GENERAL TAYLOR ORDERED TO ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE.

Secretary of War to General Taylor, January 13, 1846.

"I am directed by the president to instruct you to advance and occupy, with the troops under your command, positions on or near the east bank of the Rio del Norte, as soon as it can be conveniently done with reference to the season and the routes by which your movements must be made.

"It is not designed, in our present relation with Mexico, that you should treat her as an enemy.”

Nothing but the spirit of peace and of courtesy prevented this movement before. Without any regard to boundary questions, our government was very reluctant to sanction any military movements, not absolutely necessary, which might excite Mexico to commit further acts of imprudence. In the letter of the secretary of state to Mr. Slidell, under date of January 20, this order is alluded to, and its necessity explained. We recommend to the reader a perusal of the entire letter. Mr. Buchanan says,

“In the mean time, the president, in anticipation of the final refusal of the Mexican government to receive you, has ordered the army of Texas to advance and take position on the left bank of the Rio Grande; and has directed that a strong fleet shall be immediately assembled in the Gulf of Mexico. He will thus be prepared to act with vigor and promptitude the moment that Congress shall give him the authority."

OPINION OF GENERAL TAYLOR, COMMENDING THE ORDER OF JANUARY 13.

In regard to this order, under date of February 4, 1846, General Taylor says,

"Our advance to the Rio Grande will itself produce a powerful effect, and it may be that the common navigation of the river will not be disputed. It is very important to us, and will

be indispensable when posts are established higher up, as must ultimately be the case.”

OPINION OF MR. SLIDELL, COMMENDING THE ORDER OF

JANUARY 13.

In a letter to the secretary of state, dated February 17, 1846, Mr. Slidell says,

“The advance of General Taylor's force to the left bank of the Rio del Norte, and the strengthening of our force in the Gulf, are wise measures, which may exercise a salutary influence upon the course of this government.”

It would be presumption in us formally to sanction an act which needs no defence not to be found in its own history. This order was originated in no new policy; it had been long deferred, and it was now considered judicious and necessary by all who had the best means of knowing the exact relations between the two countries.

GENERAL TAYLOR ANTICIPATES NO RESISTANCE IN HIS

ADVANCE.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, Feb. 16, 1846.

"From the best information I am able to obtain, and which I deem as authentic as any, I do not believe that our advance to the banks of the Rio Grande will be resisted. The army, however, will go fully prepared for a state of hostilities, should they unfortunately be provoked by the Mexicans."

RIO GRANDE NOT TO BE CROSSED BY AMERICAN TROOPS UNLESS

ATTACKED.

Gen. Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, Corpus Christi, Feb. 26, 1846. "I have taken occasion to represent to some citizens of Matamoras, who were here with a large number of mules for sale, and who are represented to have considerable influence at home, that the United States government, in occupying the Rio Grande, has no motive of hostility towards Mexico,

and that the army will, in no case, go beyond the river, unless hostilities should be commenced by the Mexicans themselves," &c.

DECIDED HOSTILITY ON THE PART OF THE MEXICANS. Gen. Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, Point Isabel, March 25, 1846. In this despatch, General Taylor says, that there were no incidents in the march of the army to Point Isabel worthy of notice, unless the following examples may be regarded as the first evidence of open hostility. He says,

"While on my way hither, our column was approached by a party on its right flank, bearing a white flag. It proved to be a civil deputation from Matamoras, desiring an interview with me. I informed them that I would halt at the first suitable place on the road, and afford them the desired interview. It was, however, found necessary, from the want of water, to continue the route to this place. The deputation halted while some miles from Point Isabel, declining to come further, and sent me a formal protest of the prefect of the northern district of Tamaulipas, against our occupation of the country, which I enclose herewith. At this moment, it was discovered that the buildings at Point Isabel were in flames. I then informed the bearer of the protest that I would answer it when opposite Matamoras, and dismissed the deputation. I considered the conflagration before my eyes as a decided evidence of hostility, and was not willing to be trifled with any longer, particularly as I had reason to believe that the prefect, in making this protest, was but a tool of the military authorities at Matamoras.'

OCCUPATION OF THE LEFT BANK OF THE RIO GRANDE.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, March 29, 1846. "I have the honor to report, that I arrived at this camp yesterday, with forces under my command, no resistance having been offered to my advance to the banks of the river, nor

act of hostility committed by the Mexicans, except the capture of two of our dragoons, sent forward from the advanced guard.*

*

"Our approach seems to have created much excitement in Matamoras, and a great deal of activity has been displayed since our arrival in the preparation of batteries. The left bank is now under reconnoisance of our engineer officers, and I shall lose no time in strengthening our position by such. defensive works as may be necessary, employing for that purpose a portion of the heavy guns brought round by sea.

"The attitude of the Mexicans is so far decidedly hostile. An interview has been held, by my direction, with the military authorities of Matamoras, but with no satisfactory result."

HOSTILE ATTITUDE OF THE MEXICANS BATTERY ERECTED BY GENERAL TAYLOR.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, April 6, 1846. "The Mexicans still retain a hostile attitude, and have thrown up some works, evidently designed to prevent us from crossing the river.

*

“On our side, a battery for four 18-pounders will be completed, and the guns placed in battery to-day. These guns bear directly upon the public square of Matamoras, and within good range for demolishing the town. Their object cannot be mistaken, and will, I think, effectually restrain him from any enterprise upon our side of the river. A bastioned field-fort, for a garrison of five hundred men, has been laid out by engineers in rear of the battery, and will be commenced immediately.

"I respectfully enclose the minutes of an interview held on the day of our arrival, between General Worth and General De la Vega, the second in command in Matamoras.† I deemed it proper and respectful to announce formally the purpose of our advance to the Rio Grande, and afford an opportunity to establish friendly relations if practicable."

* These dragoons were subsequently returned, on application of General Taylor.

† See Appendix U.

GENERAL TAYLOR SUMMONED BY AMPUDIA TO WITHDRAW BEYOND THE NUECES.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, April 15, 1846. "I have to report that on the 11th instant, General Ampudia arrived at Matamoras with two hundred cavalry, the remainder of his force, variously estimated from two thousand to three thousand men, being some distance in rear on route from Monterey. Immediately after assuming the chief command, General Ampudía ordered all Americans to leave Matamoras within twenty-four hours, and repair to Victoria, a town in the interior of Tamaulipas. He had taken the same severe measure at Reinosa, on his way hither. On the 12th, I received from General Ampudia a despatch, summoning me to withdraw my force within twenty-four hours, and to fall back beyond the river Nueces. To his communication I replied, on the 12th, saying that I should not retrograde from my position. Copies of this correspondence are enclosed herewith.* I considered the letter of General Ampudia sufficient to warrant me in blocking up the Rio Grande, and stopping all supplies for Matamoras; orders for which have been given to the naval commander at Brasos Santiago."

COMMENCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES BY MEXICO.

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones, April 26, 1846. "I regret to report that a party of dragoons, sent out by me on the 24th instant, to watch the course of the river above on this bank, became engaged with a very large force of the enemy, and, after a short affair, in which some sixteen were killed and wounded, appear to have been surrounded and compelled to surrender. Not one of the party has returned, except a wounded man sent in this morning by the Mexican commander, so that I cannot report with confidence the par

* See Appendix V.