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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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it Anil I win war , at least in words , ( j ^ jd—should my chance so happen—deeds , ) With all who war with Thought !" « i think T hear a little bird , who sings The people by and by wiil 1 « the stronger , " — -Brant , E ASTERN EUROPE AND THE EMPEROR NICHOLAS . SO . VII . In the Star of the 29 th of November last , ve copied from the Times a long accouut of the
HORRIBLE PERSECUTION OF POLISH jSTJNS , extracted from the yrmft before us . The author of this work was the first to make known in England the horrible atrocities of that persecution , and fur SO doing deserves the thankssf every haterof cruelty and Oppression . In an appendix to tbe third volume ( just published ) , * e find a number of documents on this subject , confirmatory oi tbe account of this horrid iniquity , in reply to the statements of the Russian officials , who have Tainly attempted to rejnte the statements of the principal of the sufferers . Without repeating tbe entire of tbe account given in the Star of the 23 th of Nov . vre may remind our
readers that the nuns of a Basilian conv « nt at Minsk were ordered by tbeir apostate Bishop Siehaszko to conform to the Russian religion ; this they refused to do . In consequence of this refusal , they were seized , bound , driven before the whips of Cossacks , and finally imprisoned in " Greek" Convents . Sere they were obliged to perform the most menial offices , starved , fed on salt herrings and denied water to assuage their thirst , and flogged twice a week . 3 n the convents in -which they were imprisoned , they met with other victims—non-cwifornrist nuns of the same order , who shared in their sufferings . The floggingstook place in open sheds , where the na . &ed victims were exposed tothe view of the brutal
inst ruments of their persecutor . Their flesh was torn off their bodies in strips , and when any sank from exhaustion they were beaten with sticks until they rose again . Some of tbe sufferers died under the repeated flagellations . Others were killed by beinj : beaten with sticks , or met their deaths by being thrown down , kicked , and trampled npon . Another favonrite mode of punishment was that of plunging the victims into a lake , and dragging them through the water until they werejsenseles ? . On these occasions the nuns were dressed in a sort of chemise of cloth , similar to what is used for cam sacks ; a angle sleeve united both arms , and thus prevented resistance ; ropes -were fastened round their necks , and bv these ropes thev were dragged through the
Xake by executioners in boats . These " iarii *" usually lasted two or three hours , after which the victims were suffered to remain all night in their tret chOnng , shivering with extreme cold . Two of the nans were drowned . They were employed to dig out clay , and not understanding how to conduet an excavation , the earth fell in , and buried five of tfeeir number , who rerished in this self-dug grave . They were also employed to serve the masons in constructing a palace for the renegade bishop , and ' while so employed a wall fell , and killed eight of them . One of Hit nuns was burnt aUvc in a large stove , in which site iv-as shut up after being compelled to light the jiffi . The CTQWiring atrocity we will repeat at length .:
—"When the Hessian soldiers , and the newly-made deacons , had been rendered drunk with brandy , all these ielpless nans were tamed out amongst them as inca . laMj * obstinate to treat thi-m as they thought fit , Tlun commenced a scene worthy of Pandemonium—tiie shrieks and prajcrs of the victims mingling with the oaths , blasphemies , and ribaldry of the crowd to whose trrutal last they -were abandoned . When the fary of these demons in human form had been exhausted , it was discovered that two of these
unfortunate females were quite dead . The skull of one had besn crashed by the stamping on the temples of an iron-plated heel . The other was traaspled into such a mass ( if mud and gore , that even its Iranian cbaracter was scarcely recognisable . Eight others had joae or several bones or limbs broken , or thar eyes torn ur trodden out . Of the whole number , the superior , a woman of iron frame as well as indomitable resolution , far **« i the best ; but she was not sdlorrei to attend or console her mutilated sisters except on the condition of apostacy .
They were afterwards marched out of Foleck by night on foot , and chained two by two—even those whose eyes liad been torn oat , and wliose lndeoos wounds were iestwin ? . Those whose legs wa-e broken , or who were lam- , were sent forward in carts nnder the care of Coss _ cs . Afi-r enduring two more vests of torture , of the fiftj-Hisht nuns ( thlrtrfaur from Minsk , fourteen from Vitepsk , and tea from Polock , ) only fourteen survived , and of these eight were either lame or blinded . At length , embracing a favourable opportunity , four of tTiesarvivois effected their escape , and the superior of the convent , Maerexa Mieczislawk 4 , after surmounting great hardships and dangers , at length reached Paris , where she made known to astonished Europe the horrors which herself and her sister-mL-tyrs tad saftered , and which our readers will fiW / 'Bly detailed in these volumes .
The minions of the Autocrat Lave affected to discredit , and attempted to disprove , the story of these abominations . M . de Boutemef , the Russian Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Rome , presented two notes to the papal cabinet , the one before , and the other after the pretended incjuiry into the matter by the Russian Government . In the first " note , " M . be Boutenizf denounced the Abbess MiECzisuOTSKAaaanimposter , and in proof thereof quoted an error of a Polish journal published at Paris , which in announcing the escape of the Abbess aeatinned that she belonged to
a convent at Kqvjho ; this was an error , it should have been Jlmdb not Kowno . The error was corrected in the following number of the paper , but though aware of tie correction , the Russian envoy seizes np&n this error and trianifhaut ' y exclaims , "In order that a persecution could be instituted against the convent of Basilian nuns at Kowno , it would be requisite that such a eonveat should exist ;; but it is certain that no eonvent of Basilian nuns ever did exist in the town of Kowno , nor in the whole extent of the province of that name . ' The pith of the s = cond " note " is io the efieet that no such person as Makresa MiECZKLiwsKi was ever abbess of the convent of
Minsk , or ever known there or elsewhere in Russisa ! Poland . The " note" farther states that " the mother-general of the order , the Princess Ecphho 3 nia Giedtmjs mentioned by her , died at Rome COO years ago . ** The documents contained in the appendix to the third volume of this work , contain full and com-Dlete answers to the fabricated denial of the Russian government . We can find room only for the following extracts from the answer liy the Polish priests at Home , to the second " note " : — The venerable nun whom it pleases the author of the additional note to call " the woman ilieczislatvska" never assumed the title of Ahbess ef the convent of Kowno . We defy the Sussiau diplomatists to cite from among the
numerous persons who have seen and conversed with her since her arrival within the Prussian territories , 3 single TOtuess worthy of credit who heard her take this quality . In the first declaration made before the Archbishcp of Posen , two months before the publication of the article of the journ al the Third of Hay , she took her true title of Abbess of Minsk . The error into which the jonrnal , the 1 hird ofSTag , has falkm , was rectified the next dny bv that jo urnal and by the Uniteri . The author of this second soteis forced to confess that , iu the first note , it was care * fall s concealed that in the said town of Minsk there did exist a convent of Basilian nuns , and to acknowledge that the mother Makrena did not arrogate to herself an imaginary title . Thus : s confirmed by the admissions of Russia lierself the existence of this convent , the reality of which has been wilfully ¦ denied;—thus is confirmed tbe
testimony of theoldinhatttants of Lithuania , and particularly that of the Sisters of Charity at AViina , as well as that of the Marquis de Xarp , an officer who was in tbe service of the French army in 1812 , now resident at Home , all of Tfliom attest the fact from having been eye- ^ ntnesses of it . Driven to speak of tke convent of Basilian nuns at Minsk , the note gives its history frem 1834 , and pretends that at that period it was converted into a hospital . This assertion is compfets / y fake . In 1833 , tbe conveat « ill Belonged to the Basilian nuns , and by the lire which in that jear reduced Minsk to ashes , the convent suffered severely . AU the wealthy inhabitants of the toirn irirnessed the mother Hakrena , with the sisters Wawrzecka an-1 Konorslja , demanding and receiving contributions towarua the reparation of tiie damages their convent kad sustained . It iras cot until 1838 that it was suppressed by the violent expulsion of the nuns .
