but, in the present instance,
we are put into immediate contiguity with a popula-
tion «f upwards of S,000,0u0 people. In this view,
we say that so great a cause cannot exist with-
out producing great effect—and that efTect almoit
immediate. But, to our text.:
What is to be the position of Matamoros under
this new state of things? The City of Matamoros
has unquestionably a most eligible site, and with 1
little enterprise, could he made a beautiful city—i"
climate is certainly delightful; hut with these ad-
vantage*, added to the start that improvements now
existing to the value of several millions of dollars,
gives it—what will be the issue when it enters into
competition with cities that will he planted shore
and below it, on the American side. \* e hold t '5-
the improvements existing in this city—the perma-
nent and long established business houses with 'i'r'r
ramification, thnuphout the interior—place Mata-
moros in an advantageous position to commence I '
him to keep his seat as President. Gen. Valencia , will be crushed, and we shall be free and happy. We
is out upon him with quite a pamphlet, which has I hfvo perhaps at this very moment solved the pro-
y , , , J , , , ! blem, and doubtless now Ihe flag ot Independence
been circulated throughout the nation, phofving that ; wavos pure and unstained, extinguishing the stars of
is ! it was not he (Valencia) but the redoubtable hero of | the degenerated sons of Washington.
notices American contributions for the relief of Ire- j Buena Vista and Cesro Gordo, Santa Anna, at whose Union, Valor andFirmneas! I ue people who
E»*ad vs. Bullets.—Under this head Punch thus 1
Eternal glory to the defenders of our race of competition—but the question arises
not she suffer under a legislation, laws and exaction-'
such as she has been subject to heretofore, render
ing valueless her advantages and paralyzing
•nergies of her citizens.
There will be placed on one side, free from Pr^'
hitory tariffs, exacting custom house officers, &c. <- >
the American merchant—whilst on this side tic)
will be burdened with tariffs and laws, exp'0 e
among enlightened nations and totally nnsuite
of battle !
native land ! Three times have we driven the ene
my back and taken vengeance for the blood of our
patriots, leaving one thousand of the corpses ef our
enemies on the field.
Fellow Patriots!—A few more battles await us
and our independence will be achieved—the invader
land
door the loss of the battles of
»h* llth Tad 20th !^e^en^ their liberties muaf triumph, and we now do
| ' . ; battle for our country, honor, independence andreli-
The Americans having nobly supplied food for the : should be laid. Under these circumstances, a circu- I gion. All these the ^conqueror would tear (rom us.
Irish, we shall look at their flag with increased res-1 lar of this kind was called for—the fame of the I Fortune has smiled on him, but it has only engulph-
this age of improvement—subject, in fact, to a ^
pect. Their stripes shall be to us significant of a
gridiron, and their stars of sugared buns. Glad are
wc to find that the American subscriptions have been
so noblv acknowledged in the House of Commons.
These thanks for bread will go far to keep bullets
Bnoemintu de U I'atria actually required it—true h'm In a career of crimes,
or false. That some engagement or skirmish has ta-.
tral government, although called Federative, ^
feels no interest in common with it, further than a
„ the demands anu
_a Governme^
means of support and pandering t
profligacy of an arbitrary authority
The Lord has seen
the enormity of his transgressions, and his hand is j kV|j' 1 evolution ''l
now uplifted in wrath to smite him. The world j created by a handful of soldiers in a rcvo.
ken place may be true efimi, we have strong donhtB I shall witnessi anel posterity shall learn, in the tri- Capitol, perhaps lasting a single da). s
even of that, for these "braves " of Mexico have j umphs we are to gain, that we know how to preserve
has
out of fashion. The Indian Meal Book is, to our writtcn heretofore so vaingloriously about their well-ilhe immortal inheritance bequeathed to us by the
mind a much more delightful volume than any Ilisto- . j ,u.;, u ..Hinn ihrnniih rivo-o rl Fathers of our country, Ilidalgo, Morelos and Iturbide.
ry of the American IFar-and the directions therein ! fou?ht battles' and lhe,r Waflmp ,hr°Ugh mere of The infamous usurper shall carry with birn an eter-!
written for the composition of hominy cakes and blood," when they have actually been completely"! na| rurRC
dence of the want of interest the Governing ^
ever felt in the prosperity of this frontier c0""^arj
slap-jacks far better than any talk of red^coat tac- beaten and routed, it would require no great act of
tics. Bombs have had their day—let us henceforth , „ t d b ■ , , t Bnt shou|d jt by any
try buns; and wherever America has battered our ; ,J , - ,
ships, let her, for all lime to come, batter our frying possibility be true that the Mexicans have gained a
pans. To paraphrase the pieman, "Brown johnny- momentary advantage, let them not on that account
cakes is in—Congrcve ruc*ets is out. ^ my great amount of flattering unction to their
My Friends!—Know tbat this is not an empty
promise, when I swear, by the names of our sacrifi«
ced brothers, thai I will always be at your side in
the holy undertaking.
Your faithful fellow citizen and Friend,
FKANCISCO VITAL FERNANDEZ.
ivii. sit wiv ['• ""f •'j -*- ,• -g]
that it has attempted to retard rather thsn o ^
its growth—we point to the fact, that but a !f ^ ^
since it had under serious consideration »n' ^
was nearly enacted, to abolish all port* ^ ^
for the F.io Grande. Thus the wants ar ^
venience of a large district of country f0^
tirely sacrificed and a death blow givtI1 tc '
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Fleeson, Isaac Neville & Palmer, J. R. American Flag. (Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico), Vol. 2, No. 135, Ed. 1 Wednesday, September 22, 1847, newspaper, September 22, 1847; Matamoros, Mexico. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth478202/m1/2/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.