attainment of the long desired result. "Hostilities may now be coxsiDERED AS COMMENCED." Upou the strength of this despatch, the President announced to Congress and the world, " Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory and shed' American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war'' How far the unquahfied assertions contained in the first sentence of the passage quoted, are in accordance with truth, those who have read the preceding pages are qualified to judge for them- selves. The following facts may tend to test the veracity of the last averment.
General Arista arrived at Metamoras on the 24th April, and finding the supplies intended for the army cut off by the blockade of the river, the great square of the city commanded by Taylor's cannon, American parties scouring the country, breaking up Mexican camps, and seizing their horses, he gave notice that he considered, as well he might, hostihties commenced, and that he should prose * See New Orleans Picayune, May 2d, 1846.