Americas, News from North and South America

[Adam]

The Americas Edition of the new Terran Journal, a publication based in London, England, and distributed to all states and colonies throughout the civilized world.

[Adam]

United States Government to Force Seminole Population to Indian Territory

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES- According to a release from the united States Department of War, Secretary Joel Roberts Poinsett told a Journal reporter of the Van Buren administration's decision to remove the Seminole Indian population from Florida, several months after a band of Seminole attacked a federal contingent at Fort King. Colonel Archibald Henderson (Commandant of the Marine Corps) is leading the entire united States Marine Corps to Florida to handle the situation, with orders to remove the Seminoles from Florida and move them west to Indian Territory at all costs.

Poinsett also stated that the government was sending warning to other tribes in the area, asking that they leave Florida peacefully with the Marines to prevent any problems...

[Adam]

President Van Buren Addresses Congress; Canada, France Among Issues Discussed

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES- In an address to the Congress earlier this week, President Van Buren made several statements regarding American foreign policy, as well as outlined several settlement and expansion plans.

"France has yet to pay the money that has been promised us," Van Buren said. "I am asking that the Congress make reprisals against French assets here for the sum of $5,000,000- the amount outstanding to the French government." As a part of the punitive action, President Van Buren also declined the invitation to the royal ball celebrating Louis-Philippe's rule.

The President also spoke concerning the situation in Canada, which appears to be worsening. According to intermittent reports from Canada, there are people clamoring for a more democratic government, as well as more autonomy from the United Kingdom. Small rebellions have broken out in the North, but there are no specific reports at this time. The President warned Americans to not cross the border unless necessary, and that the government is not responsible for anything in Canada.

As part of hs expanison platform, President Van Buren asked the Congress to offer incentives to settlers to move into the newly formed Wisconsin Territory. Coupled with this program, the U.S. Cavalry is also forming new reconnaissance routes running through the territories west of the Mississippi River...

[Adam]

Texas Declares Itself a Republic, Mexico Attempts to End Rebellion

WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS, TEXAS- Samuel Houston, President of the new Republic of Texas, spoke today, saying that it is time the Texan people leave the oppressive rule of Mexico.

As he was speaking, Mexican General Santa Anna's forces fought 200 Texans at a small mission named the Alamo. While there is not been a conclusion the fighting yet (at least, reported to the Journal), it appears that the Mexican forces are winning. There has been no response from the united States on this matter, and President Houston has considered petitioning President Van Buren for assistance...

[Adam]

United States Seeks New Expansion Policy, Cooperation

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES- In an effort to extend borders in America, President Van Buren informed the Journal of a set of initiatives taken by himself and the Congress to increase the size and power of the united States.

In order to support the independence movement in Texas, Van Buren invited a delegation including Sam Houston in order to draft a formal declaration of independence for Mexico, in light of the ongoing attack at the Alamo. Van Buren also pledged support to the movement, and promising military aid to Houston if he requires it.

The Congress has also begun a process in Arkansas to make the territory officialy a state; it will be the 25th. The Congress has also established Wisconsin Territory in the western portion of the united States, and opening the area to settlement. The Dubuque Visitor (the first news outlet in the region), in a message to the Journal, mentions that the region is rich in forests, and should go far to increase the industrial capacity of the united States.

Military forces moved in position to the Canadian border, in order to prevent an united States citizens from aiding rebels in Northern Canada. The move came in light of an announcement by the President warning citizens of the events in Canada, saying...

[Adam]

Britain to End Canadian Rebellions, Offer Dominion Status

OTTOWA, CANADA- A small contingent of British soldiers arrived in Ottowa late yesterday, as part of an initiative to protect the British colony from rebellions which are rapidly spreading in in the northern parts of the country. British infantry have already arrested a large number of rebels hiding outside of Ottowa. They are being interrogated to ascertain who the leader of the rebellion is, and if there is another state funding the rebels.

The Governor General of Canada, as a way of addressing the grievances of the rebels, also signed the British North America Act, granting all of Canada dominion status, allowing Canada control over all of its own affairs as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations...

[Adam]

Mexico Seeking Peace with Indians

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO- In a new move towards friendly Indian-Mexican relations, President Pedre sent envoys to the Indian tribes of Mexico, bearing food and trade goods in order to win favor with the locals. Indian tribes have been attacking settlements in recent years, and expansionism in the Americas has reached an all-time high.

The Mexican government reported that it had no intentions of using the Indians in a military force, but is attempting to repair scarred relations in order to protect its settlements...

[Adam]

United States, Prussia to Host Diplomats

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES- President Martin Van Buren announced an initiative this week between the Prussians and the united States to further build positive relations between the two nations. Prussian representatives arrived in the united States this week in order to observe American military practices, as well as to tour the country. At the same time, several American officials have traveled to Berlin in order to observe many different aspects of Prussian life.

There are also reports that the united States and Prussia have reached a trade agreement...

[Adam]

Mexicans Attempt to Enforce Order in Rebellious Texas

WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS, TEXAS- Mexican cavalry, acting as "frontier police" entered several Texas communities this week to help put down the rebellion. While no deaths have been reported at the hands of the enforcers, there are stories that the police have been evicting people who are supposed to be helping the rebellion. Women and children have been sent to the united States, and men have been taken back to Mexico, where little has been heard.