In the secoud ^ tlace , the note joins irony to falsehood , in affirmiiig that the Princess Enplirosnia Giedymin , who is brought to life in 183 S , dttdat Eome more than six hundred years n * o . We inform the learned author of the note , that Christina Clara Giedymin , who took the oami orEupbrosina on becoming » nun , was visitrtss general of the order of Basllian nuns ; that she is the person de-Bisuatea U 33 sr ; he us : ac o ? a' 3 * h- > ' general , £ title which
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was given to her according to custom , and that she it was who perished miserably wh « n she was being conveyed to Siberia . It will be seen the author of the note is little versed in genealogies , although he pretends to have consulted them . It will not be out of place to make him acquainted with that of thenun whom he persists in calling the woman IKeczislawska . MakrenaMiecaslawska b longs to a distinguished family of Poland , allied to the princely family of Wistgenstein . She is the daughter of Joseph Miecaslawska atd Anna Jagiello , daughter of Casimir and
Hedwige . She was born at Stokllsski , the estate « : her parents , in the ancient palatinate of Troki , iu 1784 . She i 3 not the onlymcmberof herfamily who hag suffered for religion . One of her brothers , CalLxt Mieczi * lawska . who took the name of Onuphrus on entering the order of Saint Basil , was , on his refusal to forsake his religion , put into a cart and bo tightly bound that he perished on the way to Smolensko . T woof his companions ; SzozerbivlsKiand Chryanowsfci , aiedwithhimin the same cart ; and a fourth , Zo ! ko * vski , expired on arriving at . Smolensko . We nill add that the mother KafcreM
entered the order of Saint Basil at the age of twentythree , in the convent of Eiala , of which her maternal aunt , Isabella Jagiello , was abbess . Several months afterward * she went to the convent of Minsk , where she remained and performed almost all the duties of the establishment until the moment when the abbess Kuk-sra , having become infirm , Makrena took her cnarge fur three yearB , and succeeded her as nbtcss in 1 S 23 . In her quality of abbess , she was presentat the election of the abbesses of Wilna and Bereswecs . We have destroyed one by one the allegations of tbe additional note , and we deliver the new errors with which it is filled , as its most cruel condemnations , tit the indignation and contempt of all upright and impartial minds . Borne , April , 1846 .
But it will be said , admitting these cruelties to have occurred , is it just to charge Nicholas with the responsibility of acts which probably were the result of the barbarous zeal of his servants rather than of any commands direct from himself . Not so , the Tsar beard of these atrocities , for the victims petitioned him for mercy , which was sternly refused except on condition of changing their religion . In the published narrative of her sufferings , the Abbess sayat—The nuns baring addressed a petition to the Emperor Nicholas , received for reply the following ukase , which was read to them by the schismatic bishop . "UKASE .
" All that the Archi-archUireliticy («• e . three fames archbishop ) Siemaszkohas done , and all that he shall do for the propagation of the orthodox religion , I hereby approve , confirm , and declare holy , holy , thrice holy ; and I order everybody not to dare to resist him in any . thing . 1 also order the military authorities , in the event of any resistance \ vhat 3 oever , and on the single request ¦ of the Archi-arehi-archivey Siemaszko , at all times , and in all places , to furnish him as great an armed force as he shall request , and I sign this ukase with my own band . Siohot . as T "
When he had finished , he showed us out petition to the Emperor , in which jve had protested that we were willinc to abandon to the government our property and the pension promised us on leaving Minsk , but which bad never been paid ua ( about three sous per week ) , to renounce everything , in short , prevised we might bealiowcd to die in the free exercise cf our religion . Sieroaszko unfolrted the petition in the same way that he had unfolded the uliase , and with the same hand that held the paper he gave me so violent a blow with his fist on my f * ce that for nearly a year I could not speak distinctly , the cartilages of the upper part of my nose having been grievously injured . "I -will teach you , " cried he , still threatening us , — "I will teaeh you to
write to the Emperor !" Included amongst the documents given in the "Appendix" is a letter of a Russian , M . Bakoc-K 1 XE , to the ConstitutionneZ newspaper , in which , answeringthe question , " VVas it possible that the Emperor could have commanded these atrocities f" he says : — "The condemnations and executions which I have mentioned were all sanctioned and ordered by the Emperor . He certainly did not order Siemaszko to break the jaws of the poor nnns , but he ordered him to act with all the severity of the Russian lawp , I am convinced that if the emperor had any decided wr < il to prevent snrli unjust and sanguinary ecenes of violence from being enacted in his empire , all these atrocities would not have taken place . " The writer of this letter g ives an account of the religious
persecution of the Roman Catholics and United Greeks . similar to that which appeared in the Star of last Saturday , and narrates some acts of the thrice aroh-< levil Siekaszko ( of -which the writer was an eyewitness in the year 1 S 38 ) , which shows that monster to be quite capable of all the atrocities imputed to him by the Abbess Mieczislawska . In commencing M « letter , the writer says— "lam a Russian , and I love my country . It is oh this account that ray best wishes , like those or " many other Russians , are offered up for the success of the Polish insurrection . The oppression of Poland is disgraceful to my country , and ils liberation might prove the commencement of . " This Js significant , and corroborative of the statements lof the author of this work as to the revolutionary spirit gaining around even amongst the Russians themselves ,
The author of this work absolves the Russian church from all general participation in these persecutions . Left to its own impulses the Greek Church ia Russia is one of the most apathetically in different to the conversion of the heterodox , and therefore is unmoved by that religious fanaticism which destroys the body in the belief that it is saving the soul . These persecutions are part of the system , the object of which is to Russianise Poland , and make all'who crouch beneath the Tsar ' s sceptre , the slaves of his spiritual as well as temporal tyranny Bravely does the author of thi 3 work denounce the base sycophancy of the English court and aristocracy in paying homage to the child-killing , woman-niur derin * tyrant : — * ' At tile time that these harmless
and helpless women were undergoing their inhunur and protracted martyrdom , the Emperor Nicholas , thejanthor of this I diabolic persecution , was r « - ceived ^ witb welcome ^ on our En glish shores ; and his apslogists should blush to remember , that whilst defending him , these poor females ( and heaven Jrnoi-s iow many more ) were expiring in the most eruel tortures , mere raits in the multitude of victims sacrificed to uphold a system which is not even intended to benefit nation at tbe cost of one another ' s suffering , but solely to further the interest of one family , —the family of Romanoff , in which the father ias murdered Hie son , the wife her husband , and ' the son eve n in ike present generation connived at the assassination of the fattier . "
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THE TARSOW MASSACRES . ( From the Reforms of the 27 th of May , ISiO . ) The following at last is the report of an eye-witness who comes forward to attest on tree French soil , the horrors with which the Austrian governmenthas polluted its qwu fame , in unhappy Gallicia . Until this very day , nothing has reached us nut Hitt mangled reports , which found their way through tlic German nec-spapers . The document we now publish , wul remain eternally annexed to the condemnation which all mankiuu ought to pass upon that government of as-• assins . We call upon the independent nswspapcr-press to reproduce it . Xo fear of its ever being contradicted ,
auedtobe entertained . Maj . r Todolkcki ( PodoMiki ) is an honourable citizen , whose testimony is entitled to the full COnfifieHCe of all honest men . Here is his letter , it is impossible to refrain from Bhudderin" at its ptl'UMu " Having succeeded in escaping from Austrian butchery , and Austrian gaols 1 icel it to bemy sacred duty towards bo many unhappy victims , to trace a faithful account of those horrore , of which I happened to be an cye-wituest , - . I shall relate merely what I have seen myself without any admixture ot even the most antbeniie verbal reports ; but I have seen only a minimum part of a catastrophe unheard of in the history of crime .
