shall immediately commence the removal of the 3d infantry to the point selected. The position will probably be "Live Oak Point," in Aransas bay, some ten miles from our present position. I am very anxious to establish myself at the mouth of the Nueces, but the extreme shoalness of the water will, I fear, present an insuperable obstacle, unless we can procure lighters of much lighter draught than those we have at present.

The difficulties of effecting a debarkation on this coast, and of establishing depots for supplying the army, are much greater than I anticipated, and will render our operations at once embarrassing and expensive. Between Pass Cavallo and Brazos Santiago, there is no entrance for vessels drawing more than seven or eight feet; and the prevailing winds render the operation of lightening extremely uncertain and hazardous. We have been favored with fine weather, and, should it continue, the other transports, which may now be expected, will be enabled to discharge without difficulty.

We had a very favorable run from New Orleans; and I am happy to state that the health of the command was greatly improved by the voyage. The eight companies have scarcely any sickness at

this time..

The day before leaving New Orleans, I received from Major Donelson a communication dated at Austin, on the 7th of July, informing me that the convention had unanimously accepted the proposition of annexation, and suggesting that two companies should be posted at Austin. I still deem it best to concentrate my force until our relations with Mexico shall become settled, and until the country can be examined, and the best mode of supply ascertained.

I hear nothing important from the Mexican frontier. Some Indian depredations are committed from time to time near Corpus Christi, and will claim my first attention after I can get established. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army,

Washington, D. C.

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,
Corpus Christi, Texas, August 15, 1845.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, by New Orleans papers of the 7th instant, I have received, intelligence of the preparatory steps taken by Mexico towards a declaration of war against the United States. I shall spare no exertions to meet suitably this probable change in the relations between the two countries; and the additional force ordered to join me, as announced in your communication of July 30, will, I trust, enable me to do something more than maintain a merely defensive attitude on the Nueces. This will depend upon the demonstrations made by Mexico along the Rio Grande, in regard to which the Secretary of War has solicited a report. I am enabled to say, upon information which is

regarded as authentic, that General Arista was to leave Monterey on the 4th of this month for Matamoras with 1,500 men-500 being cavalry. I learn, from the same source, that there are 500 regular troops at Matamoras. In regard to the force at other points on the Rio Grande, except the militia of the country, I have no information; nor do I hear that the reported concentration at Matamoras is for any purpose of invasion. I have but just arrived at this place, and hope in a few days to be able to obtain more full and precise intelligence concerning the movements of the Mexicans. I shall not fail to communicate promptly to the department all such intelligence upon which I think reliance can be placed. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army,

Washington, D. C.

P. S.-I enclose a sketch, prepared by Lieutenant Eaton, of Aransas and Corpus Christi bays, showing our intended depot, and also our present position-Fort Marcy.

Z. T.

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

Corpus Christi, Texas, August 15, 1845. SIR: I have deferred, perhaps, too long making a report of my operations since arriving on this coast; but I have been unwilling to speak only of difficulties attending the establishment of my force; and such and so many have been those difficulties, that not until this moment have I been able to report anything satisfactory in regard to our movements. After a careful examination-for the most part personal-of Aransas and Corpus Christi bays, I have settled upon this point west of the Nueces river, as the most favorable for present occupation, and have pushed forward the troops and supplies as rapidly as our means of transportation would permit. I am now enabled to report that the artillery, the 3d infantry, and seven companies of the 4th infantry, are in position here, well supplied with ammunition and provisions. One more company of the 4th (left temporarily at St. Joseph's island) will join in a day or two. Some works of defence are in progress; and if I succeed in procuring some light guns from the sloop of war St. Mary's, (for the field battery has not yet arrived,) I shall feel able to maintain my position against any Mexican force that may be brought against it. The arrival of Graham's companies of the 4th, of the 2d dragoons, and 7th infantry, will doubtless enable me to assume an offensive attitude should it become expedient.

Our last mail (which was saved with, difficulty from the wreck of a schooner on the 13th instant) brought your communications of July 28 and 30; the latter enclosing a letter from the Secretary of

War of the same date. I am gratified to find that my measures thus far have met the approbat on of the government and generalin-chief, and, particularly, to find that I have but anticipated the wishes of the President in taking up a position west of the Nueces. I have determined to establish my depot, for the present, on the point of St. Joseph's island, whence supplies can be thrown either into Corpus Christi or Aransas bay, as may become necessary. Owing to the shoalness of the water between the two bays, the transportation of troops and supplies has been attended with much delay and expense. Instructions have been given to the quartermaster in New Orleans to procure transports adapted to our purpose, on the arrival of which our supplies can be thrown forward with facility and economy.

Nothing has been heard from the 2d dragoons since they marched from Fort Jesup, except a rumor (which I really hope may prove unfounded) that Colonel Twiggs had been taken sick, and was forced to turn back. I am very anxious for the arrival of this regiment, as its services are greatly needed for outposts and reconnoissances. I shall despatch an express to communicate with the regiment and ascertain its position and condition.

