"General Worth. Then, as an American officer, in the name of my government and my commanding general, I demand an interview with the consul of my country.. (No reply.)

"General Worth. Then I again demand an interview with the consul of my government, in Matamoras; in the presence, of course, of these gentlemen, or any other that the commanding general in Matamoras may be pleased to designate. General Vega reiterated that the consul was in the proper exercise of his functions; that he was not in arrest, nor were any other Americans in arrest in Matamoras; that he would submit the demand to General Mejia, adding, that he thought there would be great difficulty.

"This demand was repeatedly made in the most emphatic manner, and a reply requested; General Vega stating the consul continued in the exercise of his functions, and that General Worth's demand would be submitted to General Mejia.

"Here the interview was suspended, while the licenciado left the party to submit (as was understood) the demand for an interview with the consul to General Mejia. While engaged in friendly intercourse, General Worth stated to General Vega, in an informal manner, as an evidence of the good faith, intentions, and disposition of his commanding general, that he, General Taylor, was well aware of the importance of Brazos Santiago to the commerce and business community of Matamoras; that he respected their laws and customs, and would freely grant entrance and exit to all Mexican and other vessels trading with Matamoras on the same terms as before its occupation by the United States, leaving all questions arising therefrom to be settled hereafter by the two governments.

"At the expiration of about a quarter of an hour, the Licenciado Casares returned and reported that General Mejia would not accede to the request for an interview on the part of General Worth; saying nothing, however, relative to the question of the consul.

"General Vega was then again informed that the despatch intended to be delivered to General Mejia by General Worth, in person, would be returned by him, General Worth, to his commanding general, considering any other disposition of it as disrespectful

to him; repeating that it had been read to General Vega as an act of courtesy to him, and that General Mejia must take his own measures of communicating with General Taylor, adding, that whether General Mejia should send a superior or subaltern officer to General Taylor, at all times accessible, he would be received with becoming courtesy and hospitality. General Worth then presented a written and sealed document for the civil authorities of Matamoras, which was received by General Vega and immediately transferred to the Licenciado Casares.

“General Vega. Is it the intention of General Taylor to remain with his army on the left bank of the Rio Grande ?

"General Worth. Most assuredly, and there to remain until directed otherwise by his government.

"General Vega remarked that 'we' felt indignation at seeing the American flag placed on the Rio Grande, a portion of the Mexican territory.

"General Worth replied, that was a matter of taste; notwithstanding, there it would remain. The army had been ordered to occupy its present position by its government; it has come in a peaceable rather than belligerent attitude, with a determination to respect the rights and customs of those on the right bank of the Rio Grande, while it offers protection to all on the left bank within the territory of the United States.

"No reply having been received from General Vega relative to the demand for an interview with the American consul, the question was again introduced by General Worth, and the demand for the last time reiterated.

"General Vega then promptly refused to comply with the demand; replying, without waiting for the interpretation, ‘No, no.'

"General Worth. I have now to state that a refusal of my demand to see the American consul is regarded as a belligerent act; and, in conclusion, I have to add, the commanding general of the American forces on the left bank of the river will regard the passage of any armed party of Mexicans in hostile array across the Rio Grande as an act of war, and pursue it accordingly.

"The interview here terminated, and General Worth and staff returned to the left bank of the river.

"The above is the substance of the interview between Generals Worth and Vega; is a fair statement of the conversation, and, as

nearly as possible, stating the exact words and expressions used on

the occasion.

"M. KNOWLTON,

1st Lieut. 1st Artillery.

"J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER,

1st Lieut. 1st Artillery, Acting A. D. C.

"ED. DEAS,

1st Lieut. 4th Artillery.

“J. EDM'D BLAKE,

1st Lieut. Top. Eng.

"LARKIN SMITH,

1st Lieut. and A. D. C."

V.

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERALS TAYLOR AND AMPUDIA.

General Taylor to General Ampudia.