After leaving temberg on the ICtli of February , when passing on tbe 19 th through the village of lonlova , in ike district of laslo . I was surp rised at the emotion eausw in the minds of the inhabitants by vague and foolish 111-mours arising from unknown sources , purporting that iu tbe village of Demborzhin , ( Dcr « hor : y , i ) ( he votes were massaereinj the peasant ?;} . Several inhabitants of I 01 Ilova hastened thither , asd returned of course without having found the least disturbance ; but these rumours were a melancholy and premedi tated preclude to the storm of the succeeding day . Having reached 011 Use evening of the same day , the mansion of .... from which the owner was absent , I resolved ia common with JI . Alexander Zdzinski , who h&d arrived before me , to remain there for the night .
Ou the following day I hud , in order to reach the object of roy journey , to rifle over the same way I had come the day before . Reaching lodlova , I fouud there a crowd armed with scythes , pikes , and flails , at first 1 supposed this to he a revolutionary outbreak , burst forth before the appointed time ; but I was soon bitterly undeceived , as the crowd surrounded me , howling , that they were acting bji tirtue of an order of tot goomnnmt , I asked them in vain to briug me before the lord of the village , or before the land-steward * They replied : " you are nil rascals , you wish to slaughter the people ; we have already arrested two of yonr kind . " Luckily for me , theiiwo-eof the village arrived , and ordured me ( o bis kn to Dciuborahin , to the Commissary of the District f who had remained there since the morning iu search of susp , cted persons .
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During this short trip , several peasants , whose milita ' appearence seemed toptintthemoutasdiamlwed soldiers , proposed several times to getrid of me instantly , in order to escape the trouble of escorting me further but the litfffM objected by placiDg himself in" inr sledge ' and ' accompaHying me to Demborzliin . In this last place several hundreds of armed peasants filled the courtyard , and the avenues of the mansion , t was introduced into tbe house of the land steward . Soldiers kept watch in the lobby . gendai-mes ( fmmt-mtU ) filled the parlour , and in presence of the commissarj , M . Hayrofslsi , ( MajioiosUj and of an officer of infantry , they were breaking open the chests and drawers , because the land steward bad in his flight taken the keys with him . *
After the usual questions about my name and surname , my rank or profession , and the object of my journey , the commissary caused mu to be transferred to an adjoining room , where I found two young men in irons . The gendarmes searched my boxes and my dress , and although they found nothing which could lead to any su . i " picion , M . Hayrofski intimated to me that I was to be taken to Iaslo , the chief town , of tbe district . In the afternoon we resumed our journey . The caravan , composed of several vehicles and sledges , contained , besides , M . Hayrofski , the commissary , an officer , ttrenty-four soldiers of infantry , about ten gendarmes . M . Bobrofski , { Sobrowshi , ) the proprietor of the place , several women , children , a priest , two young men in fetters , and myself . I was placed between two gendarmes , who watched over every movement I made .
Thus ire traversed two or three villages before wo reached the highway between Silsiu- and Iaslo . The villages and all the roads and by-wajs were guarded by armed crowds . At every moment the commissary and the gendarmes stopped to give secret instructions to the peasants . At the ford of Iavorzhe ( Jaworze . ) a bloody scene made me shudder : two mutilated corpses lay on a peasant's sledge without horses , left at a small distance off the high . road . One of these victims was still breathing : it was AT . Kuntzel , ( Kunztf , ) a chief wood-keeper in the irqiehbourhoad . After crossing the river we met tvith three peasants on beautiful horses . As soon as they perceived the bayonets of the soldiers they hastened to join us and to deposeiuto the hands of the officers of Government several pieces of silver plate and dresses of both 6
Further on we found bands moving an the vicinity of tlm high-road in divers directions , as if in search of 9 ome . body . Whenever they perceived us they joined the caravan , to disencumber themselves of their booty . Before the inn of Kamienista ( Kamienkii ) the crowd was very numerous . Our caravan stepped . M . Hayrofski alighted from his vehicle , and immediately two unhappy ladies threw themselves at his feet to implore his intervention to save the life of a man who was the son of one of them , and the busbnud of the ether . A little < vhile after the unfortunate * * * sustained by the ladies , came out of the inn , but with a face « o disfigured and mangled that his features were notrecognisable . He tras put into a sledge as well as a wounded old man and * ej > t uuder an escort of a gendarme , iu to a neighbouring mansion ; the ladies followed on foot , The gendarme soon returned and related that the mansion , where he had left the wounded and the ladies , was . completely ruined and contained neither furniture , doors nor windows .
Sesidcs these victims , five corpses were found by us in the inn Of Karaenitssa . A friend of mine , M . Victor Bosush , ( Bogvss , ) was one of them . He was still breathing when we arrived , but he expired soon after . One of the assassins boasted loudly before the commissary , M . Hayrofski , and in presence of the whole caravan , of having killed SI . Victor Bogush . " Yes , M . Commissary , " said he , "itismjself , Thomas Iardis , from the village of Kamicnitza , who killed Bogush with my own hand , I , who for ten years have served the Emperor . " The commissary and the gendarmes talked familiarly ami politely with these brigands . It was very late whe-n we arrived at Iaslo . I was confined in the town prison with two other prisoners , who were suspected of revolutionary proceedings , and were in irons , notwithstanding the strength of this nrison walls and the numerous watches posted at every outlet .
