manifest that the British government has disapproved their conduct. I have the honor to be, my Lord, with high consideration, your Lordship's obedient humble servant, Viscount PALMERSTON, &C., &c., &c. GEORGE BANCROFT. FOREIGN OFFICE, October 12, 1847. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, stating that you have been instructed by the government of the United States to complain that Captain May, of the British mail steamer "Teviot," violated the belligerent rights of the United States, by bringing the Mexican General, Paredes, from the Havana to Vera Cruz, in the month of August last. And I have to inform you that I have referred the above complaint to the proper department of her majesty's government, in order that the charge brought against the captain of the "Teviot" may be officially investigated. I have the honor to be, sir, your most obedient humble servant, PALMERSTON. GEORGE BANCROFT, Esq., &c., &c., &c. FOREIGN OFFICE, November 16, 1847. SIR: In answer to your letter of the 8th instant, complaining of the conduct of Captain May, of the British mail steamer "Teviot," in having conveyed General Paredes from the Havana to Vera Cruz, in the month of August last, I have the honor to state to you that the lords commissioners of the admiralty having investigated the circumstances of this affair: her majesty's government have informed the directors of the Royal Mail Steampacket Company, to whom the steamer "Teviot" belongs, that the directors are bound to testify, in a marked manner, their disapproval of Captain May's conduct, in having thus abused the indulgence afforded to the company's vessels by the government of the United States, and the directors of the company have accordingly stated to her majesty's government that they will immediately suspend Captain May from his command; and that they publicly and distinctly condemn any act on the part of their officers which may be regarded, as a breach. of faith towards the government of the United States, or as an infringement or invasion of the regulations established by the United States officers in those parts of Mexico which are occupied by the forces of the United States. I have the honor to be, with high consideration, sir, your most obedient humble servant, GEORGE BANCROFT, Esq., &c., &c., &c. PALMERSTON. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, Communicating a report from the Secretary of War, in answer to a resolution of the Senate calling for copies of the letters, reports, or other communications, referred to in General Taylor's letter, dated at New Orleans, July 20, 1845, as containing his views as to the line proper to be occupied at that time by the United States troops; and any similar communication from any officer of the army on the subject. JANUARY 31, 1848. แ To the Senate of the United States: I communicate, herewith, a report from the Secretary of War, with the accompanying documents, in answer to the resolution of the Senate of the 24th instant, requesting to be furnished with copies of the letters, reports, or other communications, which are referred to in the letter of General Zachary Taylor, dated at New Orleans, 20th July, 1845, and addressed to the Secretary of War, and which are so referred to as containing the views of General Taylor, previously communicated, in regard to the line proper to be occupied at that time by the troops of the United States; and any similar communication from any officer of the army on the same subject." WASHINGTON, January 31, 1848. JAMES K. POLK. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, January 31, 1848. SIR: I have the honor to transmit, herewith, "copies of the letters, reports, or other communications, which are referred to in the letter of General Zachary Taylor, of the 20th of July, 1845, &c., being those embraced in the resolution of the Senate of the 24th instant. Besides the documents here submitted, "as containing the views of General Taylor as to the line proper to be occupied at that time by the troops of the United States," there are two other letters on file from him on the same subject-one of the 4th of October, and the other the 7th of November, 1845; but, as they are both subsequent to the date of the letter referred to in the resolution, I have not furnished copies of them, as the call of the Senate seems to be confined to General Taylor's views communicated previous to the 20th of July, 1845. These two letters have been, heretofore, communicated to Congress; and, should you deem them to be included in the call of the Senate, they will be found printed in the documents of the House of Representatives, 1st session of last Congress, No. 196, pages 93 and 97. any In relation to that clause of the resolution which requests similar communication from any officer of the army on the same subject," I have to state that no such communication is found on the files of the department other than the endorsements of Major General Scott on the letters of General Taylor; these endorsements are also, herewith, submitted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War. [CONFIDENTIAL.] HEAD-QUARTERS, 1ST MILITARY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge a confidential communication, dated May 28th, from the Secretary of War, prescribing instructions for my guidance in the event of the annexation of Texas to the United States, and of its being menaced by invasoin from a third power. I would respectfully state, that I deem the present positions of the troops under my orders as being the best at this time, or until we shall ascertain more certainly the nature of the service which they may be called upon to perform on first entering Texas. Should I receive authentic information from the government of Texas or our chargé, after the favorable action of the convention on the resolutions of annexation, that the country is threatened with invasion, I shall without further delay, move