also desired the governor of Louisiana to send out four regiments of infantry as soon as practicable. This will constitute an auxiliary force of nearly 5000 men, which will be required to prosecute the war with energy, and carry it, as it should be, into the enemy's country. I trust the department will approve my course in this matter, and will give the necessary orders to the staff departments for the supply of this large additional force.

"If a law could be passed authorizing the president to raise volunteers for twelve months, it would be of the greatest importance for a service so remote from support as this.

"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.

W.

LETTER.

General Taylor to General Ampudia.

"HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

CAMP NEAR MATAMORAS, TEXAS, April 22, 1846.

"SIR: I have had the honor to receive your communication of this date, in which you complain of certain measures adopted by my order, to close the mouth of the Rio Bravo against vessels bound to Matamoras, and in which you also advert to the case of two Mexicans supposed to be detained as prisoners in this camp.

"After all that has passed since the American army first approached the Rio Bravo, I am certainly surprised that you should complain of a measure which is no other than a natural result of the state of war so much insisted upon by the Mexican authorities, as actually existing at this time. You will excuse me for recalling a few circumstances, to show that this state of war has not been sought by the American army, but has been forced upon it, and that the exercise of the rights incident to such a state cannot be made a subject of complaint.

"On breaking up my camp at Corpus Christi, and moving forward with the army under my orders to occupy the left bank of the Rio Bravo, it was my earnest desire to execute my instructions in a pacific manner; to observe the utmost regard for the personal rights of all citizens residing on the left bank of the river, and to take care that the religion and customs of the people should suffer no violation. With this view, and to quiet the minds of the inhabitants, I issued orders to the army, enjoining a strict observance of the rights and interests of all Mexicans residing on the river, and caused said orders to be translated into Spanish, and circulated in the several towns on the Bravo. These orders announced the spirit in which we proposed to occupy the country, and I am proud to say that up to this moment the same spirit has controlled the operations of the army. On reaching the Arroyo Colorado I was informed by a Mexican officer that the order in question had been received in Matamoras, but was told at the same time that if I attempted to cross the river, it would be regarded as a declaration of war. Again, on my march to Frontone I was met by a deputation of the civil authorities of Matamoras, protesting against my occupation of a portion of the department of Tamaulipas, and declaring that if the army was not at once withdrawn, war would result. While this communication was in my hands, it was discovered that the village of Frontone had been set on fire and abandoned. I viewed this as a direct act of war, and informed the deputation that their communication would be answered by me when opposite Matamoras, which was done in respectful terms. On reaching the river, I despatched an officer, high in rank, to convey to the commanding general in Matamoras the expression of my desire for amicable relations, and my willingness to leave open to the use of the citizens of Matamoras the port of Brasos Santiago, until the question of boundary should be definitively settled. This officer received for reply, from the officer selected to confer with him, that my advance to the Rio Bravo was considered as a veritable act of war, and he was absolutely refused an interview with the American consul, in itself an act incompatible with a state of peace. Notwithstanding these repeated assurances on the part of the Mexican authorities, and notwithstanding the most obviously hostile preparations on the right bank of the river, accompanied by a rigid non-intercourse, I carefully abstained from any act of hostility-determined that the nus of producing an actual state of hostilities should not rest with

me. Our relations remained in this state until I had the honor to receive your note of the 12th instant, in which you denounce war as the alternative of my remaining in this position. As I could not, under my instructions, recede from my position, I accepted the alternative you offered, and made all my dispositions to meet it suitably. But, still willing to adopt milder measures before proceeding to others, I contented myself in the first instance, with ordering a blockade of the mouth of the Rio Bravo, by the naval forces under my orders. · a proceeding perfectly consonant with the state of war so often declared to exist, and which you acknowledge in your note of the 16th instant, relative to the late Colonel Cross. If this measure seem oppressive, I wish it borne in mind that it has been forced upon me by the course you have seen fit to adopt. I have reported this blockade to my government, and shall not remove it until I receive instructions to that effect, unless indeed you desire an armistice pending the final settlement of the question between the governments, or until war shall be formally declared by either, in which case I will cheerfully open the river. In regard to the consequences you mention as resulting from a refusal to remove the blockade, I beg you to understand that I am prepared for them, be they what they may. * * *

"In conclusion, I take leave to state that I consider the tone of your communication highly exceptionable, where you stigmatize the movement of the army under my orders as 'marked with the seal of universal reprobation.' You must be aware that such language is not respectful in itself, either to me or to my government; and while I observe in my own correspondence the courtesy due to your high position, and to the magnitude of the interests with which we are respectively charged, I shall expect the same in return. "I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, "Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. Army, commanding.

