a note to the Mexican minister of foreign relations, under date of March last, asking to be received by that government in the character to which he had been appointed. This minister, in nder date of the 12th of March, reiterated the arguments of his , and, in terms that may be considered as giving just grounds to the government and people of the United States, denied the of Mr. Slidell. Nothing, therefore, remained for our envoy but his passports, and return to his own country. y the left bank ing forces of th Con. several othe the facilities afforde Del Norte, for althful militar more abundant antages which posts as n ater. e government of Mexico, though solemnly pledged by official in general, unde that republic and question of difference. Nor was there room for complaint that war, or commit itions for settlement were unreasonable: permission was not our envoy to make any proposition whatever. Nor can it be 123. pecially directed at we, on our part, would not listen to any reasonable terms of army moved fro estion: the Mexican government refused all negotiation, and no proposition of any kind. essage at the commencement of the present session, I informed pon the earnest appeal both of the congress and convention of ad ordered an efficient military force to take a position "between and the Del Norte." This had become necessary, to meet a invasion of Texas by the Mexican forces, for which extensive eparations had been made. The invasion was threatened solely exas had determined, in accordance with a solemn resolution of of that month arri ras, where it e been strengthene established at Poi the encampmen ed to the judgme The Mexican forces 12th of April, C Tarlor to break up ess of the United States, to annex herself to our Union; and, the Nueces rive circumstances, it was plainly our duty to extend our protec-demands, annour er citizens and soil. ce was concentrated at Corpus Christi, and remained there until received such information from Mexico as rendered it probable, in, that the Mexican government would refuse to receive our on. But no oper On that day, G Mexican forces, bostilities comme ns, of sixty-thre from the Amer ertain whether th the river, "be ter a short affair have been su Trevous wrong Taong period of ag her public fai eat either unable perform one of i commerce with e Texas, by the final action of our Congress, had become an t of our Union. The Congress of Texas, by its act of Decem6, had declared the Rio del Norte to be the boundary of that Its jurisdiction had been extended and exercised beyond the The country between that river and the Del Norte had been in the congress and in the convention of Texas; had thus n the act of annexation itself; and is now included within one gressional districts. Our own Congress had, moreover, with mity, by the act approved December 31, 1845, recognised the rond the Nueces as a part of our territory, by including it within venue system; and a revenue officer, to reside within that disbeen appointed, by and with the advice and consent of the became, therefore, of urgent necessity to provide for the de-highly beneficia t portion of our country. Accordingly, on the 13th of January tions were issued to the general in command of these troops to from prosecutin Merican authoriti h their own go occupy the left bank of the Del Norte. This river, which is the south western boundary of the State of Texas, is an exposed frontier; from thi quarter invasion was threatened; upon it, and in its immediate vicinity, in the judgment of high military experience, are the proper stations for the protecting forces of the government. In addition to this important con sideration, several others occurred to induce this movement. Among thes are the facilities afforded by the ports at Brazos Santiago and the mouth of the Del Norte, for the reception of supplies by sea; the stronger and more healthful military positions; the convenience for obtaining a ready and a more abundant supply of provisions, water, fuel, and forage; and the advantages which are afforded by the Del Norte in forwarding sup plies to such posts as may be established in the interior and upon the In dian frontier. The movement of the troops to the Del Norte was made by the com manding general, under positive instructions to abstain from all aggressive acts towards Mexico or Mexican citizens, and to regard the relations be tween that republic and the United States as peaceful, unless she should declare war, or commit acts of hostility indicative of a state of war. He was specially directed to protect private property, and respect personal rights. The army moved from Corpus Christi on the 11th of March, and on the 28th of that month arrived on the left bank of the Del Norte, opposite to Matamoras, where it encamped on a commanding position, which has since been strengthened by the erection of field works. A depot has also been established at Point Isabel, near the Brazos Santiago, thirty miles in rear of the encampment. The selection of his position was necessarily confided to the judgment of the general in command. The Mexican forces at Matamoras assumed a belligerant attitude, and, on the 12th of April, General Ampudia, then in command, notified General Taylor to break up his camp within twenty-four hours, and to retire beyond the Nueces river, and, in the event of his failure to comply with these demands, announced that arms, and arms alone, must decide the question. But no open act of hostility was committed until the 24th of April. On that day, General Arista, who had succeeded to the command of the Mexican forces, communicated to General Taylor that "he considered hostilities commenced, and should prosecute them." A party of dragoons, of sixty-three men and officers, were on the same day despatched from the American camp up the Rio del Norte, on its left bank to ascertain whether the Mexican troops had crossed, or were preparing to cross, the river, "became engaged with a large body of these troops, and, after a short affair, in which some sixteen were killed and wounded, appear to have been surrounded and compelled to surrender." The grievous wrongs perpetrated by Mexico upon our citizens throughout a long period of years remain unredressed; and solemn treaties, pledging her public faith for this redress, have been disregarded. A gov ernment either unable or unwilling to enforce the execution of such treaties, fails to perform one of its plainest duties. Our commerce with Mexico has been almost annihilated. It was for merly highly beneficial to both nations; but our merchants have been de terred from prosecuting it by the system of outrage and extortion which the Mexican authorities have pursued against them, whilst their appeals through their 1 The most energetic anxious desire no cers in dispute b ance has gone to such an extreme as to be mistaken in its xists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by e propositions of sit herewith a nd the Mexica dence between Teae Secretary of W ecessary to a full SHINGTON, May 17 ing the possibility of a crisis like that which has arrived, invere given in August last, "as a precautionary measure" asion, or threatened invasion, authorizing General Taylor, if ncy required, to accept volunteers, not from Texas only, but ates of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kencorresponding letters were addressed to the respective goverse States. These instructions were repeated; and, in Januon after the incorporation of " Texas into our union of States," ylor was further "authorized by the President to make a rebon the executive of that State for such of its militia force as ded to repel invasion, or to secure the country against appreasion.' 