The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-11


Rio Grande; a boat with two oficep-represented
a. cavalry officers, with an interpreter-the same
who appeared at the crossing Of the Colorado-and
fourth person, crossed from the right bank Of the
river.
IL was stated through an interpreter--Mr Mitch
el-thst general officer Of the United States array
had been sent by his commanding general ucih de-
spaiehs' TO the commanding general at Mstamoras,
and to the civil authorities, and that an interview
was requested.
After some conversation explanatory Of the above,
the Mexican party recrossed the river to report ~
the commanding general at Mstamoras, and return
with his reply. An open note for the American
consul at Matamotas, with an endorsement, on the
back IN pencil was delivered TO the Mexican off.
He replied that he should hand il to the COM
handing general. Certainly, Of course" was
Gen. Worlds remark 10 reply.
On the return of the same party, Gen Mejia sent
word, that II the commanding general Of the Amsr-
can forces wished a conference with the commanding
general of the Mexican forces, it would readily be
acceded 10; but a junior TO the commanding gen.
eral the part of the American troops had request
ed a conference, Gen Mea could not entertain such
proposition; but that an officer Of corresponding
rank and position in the Mexican forces would be
ready TO receive any communication sent by Gen
Taylor.
IL was perceived that the relation of the parties
was Inexperienced, they supposng that a confer
enee requested; this was corrected Immediately,
and il was reiterated that Gen. Worth was merely
The bsarsr Of despaehss with authority to relate
baly csTaIn matters Of interest TO the commanding
general al Matamoras.
The proposition Of General Mega was then
eeded TO- with the remark, that this 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. = %
fhe Mexican party reerossed 10 tho right bank,
and after short absence returned, stating that Gen.
Romulo Vega would receive General Worth on the
right bank Of the nyer--theiT own seectiOn--for
the reception Of any communication which General
Worth might have TO make from the commanding
general.
General Worth then crossed the river, accom-
panied by Lieut.. Smith, aid. de-csmp, Lleuteuants
Msgruder, Deas, and Blake, attached to his staff
gether with Lieut. knOwlton, as an interpreter. On
arriving at the right bank Of the river, General
Worth was received by General Vega with becom-
ing courtesy and respect and introduced to the tau
lhorities Of Matamoras," represented IN the person
Of the LceneiadO Casarcs. On the Mexican part
present, General Vega, the Licencado Casares,
two oficers-represented cavalry officers-an
with a person named Juan n CARA,
Official de DtteRsores.
After the usual courtesies on meeting it was sta.
ed by General Worth that he was the bearer Of de-
patches from the commanding general Of the Amer
can forces TO General Mea and the civil author
ties Of Matanoras. written and unseaed docu-
nent was produced, and General Vega desiring to
know its contents, was carefully read, and trans
ared into French by Lieutenant Knowlton, and
Afterwards retransated into Spanish by the Mexican
interpreter. General Vega then stated that he had
been directed TO receive such mmunicatOns as
General Worth might present from his command
ing general; going on to say that the march ofthe
United States troops into part of the Mexican ter
rltory, Tamaulipas, was considered as an act Of
war.
Gen. Worth.-"I am we'll aware that some Of the
Mexican people consider it an aggressive act, but
interrupted by the Mexican interpreter and after
slight discussion Of the International question on
the part Of Gen. Vega,l Gen. Worth repeated the
above remark, adding that it not so considered
by his government; that the army had been ordered
there by his government and there il would remain
whether rghtully or otherwise, that question
10 DO settled between the two governments. Gen.
Vega still disposed to argue the merits Of the case
was told by Gen. Worth that "he came to state
facts, not TO argue them"
Gen. Worth then stated that he had been sent
with dispatches from his commanding general TO
Gen. Mejia; that Gen Mejia had refused to receive
them from him personally, adding with emphasis and
draw this dispatch having read il merely as m act
Of courtesy 10 Gen. Vega; that, in addition to the |
written despatch to Gen. Mejia, am authorized to |
express verbalythe sentiments with which the COM
handing general proposed to carry out the instruc-
lions Of his government in which he hoped to pre-
leaving al questions between the two
countries 20 be settled between the two govern
mems; and if hereafter Gen. Mejia wished to com.
nunicate with Gen. Taylor, he must propose the
Gen. Vega that, should Gen. Me-
ia present himself, or send his communications by
subaltern officer, in either he would be re-
;eved with proper courtesy and respect" The
question Of right Of territory again opened by
Gen. Vega, who asked how the United States gov
srnment would view the matter should the Mexican
troops march into or occupy portion of the terri
ory Of the United States. Gen. Worth replied tina,
Gen. Vega might probably be familiar with the old
Droverb, Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof
and that "it would be time enough to consider such
matters when the act was perpetrated"
This proverb did not appear to have been transla-
led by the Mexican interpreter but was received by
Gen. Vega with smile and slight shrug.
Gen. Worth.-"Is the American consul in arrest
or in PRISON."
Gen. Vtga-"No."
Gen. Worth.-"Is he now in the exercise of his
proper functionsl'
Gen. Vega, after apparently consulting with the
Licencado Casares for a moment, replied tina, ne
Gen. Worih.-"Then, az an American officer in |
the name OF my government and my commanding |
general, demand an interview with the consul Of |
my country"
No reply.
Gen. Worth.-"Has Mexico declared war against
the United States"
Gen. Vega.-"Non
Gen. Worth.--"Are the two countries still at
peacc'"
Gen. pegu.-"Yes."
Gen. Worth,-"Then | again demand an inter-
view with the consul Of my government in Matamo
ras-in presence, Of course, of these gentlemen, or
any other that the commanding general in Malamo-
ras may be pleased to de signate v
Gen. Vega reiterated that he was in the proper
exercise Of his funcons that he was not in arr, st.
m in
that he would submit the demand to Gen Mciia, adj
ding that he thought there would be great difficulty
This dt,nand repeatedly made in the most en-
phatic manner, and reply requested, General Vega
stating that the consul continued in the exercise of
his functions, and that the demand would be sui. |
mtted to Gen. Mejia.
Here the interview was suspended, while tho |
Lcenciado left the party, to submit, we under |
stood, the demand for an interview with the consul
TO General Mejie. While engaged in friendly in
tercourse, Gen, Worth stated 10 Gen. Vega, in IN |
informal manner, as an evidence of the good faith |
intentions and dispositions of hia cornu,ndino oen