the enemy. The following letter to the War Department gives a detailed account of the affair ::

}

"HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp Three Miles south of the Arroya Colorado, March 21, 1846. "SIR-I respectfully report that my forces are now concentrated at this point, the Third Brigade having joined me to-day. We are nearly north of Matamoros, and about thirty miles distant.

"The Arroya Colorado is a salt river, or rather lagoon, nearly one hundred yards broad, and so deep as barely to be fordable. It would have formed a serious obstruction to our march had the enemy chosen to occupy its right bank, even with a small force. On the 19th, the advanced corps encamped within three miles of the ford, and a reconnoissance was pushed forward to the river. A party of irregular cavalry (rancheros) was discovered on the opposite bank, but threw no obstacle in the way of examining the ford. They, however, signified to the officer charged with the reconnoissance that it would be considered an act of hostility if we attempted to pass the river, and that we should, in that case, be treated as enemies. Under these circumstances, not knowing the amount of force that might be on the other bank, I deemed it prudent to make dispositions to pass the river under fire, for which please see my Orders,' No. 33. At an early hour on the 20th, the Cavalry and First Brigade of Infantry were in position at the ford, the batteries of field artillery being so placed as to sweep the opposite bank. While these dispositions. were in progress, the party that had shown themselves the day before again made their appearance. I sent Captain Mansfield to communicate with the officer in command, who said that he had positive orders to fire upon us if we attempted to cross the river. Another party then made its appearance, and passed the river to communicate with me. One of them (who was represented as the adjutant-general of the Mexican troops) repeated substantially what had been sent before, viz.: that they had

PASSAGE OF THE ARROYA COLORADO.

83

peremptory orders to fire upon us, and that it would be considered a declaration of war if we passed the river. He placed in my hands, at the same time, a proclamation of General Mejia, issued at Matamoros, a day or two previous, which I enclose. I informed the officer that I should immediately cross the river, and if any of his party showed themselves on the other bank after the passage commenced, they would receive the fire of our artillery. In the mean time, the Second Brigade (which had encamped some miles in my rear) came up and formed on the extreme right. The crossing was then commenced and executed in the order prescribed. Not a shot was fired; and a reconnoissance of cavalry, sent immediately forward, discovered the party which had occupied the bank retreating in the direction of Matamoros. Agreeably to my orders, they were not molested. The Cavalry and First and Second Brigades of Infantry, with a train of two hundred wagons, crossed over and encamped at this point, three miles distant, at an early hour in the afternoon.

"I have thought proper to make a detailed report of this operation, as being the first occasion on which the Mexicans have shown themselves in an attitude decidedly hostile. It has also furnished an excellent opportunity for the instruction of the troops, and for displaying their discipline and spirit, which, I am gratified to be able to say, were everything that could be desired.

"I am compelled to remain at this point until joined by the supply train of the Third Brigade, which is unavoidably in the rear. On the 23d, at latest, I expect to resume the march, but am not fully decided as to the direction. While Matamoros is the point to be ultimately attained, it is necessary, at the same time, to cover our supplies, which will soon arrive at Point Isabel.

"From the best information I am able to obtain, the enemy is not in force on this side of the Rio Grande. A few rancheros are still on the route hence to Matamoros. It is believed that there may be nearly two thousand troops in that place, but what

proportion of regular troops I cannot state with confidence. The arrival of General Ampudia is expected from the interior; but the accounts I receive of his movements are quite contradictory. "I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. TAYLOR,

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

The Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C.”

Of the proclamation to which General Taylor alludes in the foregoing letter, we give as much as is necessary to show that the Mexicans considered the advance of the Americans into their territory as equivalent to a declaration of war.

"The general-in-chief of the forces assembled against the enemy, to the inhabitants of this department and the troops under his command.

"FELLOW-CITIZENS:-The annexation of the department of Texas to the United States, projected and consummated by the tortuous policy of the cabinet of the Union, does not yet satisfy the ambitious desires of the degenerate sons of Washington. The civilized world has already recognised in that act all the marks of injustice, iniquity, and the most scandalous violation of the rights of nations. Indelible is the stain which will for ever darken the character for virtue falsely attributed to the people of the United States; and posterity will regard with horror their perfidious conduct, and the immorality of the means employed by them to carry into effect that most degrading depredation. The right of conquest has always been a crime against humanity; but nations jealous of their dignity and reputation have endeavoured at least to cover it by the splendour of arms and the prestige of victory. To the United States it has been reserved to put in practice dissimulation, fraud, and the basest treachery, in order to obtain possession, in the midst of peace,

MEJIA'S PROCLAMATION.

85

of the territory of a friendly nation, which generously relied upon the faith of promises and the solemnity of treaties.

"The cabinet of the United States does not, however, stop in its career of usurpation. Not only does it aspire to the possession of the department of Texas, but it covets also the regions on the left bank of the Rio Bravo. Its army, hitherto for some time stationed at Corpus Christi, is now advancing to take possession of a large part of Tamaulipas; and its vanguard has arrived at the Arroya Colorado, distant eighteen leagues from this place. What expectations, therefore, can the Mexican government have of treating with an enemy, who, whilst endeavouring to lull us into security, by opening diplomatic negotiations, proceeds to occupy a territory which never could have been the object of the pending discussion? The limits of Texas are certain and recognised; never have they extended beyond the river Neuces; notwithstanding which, the American army has crossed the line separating Tamaulipas from that department. Even though Mexico could forget that the United States urged and aided the rebellion of the former colonists, and that the principle, giving to an independent people the right to annex itself to another nation, is not applicable to the case, in which the latter has been the protector of the independence of the former, with the object of admitting it into its own bosom; even though it could be accepted as an axiom of international law, that the violation of every rule of morality and justice might serve as a legitimate title for acquisition; nevertheless, the territory of Tamaulipas would still remain beyond the law of annexation, sanctioned by the American Congress; because that law comprises independent Texas, the ground occupied by the rebellious colony, and in no wise includes other departments, in which the Mexican government has uninterruptedly exercised its legitimate authority.

"Fellow-countrymen: With an enemy which respects not its own laws, which shamelessly derides the very principles invoked

by it previously, in order to excuse its ambitious views, we have no other resource than arms. We are fortunately always prepared to take them up with glory, in defence of our country; little do we regard the blood in our veins, when we are called on to shed it in vindication of our honour, to assure our nationality and independence. If to the torrent of devastation which threatens us it be necessary to oppose a dike of steel, our swords will form it; and on their sharp points will the enemy receive the fruits of his anticipated conquest. If the banks of the Panuce have been immortalized by the defeat of an enemy, respectable and worthy of the valour of Mexico, those of the Bravo shall witness the ignominy of the proud sons of the north, and its deep waters shall serve as the sepulchre of those who dare to approach it. The flame of patriotism which burns in our hearts will receive new fuel from the odious presence of the conquerors; and the cry of Dolores and Iguala shall be re-echoed with harmony to our ears, when we take up our march to oppose our naked breasts to the rifles of the hunters of the Mississippi.

*

*

FRANCISCO MEJIA.

MATAMOROS, March 18, 1846."

On the evening of the 21st, the Third Brigade crossed the Colorado and encamped near the other brigades, and the whole rested on the 22d, to enable the ox-teams to come up, which had been left behind in order to accelerate the movements of the troops.

General Taylor had intended to march direct to Matamoros, but hearing that the Mexicans in force occupied Point Isabel, the contemplated depot for his military stores, and unwilling to leave an enemy in his rear, so as to endanger his subsistence, he changed his intention and marched upon Point Isabel. That he might be ready in case of emergency to form the troops in line of battle with great readiness, the order of march was in four