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:

"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 TO 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."

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.

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