"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

CAMP NEAR MATAMORAS, TEXAS, April 12, 1846.

"SENOR: I have had the honor to receive your note of this date, in which you summon me to withdraw the forces under my command from their present position, and beyond the river Nueces, until the pending question between our governments, relative to the limits of Texas, shall be settled.

"I need hardly advise you that, charged as I am, in only a military capacity, with the performance of specific duties, I cannot enter into a discussion of the international question involved in the advance of the American army. You will, however, permit me to say that the government of the United States has constantly sought a settlement, by negotiation, of the question of boundary; that an envoy was despatched to Mexico for that purpose, and that up to the most recent dates said envoy had not been received by the actual Mexican government, if indeed he has not received his passports and left the republic. In the mean time, I have been ordered to occupy the country up to the left bank of the Rio Grande, until the boundary shall be definitively settled. In carrying out these instruc

tions I have carefully abstained from all acts of hostility, obeying, in this regard, not only the letter of my instructions, but the plain dictates of justice and humanity.

"The instructions under which I am acting will not permit me to retrograde from the position I now occupy. In view of the relations between our respective governments, and the individual suffering which may result, I regret the alternative which you offer; but, at the same time, wish it understood that I shall by no means avoid such alternative, leaving the responsibility with those who rashly commence hostilities. In conclusion, you will permit me to give the assurance that on my part the laws and customs of war among civilized nations shall be carefully observed.

"I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "Z. TAYLOR,

"Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

"Señor General D. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.

[Translation.]

General Ampudia to General Taylor.

"FOURTH MILITARY DIVISION,

General-in-Chief.

}

"To explain to you the many grounds for the just grievances felt by the Mexican nation, caused by the United States government, would be a loss of time, and an insult to your good sense; I therefore pass at once to such explanations as I consider of absolute necessity.

"Your government, in an incredible manner - you will even permit me to say, an extravagant one, if the usage or general rules established and received among all civilized nations are regarded— has not only insulted, but has exasperated the Mexican nation, bearing its conquering banner to the left bank of the Rio Bravo del Norte; and in this case, by explicit and definitive orders of my government, which neither can, will, nor should receive new outrages, I require you, in all form, and at latest in the peremptory term of twenty-four hours, to break up your camp and retire to the other bank of the Nueces river, while our governments are regulating the pending question in relation to Texas. If you insist in remaining upon the soil of the department of Tamaulipas, it will clearly result that arms, and arms alone, must decide the question; and in that

case I advise you that we accept the war to which, with so much injustice on your part, you provoke us, and that, on our part, this war shall be conducted conformably to the principles established by the most civilized nations, that is to say, that the law of nations and of war shall be the guide of my operations; trusting that on your part the same will be observed.

"With this view, I tender you the considerations due to your person and respectable office.

“God and Liberty!

"HEADQUARTERS AT MATAMORAS, 2 o'clock P. M., April 12, 1846. "PEDRO D'AMPUDIA.

"Senor General-in-Chief of the United States Army,

"Don Z. TAYLOR."

General Taylor to Adjutant-General Jones.

"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

}

CAMP NEAR MATAMORAS, TEXAS, April 26, 1846. "SIR: I have respectfully to report that General Arista arrived in Matamoras on the 24th instant, and assumed the chief command of the Mexican troops. On the same day he addressed me a communication, conceived in courteous terms, but saying that he considered hostilities commenced, and should prosecute them. A translation of his note, and copy of my reply, will be transmitted the moment they can be prepared. I despatch this by an express which is now waiting.

"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 particulars of the engagement, or the fate of the officers, except that Captain Hardee was known to be a prisoner, and unhurt. Captain Thornton, and Lieutenants Mason and Kane, were the other officers. The party was sixty-three strong.

"Hostilities may now be considered as commenced, and I have this day deemed it necessary to call upon the governor of Texas for four regiments of volunteers, two to be mounted and two to serve as foot. As some delay must occur in collecting these troops, I have