On the following day I was brought into the govcrnnv ' g hotel . There , another commissary . If . PaTbutchknlEki , ( PajavshowsH ) drew up a written examination against me , and as tbe papers found on the preceding day in my valise pave proofs that I had legal affairs to attend to at the tribunal at Tamow , and as moreover tivo government officers who knew me personally , deposed in behalf of . my personal identity , I w . 13 let out of prison and had a pass * port given to me for my returning home to the district of Zlotcuof ( Ztozzoin ) . But this I did not intend to effect as called elsewhere by duty , I resolved therefore to prolong my stay , in which I succeeded under different pretences , until the 2 G : h of February , although M . 1 ' rshybvlski , ( P «!/ % Idfci ) the captain of the district of Iaslo (*) , hnd
himself commanded me to leave the place . During the interview I had on the occasion with this base « nd sanguinary man , I gave him an accouut of the deeds of horror I had witnessed on my ivay to laslo , of the frightnil expressions of the assassin Thomas Iardas , and of the facility with which a stop could be put to all these atrocities ; the peasants obeying still blindly the government officers , the soldiers and the gendarmes . lie fell into a rage and exclaimed : " You have willed it yourself , gentleman ; I will have no pity for you . " Vainly I objected ( Rat his sentence could not refer to me , as I did not belong to his district and as I had for the hVsttime In my life the pleasnre ' of seeing him . He threw a timer ' s look at me and replied : "Bah ! gentlemen ; you are all alike , I know all ot ' sou well , and therefore be Kino . "
During my stay at Iaslo , more than ten dead and mutilated bodies were brought every Jay to tile town , bfEldefl a great number of wounded . Among tho slain I remtirkvd M . Denkertbe prtprietorof Gosolof , and his son : Si . Alexander Zdzinski ; M . Piershhalla ( Pieaxehala ); a little boy nine years old , whose eyes had been torn out ; several servants , and even foreign working men ; Among the ill-treated were JI . If inceud Tol , one of the stars of our literature : his brother Joseph ; M . Titus Prsheinizki [ Frztnicli ); Madame Pol , the wife of the celebrated author . M . Jordan and his wife ; and M . Alias , ancient French officer under the Frencb empire .
The carts losdedwith prisoners , with wounded or dead bodies , always nnder the escort of the murderers tliemsL-lvcs , stopped constantly before the government hotel , were tbe officers and gendarmes received tlm living , releasing some of them and imprisoning others . The corpses were returned to the murderers for interment oh the spot where the murder had been committed , I saw ajronisinjf wen asking for and rect-iving the sacrament on the wheelbarrow which had brought them before the government hotel and in presence of their assassins who after a while returned ivitlt their inanimate bodies . The most awful wretchedness reigned amongst tie prisoners . The wounded and the dying were heaped without distinction together . It n-as not before the eve of my departure from town that tbe caves were transformed into gaols , by partitioning large subterranean halls into c -lla by fresh brickwork .
Meanwhile the town was fast filling with those who in consequence of the proximity of their abode had sueceeOed in escaping from the slaughter , often by the help 0 / their o \ m peasants . Of their own peasants , I say , aa in this systematic , massacre , each commune' wag eraployed in the extermination of the inhabitants of game neighbouring mansion , but never of their own masters . Whenever the peasants showed a determination to save the life of their master , several other communes were summoned to combine together iu order to orcreome tho resistance .
It is an extremely false and erroneous opinion which ascribes these horrors to the revenge of the peasants against the oppression of ' their masters , Tbe countl'ygentleman in Galiciu was SO isolated , so thwarted in all fiie proceedings by the influence of government , that he t-ould do neither good nor harm to the pcas-nts . No other oppression but that of the Austrian was possible . In fiue the landed proprietors in Gnlicia were so far from being inclined to oppress tliuir peasants , that they expressed ut each Diet at Lembcrg , the wish of omancijrot-1112 tlicse selfsame peasants .
Thsre is not-the slightest doubt that the Austrian Government organised the slaughter by means of this calumny as atrocious as it was absurd , Hint the gentry wereconspb ing for Hie extermination of the peasants , In th e first moments the thirst for pillage did not enter into their motives , as hc peasants gave . up the whole booty to tlio gend ! irra ? s and Hie civil officers , bdiuviiiK ihnt they were acting in legitimate self-defence ; alike in Uiis case to the people of Jerusalem , who in their sacrilegious blindness slaughtered their prophets , they mun ' em ! the very men who were labouring to give them liberty , propertv , and political existence .
On the 2 Gth of February tbe martial law was proclaimed at Iaslo , and orders were given to the suspected to leave the town bufon : three o ' clock in tbe afternoon . To describe the terror si t > d the despair of tho UufortunntC , who , driven from tliis last refu- 'e , were given up to the mercies of sin infuriated mob , which having acquired a « iste for crime , had discontinued to give up the plunder and was ravaging ami pillaging all around for its own profit would be a vain task . Some of those who were placed in this perplexity asked for passports to other Austrian provinces than Oalici . i ; and although the government of the district had no right to give any , they did it nevertheless in order to disencumber the town from all those wham they feared , without having a sufficient pretence for imprisoning them .
The government allowed all these atrocities to be committed against the Polish nobility , by their abstaining from any intervention . It was however enough fora gentleman to be brought thither by tbe peasants , to be treated Jlkea criroinaJ . But tlio g-ovurumeut dared , or willed not to imprison those who had succeeded in escaping . Finding myself in this melancholy situation and judging it to be tbe only opportunity perhaps I would find fjr my salvation . I joined with the others in asking for a pas « port , and obtained one for Prague in . Bohemia , iirre I found means of getting to France , tliia liospitable country which now constitutes the . only refuge for political misfortune . John Podoi . ecsi . From tho district of ZIotctiof .
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• " Captain of district" is a civil executive ofllei : answtring to that of Lieutenant-G » veruor . Husti-colcu-cbee , an Indian chief of tiie Seminota tribe , is dcliveriug lectures tin Christianity in Lonis-? ille , Kentucky .
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80 bn as possible without further encroaching upon Mexican feri'itory , ; p « wf M « J that none but the piratical land jobbera and slave holders for whose sole benefit this demonstration of hostility was nuule , could have been summoned to do common soldier work , make themselves fi > od for powder at eight dollars a month , and after all not find even so ranch" dory in the service as to be thought worthy ot being named in the bulletins of " killed , wounded , and miaaing . " In the name of the LANDLESS we protest against the prosecution of thi * war jor the acquisition of new territory—commenced with tu 9 atrocious design of . " enlarging tiis area of liberty , by extending , strengthening and perpetuating chattel slavery , a system which , even if it be admitted to he less degrading , poverty-creating and inhuman ,
than the " wages' system of slavery , is still a monstrous violation of . natural right , and should be abolished as speedily ' as may be bv some gradual plan of emancipation which would result in tiie colonization of the emancipated on the Public Lands . Toiling lacklandera have nothing to gam by such a war . There are millions of acres of territory , dearly purchased by the blo ' of . our forefathers , now unoocupied , which they dare not to cultivate , even to obtain bread , unless they have bought it from the Government , or from a speculator ; They hove nothing to gain by any war , not undertaken to / ree the laud , but to prevent any but slaves—slaves , weary of toiling for taskmasters who live in palaces which t ' . iey have not built , fare sumpteously on viands which they have not prepared , and are arrayed in garments which they have not manufactured , but which they Iiavo
all , by force and by fraud , by every conceivable means of torture and deception , ( the la-h , thepjllory . the branding iron , the stake , pious sermons in favour of " law and order , " and well thumbed folios of political economy , all full of political cant about the mutual dependance of the labourer and capitalist , and how much gratitude :, the former owes the latter , ) . wrung out of the unwilling labour of their chattels andJiiveliuga—to prevent any but slaves from tilling it . And to the toiling lack-landers , one nm \ ail , who may read this , we say , be not deceived by any frothy declamation about " patriotism" and "honour , " from the war demagogues . Take no part in this murderous Strife , Let those fight for slave territory who would be the owners of the slaves . —Up , up , with the banner , "NO LAND , NOMUSKET , "an < l rally around it , and cling to it , till the ' whole boundless continent" is yours , and you are placed in a position whereyou may proclaim the JUBILEE OFF
RESDOM , the INALIENABLE AND INVIOLABLE HOMESTEAD , throughout all the world , to all the inhabitants thereof .