the 3d and 4th regiments of infantry, and probably some companies of the 7th, by water, to some point on the coast whence they may readily take up suitable positions to repel or hold in check the invading force. The cavalry would move by land. For the particular service of repelling invasion, the water route is not only the most economical and expeditious, but presents the great advantage of throwing the troops into position in a fresh condition, fit for immediate service. It may not, however, be advisable to adopt that route after the sickly season shall commence in New Orleans. Except for the contingency above intimated, I consider the force indicated in the instructions of the 21st of March, as being sufficient for the present occupation of Texas. Instructions have been given to the commanders of posts on the upper Red river, to re strain the Indians within our limits from any acts of hostility against the settlements of Texas; but, from considerable acquaintance with affairs in that quarter, I anticipate no difficulty on that head. Captain Waggaman, of the subsistence department, has been instructed to proceed to Washington, in Texas, with the double object of procuring information in regard to the resources of the country for subsistence, and as a bearer of despatches to President Jones and Major Donelson. He will remain until the action of Congress shall be known, and perhaps longer-communicating with me in the mean time by express. I look with anxiety to the information he may obtain, as my own orders will, to a considerable extent, be regulated by it, not only in regard to the movement of troops, but also the establishment of depots of provisions, in the event of a march hence across the country. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. V. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington city, D. C. HEAD-QUARTERS, 1ST MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Fort Jesup, La., June 30, 1845. SIR: I respectfully acknowledge the communication of the 15th instant, from the Acting Secretary of War, which was received by Lieutenant Lay last evening. The infantry regiments will be put in motion immediately for New Orleans or its vicinity, by way of Red river. This route is, beyond all question, the best for the purposes indicated in the instructions. The 4th infantry will embark by the 4th, and the 3d by the 8th of July. I am yet undecided as to the best route for the cavalry, and shall wait for information to be procured by Captain Waggaman, from whom I expect to hear daily. In incline, at present, to the opinion, that the dragoons can move by land to the western part of Texas, and can be foraged there. We shall need the services of mounted troops on our arrival, and the dragoons are already so well instructed, and their horses in such training, that I deem it all important, if practicable, to retain them as a mounted force. This will be decided before my own departure for New Orleans on the 8th July, and the department shall be duly advised accordingly. We have received unofficial intelligence of the unanimous action of the Texan congress in favor of annexation; in what particular form is not known. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army. Washington city, D. C. [Endorsement.] Respectfully laid before the Secretary of War: I do not doubt that the dragoons may safely take their horses with them to Texas, and find grain and grass enough for their subsistence all along the usual route, from Natchitoches to Fort Alamo, and the Rio del Norte; north of that route, the grass is known to be abundant; all which General Taylor will learn from Captain Waggaman. WINFIELD SCOTT. HEAD-QUARTERS, FIRST MILITARY DEPARTMENT, Fort Jesup, La., July 8, 1845. SIR: I respectfully enclose, for the information of the generalin-chief and Secretary of War, copies of a communication from our chargé in Texas, dated June 28th, and of one from the Secretary of War and Marine of Texas, dated June 27th, which were delivered to me by Captain Waggaman, on the 7th instant. It will be seen that the Executive of Texas recommends an occupation, by United States troops, of certain points, Austin being of the number; and that the United States chargé also recommends the immediate occupation of the western frontier of Texas, from the coast to San Antonio, and ultimately further north. The suggestions of the latter, in regard to the line to be occupied, meet my own views entirely, and, unless otherwise ordered, I shall confine myself, in the first instance, to the line of the Nueces, which covers all the settlements. I propose to concentrate all my force at or near Corpus Christi, until the disposition of Mexico shall become known. Should the Mexican troops on the Rio Grande assume a hostile attitude, it will be necessary to have all the corps within striking distance of each other, to be ready for any emergency. Should our relation with them on the other hand be pacific, a portion of the command can then be extended towards San Antonio. I have, accordingly, given the cavalry a route overland hence to Corpus Christi. If I receive information, on reaching the latter point, rendering it necessary, there will be ample time, by express, to change their route. I shall order three months' forage to meet the dragoons at Corpus Christi. Major Donelson's communication confirms me in the resolution of sending the dragoons by land. That corps is in an excellent state of instruction, and has made remarkable progress in recruiting and training its horses. Even should a portion of the horses be sacrificed on the march, which I do not apprehend, the residue will soon be efficient, and their services will be greatly needed. The remainder of the dragoon horses are near at hand, and will probably be able to accompany the march, if not, they will be forwarded under an officer. They are quite poor, having been driven from Missouri. Colonel |