succeed Santa Anna in the presidency of Mexico. The new administration takes no hostile step. The army still remains at Mier.

In July, 1845, more than a year after the army of invasion had been raised by Santa Anna, General Taylor, under orders issued by our government at the request of the state of Texas, advances with his army to Corpus Christi, on the right bank of the Nueces.

This movement revives for a time the Mexican proclamation fever. General Arista, commanding one of the divisions of the " grand army" designed for the invasion of Texas, and General Paredes, commanding the army of reserve, issue each a furious proclamation, breathing vengeance and slaughter, and announcing the determination instantly to drive the invaders from their soil. This being over, all subsides again into perfect tranquility; the army is marched into distant parts of the republic, and its leaders turn their minds to domestic commotion. General Taylor writes thus from Corpus Christi: "No extraordinary preparations are going forward at Matamoros, the garrison does not seem to have been increased, and our consul at that place is of the opinion

that there will be no declaration of war." "The border people on both sides of the river are friendly." "There are no troops of any consequence on or near the Rio Grande." Such is the unvarying tenor of his despatches, up to the day on which he was ordered forward to that disputed river.

The propriety of the movement of our army to Corpus Christi might on some accounts be questioned. But as the matter never assumed any practical importance, as Mexico did not object to it when in October following she requested our fleet to be withdrawn from the Gulf before negotiations should be opened, as it was not alluded to as a wrongful act in the subsequent correspondence between the two governments, and was soon lost sight of behind events of greater magnitude, we shall not dwell further upon it.

CHAPTER IV.

THE Mission of Mr. Slidell. The refusal to receive him. Political situation of Mexico on the arrival of our Minister. Her conduct consistent. Duty of the United States. The course adopted by our government. Fall of Herrera. The refusal to send a commissioner threw upon our government the responsibility of future hostilities.

THE annexation of Texas to the United States had awakened in Mexico a strong feeling of resentment. The administration of Herrera, however, though on this account it found it necessary to continue its menaces, and keep up a show of opposition, was evidently disposed to peace.

Our executive, convinced of the amicable disposition of the Mexican government, addressed to it an inquiry in October, 1845, while General Taylor was at Corpus Christi,. to ascertain whether "an envoy from the United States, entrusted with full powers to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two

governments" would be received. The Mexican minister replied, that his government was disposed to receive "the commissioner of the United States who might come with full pow ers to settle the present dispute in a peaceful, reasonable and honorable manner."

The promptness and cordiality of this reply evince a sincere desire for the restoration of friendship. Immediately on its receipt, Mr. Slidell was appointed by the president, envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to reside near the government of Mexico. That government refused to receive him in this capacity, stating that they had only consented to receive a commissioner for the settlement of the present dispute, and that they could not renew diplomatic intercourse, until the dif ficulty on account of which it had been broken off should be first adjusted.

It has been attempted to charge Mexico with inconsistency in this matter, and with intentionally insulting the United States by violating her word. A view of the circumstances of the case will, we think, afford to every candid mind a vindication of her conduct.

The arrival of Mr. Slidell in that country

occurred at an unfortunate moment. During the few weeks that had elapsed since the promise to receive a commissioner, a sudden storm had darkened the political sky of Mexico, and the administration of Herrera was already bending before it. Its amicable views were displeasing to a majority of the people, its temporizing policy had disappointed the army. Taking advantage of the discontent of both, Paredes, having raised the cry for the recov ery of Texas, was threatening its overthrow.

Under these circumstances the arrival of the American minister was a serious cause of alarm to the government. We have no reason to doubt its sincere desire to redeem its promise. Mr. Slidell himself says, that he believes the president and his cabinet to be really desirous to enter frankly upon a negotiation which would terminate all their difficulties with the United States. But the administration appeared to be conscious that his immediate reception would destroy the last hope which they entertained of withstanding the popular storm.

In this state of anxiety and alarm, the government attempted to defer his recognition