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between the two countries, and up to this boundary you are to extend your protection," &c.

MEXICANS TO BE DRIVEN BEYOND THE RIO GRANDE IN CASE

OF INVASION.

Mr. Donelson to Mr. Allen, August 5, 1845.

"If, however, contrary to present appearances, this invasion should be made by a larger force than would be prudent for the present United States troops to repel alone, the undersigned doubts not that the patriotism of the president of Texas will call into the field such additional aid from the Texas militia as will at once drive the Mexicans beyond the Rio Grande, and give security to the frontier."

FRONTIER POSTS ΤΟ BE ESTABLISHED BY GENERAL TAYLOR, AIDED BY TEXAS.

General Taylor to Anson Jones, President of Texas, August 16, 1845.

"When our relations with Mexico, and the state of the service in this quarter, shall permit my absence, I will take great pleasure in proceeding to the seat of government, and conferring with you personally in relation to the proper dispositions to be made for the permanent occupation of the frontier."

VIGILANCE OF GENERAL TAYLOR IN PROTECTING THE BOUNDARY TO THE RIO GRANDE.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, August 20, 1845.

“I still deem it my duty to look to the possibility of such an event, (crossing of the Rio Grande by the Mexican troops,) and to prepare for a forward movement, should circumstances require it."

CROSSING OF THE RIO GRANDE BY THE MEXICANS TO BE CONSIDERED AS THE COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.

Secretary of War to General Taylor, August 23, 1845. "Should Mexico declare war, or commence hostilities by crossing the Rio Grande with a considerable force, you are

instructed to lose no time in giving information to the authorities of each or any of the above-mentioned States, as to the number of volunteers you may want from them respectively.”

* "Such a movement (crossing the Rio Grande by the Mexicans) must be regarded as an invasion of the United States, and the commencement of hostilities."

In a letter from Adjutant-General Jones to General Taylor, dated August 26, 1845, he requests him to "keep the department advised of the state of the service on the Texan frontiers." An inspection of General Taylor's letters subsequent to this order will show how strictly he conformed to its requisitions. In almost every letter before the commencement of hostilities, he speaks of news, or the want of news, from the Rio Grande.

SOLICITUDE OF THE U. S. GOVERNMENT THAT TEXAS SHOULD BE PROTECTED TO THE RIO GRANDE.

Secretary of War to General Taylor, August 30, 1845.

"Instructions heretofore issued enjoin upon you to defend Texas from invasion and Indian hostilities; and, should Mexico invade it, you will employ all your forces to repulse the invaders, and drive all Mexican troops beyond the Rio Grande."

* "An attempt to cross that river (Rio Grande) with such a (large) force will also be considered in the same light," (as the commencement of hostilities.)

NO BOUNDARY THOUGHT OF BY GENERAL TAYLOR BUT THE RIO GRANDE.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, September 14, 1845.

"The commander of the rangers at San Antonio, Major Hays, has reputation as a partisan, and to him I have specially intrusted the duty of keeping me advised of any movements on the Rio Grande."

LETTER OF ADVICE OF GENERAL TAYLOR TO ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, October 4, 1845.

"It is with great deference that I make any suggestions on topics which may become matter of delicate negotiation; but if our government, in settling the question of boundary, makes the line of the Rio Grande an ultimatum, I cannot doubt that the settlement will be greatly facilitated and hastened by our taking possession at once of one or two suitable points on or quite near that river. Our strength and state of preparations should be displayed in a manner not to be mistaken. However salutary may be the effect upon the border people by our presence here, we are too far from the frontier to impress the government of Mexico with our readiness to vindicate, by force of arms if necessary, our title to the country as far as the Rio Grande."

This advice of General Taylor proceeded from no new manifestations on the part of Mexico, for, in the same letter he says, that Mexico had committed "no overt act of hostilities ;" and that he "does not conceive that it will become necessary, under any circumstances, to call for volunteers from the United States." Indications, indeed, appeared to be favorable to peace, but peace without promptitude. Although the advice was characterized by good judgment, and was in confirmation of its own views, still, the government was slow to adopt it. It was made in ignorance of the mission of Mr. Slidell, and wholly with the view to move the government of Mexico to prompt and decisive action. It is certainly not a little remarkable, that, when it was adopted by the government of the United States, more than three months afterwards, it was adopted with similar motives.

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"On the 5th of November, General Taylor received a letter from Commodore Conner, from which we make the following extract. It was dated, off Vera Cruz, October 24, 1845. "I hasten to inform you that the Mexican government has

accepted the proposal made by that of our country, to arrange the existing difficulties by negotiation. I deem it advisable you should be thus early apprised of this change in the state of our relations."

This information, communicated by Commodore Conner, led General Taylor very properly to make what might be termed, not a modification, but a suggestive modification, of his advice, under date of October 4; that is, he submitted his views, to be qualified as circumstances might require. He was evidently of the opinion, however, that a forward march movement was the true one, as promising the best results; still, he was willing to wait, PROVIDED Mexico did not show a disposition to protract negotiations unreasonably. That he had but little confidence in negotiation, and that he was looking to the execution of future duties to Texas, may be inferred from the whole language of his modification, and from the fact which he reports in the same letter," that reconnoisances are almost constantly in the field," and, as he says in his previous letter, (October 4,) in the direction of the Rio Grande.

The good sense of General Taylor with regard to position was in perfect harmony with the views of his government. Our rights were to be protected with firmness, but with all possible delicacy towards a weaker Republic. General Taylor was not only in favor of prompt action, but he advised and expected it. In the letter which we are noticing, (November 7,) he says, "On the hypothesis of an early adjustment of the boundary, and the consequent establishment of permanent frontier posts, I cannot urge too strongly upon the government the necessity of occupying those posts before the warm weather shall set in."

The modification of his letter of October 4, is given in the following extract :

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"The intelligence from Mexico, however, tends to modify, in some degree, the views expressed in that communication. The position now occupied by the troops may, perhaps, be the best while negotiations are pending, or, at any rate, until a

disposition shall be manifested by Mexico to protract them unreasonably. Under the supposition that such may be the view of the department, I shall make no movement from this point, except for the purpose of examining the country, until further instructions are received."

Frequent allusions have been made to these letters for party purposes, as if harmony was an evidence of discord. Coincidence of opinion, not of contrariety, is evidence of good judgment. It must be gratifying both to General Taylor and to the government, that, in a policy which has been so much questioned from party motives, there was unanimity of opinion and harmony of action. Both acted from similar motives, and

both were right.

DISCRETIONARY POWER GIVEN ΤΟ GENERAL TAYLOR BY HIS

GOVERNMENT.

Secretary of War to General Taylor, October 16, 1845.

"The information which we have here renders it probable that no serious attempts will at present be made by Mexico to invade Texas, although she continues to threaten incursions. Previous instructions will have put you in possession of the views of the government of the United States, not only as to the extent of its territorial claims, but of its determination to assert them. In carrying out these instructions, you will be left very much to your own judgment, by reason of your superior knowledge of localities, and the earlier notice you may receive of the probable views of Mexico and the movement of her troops."

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The letter of Mr. Slidell, of December 17, to Mr. Buchanan, was received at the state department on the 12th of January. This letter furnished so much evidence of a disposition to trifle, on the part of Mexico, and, taken in connection with views previously adopted and the advice of General Taylor, determined the government of the United States upon decisive measures, and the following order was given.

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