The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-02-06
From Me Viek,Jurg Whie.
Singular COrresDondence.

We copy to-day from the Charleston Mercu-
ry, a letter written by a Mr.. Marks, our late
Consul at Matamoras, disclosing the fact that
Gen. Arista desired to settle the dispute be-
tween the United States and Mexico about
the boundary, while our army remained at Cor
Pus Christi And now, reader what do you
suppose to be the object Of the Mercury's cor
respondent in making this correspondence pub
lie at the time? 1t is to pro, that Gen. Tay-
lor brought on the war by removing the army
from Corpus Christi, in opposition to the views
expressed to him in this letter. Now we pub
lish the very same letter to prove-what we
have already contended-that it was not neces-
sary to remove the army, and that but for this
removal to the Rio Grande, there was a dispo-
sition to meet us with an amicable adjustment.
1t Will be recollected that Gen. Taylor could
not remove the army without instructions from
Washington; and We: we find in about three
months afterwards, instructions were. sent from
Washington to Gen, Taylor, commanding him
to remove his forces to the Rio Gfande. See
the Presidents Message where he states this
fact. Now read this cOrrespondenceannd sac
whether the administration avinced much
J ofsa disposition to treat on tho sdcject
Of a boundary. And here we beg leave
to correct an error into which many intelli-
gent men have been led, that Mexico, after
agreeing to receive Commissioner to treat on
the question Of boundary, then refused to re-
ceive them. This is a mistake. Mexico had
already declared that she would not receive
from or send a Minister to the United States;
she had Withdrawn her own Minister, Almon-
te, and sent ours, Mr.. Shannon home, and our
diplomatic relations had ended, And yet in
the face of all this, and upon the proposition to
receive q Commissioner upon the'subject of
boundary only, Mr.. Polk sendslMr. SlideIl as a
full Minister in just such a character as Mexico
had declared she would not receive him-yet
many seemed to regard him as a Commissioner
to treat on the boundary only. Before it was
known that Mr.. Slidell would not be received,
on the 18th January, 1846, Mr.. Polk ordered
Gen. Taylor to the Rio Grande, in fact the
Washington Union announced about the 18th
January 1916, that he would be received,
which if it proved anything, only showed that
the Mexicans did nor intend to invade Texas.
So also does this correspondence show, and to
make certain Of the Administration having full
knowledge of these facts, Mr.. Marks sent it to
Washington and went en- himself TO advocate
the proposition.-Why it was rejected, time
and documents yet to meet the public eye must
disclose. But to the correspondence itself:
ItHGge Of China on The River San JuGn.l
September 23d 1916,
To GEN. q, TAYLOR,
Commanding The u. S.. Troops,
Corpus Christi, Teas.
SIR have the honor to inform YOU, that !
have had several conferences at Monterey with
Gen. Mariana Arista, Commander-in -Chief Of
the Mexican forces on the frontier Of the
Rio Grande, in relation to the differences at
present existing between the United States and
Mexico, and am pleased to state 10 you that
from the opinions and views he made known
to me, the Cabinet Of Mexico is~. disposed to en-
ter into the amicable arrangement with the
United States in relationto the boundary and
all other momentous questions. Although |
was not clothed with any official authority, |
took upon myself as a citizen of the United
States, desiring to see the two countries in
harmony and friendship, to say that il is and
ever has been the policy and sincere wish of
the Government and people of the United States
to cultivate the good will and friendship of the
sister republics Of the American continent, and
most especially Mexico, and that | was conf
dent the United States would make a liberal
settlement with Mexico relative to the bound
airy question.
As Gen. Arista was under the impression
that ! was q secret agent of the United States,
although declared to him quite contrary, and
that was only acting as private individual,
endeavoring to avoid a recourse to arms be-
tween the two countries, he nevertheless tho't
it advisable to send a minute of our confer
ences to his government, and assured me that
there will be no declaration Of war on the part
of Mexico, until can proceed on to Washing
ton and lay before the President the views of
Mexico of which | am possessed.
Gen. Arista pledged his honor to me that no
large body of Mexican troops should cross the
left bank Of the Rio Grande, that only small
parties not to exceed 200 men, should be per-
mitted to go as far as the Arroyo Colorado go
leagues from the Rio Grande) and that they
would be strictly ordered only to prevent In
dian depredations and illicit trade. then had
no hesitation in assuring him that you would
not commit any aggressive act against Mexico,
or her citizens, and that you would solely
maintain the station you at present occupy, at
or near the Nueces river. l trust that in hav-
ing made this assurance to him, though, I a.
gain repeat did it as a private citizen of the
United States, it will meet with your approba.