to the attack, in order to carry the place by storm. The contest was carried on in the streets hand to hand, and before night-fall the Americans succeeded in establishing themselves in a position within the city. Next day was occupied by cannonading on both sides, and successful attempts on the part of the assailants to capture several batteries of the enemy.

On the morning of the 23rd, it was found that the Mexicans had evacuated the forts and defences east of the city; but they still continued to contest possession of the town. The Americans had now gained the grand square; in which, with the neighbouring citadel, the Mexicans had concentrated their strength. Throughout the night, considerable execution was done with a mortar which had been brought to bear upon the Mexicans in the grand square.

Early on the morning of the 24th, General Taylor sent a flag of truce to General Ampudia, offering terms for a capitulation. The whole day was spent in correspondence, and in discussion at a personal interview between the Generals; but eventually, in the afternoon, the Mexican commander accepted the terms. They included permission for the garrison to march out with a portion of their arms beyond a distant line of territory; and an armistice of eight weeks, subject to the decision of the national governments.

The armistice, however, was not confirmed by the United States Government, and General Taylor was ordered to advance into the country and prosecute the war with the utmost vigour.

On the 14th of November, the town of Tampico surrendered to a detachment from the American fleet under the command of Com

modore Connor. When the smaller vessels from the squadron containing the attacking force reached the city, it was met by a deputation from the citizens offering to surrender the place, provided that their laws, institutions, and property were respected. The Americans took possession of the place, and occupied it with a garrison. These were the chief incidents in the war between the United States and Mexico up to the close of the year, when there seemed to be a prospect of its tedious continuance; although there can be little doubt that, unless terms of peace are offered and accepted, the American arms will be ultimately victorious, and Mexico subdued.

and to the political constitution of the empire, have secured them my gratitude.

"My Government protested against such Act, and made all foreign Powers acquainted with that protest. Faithful to the en

"Peace prevails throughout all the provinces; this blessing of Providence will contribute to and facilitate the execution of such measures as your intelligence and patriotism may judge necessary or expedient to foster the riches of the country.

"I most sincerely regret the evils which the drought has inflicted on the northern provinces, particularly Coara. My Government promptly supplied such means as were at its disposal to alleviate the distress which my subjects suffered in those provinces. According to the most recent accounts, the rains had commenced, and were very abundant; but, nevertheless, it will not be possible to repair, at once, all the damage resulting from the drought; nor can the Government suspend the succours of which those provinces still stand in need.

"I have endeavoured to cultivate amicable relations with all the Governments of Europe and America.

"The expiration of the convention between Brazil and Great Britain for the suppression of the Slave Trade was duly notified by my Government to that of Her Britannic Majesty. After such notification was given, the British Parliament passed an Act for subjecting Brazilian vessels, suspected of being engaged in the trade, to the jurisdiction of the English tribunals.

na

"The struggle, unfortunately, still continues in the Republics of the River Plate, which has occasioned dissensions and protracted the war between them. I earnestly pray for the re-establishment of peace and order in our neighbouring states; and in accordance with the interests of our country and with the principles of neutrality my Government have adopted, I look forward to an end being put to circumstances afflicting to humanity.

SO

"The budget or estimate of the revenue and expenditure for the ensuing financial year will be laid before you, by which you will be enabled to ascertain the increase which has taken place in the former, and the exertions my Government has made to establish, by means of judicious reductions in the latter, the indispensable equilibrium between the receipts and expenses of the State, without the onus of imposing fresh burdens.

From the reports of the respective departments you will see the actual state of each, and the measures requisite to be adopted for the benefit of the nation.

"Honourable and Most Worthy Representatives of the Nation,"You have always given my Government, with patriotic solici

tude, your loyal support, and the benefit of your enlightened mind. I thank you sincerely for such important assistance, and I rely on the continuation thereof, whereby you will contribute to raise the empire to that state of prosperity and glory to which it is destined by Providence.

"The Session is commenced."

RIO DE LA PLATA.-The war which has so long been carried on by the Dictator Rosas against the republic of Monte Video, and them any inconveniences resulting from the blockade of that city, induced the Governments of England and France to interpose in the course of the present year. The circumstances which led to this intervention are detailed by M. Guizot in a despatch to the French Ambassador at the Court of St. James's, dated Jan. 21st, 1845, and laid by him before the Chamber of Deputies in the early part of this year.

"You are aware of the ferocious warfare which desolates the left bank of La Plata. In consequence of its disputes with the Government of the republic of Buenos Ayres, the King's Government had allowed itself to be drawn into an interference in the local struggles which more particularly divide the republic of Monte Video. By the treaty of the 29th of October, 1840, France made peace with General Rosas; at the same time she renounced all participation in the internal quarrels of the country, on condition that the independence of the republic of Monte Video should be respected. Since that period war has continued. A former President of the republic of Buenos Ayres has laid siege to the city of Monte

Video, which has defended itself with obstinacy. The King's Government has often been pressed during the last four years to interfere once more in this contest; it has always refused to do so. Two principal reasons have determined it to abstain-first, the right to meddle, without absolute necessity, in the affairs of the two independent states had not been acknowledged; secondly, there has always been, moreover, sufficient reason for believing that the question would soon terminate of itself by the close of the war.'