Those who are not supporting the rebellion have been rumored to recieve gifts of food and gold, prompting many citizens to turn in their neighbors as rebels in order to recieve rewards...

[Adam]

Brazil Tries "Saint-Simonian" Experiment

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL- President Carlos Diego announced new reforms today, designed, he claimed, to bring social harmony to his people.

"Now is a time for change in Brazil," Diego said. "No longer should men be inequal, but all will have the same."

Diego's plan involved nationalizing all industries, which occurred with no incident, once Brazilian troops stationed themselves at factory entrances. Diego also instituted a wage freeze, paying most all members of Brazilian society an equal amount, and providing food to all his people...

[Adam]

United States to Protect Texas from Mexico

WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES- In a speech before the Congress, President Martin Van Buren announced his intentions to send federal troops to Austin, Texas, to protect it from Mexican forces.

“I have ordered into combat Federal Forces to liberate citizens of the united States that have been arrested by Mexican forces. Federal Infantry shall support the Texans at Austin and be the provisional army of the south. I will not allow citizens of our great nation to be tortured and embarrassed by the Mexican government! I ask, no I bedt, for your full support in this matter for not only the Texans but for our own citizen‘s well being.”

Federal forces entering Texas will also be training Texans as militiamen, providing them with weapons, training, uniforms, and $5 for serving the u.S. government. Messages have already been sent to Texan general Sam Houston warning him of a Mexican attack on Austin, and that the united States is offering military assistance.

The Texan delegation that visited Washington left this week, taking with them a declaration of independence that is to be ratified in Texas, as soon as the end of the week...

[Adam]

Mexican Forces Raid Villages On US Border, Federal Government Does Nothing

CAMP WASHITA, INDIAN TERRITORY- Reports from settlements along the Red River say that Americans in the area have been targets of raids made by Mexican and Indian horsemen, who will often pop into a region, and taking prisoners back to Mexico. As of late, the prisoners have all be male, as the females and children have been left behind to clean up after the mess. Several farms have been burned, and houses destroyed.

Van Buren's government has yet to respond to these attacks, prompting many settlers to arm themselves and take matters into their own hands. Several Mexican horsemen have been shot, and the settlers have gone unpunished by law enforcement officials. Production has steadily decreased over the past few weeks as the attacks continue...

[Adam]

Continuing to Follow Socialism, Brazilian Government Begins Labor Program

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL- In following with the great Saint-Simonian experiment, Carlos Diego announced a new package of programs designed to help his equals, the "people of Brazil." Spending several thousand pounds of gold, Diego is building an infrastructre of roads connecting all the major settlements in Brazil with the capital, using the unemployed percent of the population. He is also planning social welfare programs in order to provide for all people, and is turning to Europe for aid in the construction of numerous factories...

[Adam]

American Navy Pounds Tampico

TAMPICO, MEXICO- Shortly before dawn yesterday, American naval vessels began the bombardment of the port of Tampico, Mexico. While not strategically vital in what seems to be a war between the united States and Mexico, the seige of the city was more a demonstration of force. The attack lasted for a few hours, and then the fleet sailed to the east, location unknown.

While there were very few casualties, only numbering in the dozens of citizens, the port facilities of the city were completely destroyed...

[Adam]

U.S., Mexican Forces Clash Outside San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, REPUBLIC OF TEXAS- With Federal forces heading closer to the Mexican strongholds in southern Texas, Mexican forces pushed past the border in an attempt to not only end what they call a rebellion, but to cripple the forces of the united States and perhaps bring an end to the war that has plagued the North American continent for the past few months.

The Mexican forces were pushing towards Austin with the intent to meet the American forces there. Later reports from the Mexican government proclaimed the Americans were no longer in Austin, and headed instead towards San Antonio. While waiting for a comfirmation from Mexico to ensure this was the proper strategy, the Mexican forces set up camp in an uninhabited area about halfway between Austin and San Antonio. However, shortly after making camp, the American forces, which had been reinforced while the Mexicans moved into Texas, began an attack on the disorganized forces with the intent to destroy the Mexican invaders.

Artillery of the united States had positioned themselves in a way so that the center of their fire lay directly in the middle of the Mexican camp. Using canister shots (canister shots are filled with hundreds of pieces of shrapnel, and the shell explodes in mid-air, shooting fragments at the soldiers below), the artillery units pounded the Mexican position. With the Mexican forces in chaos, commanding officers were attempting to get the artillery aimed, but to little avail, as the horses were either mauled by the shrapnel or frightened by the sudden attack. Attempting to form up the soldiers into a line to attack the American forces was also disastrous, as the artillery fire was nearly continuous on the position.

Even then, reports state, the Mexican grenadiers were unable to get close enough to the American artillery as American musketeers began firing into their position. With little choice but to retreat, the Mexican forces began to pull back in a very unorganized fashion, only to be met by the u.S. Cavalry. With this, most of the Mexican forces surrendered, and the remaining equipment was taken into u.S. custody.

Casualty Report:

Mexico:
2,159 grenadiers killed, 2,841 taken prisoner
1,200 dragoons killed, 300 taken prisoner
204 hussars killed, 796 taken prisoner
14 light artillery destroyed, 86 captured
25 heavy artillery destroyed, 25 captured
10 mortars destroyed, 40 captured

united States:
652 musketeers killed
80 dragoons killed