"It was perceived that the relation of the parties was misapprehended, they supposing that a conference was requested; this was corrected immediately, and it was reiterated that General Worth was merely the bearer of despatches, with authority to relate verbally certain matters of interest to the commanding general at Mat

amoras.

"The proposition of General Mejia was then acceded to, with the remark that this was a mere question of form, which should not be permitted to interfere with any arrangements necessary to the continuance of the friendly relations now existing between the two governments.

"The Mexican party returned to the right bank, and after a short absence, returned, stating that General Romulo Vega would receive General Worth on the right bank of the river, (their own proposition,) for the reception of any communication which General Worth might have to make from the commanding general.

“General Worth then crossed the river, accompanied by Lieutenant Smith, A. D. C., Lieutenants Magruder, Deas, and Blake, attached to his staff, together with Lieutenant Knowlton, as interpreter.

"On arriving at the right bank of the river, General Worth was received by General Vega with becoming courtesy and respect, and introduced to the authorities of Matamoras,' represented in the person of the Licenciado Casares.

"On the Mexican part, were present, General Vega, the Licenciádo Casares, two officers, (represented as cavalry officers,) an interpreter, with a person named Juan N. Garza, official de defensores.

"After the usual courtesies on meeting, it was stated by General Worth that he was bearer of despatches from the commanding general of the American forces to General Mejia and the civil authorities of Matamoras; a written and unsealed document was produced, and General Vega, desiring to know its contents, it was carefully read and translated into Spanish by the Mexican interpreter.

"General Vega then stated that he had been directed to receive such communications as General Worth might present from his commanding general, going on to say that the march of the United States troops through a part of the Mexican territory, (Tamaulipas,) was considered as an act of war.

"General Worth. I am well aware that some of the Mexican people consider it an aggressive act, but (interrupted by the Mex

ican interpreter, and after a slight discussion of the international question on the part of General Vega,) — General Worth repeated the above remark, adding that it was not so considered by his government; that the army had been ordered there by his government, and there it would remain; whether rightfully or otherwise, that was a matter to be settled between the two governments. General Vega still disposed to argue the merits of the case, was told by General Worth that he came to state facts, not to argue them.

"General Worth here stated that he had been sent with a despatch from his commanding general to General Mejia; that General Mejia had refused to receive it from him in person; adding with emphasis, and some degree of warmth, 'I now state that I withdraw this despatch,' having read it merely as an act of courtesy to General Vega; that, in addition to the written despatch to General Mejia, I am authorized to express verbally the sentiments with which the commanding general proposed to carry out the instructions of his government, in which he hoped to preserve the peaceable relations between the two governments, leaving all questions between the two countries to be settled by their respective governments; and if, hereafter, General Mejia wished to communicate with General Taylor, he, General Mejia, must propose the means, assuring General Vega that, should General Mejia present himself or his communications by a subaltern officer, in either case they would be received with becoming courtesy and hospitality.

"The question of right of territory was again opened by General Vega, who asked how the United States government would view the matter, should the Mexican troops march into or occupy a portion of the territory of the United States?

“General Worth replied, that General Vega might probably be familiar with the old proverb, 'Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof, and that it would be time enough to reply to such a proposition when the act itself was perpetrated.

"This proverb did not appear to have been translated by the Mexican interpreter, but was received by General Vega with a smile and a slight shrug.

“General Worth. Is the American consul in arrest, or in prison? “General Vega. No.

"General Worth. Is he now in the exercise of his proper functions?

"General Vega, after apparently consulting with the Licenciado Casares for a moment, replied that he was.

"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.

States?

"General Vega.

Has Mexico declared war against the United

No.

"General Worth. Are the two countries still at peace?

"General Vega. Yes.

"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 licenciádo 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