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OFFICIAL DESPATCHES FROM THE ARMY . The following ' are the official despatches from General Taylor , in which he details the important incidents of the campaUn , from the 7 th to the 12 th instant . The ^ first , dated May 7 , at Point Isabel , merely states the arrival of a detachment of re-Cl'Ulta , and announces his intention of marchine that day on his return to the camp , which be had left nnder the command of Major Brown . . Head Qc / artms , Abmy op Occupation , Gamp at Palo Alto , Texas , Maj 9 , 1846 .
Sir , —I halve the honour to report that I was met noi . r this place yesterday , on my march ftv > m Point Isabel , by the Mexican forces , and after an action of about five hours dislodged them from their ^ osition , and encamped upon the field . Our artillery , consisting of jtwo 18-pounders and two light batteries , was tbe arm chiefly engaged , and to the excellent manner in . which it was manoeurred and served is our success mainly due . Ths strength of tho enemy is belived to have been about 6 , 000 men with seven pieces of artillery and 800 cavalry . His Iops is probably at least 100 k = lled . Our strength did not exceed all told 2 , 300 , while our lose was comparatively trifling ,
four men killed , three officers and 87 men wounded , sereral of the latter mortally . I regret to soy thut Major Ringgold , 8 J artillery , and Captain P . ige , 4 th infantry , are severely wounded , Lieutenant Luther 2 il artillery , slightly ao . The enemy has fallen back , and it is believed has repassed the river . I have advaneed parties now thrown forward in his direction , and shall move the main body immediately . Iu the haste of this first report , I can only Bay the officers and men behaved in Hie most admirable manner throughout the aotioi ) . I Shall llBVe tllC pleasure of making a more detailed report when those ot the different comm ; inder « shall be received . am , Sir ,
Z . TAYLOR , Brevet Brigadier General , U . S , A ., commanding The Adjutant-General , U . S . Army , Washington , D . C .
Head Quaeters Army of Occupation , Camp at Hesaca de la Palma , 3 miles from Matamnra * . 10 o ' clock p . m ., May 9 , 1 « 6 . Sir , —I have the honour to report tliat I marched with the mniii body of the army at two o ' clock to- £ ay , having previously thrown forward a body of light infantry into tho forest which covers the Matamoras roau \ When near the spot where I am now encamped , my advance discovered that a ravine crossing the ro ; sd had been OCCU ' pied by the enemy with artillery . I immediately ordered a battery of field artillery to sweep the position , flanking and sustaining-it by the 33 , 4 ; b , and 5 th regiments , iJtploycd us skirmishers to tl : e right and lefti A heavy fire of artillery antl musketry was Uept up far some time , until nnallv the enemies batteries were carried iu
succession by a squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry that were on the ground . He was soon driven from his position , und pursued by « Fquaiiron of dra : goon * , a battalion of artillery , Sti infantry , and n light buttery , to the river . Our victory fias been complete . Eight pieces of artillery , with a great quantity of ammu uition , three standards , and some one hundredprisoners . have been taken ; among the latter , General La . Vtga , and several officers . One general is understood to hare been killed . The enemy has recrossed tho river , and 1 am sure will not again molest us on tltis bank . The loss of the enemy in Mien has been mo 3 t severe . Ouv own lm been very heavy . { Here follow the names of the officers killed and wounded . ] The extent of wur 1-iss is not yet ascertained , and is rese-.-ve . l for a more detailed report . The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supplement to the ennnonade of yesterday ; and the two taken together , exhibit the coo'nesa and gallantry of our officers and men in the mo 3 t favourable light . All buv «
done their duty , and done it nobly . 11 will be my pride , ia a more circumstantial report of both action ? , to dwell upon particulnr instances of individual distinction . It affords me particulnr pleasure to report that the field work opposite Matamoras has sustained itsulf handsomely during a cannonade aud bombardment of 160 hours- But the pleasure is alloyed with profound regret nt the loss of its heroic and ' indomitable commtmdtv Major Brown , who died to-day from the effect of a shell His loss would be a severe one to the service at any time , bat to tbe army under ray ordci's , it is , indeed , irreparable . One officer anil oho non-commissioned officer killed , and ten men wounded , comprise all the casualties incident to this severe bombardment , I Inadverteutlj omitted to mention the capture of a Jar ^ e number of pack imilus left in the Mexican ramp . 1 am , Sir , ifciv 55 . TAYLOR , Bt .-BrigftiUer-General CommaEding , The Ailjutant-Generalofthe Army , Washington , D . C .
Head Qi'iBTBJM , Arms oy Occupation , Point Isabel , ( Texas , ) May 12 , 1816 . Sir , —lam making a hnsty visit to thi 3 place for the purpose of having on interview with Commodore Connor , whoao squadron is now at anchor oft' the harbour , and arraugiug with him a combined movement up tho rivw . 1 avail myself of tbe brief time at my command to report bat the main body of the winy is now occupying its former position opposite Mmnmoras . The Mexican fi / rceg m-a already disorganised , ami 1 shall lose no time iu investing Mataraoraa , and opening the navigation of the river . 1 regret to repot t that Major HinggoUl died ths morning of the llth inst ,, of tiie severe iroutids received in tho action oi'Pnlo Alts .
