While in New Orleans, I represented the necessity of a despatch vessel-a steamer, if practicable-to ply between our position and New Orleans. I was informed from your office, under date of July 30th, that measures had been taken to supply the want, and under date of August 23d, from the War Office, that the "On ka-hy-e," the "Harney," and the "Dolphin," would be put into the service as despatch vessels for the above purpose. Of all these vessels, the "On-ka-hy-e" alone has reported to me; and her degree of utility for this particular service may be judged from the fact that she sailed from Aransas pass more than a month since for Mobile and New Orleans, and has not yet returned. In fact, she is a dull sailer, and wholly unfit for the purposes for which she was sent out. By a report received yesterday 'from the commander of the "Harney," it appears that she is now lying in the Mississippi river, and that her boiler is in such condition that it is deemed entirely unsafe for her to go to sea. Of the "Dolphin" I have heard nothing.

It thus appears that the means provided for keeping up a regular and frequent communication with the army of occupation have proved totally inadequate. The necessity of such a communication is now much greater than when I first addressed you on the subject, and I must respectfully request that some efficient arrangement be made by which our mails may be received and sent with at least tolerable regularity. For this purpose it is necessary to have a good seagoing steamer entirely under the control of the quartermaster's department. If the "Harney," or the "General Taylor," which once belonged to that department, can be returned to it again, I have little doubt that either of them would answer the purpose. New Orleans should, by all means, be the port of departure; and the public freight which a vessel of the kind could bring would go far to pay her expenses.

In the event of a forward movement to the Rio Grande with any possibility of hostile operations, a small armed vessel would be indispensable to cover the depot which would in that case be established at Brazos Santiago, as well as our landing at that point. And I would suggest at any rate, that until the most perfect friendly relations are again established with Mexico, a naval vessel of the above description be placed under my orders.

I have to acknowledge your communication of October 20th, with enclosures relative to a charge against Brevet Major Beall; copy of your communication of October 21st to late Lieutenant Quimby, 7th infantry; certificate of disability in the case of Sergeant Branton, company B, 2d dragoons; "general orders" No. 48, and "special orders" Nos. 101 and 102.

spectfully, your obedient servant.

Washington, D. C.

HEAD-QUARTERS, ARMY OF OCCUPATION,

Corpus Christi, Texas, November 19, 1845.

SIR: By a report from Major Fauntleroy, 2d dragoons, commanding at San Antonio, dated the 1st instan', it appears that, upon the requisition, or at the suggestion of a Major Neighbors, represented to be an "Indian agent" under the government of Texas, he despatched a party from his command, on the 30th of October, under the direction of said agent, to arrest some Camanches who were in the Lipan camp, not far from San Antonio, and who were reported by the Lipans to have committed some depredations near Corpus Christi. The Camanches suffered themselves to be taken without resistance, but afterwards suddenly broke from the guard, and made their escape. The guard, agreeably to orders, fired upon them, and wounded two of the number, there being six or eight

in all.

This circumstance is greatly to be regretted, and may be the germ of serious difficulty on the Indian frontier. My instructions to Major Fauntleroy have been very pointed-to exercise great caution in all matters relating to alleged Indian depredations. In the present case, the reports against the Camanches were entirely false at least, no depredations have been committed by them near Corpus Christi, to my knowledge; and, even if true, Major Fauntleroy had no evidence of the facts sufficiently strong to warrant him in the course he took. The moment that the service will permit my absence from the main army here, I shall visit San Antonio and Austin, with a view to adopt such measures as may be required by the public interest in that quarter. In the meantime, I shall give such instructions to Major Fauntleroy as will prevent a recurrence of such hasty and ill-judged proceedings hereafter.

I have already reported to the department the steps which I have found it necessary to take for the protection of the Indian frontier of Texas; and that I deemed it advisable for that purpose to muster into service a few companies of rangers. These companies were mustered into service for three months; and their respective terms will expire about the end of the year. Should the present pacific aspect of our Mexican relations continue, it will not be necessary to continue this force in service, except possibly one company as guides. It will then become necessary to strengthen the regular force on the frontier; and, to avoid useless marches. and expense, I would respectfully ask to be informed, if consistent with propriety, what corps are destined for the permanent occupation of Texas on a peace establishment. Such corps can then be placed in position at once, at a time when they are most wanted, and when they can establish posts with least prejudice to health. San Antonio, Austin, and, perhaps, an intermediate point on the Guadaloupe, must be military stations; and the sooner they are occupied by the regular garrisons who are destined for that service, the better. A large force of cavalry cannot be sustained on the frontier without very heavy expense at this time; and I would not

at present add more than one to the number of companies already there. Infantry may be subsisted at a comparatively small rate. Recent arrivals from the Rio Grande bring no news whatever. 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, January 7, 1846.

