in the taking of Matamoras. After the occupation of the city by the American troops, Colonel Twiggs was appointed military governor. So precipitate had been the retreat of the enemy, that large quantities of military stores were strewed along their track, boxes and storehouses were broken open, and quantities of arms and ammunition thrown into wells and among thickets.

An officer of the American army thus describes the city :-" Matamoras is a much handsomer place than I expected to find it. It covers two miles square, though by no means as compact as an American city. Every house, except those around the public square, has a large garden attached. The houses in the business part of the town are built after the American fashion, though seldom exceeding two stories in height. All the windows to these buildings are grated from top to bottom with iron bars, and half of the door only opens for admittance, which gives them the appearance of prisons, more than business houses. The public square is in the centre of the town, and must have been laid out by an American or European, for the Mexicans never could have laid it out with such beauty and precision. On the four sides of the square the houses are built close together, as in a block, and are all of the same size and height, with the exception of the cathedral, which, though unfinished, still towers above the others. In these houses are sold dry goods, groceries, and every kind of wares, with now and then an exchange or coffee-house

They are principally occupied by Europeans, and one can hear French, English, Spanish, and German, spoken at the same time. After leaving the public square, on either side, the houses decrease in size and beauty for two or three squares, when the small reed and thatched huts commence, and continue to the extreme limits of the place."

Thus in the short space of twenty-three days after the capture of Captain Thornton, which may be considered the commencement of actual war, the Americans had defeated a superior force of the enemy in two battles, driven their army into the interior, entirely destroying its moral efficiency, successfully defended two isolated positions, captured Barita and Matamoras, and destroyed for ever the Mexican jurisdiction in Texas. Such results had displayed to the world the military character of our officers and troops. The long peace had not impaired the national energy, nor rendered less formidable that army, which in the nation's infancy had twice braved the utmost efforts of Great Britain; and foreign powers, who had scoffed at the unavoidable prolongation of the Seminole difficulties in Florida, were taught other dispositions, when a fair opportunity was offered for the display of our energies.

But this campaign did more. It taught our own soldiers their efficiency. Since that time, no American force has ever thought of being defeated by any amount of Mexican troops. Whenever and however the two nations have met in the field, the Americans were sure of victory before the battle commenced. This very confidence has no doubt often been one main cause of triumph. Had the battle of Buena Vista been the first one of the war, there is every reason to believe that Santa Anna would have triumphed; for often, during the exigencies of that terrible action, when victory hung in long uncertainty upon the conduct of single parties, the remembrance of former triumphs was the mainspring of American effort. Such was the case, too, in the battles before Mexico: and frequently even the Mexicans seem to have contended less for victory, than for the support of the national honour, by a vigorous though unsuccessful resistance.

Another result of our operations on the Rio Grande, was to bring prominently before the nation the merit of our officers. It might seem inexplicable to the commanders of Europe, that the general who now ranks among the first of our military men, was, prior to these operations, unknown even by name to the bulk of his countrymen. The same may be said of Generals Twiggs, Worth, Smith, and others, all of whom are now among the brightest ornaments of the service. Other generals have been appointed since that time, some of whom

RESULT OF THE OPERATIONS.

253 have displayed a valour and skill remarkable in citizen soldiery; but none have ever taken that hold upon public approbation, which a grateful nation has spontaneously extended to the heroes of the Rio Grande. These first operations of the war must be considered the foundation on which is based to a great extent all the glory which has accrued to our nation from the Mexican war.

HE crossing of the Rio Grande placed the relative position of the two armies in a new aspect. Hitherto General Taylor's force had been an army of occupation, now it was to become an invading power. Future triumphs were to be not only victories but conquests; disputed boundary no longer formed an im pediment to onward progress; and the city of Mexico now became the ultimate object of military operations.

On the 11th of May, 1846, President Polk, after receiving in

MESSAGE OF THE PRESIDENT.

255

elligence of Thornton's capture, transmitted to the American congress a message, in which he announced that war had actually commenced. After a long enumeration of the causes of this event, and of the aggressions committed by Mexico against our ritizens, the president concludes in the following language: "War actually existing, and our territory having been invaded, General Taylor, pursuant to authority vested in him by my direction, has called on the governor of Texas for four regiments of state troops, two to be mounted, and two to serve on foot; and on the governor of Louisiana, for four regiments of infantry, to be sent to him as soon as practicable.

"In further vindication of our rights, and defence of our territory, I invoke the prompt action of Congress, to recognize the existence of the war, and to place at the disposition of the executive the means of prosecuting the war with vigour, and thus hastening the restoration of peace. To this end I recommend that authority should be given to call into the public service a large body of volunteers, to serve for not less than six or twelve months, unless sooner discharged. "A volunteer force is, beyond question, more efficient than any other description of citizen soldiers; and it is not to be doubted that a number, far beyond that required, would readily rush to the field upon the call of their country. I further recommend that a liberal provision be made for sustaining our entire military force, and furnishing it with supplies and munitions of war.

"The most energetic and prompt measures, and the immediate appearance in arms of a large and overpowering force, are recommended to Congress as the most certain and efficient means of bringing the existing collision with Mexico to a speedy and successful termination.

"In making these recommendations, I deem it proper to declare, that it is my anxious desire, not only to terminate hostilities speedily, but to bring all matters in dispute between this government and Mexico to an early and amicable adjustment; and in this view 1 shall be prepared to renew negotiations, whenever Mexico shall be ready to receive propositions, or to make propositions of her own."

Agreeably to these suggestions of the president, Congress passed an act on the 13th of May, declaring the existence of war between the two republics, empowering the president to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers, and appropriating ten millions of dollars to defray expenses. Thus authorized, the executive issued a proclamation, invoking the nation to assist in sustaining these

measures.

After the capture of Matamoras, the American general used every