Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1847-02-02
M L . G. Il l. l. A II e q U s.
SECRET HISTORY OF THE wAR...VHO
BROUGHT 1T ON!
Prom the Ner York Commercial.


Consul at Mn,amoras, published by the Char
lesion Mercury, and render positively certain,
what was too plnnly evinced i'll documents al
ready public, to be disbecved. that the march of
Gen. Taylor's army 10 the left bank Of the Rio
Grando was the real origin Of our present war
with Mexico, and tho. but for tho. measure, tho
war would not have broken out. ltappears from
this testimony. tho truth of which cannot be
questioned, that by nm explicit agreement bet
Ween tho Mexican commanding general and
person whom he deemed @ secret ngent of our
government, that no resistance would have been
made by the Mexicans to Gen. Taylor had no
remained at Corpus Christi, and that long
he remained there. they intended TO confine their
forces, and in such numbers only as were neces-
sary to prevent Indian depredations to the region
South of the Arroyo Colorado. Tho dispatches
Of Con. Taylor. communicated TO Congress by
the President on tho l,h Of May. 1916, in which
he describes his advance 10 tho Rio Grande. prove
that the MexicnDs were acting upon the faith of
this informal agreement; for having previously
met opposition to his march, when no reached
tho Arroyo Colorado on tho I9th Of March, he
first encountered n part of Mexican horse, who
informed him, he states, that sit would be con-
sidered act Of hostility if attempted to
pass the river Tho Colorado. and that should,
in that case. he treat ted ms enemies!' In IN in
terview also reported in Gen. Taylor's dispatches,
between Gen. Worth and Gen. Vega, at Mata-
moras. on tho 2Sth March, the lnttor repeatedly
said that the march Of our troops to the Rio
Grande was considod act Of Again
Genernl Taylor received, the 12th Of April
from General Ampud:a, who had arrived the
day before at Mn,nmoras and taken tho command
in chief Of the Mexican forces, despatch,
curing him to retire TO tho other bank Of tho
Nueces while their Government were regulating
the pending question of Texas; declaring also
that he insisted on remaining on tho soil of tho
Dcpa r,ment Of Tamaupas, it would clearly
suit that arms nono must decide tho issue; and
in that case advising him that they (the Mexlcnns)
accepted the to which, with SO much injustice,
no provoked them.
These fncts, taken in connection with those
Yelnted in the letter Of Mr.. Marks, furnish
answerabe proof that the advance to the Rio
Grande was the sole cause of actual hosli!Ities,
and that the President. who ordered tho move
mont, have brought upon The country unneces
sary and grievously burdensome
(corY.)
Village Of China on tho River San Juan,1
Sept. 23d, 1915.
To Gen. z. TAYLOR,
Commanding the U. States troops,
at Corpus Christi, (Texus:)
SIR: have the honor to inform YOU, that
have had several conferences Monterey with
Gen. Mariana Arista, Commander in Chief of
tho Mexican forces tho frontier Of tho Ric
Grande, in relation to tho differences at present
existing be,~cen tho United Stntcs and Mexico,
and am pleased to state TO you that from tho
opinions and vews he mado known to me. tho
Cabinet of Mexico is disposed to enter INFO
amicable arrangement with the United States in
relation to the boundary and other momontous
questions. Although was not clothed with any
official authority. took upon myself as q citizen
of the United States, desiring to the two
countries in harmony of friendship, 10 say tina.
it has ever been, aud is tho policy and sincere
wish Of tho governmon. and people of tho United
States to cultivate the good will and friendship of
the sister reDubiicS of tho a continent.
and most especially Mexico. and that was
fdent tho United States would make n liberal set
element with Mexico relative to tho boundary
question.
As General Arista was under the impression
that was secret agent Of tho United States,
though declared TO him quito contrary. and tina,
! was only acting private individual, ondca-
voring TO avoid recourse TO arms between the
two countries he nevertheless thought il dvisabc
to send a minute of our conferences to his govern
ment, and assured mo that there will be de-
carntion Of war on tho part Of Mexico. until
can proceed on to Washington and lay before the
Presiden, tho views Of Mexico. Of which | am
possessed.
General Arsta pledged his honor to me ,ha,
no largo body Of Mexican troops should cross the
left bank Of the Rio Gande; that only sma parties
not to exceed 200 men should be permitted TO go
as far the Arroyo Colorado, GO leagues from
the Rio Grandel and that they would be strictly
ordered only to preven, Indian depreda,ions and
illicit tradc. then had no hesitation in assuring
him that You would not commit any aggressive
act against Mexico or her citizens, aud that you
would solely maintain the position you a, present
occupy at near the Nueccs river. trust in
having made this assurance to him. though. again
repeat, did it as a private citizen of the United
States, it will meet with your appreciation and DO
adhered to, as in great measure peace depends
on your prudent movements in tn particular.
Gen. Arista spoke also of Indian incursions on
the frontier Of the Rio Grande, and is undor the
impression that they could be prevented by the
troops under your command, as the Indians always
come from the Nueces river. l expressed my
profound regret at the frequent a'rocious acts OF
the Indians. and said that you would no doubt in
future all ende:vors 10 prevent them. as the