American Republican And Baltimore Daily Clipper

[From the Washington Union.]

OFFICIAL DESPATCHES FROM THE ARMY.

We have been permitted to lay before our readers the following extracts from the last official despatches of General Taylor, which have been received at the War Department:

Headquarters Army of Occupation,

Matamoras,

May 30, 1846.

[Extract.]

I enclose an original draught, found in Gen. Arista's papers, of an invitation to our soldiers to desert. A similar call was previously made by Ampudia, and has already found its way into the public prints. The department may see from these documents what arms were used against us.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

Z. TAYLOR,

Bt. Brig'r General U. S. A., Com'g.

The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the army

Washington, D. C.

The following is the extraordinary and insidious address of General Arista, referred to in the preceding extract. [What irresistible inducements does he offer for desertion—to exchange the honorable and proud character of American citizens for the miserable and degraded lot of "peaceful Mexican citizens!"]

General Arista's advice to the soldiers of the United States army.

Headquarters at Matamoras,

April 20, 1846.

Soldiers! You have enlisted in time of peace to serve in that army for a specific term; but your obligation never implied that you were bound to violate the laws of God, and the most sacred rights of friends! The United States government, contrary to the wishes of a majority of all honest and honorable Americans, has ordered you to take forcible possession of the territory of a friendly neighbor, who has never given her consent to such occupation.— In other words, while the treaty of peace and commerce between Mexico and the United States is in full force, the United States, presuming on her strength and prosperity, and on our supposed imbecility and cowardice, attempts to make you the blind instruments of her unholy and mad ambition, and forces you to appear as the hateful robbers of our dear homes, and the unprovoked violators of our dearest feelings as men and patriots. Such villainy and outrage, I know, is perfectly repugnant to the noble sentiments of any gentleman, and it is base and foul to rush you on to certain death, in order to aggrandize a few lawless individuals, in defiance of the laws of God and man! It is to no purpose if they tell you that the law for the annexation of Texas justifies your occupation of the Rio Bravo del Norte; for by this act they rob us of a great part of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Chihuahua and New Mexico; and it is barbarous to send a handful of men on such an errand against a powerful and warlike nation. Besides, the most of you are Europeans, and we are the declared friends of a majority of the nations of Europe. The North Americans are ambitious, over-bearing and insolent as a nation, and they will only make use of you as vile tools to carry out their abominable plans of pillage and rapine. I warn you in the name of Justice, honor, and your own interests and self-respect, to abandon their desperate and unholy cause, and become peaceful Mexican citizens. I guarantee you, in such case, a half section of land, or 320 acres, to settle upon, gratis. Be wise, then, and just, and honorable, and take no part in murdering us who have no unkind feelings for you. Lands and other favors will be given to all deserters according to rank, privates receiving 320 acres, as stated. If in time of action you wish to espouse our cause, throw away your arms, and run to us, & we will embrace you as true friends and Christians. It is not decent nor prudent to say more. But should any of you render any important service to Mexico, you shall be accordingly considered and preferred.

M. ARISTA,

Commander-in-chief of the Mexican army.

Headquarters Army of Occupation,

Matamoras, June 3, 1846.

SIR: I respectfully enclose herewith a field return of the forces in and near Matamoras, both regular and volunteer. The corps known to have arrived at Point Isabel, of which no returns have yet been received, will carry the entire force under my orders to nearly 8,000 men. I am necessarily detained at this point for want of suitable transportation to carry on offensive operations. There is not a steamboat at my command proper for the navigation of the Rio Grande; and without water transportation, I consider it useless to attempt any extensive movement. Measures have been taken to procure boats of suitable draft and description, and one or two may be now expected. In the mean time, I propose to push a battalion of infantry as far as Reinosa, and occupy that town. For any operations in the direction of Monterey, it will be necessary to establish a large depot at Camargo, which I shall lose no time in doing as soon as proper transports arrive, unless I receive counter instructions from the department. I trust the department will see that I could not possibly have anticipated the arrival of such heavy reinforcements from Louisiana as are now here, and on their way hither. Without large means of transportation, this force will embarrass rather than facilitate our operations. I cannot doubt that the department has already given instructions based upon the change in our position since my first call for volunteers. Our last accounts of Arista, represents his force to be halted at Coma, an extensive hacienda on the Monterey road, about 100 miles from this point. He has pickets covering the roads leading to Matamoras, with a view to cut off all communication with the interior. The departmental authorities have issued a decree denouncing as traitors all who hold intercourse with us, or with those who do so. I am nevertheless, disposed to believe that in some quarters at least our presence is not unfavorably received. We have no intelligence from the city of Mexico. Ordnance stores, and other munitions of war, are continually discovered in the town. Five pieces of cannon, and a very large amount of balls, shells, and ammunition generally, have been brought to light.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant

Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A. Com'dg.

To the Adjutant General of the Army,

Washington, D. C.