"Señor Gen. D. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA,

Commanding in Matamoras.

X.

In a letter of Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Trist, he says,

"In the annals of history never has there been a war conducted in the same manner by invading forces. Instead of levying milita

ry contributions for the support of our armies in the heart of ou enemy's country, we have paid fair, and even extravagant prices, for all the supplies which we have received. We have not only held sacred the private property of the Mexicans, but on several occasions have fed their famishing soldiers, and bound up their wounds. And what has been the return? Treachery and cruelty have done their worst against us. Our citizens have been murdered, and their dead bodies mutilated, in cold blood, by bands of savage and cowardly guerillas; and the parole of honor, sacred in all civilized warfare, has been habitually forfeited by Mexican officers and soldiers. Those paroled at Vera Cruz have fought against us at Cerro Gordo; and those paroled at Cerro Gordo have doubtless been in the ranks of the enemy in the battles so glorious to our arms at and near the city of Mexico.

"After the battle of Cerro Gordo, the president entertained serious thoughts of modifying your instructions, at least so far as greatly to reduce the maximum sums which you were authorized to pay for portions of the Mexican territory; but, wishing to afford to the world an example of continued moderation and forbearance in the midst of victory, he suffered them to remain unchanged. And what has been the consequence?

"After a series of brilliant victories, when our troops were at the gates of the capital, and it was completely in our power, the Mexican government have not only rejected your liberal offers, but have insulted our country by proposing terms, the acceptance of which would degrade us in the eyes of the world, and be justly condemned by the whole American people. They must attribute our liberality to fear, or they must take courage from our supposed political divisions. Some such cause is necessary to account for their strange infatuation. In this state of affairs, the president, believing that your continued presence with the army can be productive of no good, but may do much harm by encouraging the delusive hopes and false impressions of the Mexicans, has directed me to recall you from your mission, and to instruct you to return to the United States by the first safe opportunity. He has determined not to make another offer to treat with the Mexican government, though he will be always ready to receive and consider their proposals. They must now first sue for peace.”

Y.

REPORT

From the Adjutant-General, in compliance with a Resolution of the House of Representatives, in relation to the Number of United States Troops that have been engaged in the War with Mexico, the Number who have been killed, died from Wounds, &c.

We can only give extracts from this report, and from that portion of it which is explanatory of the tables.

The tables present the following results:

THE REGULAR ARMY.

"The strength of the army at the commencement of hostilities with the republic of Mexico, in April, 1846, 7244; the force on the frontier of Texas, May, 1846, present and absent, 3554, of which 131 were sick; troops sent to Mexico, including recruits, 23,136, of which 12,551 are of the old establishment, and 10,585 new regiments, which, with the force on the Rio Grande in May, 1846, makes the whole number of the regular army employed every where in the prosecution of the war, inclusive of December, 1847, about 26,690, besides a battalion of marines, (350.) Twenty-nine thousand men have been recruited since the 13th of May, 1846, and 23,556 sent to Mexico, which exceeds the number joined as reported on the rolls and returns, many of which are wanting.

66

"The regular force in Mexico, New Mexico, and California, was, in December, about 21,202; and since the 1st of January, 2493 recruits have been sent to the army, which increases the regular troops in all Mexico, it is estimated, to about 23,695. The six companies stationed in the United States, (556,) and 1200 recruits in depot and at rendezvous, (total 1750,) carry up the regular army every where, on the rolls, to about 25,445.

CASUALTIES.

"Old establishment: discharges, by expiration of service, 1435; for disability, 887; by order and civil authority, 253;— total, 2575. "Deaths. Killed in battle, 45 officers, 434 men; died of wounds, 19 officers, 331 men; total killed and died of wounds, 64 officers, 765 men; ordinary deaths, 44 officers, 1787 men:- - total deaths, 108 officers, 2552 men. Aggregate, 2660.