Graham's companies of the 4th infantry were daily expected in New Orleans at the last advices, and will, doubtless, sail about the same time with the 7th infantry. I shall bring all the infantry to this point, except a suitable guard for the depot in my rear, and probably all the cavalry also, as I do not deem it prudent to detach in our existing relations with Mexico.

I am gratified to be able to report that the troops are more healthy than could reasonably be expected, considering their great exposure and the inferior quality of the water on the coast. The prevalent complaints are not at all serious, and the command is, perhaps, more healthy than it would have been had it remained at Fort Jesup and vicinity.

The 4th infantry sailed from New Orleans under convoy of the "St. Mary's," sloop-of-war, Captain Saunders. The "Falmouth," Captain Sands, and "Lawrence," Captain Jarvis, have also been off Aransas pass, and their commanders have communicated with me.

I take pleasure in acknowledging my obligations to these officers, for valuable assistance which they have extended to us, and for the assurances of support and co-operation.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The ADJUTANT GENERAL

Of the Army, Washington, D. C.

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

Corpus Christi, Texas, August 19, 1845.

SIR: I respectfully enclose, for the information of the department, a copy of a letter addressed by me to the President of Texas,

and forwarded to him by special express on the 17th instant. I have deemed it proper to make this communication to President Jones, in consequence of the desire manifested by the authorities of Texas to have a garrison established, at once, at Austin. As I cannot consent to detach any portion of my command, while a superior Mexican force is probably concentrating in my front, and as I still feel bound to extend every assistance, compatible with a successful prosecution of the main object of the expedition, towards putting the frontier in a suitable state of defence, I have judged it prudent to make the suggestions and recommendations which you will find in the enclosed letter. Trusting that they will meet the approbation of the War Department,

I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The ADJUTANT GENERAL

Of the Army, Washington, D. C.

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Corpus Christi, Texas, August 16, 1845. SIR: I have the honor to report my arrival at this place, in obedience to the special instructions from the War Department, of which you have already been apprised by my letter, of July 20, to the Secretary of War and Marine.

One company of artillery and a brigade of infantry are now in position here, and will soon be reinforced by seven companies of dragoons and an additional regiment of infantry.

You have undoubtedly received intelligence of the hostile steps taken by Mexico, and the probable declaration of war against us by that power. Under these circumstances, I do not deem it prudent to detach any portion of my force at present, and it is the principal object of this communication to recommend that any volunteers or spies now in the service of Texas be continued in employment, should you consider it necessary for the defence of the frontier. If you concur in this view, I will, at your instance, despatch an officer to muster into the service of the United States any companies which you may designate as necessary for the security of the frontier, to conform in numbers and organization to the laws of the United States. Should such musters be made, I will recommend that the officers and men while in service continue to receive the same rate of pay which they have drawn from the Texan gov

ernment.

My presence, and that of my command, is now imperatively required on this frontier. When our relations with Mexico, and the state of the service in this quarter, shall permit my absence, I will take great pleasure in proceeding to the seat of government, and

conferring with you personally in relation to the proper dispositions to be made for the permanent occupation of the frontier. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. TAYLOR,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

His Excellency ANSON JONES,

President of Texas, Washington, Texas.

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

Corpus Christi, Texas, August 20, 1845.

SIR: I beg leave to call your attention to the condition of the artillery company serving in this army, in regard to the number of men soon to be discharged, and the necessity of supplying their places as early in the autumn as practicable. From an official report of Lieutenant Bragg, it appears that twelve men will be discharged by the end of November, there being now fifty enlisted men in the company. There will thus, at the end of November, be fourteen vacancies in the company, unless some re-enlistments should reduce the number; upon which we cannot reckon with any. certainty. To render a company efficient with four pieces, sixty men are required; to complete which number, should the generalin-chief see fit to add a detachment to the company for this service, twenty-two recruits will be required.

The great importance of keeping this small force in an efficient condition, will excuse me for urging the necessity of sending out good recruits to the company as soon as the advanced season will render it safe to pass through New Orleans.

The field battery, much to my regret, has not yet arrived. I could get no guns of suitable calibre from the "St. Mary's" sloopof-war, but have procured three pieces indifferently equipped, and a small supply of ammunition, from the citizens of this place. These guns add materially to our strength in case we should be attacked here, which I do not anticipate, but they are not fit for field service. I cannot doubt that our battery will arrive before it shall become necessary for us to move.

The 2d dragoons are to-day at Goliad, on the San Antonio river, and will arrive at San Patricio on the 23d, where I expect to meet them. The officers and men are generally well, and the horses are in quite as good condition as we could expect. We have no news of the 7th, or Graham's companies, of the 4th.

Caravans of traders arrive occasionally from the Rio Grande, but bring no news of importance. They represent that there are no regular troops on that river, except at Matamoras, and do not seem to be aware of any preparations for a demonstration on this bank