New York Daily Tribune

The Capture of Monterey

We trust all our readers have read and reflected on the outrageous aggression on Mexico, committed by our Naval Commodore Thomas Ap Catesby Jones in capturing and holding the town of Monterey, California, upon a presumption that war would soon break out between Mexico and the United States! It is a little the coolest act committed for some time, and our Government will of course feel bound to make the fullest apologies and reparations. If a Mexican or English force had committed such an outrage upon our soil and flag, the whole land would have resounded with popular indignation, and meetings would have been held in every other groggery in favor of an instant Declaration of War unless the invader was promptly delivered up to be hung at the first lamp-post. Now we take the matter very coolly.--We only need to make Embassadors of a few more Commodores who capture foreign towns, and pay back Gen. Jackson's fine inflicted for defying the Habeas Corpus Act and imprisoning a citizen and a Judge successively, three months after Peace had been concluded, and two after the enemy had left the vicinity of New-Orleans, and we can save the expense of Congresses and Courts of Justice. Our Military and Naval officers can make all the laws and all the war we want, with great simplicity and promptitude.