Jt has been quite impossible as yet to hirnisli detailed reports of oui * engagements with the enemy , or even ac . curntu returns ot tbe killed and n-ouiulcd . Our lots ii not far from three officers and forty men killed , and thirteen officers and 1 G 0 intm wcumdud ; while that o ( thu cnerny has in all probability exceeded 300 lulled ; mors : than 200 haw been buried by us ou tlm two fields of battle . [ have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to recover thu command of Captain Thornton . The wounded prisoners bave been sent to Matamoras , the wounded officers on their parole . Qtmeral la Vega and a few other officers have been sent to New Orleans , having declined a parole , and will be reported to Mnjor . Ocueral Gaines . I am not conversant with the usages of war iu such oases , » nd beg UmtHuch provision may be made for these prisoners as may be authorised by law . Our own prisoners have been treated with great kindness by the Mexican officers . J . iin , Sir , itc ,
'/ . TXYLOU , Bt . Britf .-C ^ n ., U . S . A ., Commanding , The Adjutant-General of tlio Army , Washington , D . 0 . The following account of the actions of the 8 th antl Ofcli , appear * in the New York Courier and Enquirer . It is dated Camp , near Mjitamoras , May 18 : — We left this place at 4 p . "i . on tlie 1 st , for Point Isabel , to bring up our train or" supplies of provisions and am . munition , leaving tbe fort pmisoiied hy 5 D 0 men umh-r Major Brown . We wsm sooniT than we intended , as \\ v werefearfnl the encmv would uttnclc that place * . We mimshcd until two at mx " W mii (! S >' i ! lW down ° " wins until h > e a . m ., and left for Ijatic ] , reaching'it nt
twelve in . On tho third , the enemy threw over the Rio Grande about tf . OOO men , opened his batteries upon the fort , and remained in-waiting to H ^ lit us on our return , which wo were well pleased wttti . 'I'liL-y llOJlt Ul > tilt bombardment until wo relieved ihe garrison « n tho evt o ! vho lith , having thrown 8 , 000 shoi and shells into tbe work . Our excellent engineer arranged his defences so woll , that only two were killed and two wounded riunn ; .-the whole time , Unfortunately tli'i KiHant Biw . n na * killed while we were fighting our ) usr battle , a « A aV . out two hours before we routed the vnemy . On Uio 7 tU vf istarted back , with a train of over 300 wagons , containing » vnst amount of property , and oxye . atift } ' to fiijiit for illprotection . About 1 p . ui . on the 8 th , when about M ' tcci ;
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iniles from Js : ! h , ; i , tl ) B advanced gUJilfd SSW .. ft pHiTV CT Mexican -ohrcilrv in the skirts of thu chappal'ill . Out' Hue of battl <; wits imniudiatel y formed iu tlio prairie , with eur right resting ou the ehapparal , which first apprOHChes our road ul this point ' ,- We advanced , and soon beciitna Convinced that tho Mexicans were in front in ( treat numbers , and they woe iu position for battle . We wer « immediately formed in the edgo of the wood on our right ; . « nd as about 1 , 000 of the enemy were advancing in battle array , dispositions nere m » de for his reception . We soon , found that this was n-feint ,--and Uiat the mjiin l ) ody ( 6 , 000 ) were off to the . left of the advancing party , and that they hud goniRpiect * of artillery . We aghiu formed our lino in tli ? prairie , supporting our right flank upon the wood , ami moved forward stveral hundred * yard 3 totvitnls the en tun " a nOyancc . As noon" as our train had
arrived anil bi-en park « d , we moved to attack them , with Miijor Ringgold ' s battery of artillery on / the right , Captain Duncan ' s battery ( the one I belong to ) ' on tin ; left , and tWO 18 'poundcr ? in the cciitp . Having arrived within 890 yards oi the enemy , he opened liis battovloa and poured a terrible fire UJiOJi us . Wo waiteu ' . pntwnil . y for a few seconds , in order to see the number nut ! effect of his-guns ; and then our batteries played briskly and beautiful ^ for about two hours upon J > is columns of cavulry and infantry , and caused him to fall back . Our battcrkBpraduiilly . ndvanced , supported by tho infnntry , who unfortunately wa ? not within aiUsket range , and wire exposed to a palling fire without an opportunity of returning it . The 8 th infantry and Captain Jill's cavalry being on the left of Duncan ' s artillery , suffered very severely in this part of the action . About 5 p . m . tbe prairie
took fire on tlie K-ft , from our battery , and extended along our whole line , so that tiie two armies were concealed from each other , and th « cannonading ceased for about half an hour . We had moved forward our wholft line , and were occupying the ground the enemy held at three o ' clock . —General Tornijohn , with a lanje body of lancers , attempted to turn our right and fret : to oot train , but wbb repulsed by the 8 th infnntry , and a portion ofRinggolu ' s artill ry . During the suspension of the firing , the field was cleared of the dead and wounded ; carriages removed and repaired , and ammunition supplied and water procured for the men w \ io were suffering much from thirst , as the whole prairie was in d blaze and the day was intensely hot . Ouv whole force having moved to the right , a severe cannonade was opened from all the enemy's guns upon this portion ' of the Held , and
did a good deal of execution '—Major Ringgol ( 5 , a . mo « t accomplished officer , was mortally wounded , and hift horse shot under him , while supporting this part of our line . This furious onset was evidently made oil our right te draw us there , while the enemy ' * right wing was moving , under the dense volumes of smoke which rolled past us , to turn our left . Happily they were discovered , ami our battery , supported by the 8 th Infantry and Kew' » Cav » Ir , v , moved round the burning giass , and opened one of tho most destructive firea of round shot and Shrapnel shells , that troops were ever exposed to ; and in a few moments from 1 , 300 to 1 , 500 infantry and cavalry , who were formed twice for e , charge , were in full retreat . Each of our shells contained It balls , and they supposed our infantry wure firing , and opened a brigade of infantry upon us . We soon dispersed
them . We killed a great many horEes , and destroy sd one band of musicians by a uhell . At this junflturc uur buttGrieBOtttherighVWvre Cn « rge 0 b , v theenewy ; » id the troops who had juBt put the enemy's right to fUguc , were called to support onr own right . The battalion under Col . CMltis formed square . ' The enemy advanced , delivered his fire , wounding Lieutenant Luther , 2 nd Artillery , and then retreated , receiving in return the fire of the square , and a charge oi grape i'rora the 18-pouiider . Ag it was now long after suueet , und quite dark , the enemy '* fire ceased , and we encamped ibr the night upon the ground where we were , and which the foe held at 3 p . m . The battle began at 3 o ' clock , and closed at baif-puet 7 : and our army behaved in the most gallant manner . Not an officer or soldier flinched ; but on the contrary , they were cool and ardent to be l « d to the fight . Our little army has covered itself with glory . We tnonrn the log » of many brave men—Captain 1 ' age was mortally WoundeA
by a six pound shot , Major Hinggold died soon after the battle . The 8 th infantry ( General Worth ' s regimeut ) lost 22 killed and wounded . Our battery had four men badly wounded—one slightly wounded ; four horses killed—one wounded , and two carriagesiujurod hy their shot , T licshot flew thick and fast , and my horso came neartieiiig 6 ho » under me . I then dismounted , and a 12 pound shot passed within three incheB of my face , aud cut . dona four men behind me . I was never cooler in my whole life , and was satisfied that it was no boy ' s play to fight Mexicans , fof theif flKillery is capital . Our whole force w « s only 2 , 200 , and 10 pieoes of artillery ; and our infontry and cavalry was only brought into action in small nuintera , on ono occasion . Our loss does not amount to 50 , while thatof the Mexican !; was 200 a : sd 400 wounded . Theic dying prisoners , their officers , t fstiv dJioM Mjperfs , and tUtir masses , prove that they had 7 , 0110 men , and 12 pieces of artillery .