SIR: For the information of the general-in-chief and War Department, I make the following extract f.om a private letter lately received at this place from our consul at Matamoras, and dated December 24, 1845:

"Our accounts from the interior are, that General Paredes, at San Luis, is about rising against the government; it is given out that he and his party are against treating with the United States. Our minister, Mr. John Slidell, of New Orleans, has arrived at Mexico; so, if the revolution does not break out, we shall shortly have a treaty, I hope. General Arista rests quie, to see, perhaps, what success attends General Paredes. In this part of the country the people are in favor of peace, and, I should judge, or a treaty with the United States, but a considerable excitement has been produced by the news from General Paredes.

"A little schooner (the Susanna, of New Orleans,) has come in here in distress. She was seized by our custom-house, and the captain was imprisoned, but is released upon bail. I have forwarded some documents to Mexico respecting her."

We have intelligence from Matamoras as late as the 1st instant, to the effect that a courier had arrived from the interior, bringing the news that Paredes, with a large force, was within thirty leagues of the city of Mexico; that much excitement prevailed in Matamoras in favor of Paredes, and against Herrera. It is also stated that the officers of the garrison had declared for Paredes. I look with great anxiety for further news from Mexico.

The above intelligence is received from Matamoras. We have many arrivals from other points on the river, but they bring no intelligence of interest. A recent scout of volunteers from San Antonio struck the river near Presidio, Rio Grande, and the commander reports everything quiet in that quarter.

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, February 4, 1846. SIR: I respectfully acknowledge the communication of the Secretary of War, dated January 13th, and containing the instructions of the President to move forward with my force to the Rio Grande. I shall lose no time in making the necessary preparations for carrying out those instructions.

The occupation of Point Isabel or Brazos Santiago as a depot will be indispensable. That point and a position on or near the river opposite Matamoras will I think answer all present purposes. At any rate, I shall not separate my force further until the position of affairs shall render it entirely safe to do so.

I propose to abandon this position entirely, as soon after our march as the stores, hospital, &c., can be transferred to St. Joseph's island. It will not be necessary to keep up an establishment at that point for the present, although our supplies will come to Point Isabel direct from New Orleans.

In reply to the call of the Secretary for information as to what means, if any, will be required "to enforce and maintain our common right to navigate" the Rio Grande, I would respectfully state that, until I reach the river and ascertain the condition of things in the frontier States of Mexico, temper of the people, &c., 1 cannot give any satisfactory answer to the question. I have every reason to believe that the people residing on the river are well disposed towards our government. Our advance to the Rio Grande will itself produce a powerful effect, and it may be that the common navigation of the river will not be disputed. It is very important to us, and will be indispensable when posts are established higher up, as must ultimately be the case.

I shall not call for any militia force in addition to what I already have, unless unforeseen circumstances shall render its employment

necessary.

I beg leave again to call the attention of the department to the necessity of having our movement and position at Brazos Santiago covered by a small armed vessel. I deem this vitally important, and hope it will meet with favorable consideration.

We have no news from the interior of Mexico more recent than that derived from the New Orleans papers of the 26th January. 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, February 16, 1846.

SIR: I respectfully report that I received last evening by the sloop-of-war "St. Mary's" a communication from Comm

Connor, commanding the home squadron, dated the 4th instant, in which he announces his intention to proceed with the squadron to Vera Cruz, and desires to know in what way he can co-operate with the land force under my command. I have informed the commodore that I am about to move to the Rio Grande under instructions from the War Department, and have desired him to give me the support of one or two small vessels to assist us, if necessary, in taking possession of Brazos Santiago, and at all events to coter the establishment of a depot at that point. I deem this co-operation very opportune and necessary, and am gratified to obtain it.. Commodore Connor will be enabled, at the same time, to communicate directly with me and furnish the latest intelligence from Vera Cruz and the city of Mexico.

Examinations are now in progress of the two routes to Point Isabel-that by the main land and that by Padre island.. The reports of the officers charged with them will determine the route of march. Our train, which is necessarily very heavy, is rapidly organizing, and we shall be able to commence the movement about the 1st of March.

Many reports will doubtless reach the department, giving exaggerated accounts of Mexican preparations to resist our advance, if not indeed to attempt an invasion of Texas. Such reports have been circulated even at this place, and owe their origin to personal interests connected with the stay of the army here. I trust that they will receive no attention at the War Department. From the best information I am able to obtain, and which I deem as authentic as any, I do not believe that our advance to the banks of the Rio Grande will be resisted. The army, however, will go fully prepared for a state of hostilities, should they unfortunately be provoked by the Mexicans.

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, February 26, 1846.

SIR: I have to report that the preparations for a forward movement of this command are now nearly completed. The examinations spoken of in my report of the 16th instant have shown the practicability of both routes-by the main land and by Padre island. The reconnoisance of Padre island extended to its southern extremity, and included the harbor of Brazos Santiago and Point Isabel; that of the main route reached to a point near the Little Colorado. A depot, with four days' forage, and subsistence for the army, will be thrown forward some forty miles, to the Santa Gertrudes. A detachment of two companies, to establish and cover