After having spoken of a proposal of mediation made by Brazil to France and England, M. Guizot proceeds :

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We are therefore disposed, as well as the English Government (which has already notified to us as much), to receive the overtures of the Brazilian Government, but taking care to determine beforehand what the nature of our course of action shall be. We cannot entertain the idea of recommencing the situation which it was the object of the treaty of the 29th of October, 1840, to terminate. We do not intend to interpose in favour of either of the two states of La Plata against the other, or. in favour of any local faction against another. We desire, in concert with the Governments of England and Brazil, to stop the effusion of blood, to re-establish the regular course of commerce, to prevent the progress of the barbarism that an endless war always draws after it, and not to impose a Government of our own choice upon independent countries; we wish, in fine, to come to the assistance of those of our fellowcountrymen, who are ruined by the war, and not to give satisfaction

to those who have adopted a course in opposition to us.

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Already have the two agents of England and France in La Plata proposed their amicable mediation; it has been refused. The hour for an armed mediation appears to have arrived. It is in this sense that the English Ambassador has spoken to me respecting the views of his Government. I have shown myself disposed to entertain them.

"I need not say that the independence of the state of Monte Video, reorganized by the treaty of October 1840, should be, in our opinion, the necessary point of departure in every negotiation that independence is, in reality, disputed by nobody.

"It should be, at the same time, distinctly understood that none of the three mediatorial Powers would seek to obtain either increase of territory or any separate advantage.

"We might merely demand, as the accessory consequence of our intervention, the application of the principles laid down by the Congress of Vienna, for the free navigation of the rivers or streams that descend from the frontiers of Brazil and of Paraguay into the Rio de la Plata."

All amicable negotiation having failed, the combined forces of England and France were, at the latter end of the preceding year, brought to bear against General Rosas with the result which might have been anticipated. On the 20th of November, 1845, an action took place on the river Parana, at the Puente del Obligado. The immediate object of the English and French commanders, Captains Hotham and Trehouart, was to force open the navigation of the VOL. LXXXVIII.

river Parana, which had long been closed by the command of General Rosas.

The passage forced is the narrowest point, forming a sort of elbow, about 800 yards wide; downwards it gradually widens, and above it expands to the left. On the right bank were four batteries, at nearly equal distances from each other, mounting from twenty-four to thirty guns, most of them 24pounders. Three of the batteries were established at the narrowest point facing downwards athwart the stream, and the fourth was above the others, at a projection commanding the length and breadth of the Parana. The background was covered with thick woods. Between the second and third batteries, and close to the second, twenty-four or twenty-five small vessels were moored directly across the river to the opposite bank, and these were strongly secured together by three frigates' chain cables. There were no batteries on the left bank, but just above this bridge of small vessels, on the left bank, General Rosas's brig, the Republicano, was moored broadside across the river. This brig had six guns of heavy calibre, and was so placed as to enfilade the opposing ships. Under the second battery, and close to the bridge of boats, four fireships were stationed.

On the morning of the 20th the attacking parties moved up the river towards the point. They were formed into three divisions. The first was composed of the Procida (French) brigantine, Capt. De la Rivière; the Philomel, 6 (English), Commander Sullivan; the Fanny, brigantine (English), Lieutenant-Commander Astley C. Key, Second Lieutenant of the [2 A]

Gorgon; and the Expeditive corvette (French), Captain de Miniac. It was under the command of Commander Sullivan. It took up a position on the right side in the above order in a line across the river, and thus commenced operations. The second division consisted of the Dolphin, 3 (English), brigantine, Lieutenant-Commander Levinge; the San Martin, the French commodore's ship, the Comus, 18 (English), LieutenantCommander Inglefield, and the Pandour (French) brig, Capt. Du Parc; this division, commanded by Capt. Trehouart, proceeded to the bridge of vessels, and took up a position close to them in the above order, on the left side of the river, engaging the batteries, receiving their fire and also the broadside of the Republicano with damaging effect, but which they returned with the most successful results. The third division was composed of the steamers the Gorgon and Firebrand, English frigates, Captains Hotham and Hope, and the Fulton (French), Captain Mazeres. This division, under the commandin-chief of Captain Hotham, was at first stationed at the longest distance from the batteries below the first division, but on the left side of the river, their broadsides bearing on the three first batteries. From this position, after using their heavy guns for some time, they proceeded to join the second division-the Fulton first; and after Captain Hope had, with the

utmost intrepidity and coolness, in a boat, cut asunder the cable which bound the bridge of vessels together, the steamers passed through the opening, and, taking up a second position above the fourth battery, on the left of the centre of the river, they attacked the batteries in flank with great

success.

During the hottest part of the engagement Captain Hotham wrote to his colleague, Captain Trehouart, the words, 'Si le titre de brave à jamais été merité, c'est par vous et vos equipages.'

The engagement with the batteries began at ten A.M., and lasted till five P.M., during which time there was an incessant firing. From five to seven P.M., the landing and the destruction of the works took place.

The loss of the English was ten killed and twenty-five wounded; and of the French, eighteen killed and seventy wounded.

The combined forces landed at about five in the evening, and drove the enemy from their position after little resistance. In one fort 200 dead bodies of blacks were found, in another 120. The forts were all destroyed, and, with the exception of ten brass pieces, the guns were thrown into the Parana.

The siege, however, of Monte Video, by General Rosas, continued throughout the present year without any decisive result.