In the battle of the next day , 9 th , we captured nine pieces ;—6 , 9 , and 13 poumU-ri )—dismounted one on th * 8 th , and they carried two , tO Slatamoraa in the night . Gen . Arista , one of the first generals in America , wa » present in person , and took a very strong position . AU was of no avail ; and Mexican masses , although well directed , cuuld not prevail against American character . We had few m * n ; but they were good ami true , and achieved results most glorious for our arms . Such was the battle of Palo Alto , or tho battle of th » Iliyh Trees—aBd , taken in connection with the results of the 9 th , furnishes a bright pane in the volume o ; American history . Ou the Oth at dawn of day , the enemy w »» bwp moving slowly off to the right , and appeared to be taking up a new position . We determined to give them batt-U hgaiu , and moved out into the pbin in line of buttle . We
soon found the d « ad and dying in . numbers . Boxes of ammunition , rfllllikttti ! , ( irGSS U 1 p 9 . SWOruH , laflCfB , & *)> , strewed all over the field . We found their hospital , wiiich exhibited proof of the terrible fin * of our guns , new mad * graves , and limbs , & « . We bnlted , sent parties of observation ill advance , buvieti tin ; enemj ' s dead , took care of their wounded , and startvd at two p . m ., for F : > rt Brown . We had yet nine miles of denne ehapparal to pass through , and only one narrow dcfil » te move in , which afforded the eneiry a nunibcr of strong positions for di « - puting our ' advance At three , our advance wan fireu upon , and the armies engaged immediately , anil fought for three hours . The battle of Re ^ aca de la i ' tilms , or the Palm Bovine , which resulted in the entire and compicte rout of the foe , the capture of one general , a number of officers , nine pieces of ordnance , 400 mules witt
their saddles . &c ., all their ammunition , aupplies , bag-Kage , arms , dtc ., and enabled us to sleep on the bank * of the Rio Bravo . Onr loss is about 150 in this battle . Tn » enemy ' s , including those drowned in the RioOrandoin the retreat , not far from 1 000 . They are completely broken up . This was tho finest Mexican army that ever went into the field . The troops came from the city of Mexico , and were well equipped and fought well ; bat not quite HS wtH as ours . In the second battle we only had 1 , 700 men engaged and eight pieces of artillery . - Our batteries were 60 yards apart , aud were in a complete hailstorm of grape and canister-shot . The trees were cut and the limbs stripped off thsir branches imd leaves . It literally rained lead and iron , until wo chiir ^ cel their guns and captured them . We lost a number ofofficenr , and a great many wounded .
On the 13 th of May , after the battle of iirsca de I * I ' alriia , General Taylor visited Fort Polk , whtrc he eonsultt'd with Commodore Conner A joint plan of co-operation was determined upon between the army and the fleet . On the Hth General Taylor returned to his fort , opposite Matamoras , with 700 men , mounted ou ihe hones and mules captured from the enemy at the battle of Bia Grande .
< Jrom the A < w York Herald , May 31 . ) Lalebt Intelligence feom the Seat or Wau . — The steam-ship Alabama arrived at Kew Orletins on the 22 nti instant , in forty-five hours , from Brasos de Santiago . 3 bcsailedther . ee on the lilth inst . Official intPUigence had reached . Point Isabel , of tbe capturo of the Mexican town of Burita , without opposition , by Colonel Wilson , with four companies of regulars « nd three companies of Alabama aud Louisiana voluntobrg . It apjx-ara that General Taylor was to cu . us the Kin Grande ou the 18 tb insc , and invest Ma ( auir > r : is . 3 . 000 Mexican troopHhad
been sent to march out of tha * . city , and as no cannonading had been heard at Voint Isabel , it was supposed ' tbat the Mexicans had ' evni-unU'd the place , and allowed 6 enor : il Taylor to take quiet possession ofthe houses and squares , it is said thut General Smith ami his troops had commenced their march to thu island of Boca Chios , to cross the Hia Grande at its mouth , and . then advanca up i ] wxivPi > . on thu Muxiean side , to form a jurict oirpip * -. bably with General Taylor ' s forces as they cross opposite Matamoras . It is reported that tho Mexicans-are-in * starving condition .
The Mexican People . — The population , of Mexico (•¦ estimated m 9 , 000 , 000 though'it probably does not exceed 7 , 000 , 000 . Though it contutDS several tnixtureB , th » greater portion aro aboriginal Indian ! -. AmoHgst th « rest arc European Spaniards , Creoles , or natives descended f rom Europeans ; Uus-tejoS , or dOBCUnrtantg Of Whites and Indians ; Zambasor descendants of Negroel and Indians ; Muluttoes , or descendants of Whites and Negroes ; mixtures ofthf . su varieties , Negroes , and a few MaiiU 8 fi'Cin China and the ishmris of the Indian Ocean , espectaffy tho Ffii ( i [ i { iiucs .. a ftpunisn colony . Tbe LVegroes are not nmmr . w , as slavery was never extensive in the Spanish contintntul colonies , anil was
abolished on t / ie separation of Mexico from Spain , iu 2810 . In character , the Indians , v . -lio constitute soveij-tuntilB of this whole population , arc intelligent , docile , peaceful ,, rather industrious , aud very ingenious in mechanic arti , ' . ¦ si > eeially those of psiinii-. ig , carving ami moulding . They ;> re gviitle , U ' mil , and bespit abla ; ami though internpvratL * , liliu all tha American Indians , north or south , they exhibit no v ; oieist or ferocious proptsiiBiiies when intoxicated . They exhibit capacity for improvement under good government , ami would quarrel with no government that protected Ilium in person anil property , anu en » euurat'ed them in developing tlieir resources , mental and physical .
The Rancbbros oi- Mexico . —The lUoalkevot , ^ artof lue material of U \ & Moiiciwi army , aru luilf liuHw » nd half Spanish iu their extraction ; g ^ iut , Shrivdlud , ; nougfe muscular in their frames , uud diuk and swarthy visage * as they are , these inca arc the Ara&s of the ^ merioaa continent . Luiiife-hnlf ut'tiie time iu the n&iidle , for they art * miriviilltii iiorgeuivu , * Uh Ihsso 1 » hand th * j traveiW the vnst plains in search » i tUe bun ' wlo and wild horgt . The WlUug of the » e animals and the preparation end flal « of their hides are their soluineuns of livelihood . Their costume generally eonsikts of it pair of tough liiua ' tf ffff in » , « ith sandals of the su ' we atftferial , bound tocoJoor With
Fovzimx Ihobement^
fovzimx iHobement ^
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* The hind-stewards in Gallieia , are officers acting under the controul of government . t A rural police-divcctor in Austria .
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T I 1 E : WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES . AND MEXICO . The intelli gence from the United States relative to thfi war with Mexico , which haB reached us by the Britannia steamer , is interesting and important . Two battles have been gained by General TayJor , though tho disparity of force on his side waa Tery great . The first was fought at a place callsd Palo Alto , or " The High Trees , " on the 8 th of May , and in this action the Mexican army was estimated at ujmai'da of 6 , 000 men , whilst tliat of Qeneral Taylor amounted to only 2 , 300 ; the loss ofthe Mexicans was stated at about 200 killed and 400 wounded ; that of the Americans , amongst whom were two or
three oiheers of distinction , did net exceed fifty . . The second battle , which may be looked upon as a continuation ofthe first , took place at the Resaca de la Palma , or "Palm Ravine , " close tothe Rio Grande , both actions occurring in the rear of General Taylor ' s original position in the bend of that river , opposite Matamoras . In the last affair the loss of the Mexicans exceeded 1 , 000 men , and Gen . Yega , who held a command , was taken prisoner . Although not officially declared it was probable that on or about the 18 th of May Gen . Taylor crossed the Rio Grande and invested Matamoras , which it was reported had been captured without firing a shot—the Mexican army having evacuated the place .
