The Transatlantic advices describe General Santa Anna and General Taylor
as both claiming a tremendous victory over each other : there was a fierce battle which lasted for two days; there was terrible carnage; each called upon the other to surrender : Santa Anna retreated—only to get a few biscuits, he says, being very hungry ; Taylor could not follow—he will do it presently : Taylor vaunts the retreat of his foe; Santa Anna boasts that he carried off" trophies of war." The only thing certain is, that the two sustained a dreadful loss between them.
Meanwhile, in the Union, Mr. Calhoun is trying to make the Slavery question the point upon which the next election of Presi- dent shall turn. If he meant to grapple with that difficult ques- tion, which procrastination will not settle, be would be a patriot of the highest order. We discern no such disposition in his speech. It is not the question of slavery of which he talks, but the right of the South to forbid discussion. But if he make even that a great topic of Federal contest, the substantial question will at last come under discusion—be placed in a way for ultimate consider- ation; and so Mr. Calhoun will have been a patriot by accident.
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