99 message was read On motion by Mr red, That so mu with Mexico be that so much thereo s be referred to the On motion, red, That the sa art of the message hich relates to Me the usual number The Vice President la made in complian -nt of the approach of any considerable Mexican force, promptly States abroad, on On the second day of March he was again reminded, despatch or inform tly to use the authority with which he was clothed to call to uxiliary force as he might need." War actually existing, and y having been invaded, General Taylor, pursuant to authority im by my direction, has called on the governor of Texas for nts of State troops-two to be mounted, and two to serve on n the governor of Louisiana for four regiments of infantry, to im as soon as practicable. r vindication of our rights, and defence of our territory, I inrompt action of Congress to recognise the existence of the place at the disposition of the Executive the means of prosewar with vigor, and thus hastening the restoration of peace. d I recommend that authority should be given to call into the ce a large body of volunteers, to serve for not less than six or ths, unless sooner discharged. A volunteer force is beyond ore efficient than any other description of citizen soldiers; and be doubted that a number far beyond that required would to the field upon the call of their country. I further recom , and of opening s" which was re essage from the President: The the Senate to have passed th Wentling. President of the H.R. 65) "maki er pensions of the and for other purp deficiencies of ap fiscal year ending e House of Repres a liberal provision be made for sustaining our entire military R. 55. An act for rnishing it with supplies and munitions of war. R. 111. An act fo The most energetic and prompt measures, and the immediate appear ance in arms of a large and overpowering force, are recommended to Con gress as the most certain and efficient means of bringing the existing col lision with Mexico to a speedy and successful termination. In making these recommendations, I deem it proper to declare that i is my anxious desire not only to terminate hostilities speedily, but to bring all matters in dispute between this government and Mexico to an early and amicable adjustment; and, in this view, I shall be prepared to renev negotiations, whenever Mexico shall be ready to receive propositions, o 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 th correspondence between that envoy and the Secretary of State, and be tween the Secretary of War and the general in command on the Del Norte as is necessary to a full understanding of the subject. WASHINGTON, May 11, 1846. The message was read. On motion by Mr. Benton, JAMES K. POLK. Ordered, That so much thereof as concerns the relations of the United States with Mexico be referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and that so much thereof as relates to repelling an invasion of the United States be referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. On motion, Ordered, That the said message and accompanying documents, with that part of the message of the President at the commencement of the ses sion which relates to Mexico, be printed, and that 20,000 copies in addi tion to the usual number be printed for the use of the Senate. The Vice President laid before the Senate a report of the Secretary o State, made in compliance with a resolution of the Senate, in relation t "any despatch or information received from either of the ministers of the United States abroad, on the subject of a ship canal across the isthmus o Panama, and of opening new channels of communication with the easter nations:" which was read, and ordered to be printed. A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. French, thei Clerk: Mr. President: The House of Representatives concur in the amend ment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 274) for the relief of Charles W Bingley. They have passed the bill from the Senate (S. 117) for the relief o George Wentling. The President of the United States approved and signed the 7th instant a bill (H. R. 65) "making appropriations for the payment of revolutionary and other pensions of the United States for the year ending the 30th June 1847, and for other purposes;" and the 8th instant, a bill (H. R. 179) "t supply deficiencies of appropriations for certain objects made for the servic of the fiscal year ending the 30th of June, 1846."" The House of Representatives have passed the following bills and join resolution: H. R. 55. An act for the relief of William Culver. 2. An act for the relief of Nathaniel Bird. 9. An act to retrocede the county of Alexandria, in the District a, to the State of Virginia. 6. An act making appropriations for the service of the Post artment for the year ending the 30th June, 1847. . Resolution affirming a certain act of the legislative assembly in. and joint resolution this day received from the House of Repwere severally read the first and second times, by unanimous That bill numbered 55 be referred to the Committee of Claims; ambered 111 be referred to the Committee on Commerce; that red 112 be referred to the Committee on Revolutionary Claims; umbered 259 be referred to the Committee on the District of that bill numbered 286 be referred to the Committee on Fithat the resolution numbered 29 be referred to the Committee es. ton, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was bill (H. R. 38) to authorize an increase in the rank and file of the United States, reported it with amendments. ate proceeded to consider the said bill (H. R. 38) as in Come Whole, together with the amendments reported thereto; and 1 amendments having been agreed to, and no further amendosed, the bill was reported to the Senate, and the amendments rred in. That the amendments be engrossed, and that the bill be read e as amended. bill was read a third time, as amended. on, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was re- ate proceeded to consider the amendment of the House of Repto the said bill: and . That they disagree thereto. on by Mr. Archer, to reconsider the vote disagreeing to the said That the further consideration of the motion be postponed row. lution (S. R. 2) in favor of David Shaw and Solomon T. Corser, (S. 49) granting a pension to Richard Elliott, having been the committee correctly engrossed, were severally read a third That the said resolution and bill pass, and that their respece as aforesaid. A message from the President: Th of the Senate to and considered The yeas and nays b Tas determined in That the Secretary request the concurrence of the House of ives therein. motion, ate adjourned. motion by Mr. C 4, the words mination," and |