We Bhall not conceal our regret at this most unfortunate contest . Anxious as we are to promote tho principle of universal brotherhood , > ve must set our faces against ail wars except those undertaken hy nations in self-defence , or ibr the recovery of thfeir lights and liberties . In the present case the force may be on the side of the United States people , but assuredly justice is not . The whole affair of the annexation of Texas , was a fraud and a wrong , as great a . wrongas was ever perpetrated by the English in India ,. But this is not all , not content with seizing ; Texas , the United Statea forces proceeded to occupy what was to say the least , "debatable ground , " not rea ly belonging to Texas , and therefore , despite the act of annexation , not forming part of the United States territory . The Mexicans have been goaded
into fighting , and have only done as every other race of men would do in their situation . The Mexicans are brave , as brave as the Americans or any other nice , but they have not the natural force to enable them to successfully contend against the Anglo-Americans . The Mexicans have been defeated , but we vopoat rifilit ia on their side . However much we may regret this war on other accounts , we regret it mainly because of its ( im ) morai effects upon the United status . Territorial aggrandisement , wars ot conquest , and numerous armies , these arc the worst enemies of Republican simplicity and human progress . In the account of the battles , which will . be found below , the reader will observe with disgust that the lying cant of " national glory , " forms the ready excuse for scenes of bloodshed and works of woe . There
might be , there was , true glory in the simple mindedniibie hearted men of ' 76 , baring the sword , and levelling the rifle in defence of their liberties , and the liberties of mankind , but there is no true glory in slaying hundreds of Mexicans , who merely stand in defence of their native land . " We have one cheering rffioetion , some of the American people are not blinded by this blaze of gore-and-glory , they think as we think , and cry aloud against the iniquity of this war : true they are but the minority , but" Wait a little longer , " they speak out in a good cause , and ultimately they will make themselves heard . At a meeting of tho New York National lleforin Association , the following resolutions were adopted ;—
Besoktd , That this Association , strongly disapproving of all war except in defence of our own homes ami the equal rights of our fellow citizens , do deeply deplore tiie policy that has brought an armed force of the Republic in collision with the forces of ouv Bister Republic of Mexico , on a territory in dispute between the two nations . Resolved , That in tho relations that existed between the tivo governments tre can perceive no sufficient reason for perilling the lives of that portion of our fellow ciii . low citizens who are so unfortunate as to be enlisted in the standing array . Resolved , That in the present juncture , to unite th « people in defence- of the Republic , the People's Lands ought immediately to be declared free * in Jiniited iiaantities , to the use of those citizens nho are unjustly deprived Of a foothold on the soil .
Resolved , That until the equal right tothe soil beestuWishe *) , those ought to be foremost in tbe National cause , with their persons « nd property , in time" of vrur , who hold tlic largest portion of the soil away from the landless . These are the principles of true Democracy , and in a democratic country , seed , like this , sown must bring forth good fruit . We shall conclude with quoting two excellent ariicles from two excellent papers , organs of that portion oi' the working men of America who have the sense to see that the social arrangements ol the States require a thorough reformation ,- and that such reformation is likely to be re : tarded rather than hastened by wars of aggression and standing armies .
WAR ! [ From . the Young America ] Thus we are involved in a war of which no man can foresee tbe end , or count the cost , and involved thus most uiiu'isely as it seems to me . Mexico was in trouble , and our rulers probably thought to take advantage'of liei situation . Not a soldier should have been sent to the disputed territory till our title to it had been made clear to tho i eople , and all chance to obtain peaceable possession had failed . Had Great Britain brought her big guns to bear on one of our cities at the time ofthe iVlaine boundary difficulty ,, we should not , 1 think , have remained quiet as long as the ' Mexicans did at AletniMoi-as . " I ) o unto oMiers , " arid so forth .
But we are in for it , and must make the best of it . The President has done well to ask for volunteers . And who shall these volunteers be ? I venture the ' . pinion that they should be the men who are enjoying , under the protection ef the government , . rights that are not enjoyed by their fellow citizens , and those who are enjoying privileges at the expense of such as are deprived of tlieir rights . And who are they ? The answer is plain : they aro tlione who hold all the land and all the property , and particularly those who hold bind which they cannot cultivate , ana property which lias been accumulated through the forced labour of the landless and destitute . —These are the men who should now ill ! the ranhs : is well as the ojjlces of the army necessary to relieve those in peril anil to restore peace .
And how should the money Iks raised ? Not by borrowing on interest , and tfius enslave our diildivn wish an armyot ' psnsioncre . SJiouirf this monarchical jlan be resorted to , the landless , whose children would be called to labour to maintain the pensioners , should iminctliaiely raise the banner of Repudiation , and vote ftir it under all ciremnstanci's . This would ha . a Kiiuroil duty to their children and prosperity . ThemeaiiH of war hli-. nil < . { J « raised by a tax oh al ! the nroperty of tiie country , every man pitying exactly in proportion to what he possesses . Let these views be taken up and acted upon by tho labouring classes throughout the country , and the war will soon bohi-nuuht to a termination .
1 he House of Representatives voted that tlic pay of tlio volunteer * ( the privates , of course ) slioulii bo ten dollars a month : just what alacklander in thi » city would have to pay for house room for hia wife and flliiidreo , who , of eource , ivoulu be at the mcrcv « i capitalists tor their support ! But the Senate , ( rompmed ot men getting xsisht dollara a day ) , reduce tne price to eight dollars a month ! Of coarse , they only expect wealthy men to voluntwr , ana h would look well iW tliem to set tbe exampl
e t , attar all , there should Uea-dotiuiency of wealthy volunleenyUusreas has onl y to declare the public liimls tree , aiul thus secure to every poor family the opportunity of a home , and the deficiency would soon be . supplied . The National Reforms have been lor mure than two years demanding this act of jussue , and no more appropriate fime tor it could exist th . ui the present . Through numberless ages the iQilirs nave been the degraded tools of taskmastui * and tyrants . Leo this be so no longer .
THE WAR ! LFrom the Albany Anii-Ihitei- . } We can see no good reason for waging a war with Mexico . From first to last it has been agtircs . t . h' 0 on our part . The "Army of Occupation " uiiiler Gen . Taylnr , was . « cnfc to the frontiers oi Trasas or rather' into the Mexican territory itself , for the very purpose of provoking n war , that tbe Gen . Houston ' s and Gen . Cans ' s , and a thousand other equally villanous Land i'irates , mi fjht " revel in flic iialls of the Mmitozunifi ' s . " It had no
bufline . s in its position on Hie Rio Grande , which is not within the limits of Tfe » ts , and for thai * reason alone it almost deserved to be captured , although we would not have ha , ilit left bisutfvr , bat would have had it prutct'ted and withur .-iwii from its oosioioft us
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 20, 1846, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1371/page/7/
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